Showtimes
General Admission: $9.00
Bargain matinees in (parentheses): $6.50
Seniors and Children $6.50
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Wednesday, July 1 - Thursday July 9, 2009
Theatre #1
Public Enemies (PG-13)
Wed(7/1) - Sun(7/5): (1:00), 4:00, 7:00, 9:45
Mon(7/6) - Thurs(7/9): : (12:00), 2:45, 5:30, and 8:20
with Johnny Depp and Christian Bale and directed by Michael Mann
Theatre #2 - Must End next Thursday
The Proposal (PG-13)
Wed(7/1) - Thurs(7/9):
(12:15), 2:35, 5:05, 7:15, and 9:25
Coming Soon
Coming Friday, July 10th
Bruno
The creator and star of BORAT is back as BRUNO
Coming in August
JULIA AND JULIA - Aug 7
Meryl Streep and Amy Adams
PONYO - Aug 14
by legendary Japanese animator Hayao Miyazaki, (My Neighbor Totoro, Princess Mononoke, Spirited Away and Howl's Moving Castle).
Some years ago I became friends with the man who owned the Biograph Theatre in Chicago. At the time it was a popular art cinema and a wonderful theater. He has since sold it and moved to a remote island to run a luxury hotel. But when one visited the theater you learned this was where Dillinger was arrested.
We won't have the FBI coming for you but won't it be fun to see this scene recreated while you are sitting inside the vintage Balboa Theatre?
We've got lots of great reviews and articles for you to read about PUBLIC ENEMIES below. And don't miss the selection of goodies about gangsters in real life and the movies in our Website(s) of the Week section.
Enjoy the holiday. Keep it safe and sane.
Gary
Recently we placed a box in the lobby filled with great like new movie posters that are our free gift to you, our loyal audiences. They include both Hollywood hits and Art House winners for the past several years. Each is labeled and you are welcome to take one each time you visit the Balboa. Please don't ask the staff for specific titles. It will change weekly while the supply lasts so have fun. These are posters you would pay $15 or more for online.
HOW TO GET THE BEST MOVIE DEALS - Even Free!!back to top
The Balboa does have the lowest prices in town and you get to see the hottest new movies in the comfort of an independently owned neighborhood theater with history. . . it was built in 1926. . . ..and, we are told over and over. . . the friendliest staff in town.
Just a reminder that on your Birthday, you are our guest. That's right. You get in free with proof of your birthdate.
And at all other tines you can get the "I'd Rather Be At the Balboa" Discount Card.
What a deal!. 5 tickets to the Balboa for $32.50. That is only $6.50 per show. Good every day and night. And two people can use the card. You can go on a date even when you are low on cash with your Balboa Card. A savings of up to $12.50!
Makes a perfect gift too.
About This Week's Films:back to top
Public Enemies
PUBLIC ENEMIES is the story of legendary Depression-era outlaw John Dillinger--the charismatic bank robber whose lightning raids made him the number one target of J. Edgar Hoover's fledgling FBI and its top agent, Melvin Purvis, and a folk hero to much of the downtrodden public. No one could stop Dillinger and his gang. No jail could hold him. His charm and audacious jailbreaks endeared him to almost everyone--from his girlfriend Billie Frechette to an American public who had no sympathy for the banks that had plunged the country into the Depression. But while the adventures of Dillinger's gang--later including the sociopathic Baby Face Nelson and Alvin Karpis--thrilled many, Hoover hit on the idea of exploiting the outlaw's capture as a way to elevate his Bureau of Investigation into the national police force that became the FBI. He made Dillinger America's first Public Enemy Number One and sent in Purvis, the dashing "Clark Gable of the FBI.'' However, Dillinger and his gang outwitted and outgunned Purvis' men in wild chases and shootouts. Only after importing a crew of Western ex-lawmen (newly baptized as agents) and orchestrating epic betrayals-from the--infamous "Lady in Red'' to the Chicago crime boss Frank Nitti--were Purvis, the FBI and their new crew of gunfighters able to close in on Dillinger.
Johnny Depp and Christian Bale emerge from two of the biggest blockbuster series of all time (PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN and BATMAN, respectively) to star in this crime drama from HEAT's Michael Mann. Depp stars as legendary gangster John Dillinger, while Bale plays FBI agent Melvin Purvis.
Rated R for scenes of "gangster violence and some language." - 140 minutes
Official Website: www.publicenemies.net
"Mr. Depp looks good as Dillinger - few contemporary actors can wear a fedora as persuasively - but the performance sneaks up on you, inching into your system scene by scene. The same holds true of "Public Enemies," which looks and plays like no other American gangster film I can think of..."Michael Mann's Public Enemies is a grave and beautiful work of art."
