Showtimes
General Admission: $9.00
Bargain matinees in (parentheses): $6.50
Seniors and Children $6.50
back to top
Friday, August 8 — Thursday, Thursday 14, 2008
Theatre #1
The Dark Knight (PG-13)
(11:45am), 2:45, 5:45, 8:45
MUST END TUESDAY, AUG. 12
Starting Wednesday, August 13:
Tropic Thunder (R)
(12:15), 2:30, 4:40, 7:00, 9:15
Robert Downey Jr., Ben Stiller and Jack Black will blow you away.
OUTRAGEOUS COMEDY
We opened PINEAPPLE EXPRESS on Wednesday to a great response, most importantly long and loud rounds of laughter. As with last August's SUPERBAD from the same production team, PINEAPPLE EXPRESS's strong national opening proves that August no longer needs to be a dumping ground of studio leftovers. Next Week's TROPIC THUNDER is equally outrageous and funny, and will help keep summer movie going lots of fun.
The director of PINEAPPLE EXPRESS is an unlikely choice. David Gordon Green has been a darling of the independent film world with films like GEORGE WASHINGTON, SNOW ANGELS and ALL THE REAL GIRLS. Like Gus Van Sant, Steven Soderbergh and Richard Linklater, Green wants to play the field, alternating edgy, indie fare with Hollywood hits. Read about it in last Sundays New York Times.
We've added some new reviews below and don't miss the links to articles about Stoner movies in Website(s) of the Week.
SPECIAL DEALS AND FREE GOODIES
We have some PINEAPPLE EXPRESS goodies to give away. Check your ticket stub to see if you have won a prize. We'll also have some fun items for TROPIC THUNDER next week.
Check out our Munchies Bar for all kinds of goodies.
Hockey Haven, the neighborhood saloon across the street will have a very special drink for all Balboa friends looking for some liquid spirits. Premium vodka & pineapple for $4.20 plus 5 cents = $4.25 (couldn't resist the insider joke). Moviegoers should ask for the "Pineapple Express".
TROPIC THUNDER COMES ROARING NEXT WEDNESDAY
Advance reviews are great for TROPIC THUNDER opening next Wednesday at the Balboa. Check them out below.
BEST OF THE BAY
You have once again voted us The Best Movie Theatre in the San Francisco Bay Guardian's annual reader's poll: www.sfbg.com/bob/2008/
See you at the movies.
Sincerely,
Gary
About This Week's Films:back to top
Pineapple Express
The guys who brought you Superbad reunite for the action-comedy Pineapple Express. Lazy stoner Dale Denton (Seth Rogen) has only one reason to visit his equally lazy dealer Saul Silver (James Franco): to purchase weed, specifically, a rare new strain called Pineapple Express. But when Dale becomes the only witness to a murder by a crooked cop (Rosie Perez) and the city's most dangerous drug lord (Gary Cole), he panics and dumps his roach of Pineapple Express at the scene. Dale now has another reason to visit Saul: to find out if the weed is so rare that it can be traced back to him. And it is. As Dale and Saul run for their lives, they quickly discover that they're not suffering from weed-fueled paranoia; incredibly, the bad guys really are hot on their trail and trying to figure out the fastest way to kill them both. All aboard the Pineapple Express.
The film is directed by David Gordon Green (All the Real Girls). The screenplay is by Seth Rogen & Evan Goldberg from a story by Judd Apatow and Seth Rogen & Evan Goldberg. Judd Apatow and Shauna Robertson produce.
R for pervasive language, drug use, sexual references and violence - 107 minutes
Official Websites: www.sonypictures.com/movies/pineappleexpress/
Red Band Trailer rated R
THE ONION Is a weekly source of humor and they say, "as loose and playful as major studio movies get."
—The Onion
"It's a quality movie even if the material is unworthy of the treatment. As a result, yes, it's a druggie comedy that made me laugh."
—Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun Times
"The laughs -- mostly crude, profane and drug-addled -- are almost non-stop."
—Claudia Puig, USA Today
"You'll go limp from laughing."
—Peter Travers, Rolling Stone
"A drug-fueled caper that doesn't stint on chronically loopy characters and ridiculously funny situations."
—Michael Rechtshaffen, HOLLYWOOD REPORTER
"Even if you wouldn't know weed from green wool, Pineapple Express works as a fast-paced buddy comedy with lots of laughs and a few hilariously unpleasant surprises."
—Scott Weinberg, CINEMATICAL
"In short it's funny. Really funny."
—The Midnight Toker, CINEMABLEND.COM
Tropic Thunder
R for pervasive language including sexual references, violent content and drug material - 107 minutes
Official Website: www.tropicthunder.com
"Tropic Thunder is the funniest movie of the summer--so funny, in fact, that you start laughing before the film itself has begun."
—David Ansen, Newsweek
"From Downey Jr.'s purposely racist embodiment of African-American anachronisms to Black's scatological humor, everything in Tropic Thunder qualifies as satire, not spoof. It's an important distinction. Pauline Kael once noted that "unlike satire, spoofing has no serious objectives; it doesn't attack anything that anyone could take seriously; it has no cleansing power."
