[Avon-theatre-news] AVON THEATRE NEWS---JULY 17th 2009

Skip Huston Skip at TheAvon.com
Thu Jul 16 15:03:44 EDT 2009


AVON THEATRE NEWS & VIEWS 
Showtimes, Programs, Erudition and Miscellaneous Folderol 
"All of Life's Answers are in the Movies!"  -Dr. Skippy P. Huston
WEEK OF FRIDAY,  JULY 17th thru THURSDAY,  JULY 23rd  ONLY!!  
Check out our cool website at: www.TheAvon.com

OPENING FRIDAY:
EASY VIRTUE (PG13) Colin Firth and Jessica Biehl in an excellent period comedy of manners, classism and morality! FUN!!
CONTINUING:
HARRY POTTER AND THE HALF-BLOOD PRINCE (PG) 'nuff said?     
PUBLIC ENEMIES (R) Johnny Depp as John Dillinger!  
THE GREAT BUCK HOWARD (PG) John Malkovich, Tom Hanks and a whole lot more in a highly acclaimed "discovery".
COMING SOON:
JULY 24th: CHERI (PG13) Michelle Pfeiffer returns to the screen!!
JULY 31st: WHATEVER WORKS (PG13) Larry David and a great ensemble cast in a rollicking comedy!
...and, MORE, MUCH MORE!!
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NOTE: SHOWTIMES ARE TRICKY THIS WEEK BECAUSE OF SCHEDULING CONCERNS.
THERE IS LITTLE "UNIFORMITY" EXCEPT ON SATURDAY & SUNDAY.
PLEASE BE VERY CAREFUL IN STUDYING THE SHOWTIMES!!!
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EASY VIRTUE (PG13)  As is sometimes the case in my newsletter, I will let one of the few critics who's opinion I actually respect weigh in on a movie we are opening. In this instance, it is Champaign-Urbana's own Chuck Koplinski...Take it away, Chuck!


Razor Sharp Wit is Easy Virtue's strongest Suit (3 1/2 Stars) by Chuck Koplinski

 

The summer movie season is not one where viewers expect to find a film suffused with razor sharp wit or delicately realized performances.  Too many explosions to get in, you know.  Stephen Elliott's adaptation of noel Coward's "Easy Virtue" proves to an oasis of intelligence and good taste amidst the vacuous Hollywood tripe thanks to its witty repartee and the brilliant cast that's able to deliver Coward's dialogue with the nuance it deserves.

 

Set in 1920's England, the family is one with roots in the 18th century and is ill prepared to deal with the radical changes the 20th century will bring.  Veronica (Kristin Scott Thomas), the matriarch of an established English estate, does her best to hold her family and estate together, adhering to established decorum and unbending, antiquated values. Her husband Jim (Colin Firth), scarred by his experience in the Great War, is no help, while her flighty daughters (Kimberly Nixon and Katherine Parkinson) are too deluded to realize they've been raised in a house that's stuck in the past.  However, young Johnny (Ben Barnes) has ventured out into the world and he returns with a bride on his arm.  Not only is Larita (Jessica Biel) older than he and a commoner as well, to add insult to injury, she's an American!  In Veronica's mind, this simply won't do.

 

Thus begins a battle of wills between the stability of traditional English values with the progressive beliefs of the American century. Barely veiled insults are hurled back and forth between Veronica and Larita, as each exposes the other's weaknesses with an alarming sense of glee.  As these two assail each the other holds dear, the familial spectators are drawn in from time to time, forced to take stock of their own moral values.

 

While this might sound like a stuffy drawing room exercise, nothing could be further from the truth.  The humor on display is pithy and quick, leading to moments of explosive laughter.  A quirky canine death, a dance of the Can-Can gone wrong and a blistering dinner party keep this exercise moving at a brisk and entertaining pace.  

 

It's obvious the cast understands the material as the snap off their dialogue in a delightfully mean-spirited manner. Firth and Barnes are quite good, but film rests on the shoulders of Scott Thomas and Biel, each of who hold up admirably.  Personifying their respective eras, the actresses each bring a multi-faceted dynamic to their roles that's refreshing.  As stern and unflinching as the age she was reared in, Scott Thomas is able to mine some sympathy for this woman who time has passed by.  However, Biel is the revelation here, dominating the film with her sense of adventure daring.  Not only does she create a formidable character in Larita, but serves notice she's an actress to be reckoned with.  Do yourself a favor- put away your earplugs, re-engage your mind and take in "Easy Virtue," a film that reminds you how entertaining human behavior can be.



