Category > EbertfestReviews
Joe Versus the Volcano This film’s selection for opening night surprised a lot people. I guess Ebert has developed a fondness for it and he has wanted to show it at his festival for 10 years or so. Ebert’s wife, Chaz, admitted at the screening that even she had never finished it because it was just “too weird.” Sure, Joe is often weird and cheesy at times, but it’s actually pretty good. The humor is subtle at times and ridiculous …
| Ebertfest is unlike your ordinary old trip to see a movie. There’s a buzz in the air. Maybe it’s just Ebert’s name, or the stars that come out to be a part of the experience. My thought is that it’s something more though. We’re fortunate to have an annual event like Ebertfest, on top of all of the day-to-day great film happenings around town. Ebertfest turns things up a notch though because of its grandeur. There’s something so perfect about …
I'm afraid that I don't have much to say that is profound, or even very thoughtful, about Luca Guadagnino's I Am Love. It's not a film that I can say I particularly liked. But I didn't dislike it either. What I think happened on Saturday night is that I got so caught up in the glorious cinematography of the film, that I neglected to pay much attention to anything else.
I'm obsessive about avoiding spoilers. If I'm watching a DVD, I fast-forward through previews. If I'm in a theater, and the film that's being previewed is something I might want to see, I close my eyes while the trailer runs. I do this because, with the exception of The Blair Witch Project, trailers always give away too much of the story. I can't stand it when a plot point about a film or book or television show is given away. …
My Dog Tulip is a rare find these days in the animated film world ― a completely hand-drawn 2D film that has no MPAA rating (apparently it costs $10,000 for one of those). Filmmakers Paul and Sandra Fierlinger used Welcome Tablet and a software program called TV Paint to create the "shaky" animations seen on screen. The images are hand-drawn onto a computer screen in layers. Paul Fierlinger did the initial drawing and Sandra F. painted over them ― a …
I always feel like any trip to the Virginia to watch an old film is a special occasion and this experience was no exception. In what was dubbed "a silent movie event," Metropolis kicked off Ebertfest with the accompaniment of the Alloy Orchestra. Admittedly, when I read in the program ― just before the film started ― that the Alloy Orchestra is only a three-man musical ensemble, I got a little nervous and wondered if I'd later regret my decision …
Downtown Champaign is poised to once again become the center of the universe, as today marks the return of Roger Ebert's film festival, Ebertfest. As a veteran of the fest, I feel I can be honest about whether or not I'm happy about each year's film selection. I am excited to report that the 2011 edition looks to be a memorable one.
Once upon a time, they renamed Ebertfest from its original (and better) title, The Overlooked Film Festival. It may be time to rename it again: Ebertparty. As a film festival, the event is fairly warmed over. But as an event, it pretty much defines Champaign-Urbana, something (almost) everybody looks forward to, year after year. This year, the selections are respectable and a number of them aren't already available on DVD for a change. The biggest disappointment for many will be …
The inevitable sadness begins to set in, that this is the last day, and we are only one screening away from saying farewell to another Ebertfest. It's a lot like the anticipation of Christmas Day, and that unavoidable post-present depression that kicks in once all the festivities are over and there's nothing left to look forward to; like a madcap flash of carnival, the big show is about to pull up its big top and leave town. I dig my …
I was incredibly lucky this Ebertfest. According to two different Smile Politely articles, coverage of Day 2 and coverage of Day 3, I was fortunate enough to experience the "finds of the festival" by seeing and reviewing Munyurangabo and now, Departures, which won the Oscar for best foreign film in 2009. As I've already said, Munyurangabo is fantastic. An incredible view of Rwanda and the tension for the cycle of children, now coming of age and having to deal with …
Most Recent Arts Comments
Local, I forgot to offer you a piece of sage advice. Don’t bag on 39 south because they represent your potential collector pool. Even though I haven’t lived in Champaign since 1997, 39 south is still the only arts entity that has promoted my work as an…
Lest 39 South feels picked on: Check this from the Urbana City Public Arts Program: “Calling all Champaign County Artists! We’re pleased to announce a Call for Entries for a new initiative called Murals on Glass, which will feature artwork reproduced in adhesive vinyl displayed on the…
You forgot Jonathon Fineberg was also personal pals with the Christo’s. I’ll agree that Dr. Fineberg has done a tremendous job communicating to undergrads why this stuff is important, but I won’t kiss the ring because he also contributed to the dismantling of crafts at the U…
And boom goes the dynamite.
