Calendar: Dec. 27, ’24-Jan. 2, ’25
Our movie and media Calendar appears every Friday/Saturday on C-U Blogfidential and caters to the downstate region anchored by Champaign-Urbana, Illinois, USA.
~~~~~
MILESTONES | Happy Birthday to You!
12/27: Matthew Gladney (co-host, Mashley at the Movies podcast, Champaign-Urbana, IL)
12/30: Paul Benson (gaffer, F’D: TALES FROM THE END TIMES, Horror-Fix Films, Springfield, IL)
12/30: Jason Pankoke (editor/publisher, C-U Blogfidential + The MICRO-FILM Review, Mendota, IL)
PASSINGS | You Will Be Missed
12/22: Jim Hambrick, 70 (founder/curator, Super Museum, Metropolis, IL)
FIELD REPORT DU HQ | From Wherever It May Be Said
Seems the conference room consensus at MFHQ Deux is we’re allowed to file a short Report because we deserve a break this week. To that end, in remembrance of the holiday road that was traveled annually for many years by Ye Ed to visit his much-missed Ma and Pa JaPan, we present a few items related to Bloomington-Normal, his rest stop of choice in between Champaign-Urbana and Mendota.
The news room at WGLT radio, the NPR affiliate station housed on the Illinois State University campus, reported earlier this month that a new program, MCLEAN COUNTY: THE EARLY YEARS, would premiere on Thursday, December 5, by the producing PBS station, WTVP-TV of Peoria; written and hosted by H. Wayne Wilson, the show covers a centuries-spanning history of the fertile land that would become prime farming country and the largest county by square mile in Illinois, including all the pains of maturation that it entailed. The next air date on WTVP is scheduled for Saturday, January 18, at 11 p.m.
~~~~~
~~~~~
Elsewhere, Entertainment Weekly elected to zero in on comments made by the actor-writer-director Jesse Eisenberg to GQ about his performance opposite Jason Segel in THE END OF THE TOUR, which he calls “one of the most creatively inspiring experiences” of his career; the 2015 movie fictionalizes an encounter between Rolling Stone reporter David Lipsky and the Infinite Jest novelist David Foster Wallace, who was an instructor in English at ISU when the real-life meeting took place between the two in 1996.
Last week, the writer, film producer, and B-N native Jason Huls revealed that his recent cosmic horror short subject, THAT DAMNED YELLOW RAINCOAT, had been picked up for inclusion in the anthology series BLOODY BITES on Screambox TV and the episode will premiere tonight, Friday, December 27, at 7 p.m. CST and repeat at 10:30 p.m. on the linear stream that is available in various cable packages and on this website. The story is about a suburban couple (Meg Elliott, Christopher Meister) whose marriage is clearly on the outs, but what isn’t clear is why a young woman (Marina Schenk) in a canary slicker is flitting about their home. Huls also talks on his Substack account about two more shorts, THE FAWN and a follow-up to BEYOND THE BASEMENT DOOR, among his creative endeavors of 2024 and 2025.
~~~~~
~~~~~
And, adding to our list of upcoming cinema-and-a-celebrity-or-two screenings that we first told you about a few Report filings back, we have learned the Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts has something called “Insidious: The Further You Fear” on tap for Friday, February 7. We use the term loosely here in that the “star” is the INSIDIOUS horror franchise itself and its various characters will play a part in a “paranormal demonstration” that unleashes havoc on the theater and its audience. We think. Maybe…?
To close on a seasonally weird-o note, the endlessly awesome “Windy City Ballyhoo” page on Facebook shared an advertisement that ran sixty years ago in Chicago newspapers to herald the opening of K. Gordon Murray’s all-ages matinee of LITTLE RED RIDING HOOD AND HER FRIENDS, a fantasy import in disguise, and SANTA’S MAGIC KINGDOM, an extremely odd time capsule filmed by Murray at the Santa’s Village attraction in suburban Dundee that was one-part promotion for those parks and one-part an unofficial sequel to Murray’s Mexico-produced stable like RIDING HOOD, PUSS ‘N BOOTS, and SANTA CLAUS. It’s still mind-boggling to us, even after sorting out the sordid for this previous Report and in the Almanac entry below, which recalls when the Florida B-movie ballyhoo king moved his campaign down to the Castle Theatre in Bloomington, where he lived in his adolescent years, later the same month.
