Chasing October (now available on DVD)

[WindyCity]

Can't find the thread anymore, but some of you may remember that a couple of years ago there was a discussion regarding a Cubs documentary that I had the good fortune to work on.... well that independent film is making its World Premiere in Chicago on Thursday, August 31st at the Music Box Theatre (3733 N. Southport).

 

"Chasing October: A Fan's Crusade" (formerly titled 'Wait Til THIS Year') follows one mostly-sane Cubs fan (Matt) as he tries to will the Cubs to victory. The film contains many interviews with current/former Cubs players/announcers/management, dozens of celebrities, and countless fans. To find out more about the film, watch a trailer, or read Matt's journal, please check out http://www.cubsmovie.com/ .

 

Tickets are only $12 each and are available online @ http://www.murphysbleachers.com/movie.htm . All proceeds benefit Children's Memorial Hospital and Cubs Care. This is the only planned screening and it is expected to sell out, so if you are interested in attending I highly recommend purchasing tickets soon.

 

Tickets also get you in to a post-party at Murphy's Bleachers and the event is being sponsored by WXRT, Lou Malnati's, and Budweiser. Sunday Morning Chameleon and Chris Dodds of the Legendary Trainhoppers will be performing.

 

So if you're in the Chicagoland area, please come on out and support a great film, 2 great charities, remember the good ole days of 2003 and maybe get some hope back for 2007!

Edited June 5, 2007 by WindyCity

[WindyCity]

....and just like that we are Sold Out for the premiere! Hopefully, a few folks from NSBB were able to get tickets to the event. Not sure at this time if there will be additional screenings, but I'll pass on any information that I get.

 

Thanks again to any and all for your support.

[UMFan83]

Oh man I was thisclose to buying a ticket, but I was trying to get a friend to go. Oh well...so you think there will be no DVD release of this movie?

[WindyCity]

Oh man I was thisclose to buying a ticket, but I was trying to get a friend to go. Oh well...so you think there will be no DVD release of this movie?

 

OK -- here's an update -- apparently they are trying to get a block of tickets back from one of the sponsers and make them available for sale to the public. I'll also post something here as soon as I can confirm there are more tickets available.

 

Not sure on the timing of a DVD release -- initial plans are to take the film the festival route and look for someone to pick it up for distribution. Will let you know once I have more exact info.....

[WindyCity]

OK -- another block of tickets has been made available @ http://www.murphysbleachers.com/movie.htm. As of 3:20 CT it looks like you can purchase them online again.

[circlecitycub]

I would love to check out this film. Do you have any plans to hold any screenings in Indianapolis? We have an Arts cinema here that would be a good place for a film like this.

 

http://www.landmarktheatres.com/market/Indianapolis/KeystoneArtCinema.htm

[WindyCity]

I would love to check out this film. Do you have any plans to hold any screenings in Indianapolis? We have an Arts cinema here that would be a good place for a film like this.

 

http://www.landmarktheatres.com/market/Indianapolis/KeystoneArtCinema.htm

 

 

Thanks! I will pass this on to the producers -- I know they will be looking at all opportunities to get the film screened. Cost/Logistics for getting independent films screened can be pretty tricky...

[WindyCity]

FYI -- if you weren't able to get tickets to this premiere (now totally sold out) and still want to attend, XRT will be hosting the pre-party at Murphy's Bleachers ~6pm tomorrow night (Thursday, 8/31) and giving away some free tickets to the movie. There are also other prizes as well (tickets to see Tom Petty, bleacher seats to a Cubs game, etc.)

[snoodmonger]

I just watched the trailer. Depressing.

[WindyCity]

I just watched the trailer. Depressing.

 

Its weird for me to watch the footage we shot back then as well - the sky was the limit and then everything cratered.....

[WindyCity]

Short notice but Matt Liston the director/producer/subject of the film will be on WGN Radio @ 8:30pm CT. Should be an interesting interview -- Kap is pissed with the Cubs, he seems ready to blow up the trib tower... which is pretty funny considering he's in it!

 

You can listen on wgnradio.com for those outside the Chicago area.

[UMFan83]

Just got back from the screening. Great movie. It made me laugh and during the playoffs it almost made me cry reliving those moments. I definitely think this movie has the opportunitiy to make some additional screenings in the local area or at the very least sell a good number of DVDs. It definitely shows what its like to be a Cubs fan, and some of the footage during the playoffs is one of a kind. I won't give anything away.

