Calendar: April 11-17, 2025
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!
4/13: Damon Foster (filmmaker, OF MUMMIES AND MARTIANS, Damon A. Foster, Sacramento, CA)
PASSINGS | You Will Be Missed
3/19: John Russell, 91 (manager, The Rialto Theatre, Champaign, IL, retired)
FIELD REPORT DU HQ | From Wherever It May Be Said
The Report is on hiatus until May. Thank you for your readership, CUvians and Agents! You should pay attention to Smile Politely, The Daily Illini, Champaign Movie Makers, and Chambana Film Festival for breaking news and updates in our scene. CUBlog will also keep in step with our friends and share to Facebook when we come across things you would like. Keep reading!
IMAGERY DU C-U | Picturing My Old Scene on Your Screen
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Despite our promise last week that we would begin a show and tell featuring some of the recently acquired movie ephemera of Champaign, Urbana, and the cities beyond that we’ve given a home at MFHQ Deux up north in the Illinois Valley, Ye Ed decided that one more off ramp for context might be in order. The coincidence we shared in the previous Images, wherein the same Ye Ed picked up a Dora Hall LP at the Horizons Music Warehouse of Mendota and primarily knew what it was because of Hall’s connection with the former Solo Cup plant of Urbana, is not out of the ordinary. Physical evidence of our film culture has never been abundant in the wild and, if we can make the connection and justify the price, it might just come back to HQ with us for safe keeping, enjoyment, and editorial inspiration.
We had piped up a few years ago about starting a series where our dearest readers could vicariously check out some of the cool collectibles and artifacts in our care while we talked about how we got them, why we had them, and where in the C-U cinema history they belonged. This was in part because we’ve always been disappointed that we never turned MFHQ, situated a couple of blocks away from West Side Park beside downtown Champaign, into a destination hangout for our friends and Confidential agents so we could visit in the comfortable space where all our ideas incubated and magic happened. The illustrated anecdotes that will start appearing in next week’s Calendar are in the same spirit as before.
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Even with all the floor space we have at Momkoke Manor, establishing MFHQ Deux as more than a nebulous concept has not been high on Ye Ed’s to-do list as he continues to hash out the remnants of his parents’ lives and stabilize his own. Therefore, the items are being staged in a nondescript manner, similar to how we pictured the vintage Park Theatre handout featuring the actress Priscilla Lane in a previous post. This is in absolute contrast to the colorful and relatively organized nature of the original Secret MICRO-FILM Headquarters, which we’re giving you a rare peek at here. Above and below are pictures of Ye Ed’s hovel, where many years’ worth of MICRO-FILM, C-U Confidential, and New Art Film Festival activity took place and much of the tangible proof that informed our scene coverage was stored in all the boxes, shelves, filing cabinets, and closet space we could spare throughout Apartment 3D.
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Those snaps were taken in December 2020, not long after we had to agree to let go of 3D and move out of the world-famous “Building” in the Sesquicentennial Neighborhood. Sadly, MFHQ looked like this on January 20, 2021, the day before our twenty-five-year tenure on Prairie Street came to an end:
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Ye Ed decided that his last act in MFHQ would be to photograph and then remove all the decorations, fearing that some of them would be destroyed in the process. (He was right.) Here are good examples:
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The above picture shows a pair of bulletin board posters for Sam Ambler and Gab Reisman’s Film Dependency Film Festival at the Urbana IMC, circa 2003, featuring characteristic artwork by the late great Dave King. The picture below shows a handful of pieces that have CUBlog or MF relevance including a one-sheet for the DeKalb-filmed indie comedy LOVE 101 that its co-writer/director, Adrian Fulle, gave to your humble editor during a promotional stop in the C-U at the end of March 2000 as was just recalled in a Confidential Almanac entry. All of these survived and are currently stored at the covert MFHQ Annex in Champaign, along with other material directly related to the C-U filmography, and not convenient for us to access right now. That’s why we’ll instead be sharing with you what we have on hand in the coming weeks.
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Through very tired eyes after approximately eight weeks straight of clearing out 3D, constantly driving back and forth between Champaign and Mendota, attempting to put in hours at his employment, being conscious about his every move outside of “Building” due to pandemic restrictions, and wrapping his head around the attempted insurrection of the United States government in the middle of it all, Ye Ed took these archival images of MFHQ’s last breaths between 3 and 3:30 a.m. At around 4:45 a.m., he turned in the keys and then drove a car bursting with belongings for two-and-a-half hours straight and on no sleep.
Any which way you can, join us next week for the first entry of our “Confidential Picture Show!”
