<\/p>\n
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 1\/30: Eric Watkins (composer\/engineer, Studio E, Decatur, IL) \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n PASSINGS | You Will Be Missed<\/strong><\/p>\n 1\/19: David Gilmore, 84 (professor\/chair, Cinema and Television, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL, retired)<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n FIELD REPORT DU HQ | From Wherever It May Be Said<\/strong><\/p>\n After we posted last week\u2019s Calendar<\/strong>, Ye Ed<\/strong> called an audible and today\u2019s Report<\/strong> will be a mishmash of topics that we want to talk about before our Report<\/strong> hiatus. Some of the subject matter might even have to do with the movies of Champaign, Urbana<\/strong>, and the cities beyond! This will be the most flavorful crock pot of verbiage we\u2019ve cooked up in a while \u2026 that said, gentle friends, let\u2019s broaden our minds. Lawrence?<\/strong><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n Show business is good business to go with first. The Entomology Graduate Students Association<\/strong> at the University of Illinois<\/strong> announced the details for the next Insect Fear Film Festival<\/strong><\/a><\/span> late yesterday, Thursday, January 30<\/strong>, and the star attractions will be tarantulas, professional Hollywood<\/strong> \u201cbug wrangler\u201d Steven Kutcher<\/strong>, and a showing of the 1990 thriller-comedy ARACHNOPHOBIA<\/strong> with Jeff Daniels<\/strong> and John Goodman<\/strong>; per the tradition long established by EGSA and entomology department head Dr. May Berenbaum<\/strong>, the 42nd IFFF will bug us on Saturday, February 22<\/strong>, at Foellinger Auditorium<\/strong> starting at 5 p.m.<\/strong> with educational and art activities for the whole family before the films begin at 7 p.m.<\/strong> One event that will not<\/em> happen is the INSIDIOUS<\/strong>-branded \u201clive experience\u201d we previously told you about. The page on the Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts<\/strong> website that had been promoting the show set for next Friday, February 7<\/strong>, is now removed. Word is that customers seeing the show in other cities over the last few weeks have been very critical about its misleading marketing and overall quality, feeling ripped off by the experience and cost; this news segment aired on WXYZ-TV<\/strong> in Detroit<\/strong><\/a><\/span> goes over the gripes. And, Confidential agent C-Day<\/strong> tipped us about the Heart Theater<\/strong> of Effingham<\/strong>, designated as a historic landmark in 2023, being donated by its owner Amy Van Bergen<\/strong><\/a><\/span> to a new non-profit group, The Heart Theatre, Inc.<\/strong><\/a><\/span>, which is tasked with renovating and reopening the space for community use in the future.<\/p>\n ~~~~~<\/p>\n ~~~~~<\/p>\n Movie business is good business to chat up as well. Building on our mention last week of the extras casting that will be hosted in the afternoon tomorrow, Saturday, February 1<\/strong>, at Parkland College<\/strong> by Bokeh Background<\/strong>, we caught this News-Gazette<\/span><\/strong> interview with the firm\u2019s founder, Sarah Cayce<\/strong><\/a><\/span>, in which she describes what applicants can expect from the process; a handful of folks who live in east central Illinois<\/strong> provide anecdotes about their on-set experiences after they were selected by Bokeh to participate in local production<\/a><\/span>. CUBlog<\/span><\/strong> was also sent a very special link by Normal<\/strong> resident and indie filmmaker