 

Anyways WindyCity, I am not sure what role you had in producing the movie, or if you were in front of the camera or anything, but terrific job. Also, if you know Matt on a personal level, whatever happened with his girlfriend?

[soccer10k]

I don't know what the future plans are for this movie but if/when it comes out on DVD, somebody post the info on this site because I want to see this movie.

[WindyCity]

Just got back from the screening. Great movie. It made me laugh and during the playoffs it almost made me cry reliving those moments. I definitely think this movie has the opportunitiy to make some additional screenings in the local area or at the very least sell a good number of DVDs. It definitely shows what its like to be a Cubs fan, and some of the footage during the playoffs is one of a kind. I won't give anything away.

 

Anyways WindyCity, I am not sure what role you had in producing the movie, or if you were in front of the camera or anything, but terrific job. Also, if you know Matt on a personal level, whatever happened with his girlfriend?

 

 

Thanks UMFan! I'm glad you enjoyed the movie - it was made by die-hard Cubs fans for die-hard Cubs fans so the fact that you enjoyed it is terrific for all of us that worked on the film.

 

I wasn't in front of the camera (except for a couple split second shots), but I was behind it for a lot of the footage that was shot in Chicago from 2002-2004. As far as Matt goes.... he's taking applications for a new girlfriend - maybe this movie will help! :D I did talk with Faline (his ex) a bit at Murphy's after the show and she is doing well pursuing an acting career in LA.

 

 

I don't know what the future plans are for this movie but if/when it comes out on DVD, somebody post the info on this site because I want to see this movie.

 

The producers are trying to get the film entered into the Chicago Film Festival this October and perhaps a few other festivals. The hope is that they can get a distribution deal (even if just limited to Chicago) and get the film a theatrical release sometime near Opening Day 2007. DVD release would follow after that.

 

As I get more details about future screenings and the eventual DVD release, I will post them here. The DVD special features should be fun -- there must be about a thousand hours of footage that didn't make the final cut.

[chuckywang]

I'm not sure if I'll be able to stomach this movie...

 

Seriously though, are most Cubs fans like us: criticizing the owners, the front office, the management, the players.

Or are most Cubs fans like the guy who made this movie and the Cubs fans who posted in this thread: loving the Cubs no matter what, proudly admitting they are true fans through every losing season, etc.

[WindyCity]

I'm not sure if I'll be able to stomach this movie...

 

Seriously though, are most Cubs fans like us: criticizing the owners, the front office, the management, the players.

Or are most Cubs fans like the guy who made this movie and the Cubs fans who posted in this thread: loving the Cubs no matter what, proudly admitting they are true fans through every losing season, etc.

 

I think you missed the point. This movie is not a Ra Ra We Love the Cubs and They Can Do No Wrong film.

 

This movie celebrates what it means to be a fan. To yell scream curse and cry when things go terribly wrong. To yell scream jump laugh hug and cry when things go unbelievably right.

 

We care as fans and get upset and put up with crap that is a season like 2002 or 2006 for the chance to truly rejoice like we all too briefly did in 2003.

[WindyCity]

I'm bumping this thread to let everyone know that this movie will finally be making its theatrical release in Chicago on March 23rd! :D :D :D

 

A special screening and charity fund raiser in support of Derrek Lee's Project 3000 will also be happening next Monday, March 19th at the Music Box. I'll post more details as I get them regarding theaters and show times (The Music Box is definitely one place that will have the film).

 

Also, for those interested, a DVD will be released sometime after the theatrical run is complete.

 

 

Here's an email from Matt regarding the upcoming release and special events:

 

After many years, we finally get to send you the e-mail we at

CubsMovie.com have dreamt about - "CHASING OCTOBER" IS IN THEATERS!!!

 

OPENING IN CHICAGO:

Yes, its really happening!!!! We are thrilled to announce that "Chasing October: a fan's crusade," will be opening in Chicago theaters March 23rd. We have booked several theaters (downtown and suburbs) and plan to have show times listed next week at CubsMovie.com. Also, since you are on our e-mail list, you should be the first to know that there will be another charity screening on March 19th, at the Music Box Theater (we love that place), so see "Chasing October" before we premiere throughout Chicagoland. And since we open right before the season, it'll be like going to a Cubbies Pep Rally at every screening!!! We are working hard to book theaters in other cities. More details to follow.

