C-U Blogfidential

An Associated Press story in The Los Angeles Times reports that Roger Ebert’s signature “thumbs up/thumbs down” coda has become a sticking point in the film critic’s contract negotiations with his television producer, Disney-ABC Domestic Television. Also, your editor wonders out loud, “If Hef gets a biopic, why not Ebert?”

The next meeting of Illini Film & Video will be on Monday, August 27, 2007, at 7:30 p.m. in the basement lounge of the UIUC English Building on the Main Quad.

Article in Champaign daily The News-Gazette about Mike and Gail Hanafin, owners of the Princess Theatre in LeRoy, IL, taking over management duties after allowing former operator Ben Slotky to back out of his lease agreement. Plus, your editor ruminates about the failure of the Castle Theatre in Bloomington under Slotky’s ownership.

A trio of downstate indies – LATE AFTERNOON OF THE LIVING DEAD, WELCOME TO TOLONO, and MERRY CHRISTMAS! – will be featured during the second annual Illinois International Film Festival at the Arcada Theatre in St. Charles, IL, on Friday, September 14, 2007, and Saturday, September 15, 2007.

Article in Champaign daily The News-Gazette about Illinois State Police arresting Michigan resident Paul J. Adams III near Watseka, IL, on charges involving speeding, possession of marijuana, and “unlawful use of unidentified audiovisual recordings.”

WILL-TV and the University of Illinois Library once again sponsor “Home Movie Day,” a celebration of amateur small-gague cinema, at the WILL studios on Saturday, August 11, 2007, 1 p.m.

The next meeting of CU Video Group will be on Wednesday, August 8, 2007, 7 p.m. at Rock’s, 25 E. Springfield Ave., Champaign.

Article in Champaign newspaper The Daily Illini previewing the impending production of the “80’s throwback action movie about a homeless vigilante/superhero,” THE TRANSIENT, produced by Chris Lukeman and Anne Shivers. Plus, C-U Blogfidential brings you exclusive set photos of the Transient and Steve in action!

Article in Bloomington (IL) daily The Pantagraph about the reopening of the Majestic Theatre in Streator, IL, on its 100th anniversary. Also, your editor bitches about old business.

Article in Champaign daily The News-Gazette about the “Show Me A Story” program sponsored by WILL-TV Channel 12 and the Don Moyer Boys & Girls Club of Champaign, during which preteens learn how to plan and produce a 10-minute segment for television. Plus, your editor bitches about the station’s lack of creative in-house programming.

Believe it! Madison-by-way-of-C-U filmmaker Johnnie May will present his latest work, (i am going to love you..) SOMEDAY, during an indie rock show on Saturday, July 28, 2007, 9 p.m., at Cowboy Monkey in downtown Champaign.

A new horror film short called ZOMBIE MOVIE, produced in Taylorville, IL, will make its public debut on Friday, July 20, 2007, 7:30 p.m., at the Lincoln Square Theatre in downtown Decatur.

Article in Champaign daily The News-Gazette about the Twin Cinemas in nearby Villa Grove, recently put up for sale by owner Mark McSparin of Sensible Cinemas.

Article in Bloomington (IL) daily The Pantagraph about the victory of Springfield, Vermont, over Springfield, Illinois, in an on-line voting contest that awards the winner the United States premiere of 20th Century Fox’s THE SIMPSONS MOVIE on July 21, 2007.

The next meeting of CU Video Group will be on Wednesday, July 11, 2007, 7 p.m. at Rock’s, 25 E. Springfield Ave., Champaign.