—Manohla Dargis, THE NEW YORK TIMES
"Mann's exhilarating movie exists in a state of perpetual forward motion."
—Scott Foundas, VILLAGE VOICE
"Public Enemies comes at you like Dillinger did: all of a sudden. It's movie dynamite."
—Peter Travers, ROLLING STONE
"Here is a film that shrugs off the way we depend on myth to sentimentalize our outlaws."
Roger Ebert, CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
"Mann knows exactly how to pace this kind of movie, set to a veritable symphony of gunshots, and Public Enemies feels both wonderfully populated and beautifully controlled."
—Moira MacDonald, Seattle Times
"Intelligent and challenging: Mann's crime epic could take two viewings to fully absorb, but it's worth every devoted minute." 5 out of 5 stars (classic)
—Ian Nathan, EmpireOnline
"Thrilling, glamorous, richly textured and breathlessly action-packed, it is one of the best movies of the year."
—Rex Reed, New York Observer
"Call it the anti-American Gangster. And we mean that as a compliment. This superstar crime thriller emerges as something surprising, fascinating and technically dazzling. Don't expect a Hollywood movie. Expect a Michael Mann movie."
—4 out of 4 stars - Rob James, Total Film
"Mann's period piece is technically flawless and visually accomplished, but the more heartening news is that this perfectionist filmmaker doesn't let the stylish action completely overwhelm his characters . . .. Action connoisseurs have always adored Mann for his bravura set pieces, and Public Enemies doesn't disappoint in this regard. Kicking off with a thrilling prison break, the film moves sleekly from sequence to sequence, finding innovative new ways to stage action scenes and wring tension from seemingly commonplace set-ups. . ...members of Public Enemies' large cast turn in strong work that adds to the story's dramatic authenticity and drive."
—Tim Grierson, Screen
THE PROPOSAL
When high-powered book editor Margaret (SANDRA BULLOCK) faces deportation to her native Canada, the quick-thinking exec declares that she's actually engaged to her unsuspecting put-upon assistant Andrew (RYAN REYNOLDS), who she's tormented for years. He agrees to participate in the charade, but with a few conditions of his own. The unlikely couple heads to Alaska to meet his quirky family (MARY STEENBURGEN, CRAIG T. NELSON, BETTY WHITE) and the always-in-control city girl finds herself in one comedic fish-out-of-water situation after another. With an impromptu wedding in the works and an immigration official on their tails, Margaret and Andrew reluctantly vow to stick to the plan despite the precarious consequences.
PG -13 for sexual content, nudity and language - 107 minutes
Official Website: www.myspace.com/proposalmovie
"It turns its battle of wills into a winning comic romance. It balances humor and square charm with unusual skill, showing that Hollywood studios can still make 'em like they used to when the stars (and the script, and the director. . . ) align."
—Jeremy Heilman, Movie Martyr
"The Proposal has its own charm. Star charisma is part of it, but there's an interesting dynamic between the two leads. The set up is fun, too."
—Louise Keller, Urban Cinefile
"Diverting romantic antic about a sham engagement is sparked by the bright chemistry and comic timing of Sandra Bullock and Ryan Reynolds.
—Kevin Lally, Hollywood Reporter
"The Proposal won't catch any bouquets for originality, but in terms of a bended-knee pitch for the affections of women -- including Ryan Reynolds' boyish charms, a hip granny and even a beyond-adorable puppy -- this romantic comedy pretty much pulls out all the stops.
—Brian Lowry, Variety
"An old-fashioned romp reminiscent of the best of Doris Day and Rock Hudson!"
—Kam Williams, NewsBlaze/SLY FOX
"It's doing the same old thing but seems to know it, and so does its best to find something new buried in those clichés."
—Joshua Tyler, Cinemablend
WEBSITE(S) OF THE WEEK - Gangstersback to top
There are plenty of websites about Gangsters in real life and in the movies. We have selected a few we think you'll find useful and fun.
AND IN THE MOVIES. . .
John Dillinger has been featured in the movies and two little know films named DILLINGER are worth seeking out. Max Nosseck's low budget noirish 1945 film has little resemblance to the real Dillinger but Lawrence Tierney (RESERVOIR DOGS) is great. Buy the DVD DILLINGER (Lawrence Tierney) or watch the 69 minute film online at: fancast.com
In 1973 Roger Corman allowed John Milius to direct his first feature and the DILLINGER that resulted is a great unheralded classic with Warren Oates as the gangster and Harry Dean Stanton
Some fun lists and articles:
Warner Brothers has produced 3 great collections of DVDs with some of the greatest gangster movies ever made. All come with lots of terrific extras and classic cartoons. Volume 1 has The Public Enemy / White Heat / Angels with Dirty Faces / Little Caesar / The Petrified Forest / The Roaring Twenties with Bogart, Robinson and Cagney all for about $25.
