Calendar: January 19-25, 2024
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!
1/16: Zoe Southlynn-Savage (special events manager, Champaign Park District, Champaign, IL)
1/18: Michelle Kaffko Ebner (owner, Organic Headshots, Chicago, IL)
PASSINGS | You Will Be Missed
1/11: Dave King, the “Duke of Uke,” 58 (actor, WEREWOLF CEMETERY, Brainsmart Productions, Champaign, IL/Portland, OR)
FIELD REPORT DU HQ | From Wherever It May Be Said
Ye Ed will be writing this Report with his Captain Obvious hat on, cocked at a weird angle that allows enough oxygen to come and go, and finishing it up after a run of days spent almost completely at MFHQ Deux where he’s been badgered by weird and sad dreams. We won’t attempt to analyze the root causes.
That said, we’ll happily spell out for you a mini-splurge of local film activity that will enliven our cities over the next several days. You can find it all listed in the Calendar below, but the convenient confluence provides an introduction to our scene in brief strokes for those not familiar with the C-U and beyond. We have a locally-produced event in the Flatlands Dance Film Festival, the newer second-semester leg that is devoted to short films, playing tonight, Friday, January 19, 7 p.m., at Knight Auditorium inside of the UIUC Spurlock Museum of Urbana. We have a locally-filmed sci-fi spoof, THEY CAME BACK FROM SOMEWHERE from the Chicago suburban crew at Acrostar Films, premiering on Sunday, January 21, 7 p.m., at the Clinton location of Eagle Theaters, a mom-and-pop chain that operates three venues in downstate Illinois. We have local networking during the monthly mixer of Champaign Movie Makers at the Esquire Lounge in downtown Champaign on Monday, January 22, 7 p.m. And, we have the physical media premiere of PROJECT DOROTHY, the third and final of the newer “visiting film crew” projects that we told you about over the summer, seeing commercial release in North America on Tuesday, January 23, one week after it debuted on streaming platforms like Apple+, Vudu, and Amazon Prime on Tuesday, January 16. The super low-budget AI techno-thriller was photographed a few years ago on the grounds of what is now the Rivian electric vehicle manufacturing plant on the far west end of Normal.
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Not very far from Rivian is the non-AMC multiplex of the nearby Twin Cities, Marcus Theatres, and it brings us to our postscript. For years, we’ve compiled the weekly itinerary of the Beverly (now AMC) in north Champaign and Goodrich (now Phoenix) in Savoy, considering their fare a good snapshot of what plays at all multiplexes in our immediate region. For those who are not averse to putting a few extra miles on their vehicles to go see a film they really want to see, don’t be shy about skimming the listings not incorporated here. For instance, at the aforementioned Marcus Bloomington Galaxy 14, they’ve booked Indian cinema that we haven’t seen yet in C-U cinemas – MISSION: CHAPTER 1, MAIN ATAL HOUN – as well as the Anthony Hopkins period film FREUD’S LAST SESSION, although the Avon Theater in Decatur has us covered on the latter. FREUD is also playing at the AMC Classic 14 on the north end of Normal along with yet another modern slasher with a holiday hook, FOUNDER’S DAY, which has yet to take a stab at the C-U following the likes of THANKSGIVING and IT’S A WONDERFUL KNIFE.
You can also enjoy the fruits of local labor at a ‘plex if you look carefully. The AMC Classic 12 of Springfield is home to the annual Molly Schlich Independent | International Film Series, the only true “art house film” program of its kind in the area, which will present the Sony Pictures Classics release TURN EVERY PAGE, about an aging history author and his equally aging editor as they attempt to finish one last major collaboration, this Sunday, January 21, at 1 and 4 p.m., and Tuesday, January 23, at 7 p.m. Sponsored by the Springfield Art Association and several other Capital City businesses and donors, the weekly screening series continues through March 5 and was launched by its namesake, a chef and world traveler who wanted to watch movies like these theatrically in her adopted home of Springfield but had to create her own avenue to do so. You can learn more about Schlich, who passed at age 93 in 2021, from this State Journal-Register article and read about the upcoming 2024 picks, the ticket sales from which will be donated to help fund the SAA’s Michael Victor II Art Library, by visiting this webpage.
Local friends in film have also taken up the ‘plexes to do special events, primarily the Savoy 16 + IMAX, including Thomas Nicol’s recent Krampusnacht Freeky Film Festival and showings of FINAL SUMMER from Front 76 Films and REVEALER from Shatterglass Films. They’re a possible resource to use if the timing and price point jive with everyone’s goals. Watch CUBlog to see what comes next in this realm.
