C-U Blogfidential

It is our sworn duty to trot out the evidence of independent filmmaking in Champaign-Urbana when the opportunity arises. The Suede Chain finally got back together, so therefore we discuss their DREAM WHEEL CIRCUS.

In the return of C-U Blogfidential’s all-purpose column, “The C-U Film Leader,” we talk about CONSUMED coming to the Art, the fate of a few thousand Rentertainments, and a pair of festivals with deadlines!

From the “Images of the Week” Dept.: The Dark History Con of Champaign welcomes veteran dark artist Hart D. Fisher and his infamous locally-filmed opus, THE GARBAGE MAN, back to town.

We had a good thing going, you and we, but the forces of media upheaval, consumer complacency, and altogether reasonable life changes have pried us apart as feared. Don’t you cry, TR. We’ll always have Chambana.

Tuscola filmmaker Bob Zimmerman of R.A.Z. Films set out to honor his father with a new documentary, RISE OF THE VALIANT, going above and beyond to chronicle a devastating fight.

Filmmaking entrepreneur Kimberly Conner of Springfield broke through when her first feature JUMP IN received national DVD distribution last September. Her second full-length drama is on the way!

From the “Images of the Week” Dept.: One of the redheaded stepchildren in Paper Opteryx lineage returns home as “The Video Throne” exudes analog angst under the CUBlog banner!

CNN has announced the broadcast premiere of the Roger Ebert documentary LIFE ITSELF will be on Sunday, January 4, 2015.

We forget sometimes that Neon Harbor Entertainment still harbors creative refuge here in Champaign-Urbana. Or, maybe, they are real-life ninjas who move like the wind. Hold on. Did you just feel that? [Shudder]

Read this, heed this, and then stop paying attention to any electronic screen within your vicinity so you can make it safely to That’s Rentertainment in Campustown. Today is Video Store Day!

From the “Images of the Week” Dept.: In the mix of the fifth New Art Film Festival tomorrow, Sunday, April 13, 2014, at the Art Theater Co-op in downtown Champaign, IL, will be the drama-comedy THE DRUNK. Here is a first look at its upcoming DVD release!

From the “Images of the Week” Dept.: Lucky dearest readers, you get two Images of the Week this week! Here’s the first, a cover reveal for the most recent DVD release from Dreamscape Cinema of Champaign, MY DOG THE SPACE TRAVELER!

From the “Images of the Week” Dept.: We reported earlier this week about the release of DVDs for local indie features HOUSE OF THADDEUS and SCARY NORMAL. Today, we show you what they look like on the outside. Discovering what they look like on the inside is up to you, dearest potential viewer!

The Count von Count would have a field day here on C-U Blogfidential today… ONE thoughtful teen comedy! ONE psychological drama! ONE small-town collage! And two, TWO food documentaries! That equals FIVE local movies premiering in TEN days’ time! Ah ha ha!

The ninja-craving lifestyle instills a strict code of conduct upon the faithful. It basically goes like this: “If it has ninjas, we will love it.” Well then, does Dark Maze Studios of Champaign, IL, have a double DVD dose just for you!