DEAR FRIENDS,

It has been busy this week. Thank to all of you for joining us to see these two entertaining hits.

I have been asked to submit my best films of the 2009 and the decade to www.Indiewire.com and am finishing up this afternoon. Not an easy task to narrow such lists to 10. There are over 200 films I liked very much from 2000-2009. And this has been a very good year. They will be posted by their weekend along with many others in the film world. We’ll put it on the Balboa site next week.

I want to take this time to show my utmost appreciation for our General Manager, Roger Paul and his exemplary staff who go above and beyond to keep the theater operating and making our audiences feel at home.

Thank you, in no special order, to Austin, Adam, Omar, Jim, Nick, Eric, Anthony, Serafina, Angela, Nico, Sean, Jeff, Roy, Devin, and Daisy. And to Andy who has taken over the website and newsletter with new energy and ideas. If you haven’t seen it, take a look at www.BalboaMovies.com. It is a work-in-great-progress.

The Golden Globes

For the first time we will show the Golden Globe Awards at the Balboa on Sunday, January 17. The show starts at 5pm. With our new high-def digital projector, it is going to look fantastic. The only place to be for this evening of fun is the Balboa. Mark it on your calendar. More details next week. www.goldenglobes.org

Sincerely,
Gary and the Balboa Staff

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STILL A CHANCE TO WIN SHERLOCK HOLMES MOVIES

You might win a collection of Sherlock Holmes classic movies or the terrific TV series. MPI Video has provided the Balboa Theatre a selection of their Sherlock Holmes DVDs including box sets.

SWEEPSTAKES

We have a box in our lobby where you can sign up to win one of two Grand Prizes! The first is The Complete Granada Television Series 12-Disc Box Set, (sells for $229) with Jeremy Brett as Sherlock Holmes! The second is Basil Rathbone in The Complete Sherlock Holmes Collection (a $129 value), including 14 films on 5 discs! Winners to be drawn at random at the end of our Sherlock run.

TRIVIA CONTEST PRIZES

We also have a selection of Sherlock double feature DVDs and a couple more box sets that we will be giving away through the weekend before showings. Come with your trivia cap on and we hope you win.

Take a look at this fantastic selection. You might be tempted to buy some for yourself.

FREE SHERLOCK HOLMES POSTERS

While the supply lasts we have the full theatrical one sheets for those who come to see either of our current shows. We expect to run out during the weekend.

IT’S COMPLICATED TOO

We also have some goodies to give away at IT’S COMPLICATED showings.

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About This Week's Movies

SHERLOCK HOLMES

In a dynamic new portrayal of Arthur Conan Doyle's most famous characters, "Sherlock Holmes" sends Holmes and his stalwart partner Watson on their latest challenge. Revealing fighting skills as lethal as his legendary intellect, Holmes will battle as never before to bring down a new nemesis and unravel a deadly plot that could destroy the country.

Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of violence and action, some startling images and a scene of suggestive material. 128 minutes.

Official Website

"Playing literature's greatest detective as a sort of self-loathing action hero, Downey has an absolute blast. And thanks to his performance in Sherlock Holmes, so do we."
- Bill Goodykoontz, Arizona Republic

For more Reviews and Interviews: Click Here

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IT'S COMPLICATED (R)

Jane is the mother of three grown kids, owns a thriving Santa Barbara bakery/restaurant and has—after a decade of divorce—an amicable relationship with her ex-husband, attorney Jake. But when Jane and Jake find themselves out of town for their son’s college graduation, things start to get complicated. An innocent meal together turns into the unimaginable—an affair. With Jake remarried to the much younger Agness, Jane is now, of all things, the other woman.

Rated R for some drug content and sexuality – 118 minutes

Official Website

"Streep is in movie star mode, and she’s irresistible. But Baldwin achieves something not many men have been able to with Streep: You notice him."
- Wesley Morris, Boston Globe

For more Reviews and Interviews: Click Here

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FREE POPCORN WITH YOUR "I’D RATHER BE AT THE BALBOA" DISCOUNT CARD! NOW AVAILABLE ONLINE

Now, as an added treat for our most regular movie-goers, each discount card gets you one free complimentary size popcorn per card. You choose the visit that you would like to redeem it--just bring your card to the concession stand to receive your free popcorn on us. Thank you.

For a limited time through the holidays, the Balboa Discount Card can be purchased online! The “I’d Rather Be At The Balboa” Discount Card admits the holder to five shows and costs $32.50 (plus Brownpapertickets fees of $1.74); for a gift value of $45.00! That is a savings of nearly $12.50!

And we’ll also give you a movie greeting card to go with your gift.

For full details: CLICK HERE

NOW PLAYING AT THE VOGUE

Our friends at the Vogue Theatre, on Sacramento St., are playing UP IN THE AIR on December 23 starring George Clooney, Vera Farmiga, and Anna Kendrick, and directed by Jason Reitman (Juno, Thank You For Smoking).

Rated R for language and some sexual content - running Time: 1 hour-46 minutes

Daily Show Times Beginning January 1st: 2:00, 4:30, 7:00, 9:20
Special Baby Matinee Tuesday, January 12th at 11AM

VogueSF.com

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SAN FRANCISCO FOOD BANK

At this time of year we usually are thinking about those less fortunate than ourselves. Unfortunately people are homeless and hungry all year. But it is during the holidays that the San Francisco Food Bank has collection barrels available for us to place in our lobby.

Donations of money can even go farther than foods as the Food Bank can buy food in bulk at wholesale rates.

For more information: www.sffoodbank.org

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PHOTOS IN THE LOBBY
QUANG-TUAN LUONG’S NATIONAL PARKS

Quang-Tuan Luong celebrates the splendor and variety of the natural and human heritage with his photography. He has been privileged to travel through an immense geographic range, from the top of the coldest mountain on earth to under tropical seas.

For More Information:

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BALBOA THEATRE INFO

3630 Balboa Street (37th Ave)
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.

The Balboa is Wheelchair and Handicapped Accessible.

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YOUR FAVORITE SNACK BAR

Great Snack Bar selection at reasonable prices. Your favorite candies including Dove, Toberlerone, and Ghirardelli chocolates.

We serve Caffe Trieste Coffees, fine Tazo teas, chai, hot chocolate, hot dogs, Aidells' poultry Sausages, Veggie Dogs, Dreyer's Dibs, and Delicious Cookies.

And of course fresh popcorn made with sunflower oil and 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!

NEIGHBORHOOD RESTAURANTS

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.

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