Marlee, Mario, more on horizon
We hope it will be your pleasure to pencil in some or all of the following, which will be coming to a local theater or campus building near you in the upcoming weeks, starting tonight:
• The Illini Film & Video meeting taking place later tonight, Monday, October 12, at 6:30 p.m., will be the first in several years to not occur in the English Building. Instead, head a couple doors south to Gregory Hall, UIUC, 810 S. Wright St., Urbana, IL, and seek out Room 221. It sounds like the move may be permanent.
• As it turns out, the appearance by Marlee Matlin is not a figment of our imagination. She will speak at a free event on Wednesday, October 14, 8 p.m., in the Illini Rooms of the Illini Union, UIUC, 1401 W. Green St., Urbana, IL, sponsored by the Illini Union Board and LGBT Resource Center. Being a long-time advocate in several movements, the actress best known for THE L WORD, THE WEST WING, and CHILDREN OF A LESSER GOD will certainly have plenty to talk about, not the least of which is her own efforts to overcome a hearing disability and find success.
• On the following evening, Thursday, October 15, the next round of Skip Huston film classes will commence at the Avon Theater, 426 N. Water St., Decatur, IL, starting at 6:30 p.m. The Head Honcho resumes partnership with Richland Community College with this series, “8 Great Directors,” so you will need to sign up promptly at the Avon or register by calling (217) 875-7211 x265. Cost will be $80 for eight weeks’ worth of cinema awesomeness.
• Need we remind you that THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW would love to touch-a touch-a touch-a touch you, should you attend the Midnight shows at the Avon on Friday, October 16, and/or Saturday, October 17? On top of that, Huston just announced the Avon’s Halloween programming for Saturday, October 31: the Lon Chaney, Jr., classic THE WOLF MAN (1941) and Mario Bava’s iconic Gothic chiller, BLACK SUNDAY (1961), starring Barbara Steele. Tickets will cost $10 for the former; the latter two are free with show times TBA.
• We’ve also spotted fliers for the annual Embarras Valley Film Festival in Charleston, IL, held on and near the Eastern Illinois University campus. This fourth edition will focus on Abraham Lincoln related films and presentations – are we experiencing déjà vu yet, dear readers? – and will run from Friday, November 12, through Sunday, November 14. Details will presumably be made available in the coming weeks.
~ Jason Pankoke