Calendar: October 18-24, 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!
10/16: Chaz Ebert (producer/host, Roger Ebert’s Film Festival, College of Media, UIUC, Champaign, IL)
10/18: Mike Everleth (publisher, Underground Film Journal, Los Angeles, CA)
10/20: Lana Wildman (volunteer, Route 66 Film Festival, Springfield, IL)
FIELD REPORT DU HQ | From Wherever It May Be Said
Monsters from lore, aliens not of this earth, and beings that are arguably human exist all around us if you believe the films being made by a new collective, Horror Dadz Productions, and in this Report we reveal how to find their found footage exploits. Follow our leads (but beware!) if you want to explore more…
We’ve mentioned before a Horror Dad named Joshua Brucker who hails from Watseka, a small Illinois town within easy driving distance of Hoopeston and Onarga, and his group specializes in the “reality” horror subgenre launched a quarter of a century ago with THE LAST BROADCAST and THE BLAIR WITCH PROJECT that has seemingly never let up since. In various producing combinations over the last few years, the Horror Dadz have pumped out around ten shockers so far that are told, at least in part, from the camera’s vantage point. The Report won’t even try to unravel all the nitty gritty of their combined oeuvre within this space, so we’ll focus on Brucker’s own work as director/writer to send us down a few of their “Cryptidverse” rabbit holes. There are four major projects realized under his creative watch so far.
The Clifton native came to our attention about a year ago when he arranged for a premiere screening of his then-new tale, THE WOODMEN, at the former Little Lorraine black box theater in Hoopeston. It is a co-production between Horror Dadz, Brucker’s Gray Sky Pictures, and partner 105ive Films, with the latter releasing the film on Blu-ray commercially back in June and securing it spots at VOD sites like Amazon Prime and AVOD such as Tubi. Filmed in eastern Tennessee in 2023, the film pits a trio of explorers played by Anna Clary, Dan Grogan, and Hunter Nino against a band of the titular creeps who haunt the Smoky Mountains with feral savagery. This is Brucker’s second feature.
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Before that came MOTHMAN, a previous joint between Gray Sky and Horror Dadz, in which a couple played by Liz Fletcher and Christopher Kuriata go searching in the central Ohio wilds for the truth behind the disappearance of the wife’s brother (Randall Cole) seemingly connected with the well-known cryptid. This title was issued in both standard and collector Blu-ray editions at the beginning of 2024 by a label called Not Quite Reality Distribution, which counts several of the Dadz’ pictures in its catalog. On a separate site run by Horror Nerd Productions (sounds … familiar?) is the Blu-ray for SPLIT SCREEN, a duology feature with segments shepherded by Dillon Brown – “Greys: The Nevada Alien Incident” – and Brucker – “The Illinois Valley Murder Tapes” – the latter of which stars Samantha Hupp, Tayler Holler, and Nino and has the distinction of being the first Cryptidverse story to be shot in our region.
The second, UNTITLED FOOTAGE, is an extension of the “Murder Tapes” serial killer segment and involves the sister of Hupp’s character, played by Tori Zanoni, heading out with a camera-equipped friend (Rodney B. Snyder) to uncover the truth behind Nino’s “Claw Hammer Killer.” It is one of the first features to debut exclusively on the just-launched service, Found TV, which is populated with exactly the types of indies you think such a site would love and curate. Found joins the established POV Horror site as go-to destinations for found footage fare, and you’re guaranteed to find the Horror Dadz lurking within.
Brucker himself is responsible for a segment in Horror Fix Films’ upcoming anthology, F’D: TALES FROM THE END TIMES, and has more Horror Dadz duties in store. As for what we make of it all, right now we’re awaiting copies of his material evidence that allegedly captures the unexplainable in America from our unnamed sources – why spoil the first-time viewing with commercials? – and will report back on our findings. That’s assuming we make it through to the final minutes without being abducted or something…
Don’t try it, Dadz. We have eyes in the backs of our heads. Oh … wait … we redact that comment. Carry on, then.
IMAGERY DU C-U | Picturing Our Scene on the Screen
Since we spent a lot of effort digging into the on-screen mythology and conspiracy being set up here, we’re keeping it simple with this week’s Images and presenting to you a map of Horror Dadz hot spots (it can be enlarged with a click) and some artwork from Brucker’s contributions.
