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BALBOA THEATRE NEWSLETTER | |||||||||
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General Admission: $9.00, Senior (60+) or Child (11-): $6.50 WHAT’S IN THE NEWS: Showtimes, Dear Friends, Eat Pray Love, Peepli Live, Remembering Playland at the Beach, Paramount Movie Classics: The Man Who Knew Too Much, Discount Tickets to Dreamgirls, Photos in the Lobby: Remembering Playland, Theater Information. | |||||||||
SHOWTIMES - through Thursday, August 26, 2010 |
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THEATRE #1 |
THEATRE #2 |
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EAT PRAY LOVE (PG-13) |
PEEPLI LIVE (NR) - Final Week! (separate admission) |
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UPCOMING EVENTSSaturday, September 11 @ Noon: |
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Last weekend was Outsidelands, a music festival in Golden Gate Park that made parking near impossible around the Balboa. We are sorry for the inconvenience you might have experienced. We know many of you chose to stay away and we understand.
But fear not because all our films will be holding.
In last week’s newsletter, I wrote about my adventures in India that led to a wonderful new film PEEPLI LIVE that plays for one more week and must close Thursday, August 26.
The LA Times raved: "Mines substantial dark humor from this tragic situation while offering pointed — and sometimes poignant — social commentary in the process."
The film was produced by one of Bollywood’s biggest stars but it is not a Bollywood film. Read the Chronicle's interview with Aamir Kahn here.
This is a movie I really like and took a chance booking. We hope that you will take a chance with it too. This is the only way we can prove to distributors that the Balboa can show a diverse selection of movies.
REMEMBERING PLAYLAND has returned every day at 12:30. Lots of nostalgia and thrills.
Come by and see the great lobby display about the amusement park that used to be just down the street. And don’t forget that we have IT’S IT ice cream sandwiches, the original Playland treat.
ANOTHER THEATER TO CLOSE?
You will be hearing about the closing of the Clay Theatre this week. A real survivor, the Clay celebrates 100 years in business this year.
It is impossible for neighborhood theaters to survive without audience support. There will be a lot of people writing about how terrible this closing will be but past history has shown that most people are well-intentioned. Yet when it comes to actually attending the theater in question, their passion to keep the place open doesn’t get them there often enough and then it is suddenly closed. Unless an owner has unlimited funds, it is about economics. Low attendance means low box office which means the operator can’t cover operating costs. And despite the recession, all costs of running a business keep going up.
We are proud that our audience is so loyal. People love the Balboa and our staff works hard to make your visit with us a memorable one.
Sincerely,
Gary
#1 ON BAYLIST
Thanks for your many kind words about the Balboa winning #1 Indie Theater on BayList.
We love all the comments on the list too.
AND SAN FRANCISCO MAGAZINE
The readers of San Francisco Magazine also love us. We came in number 2 and can’t complain about the company.
A woman who once made it her goal in life to marry and rear a family finds her priorities suddenly shifting in Ryan Murphy and Jennifer Salt's adaptation of author Elizabeth Gilbert's best-selling memoir. In the eyes of many, Liz Gilbert (Julia Roberts) was a woman who had it all -- a loving husband, a great career, and a weekend home -- but sometimes one realizes too little too late that they haven't gotten what they truly wanted from life. On the heels of a painful divorce, the woman who had previously looked forward to a contented life of domestic bliss sets out to seek her true destiny by traveling first to Italy, where she learns to appreciate nourishment; then to India, where she discovers the power of prayer; and finally to Bali, where she unexpectedly finds the meaning of true love. "If there is one constant in Eat Pray Love, the beautifully rendered adaptation of Elizabeth Gilbert's memoir on a year of heartbreak and healing starring Julia Roberts — it is this: There will be tears." "The film offers an easygoing and generous blend of wish fulfillment, vicarious luxury, wry humor and spiritual uplift, with a star, Julia Roberts, who elicits both envy and empathy." "Elizabeth Gilbert's phenomenally popular memoir was funny, insightful, and well-written. Amazingly, so is the film." "It provides a gorgeous escape, exquisitely photographed and full of female wish fulfillment. Yet it also offers sufficient emotional heft and self-discovery to make you feel as if you've actually learned something." "Watching the relationship between Liz and Felipe evolve from a comforting friendship to a love that's both companionable and sexy is gratifying." "A sensuous and emotionally cathartic adaptation of Elizabeth Gilbert's spiritual journey to personal transformation and love." "Director Ryan Murphy, who has his own pop culture phenomenon in television's GLEE, and ace cinematographer Robert Richardson bring visual energy to the already gorgeous sights, not all of them epic landscapes. It seems a dollop of parmesan cheese looks even better when it falls on pasta like a mini snowstorm. (If you don't come to Eat Pray Love hungry you'll definitely leave hungry.)" Watch interview with star Javier Bardem. Read interview with star Julia Roberts. |
Natha, a poor farmer from Peepli village in the heart of rural India is about to lose his plot of land due to an unpaid government loan. A quick fix to the problem is the very same government’s program that aids the families of indebted farmers who have committed suicide. As a means of survival, Farmer Natha can choose to die! His brother is happy to push him towards this unique "honor" but Natha is reluctant. Local elections are around the corner and what might’ve been another unnoticed event turns into a cause celebré with everyone wanting a piece of the action. Political bigwigs, high-ranking bureaucrats, local henchmen and the ever-zealous media descend upon sleepy Peepli to stake their claim. The question on everyone’s lips - "Will he or Won’t he?" As the mania escalates what will be the fate of Farmer Natha?
