Calendar: September 23-29, 2022
Our movie and media Calendar appears every Friday/Saturday on C-U Blogfidential and caters to the downstate region anchored by Champaign-Urbana, Illinois, USA.
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MILESTONES | Happy Birthday to You!
9/26: Zelda Tindell (event director, Dead in Decatur International Film Festival, Decatur, IL)
9/27: Robert Hubbard (script supervisor, JAYHAWKERS, 9th Street Studios, Lawrence, KS)
PASSINGS | You Will Be Missed
9/15: Michael C. Holloway, 79 (poet and voice-over artist as “gassed-masked politico,” L’s GA by Salvatore Martirano, Polydor Inc./MCA Music, New York, NY)
9/18: Nick Holonyak, Jr., 93 (professor, electrical and computer engineering and physics, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL, retired)
FIELD REPORT DU HQ | From Wherever It May Be Said
Today’s three things boil down to long lives and livelihoods, for lack of a more eventful theme. To start, we’d like to posthumously thank the legendary Nick Holonyak, Jr., for his research and development at the University of Illinois and prior employment that led to the creation of light-emitting diode (LED) and semiconductor laser technology. Among the many applications and permutations of these controllable “red lights” over the last several decades is the laser that reads information optically in compact disc (CD) and digital versatile disc (DVD) players; without it, we may never have seen the pre-internet bonanza of high-quality reproduction in audio and media that could be manufactured easily and then owned by the average consumer. Indie labels, musicians, and filmmakers should have raised a glass to Holonyak long ago for the innovation that allowed them to level up how they presented and sold their work to the world.
And then, we’d like to wish a wonderful birthday to genre director Bert I. Gordon, best known for his string of science-fiction, horror, and comedy productions made primarily between the 1950s and 1970s including, of course, the infamous (to us in downstate Illinois) big bug romp BEGINNING OF THE END, released in 1957 and starring Peter Graves and Peggie Castle. Hailing from Wisconsin and currently living in California, Gordon hits 100 years old tomorrow, Saturday, September 24. That’s pretty B.I.G.!
To close, Smile Politely reports that Mark Roberts, the Tolono–Urbana native and former television sitcom creator, producer, and writer in the Chuck Lorre camp that TWO AND A HALF MEN built, will make an appearance in the C-U next week to fundraise and promote a pair of upcoming “comedy albums for kids” that he plans to release soon. In an event scheduled for next Friday, September 30, 7 p.m., at the Cohen Building, 136 W. Main St., in downtown Urbana, Roberts will perform a live reading from a collectible newspaper of poems called The Bad Mule Rag, related to one of the recordings, and be accompanied by local drummer Brian Reedy as well as DJ Nate Jones. Free copies of the Rag will be given to attendees, while copies of an illustrated book related to the other recording, The Lonely Banjo, are on sale at the Bohemia boutique across the street from Cohen. All proceeds from the evening will be donated to the gun safety organization Moms Demand Action, a good choice for support. Is this possibly a new phase in Roberts’ creative career? We’ll see what he makes of it for “kids and grown-ups alike.”
Mysteries abound, however. We’re guessing The Bad Mule Rag and its sister record, The Bad Mule Rag Live, have only a passing relationship with the Bad Mule website that is now defunct; your editor found out about the latter by chance upon spotting a billboard advertisement for it on Broadway Avenue in Urbana a little more than two years ago. Primarily a hosting page for adult-skewing comedy sketches featuring a small troupe that included Roberts, its most curious offering was a stylized graphic novel adaptation of RANTOUL OR DIE – not directly from the blue collar, somewhat funny, slightly scummy, and occasionally jarring stage play that Roberts wrote and developed as an artist-in-residence at Urbana’s Station Theatre many moons ago, but from the presumably blue collar, somewhat funny, slightly scummy, and occasionally jarring screenplay adaptation of that stage play by him for a feature film that was announced in 2016 and never produced. Ye Ed also never read the comic, alas. Did you dare?