There is certainly more to unearth (read: Facebook), and here are a few prompts for your Google-y fingertips. The current Dadz line-up includes Michael Rock, Matt Van Bodegraven, Dustin Tamplen, Nino, Brown, and Brucker, who are located throughout the Midwest and Southwest. [Not twenty-four hours after this Calendar went live, CUBlog received a mysterious message that pinpointed the artists’ whereabouts as being in Indiana, Michigan, and Nevada as well as Illinois … the same locations as the sightings noted on the map. Coincidence? – ed.] Other films in the Cryptidverse and beyond include GHOST (demonic forces!), LIGHTS OVER MONTGOMERY COUNTY (aliens!), TAHOE JOE (Bigfoot!), TAHOE JOE 2 (Bigfoot back for more!), and MIDNIGHT FEATURE, a five-part, half-hour anthology series with a possibly undead host, “The Curator,” played by the busy indie horror actor John Potash.
We mere mortals will be swarmed with phenomena films from the Horror Dadz stable in the near future such as a second season of MIDNIGHT FEATURE, Brown’s slasher with a stylistic switch-up, THE SUMMER WE DIED, and Brucker’s newly announced werewolf romp, THE FAIRFIELD COUNTY FOUR. We’re also going to need to set up a custom idea board in the spare office space of MFHQ Deux in order to keep track of all this. Sigh. Our work is never done…
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CONFIDENTIAL ALMANAC | Dates in Film Culture History
30 Years Ago … Friday, October 21, 1994: Following early-bird reviews by The New York Times‘ Caryn James and The Los Angeles Times‘ Kenneth Turan, The Chicago Sun-Times would print Roger Ebert’s ecstatic vote of confidence in the documentary HOOP DREAMS, a Chicago-based production about two inner-city high school students banking on college basketball careers as a step towards the proverbial “way out.” His persistent support of this film famously hit a crescendo when the movie critic cried foul over the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences overlooking it in both the “best picture” and “best documentary” Oscar categories. HOOP DREAMS director Steve James would ultimately return the favor with his work on the Ebert documentary LIFE ITSELF. [R]
LOCAL FILMS & EVENTS | Support Your Media Storytellers
@ Esquire Lounge, Champaign, IL
Champaign Movie Makers* meeting (10/21, 7 p.m.)
@ Lincoln Hall, UIUC, Urbana, IL
Illini Film & Video* meeting (10/21, 7 p.m., Room 1002)
NOW PLAYING | Champaign-Urbana Area
@ AMC Champaign 13, Champaign, IL
EXHIBITING FORGIVENESS, GRACIE & PEDRO: PETS TO THE RESCUE!* (animation), KENSUKE’S KINGDOM* (animation), RUMORS, SMILE 2, STAND BY ME* (in Mandarin with English sub), THE APPRENTICE*, BEETLEJUICE BEETLEJUICE, IT ENDS WITH US, JOKER: FOILE À DEUX, MY HERO ACADEMIA: YOU’RE NEXT* (animé) (in Japanese with English sub or English dub), THE NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS* (animation) (re-release), PIECE BY PIECE (documentary/animation), SATURDAY NIGHT, SPEAK NO EVIL*, TERRIFIER 3, TRANSFORMERS ONE (animation), THE WILD ROBOT (animation) (10/18 on), DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE* (10/18-10/22), AX Cinema Nights presents “Gundam Fest” feat. MOBILE SUIT GUNDAM II: SOLDIERS OF SORROW (animé) (10/20, 4:30 p.m., in Japanese with English sub), AMC “Screen Unseen” (mystery movie) (10/21, 7 p.m.), LONGLEGS w/THE MONKEY sneak preview (10/23, 7:15 p.m.; 10/24, 7:45 p.m.), AX Cinema Nights presents “Gundam Fest” feat. MOBILE SUIT GUNDAM III: ENCOUNTERS IN SPACE (animé) (10/23, 7:30 p.m., in Japanese with English sub), CONCLAVE, VENOM: THE LAST DANCE (10/24 on) *single screenings daily
@ Phoenix Savoy 16 + IMAX, Savoy, IL
EXHIBITING FORGIVENESS, GOODRICH, GRACIE & PEDRO: PETS TO THE RESCUE!* (animation), HOCUS POCUS (re-release), RUMORS, SMILE 2, THE APPRENTICE, BEETLEJUICE BEETLEJUICE, DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE*, JOKER: FOILE À DEUX, THE NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS (animation) (re-release), PIECE BY PIECE (documentary/animation), SATURDAY NIGHT, THE SUBSTANCE, TERRIFIER 3, THE WILD ROBOT (animation) (10/18 on), MY HERO ACADEMIA: YOU’RE NEXT* (animé) (in Japanese with English sub or English dub) (10/18-10/19, 10/21-10/22), The Metropolitan Opera: Grounded (10/19, 12 p.m., simulcast; 10/23, 1 & 6:30 p.m., recorded), BACK TO THE FUTURE PART II 35th anniversary (10/19, 10/21, 7 p.m.), SAW 20th anniversary (10/20, 4 & 7 p.m., 10/23, 7 p.m.; unrated), THE TWILIGHT SAGA: BREAKING DAWN – PART 2 (10/20, 3 & 7 p.m.; 10/23, 7 p.m.), VENOM: THE LAST DANCE, WE LIVE IN TIME (10/24 on) *single screenings daily
@ Knight Auditorium, Spurlock Center for World Cultures, UIUC, Urbana, IL
Roger Ebert Center for Film Studies* presents “Documentaries on the Frontline of Democracy: How Kartemquin’s Storytelling Works for Stronger Publics” lecture (10/18, 2 p.m.)
