Movie Preview: "Chasing October"

by Al Yellon on Mar 12, 2007 8:37 AM CDT in Chicago Cubs News

"Chasing October" is, according to the press release I received:

filmmaker Matt Liston's docu-comedy that chronicles his crusade to take the Chicago Cubs to the World Series "by any means necessary." Director Liston quits his job and decides that by making a documentary about the team during the 2003 season, he can singlehandedly will them to the post-season. The film is a hilarious must-see that will bring joy to all Cubs fans.

Well. I suppose this would be a happier film to see if the Cubs had ... gotten ... those ... last ... five ... damned ... outs, but it could be entertaining anyway.

I'm writing about this today primarily to tell you that this film is being screened tomorrow, March 13, at 8 pm at the Harkins Camelview Theater in Scottsdale, Arizona -- not that many of you are there, but if you are, you can attend the film and also a postscreening reception at a nearby sports bar where Matt Liston and Derrek Lee (and some other Cubs) will be in attendance. At the screening and party you can make donations to Project 3000, the foundation formed by Derrek and Boston Celtics CEO Wyc Grousbeck, whose children both suffer from the genetic disease Lebers Congenital Amaurosis (LCA). It's a worthy cause and you can also donate (and I already have) to this foundation via the link above.

The film opens to the general public in Scottsdale on Friday and in Chicago on the following Friday, March 23. There will be another screening for charity at the Music Box Theater in Chicago on March 19. Click here for more info on the benefit screenings.

Here's the trailer for the film:

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chasing october

Thanks for posting this movie. I will be going to the game on Saturday and will try to see the movie after the game. Where will you be sitting Al? I would like to stop by and introduce myself. Don't have tickets yet but I usually can pick some up from the people selling outside the park.

by tucsoncubsfan on Mar 12, 2007 10:26 AM CDT reply actions

You can find me...

... on the LF lawn, somewhere in the back near the scoreboard.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al Yellon on Mar 12, 2007 10:28 AM CDT up reply actions

Looks cool...

This movie definitely looks great, though I think, like most Cubs fans, I'll walk into it racked with anxiety about having to relive that awful 2003 collapse.

Didn't this filmmaker appear in that HBO Cubs special of last year? I was depressed for about three days after watching that...

I didn't have the ball, bitch!

by daver on Mar 12, 2007 10:50 AM CDT reply actions

PS

From a distance, the guy on the poster looks like Todd Walker. I'm not sure how to feel about that.

I didn't have the ball, bitch!

by daver on Mar 12, 2007 10:51 AM CDT reply actions

sidenote

This documentary has been in the works for some time. I remember hearing about the project during the 2003 season. If the Cubs had made the WS he was scheduled to be on a number of talk shows. The release date on this has been pushed back a number of times so it's good to see it finally get released. From what I have seen Matt Liston seems like a pretty cool guy. Hopefully the movie does well.

AC 00 00 00 - BELIEVE

by mike @ Bleed Cubbie Blue on Mar 12, 2007 11:05 AM CDT reply actions

This movie has been forever in the making

The original trailer came out over two years ago. It should be interesting to see how well this is received considering how much turnover there has been since this movie was filmed.

But I plan on watching when it arrives in the Chicago area....and as usual, look forward to Al's review!

Go Cubs!

by Neifi Puppy on Mar 12, 2007 11:07 AM CDT reply actions

Hey Al,

Do you have any information that this will be released on DVD eventually (if it hasn't already) to the public? I would love to buy a copy tho I would probably cry watching it. I think that was one of the most heartbreaking days of my life. You know how us women are, we cry over important things like baseball, lol. There is crying in baseball! I remember yelling at the tv "take Woods out stupid" and "take Prior out stupid". I think that ranks first in my devastation of sports next to that jerk Laitner for Duke making the basket to beat my Uk Wildcats in the NCAA tourney. I turn the tv when that dang promo comes on and I still cuss him, lol.

My 11 year old grandaughter told me the Cubbies wouldn't win a WS in my lifetime, ya reckon? I still believe.

by TnLadyCubbie on Mar 12, 2007 11:11 AM CDT reply actions

I would imagine...

... it will eventually make DVD -- you could hang on to the website link I posted above, and I'm sure they'll have info there when it does come out on DVD.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al Yellon on Mar 12, 2007 1:20 PM CDT up reply actions

Saw it in September

This movie premiered in Chicago in late September, and I was fortunate enough to be there. Everyone who spends time here will enjoy watching it. The fictional/dramatic additions make for an entertaining movie but I was left wondering exactly which parts were real.

by goldstj2 on Mar 12, 2007 11:29 AM CDT reply actions

I always applaud....

.....people who hang it all out there and take major chances.

Good for him, but I'll have to wait until the DVD to check it out.

Besides the obvious - Go Irish.

Z. He doesn't need an exclamtion point. He is one.

by PopeFlick on Mar 12, 2007 11:43 AM CDT reply actions

How painful is this to watch??

Agree not sure I want to re-live all of '03 playoffs again...depends if this guy has a fresh POV or something special to offer.

I'm curious how much of this "documentary'' is real vs. fiction?? does the guy invent a storyline to go with it or is it just cubnation on edge of seat hoping to get to the World Series?

The atmosphere around Wrigley in those days was electric...be hard to capture if you weren't there. I was for Games 6 and 7 of LCS...nuff said.

I think a big part of me died those two nights. I have not been quite the same since. Not to overstate the case but I'm sure many Cub fans understand this and share the feeling; hope this kid captures some of the joy and pain that went into that season.

We need another good year to erase all those memories or at least dull them into deeper recesses of our hearts and minds.

by writerinwrigley on Mar 12, 2007 4:14 PM CDT reply actions

I've DL the trailer and watched it again and again

.. since it was announced last summer. It looks fascinating. I've been hoping Matt will end up in Atlanta to screen the flick .. there are more Cub fans down here then you can believe and I think he would have a great crowd if he did. If he did it the Saturday afternoon the Cubs were in town in June, it would be a sell out with all the Cub fans in town.

I'd personally hype it everywhere I could ..

Well, Next Year is here .. and Jack's century's gotta end some time .. GO CUBBIES!

by cubnational on Mar 12, 2007 4:21 PM CDT reply actions