BALBOA THEATER NEWSLETTER
General Admission: $9.00, Senior (60+) or Child (11-): $6.50
(First matinee show of each movie is bargain price: $6.50)
YOUR BIRTHDAY? BE OUR GUEST.
General Admission: $9.00, Senior (60+) or Child (11-): $6.50
(First matinee show of each movie is bargain price: $6.50)
YOUR BIRTHDAY? BE OUR GUEST.
WHAT’S IN THE NEWS: Showtimes, Dear Friends, Babies, Remembering Playland at the Beach, City Island, Opening at the Vogue, Win Tickets to the Hit Musical "In the Heights", Theater Information.
SHOWTIMES - Friday, May 7 - Thursday, May 13, 2010 |
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THEATRE #1 |
THEATRE #2 |
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REMEMBERING PLAYLAND AT THE BEACH (NR) (separate admission) |
BABIES (PG) |
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COMING SOONOpens Friday, May 14: ROBIN HOOD Opens Thursday, May 27: SEX AND THE CITY 2 |
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BABIES ON BOARD
We are very pleased to be showing the terrific new film BABIES. It will give you a peak into four different worlds that children are born into, one familiar and three exotic and surprising to most of us. The familiar one is the world of Hattie who is being raised right here in the bay area. This weekend is Hattie's birthday and her mother, Susie Wise will be enjoying Mother's Day. We hope that you will consider celebrating Mother's Day with us at the Balboa.
AIRING DIRTY LAUNDRY
Many of you probably notice that sometimes we advertise a movie and then don’t show it. It is rare. But there are times that things must change. Being an independent neighborhood theater can be tough and the greed of the big studios can work against our survival. We might have a movie booked and then the distributor changes the deal. On a blockbuster we pay 60-70% of the box office to the distributor. When the distributor decides they will take every theater they can, maybe 8 or 9 venues in the city of San Francisco, some playing on 3 screens, a movie may be in more locations than Starbucks. And then they might demand that we hold the film for more weeks than are reasonable, especially knowing the movie will fall apart after two weeks. At a certain point we have to say, "No thanks."
DOLBY STEREO
We are pleased to announce our new Dolby Stereo system with special Meyer Sound speakers that have been installed for our upcoming ROBIN HOOD opening. For those coming to see the wonderfully quirky audience pleaser CITY ISLAND this week, you’ll get a sneak preview of the sound.
VOTE FOR THE BALBOA IN SAN FRANCISCO MAGAZINE AND BAYLIST
Now you can vote for us in San Francisco Magazine, and every vote automatically enters you into a contest to win prizes. Poll results will be announced in the July 2010 Best of the Bay Area issue. Prize winners will be chosen randomly by drawing and notified by June 7. Vote here in the Best Movie Theatre category. Voting closes May 7.
The voting is still going at Baylist and we want to thank all of you who have voted for the Balboa. We currently stand at #1. If you haven't done it yet, please go to: http://baylist.sfgate.com/balboa-theater/biz/13806
Sincerely,
Gary
Filmmaker Thomas Balmes offers an adorable glimpse at the first phase of life in this film following four newborn babies through their first year of life. Ponijao, Bayar, Mari, and Hattie were born in Namibia, Mongolia, Japan, and California, respectively. By capturing their earliest stage of development on camera, Balmes reveals just how much we all have in common, despite being born to different parents and raised in different cultures. "Babies' most impressive feat is the way it toes the line between cute and cloying, using bouncy music and funny montages but never pushing the audience to realize how cute these babies are; Hattie, Mari, Bayard and Ponijao are capable of making us realize that on their own." Read Interview with Director Thomas Balmes and Producer Alain Chabat. - Focus Features Read article about the film. - Mercury News Read article about the San Francisco baby featured in the film. — SF Gate |
The full length documentary tells the history of San Francisco's famous 10-acre seaside amusement park, Playland at the Beach. Located next to Ocean Beach, it was torn down in 1972 to make way for a condominium development. Gone now for more than 3 decades, it remains one of the city's lost treasures. Go back in time to see Laffing Sal, the Fun House, the Carousel, the Big Dipper, the Diving Bell, Dark Mystery, Limbo, Fun-tier Town, and much, much more, all through the eyes of the people who were there. The first and only documentary ever made about Playland, it features 12 interviews, 20 minutes of archival footage, 187 photographs and original music. The film was written and directed by Tom Wyrsch.