@ Pine Lounge, 1st floor, Illini Union, UIUC, Urbana, IL
Illini Union Board presents DESPICABLE ME 4 (animation) (10/18-10/19, 7 p.m., free w/i-card)
@ The Virginia Theatre, Champaign, IL
The News-Gazette Film Series presents REAR WINDOW (10/19, 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
@ The Avon Theater, Decatur, IL
CREATURE FROM THE BLACK LAGOON (3-D), SMILE 2, BEETLEJUICE BEETLEJUICE, THE WILD ROBOT (animation) (10/18-10/20)
@ Clintonia Eagle Theater, Clinton, IL
HOCUS POCUS (re-release), SMILE 2, BEETLEJUICE BEETLEJUICE, JOKER: FOILE À DEUX, THE NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS (animation) (re-release), THE WILD ROBOT (animation) (10/18 on)
@ Crescent Cinemas, Pontiac, IL
GRACIE & PEDRO: PETS TO THE RESCUE!* (animation), AM I RACIST? (op-ed/documentary) (10/18 on)
@ The Fischer Theatre, Danville, IL
A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET (1984) (10/18, 7 p.m.), PSYCHO (1960) (10/19, 7 p.m.), HOCUS POCUS (10/20, 2 p.m., free)
@ The Harvest Moon Twin Drive-in, Gibson City, IL
THE NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS (animation), BEETLEJUICE, BEETLEJUICE BEETLEJUICE (Screen 1), THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE 50th anniversary, AN AMERICAN WEREWOLF IN LONDON, NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD (1968) (Screen 2) (10/18-10/19)
@ Marcus Bloomington Cinema + IMAX, Bloomington, IL
BLINK (documentary), GOODRICH, HOCUS POCUS (re-release), SMILE 2, THE APPRENTICE, BEETLEJUICE BEETLEJUICE, DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE, JOKER: FOILE À DEUX, MY HERO ACADEMIA: YOU’RE NEXT (animé) (in Japanese with English sub or English dub), THE NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS (animation) (re-release), PIECE BY PIECE (documentary/animation), SATURDAY NIGHT, SPEAK NO EVIL, TERRIFIER 3, TRANSFORMERS ONE (animation), THE WILD ROBOT (animation) (10/18 on), FRIDAY THE 13th (1980) (10/18-10/19, 9:30 p.m.), E.T. THE EXTRA-TERRESTIRAL Halloween party (10/19, 11 a.m.), DESPICABLE ME 4 Halloween party (10/19, 11:15 a.m.), The Metropolitan Opera: Grounded (10/19, 12 p.m., simulcast), TAEYONG: TY TRACK (concert documentary) (10/19, 1 p.m.; in Korean with English sub), HARRY POTTER AND THE HALF-BLOOD PRINCE (10/20, 4 p.m.; 10/21, 6 p.m.), Marcus “Mystery Movie” (10/21, 7 p.m.), BACK TO THE FUTURE PART II 35th anniversary (10/21, 7 p.m.), A24 x IMAX present THE WITCH (10/23, 7 p.m., IMAX), CONCLAVE, VENOM: THE LAST DANCE, YOUR MONSTER (10/24 on) *single screenings daily
@ The Normal Theater, Normal, IL
HOCUS POCUS, FRANKIE FREAKO (10/18), ARSENIC AND OLD LACE, THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE (1974), CEMETERY MAN (10/19), LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS (1986), HOCUS POCUS, CARNIVAL OF SOULS (1962) (10/20), GHOSTBUSTERS (1984) (10/21), L’INFERNO w/live accompaniment by Montopolis (10/22, 7 p.m.), NATURAL BORN KILLERS (10/23), THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW w/shadow cast (10/24, 7 p.m.)
