DEAR FRIENDS,

It is still really cold in Berlin but the people and good films warm things up in this very exciting city. I am too busy to really write but a lot of great blogs are being done.

Check out Meredith Brody on Anne Thompson’s site

Check others at Indiewire and coverage at Theauteurs.com

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ONLY AT THE BALBOA- Win Great Prizes

Once again we are pleased to bring our audiences the chance to win prizes only available at the Balboa Theatre.

We will be giving away posters for VALENTINE’S DAY while the supply lasts. Also check for VALENTINE’S DAY schwag awarded to randomly marked tickets.

We’ll also be giving away passes to enjoy classics movies at Oakland Paramount movie palace. Check out their schedule below.

And a very special prize will be given away at the end of our engagement. On Spirit and Academy Awards weekend the cast and director of THE LAST STATION will sign a poster to be given away to a lucky Balboa patron. For your chance to win just fill out an entry form in the Balboa lobby. We will also be giving away a copy of the book THE LAST STATION autographed by author Jay Parini.

For the Birthday Bash and Oscar Party, we’ve got plenty of Movie Poster Books to give away, courtesy of eMoviePoster.com, and classic DVDs courtesy of Kino International, Universal and more.!

Sincerely,
Gary

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About This Week's Movies

THE LAST STATION

NOMINATED FOR TWO ACADEMY AWARDS!
Helen Mirren – Actress in a Leading Role
Christopher Plummer – Actor in a Supporting Role

THE LAST STATION focuses on two contrasting love stories along with the problems faced in and around the relationships. One is the extraordinary relationship between Leo Tolstoy (Christopher Plummer), the famous Russian novelist, and his wife of 48 years, the Countess Sofya (Helen Mirren); and the other is the burgeoning love between Valentin (James McAvoy), Tolstoy's idealistic young private secretary, and Masha (Kerry Condon), a teacher equally committed to the writer's values.

Sofya is engaged in a ferocious battle for her husband's soul against Chertkov (Paul Giamatti), Tolstoy's trusted disciple, and Tolstoy's daughter Sasha (Anne-Marie Duff). Using every bit of cunning and every trick of seduction, Sofya fights for what she believes is hers; while Chertkov is able to persuade Tolstoy of the damage she will do to his glorious legacy.

Official Website

THE LAST STATION was nominated for two Golden Globe Awards and 5 Spirit Awards and is expected to be nominated by the Academy Awards.

Rated R for a scene of sexuality/nudity. 112 Minutes.

"The complicated marriage between Leo Tolstoy and his wife Sofya has been turned into a showcase for tasty acting by Christopher Plummer and Helen Mirren."
- Kenneth Turan, Los Angeles Times

For more Reviews and Interviews: Click Here

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VALENTINE'S DAY

With An all-star ensemble cast

Official site     View Trailer

An all-star ensemble cast comes together in "Valentine's Day," which follows the intertwining storylines of a diverse group of Los Angelenos as they navigate their way through romance and heartbreak over the course of one Valentine's Day. Couples and singles experience the pinnacles and pitfalls of finding, keeping or ending relationships in a day in the life of love.

Directed by veteran filmmaker Garry Marshall, the film stars Jessica Alba ("Fantastic Four"), Academy Award® winner Kathy Bates ("Misery"), Jessica Biel ("I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry"), Bradley Cooper ("The Hangover"), Eric Dane (TV's "Grey's Anatomy"), Patrick Dempsey ("Enchanted"), Hector Elizondo (the "Princess Diaries" films), Academy Award® winner Jamie Foxx ("Ray"), Jennifer Garner ("Juno"), Topher Grace ("Spider-Man 3"), Academy Award® nominee Anne Hathaway ("Rachel Getting Married"), Ashton Kutcher ("What Happens in Vegas"), Academy Award® nominee Queen Latifah ("Chicago"), Taylor Lautner ("The Twilight Saga: New Moon"), George Lopez ("Beverly Hills Chihuahua"), Academy Award® winner Shirley MacLaine ("Terms of Endearment"), Emma Roberts ("Hotel for Dogs"), Academy Award® winner Julia Roberts ("Erin Brockovich") and award-winning singer-songwriter Taylor Swift, in her feature film debut.

Rated PG-13 for some sexual material and brief partial nudity. – 125 minutes.