 

BIG NEWS:

We are happy to announce that we are teaming up with Cub star Derrek Lee and his PROJECT 3000 campaign. PROJECT 3000 is a foundation to fight Leber's Congenital Amaurosis (LCA), an inherited form of blindness. PROJECT 3000 is designed to provide state of the art genetic testing for every man, woman and child who has LCA. We will be donating a portion of all proceeds (box office and DVD sales) to raise money for PROJECT 3000. We will also have selected charity screenings to raise additional money and awareness beginning March 13th. Derrek Lee and several Cubs will be joining us at the Camel View Theater in Arizona to watch "Chasing October." If you're in Arizona for Spring Training, then please join us.

 

DVD:

Yes, we will be putting "Chasing October" out on DVD, but not until we are done with the theatrical run, which we anticipate to be in May. Of course, it will be available at CubsMovie.com before anywhere else.

 

SHIRTS:

We have received countless e-mails letting us know we are sold out of many of shirt sizes ... I'm sorry. We will be restocking the shelves VERY SOON (possibly with some new designs).

 

IN THE NEWS:

Keep your eyes open! We are scheduled for several media events in the coming weeks. We will try to post articles, interviews, etc, as they happen.

 

Thank you for your continued support. We would have never gotten to this point without you. Please continue to spread the word. See you at the movies!

 

Cheers,

Matt

 

P.S. Check out http://www.CubsMovie.com/video/ for a NEW Trailer.

[WindyCity]

Tonight's charity screening of “Chasing October”, to benefit Cubs star Derrek Lee’s Project 3000, will be at 7pm @ the Music Box. Tickets/Donations are $10 with a post-party at Murphy's Bleachers.

 

 

Music Box Theatre

3733 N. Southport Ave.

Chicago, IL 60613

773-871-6607

 

Murphy’s Bleachers

3655 N. Sheffield Ave.

Chicago, IL 60613

773-281-5356

[98navigator]

Paul Sullivan

 

While "October" is well made, has some memorable video and is done in good fun, it's hard to recommend it to any passionate Cubs fan. Reliving the nightmare of '03 may not be therapeutic.

 

On the other hand, White Sox fans should enjoy this immensely, and the DVD will make a great stocking stuffer come Christmas.

 

BRUTAL!

[WindyCity]

Paul Sullivan

 

While "October" is well made, has some memorable video and is done in good fun, it's hard to recommend it to any passionate Cubs fan. Reliving the nightmare of '03 may not be therapeutic.

 

On the other hand, White Sox fans should enjoy this immensely, and the DVD will make a great stocking stuffer come Christmas.

 

BRUTAL!

 

That is brutal, though my WS buddies did in fact enjoy the ending sad to say. Anyway, I think I'll wait for a rip from Bruce Miles before jumping into the river. :lol:

 

Despite how '03 ended, there's still a lot to enjoy from that season IMO... everything up to the last 5 outs or so.... :cry:

[oldstyle81]

Paul Sullivan

 

While "October" is well made, has some memorable video and is done in good fun, it's hard to recommend it to any passionate Cubs fan. Reliving the nightmare of '03 may not be therapeutic.

 

On the other hand, White Sox fans should enjoy this immensely, and the DVD will make a great stocking stuffer come Christmas.

 

BRUTAL!

 

paul sullivan looks like a [expletive] monkey

[98navigator]

Paul Sullivan

 

While "October" is well made, has some memorable video and is done in good fun, it's hard to recommend it to any passionate Cubs fan. Reliving the nightmare of '03 may not be therapeutic.

 

On the other hand, White Sox fans should enjoy this immensely, and the DVD will make a great stocking stuffer come Christmas.

 

BRUTAL!

 

 

 

paul sullivan looks like a [expletive] monkey

 

LOL, that actually made me laugh!

[Illini Iceman]

Paul Sullivan

 

While "October" is well made, has some memorable video and is done in good fun, it's hard to recommend it to any passionate Cubs fan. Reliving the nightmare of '03 may not be therapeutic.

 

On the other hand, White Sox fans should enjoy this immensely, and the DVD will make a great stocking stuffer come Christmas.

 

BRUTAL!

 

paul sullivan looks like a [expletive] monkey

 

That is an insult to [expletive] monkeys.

[ConstableRabbit]

Bernie Mac? Especially as a Game 6 attendee... pardon me while I vomit.

[WindyCity]

Bernie Mac? Especially as a Game 6 attendee... pardon me while I vomit.

 

Yep -- at past screenings of the film, he usually gets a nice chorus of boos when he shows up on screen. :D