Calendar: April 4-10, 2025
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.
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MILESTONES | Happy Birthday to You!
4/2: Pamela Powell (cohost and reviewer, “Reel Talk with Chuck and Pam,” Champaign-Chicago, IL/Racine, WI)
4/10: Kristen Johns (videographer, “Champaign Underground” YouTube channel, Champaign-Urbana, IL)
PASSINGS | You Will Be Missed
3/27: Robert W. McChesney, 72 (author, Rich Media, Poor Democracy, The New Press, New York, NY/host, “Media Matters,” WILL-AM 580, UIUC, Urbana, IL/professor emeritus, Department of Communication, UIUC, Urbana, IL)
FIELD REPORT DU HQ | From Wherever It May Be Said
The Report is on hiatus until May. Thank you for your readership, CUvians and Agents! You should pay attention to Smile Politely, The Daily Illini, Champaign Movie Makers, and Chambana Film Festival for breaking news and updates in our scene. CUBlog will also keep in step with our friends and share to Facebook when we come across things you would like. Keep reading!
IMAGERY DU C-U | Picturing My New Scene on Your Screen
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Last week, we told you about the pleasure I had in discovering the hidden wonder of the Horizons Music warehouse, doing business in the same small Illinois town where I relocated the Secret MICRO-FILM Headquarters a few years ago. (Has it already been a few years?) The merchandise at this place will appeal greatly to those dearest listeners who are vinyl inclined, undeterred by obscure and overseas labels, and willing to dig. For those less endeared to the thrill of the hunt, names and faces of many well-known artists from across the expanse of twentieth century studio recording will leap out at you from all corners of the five thousand square foot floor. Since this is a movie blog, we are going to focus on the obvious today and show you a little of what might lie in wait for you that is in our wheelhouse. Read on!
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Much of the CD catalog at Horizons is tucked away in slim cardboard containers stacked on the shelves that line the outer walls. A smattering of random selections can be found on the tables in between the LPs, like this off-brand collection. Who knows how “original” the recordings on this might be.
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Videos are scarce here. They’re certainly not the bread and butter of a merchant like Horizons. Next to a wooden box filled with Beatles import LPs is this stack. Tempting, but these $5 DVDs are in the PAL format.
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Barely ten minutes before I made my way back to the front office of Horizons to pay for my small bounty and say thank you for allowing me to get my fill looking around the warehouse, I noticed these cartons. Stored along the inner wall, they’re filled with VHS. I’ll attempt to squeeze back there during my next visit.
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While I saw very few movie soundtrack CDs – one of them happened to be for the 1994 remake of LASSIE, one of the last films to play the Urbana Cinemas (Princess Theatre) in downtown Urbana before it closed down at Thanksgiving time that year – there was a decent selection of LPs on that front. I did not go in to take notes or photograph every single thing of interest I that I found, so you should visit the Horizons website to search the catalog for what might be music to your ears. Below are a few of the covers that stuck out to me including one for a film that is currently in the Criterion Collection. (Hint: it’s not JAWS 3, THE LONELY LADY, or HIGH ANXIETY.) VISIONS OF EIGHT is an anthology film about the 1972 Olympics with segments directed by the likes of Milos Forman, Kon Ichikawa, and Arthur Penn.
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Since the drive-in season is now upon us, with the Harvest Moon Twin Drive-in of Gibson City and Route 66 Drive-in of Springfield opening back up this weekend, let’s share an LP that I found away from the soundtracks. It’s exactly as advertised, filled with vintage radio songs by artists we all know: Buddy Holly, Connie Francis, Fats Domino, Richie Valens, Pat Boone, Chuck Berry, the Everly Brothers, and so on. Marked at $35 by Horizon, the price may seem a bit steep but it’s three platters and brand new in shrink wrap; some beautiful dreamers are trying to sell this for between $100 and $350 elsewhere. Shop smart!
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We’ll end our gallery with the nice surprise that I came upon late in my visit. Although I posed the covers a bit so they were easier to see, the following is depicted as I found it – standing by itself above the rows of soundtrack LPs, leaning against the back of something from the opposite side of the table. I had just been telling Confidential agent Drea, who is rediscovering her musical side through various doings at Parkland College, about the late Dora Hall; she was the wife of Solo Cup founder Leo Hulseman, who bankrolled her second wind in life as an entertainer through a series of LPs. 45s, television specials, and VHS tapes. This album checks two of those marks and was issued in 1972 by the Cozy Record Company of Chicago, one of several labels founded with the express purpose of introducing Hall to the world.
Next week, we’ll begin our survey of local film artifacts stored with love here at MFHQ Deux and, at some point, it will involve both Dora Hall and Urbana. To what effect, keep checking in with CUBlog to find out!