KIM SON VIETNAMESE RESTAURANT DISCOUNTback to top
With Balboa ticket stub 10% off food at Kim Son. Our staff and customers think this Vietnamese restaurant in one of the best places to eat in the neighborhood. Want to eat there before the show? Buy your ticket at the box office first and then show it at dinner. Make sure you keep it to get into the theater. This is an ongoing discount so you can also use it on your next visit to the neighborhood. Kim Son is just a few doors away from the Balboa at 3614 Balboa St
Read what others say.
New Photos in the Lobbyback to top
The photos on exhibit are the work of nine professional digital-photographers who make up the Photo Forum, a unit of the O'Hanlon Art Center in Mill Valley.
They go on group shoots and meet monthly to share the results of their excursions and get feedback. In April, their group show, "Viewpoints," was exhibited in the O'Hanlon's Main Gallery. What you see on exhibit in the Balboa lobby are some of the best photos from that exhibition. You can contact the photographers through their emails addresses listed next to the photos in our lobby.
Thanks for all of you who voted for the Balboa and other independent theaters on the SF Gate's BayList. We are proud of your comments and to be in the Top 5:
http://baylist.sfgate.com/balboa-theater/biz/13806
You have once again voted us "The Best Movie Theatre" in the San Francisco Bay Guardian's annual reader's poll. Thanks!
ROGER EBERT'S MOVIE GLOSSARYback to top
Cinematic Ear Drum Phenomenon
When movie heroes get blown out of windows, across streets, into trees, etc. they can still hear just fine. In real life, instead of dialog like "I'll be back," explosion survivors would be saying, "What? What? Speak up! I can't hear you!"
DON HOWARD,
San Jose, Calif
For more: www.RogerEbert.com
NEIGHBORHOOD RESTAURANTSback to top
One of the strengths of the Balboa is our neighborhood. Other than the bank, all the businesses are family owned and operated. The restaurants are especially wonderful. On the outer Balboa strip there are 24 eating establishments by my count. You can eat Chinese, Japanese, Egyptian, Italian, American, Mexican, Seafood and Vietnamese cuisines. The foods are fresh, distinctive and all reasonably priced. The media food critics have only discovered a few of them but the locals know a good thing. We encourage you to enjoy a meal at one of these fine eateries while visiting the Balboa. All are within easy walking distance. And please send us reviews and recommendations we can share with our other guests. Send reviews to balboafans@yahoo.com
We love it when you send us a review of a neighborhood restaurant you've enjoyed. We encourage you all to write about your culinary adventures in the Outer Richmond.
Check out the Menu Book in our lobby and our COMPLETE NEW RESTAURANT LIST.
3630 Balboa Street (37th Ave)
San Francisco 94121
(415) 221-8184
www.BalboaMovies.com
Bike Rack in front of the Balboa
Muni Bus #31 or #38 Ocean Beach
Also #5 Fulton and all Geary Street buses stop two
(long) blocks from Balboa.
Relatively easy Parking
San Francisco's Favorite Neighborhood Theatre
Voted by the Bay Guardian, SF Weekly, SF Gate's A List and San Francisco Magazine
General Admission: $9.00
Seniors and Children $6.50
Bargain Matinees: All Seats $6.50 for shows in ( )
SCHOOL NIGHT - Mondays are School Days and Nights. With proof of being a student, faculty or staff member, your admission is only $6.50 on Mondays.
The Balboa is Wheelchair and Handicapped Accessible
On Your Birthday, You Are Our Guest.
YOUR FAVORITE SNACK BAR
Great Snack Bar selection at reasonable prices. Your favorite candies including Toberlerone and Lindt chocolates.
We serve Caffe Trieste Coffees, fine Tazo teas, chai, hot chocolate, and Hebrew National Kosher hot dogs, Aidells' poultry Sausages, Vegi Dogs, IT'S IT ice cream sandwiches, Ben and Jerry's Ice Creams, and Delicious Cookies.
We are proud of making a great fresh popcorn with real butter.
No More Naked Popcorn.
Have you tried our complimentary popcorn seasonings?
We have a wide assortment from Kernel Seasonings.
Try White Cheddar, Caramel, Parmesan, Garlic and more...
We also have Nutritional Yeast that has proven to be one of our most popular toppings. And now hot sauce!