CONFIDENTIAL ALMANAC | Dates in Film Culture History
15 Years Ago … Week of Monday, September 24, 2007: Champaign radio producer and “atomic age culture” fan Jason Croft releases the first edition of Bachelor Pad Magazine, emulating the “men’s digests” of the Fifties and partly inspired by the first print issue of C-U Confidential. Croft’s quarterly publication packs in the hallmarks of the era – pulp stories, pin-up photography spreads, cocktail recipes, and so on – as remembered and practiced by the worldwide subculture keeping it alive. Various topics known beyond the neo-burlesque circuit that would appear in the pages of BPM include Bettie Page, the ultimate 20th century pin-up model, Tura Satana, the memorable leather-clad actress at the fore of Russ Meyer’s feature FASTER, PUSSYCAT! KILL! KILL!, and Shag, the popular illustrator loved for his colorful mid-century aesthetic. Also notable is the long-running movie column by Seattle novelist Will Viharo of the “Vic Valentine” private investigator series. Croft has kept BPM on the press ever since, reaching its 15th anniversary with issue 61 and cover model Agent Tease. As reported on 10/7/07 at CUBlog. [R] [Rev. 9/24/22]
25 Years Ago … Friday, September 19, 1997: Warner Bros. releases the Regency Enterprises production of L.A. CONFIDENTIAL, based on the James Ellroy crime novel of the same name, to more than 750 theaters nationwide. The stylish neo-noir is directed by Curtis Hanson and stars Kevin Spacey, Russell Crowe, Guy Pearce, James Cromwell, David Strathairn, Danny DeVito, and Kim Basinger, the latter of whom would win an Academy Award for her work along with Hanson and Brian Helgeland for their screenplay adaptation. It is rumored this genre classic’s title, style, and apropos mise-en-scène might possibly have influenced the identity of a certain film digest published far from the City of Angels, mired somewhere in the middle of the mysterious Midwest, beginning a decade later. [R]
LOCAL FILMS & EVENTS | Support Your Media Storytellers
@ The Brass Rail, Champaign, IL
“Skid Fest” tribute concert for Aaron Davidson* feat. Kayla Brown, Yap Trap, The Falbonauts, Dave Pride & the East Side Five, and The Dirty Feathers (9/25, 7:30 p.m.)
@ Materials Science and Engineering Building, UIUC, Urbana, IL
Illini Film & Video* meeting, Room 119 (9/26, 7 p.m.)
@ Landmark’s Century Centre Cinema, Chicago, IL
The 40th Reeling: The Chicago LGBTQ+ International Film Festival presents JIMMY IN SAIGON* (9/28, 7 p.m.)
NOW PLAYING | Champaign-Urbana Area
@ AMC Champaign 13, Champaign, IL
DON’T WORRY DARLING, KRISHNA VRINDA VIHARI (in Telugu), MOONAGE DAYDREAM, BARBARIAN, BRAHMĀSTRA – PART ONE: SHIVA (in Hindi), BULLET TRAIN, PEARL, SEE HOW THEY RUN, TOP GUN: MAVERICK*, THE WOMAN KING (9/23 on), NOPE* (9/23-9/25, 9/27-9/28), DC LEAGUE OF SUPER-PETS (9/23, 1:30 p.m.), SPIDER-MAN: NO WAY HOME (re-release) (9/24, 12:30 p.m.), BROS, PONNIYIN SELVAN: PART I (in Tamil), SMILE, VIKRAM VEDHA (in Hindi) (9/29 on) *single shows daily
@ Phoenix Savoy 16 + IMAX, Savoy, IL
AVATAR (re-release, 3-D/IMAX 3-D), DON’T WORRY DARLING, BARBARIAN, BRAHMĀSTRA – PART ONE: SHIVA (in Hindi, Tamil, or Telugu), BULLET TRAIN, LIFEMARK*, MINIONS: THE RISE OF GRU, PEARL, RUNNING THE BASES*, SEE HOW THEY RUN, TOP GUN: MAVERICK, THE WOMAN KING (9/23 on), THE INVITATION (9/23-9/24, 9/26-9/27, 9/29), CLERKS III (9/23-9/24, 4:20 & 7 p.m.; 9/25, 7 p.m.), Studio Ghibli Fest 2022: HOWL’S MOVING CASTLE (animé; English dub: 9/25, 3:30 p.m.; 9/28, 7 p.m.; in Japanese with English sub: 9/26-9/27, 7 p.m.), Turner Classic Movies presents POLTERGEIST 40th anniversary (9/25, 4 & 7 p.m.; 9/26, 9/28, 7 p.m.), THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE RETURN OF THE KING (9/25, 3 & 7 p.m.; 9/28, 7 p.m.), SAINT MICHAEL: MEET THE ANGEL (religious documentary; 9/29, 7 p.m.)