—Eric Kohn, Premiere
"Stiller manages his movie nicely so that all actors get their share of the comic spotlight. Seldom does an ensemble comedy not contain a single weak character or performance as does this one.'
—Kirk Honeycutt, Hollywood Reporter
The Dark Knight - Ends next Tuesday
Director Christopher Nolan returns to Gotham City with this sequel to the critical and fan favorite BATMAN BEGINS. In THE DARK KNIGHT, Batman (Christian Bale) raises the stakes in his war on crime. With the help of Lieutenant Jim Gordon (Gary Oldman) and District Attorney Harvey Dent (Aaron Eckhart) Batman sets out to dismantle the remaining criminal organizations that plague the city streets. The partnership proves to be effective, but they soon find themselves prey to reign of chaos unleashed by a rising criminal mastermind known to the terrified citizens of Gotham as the Joker (Heath Ledger).
PG-13 for intense sequences of violence and some menace - 152 minutes
Official Website: thedarkknight.warnerbros.com/
"Enthralling...An ambitious, full-bodied crime epic of gratifying scope and moral complexity, this is seriously brainy pop entertainment that satisfies every expectation raised by its hit predecessor and then some."
—Justin Chang, VARIETY
"The Dark Knight will give your adrenal glands their desired workout, but it will occupy your mind, too, and even lead it down some dim alleyways where most Hollywood movies fear to tread."
—Scott Foundas, VILLAGE VOICE
"Twisted, tortured, terrifying - and terrific."
—Joe Neumaier, NEW YORK DAILY NEWS
"At two hours and 32 minutes, this is almost too much movie, but it has a malicious, careening zest all its own. It's a ride for the gut AND the brain."
—Owen Gleiberman, ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY
WEBSITE(S) OF THE WEEK - Stoner Monviesback to top
The Film Night in the Park outdoor film series returns in 2008 with eight free screenings in Dolores Park, Washington Square Park, and Union Square. Film Night has become a popular summer tradition in San Francisco and it attracts spirited crowds to some of the City's most beautiful public spaces. Films are presented free of charge on a giant outdoor screen and attendees are encouraged to picnic before screenings. All screenings begin at dusk.
2008 highlights include Ang Lee's Academy Award winning, martial arts classic CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON (2003) in Washington Square (June 7th), the 80's classic THE BREAKFAST CLUB (1985) in Dolores Park (July 26th) and a 50th anniversary screening of the San Francisco classic VERTIGO (1958) in Union Square (October 4th).
For more information visit www.filmnightsf.org.
2008 Film Night in the Park Schedule:
Saturday, 8/9, BUTCH CASSIDY AND THE SUNDANCE KID, Un. Sq.
Saturday, 9/6, IL POSTINO, Wash. Sq
Saturday, 9/20, O BROTHER, WHERE ART THOU?, Dolores Park
Saturday, 10/4, VERTIGO, Union Sq
Balboa staff member Serafina has created a My Space place for the Balboa. Join in to discuss the theater. www.myspace.com/balboatheater
She also set up a Live Journal to give people access to our shows and times: balboatheatre.livejournal.com/
Playing with The Dark Night: KFOG 104.5 FM celebrates Comics
Dave Morey of 10@10 assembled an eclectic collection of music relating to comics. We played it during the later part of our run of IRON MAN and so many people have asked about it that we are bringing it back.
Listen to 10@10 daily on KFOG 104.5 FM: www.kfog.com/shows/10at10/default.asp
Playing with PINEAPPLE EXPRESS : Dazed and Confused soundtrack
Find it on Amazon.
ROGER EBERT'S MOVIE GLOSSARYback to top
The Law of Asynchronous Sleep
If two people are sleeping in the same bed, they will never arise at the same time. Instead, we will see:
(A) Person A getting up and leaving while Person B is still asleep.
(B) Person B waking up to see Person A finishing getting dressed (if Person A is male, he is guaranteed to be putting on a tie).
(C) Person B waking up to discover that Person A is already long gone. (See Futile Hug Syndrome)
ADAM FROMM,
GLEN FALLS, N.Y.
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.
Meredith Brody writes a rave review of Shanghai House (directly across the street) with its intriguing food and low prices in this week's SF Weekly. Don't be shy. . . ask for a Shanghainese menu.
Check out Meredith Brody's SF Weekly survey of neighborhood restaurants.
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 and San Francisco Magazine
General Admission: $9.00
Seniors and Children $6.50
Bargain Matinees: All Seats $6.50 for shows in ( )
"I'd Rather Be At the Balboa" Discount Cardsback to top
"I'd Rather Be At the Balboa" Discount Cards provide hours of great movies at a great savings. 5 Admissions for only $32.50 - a savings of $12.50. Two people may use card per visit. Good for all shows except limited special events as noted. Good for six months from date of purchase.
Buying Discount Cards as gifts? Ask for our special Movie Poster Gift Card.
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.
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, Ice Creams, and Cookies.
And, of course fresh popped popcorn with real butter.
No More Naked Popcorn.
Have you tried our complimentary popcorn seasonings?
We have a wide assortment from Kernel Seasonings.
Try Ranch, Parmesan and Garlic, Barbeque, Sour Cream, Onion and more.
We also have Nutritional Yeast that has proven to be one of our most popular toppings. And now hot sauce!