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CONFIDENTIAL ALMANAC | Dates in Film Culture History
15 Years Ago … February 5-7, 2010: Seeking to establish a vehicle for video screenings that welcomes a variety of personal and political perspectives, the Independent Media Center in downtown Urbana presents the second annual IMC Film Festival. A modest program features more than 25 pieces, serving as a “celebration of the art of cinematography” per AmeriCorps hire and outreach advisor Nicole Pion, and is rich with interactive portions to engage audience members. Activists, students, and producers from the immediate community are behind many of the movie selections while live attractions include a deejay and projection set by DJ Belly and Matt HarsH, post-film discussions led by the Gesundheit! Institute and the People’s Potluck, and an orchestral performance synched up to the silent German classic, THE CABINET OF DR. CALIGARI, of an original score composed and conducted by University of Illinois graduate student Vin Calianno. Organizers and rotating hosts of the event are Pion, Katy Vizdal, Laura Fuhrman, Brian Dolinar, and Jason Pankoke, the latter taking the reins at the first New Art Film Festival a scant two months later. Dolinar and friends would bring back the IMC Film Festival for a third and final bow in September 2011. As reported on 1/13/10, 2/1/10, 9/14/11 at CUBlog. [R]
NOW PLAYING | Champaign-Urbana Area
@ AMC Champaign 13, Champaign, IL
THE CHOSEN: LAST SUPPER Part 2 (faith film) and Part 1* (faith film), THE FRIEND, HELL OF A SUMMER, THE LUCKIEST MAN IN AMERICA, A MINECRAFT MOVIE, CAPTAIN AMERICA: BRAVE NEW WORLD, DEATH OF A UNICORN, MICKEY 17, THE PENGUIN LESSONS, SNOW WHITE, THE WOMAN IN THE YARD, A WORKING MAN (4/4 on), THE AMATEUR sneak preview (4/5, 6 p.m.), AMC “Screen Unseen” (mystery movie) (4/7, 7 p.m.), DROP sneak preview (4/9, 6 p.m.), AX Cinema Nights presents VAMPIRE HUNTER D 40th anniversary (animé) (4/9, 7 p.m., in Japanese with English sub; 4/10, 7 p.m., English dub), THE AMATEUR, THE CHOSEN: LAST SUPPER Part 3 (faith film), DROP, JAAT (in Hindi with English sub), THE KING OF KINGS (faith animation), WARFARE (4/10 on) *single screenings daily
@ Phoenix Savoy 16 + IMAX, Savoy, IL
THE CHOSEN: LAST SUPPER Part 2 (faith film) and Part 1 (faith film), THE FRIEND, HELL OF A SUMMER, A MINECRAFT MOVIE, BLACK BAG*, CAPTAIN AMERICA: BRAVE NEW WORLD, DEATH OF A UNICORN, DOG MAN (animation), MICKEY 17, PADDINGTON IN PERU, PRINCESS MONONOKE (animé) (re-release), SNOW WHITE, THE WOMAN IN THE YARD, A WORKING MAN (4/4 on), THE NOTEBOOK (4/6, 3 & 7 p.m.; 4/9, 7 p.m.), THE CHOSEN: LAST SUPPER Part 3 (faith film) (4/10 on) *single screenings daily
@ Pine Lounge, 1st floor, Illini Union, UIUC, Urbana, IL
Illini Union Board presents NOSFERATU (4/4-4/5, 7 p.m., free w/i-card)
BACK OPEN! @ The Virginia Theatre, Champaign, IL
DROP sneak preview (4/7, 7 p.m., free)
Events featuring locally produced movies are marked with an asterisk (*). Additional “Now Playing” and “Coming Soon” listings appear after the jump!
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NOW PLAYING | The Cities Beyond
@ Clintonia Eagle Theater, Clinton, IL
THE CHOSEN: LAST SUPPER Part 2 (faith film), A MINECRAFT MOVIE, SNOW WHITE, THE WOMAN IN THE YARD, A WORKING MAN (4/4 on)
@ Crescent Cinemas, Pontiac, IL
A MINECRAFT MOVIE, SNOW WHITE (4/4 on)
@ The Fischer Theatre, Danville, IL
No movies this week!