@ Illini Union, UIUC, Urbana, IL
Illini Union Board presents “Fall 2022 Weekend Films” feat. MINIONS: THE RISE OF GRU, Pine Lounge, 1st floor (9/23-9/24, 7 p.m.; free w/i-card)
@ Redbox, Champaign-Urbana, IL
BANDIT, THE FORGIVEN, LIGHTYEAR, THE REEF: STALKED, more! (9/20 on) Online rentals
@ The Virginia Theatre, Champaign, IL
The News-Gazette Film Series presents DR. NO and GOLDFINGER double feature (9/24, 1 & 7 p.m.)
Events featuring locally produced movies are marked with an asterisk (*). Additional “Now Playing” and “Coming Soon” listings appear after the jump!
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NOW PLAYING | The Cities Beyond
@ AMC Classic Village Mall 6, Danville, IL
BARBARIAN, DON’T WORRY DARLING, DC LEAGUE OF SUPER-PETS, PEARL, TOP GUN: MAVERICK, THE WOMAN KING (9/23 on)
@ AMC Peru Mall 8, Peru, IL
BARBARIAN, DON’T WORRY DARLING, DC LEAGUE OF SUPER-PETS, THE INVITATION, PEARL, TOP GUN: MAVERICK, THE WOMAN KING (9/23 on)
@ The Avon Theater, Decatur, IL
DON’T WORRY DARLING, JAWS (re-release, 3-D), SEE HOW THEY RUN (9/23-9/25)
@ The Fischer Theatre, Danville, IL
TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD (9/23, 7 p.m.), “Friends of the Fischer” screening: THE BIRDCAGE (9/24, 5 p.m.), SOYLENT GREEN (9/27, 7 p.m.)
@ The Harvest Moon Twin Drive-in, Gibson City, IL
“Frightfest Weekend 3” feat. GOOSEBUMPS, IT (2017) (Screen 1), SCOOBY-DOO, HALLOWEEN (1978) (Screen 2) (9/23-9/24)
@ The Little Lorraine, Hoopeston, IL
Private parties this week.
@ The Normal Theater, Normal, IL
25th annual Manhattan SHORT Film Festival (9/22-9/25), “Understanding Horror” with Dr. Eric Wesselmann, ISU, feat. VIDEO NASTIES: MORAL PANIC, CENSORSHIP AND VIDEOTAPE (9/29, 7 p.m.)
@ The Onarga Theatre, Onarga, IL
Closed for the week.
@ The Princess Theatre, Leroy, IL
FALL (9/23-9/25)
@ Route 34 Drive-in, Earlville, IL
ELVIS, FORBIDDEN PLANET (9/23-9/25)
@ Route 66 Twin Drive-in, Springfield, IL
DON’T WORRY DARLING, WHERE THE CRAWDADS SING (Screen 1), GHOSTBUSTERS (1984), GREMLINS (Screen 2) (9/23-9/24)
@ Streator Eagle 6, Streator, IL
BARBARIAN, DON’T WORRY DARLING, DC LEAGUE OF SUPER-PETS, PEARL, RUNNING THE BASES, THE WOMAN KING (9/23 on)
@ VIP Lincoln Grand 6, Lincoln, IL
BARBARIAN, DON’T WORRY DARLING, DC LEAGUE OF SUPER-PETS, GIGI & NATE, GOD’S COUNTRY, PEARL, THE WOMAN KING (9/23 on)
@ VIP Roxy Cinemas, Ottawa, IL
BARBARIAN, DON’T WORRY DARLING, DC LEAGUE OF SUPER-PETS, GOD’S COUNTRY, HOCKEYLAND, THE INVITATION, PEARL, THE WOMAN KING (9/23 on)
NOW PLAYING | Midwest
@ Landmark’s Century Centre Cinema, etc., Chicago, IL
Chicago Filmmakers presents the 40th Reeling: The Chicago LGBTQ+ International Film Festival (9/22-10/2)
@ various locations, Fairmount, IN
The James Dean Museum presents the 46th annual James Dean Festival (9/23-9/25)
For detailed and curated listings of Chicago-area film presentations and related events, as well as cancellations and postponements due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, please visit the fine folks at Cine-File and subscribe to their definitive “Cine-List” weekly blast.