Watch stars Jamie Foxx and Jessica Biel interview each other on Moviefone’s Unscripted

Read More About Valentine's Day Here

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THIS MONDAY FEBRUARY 22nd AT 7:30PM

NEW DOCUMENTARY THE MIGHTY UKE WITH LIVE UKELELE PERFORMANCE!

Advance Tickets

Think of a ukulele and you probably imagine grass skirts, slide guitar and kitchy lyrics, but far from being just a novelty instrument, the uke has a rich history and has profoundly affected music around the world.

Originally brought to Hawaii by Portuguese immigrants, , ukulele music owned the airwaves. Broadway produced ukulele musicals. Hollywood produced ukulele movie stars. The little instrument was so inexpensive and easy to play that by the early twenties the uke was the most popular instrument in the American home and the first musical voice for millions of children. Over the next thirty years the uke was number one, and then, with the rise of rock and roll guitar, faded into nerdy obscurity. Until now.

In the internet age, the ukulele is making a comeback. Ukes top the charts in Japan, Swedish punks thrash uke angst, California popsters serve it to ya ukulele style, and all of them meet together at the myriad ukulele festivals from New York to London and Tokyo.

MIGHTY UKE travels the world to discover why so many people of different nations, cultures, ages and musical tastes are turning to the ukulele to express themselves, connect with the past, and with each other. From the Redwoods of California through the gritty streets of Paris, from swinging London through Tokyo’s highrise canyons, ukers tell the story of the people’s instrument: The Mighty Uke.

"This film is a must see for pretty much every kind of audience. It is entertaining, educational, touching and I promise it will leave you with a burning desire to get your own ukulele when you leave the theatre."
PDX Pipeline

Read More About Mighty Uke Here

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Coming Sunday Feb. 28: BALBOA BIRTHDAY BASH

Get ready for the annual Balboa Birthday Bash when we take you back to 1926. We’ll be showing THE CAT AND THE CANARY with Laura LaPlante accompanied live by Dave Miotke., selected short subjects, a live vaudeville show featuring magician James Hamilton and singer Linda Kosut, the Balboa Premiere of a short film shot here at the theater and birthday cake by Diane Boate, who each year creates a themed and delicious work of art to eat. Read about her here.

The show starts at 7pm. Doors open at 6:30. Jack Tillmany will be signing and selling copies of his books on the theatres of San Francisco and Oakland.

The program will start with the world premiere of a delightful new silent short filmed at the Balboa, DOUBLE FEATURE.

Lots of Prizes.

Advance Tickets

Great article about the film, proclaiming, "The Cat and the Canary is quite simply the finest spooky house movie ever made."

And another.

Linda Kosut

Jazz Singer

www.lindakosut.com

"San Francisco-based jazz/cabaret vocalist Kosut —amazing Bay Area canary — brings her skills as an actress to her insightful interpretations of songs underscored with a fusion of jazz, pop and folk." - Don Heckman, The International Review of Music

Linda Kosut’s warmly dark sound, her strong acting chops and engaging presence, make this Bay Area award-winning jazz/cabaret vocalist pure entertainment. Linda seamlessly weaves diverse influences and inspirations into a delightful fusion of jazz, pop and folk. She has performed to full houses at some of the most renowned jazz clubs in the country from New York's Iridium Jazz Club to Los Angeles’ Jazz Bakery to San Francisco’s Yoshi’s Jazz Club. She opens her 2010 6-show series at San Francisco's Rrazz Room at the Hotel Nikko on March 22, 2010.

Growing up in New York City and transplanted to San Francisco over 20 years ago, Linda only began pursuing her dream of performing a few years ago as she approached “boomer” status, and she has not stopped since. “I am sure that I am not alone in my journey to satisfy a creative bug I’ve had my whole life; but one that up until nearing ‘retirement’ status, I did not pursue,” says Linda. “The excitement of doing my dreams translates to my audience. I have nothing to give but myself and I know that I give that to them. They tell me how I have inspired them. It is my sheer pleasure to do so.”

Kosut is a recipient of BackStage Magazine’s Bistro Award – the BMI Award for Outstanding Recording for her inspired tribute CD “Long As You’re Living, the songs & poetry of Oscar Brown Jr.” She has also garnered nominations for Best Female Jazz Vocalist and Best Jazz Recording from MAC, Manhattan Association of Cabarets & Clubs; plus the Cabaret Hotline Members’ Choice Award.