Paul A. Brooks<\/strong> (HUNTING FOR THE HAG<\/strong>) who recently picked up the Saturn\u2019s Core Audio & Video<\/strong> release of the low-budget C-U movie DOGS IN QUICKSAND<\/strong>. His patient and generous unboxing video of the package can be viewed here on his YouTube<\/strong> channel<\/a><\/span> while, along the bottom of the product page at Vinegar Syndrome<\/strong>, you will find brief opinions from some of the customers who\u2019ve given DOGS<\/strong> a chance<\/a><\/span> since its re-release; the late Nineties dark comedy from Mike Trippiedi<\/strong> and friends is practically a blind buy for them all. Back over to Bloomington<\/strong>, we could not help but notice on a recent Facebook<\/strong> post<\/a><\/span> the performing arts program at Illinois State University<\/strong> is now apparently called the \u201cSchool of Theatre, Dance, and Film<\/strong>.\u201d Ho-ho!<\/em> One look at their spring semester calendar<\/a><\/span>, however, and one would be hard-pressed to know cinema was a facet of their curriculum other than as live event bling. We\u2019ll have to look into it\u2026<\/p>\n ~~~~~<\/p>\n ~~~~~<\/p>\n Tangential business is good business from which to consider the \u201cwhat if\u201d possibilities. Sal Nudo<\/strong> of Smile Politely<\/span><\/strong> recently interviewed the C-U native Sarah Lariviere<\/strong><\/a><\/span>, who currently lives in Los Angeles<\/strong> and decided to move from social work to professional writing in her career; Riot Act<\/span><\/strong>, published last summer by Alfred A. Knopf\/Penguin Random House<\/strong>, is her current book and a fictional tale about theater kids in Champaign growing up in 1991 and going up against an autocratic regime<\/a><\/span> that rules the land. Gee, think we might<\/em> have reasons to check it out and look into its lessons? A copy now resides at MFHQ Deux<\/strong>, thanks to the team at Prairie Fox Books<\/span><\/strong> of Ottawa<\/strong><\/span><\/a>, and we plan to read it before the sequel novel arrives next year and wanton compromise trickles down to this<\/em> American life. (Yes, the thought is<\/em> obvious \u2013 could Riot Act<\/span> make for a good RIOT ACT<\/strong> movie that\u2019d reach millions?) We\u2019ve also neglected to mention that Champaign Movie Makers\u2019 Andrew Stengele<\/strong> is think-tanking with your humble editor to identify all the C-U-leaning film productions that we can in the hopes of entrusting legitimate copies of them with one or more applicable places in Champaign County<\/strong>, such as local libraries and historical groups; contact Andrew via CMM on Facebook<\/a><\/span> if you\u2019d like to learn more or offer your materials for the cause. And, to cap the Report<\/strong> in both an archival and rebellious manner, we\u2019ve seen this evergreen scene making the social media rounds<\/a><\/span> and encourage all our brothers and sisters to wield their Blues wisely. Hit it!<\/p>\n Now that we\u2019ve stuffed the last few Reports<\/strong> to the seams with plenty of interesting and entertaining prompts for you, dearest reader-citizens, to use to your hearts\u2019 content, we will come back next week with a Special Report<\/strong> of the MICRO-FILM<\/span><\/strong> persuasion and then take leave for a couple of months to spend time working hard on other areas of our Confidential world. Make sure you keep visiting CUBlog<\/span><\/strong> for our weekly Calendars<\/strong> and a few bonus articles that we\u2019re crafting. They will<\/em> sober us up a bit. Onward\u2026<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n LOCAL FILMS & EVENTS | Support Your Media Storytellers<\/strong><\/p>\n @ Lincoln Hall, UIUC, Urbana, IL<\/strong> @ Lincoln Square, Urbana, IL<\/strong> @ Market Place Shopping Center, Champaign, IL<\/strong> @ Parkland College, Champaign, IL<\/strong> @ Peoria Camera Shop, Peoria, IL<\/strong> @ Phoenix Savoy 16 + IMAX<\/strong> @ Phoenix Savoy 16 + IMAX, Savoy, IL<\/strong> @ Phoenix Savoy 16 + IMAX<\/strong> @ Route 66 Motorhead\u2019s Bar and Grill, Springfield, IL<\/strong> @ Top Cat\u2019s Chill & Grill, Springfield, IL<\/strong> \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> @ Pine Lounge, 1st floor, Illini Union, UIUC, Urbana, IL<\/strong> Events featuring locally produced movies are marked with an asterisk (*). Additional \u201cNow Playing\u201d and \u201cComing Soon\u201d listings appear after the jump!<\/em><\/p>\n ~~~~~<\/p>\n <\/p>\n NOW PLAYING | The Cities Beyond<\/strong><\/p>\n @ AMC Classic Springfield 12, Springfield, IL<\/strong> @ The Avon Theater, Decatur, IL<\/strong> @ Clintonia Eagle Theater, Clinton, IL<\/strong> @ Crescent Cinemas, Pontiac, IL<\/strong> @ The Fischer Theatre, Danville, IL<\/strong> @ Marcus Bloomington Cinema + IMAX, Bloomington, IL<\/strong> @ The Normal Theater, Normal, IL<\/strong> @ The Onarga Theatre, Onarga, IL<\/strong> @ The Princess Theatre, Leroy, IL<\/strong> @ VIP Lincoln Grand 6, Lincoln, IL<\/strong> \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n NOW PLAYING | Midwest<\/strong><\/p>\n @ Norris University Center, NU, Evanston, IL<\/strong> For detailed and curated listings of Chicago-area film presentations and related events, please visit the fine folks at<\/em> Cine-File<\/strong> and subscribe to their definitive \u201cCine-List\u201d weekly blast<\/a><\/span>. And for northern Illinois industry news, be sure to read<\/em> Reel Chicago<\/span><\/strong><\/a><\/span> and<\/em> Screen Magazine<\/span><\/strong><\/a><\/span>.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n COMING SOON | Area-wide Events<\/strong><\/p>\n 2\/15<\/strong> NEW! 2\/22<\/strong> 3\/27-3\/29<\/strong> 4\/3-4\/13<\/strong> 4\/3-4\/10<\/strong> 4\/23\/-4\/25<\/strong> 5\/29-6\/2<\/strong> \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n COMMUNITY & CAMPUS SERIES | Champaign-Urbana area<\/strong><\/p>\n Chambana Film Festival* screening series<\/strong> Illini Union Board presents \u201cSpring 2024 Weekend Films\u201d<\/strong> Springfield Art Association presents the 31st annual Molly Schlich Independent | International Film Series<\/strong> ~~~~~<\/p>\n Compiled by Jason Pankoke.<\/em><\/p>\n ~~~~~<\/p>\n \u201cCalendar du C-U\u201d Select movie listings for January 31-February 6, 2025 in Champaign, Urbana, and the cities beyond! Don\u2019t forget to peruse this week\u2019s Field Report!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[55,14,374,869,68,228,2093,19,11,23,274,13,26,20],"tags":[2935,703,2930,2931,2776,1331,870,2934,867,307,379,2896,2933,144,2937,2932,2936,2633,986],"class_list":["post-16312","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-alums-done-good","category-area-festivals","category-business-matters","category-calendar-du-c-u","category-champaign-movie-makers","category-home-videos-du-c-u","category-how-you-can-help","category-images-du-cu","category-job-opportunities","category-preservation","category-print-matter-du-c-u","category-public-events","category-theatres-venues","category-videos-du-c-u","tag-and-film","tag-andrew-stengele","tag-arachnophobia","tag-bloomington-center-for-the-performing-arts","tag-bokeh-background","tag-casting-call","tag-cinema-calendar","tag-dance","tag-dogs-in-quicksand","tag-illinois-state-university