Oh, right. We were going to keep it short. We actually meant “relatively short compared to recent weeks” and we can’t move on to the Calendar listings until we drop yet another local cinema bombshell on you folks. This time, the catch is it gets totally personal for your friendly neighborhood Mr. JaPan. Read on.
IMAGERY DU C-U | Picturing Our Scene on the Screen
~~~~~
I have a confession to make. I’ve kept a “Eureka! I’ve found it!” moment up my sleeve until now. It’s surprising, it’s fleeting, it’s seminal, and it has revived a memory in my life.
What happens when you’re browsing the socials and, in the most unlikely of places, you happen upon archival evidence of … yourself?
I recently built a Report around headlines that I found while scrolling on my phone. For better or worse, I do it a little bit every day despite having the personal laptop and work iMac sitting here within easy reach at MFHQ Deux. However, on September 7, I came across a video that looked pretty neat because of older interests and then found something long lost to me.
In my pre-teens, I loved the monsters of the movies and it centered on Famous Monsters of Filmland magazine from Warren Publishing, although I was late to the “Monster Kid” party by a generation. The first issue my parents bought for me was #168, dating from 1980 and sporting the CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE THIRD KIND aliens on its cover. The number that hooked me was issue 175 from 1981, which featured the summer fantasy hits-to-be like RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK, CLASH OF THE TITANS, SUPERMAN II, and … RODAN? If you know me, you know my lifelong soft spot for kaiju.
There was an old-fashioned newsstand in Plano, Illinois, where I lived when I was little. The owners saved a copy of every new FM issue for me behind the counter and I would walk there after school to buy it, weather allowing. When it was time for the hotly anticipated 25th anniversary issue to ship in early 1983, it never showed up. I had to read about the cancellation of issue 192 and closing down of Warren in the pages of Starlog magazine a few months later at a Waldenbooks store. A cultural gut punch to a kid is not fun when it happens in public.
~~~~~
~~~~~
A decade later and less than two weeks after I crossed the stage in my cap and gown at Illinois Wesleyan University of Bloomington to accept a BFA degree in graphic arts, I boarded an airplane with my father William so we could travel to my graduation present, which was to attend the Famous Monsters World Convention in Arlington, Virginia. May of 1993 was more or less the 35th anniversary of the debut of FM, so the promoters were playing it up with the promise that attendees would receive copies of the first new FM issue since, well, the issue before the issue that never arrived. Attractions included a giant dealers’ room, panel discussions, and appearances by FM editor and figurehead Forrest J Ackerman along with several of the old-guard talents who were fixtures in the pages of the original magazine.
This included the legendary science-fiction author Ray Bradbury. I knew it and went prepared.
So, I was lazy-scrolling on my phone and came across a video posted by the “Horror Ads” page on Facebook. A convoluted headline – “35 Years of Famous Monsters of Filmland on Wild Chicago/ET, 1993” – made it sound like the Chicago-centric magazine program WILD CHICAGO had covered the convention for some reason. “Okay, I’ll watch,” I thought.
The video is actually two segments ripped from someone’s old VHS tapes. In the first, CHICAGO reporter Will Clinger ventures into the north suburbs to visit with lo-fi monster movie maker David “The Rock” Nelson, a former boxer and street preacher who found a new calling with his camcorder on hand. In the second, ENTERTAINMENT TONIGHT takes in the Famous Monsters convention and talks with several of the guests including the Hollywood directors Joe Dante (GREMLINS) and John Landis (THE BLUES BROTHERS), original horror host John Zacherley, scream queen Brinke Stevens, and Ackerman. A smattering of vintage movie props and a few booths bursting with merchandise are also shown.