Linda, a founder of Kitchenette Productions, is a singers’ coach working with vocalists on their performance technique, lyric interpretation and stage presentation, as well as producing showcases for emerging vocal performers. In addition, she designs marketing material for performing artists and performing arts organizations. (jizelmusic.com). She lives in San Francisco with her fiancé, their 2 dogs, 4 chickens, 2 turtles and 40 aquariums!

Dave Miotke

Pianist/Accordionist/Vocalist

After singing and playing piano as music director at Max's Opera Cafe in San Francisco for five years, ending in October, 2002, David is currently freelancing, performing solo and with groups in styles as varied as jazz, cabaret, tango, Italian, strolling strings and classical. He specializes in performing the standard American songbook repertoire such as Cole Porter, Gershwin, Rodgers & Hart, etc.

He recently released a CD of original songs set to the poetry of Francis Brabazon entitled, In Dust I Sing. While he takes his inspiration from many sources and is always trying to grow spiritually as well as musically, he is most often compared to Bobby Short, Michael Feinstein, Mel Torme and Tony Bennett. Never having tried to sound like anyone but himself, he considers these comparisons to be the highest of compliments.

David studied at Northwestern University and earned a bachelor s degree in music theory and composition and a master's degree in applied piano. He graduated with honors and proceeded to be successful at singing, playing and arranging countless national radio and television commercials. While still an undergraduate at Northwestern University, he took time off to tour as co-lead singer and keyboardist with the well-known folk-rock group, H. P. Lovecraft, recording two highly successful record albums.

Bay Area magician and magical entertainer, JAMES HAMILTON, is in great demand as one of the West Coast's finest magicians. A native of the Hollywood area, he has performed on television, in movies and at private parties for many Hollywood celebrities. Now residing in San Francisco, he has been acclaimed by his peers as the Best Magician in Northern California. He is equally adept at intimate gatherings, as well as large stage productions.

In addition to being a consumate performer, Mr. Hamilton has achieved an international reputation as a Magical Historian and Lecturer. He is the Magic Consultant for the San Francisco Performing Arts Library & Museum and is a member of the world-famous Magic Castle in Hollywood, as well as the prestigious Magic Circle of London. He is recognized as the world authority on the legendary magical Herrmann family. www.amazingmagicshow.com

THE BALBOA PREMIERE OF DOUBLE FEATURES, A SHORT FILM SHOT HERE AT THE THEATER!

Awhile back, a short film called Double Features was shot here at the Balboa. It tells the story of “a brokenhearted young man who waits for a date that never shows, and a lonely projectionist mourning the past while dreaming of a better future. They meet one night at an old art-house cinema and find that at the movies, anything can happen.” The short was beautifully photographed, and really makes the Balboa look spectacular, with striking shots of our marquee and projection booth.

Balboa Manager Austin Wolf-Sothern and our esteemed Chief Projectionist Jim Cassedy even have credits on the film as Projection and Technical Advisors. The film is very much a love letter to old theaters, so we figured who better to see it first than our most devoted fans at the Birthday Bash!

Director will be in attendance.

View the trailer here

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Coming Sunday, March 7: ACADEMY AWARDS PARTY

Our first Golden Globes was great fun and the big one is coming. We will be having our annual Oscar® celebration with the popular Reed Kirk Rahlmann returning as your Master of Ceremonies. And through the miracle of DVR, you won't miss any of the Academy Awards® while we have a little fun during the commercials.

Oscars Behind the Scenes;

Oscar writing team and producers

Search the Academy Awards® Database

Come dressed as your favorite nominated film (bad puns and outrageous spoofs encouraged) or performer. We'll have a costume contest and lots of surprises and prizes including autographed posters of nominated films.

Lots of Other Prizes.

Advance Tickets

A message from our Oscar host:

Dear Friends of the Balboa Theater,
Once again, it’s time for the Balboa Theater Oscar Bash on Sunday March 7th, the most entertaining Oscar party in San Francisco.

Why sit at home when you can watch it in the best neighborhood theater in San Francisco? It's better than hosting a party yourself--no having to supply snacks, no one poking through your medicine cabinet, no friends breaking your furniture during fistfights over Best Short Subject nominations. This is my experience of home Oscar parties—yours may vary.