BACK OPEN! @ The Harvest Moon Twin Drive-in, Gibson City, IL
A MINECRAFT MOVIE (Screen 1), SNOW WHITE (Screen 2) (4/4-4/5)
@ The Lorraine Theatre, Hoopeston, IL
A MINECRAFT MOVIE (4/4-4/6, 4/10)
@ Marcus Bloomington Cinema + IMAX, Bloomington, IL
THE CHOSEN: LAST SUPPER Part 2 (faith film) and Part 1* (faith film), HELL OF A SUMMER, THE MARTIAL ARTIST, A MINECRAFT MOVIE, CAPTAIN AMERICA: BRAVE NEW WORLD, DEATH OF A UNICORN, THE PENGUIN LESSONS*, SNOW WHITE, THE WOMAN IN THE YARD, A WORKING MAN (4/4 on), Indian cinema: MAD SQUARE (Telugu w/Eng sub, 4/4-4/8), GOOD BAD UGLY (Tamil w/Eng sub, 4/9 on), JACK (Telugu w/Eng sub, 4/9 on), and JAAT (Hindi w/Eng sub, 4/9 on), PRINCESS MONONOKE* (animé) (re-release, Japanese w/Eng sub or Eng dub) (4/4-4/8), THE AMATEUR sneak preview (4/5, 6 p.m.), SEVENTEEN [RIGHT HERE] WORLD TOUR (concert film) (4/5, 12:40 p.m., in Korean with English sub), STAR TREK II: THE WRATH OF KHAN (4/6, 4 p.m.; 4/7, 6 p.m.), Marcus “Mystery Movie” (4/7, 7 p.m.), DROP sneak preview (4/9, 6 p.m.), THE AMATEUR, THE CHOSEN: LAST SUPPER Part 3* (faith film), DROP, THE KING OF KINGS (faith animation), WARFARE (4/10 on) *single screenings daily
@ The Normal Theater, Normal, IL
“Films that Inspired Star Wars” series: THE SEARCHERS (4/4, 4/6), 633 SQUADRON (4/5), METROPOLIS (4/5), THE 7TH VOYAGE OF SINBAD (4/6), 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY (4/9), and THE GUNS OF NAVARONE (4/10)
@ The Onarga Theatre, Onarga, IL
A MINECRAFT MOVIE (4/4-4/6)
@ The Princess Theatre, Leroy, IL
BLACK BAG (4/4-4/6)
BACK OPEN! @ The Route 66 Drive-in Theater, Springfield, IL
SNOW WHITE, CAPTAIN AMERICA: BRAVE NEW WORLD (Screen 1), A MINECRAFT MOVIE, LAST BREATH (Screen 2) (4/4-4/5)
@ VIP Lincoln Grand 6, Lincoln, IL
THE CHOSEN: LAST SUPPER Part 2 (faith film) and Part 1* (faith film), A MINECRAFT MOVIE, DOG MAN (animation), SNOW WHITE, THE WOMAN IN THE YARD, A WORKING MAN (4/4 on)
NOW PLAYING | Midwest
@ Chicago Filmmakers Firehouse Cinema, etc., Chicago, IL
Chicago Filmmakers presents the 35th Onion City Experimental Film Festival (through 4/13) Information
@ Chicago Filmmakers Firehouse Cinema, etc., Chicago, IL
Chicago Filmmakers presents “Picture ReStart” series, “Ronald Nameth’s Guna Reels” program (4/5, 6 p.m.
@ Chicago Filmmakers Firehouse Cinema, etc., Chicago, IL
Chicago Filmmakers presents “The Moving Image: A User’s Manual” book discussion w/author Peter B. Kaufman (4/8, 7 p.m.)
@ UW Cinematheque, Vilas Hall, etc., Madison, WI
University of Wisconsin-Madison presents the 27th annual Wisconsin Film Festival (through 4/10) Information
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
4/23-4/25
25th Roger Ebert’s Film Festival*
@ The Virginia Theatre, Champaign, IL
NEW! 4/24-4/27
Foxtail Film Festival* 2025
@ Normal Theater, Normal, IL
NEW! 5/2
Illinois Student Film Festival*
@ Spurlock Museum of World Cultures, UIUC, Urbana, IL, 7 p.m.
UPDATE! 5/29-6/2
The first Savoy Lumierè* film festival
@ Phoenix Savoy 16 + IMAX, Savoy, IL
9/21
The Chambana Film Society’s Music Film Festival (title TBA)
@ TBA, Champaign-Urbana, IL
COMMUNITY & CAMPUS SERIES | Champaign-Urbana area
Chambana Film Society* screening series
@ Phoenix Savoy 16 + IMAX, Savoy, IL, 4 p.m.
4/27: SLICE OF LIFE (documentary)
Illini Union Board presents “Spring 2024 Weekend Films”
@ Pine Lounge, 1st floor, Illini Union, UIUC, Urbana, IL, 7 p.m. Fri. & Sat, free w/i-card
4/11-4/12: WALL-E (animation); 4/18-4/19: SONIC THE HEDGEHOG 3; 4/25-4/26: THE WILD ROBOT (animation); 5/2-5/3: CAPTAIN AMERICA: BRAVE NEW WORLD; 5/4: STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS
Roger Ebert Center for Film Studies* event series
@ Knight Auditorium, Spurlock Center for World Cultures, UIUC, Urbana, IL
4/22: Ebert Symposium screening: HER; 4/23: Ebert Symposium keynote and roundtables: “Artificial Intelligence Imagined and Realized”
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Compiled by Jason Pankoke.
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“Calendar du C-U”
© 2025 Jason Pankoke/C-U Blogfidential
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