CONFIDENTIAL ALMANAC | Dates in Film Culture History
15 Years Ago … April 15-20, 2010: Inspired by the warm reception given to his Boneyard Arts Festival “movie show” at Urbana’s Caffe Paradiso the previous spring, Jason Pankoke of C-U Confidential takes up a cross-town opportunity to build a more substantial showcase for independent cinema. He and Art Theater owner Sanford Hess collaborate to launch the first New Art Film Festival to offer Champaign-Urbana a unique program, drawing from both locally-made content and the work of producers from Chicago and several Midwest states. A free “non-taxing” reel, mixing trailers and film shorts in a similar vein to the Paradiso event, kicks off the NAFF on Thursday, April 15, after which the full potential of its concept is demonstrated to audiences. Blocks include various pieces from University of Illinois alumni and students, a selection of adventures from Dark Maze Studios of Champaign, the C-U debut of the documentary HOOPESTON, and features made by Pankoke’s contacts through the defunct MICRO-FILM journal such as EXISTO, RETURN IN RED, and DEADWOOD PARK. Screenings are paced across six days, the first three concurrent with Boneyard Arts and a closing “best of” presentation taking place on Tuesday, April 20, the night before Roger Ebert’s Film Festival commences. While an overall success, the NAFF would be modified to eliminate ticket sales, concentrate on selections from the state of Illinois, and consolidate to a single-day affair, becoming a signature Art event for the next decade that provided media storytellers who live downstate with a public space to convene. As reported on 4/14/10, 4/16/10 at CUBlog. [R]
LOCAL FILMS & EVENTS | Support Your Media Storytellers
@ Lincoln Square, Urbana, IL
The IDEA Store presents “Camera and Sewing Machine Sale” (4/11-4/13)
NOW PLAYING | Champaign-Urbana Area
@ AMC Champaign 13, Champaign, IL
THE AMATEUR, THE CHOSEN: LAST SUPPER Part 3 (faith film), DROP, JAAT (in Hindi with English sub), THE KING OF KINGS (faith animation), WARFARE, DEATH OF A UNICORN, HELL OF A SUMMER, A MINECRAFT MOVIE, SNOW WHITE, THE WOMAN IN THE YARD, A WORKING MAN (4/11 on), AX Cinema Nights presents VAMPIRE HUNTER D 40th anniversary (animé) (4/13, 4 p.m., in Japanese with English sub; 4/10, 7 p.m., English dub), KAIJU NO. 8: MISSION RECON (animé) (4/13, 2 p.m., 4/16, 7 p.m., English dub; 4/14, 7 p.m., in Japanese with English sub), AMC “Screen Unseen” (mystery movie) (4/14, 7 p.m.), THE ACCOUNTANT 2 sneak preview (4/15, 7 p.m.), THE BALLAD OF WALLIS ISLAND, COLORFUL STAGE! THE MOVIE: A MIKU WHO CAN’T SING (animé), SINNERS (4/17 on)
@ Phoenix Savoy 16 + IMAX, Savoy, IL
THE AMATEUR, THE CHOSEN: LAST SUPPER Part 3 (faith film) and Part 2* (faith film), DROP, THE KING OF KINGS (faith animation), WARFARE, THE FRIEND, HELL OF A SUMMER, MICKEY 17, A MINECRAFT MOVIE, PRINCESS MONONOKE (animé) (in Japanese with English sub or English dub; re-release), SNOW WHITE, THE WOMAN IN THE YARD, A WORKING MAN (4/11 on), THE GOONIES (4/12, 7 p.m.; 4/13, 3 & 7 p.m.; 4/16, 7 p.m.), UFC 314: Alexander Volkanovski vs. Diego Lopes, more (mixed martial arts) (4/12, 9 p.m., simulcast), SINNERS (4/17 on) *single screenings daily
@ Pine Lounge, 1st floor, Illini Union, UIUC, Urbana, IL
Illini Union Board presents WALL-E (animation) (4/11-4/12, 7 p.m., free w/i-card)
@ The Virginia Theatre, Champaign, IL
No movies this week!
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
@ Clintonia Eagle Theater, Clinton, IL
THE AMATEUR, THE CHOSEN: LAST SUPPER Part 3 (faith film) and Part 2* (faith film), DROP, THE KING OF KINGS (faith animation), A MINECRAFT MOVIE (4/11 on), UFC 314: Alexander Volkanovski vs. Diego Lopes, more (mixed martial arts) (4/12, 9 p.m., simulcast)
@ Crescent Cinemas, Pontiac, IL
THE KING OF KINGS (faith animation), A MINECRAFT MOVIE (4/11 on)
@ The Fischer Theatre, Danville, IL
No movies this week!
