[Avon-theatre-news] IAVON THEATRE NEWS---DEC. 31st, 2010

[Skip Huston]

Ashley Petty-General Mangler                                                   Skip Huston-Head Honcho
 AVON THEATRE NEWS & VIEWS  
Showtimes, Programs, Erudition and Miscellaneous Folderol 
"All of Life's Answers are in the Movies!"  
-Dr. Skippy P. Huston

"The darkness that settles over a movie theater is equivalent to the act of closing the eyes. 
Then, on screen, as within the human being, the nocturnal voyage into the unconscious begins." --Luis Bunuel

WEEK OF FRIDAY, DEC. 31st thru THURSDAY, JAN. 6th  ONLY!!  
Check out our way cool website at: www.TheAvon.com

OPENING:
THE FIGHTER (R) This will be an Oscar contender! Mark Walhberg, Christian Bale, Amy Adams are knock-outs!

CONTINUING:
TRUE GRIT (PG13) Jeff Bridges, Matt Damon, Josh Brolin in the new Coen Bros. instant-classic!
BLACK SWAN (R) Natalie Portman and a great cast in the mind-blower you have doubtless heard about already!

COMING SOON:
LOTS of great Winter movies coming!!
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

THE FIGHTER (R)
Here is a really terrific movie that I was just certain would get lost at the mall and multiplex theaters, and it appears I was 100% correct.
Honestly, these days any movie aimed at anyone above a 12 year old mentality tends to get "lost" at the "McTheaters" (and even several of the big insipid 3D holiday hoo-hahs have proved rather, uh... ineffectual  this season).
Here, as we do sometimes, is LEONARD MALTIN'S review>>
The Fighter doesn't just take place in Lowell, Massachusetts; it reeks with the atmosphere of this working-class New England town, making vivid use of its look, feel, and sounds. Director David O. Russell clearly immersed himself in the community and worked overtime to capture its flavor, going so far as to cast some local non-actors (notably, police officer and fight trainer Mickey O'Keefe as himself). What makes the movie work as well as it does is that Mark Wahlberg, Christian Bale, Amy Adams and especially Melissa Leo blend seamlessly into this setting alongside the real-life residents.

Wahlberg, who also produced the film, is completely credible as a small-time boxer whose fate is in the hands of his large, dysfunctional family. Bale completely disappears into the role of Wahlberg's older stepbrother who is still living off his glory days in the ring and now functions as the younger sibling's trainer, when he isn't busy smoking crack. In many ways the most astonishing performance is given by Leo, who is so physically unrecognizable as Wahlberg's feisty, arrogant mother-who acts as his manager and thinks she knows it all-that if you didn't see her name in the credits you'd think the director cast yet another local.

With so many fine performances and a dynamic, real-life story to tell, The Fighter could not have been a better movie. (The screenplay is written by Scott Silver, Paul Tamasy and Eric Johnson, from a story by Tamasy, Johnson and Keith Dorrington.) It takes a lot of time to unfold, and loses some of its punch (pun intended) in the final act, where, it must be said, forgiveness and resolution command less attention than the sparks that ignite the drama in its earlier stages. Still, these performances demand to be seen, and Russell's extraordinary depiction of a unique family, in a distinctive community, will stay with me for a long time to come.
By Leonard Maltin

So come and prove I was justified in having the faith to bring this in after it did only lukewarm business at the "McTheaters"...
Sometimes, it takes THE AVON to properly showcase a worthy film! 

THE FIGHTER (R)
(Showtimes in brackets are $6.50 'Bargain Matinees")
FRI: (5:15) - 8:15
SAT & SUN: (2:15) - (5:15) - 8:15
MON: (3:30) - 6:30
TUES, WED & THURS: 6:30
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++

TRUE GRIT (PG13)
Waaaal, I'll tell ya', pilgrim, all the talk about it was "blasphemy" to re-make a John Wayne movie sure evaporated once people started to see and talk about this new re-telling of the great story! 
In fact, this version is a more literal adaptation of that original best-selling book from 1968.
And, to belabor the point even more: This is one great movie!!

JEFF BRIDGES underscores that fact that he was long-overdue for that "Best Actor" Oscar last year; MATT DAMON continues to impress me with his versatility; JOSH BROLIN as a great bad guy (with maybe a few vague redeeming qualities); and newcomer HAILEE STEINFELD is an absolute marvel as the 14 year old girl who is the real one with "grit". 
A musical score that will also surprise you with its inventive reliance on a traditional gospel tune, and powerful writing and directing by JOEL AND ETHAN COEN.
If you miss seeing this one, don't come crying to me.
TRUE GRIT (PG13)
(Showtimes in brackets are $6.50 'Bargain Matinees")
FRI: (4:00) - 7:00
SAT & SUN: (1:00) - (4:00) - 7:00
MON: (4:15) - 7:15
TUES, WED & THURS: 7:15
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++

BLACK SWAN (R)
NATALIE PORTMAN is blowing everyone's mind these days. All of a sudden, many are realizing that this is not only one of the most gorgeous actresses working today, but she has so much talent it is nearly illegal!
Joining her is BARBARA HERSHEY, WINONA RYDER, MILA KUNIS and, one of my favorite actors, French superstar VINCENT CASSEL.
And just what IS this movie? 
To say it is a "Hitchcockian thriller set in the world of ballet" is like saying a leaf is just a part of a tree.
No, this is much more than that.
Some may find it shocking.
Some may find it downright scary.
Some may find it disturbing.
Some may not like it.
Some will find it incredibly awesome.
(And, some may feel at first they didn't like it and find themselves thinking about it for days afterward!)
BLACK SWAN (R)
(Showtimes in brackets are $6.50 'Bargain Matinees")
FRI: (5:00) - 8:00
SAT & SUN: (2:00) - (5:00) - 8:00
MON: (3:40) - 6:40
TUES, WED & THURS: 6:40
+++++++++++++++++++++++++
RANTS, RAVINGS & RUMBLINGS FROM THE HEAD HONCHO...

DON'T FORGET TO VOTE IN THE HERALD & REVIEW'S "READER'S CHOICE" POLL!

THERE ARE ONLY A COUPLE OF DAYS LEFT!

GO TO THIS LINK: herald-review.com/readerschoice  AND FILL OUT JUST A MINIMUM OF 45 CATEGORIES (it's not as hard as you'd think---there are drop-down menus for many of them).
You don't have to be a local resident either!

Last year, and for the past few years, THE AVON has WON #1 "Best Place to See a Movie", and I would hope we have pleased you enough this year to win your vote in that category again!

(Yours truly, Skip Huston, also won #1 "Best Decaturite" last year, and that was an incredible honor!)

Please go to this link: herald-review.com/readerschoice  BEFORE January 1st!!
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Some of you may have noticed we are not doing a special movie for New Year's Eve this year.
WHY is this?
Truth be told: It simply got away from us.
We've had a very hectic holiday season, and by the time we thought about it, the time to promote was just too brief.

So, Sue and I will enjoy ringing in the New Year at home for the first time in 13 years!

We hope all of you have a safe and happy New Year.
We will be open the regular times on New Year's Eve, and ALL DAY LONG on New Year's Day!

Come See Me This Weekend!
I'm looking for you and you and...YOU!!

-Skip Huston   
                           (A Recent Photo)
P.S. New Film Class starts Jan. 13th! Flyers available NOW in our lobbies!
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