Official Website "Both funny and sobering, this film, produced by Bollywood icon Aamir Khan (the Oscar-nominated 'Lagaan'), aims beyond Indian audiences. A satisfying comic gem." "A peppy screwball comedy with elements of social satire, 'Peepli Live' suggests a rural Indian take on Billy Wilder's 'Ace in the Hole.'" "In her debut feature, Anusha Rizvi entertains with a bawdy take on the rural class struggle as she examines a serious injustice in India today. Her comedy is as wildly funny as it is outrageous." "Mines substantial dark humor from this tragic situation while offering pointed — and sometimes poignant — social commentary in the process." Read the Chronicle's interview with Aamir Kahn Read an interview with Director Anusha Rizvi, Producer Aamir Khan, and Star Omkar Das Manikpuri Blast Interviews Aamir Khan at Sundance |
This 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.
"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. |
We are blessed in the Bay Area to have a handful of true movie palaces still showing great movies...the Castro, Stanford and our favorite, The Paramount in Oakland. The theater is once again hosting a selection of great classics with cartoons, prizes and tremendous fun.
An American doctor (James Stewart) traveling in Morocco with his wife (Doris Day) and son (Christopher Olsen) becomes unwittingly embroiled in an assassination plot, and must rescue his kidnapped son while preventing the assassination from taking place. Alfred Hitchcock directs one of his most suspenseful films - climaxing in the famed 12-minute sequence at London's Royal Albert Hall, where composer Bernard Herrmann conducts the London Symphony Orchestra as a sniper takes aim at his target. Doris Day's song "Que Sera, Sera" is not only an integral part of the plot, but won the Oscar for Best Original Song. |
2025 Broadway, Oakland ~ (510) 465-6400
Take BART and exit at the 19th Street Station
Click here for more information on the show and how to buy tickets. If you missed your chance to win tickets in last week's news or at Balboa shows last weekend, you can save BIG on $50 tickets for Orchestra, Loge and Mezzanine seating for the following performances: Tues Aug 31 at 8pm, Wed Aug 25 & Sept 1 @ 8pm, Thu Aug 26 & Sept 2 @8pm, Fri Aug 27 & Sept 3 at 8pm. Use promotional code 3EFFIE when purchasing tickets at http://shnsf.com/shows/dreamgirls. Restrictions apply. Offer available for select Orchestra, Loge and Mezzanine seating. Tickets subject to availability. Convenience fees apply. Offer not available on previously purchased tickets. No refunds, cancellations or exchanges. Offer Expires 9/3/10. |
All materials from the collection of Tom Wyrsch and Joe Mirante. |
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-13 on appeal for brief strong language, some sexual references and male rear nudity. 2 hours 13 minutes.
Not Rated. 1 hour, 46 minutes.
60 minutes, plus an additional 25 minutes of brand new footage preceding the film!
"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."
Next Show is THIS FRIDAY, AUGUST 20 @ 8:00 PM
DREAMGIRLS is coming to San Francisco’s Curran Theatre August 24 to September 26, and Balboa Theatre customers can save money on tickets. Full of onstage joy and backstage drama, DREAMGIRLS tells the story of an up-and-coming, 1960s singing girl group, and the triumphs and tribulations that come with fame and fortune.
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, Playland tickets, signs, and a few surprises. The perfect addition for seeing the movie and going back to Playland again!