@ The Harvest Moon Twin Drive-in, Gibson City, IL
A MINECRAFT MOVIE (Screen 1), SNOW WHITE (Screen 2) (4/11-4/12)
@ The Lorraine Theatre, Hoopeston, IL
A MINECRAFT MOVIE (4/11-4/13)
@ Marcus Bloomington Cinema + IMAX, Bloomington, IL
THE AMATEUR, THE CHOSEN: LAST SUPPER Part 3 (faith film) and Part 1* or Part 2* daily (faith film), DROP, THE KING OF KINGS (faith animation), WARFARE, DEATH OF A UNICORN*, A MINECRAFT MOVIE, SNOW WHITE, THE WOMAN IN THE YARD, A WORKING MAN (4/4 on), Indian cinema: GOOD BAD UGLY (Tamil or Telugu w/Eng sub, 4/11-4/16), JACK* (Telugu w/Eng sub, 4/11-4/12, 4/14-4/15), and JAAT* (Hindi w/Eng sub, 4/11-4/12, 4/15), BEETLEJUICE (4/13, 4 p.m.; 4/14, 5:30 p.m.), KAIJU NO. 8: MISSION RECON (animé) (4/13, 12:30 p.m., 4/16, 7:30 p.m., English dub; 4/14, 6:30 p.m., in Japanese with English sub), NEIL YOUNG: COASTAL (music documentary) (4/17, 7 p.m.), SINNERS, SNEAKS (animation), THE WEDDING BANQUET (4/17 on) *single screenings daily
@ The Normal Theater, Normal, IL
“Films that Inspired Star Wars” series: ONCE UPON A TIME IN THE WEST (4/11, 4/13), THE GUNS OF NAVARONE (4/12), 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY (4/12), JASON AND THE ARGONAUTS (4/13), LOST HORIZON (1937) (4/16), THE 7TH VOYAGE OF SINBAD (4/17), and BATTLE IN OUTER SPACE (4/17), THE GREASY STRANGLER (4/15)
@ The Onarga Theatre, Onarga, IL
A MINECRAFT MOVIE (4/11-4/13)
@ The Princess Theatre, Leroy, IL
SNOW WHITE (4/11-4/13)
@ The Route 66 Drive-in Theater, Springfield, IL
THE AMATEUR, CAPTAIN AMERICA: BRAVE NEW WORLD (Screen 1), A MINECRAFT MOVIE, DOG MAN (animation) (Screen 2) (4/11-4/12)
@ VIP Lincoln Grand 6, Lincoln, IL
THE AMATEUR, THE CHOSEN: LAST SUPPER Part 3 (faith film) and Part 1* and Part 2* daily (faith film), DROP, THE KING OF KINGS (faith animation), A MINECRAFT MOVIE, SNOW WHITE*, A WORKING MAN (4/11 on) *single screenings daily
NOW PLAYING | Midwest
@ Chicago Filmmakers Firehouse Cinema, etc., Chicago, IL
Chicago Filmmakers presents the 35th Onion City Experimental Film Festival (through 4/13) Information
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. And for northern Illinois industry news, be sure to read Reel Chicago and Screen Magazine.
COMING SOON | Area-wide Events
4/23-4/25
25th Roger Ebert’s Film Festival*
@ The Virginia Theatre, Champaign, IL
4/24-4/27
Foxtail Film Festival* 2025
@ Normal Theater, Normal, IL
5/2
Illinois Student Film Festival*
@ Spurlock Museum of World Cultures, UIUC, Urbana, IL, 7 p.m.
5/29-6/2
Champaign Film Society presents
the first Savoy Lumierè* film festival
@ Phoenix Savoy 16 + IMAX, Savoy, IL
UPDATE! 9/21
Champaign Film Society presents
the first CineSonic* music film festival
@ TBA, Champaign-Urbana, IL
COMMUNITY & CAMPUS SERIES | Champaign-Urbana area
Chambana Film Society* screening series
@ Phoenix Savoy 16 + IMAX, Savoy, IL, 4 p.m.
4/27: SLICE OF LIFE (documentary)
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
4/18-4/19: SONIC THE HEDGEHOG 3; 4/25-4/26: THE WILD ROBOT (animation); 5/2-5/3: CAPTAIN AMERICA: BRAVE NEW WORLD; 5/4: STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS
Roger Ebert Center for Film Studies* event series
@ Knight Auditorium, Spurlock Center for World Cultures, UIUC, Urbana, IL
4/22: Ebert Symposium screening: HER; 4/23: Ebert Symposium keynote and roundtables: “Artificial Intelligence Imagined and Realized”
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Compiled by Jason Pankoke.
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“Calendar du C-U”
© 2025 Jason Pankoke/C-U Blogfidential
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