LOCAL FILMS & EVENTS | Support Your Media Storytellers
PROJECT DOROTHY* U.S. Blu-ray/DVD Release: Tuesday, January 23, via Gravitas Ventures, Cleveland, OH/Taylor & Dodge-Liberty Atlantic Studios-Kinogo Pictures, Los Angeles/N. Hollywood, CA-Normal, IL
@ Spurlock Museum of World Cultures, UIUC, Urbana, IL
Department of Dance, FAA, presents Flatlands Dance Film Festival 2024 shorts competition program (1/19, 7 p.m.)
@ Clintonia Eagle Theaters, Clinton, IL
Acrostar Films presents THEY CAME BACK FROM SOMEWHERE* world premiere (1/21, 7 p.m.)
@ Esquire Lounge, Champaign, IL
Champaign Movie Makers* mixer (1/22, 7 p.m.)
NOW PLAYING | Champaign-Urbana Area
@ AMC Champaign 13, Champaign, IL
ALL OF US STRANGERS, I.S.S., MERRY CHRISTMAS (in Telugu with English sub), AMERICAN FICTION, ANYONE BUT YOU, THE BEEKEEPER, THE BOOK OF CLARENCE, GUNTAR KAARAM (in Telugu with English sub) HANU-MAN (in Telugu with English sub), THE HUNGER GAMES: THE BALLAD OF SONGBIRDS & SNAKES*, MEAN GIRLS, MIGRATION (animation), NIGHT SWIM, SOUL* (animation) (first US theatrical release), SPIDER-MAN: ACROSS THE SPIDER-VERSE* (animation), WONKA (1/19 on), AX Cinema Nights: COWBOY BEBOP: THE MOVIE (animé) (1/21, 2:30 p.m., 1/22, 7:30 p.m., English dub; 1/21, 7:30 p.m., 1/23, 8 p.m., in Japanese with English sub), GURREN LAGANN THE MOVIE: THE LIGHTS IN THE SKY ARE STARS (animé) (1/23, 7 p.m., in Japanese with English sub; 1/24, 7 p.m., English dub), FIGHTER (in Hindi with English sub), GODZILLA MINUS ONE/MINUS COLOR (in Japanese with English sub) (1/25 on) *single screenings daily
@ Phoenix Savoy 16 + IMAX, Savoy, IL
I.S.S., QUEEN ROCK MONTREAL (concert film, IMAX), ANYONE BUT YOU, AQUAMAN AND THE LOST KINGDOM, THE BEEKEEPER, THE BOOK OF CLARENCE, THE BOY AND THE HERON (animé) (in Japanese with English sub or English dub), THE BOYS IN THE BOAT, THE IRON CLAW, MEAN GIRLS, MIGRATION (animation), NIGHT SWIM, OPPENHEIMER* (2-D IMAX), POOR THINGS, SOUL* (animation) (first US theatrical release), SPIDER-MAN: ACROSS THE SPIDER-VERSE* (animation), TROLLS BAND TOGETHER (animation), WONKA (1/19 on), UFC 297: Sean Strickland vs. Dricus Du Plessis, more (mixed martial arts) (1/20, 9 p.m., simulcast), INTERSTELLAR (1/21, 1/24, 3 & 7 p.m.), GURREN LAGANN THE MOVIE: THE LIGHTS IN THE SKY ARE STARS (animé) (1/23, 7 p.m., in Japanese with English sub; 1/24, 7 p.m., English dub), A CASE FOR LOVE (religious documentary) (1/23, 4 & 7 p.m.), BEAUTIFUL WEDDING (1/24-1/25, 7 p.m.) *single screenings daily
@ Illini Union, UIUC, Urbana, IL
Illini Union Board presents “Spring 2024 Weekend Films” feat. DICKS: THE MUSICAL, Pine Lounge, 1st floor (1/19-1/20, 7 p.m.; free w/i-card)
@ Redbox (streaming), Champaign-Urbana, IL
Follow the link to view the hottest new releases! (1/16 on) Online rentals
@ The Virginia Theatre, Champaign, IL
Illinois Public Media presents “The Arthouse Experience Film Series” feat. PASSING (1/19, 7 p.m.), The News-Gazette Film Series presents THE WIZARD OF OZ (1/20, 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 12, Springfield, IL
Springfield Art Association presents Molly Schlich Independent | International Film Series feat. TURN EVERY PAGE (1/21, 1 & 4 p.m.; 1/23, 7 p.m.)