The famous ice cream sandwiches created at Playland, IT’S IT, will be for sale at the Balboa snack bar. Hockey Haven across the street from the Balboa will be serving Playland drink specials after the show where fans will gather to remember their own experiences at Playland. |
"Wyrsch’s film lovingly re-creates some of the spectacle of this 365-day-a-year carnival with old pictures and film footage plus lots of interviews, many of them with members of a group dedicated to maintaining a museum of Playland relics." "The film is a giddy nostalgia trip for those who remember the place and a pop history lesson for others." "The Playland documentary was better than one could have hoped for. Thank you to all that helped make those memories live forever." "Allows everyone to experience Playland for themselves, if only vicariously. Go back in time to see Laffing Sal, the Fun House, the Carousel, the Big Dipper, the Diving Bell, Dark Mystery, Limbo, Fun-tier Town, and much, much more, all through the eyes of the people that were there." "Wyrsch has turned Playland at the Beach into a twilight zone all its own by unearthing historic film footage and photos that vividly re-create the unique look and feel of the seaside attraction." "Conjures the joys of summers past through a season’s pass worth of archival footage and photographs, abetted by a slew of choice interviews." "For those of us who loved Playland, this superb film brings to life again an unforgettable part of our lives. If you never experienced Playland, this wonder-filled look at a vanished part of San Francisco will give you a taste of what was and what must never be forgotten."
Take a look at the first sneak preview’s crowd. Read an interview with George K. Whitney about his family’s operation of Playland. Other articles and home movies on the Western Neighborhoods Site Playland-Not-At-The-Beach is a wonderful museum of fun dedicated to the real thing. WE URGE YOU TO VISIT IT IN PERSON. It is the perfect site for a party unlike any you’ve ever attended. |
When prison guard and aspiring actor, Vince Rizzo (Andy Garcia) is asked to reveal his biggest secret during his drama class, he inadvertently sets off a chain of events that turns his mundane suburban life into total chaos. Vince takes great pains covering up his half-truths from his family, but soon it becomes clear that everyone—his hot-tempered wife (Julianna Margulies), college student daughter (Dominik Garcia-Lorido), long-lost ex-con son (Steven Strait), charismatic acting partner (Emily Mortimer) and even his drama coach (Alan Arkin)—all have secrets of their own. Everyone’s furtive deceptions collide with hilarious results. Set on City Island, a quaint fishing community on the outskirts of the Bronx, this smart and charming comedy explores the absurd secrets and vices people choose to keep from their loved ones…and the realization that the truth is easier to cope with than well-intentioned white lies. City Island is a funny and touching family tale about the secrets of the past catching up with the lies of the present, and accepting that nobody’s perfect – least of all your loved ones. Official Website (with trailer)
"Unpredictable, but suffused with flavor and heart, this Tribeca Film Festival Audience Award winner is a fresh catch." "'City Island' is pretty damned irresistible. What begins as a winning workout in a highly familiar genre — the white-ethnic, big-city family comedy — gradually gains both screwball momentum and emotional power, and delivers an unexpected punch by the time it reaches its climactic pileup of characters and revelations." "A funny, heartfelt look at families, relationships and the lies that prop them up as much as tear them down." "Uproariously funny." A series of articles by Writer/Director Raymond De Felitta. And here. |
Rated PG-13 for for sequences of intense sci-fi action and violence, and some language. Daily: 1:30, 4:15, 7:00, 9:35 The world is aware that billionaire inventor Tony Stark is the armored Super Hero Iron Man. Under pressure from the government, the press and the public to share his technology with the military, Tony is unwilling to divulge the secrets behind the Iron Man armor because he fears the information will slip into the wrong hands. With Pepper Potts, and James "Rhodey" Rhodes at his side, Tony forges new alliances and confronts powerful new forces. |