I think the best and most exciting arts programming in Champaign-Urbana is at the Krannert Art Museum. The depth and quality of the museum’s permanent collection speaks highly to the intelligence of the art history faculty at the University. I have to say taking Art History with…
Another mystifying thing is 39 South touts the fact that when you consider all things that are considered “art”, i.e. music, exhibits, movies, performances, craft fairs, circuses, ect; art in Champaign County apparently generates $60 million dollars of “economic activity” every year, so says 39 South. And…
I have to agree, I’m a bit confused as to the purpose of 40 North, although I am aware that the organization is in a period of restructuring and re-examination. And yes, the “staff of 1” does work tirelessly to keep the operations afloat, but the fact…
“Making art accessible to everyone and cultivating the art and artists in Champaign County is 40 North’s main mission.” FACT: When the Urbana City Council proposed to form a new public arts council of its own in 2008, 39 South actually sent letters from board members Cody…
On behalf of the New Art Film Festival, I’d like to thank you for highlighting our event in this article. It is our pleasure to put together this showcase for the community and the recognition is highly appreciated by all of us involved in the NAFF. Also,…
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Most Recent Comments
Looking forward to trying this place!
I’m in the middle (or the beginning or end, depending on how you look at it) of re-reading Slaughterhouse Five. What a great companion column.
Get yours early. The Rave’s CD will be available at Exile and at The C-U Flea on Saturday. C-U Flea details here: http://www.smilepolitely.com/news/sp_radio_podcast_c-u_flea_arrives/
I don’t know about Gerard and a random police sargeant. My (mild) outrage is based on this: “...he worked closely with Champaign City Clerk Marilyn Banks to make sure he was licensed properly as a transient food peddler, filling out the necessary paperwork and paying a $225…
Local Yocal pretty much nails it here. I suspect there will be merchants who oppose food trucks because they arguably don’t pay their fair share to locate their trucks in high traffic (high rent) areas. The food trucks take away business from rent payers, park in city…
Oh nice! I’d totally vote for Matt Campbell!
“Smile Politely sports writer announces candidacy for city government.”
I also got to visit Big Grove Tavern during the soft open and definitely enjoyed the pork belly the most of all the dishes I sampled. The cheesy grits and the vinegary pickled vegetables were a perfect compliment to the rich pork belly.
The Alan Partridge lookalike on the right in the first small photo has nothing to condescend to anyone about. AH HA!
Snell and the little Hitlers of the neighborhood association need to chill out. Legitimate businesses should have the freedom to exist without having to endure the slings and arrows of ignorant and misguided opposition.
represent, Matt.
Yeah, I’d agree that Transporter Room 3 is the worst house venue I’ve ever seen.
Food trucks are the start-up, small businesses of the future for those unable to afford real estate. No surprise, that merchants who pay rent, utilities, and maintenance on a property would despise the traveling competition. Or developers who build more empty retail spaces would want to close…
Not so much far-right Tea Party as a balanced, moderate viewpoint between letting businesses succeed and protecting society with reasonable regulations. In spite of what the city reps are saying, the interpretation of policy on this issue certainly has changed. Letting a business start up under one…
I think it’s neat that SP has turned rightward, now espousing a Tea Party-style frustration with government regulations & taxes.
This makes me so sad. (Happy to live in Urbana, though!) Crave Truck has been a GREAT addition to the food choices in C-U, and it’d be a travesty to chase them away. This town should be supporting small businesses. I’m glad to hear that they’ll still…
*slow. clap.* Still offering no threat of intelligence…. I know I said I thought you should just write this whole column yourself next year, Isaac, but now that you’ve gone and taken a “part deux” run at it, I’d like to modify my request: Best Music 2013,…
Actually, it’s kind of nice, the quiet. John Heoffleur’s engaging commentary/dialogue is sorely missed, however. In lieu of someone intelligent saying something, I’ve compiled a list of Honourable Mentions: BEST ROCK BAND: Take Care ::these gentlemen have four completely different sets at their disposal right now (which…
What? Echo! (Echo!) Where’s the dischord and dissent?
This weekend will mark the first appearance of Kayla Brown’s Fire Doll Candle booth at the Market. Check it: http://www.facebook.com/firedollcandles
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Thanks for the sage advice Mary Anna, but I’m long done with the sucking up and being thankful for the scraps. The most important thing an artist can do to live with yourself is tell the emperor he’s got no clothes, and spray paint something on his…