~~~~~
~~~~~
But, wait. There at the 5:31 mark, just after a trademark quip with a grin from Landis, is a two-shot of me visiting with Bradbury as he autographs my copy of Something Wicked This Way Comes. Then it cuts to a few comments from Bradbury and continues. I didn’t remember that a professional cameraman had been crouching next to me when our encounter took place. In fact, I’ve never seen this ET segment before now. Dad and I were still on the East Coast when the episode aired more than thirty-one years ago.
As the moment re-materializes in my head, I now remember that my mother Patricia told me “The Grandmas,” my grandmother and great-grandmother on Mom’s side of the family who lived together in suburban Stickney, had seen me on television. ENTERTAINMENT TONIGHT was one of several shows they routinely watched after dinner. They wouldn’t have had the presence to tape that episode, though. I don’t recall if they even had a VCR at that point. A heads-up horror fan must have recorded it for posterity and I will project a big and loud “thank you” to the universe on behalf of them.
Of course, I still have the paperback. I read it again a few years ago. It is meaningful in large part due to its themes about the passage of time and fears over aging and losing family and regaining memories and having the possible wonders of our world sucked away by dark forces in a moment’s breath. And also, the emotional through-line of a relationship between an older father and a fresh-faced son with a lifetime still ahead for at least one of them.
As it turns out, that book and all the swirling recollections about it aren’t going anywhere. I may not “live forever” like Bradbury’s sideshow muse, Mr. Electrico, but I can sure try for as long as I breathe and type.
~~~~~
CONFIDENTIAL ALMANAC | Dates in Film Culture History
60 Years Ago … Saturday, December 19, 1964: The Castle Theater in downtown Bloomington, Illinois, delights the children of the community with a special premiere of LITTLE RED RIDING HOOD AND HER FRIENDS attended by one of the stars, Stinky the Skunk, and its distributor, K. Gordon Murray. An English-language version of CAPERUCITA Y SUS TRES AMIGOS, the second of three similar movies from Mexico about Red’s adventures in faraway lands with various fantasy companions, this “kiddie matinee” is typical of the product imported and released by Murray’s eponymous K. Gordon Murray Productions, Inc., of Miami, Florida. Between the colorful marketing materials, easily catching the eyes of young theater goers, and the cheery ballyhoo at locations like the Castle, creating excitement for low-budget fairy tales wild with imagination, it is clear that Bloomington native Murray has successfully applied the entrepreneurial lessons he learned while growing up adjacent to a world of carnivals, fairs, and circuses. For today’s event, Robert Powers wears the replica skunk outfit in a more benign twist on the shambling horror costumes and gnarly props foisted on unsuspecting audiences by the likes of William Castle. Rafael Aldrete, known as “El Enano Santanón,” played the diminutive Stinky in the film series as well as Puss n’ Boots in a standalone Murray offering, all directed and produced by Roberto Rodríguez between 1960 and 1962 at the famous Churubusco-Azteca Studios in Mexico City. [R]
LOCAL FILMS & EVENTS | Support Your Media Storytellers
@ Phoenix Savoy 16 + IMAX, Savoy, IL
Chambana Film Festival* screening series feat. “Short Docs” incl. THE QUILTERS, CYCLING WITHOUT AGE, FACING THE FALLS (12/29, 4 p.m.)
NOW PLAYING | Champaign-Urbana Area
@ AMC Champaign 13, Champaign, IL
BABYGIRL, BABY JOHN (in Hindi with English sub), A COMPLETE UNKNOWN, THE FIRE INSIDE, GLADIATOR II, HER STORY (in Mandarin with English sub), HOMESTEAD (faith film), KRAVEN THE HUNTER, THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE WAR OF THE ROHIRRIM* (animation), MOANA 2 (animation), MUFASA: THE LION KING, NOSFERATU, RED ONE*, SONIC THE HEDGEHOG 3, WICKED (12/27 on) *single screenings daily
@ Phoenix Savoy 16 + IMAX, Savoy, IL
BABYGIRL, A COMPLETE UNKNOWN, THE FIRE INSIDE, GLADIATOR II, HOMESTEAD (faith film), KRAVEN THE HUNTER, THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE WAR OF THE ROHIRRIM* (animation), MOANA 2 (animation), MUFASA: THE LION KING, NOSFERATU, RED ONE, SONIC THE HEDGEHOG 3, WICKED (12/27 on) *single screenings daily
@ The Virginia Theatre, Champaign, IL
No movies until Roger Ebert’s Film Festival in April 2025.