","tag-insect-fear-film-festival","tag-insidious","tag-isu-school-of-theatre","tag-paul-a-brooks","tag-riot-act","tag-sarah-cayce","tag-sarah-lariviere","tag-the-heart-theatre","tag-theater-preservation"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.micro-film-magazine.com\/cublog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16312","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.micro-film-magazine.com\/cublog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.micro-film-magazine.com\/cublog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.micro-film-magazine.com\/cublog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.micro-film-magazine.com\/cublog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=16312"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/www.micro-film-magazine.com\/cublog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16312\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":16342,"href":"https:\/\/www.micro-film-magazine.com\/cublog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16312\/revisions\/16342"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.micro-film-magazine.com\/cublog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=16312"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.micro-film-magazine.com\/cublog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=16312"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.micro-film-magazine.com\/cublog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=16312"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
\n1\/31: Paul Scrabo (video technician, NBC Studios, New York, NY, retired)<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\nIllini Film & Video* meeting: \u201cDirecting Workshop\u201d (2\/3, 7 p.m., Room 1090)<\/p>\n
\nChampaign Movie Makers* 48 Hour Film Competition (1\/31, 7 p.m., to 2\/2, 7 p.m.)<\/p>\n
\nQuad Con presents Champaign Comic & Toy Show (2\/1-2\/2, free, Dick\u2019s Sporting Goods and Victoria\u2019s Secret wings)<\/p>\n
\nBokeh Background* casting call (2\/1, 12-4:30 p.m., Parkland Theater)<\/p>\n
\n\u201cCash 4 Cameras Event\u201d (2\/6-2\/7, 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m.)<\/p>\n
\nBeard Culture Barbershop & Gallery presents THE EVOLUTION OF THE BARBER* premiere screening (2\/1, 6 p.m.)<\/p>\n
\nChambana Film Festival* screening series feat. The IRLMovieClub Screening: THE THINKING GAME (documentary) (2\/2, 4 p.m.)<\/p>\n
\nChampaign Movie Makers* 48 Hour Film Competition screening (2\/4, 7 p.m., free)<\/p>\n
\nBoys & Girls Clubs of Central Illinois and Spencer Films* present FIELDS OF GOLD* fundraiser (6:p.m. cocktails, 6:30 p.m. dinner, 7:30 p.m. film)<\/p>\n
\nCentral Illinois Film Commission* meeting (2\/6, 7 p.m.)<\/p>\n
\nCOMPANION, CREATION OF THE GODS II: DEMON FORCE (in Mandarin with English sub), DETECTIVE CHINATOWN 1900 (in Mandarin with English sub), DOG MAN (animation), LUTHER: NEVER TOO MUCH* (music documentary), VALIANT ONE, BRAVE THE DARK* (faith film), THE BRUTALIST, FLIGHT RISK, MOANA 2* (animation), MUFASA: THE LION KING, NICKEL BOYS*, NOSFERATU*, ONE OF THEM DAYS, PIECE BY PIECE* (animation), PRESENCE*, SONIC THE HEDGEHOG 3*, WICKED*, WOLF MAN* (1\/31 on), GREEN AND GOLD (2\/2, 4:30 p.m.), AX Cinema Nights presents COWBOY BEBOP: THE MOVIE (anim\u00e9) (2\/5-2\/6, 7:30 p.m.), HEART EYES, I\u2019M STILL HERE (in Portuguese with English sub), LOVE HURTS (2\/6 on) *single screenings daily<\/p>\n
