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SPORTS ........ 14 Wham, bam, Stam leading Liberty
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October 10, 2019
Peoria’s Hometown Newspaper
Volunteers pitch in as Peoria Film Fest goes big BY TOM SCANLON
Peoria Times Associate Editor
The Peoria Film Fest could happen without volunteers. Maybe. “It would be really, really difficult,” Jason Carney said, with a groan. Carney is the executive director of the Phoenix Film Festival, which expanded to Peoria last year. Carney is one of three paid staff. “The rest are volunteers,” he said. He relies on some 260 volunteers to work both festivals. Around 30 volunteers will be working the Peoria Film Fest, which cranks up the West Valley this week. While there are many small, independent, “artsy” movies on the schedule,
opening night is pure Hollywood: A sneak peek — and “director’s cut,” to boot — screening of “The Current War.” This big-budget flick is the story of the battle between Thomas Edison, played by Benedict Cumberbatch, and George Westinghouse (Michael Shannon). It doesn’t open until Oct. 25, for the rest of the country. “The Current War,” screening in Peoria at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 10, is directed by Alfonso Gomez-Rejon, who directed indie hit “Me and Earl and the Dying Girl.” The Hollywood Reporter panned “The Current War” as “an uninvolving bore,” one of several unflattering early reviews. The Cumberbatch-Shannon battle plays at the Peoria Film Fest’s main base, Harkins
Peoria officer retires after 20 years of service
Arrowhead Fountains Theatre 17 16046 N Arrowhead Fountains Center Drive. An opening night reception prior to the screening starts at 6 p.m. walking distance to the theater at Modern Round, 8320 W Mariners Way. The starry opening night film is a bit misleading, as the Peoria Film Fest focuses on small, daring unknowns. And, with an intriguing mix of 20 big- to small-budget films, a showcase of student filmmakers and family programming, the second Peoria Film Festival is a major expansion over the first. “This year we went wider with our scope of programming,” said Carney. “It’s a great opportunity to bring good, indepenSEE FILM
FEST PAGE 9
Living Room • Bedroom Children’s Furniture • Dining Room • Electronics Outdoor Furniture • Office/Entertainment
BY TOM SCANLON
Peoria Times Associate Editor
FEATURES..... 18 Diverse cast brings ‘The Crucible’ to stage
OPINION.......................... 10 BUSINESS........................ 12 SPORTS............................ 14 CALENDAR...................... 16 FEATURES........................ 18 RELIGION......................... 24 YOUTH............................. 26 CLASSIFIEDS.................... 28
On Oct. 5, the Peoria Police Department announced Officer Bradford “Boogie” Knights was hanging up his service revolver. “He retired after 20-plus years of faithful service,” said Twitter and Facebook posts from the department. He will be missed, judging from a few Facebook comments: “Officer Knights is one of the most professorial officers that I had the privilege of meeting,” wrote Nancy Schilling Thurnes. Beth Matheny Kern seconded that: “Thanks for all your wonderful work and connection to our schools and our neighborhoods!” SEE RETIREE PAGE 8
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