IN THE HEIGHTS, winner of the 2008 Tony Award for Best Musical, is coming to the Curran Theatre May 12 through June 13. IN THE HEIGHTS tells the story of a vibrant community in Manhattan's Washington Heights - a community on the brink of change, full of hopes, dreams and pressures, where the biggest struggles can be deciding which traditions you take with you, and which ones you leave behind. The story follows a close-knit community of hard-working Latino immigrants as they strive for a better life; search for love; dream the American Dream; and create a haven, a home, in northernmost Manhattan. "The modern urban setting, the racially diverse characters and the score's hip-hop and Latin elements made this one of several shows this decade that industry watchers leapt to anoint as "the future of Broadway."Yet for all its touches of modernity, Heights is remarkably sentimental and old-fashioned -- and that's a good thing. If this is Broadway's future, it's borrowing heavily from Broadway's past--and we couldn't be more delighted." - Chris Vita, Time Out IN THE HEIGHTSwon the 2008 Grammy Award for Best Original Cast Album, and is also the winner of four 2008 Tony Awards including Best Musical. For more information on the show visit http://www.shnsf.com/shows/intheheights or http://www.intheheightsthemusical.com/. |
ENTER TO WIN TICKETS TO SEE "IN THE HEIGHTS" THURSDAY MAY 13 @ 8PM AT THE CURRAN THEATRE
We have 5 pairs to give away.
To qualify for our random drawing, send an email to balboafans (at) yahoo.com (change (at) to @, we are trying to avoid spam) no later than Saturday May 8 @ noon
You must include:
1. Your full name as it appears on a photo I.D.
2. Your email address in the body of the email.
3. Clever comments always appreciated but they won’t sway the random drawing.
4. The Subject Line must state HEIGHTS.
Please do not enter if you cannot attend. You may only enter once. If we see duplicates, each entry will be disqualified. Winners of Balboa prizes in the past three months do not qualify.
3630 Balboa Street (between 37th and 38th Avenues)
San Francisco 94121
(415) 221-8184
www.BalboaMovies.com
Bike Rack in front of the Balboa
Muni Bus #31 Balboa or #18 46th Ave stop at Balboa & 37th.
Also #5 Fulton and all 38 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 (60+) and Children (11-) $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.
On Your Birthday, You Are Our Guest. That’s right. You get in free with proof of your birth date.
And at all other times 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 at once. 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 as well. And every Discount Card comes with a FREE POPCORN!
The Balboa is Wheelchair and Handicapped Accessible.
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 (at) yahoo.com . (Change (at) to @. We are trying to avoid spam.)
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 RESTAURANT LIST.
Rated PG for cultural and maternal nudity throughout.
82 minutes.
A large lobby display of Playland at the Beach photographs, posters, articles, and other memorabilia will be on exhibit during the engagement. Also on display will be original Playland items, like a "Dark Mystery" ride car, Playland tickets, signs, and a few surprises. The perfect addition for seeing the movie and going back to Playland again!
"I laughed at the varied reactions each patron had to the different rides. Wyrsch treats each major attraction with fragile respect, as if their memories might break if we rushed through. As someone who wasn’t even alive when it was open, I found myself nostalgic for something I’d never know…I suspected most of the audience did know. As they featured each ride, collective gasps and chuckles of familiarity took over the theater."
Rated PG-13 for sexual content, smoking and language. 1 hour 40 minutes.
"You needn't have colorful Italian relatives, like myself, to enjoy this boisterous and warm-hearted film, which sidesteps cliche while embracing the hope and love in loony dysfunctional families everywhere."
Our friends at the Vogue Theatre, on Sacramento St., are opening IRON MAN 2 starring Robert Downey Jr.
"One of the MOST POLISHED AND EXUBERANT MUSICALS NOW ON BROADWAY, WITH BURSTING ENERGY. A nonstop musical with enough dancing to wear out the choreographer, and songs that range from breathless compositions to lovely ballads. IF YOU HAVE ANY RHYTHM IN YOUR HEART, YOU SHOULDN'T MISS IT." - WOR Radio