His first post relays a story of an encounter with science fiction writer Arthur C. Clark when Ebert was a highschooler in Illinois. He goes on to detail a moment later in life when the two met once again, this time due to the release of Clarke’s “2001: A Space Odyssey”. Name dropping and insight ensue, and my excitement builds for what could be, and hopefully will be, many more posts from Ebert. I can only imagine the multitude of actors, directors, writers, and random celebrities, that Ebert has met. As he is never one to pull any punches, I am sure any further stories will be a must read. This all ran through my mind until I read his next post, which could have been titled “A Dose of Reality”.

Ebert mentions that he is actually writing these posts on a legal pad, in his hospital bed. In addition, he states that he will not be attending the days festivities. Now this is bad news for those hopeful Eberfest attendees, but it also puts a hamper on the future of this great blog, before it barely even started. I, as well as many others who read his blog today I am sure, hope that Ebert will be well enough to attend his festival in the coming days, and that he will continue to write daily from the encyclopedia of film knowledge he keeps under the noggin.

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Not being that familiar with the greater Chicago area, I didn’t know this festival existed until I did a little research, but it sounds like a truly unique event. The festival is held in Champaign Illinois, where Ebert grew up, hosted by the University of Illinois, from which Ebert graduated, and has all its viewings at the Virginia Theater, where Ebert saw movies as a kid. Once called the “Overlooked Film Festival”, the films shown are not submitted, but entirerly hand picked by Ebert himself. Best part yet, each showing is followed by a discussion with Ebert and various people associated with the particular film. This years scheduled films run the gambit from 1927′s “Underworld”, don’t act like you know anything about this, to truly, truly, unsung modern films like “Hulk” and “The Cell”. It is this wild selection that really makes me want to hear the post film discussions. If you want to see the full schedule, or if you live in the area and want to get more information on the event go here.

Also, check out this vintage picture of the Virginia Theater where the showings are going to take place

Side note: I don’t know what it is, but I have loved old theaters ever since seeing “Matinee” as a kid. As well as balconies in said theaters. I love balconies.

Oh, and there is this little thing called the Tribeca Film Festival also starting tomorrow, but you can get much more plentiful information at just about every movie site in existence, so no need for redundancy here.CVirgin

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