@ The Avon Theater, Decatur, IL
FREUD’S LAST SESSION, POOR THINGS, MEAN GIRLS (1/18-1/21)
@ The Fischer Theatre, Danville, IL
THE THING (1982) (1/19, 7 p.m.), THE SHINING (1980) (1/20, 2 & 7 p.m.)
@ The Normal Theater, Normal, IL
THE BOY AND THE HERON (animé) (in Japanese with English sub or English dub) (1/20-1/22), Illinois State University presents “Can You Dig It? Exploring Race, Representation, and Culture in Blaxploitation Films” feat. SWEET SWEETBACK’S BAADASSSSS SONG, discussion (1/25, 7 p.m.)
@ The Onarga Theatre, Onarga, IL
WONKA (1/19-1/21)
@ The Princess Theatre, Leroy, IL
NAPOLEON (1/19-1/21)
NOW PLAYING | Midwest
For detailed and curated listings of Chicago-area film presentations and related events, please visit the fine folks at Cine-File and subscribe to their definitive “Cine-List” weekly blast.
COMING SOON | Area-wide Events
2/16
Champaign Movie Makers* 48 hr film contest
@ Lincoln Square Mall, Urbana, IL, 7 p.m. (start time)
3/2
CU International Film Festival*
@ Spurlock Museum of World Cultures, UIUC, Urbana, IL
4/4-4/11
26th annual Wisconsin Film Festival, Madison, WI
4/4-4/14
34th Onion City Experimental Film Festival, Chicago, IL
4/17-4/20
24th Roger Ebert’s Film Festival*
@ The Virginia Theatre, Champaign, IL
COMMUNITY & CAMPUS SERIES | Champaign-Urbana area
Illini Radio Group presents “Rewind 92.5 Movie Series”/“Mix 94.5 Throwback Thursdays”*
@ The Virginia Theatre, Champaign, IL, 7 p.m.
2/8: THE BLUES BROTHERS; 3/21: E.T. THE EXTRA-TERRESTRIAL; 4/25: PITCH PERFECT*; 5/23: FAME (1980); 6/27: HARRY POTTER AND THE SORCERER’S STONE*; 7/11: GREASE “sing-a-long” edition
Illinois Public Media presents “The Arthouse Experience Film Series”
@ The Virginia Theatre, Champaign, IL, 7 p.m.
2/16: GOSPEL: WHERE SONG AND SERMON MEET excerpt w/discussion; 5/24: FREE SOLO; 7/19: STOP MAKING SENSE
Illini Union Board presents “Spring 2024 Weekend Films”
@ Pine Lounge, 1st floor, Illini Union, UIUC, Urbana, IL, 7 p.m. Fri. & Sat, free w/i-card
1/26-1/27: DUMB MONEY; 2/2-2/3: WISH; 2/9-2/10: FIVE NIGHTS AT FREDDY’S; 2/16-2/17: THE HUNGER GAMES: THE BALLAD OF SONGBIRDS & SNAKES; 2/23-2/24: THE MARVELS; 3/1-3/2: TROLLS BAND TOGETHER; 3/8-3/9: AMERICAN FICTION; 3/15-3/16: AQUAMAN AND THE LOST KINGDOM; 3/22-3/23: ANYONE BUT YOU; 3/29-3/30: THE COLOR PURPLE; 4/5-4/6: FERRARI; 4/12-4/13: THE BOYS IN THE BOAT; 4/19-4/20: WONKA; 4/26-4/27: THE BOOK OF CLARENCE; 5/3-5/4: THE IRON CLAW
The News-Gazette Film Series
@ The Virginia Theatre, Champaign, IL, 1 & 7 p.m.
2/10: SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN; 4/13: THE THIRD MAN
Springfield Art Association presents the 30th annual Molly Schlich Independent | International Film Series
@ AMC Classic Springfield 12, Springfield, IL, 1 & 4 p.m. Sunday + 7 p.m. Tuesday
1/28, 1/30: THE QUIET GIRL; 2/4, 2/6: THE OTHER MOUNTAIN; 2/11, 2/13: THE BLUE CAFTAN; 2/18, 2/20: PAST LIVES; 2/25, 2/27: THE INNOCENT; 3/3, 3/5: REVOIR PARIS
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Compiled by Jason Pankoke.
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“Calendar du C-U”
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