COMING SOON | Area-wide Events
9/30
HOLES IN THE SKY: THE SEAN MILLER STORY* Red Carpet Premiere
@ Hoogland Center for the Arts, Springfield, IL, 8 p.m.
10/3
CU International Film Festival presents “Film Workshop” for students
@ Champaign Public Library, Champaign, IL, 4 p.m.
10/6-10/16
31st Heartland International Film Festival, Indianapolis, IN
10/12-10/23
58th Chicago International Film Festival, Chicago, IL
10/13
FINAL SUMMER* first local screening
@ The Harvest Moon Twin Drive-in, Gibson City, IL
10/22
CU International Film Festival
@ Spurlock Museum of World Cultures, UIUC, Urbana, IL
11/1
DVD release: HOLES IN THE SKY: THE SEAN MILLER STORY*
+ Deskpop Entertainment, Phoenix, AZ
11/3-11/13
31st Whitaker St. Louis International Film Festival, St. Louis, MO
11/4-11/14
21st Route 66 Film Festival, Springfield, IL (virtual)
4/19-4/22, 2023
23nd Roger Ebert’s Film Festival
@ The Virginia Theatre, Champaign, IL
COMMUNITY & CAMPUS SERIES | Champaign-Urbana area
AEMS presents “AsiaLens Film Series”
@ Spurlock Museum of World Cultures, UIUC, Urbana, IL, 7 p.m.
10/11, 10/16: JIMMY IN SAIGON*; 11/1: NOW IS THE PAST – MY FATHER, JAVA & THE PHANTOM FILES
“The Arthouse Experience Film Series” curated by Sanford Hess
@ The Virginia Theatre, Champaign, IL, 7 p.m.
10/19: QUEEN AND SLIM; 11/9: THEY SHALL NOT GROW OLD; 12/14: THE BAND’S VISIT; 1/25/23: THE FRENCH DISPATCH; 2/8/23: MY OCTOPUS TEACHER; 3/8/23: HOMECOMING; 4/26/23: LET THE RIGHT ONE IN; 5/31/23: THE TWO POPES; 6/14/23: MULHOLLAND DRIVE; 7/12/23: BARAKA
Illini Radio Group presents “Rewind 92.5 Film Series”/“Mix 94.5 Throwback Thursdays”*
@ The Virginia Theatre, Champaign, IL, 7 p.m.
10/20: THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW; 11/10: SCREAM (1996)*; 12/8: HOME ALONE*; 1/19/23: SLEEPLESS IN SEATTLE*; 2/2/23: TITANIC*; 3/16/23: DIRTY DANCING; 4/27/23: GHOSTBUSTERS (1984); 5/18/23: BEETLEJUICE; 6/29/23: RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK; 7/27/23: TOP GUN
Illini Union Board presents “Fall 2022 Weekend Films”
@ Pine Lounge, 1st floor, Illini Union, UIUC, Urbana, IL, 7 p.m. Fri. & Sat, free w/i-card
9/30-10/1: THOR: LOVE AND THUNDER; 10/7-10/8: TOP GUN: MAVERICK; 10/14-10/15: DC LEAGUE OF SUPER-PETS; 10/21-10/22: NOPE; 10/28-10/29: BEAST; 11/4-11/5: WHERE THE CRAWDADS SING; 11/11-11/12: BULLET TRAIN; 11/18-11/19: HONK FOR JESUS. SAVE YOUR SOUL.; 12/2-12/3: DON’T WORRY DARLING
The News-Gazette Film Series
@ The Virginia Theatre, Champaign, IL, 1 & 7 p.m.
10/14: NOSFERATU (1922) w/accompaniment (7 p.m. only); 11/26: THE WIZARD OF OZ; 12/17: MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET (1947); 1/21/23: STAGE DOOR; 2/11/23: AN AMERICAN IN PARIS; 3/18/23: A NIGHT AT THE OPERA; 4/29/23: FANTASIA; 5/20/23: TOPPER; 6/17/23: ENTER THE DRAGON; 7/15/23: I LOVE LUCY: THE MOVIE
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Compiled by Jason Pankoke.
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“Calendar du C-U”
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