So, another solid "Avon movie" starts Friday! Just like I promised, you will start to see a whole lot more of the type of movies that established us all those years ago. Now, don't forget YOUR end of the deal! Come out and support these movies!

These are not "mall movies"; these are the "alternative fare" that is quickly disappearing from America's screens unless they get more ticket buyers! (hint hint)


EASY VIRTUE (PG13)
(Showtimes in brackets are $5.75 'Bargain Matinees")
FRI: 8:00
SAT & SUN: (2:00) - 7:15
MON thru WED: 6:20 
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HARRY POTTER AND THE HALF-BLOOD PRINCE (PG) It took the return of this entertainment phenomenon to banish all those morphing robots and putrid raunchy comedies to the back burner! The latest reports have this currently ahead of THE DARK KNIGHT in ticket sales from the same period last year, and that is an incredible feat in and of itself.
Audiences and fans have literally grown up with these stars and the characters they portray in this series of well-crafted and resonating epics. Reviews on this are even more excellent than usual. Step into the world of Harry Potter!
HARRY POTTER AND THE HALF-BLOOD PRINCE (PG)
(Showtimes in brackets are $5.75 'Bargain Matinees")
FRI: (3:00) - 7:00
SAT & SUN: (1:00) - (4:30) - 8:00 
MON: (3:00) - 7:00
TUES, WED & THURS: 7:00
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 
THE GREAT BUCK HOWARD(PG) Ok, so a bunch of you got your wish! We held this wonderful little film over for a few more shows! Last week, because of studio constraints, we had to play it Fri, Sat & Sun only, and, we are doing that again this weekend, but...at least you have 3 more chances to see it! JOHN MALKOVICH has never been better (and that is a big statement) and an ensemble supporting cast that includes TOM HANKS and his son, COLIN HANKS; the up-and-coming star EMILY BLUNT, and a whole slew of other faces you will recognize. You can't go wrong with this one!
THE GREAT BUCK HOWARD (PG)
 (Showtimes in brackets are $5.75 'Bargain Matinees")
FRI, SAT & SUN: (5:00)
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PUBLIC ENEMIES (R) JOHNNY DEPP is simply one of the most amazing actors of this or any other era. His portrayal of legendary depression-era John Dillinger, is nothing short of astounding, and should not be forgotten at Oscar time.
CHRISTIAN (Batman) BALE as straight-arrow G-Man Melvin Purvis (the guy that got Dillinger) and a supporting cast of names that you will be playing the "look who that is" game as you watch it! This is probably its final week, so you better get a movin'!
PUBLIC ENEMIES (R)
 (Showtimes in brackets are $5.75 'Bargain Matinees")
FRI: 7:45
SAT & SUN: (3:00) - 7:00
MON, TUES & WED: 6:15
THURS: 7:15
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A NOTE FROM SKIP:
Last Saturday's incident wherein the city powers-that-be thought it would be a good idea to let a local event close and sell parking spaces in our taxpayer-supported parking garage across the street from the Avon, was unfortunate in the least, and absolutely infuriating to many of you and my staff... (And, me!)

Most of you vehemently resented having to pay $2 to park and see a movie at the Avon, even though a lot of you had no intention of attending the special event downtown that caused all of this!

Imagine how my employees felt, who, for the most part, earn minimum wage, having to pay $2 just to park to go to work!
(And what about the senior citizen who refused to pay the parking fee having his way blocked by the people collecting the money? OUTRAGEOUS!)

Allowing these antics during Decatur Celebration (when the spaces are an exorbitant $5) is damaging enough to the downtown businesses, but letting a much smaller event impact the all-important Saturday business of the Avon Theater and other downtown establishments certainly works at cross-purposes to the downtown merchants. 

In my not-so-humble opinion, downtown commerce is helped by promoting the existing businesses, not by holding parties and other events that have no connection whatsoever to said businesses. 

I am currently in discussions with our city leaders about how things like this can be better handled in the future.
Perhaps a parking validation with a refund of the parking fee during these special events is in order?
-Or-
Maybe denying these events the sales of spaces in our taxpayer-supported parking garages completely?

For those of you who cared enough to attend the Avon anyway, in spite of the $2 parking fee, I salute you!

I think all of you know I am going to rock a few boats on this issue!
Come See Me Soon!
-Skip Huston




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