\nCOMPANION, DOG MAN (animation), GREEN AND GOLD, VALIANT ONE, BABYGIRL*, BRAVE THE DARK* (faith film), THE BRUTALIST, A COMPLETE UNKNOWN, FLIGHT RISK, MOANA 2 (animation), MUFASA: THE LION KING, NOSFERATU, ONE OF THEM DAYS, PRESENCE, SONIC THE HEDGEHOG 3, WICKED, WOLF MAN* (1\/31 on), DEN OF THIEVES 2: PANTERA* (1\/31, 2\/3-2\/6), The Metropolitan Opera: Aida<\/span> (2\/1, 1 p.m., recorded), GONE WITH THE WIND (2\/2, 3 & 7 p.m.; 2\/5, 7 p.m.), HELLRAISER (2\/5-2\/6, 7 p.m.) *single screenings daily<\/p>\n
\nIllini Union Board presents VENOM: THE LAST DANCE (1\/31-2\/1, 7 p.m., free w\/i-card)<\/p>\n
\nSpringfield Art Association presents the 31st annual Molly Schlich Independent | International Film Series feat. CROSSING; (2\/2, 1 & 4 p.m.; 2\/4, 7 p.m.)<\/p>\n
\nDOG MAN (animation) (1\/31-2\/2) [Reduced showings due to heating issues in the Avon Twins]<\/p>\n
\nCOMPANION, DOG MAN (animation), BRAVE THE DARK (faith film), FLIGHT RISK, WOLF MAN (1\/31 on)<\/p>\n
\nDOG MAN (animation), FLIGHT RISK (1\/31 on)<\/p>\n
\nTHE PRINCESS AND THE FROG (animation) (2\/1, 2 p.m.), Kayla\u2019s Chic Treats presents RUDY (2\/6, 7 p.m., free)<\/p>\n
\nCOMPANION, DOG MAN (animation), GREEN AND GOLD*, VALIANT ONE, THE BRUTALIST, A COMPLETE UNKNOWN*, DEN OF THIEVES 2: PANTERA, FLIGHT RISK, KRAVEN THE HUNTER*, MOANA 2 (animation), MUFASA: THE LION KING, NOSFERATU*, ONE OF THEM DAYS, PRESENCE*, SONIC THE HEDGEHOG 3, WOLF MAN (1\/24 on), TROLLS BAND TOGETHER (animation) (1\/31-2\/2, 11 a.m.), DEVA (Hindi w\/English sub) (1\/31-2\/4), IU: THE WINNING (concert film) (2\/5, 7:30 p.m., IMAX), HELLRAISER (2\/5-2\/6, 7:40 p.m.), Black History Month: NOPE (2\/5, 3 p.m.) and GET OUT (2\/5, 6 p.m.), HEART EYES, LOVE HURTS (2\/6 on) *single screenings daily<\/p>\n
\nANORA (1\/30-1\/31, 2\/2), CHASING CHASING AMY (documentary), 1-800-ON-HER-OWN (music documentary) (2\/1), SNATCH (2\/4), THE SEED OF THE SACRED FIG (2\/6)<\/p>\n
\nFLIGHT RISK (1\/31-2\/2)<\/p>\n
\nSONIC THE HEDGEHOG 3 (1\/31-2\/2)<\/p>\n
\nCOMPANION, DOG MAN (animation), GREEN AND GOLD*, FLIGHT RISK, MOANA 2 (animation), MUFASA: THE LION KING, WOLF MAN* (1\/26 on)<\/p>\n
\nB-Fest 2025 (1\/31, 6 p.m., to 2\/1, 6 p.m.)<\/p>\n
\n3rd annual CU International Film Festival*
\n@ Spurlock Museum of World Cultures, UIUC, Urbana, IL<\/p>\n
\n42nd Insect Fear Film Festival*
\n@ Foellinger Auditorium, UIUC, Urbana, IL, 7 p.m., free<\/p>\n
\n2025 Big Muddy Film Festival*
\n@ The Varsity Center, Carbondale, IL<\/p>\n
\n35th Onion City Experimental Film Festival, Chicago, IL<\/p>\n
\n27th annual Wisconsin Film Festival, Madison, WI<\/p>\n
\n25th Roger Ebert\u2019s Film Festival*
\n@ The Virginia Theatre, Champaign, IL<\/p>\n
\nThe Chambana Film Festival
\n@ TBA, Champaign-Urbana, IL<\/p>\n
\n@ Phoenix Savoy 16 + IMAX, Savoy, IL, 4 p.m.<\/strong>
\n2\/9: \u201cSecret Test Screening\u201d of film-in-progress; 2\/16-3\/2: The Oscar Nominated Shorts 2025 \u2013 Live Action (2\/16), Documentary (2\/23), and Animation (2\/16, 3\/2)<\/p>\n
\n@ Pine Lounge, 1st floor, Illini Union, UIUC, Urbana, IL, 7 p.m. Fri. & Sat, free w\/i-card<\/strong>
\n2\/7-2\/8: CONCLAVE; 2\/14-2\/15: THE PRINCESS AND THE FROG (animation); 2\/21-2\/22: GLADIATOR II: 2\/28-3\/1: SEPTEMBER 5; 3\/7-3\/8: WICKED; 3\/14-3\/15: MUFASA: THE LION KING; 3\/21-3\/22: THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE WAR OF THE ROHIRRIM (animation); 3\/28-3\/29: PITCH PERFECT; 4\/4-4\/5: NOSFERATU; 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<\/p>\n
\n@ AMC Classic Springfield 12, Springfield, IL, 1 & 4 p.m. Sunday + 7 p.m. Tuesday<\/strong>
\n2\/9, 2\/11: THELMA; 2\/16, 2\/18: TOUCH; 2\/23, 2\/25: THE LAST OF THE SEA WOMEN; 3\/2, 3\/4: THE TASTE OF THINGS<\/p>\n
\n\u00a9 2025 Jason Pankoke\/C-U Blogfidential<\/span>
\n[T \u2212133]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"