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Chuck Koplinski was born and raised in Kankakee before setting out for the windy city where he studied film at Columbia College and earned an education degree at University of Illinois-Chicago. Having moved to Champaign-Urbana 17 years ago, Koplinski has been spouting off about film in the area's various local independent newspapers for the last 12 years. Completely confused as to why Caddyshack and Fargo are held in high regard but confident that Judge Dredd and Big Trouble in Little China are films that time will reveal to be classics, he's forever in his father's debt for having introduced him to the cinema of the 1930s and '40s.
Editor's note: Chuck Koplinski wrote a review for The Visitor on May 30 and the link is embedded in the film's title below.
Area filmgoers are in a for a treat as character actor Richard Jenkins will be appearing at the Normal Theater to introduce the film, The Visitor, a moving film that has garnered well-earned critical acclaim and is a timely examination of the United States’ immigration policy and our country’s place in the world. Jenkins, a graduate of Illinois Wesleyan University, will be on hand to discuss the film and take questions afterwards, as will his co-star in the movie, Danai Jekesai Gurira.
A lively discussion is sure to follow, as The Visitor is not only a poignant examination of one man’s resurrection, as Jenkins character Walter Vale decides to come out of the emotional shell he’s been in since his wife’s death, but also a pointed indictment on the callous action taken towards immigrants to the United States since 9/11. Writer/director Thomas McCarthy pulls no punches as he shows how families are torn asunder by the nation’s oppressive policies towards foreign-born citizens which are driven by fear and paranoia. It would be hard to find a more timely issue.
This special screening will take place on Saturday, October 4 at 7 p.m. at the Normal Theater, located at 209 W. North St. in Normal, Ill. and a better location could not be had. If you’ve never been to this beautifully restored Art Deco theater that was built in 1937, this is the perfect opportunity to visit this cinematic treasure and take in one the best films of the year.
For more info: Visit the Normal Theater website or call (309) 454-9722.