Events featuring locally produced movies are marked with an asterisk (*). Additional “Now Playing” and “Coming Soon” listings appear after the jump!
~~~~~
NOW PLAYING | The Cities Beyond
@ The Avon Theater, Decatur, IL
HOMESTEAD, MUFASA: THE LION KING, SONIC THE HEDGEHOG 3 (12/26-12/29)
@ Clintonia Eagle Theater, Clinton, IL
BABYGIRL, HOMESTEAD, MUFASA: THE LION KING, SONIC THE HEDGEHOG 3, WICKED (12/27 on),
@ Crescent Cinemas, Pontiac, IL
Closed for the week.
@ The Fischer Theatre, Danville, IL
TRADING PLACES (1/1, 2 p.m.)
@ Marcus Bloomington Cinema + IMAX, Bloomington, IL
A COMPLETE UNKNOWN, THE FIRE INSIDE, GLADIATOR II*, KRAVEN THE HUNTER*, THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE WAR OF THE ROHIRRIM* (animation), MOANA 2 (animation), MUFASA: THE LION KING, NOSFERATU, SONIC THE HEDGEHOG 3, WICKED (12/27 on) *single screenings daily
@ The Normal Theater, Normal, IL
Closed for the week.
@ The Onarga Theatre, Onarga, IL
MUFASA: THE LION KING (12/27-12/29)
@ The Princess Theatre, Leroy, IL
MOANA 2 (animation) (12/26-12/29), WICKED (12/27-12/29)
@ VIP Lincoln Grand 6, Lincoln, IL
A COMPLETE UNKNOWN, MOANA 2 (animation), MUFASA: THE LION KING, NOSFERATU, SONIC THE HEDGEHOG 3, WICKED (12/27 on)
NOW PLAYING | Midwest
For detailed and curated listings of Chicago-area film presentations and related events, please visit the fine folks at Cine-File and subscribe to their definitive “Cine-List” weekly blast. And for northern Illinois industry news, be sure to read Reel Chicago and Screen Magazine.
COMING SOON | Area-wide Events
2/15/25
3rd annual CU International Film Festival*
@ Spurlock Museum of World Cultures, UIUC, Urbana, IL
3/27-3/29/25
2025 Big Muddy Film Festival*
@ The Varsity Center, Carbondale, IL
4/3-4/13/25
35th Onion City Experimental Film Festival, Chicago, IL
4/3-4/10/25
27th annual Wisconsin Film Festival, Madison, WI
4/23/-4/25/25
25th Roger Ebert’s Film Festival*
@ The Virginia Theatre, Champaign, IL
5/29-6/2/25
The Chambana Film Festival
@ TBA, Champaign-Urbana, IL
COMMUNITY & CAMPUS SERIES | Champaign-Urbana area
UPDATE! Chambana Film Festival* screening series
@ Phoenix Savoy 16 + IMAX, Savoy, IL, 4 p.m.
12/29: documentary shorts incl. FACING THE FALLS; 1/26/25: AFTER THE FALL: TWO GENERATIONS OF THE VIETNAM CONFLICT; 2/2/25: The IRLMovieClub Screening feat. THE THINKING GAME; 2/9-2/23/25: The Oscar Nominated Shorts 2025 – Live Action (2/9), Animation (2/16), and Documentary (2/23)
~~~~~
Compiled by Jason Pankoke.
~~~~~
“Calendar du C-U”
© 2024-25 Jason Pankoke/C-U Blogfidential
[T −138]