C-U Blogfidential

There may be NO END IN SIGHT for our goverment’s persistent sleight-of-hand in Iraq, but at least the Art Theatre can put a positive spin on the subject. Sort of.

Coming Soon: LIVE NUDE GIRLS UNITE! at the University YMCA, UIUC, Champaign, IL (8/30/07), HALLOWEEN hosted by Troy Taylor at the Avon Theatre, Decatur, IL (8/31/07), CHAK DE! INDIA at Boardman’s Art Theatre, Champaign, IL (8/31-9/1/07), HALLOWEEN hosted by Jill Van Voorst at Savoy 16, Savoy, IL (8/31-9/1/07), and the “Comedy Movie Classics” film class at the Avon Theatre, Decatur, IL (9/13-11/1/07).

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.