During the commercials, I give away lots of movie related swag, test knowledge of Oscars, let people show off by reciting favorite lines, and encourage the audience to express opinions about nominations and winners. Opinions such as why James Cameron is getting a best director nomination when all he did was screw around with computers for 4 years?

Why is Sandra Bullock getting nominated along side the likes of Meryl Streep and Gabourey Sidibe? I'm betting it's because she had an accent and furrowed her perky brow a lot.

So bring your opinions and all those people who would be cluttering up your sofa and ruining your coffee table when forgetting to put a coaster under their drinks. And if you bring alcohol, bring enough to share with someone sitting next to you. Or me.

Your Host,
Reed Kirk Rahlmann

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Coming Tuesday, March 16 @ 7:00pm: REMEMBERING PLAYLAND AT THE BEACH

A full length documentary about 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. Written & Directed by Tom (Creature Features) Wyrsch.

Advance tickets on sale soon.

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Coming Thursday, March 25 @ 7:00pm: CREATURE FEATURES PRESENTS: HORROR EXPRESS

RELIVE THE EXPERIENCE OF WATCHING A "CREATURE FEATURES" SHOW FROM THE GOLDEN AGE OF TV!

WITH HOST JOHN STANLEY, WHO PRODUCED THE SHOW AT CHANNEL 2, KTVU IN OAKLAND, FOR SIX YEARS

JOHN STANLEY INTRODUCED ON STAGE BY DENNIS WILLIS, KGO-RADIO

FILM REVIEWER AND AUTHOR OF THE NEW MOVIE BOOK "FLICK NATION"

HORROR EXPRESS (Spanish-British 1972) Starring Christopher Lee, Peter Cushing and Telly Savalas . . . A train speeding through the trans-Siberian wilderness is terrorized by a supernatural entity with blazing red eyeballs (someone from the IRS?) who mesmerizes his victims and turns them into corpses with bleeding eyeball sockets . . . It's enough to bring tears to your eyes.

Savor John Stanley’s classic four-part interview with actor/voice impressionist FRANK GORSHIN . . . Frank discusses his career and imitates several famous actors. See dramatic footage from TV's BATMAN, STAR TREK and "BETWEEN HEAVEN AND HELL."

See Bob Wilkins interview John Stanley on Market Street in downtown San Francisco . . . a rare treat not shown since it was first aired in 1977

For the first time in 30 years, John Stanley’s minimovie classic THE DEMON STRIKES BACK, a roller-coaster ride into a fantasy dimension from which you may or may not return.

Plus KTVU Station Promotions and Original Television Commercials . . . the kind they don’t make anymore.

View Trailer

Advance tickets on sale soon.

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

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.

More Info

PARAMOUNT THEATRE WINTER CLASSICS SERIES

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 will once again host a selection of great classics with cartoons, prizes and tremendous fun.

The Balboa will be giving away passes at weekend shows.

Next Show is FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 19 @ 8:00 PM
THE LADY FROM SHANGHAI
Running time: 87 minutes
Box Office opens @ 6:00pm | Doors open @ 7:00 | Curtain rises @ 8:00pm
All Tickets: $5.00

THE LADY FROM SHANGHAI (1947) - One of director Orson Welles' most brilliant works and arguably one of the great American surrealist works of art. Welles' film noir classic follows Michael O'Hara, an Irish seaman, petty criminal, and aspiring novelist (played by Welles himself) through a maze of twists, betrayals, and double-crosses from New York City down the coast of Mexico, to Acapulco, and finally to San Francisco. Rita Hayworth turns in a brilliant portrayal of an abused wife whose seductive machinations transform her into a figure of evil just as monstrous as the sadistic calculating husband (Everett Sloane) whom she plots to destroy. The finale, a shoot-out in a hall of mirrors, is legendary in the annals of avant-garde film.

2025 Broadway, Oakland ~ (510) 465-6400
Take BART and exit at the 19th Street Station

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PHOTOS IN THE LOBBY QUANG-TUAN LUONG’S INDIA SERIES

Must End March 4th

Quang-Tuan Luong, the artist responsible for our very popular National Parks series, has brought in a new show with some of his gorgeous prints from India.

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 (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 NEW RESTAURANT LIST.

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