Archive for the 'Media Coverage' Category

Talents come together in support

Friday, July 10th, 2020

Singing words of wisdom, the numerous folks behind a new audio/video rendition of “Let it Be” want their Champaign-Urbana neighbors to feel better about our future and invest in the care of others.

Virus fells Orpheum, shorts Avon

Friday, July 3rd, 2020

Nationwide consensus is that small businesses and organizations will get raked over the coals before the pandemic is over. We look at how a first-run, mixed-use, and former movie theater are doing.

UI ghosts linger on and off screen

Friday, May 29th, 2020

University of Illinois students a generation apart do their on-camera best to convince viewers that campus spirits drift among us. Their existence somewhat haunts your humble editor to this day.

Odds sinking for Lincoln survival

Wednesday, May 20th, 2020

The unused Lincoln Square Theatre in downtown Decatur, Illinois, is showing signs of disrepair on its exterior. Residents and officials may be at a tipping point in deciding the fate of the venue.

C-U cinema hits a slippery slope

Monday, March 23rd, 2020

The scenes from a film culture that we have been watching mostly from afar fill us with mild disenchantment instead of wonder. And then we were ordered to self-shelter and keep personal spaces to ourselves. Joy.

Alas, no NAFF 2019 show for you

Friday, November 22nd, 2019

There’s really not much more to say on behalf of the New Art Film Festival. We need a short break from it publicly, starting now, even though we won’t get a break from it privately until further notice.

Youth expressed positively in films

Monday, August 19th, 2019

‘Tis the season for learning as the school year rushes in, but any time is golden for inspiring our youth. Students living in the Champaign-Urbana area have options aplenty to do just that, even with filmmaking.

One less haunt remains in the C-U

Thursday, May 16th, 2019

Espresso Royale on Daniel Street in Champaign, IL, will be closed and torn down, but we’ll always have our memories and film evidence of the coffee spot. What film evidence, you say? It’s minor, but, it exists!

Art Theater seeks $25K, film at 11

Thursday, February 28th, 2019

We are happy to see Champaign-Urbana, IL, once again vote with their wallets to help keep the Art Theater afloat, despite the imposition. Also, anybody ever hear of a flick called 100 BUCK HUSTLE?

Critics voice their ideas in videos

Thursday, February 21st, 2019

As movie critics gravitate to on-line podcasts and videos to offer their opinions, several teams in Champaign-Urbana have continued the tradition of televised debate. We share a few examples with you.

Ebertfest ‘19 starts on QUIET note

Friday, February 15th, 2019

Even though the 21st iteration of Roger Ebert’s Film Festival will not arrive until April, fans can get an early look at the first announced selection, A YEAR OF THE QUIET SUN, direct from Poland if they so choose.

C-U studio earning showbiz SLICE

Tuesday, January 29th, 2019

Little more than 10 years ago, Shatterglass Studios premiered their short film PRELUDE in a small-town theater. Today, the producers based in Champaign, IL, create on a much grander scale.

Africa focus of NOW! artist’s films

Wednesday, January 23rd, 2019

The Urbana Public Television/Urbana Public Arts Program series ART NOW! returns to filmmaker territory with an episode on Bourema “Ibrahim” Ouedraogo, a Burkina Faso native recently settled in Champaign.

And another NAFF bites the dust…

Tuesday, November 6th, 2018

We may have legitimacy, dependability, and a long track record, but we don’t have all the answers. Who does? It’s time to reflect on the need for the New Art Film Festival in Champaign-Urbana, Illinois.

In My Backyard: Year 12

Monday, October 22nd, 2018

“In My Backyard” Year 12 was obviously shelved, so here we go again at long last. We’re posting plug-and-play content as we now count down and lead up to Year 14. This time, we correct course on passionate words.