Thoughts on film

Jim Luning, director of the "Route 66: Ten Years Later" documentary that will screen Thursday at the Portage Theater in Chicago, was interviewed on the Steve and Johnnie Show on WGN radio about the film this week. ---

Sneak peak of Czech documentary

Here's a trailer of a documentary from the Czech Route 66 Association about the group's Route 66 trip. If you're a roadie, you're going to see a lot of people you'll recognize. The film is set to be released in October.

Fire destroys Admiral Twin Drive-In screens

A fast-burning fire on Friday afternoon destroyed the double screen of the historic Admiral Twin Drive-In theater in Tulsa. Whether the Admiral Twin, beloved by Tulsans for nearly 60 years, will reopen remained in doubt. Blake Smith, whose family has operated the drive-in near the Admiral Place alignment of Route 66 since 1987, told the … Continue reading Fire destroys Admiral Twin Drive-In screens

Straight to the DVD pile

Here's a movie I had no idea existed until today. It's a road-trip film called "$5 a Day," and it was released on DVD on Tuesday. According to HamptonRoads.com's High-Def Watch section, the movie takes place partly on Route 66. Though it was a low-budget flick, it boasted several prominent actors. The synopsis: Christopher Walken is hilarious … Continue reading Straight to the DVD pile

New “Route 66: Ten Years Later” trailer

A new trailer has just been posted for the "Route 66: Ten Years Later" documentary by Tim Steil and Jim Luning. The big premiere will be at the Portage Theater in Chicago at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 9.

More details on Cars Land released

The Los Angeles Times' Daily Travel & Deal Blog provided new detail about the 12-acre Cars Land theme park at Disney California Adventure in Anaheim. The park, inspired by the 2006 Disney-Pixar animated movie "Cars," is a faithful re-creation of the Route 66 fictional town of Radiator Springs. The theme park is scheduled to open … Continue reading More details on Cars Land released

“Interstate”

Here's a movie made a few years ago that took Route 66 elements as bits of inspiration. It's about 80 minutes, and a few breaks for advertising are sprinkled in. It's an early YouTube effort to stream movies. Fair warning: It's got a bit of adult language and adult situations, so it's probably not appropriate … Continue reading “Interstate”

Notes from the road

The documentary "Route 66: Ten Years Later" will have its debut at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 9 at the Portage Theater in Chicago. Writer Tim Steil and photographer Jim Luning collaborated on their "Route 66" book during a Mother Road trip in 1999. A decade later, they decided to revisit the places they saw and see … Continue reading Notes from the road

“Cars” movie launches online community

Disney has started an online community, World of Cars Online, for fans of the hit 2006 Disney-Pixar animated movie "Cars," reported the Los Angeles Times. The reason for launching the site seems obvious. But in case you're out of the loop: The Burbank entertainment giant plans to begin revving its marketing engine for the virtual … Continue reading “Cars” movie launches online community

Filmmakers plan documentary on Benld’s Coliseum

Former schoolteachers Jim Marcacci and Bruce Logsdon have started planning a documentary about the history of the colorful Coliseum music venue in Benld, Ill., according to the Springfield State Journal-Register. The Coliseum, which sits on an early alignment of Route 66 and predates the road, now exists as a sprawling antiques mall. But vestiges of … Continue reading Filmmakers plan documentary on Benld’s Coliseum