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Our movie and media Calendar appears every Friday\/Saturday on <\/em>C-U Blogfidential<\/span><\/strong> and caters to the downstate region anchored by Champaign-Urbana, Illinois, USA.<\/em><\/p>\n ~~~~~<\/p>\n MILESTONES | Happy Birthday to You!<\/strong><\/p>\n 6\/2: DeShawn Hill (producer, HD Productions Media, Los Angeles, CA) \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n FIELD REPORT DU HQ | From Wherever It May Be Said<\/strong><\/p>\n In our newest Report<\/strong>, television is in season! WILL Channel 12<\/strong>, the broadcast arm of Illinois Public Media<\/strong> based at the University of Illinois<\/strong>, has revived their cultural magazine program PRAIRIE FIRE<\/strong><\/a><\/span>. Dormant for more than a decade after a nearly 20-year run on the PBS<\/strong> outlet, PRAIRIE FIRE<\/strong> returned to the air<\/a><\/span> at 7:30 p.m.<\/strong> on Thursday, May 18<\/strong>, with the station\u2019s senior director Sarah Edwards<\/strong> as its host and three segments that feature wheelchair Paralympian Susannah Scaroni<\/strong> of Urbana<\/strong>, owner and head chef Mubanga Chanda<\/strong> of Stango Cuisine<\/strong> in Champaign<\/strong>, and AMERICAN IDOL<\/strong> contestant Leah Marlene<\/strong>, formerly of Normal<\/strong>, who also sings the show\u2019s new theme song that was recorded in Nashville<\/strong> and written by Graham Edwards<\/strong> and John Pennell<\/strong>. On \u201cThe 21st Show<\/strong>\u201d on sister outlet AM 580<\/strong>, Edwards talked with Brian Mackey<\/strong><\/a><\/span> about the impetus for reigniting PRAIRIE FIRE<\/strong> for their present-day viewers.<\/p>\n We gravitate from central Illinois<\/strong> culture and positive success stories to southern Illinois living and success swelling the heads of the well-off in WELCOME TO CRAPPIE LAKE<\/strong><\/a><\/span>, a new reality program from the bright minds at the Bravo<\/strong> network that will start airing on Sunday, July 9<\/strong>, at 8 p.m. Central<\/strong>. The limited series presents the efforts of media stars and socialites Luann de Lesseps<\/strong> and Sonja Morgan<\/strong>, two of the original REAL HOUSEWIVES OF NEW YORK CITY<\/strong>, to allegedly improve the fortunes of small-town Benton<\/strong> in Franklin County<\/strong><\/a><\/span> after the COVID-19<\/strong> pandemic ravaged their economy. Right now, if you\u2019re shuddering at the unwanted flashback to Paris Hilton<\/strong> and Nicole Richie<\/strong> living THE SIMPLE LIFE<\/strong> many moons ago, then you\u2019ll be in good company in comments sections everywhere. Presuming that \u201cCrappie Lake\u201d is a stand-in slang for one of the real-life fishing holes in that area like Lake Benton<\/strong> or Rend Lake<\/strong>, this show is bad taste just from the title alone. Many will watch it anyway no matter how much we cringe<\/a><\/span>.<\/p>\n Back north, we recently noticed online a stream of casting notices for bit-part players and background talent to appear in PEORIA<\/strong>, the serialized drama<\/a><\/span> about young professionals and how their walks of life are bound to cross over in a medium-sized Midwestern city. Independently shepherded by creator and producer Michael Mcgruder<\/strong> for the last few years, it caught our eye as we\u2019ve been out of their loop since running an article on PEORIA<\/strong> back in 2020<\/a><\/span> and had heard little about it since. Fresh research tells us that Mcgruder and company did<\/em> complete their 44-minute pilot, which was released to Vimeo<\/strong> in June of last year<\/a><\/span>, and are currently shooting scenes for a 10-episode miniseries that will better introduce the primary characters one by one. With plans being made for an additional<\/em> 26-episode first season, as announced in January via the project\u2019s Facebook<\/strong> page, Mcgruder clearly dreams big on a large canvas. Those who\u2019d like to find out how to participate can write michaelmcgruder [at] peoriatvshow [dot] com<\/strong> to learn more.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n NOW PLAYING | Champaign-Urbana Area<\/strong><\/p>\n @ AMC Champaign 13, Champaign, IL<\/strong> @ Phoenix Savoy 16 + IMAX, Savoy, IL<\/strong> @ Main Quad, Illini Union, UIUC, Urbana, IL<\/strong>
\n6\/3: Amanda Baker (videographer\/editor, Five Foot Productions, Champaign-Urbana, IL)<\/p>\n
\nTHE BOOGEYMAN, SPIDER-MAN: ACROSS THE SPIDER-VERSE (animation), ABOUT MY FATHER, FAST X, GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY VOL. 3, JOHN WICK: CHAPTER 4*, KANDAHAR*, THE LITTLE MERMAID, THE MACHINE, THE SUPER MARIO BROS. MOVIE (animation), YOU HURT MY FEELINGS* (6\/2 on), DC LEAGUE OF SUPER PETS (6\/3, 6\/7, 12 p.m.), TRANSFORMERS: RISE OF THE BEASTS (6\/8 on) *single shows daily<\/p>\n
\nTHE BOOGEYMAN, SPIDER-MAN: ACROSS THE SPIDER-VERSE (animation), ABOUT MY FATHER, FAST X, GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY VOL. 3, KANDAHAR*, THE LITTLE MERMAID, THE MACHINE, THE SUPER MARIO BROS. MOVIE (animation), YOU HURT MY FEELINGS* (6\/2 on), The Metropolitan Opera: Die Zauberfl\u00f6te<\/span> (6\/3, 11:55 a.m., simulcast; 6\/7, 1 & 6:30 p.m., recorded), Fathom Events presents \u201cSuga \u2013 Agust D Tour \u201cD-Day\u201d in Japan\u201d (concert performance) (6\/3, 7 p.m., simulcast), PURPLE RAIN (6\/4, 3 & 7 p.m.; 6\/7, 7 p.m.), RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK (6\/4, 4 & 7 p.m.; 6\/7, 7 p.m.), THE GOD MAN (religious documentary) (6\/6, 7 p.m.), TRANSFORMERS: RISE OF THE BEASTS (6\/8 on)<\/p>\n
\nIllini Union Board presents \u201cSummer Films on the Quad\u201d feat. DUNGEONS & DRAGONS: HONOR AMONG THIEVES (6\/8, 9 p.m., free)<\/p>\n