@ The Onarga Theatre, Onarga, IL
Closed until November.
@ The Princess Theatre, Leroy, IL
BEETLEJUICE BEETLEJUICE (10/18-10/20)
@ The Route 66 Drive-in Theater, Springfield, IL
THE WILD ROBOT (animation), BEETLEJUICE BEETLEJUICE (Screen 1), SMILE 2, SCREAM 1996) (Screen 2) (10/18-10/19)
@ VIP Lincoln Grand 6, Lincoln, IL
THE SILENT HOUR*, TERRIFIER 3, BEETLEJUICE BEETLEJUICE, FAITH OF ANGELS (faith film), JOKER: FOILE À DEUX, REAGAN, SPEAK NO EVIL, TRANSFORMERS ONE (animation), THE WILD ROBOT (animation) (10/11 on) *single screenings daily
NOW PLAYING | Midwest
@ Chicago Filmmakers Firehouse Cinema, Chicago, IL
Group 312 Films “2024 Annual Report” (10/19, 7 p.m.)
@ Living Room Theaters/Kan-Kan Cinema and Restaurant, etc., Indianapolis/Noblesville, IN
33rd Heartland International Film Festival (through 10/20)
@ AMC Newcity 14/Music Box Theatre, etc., Chicago, IL
60th Chicago International Film Festival, Chicago, IL (through 10/27)
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
NEW! 10/31-11/3, 11/8-11/11
14th Lake County Film Festival
@ College of Lake County, Grayslake, IL
11/1-11/2
23rd Route 66 Film Festival*
@ Hoogland Center for the Arts, Springfield, IL
11/7-11/17
33rd St. Louis International Film Festival
@ The Hi-Pointe Theatre, St. Louis, MO
2/15/25
3rd annual CU International Film Festival*
@ Spurlock Museum of World Cultures, UIUC, Urbana, IL
3/27-3/29/25
2025 Big Muddy Film Festival*
@ The Varsity Center, Carbondale, IL
4/23/-4/25/25
25th Roger Ebert’s Film Festival*
@ The Virginia Theatre, Champaign, IL
NEW! 5/29-6/2/25
The Chambana Film Festival
@ TBA, Champaign-Urbana, IL
COMMUNITY & CAMPUS SERIES | Champaign-Urbana area
Chambana Film Festival* screening series
@ Phoenix Savoy 16 + IMAX, Savoy, IL, 4 p.m.
10/27: HAUNT SEASON; 11/17: THE PROBLEM OF THE HERO; 11/24: THE HOBBY; 12/29: documentary shorts incl. FACING THE FALLS
Illini Radio Group presents “Rewind 92.5 Movie Series”/“Mix 94.5 Throwback Thursdays”*
@ The Virginia Theatre, Champaign, IL, 7 p.m.
11/20: THE BOY AND THE HERON (animé); 12/5: FRIDAY*
Illini Union Board presents “Fall 2024 Weekend Films”
@ Pine Lounge, 1st floor, Illini Union, UIUC, Urbana, IL, 7 p.m. Fri. & Sat, free w/i-card
HOCUS POCUS (10/25-10/26); 11/1-11/2: FLY ME TO THE MOON; 11/8-11/9: IT ENDS WITH US; 11/15-11/16: SCREAM (1996); 11/22-11/23: BEETLEJUICE BEETLEJUICE; 12/6-12/7: HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS
Illinois Public Media presents “The Arthouse Experience Film Series”
@ The Virginia Theatre, Champaign, IL, 7 p.m.
10/18: TO LESLIE; 11/22: RUSHMORE
The News-Gazette Film Series
@ The Virginia Theatre, Champaign, IL, 1 & 7 p.m.
10/19: REAR WINDOW; 11/30: THE WIZARD OF OZ; 12/7: IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE
Roger Ebert Center for Film Studies* event series
@ Knight Auditorium, Spurlock Center for World Cultures, UIUC, Urbana, IL
11/14: ALIEN: ROMULUS screening; 12/5: GREMLINS screening
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Compiled by Jason Pankoke.
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“Calendar du C-U”
© 2024 Jason Pankoke/C-U Blogfidential
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