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<DIV><FONT face=Tahoma size=2>
<DIV><FONT face=Tahoma size=2><FONT face=Impact size=6><U>AVON THEATRE NEWS
& VIEWS</U></FONT>
<DIV><FONT face=Georgia><FONT color=#0000ff><STRONG><EM><FONT
face=Papyrus>Showtimes, Programs, Erudition and Miscellaneous
Folderol</FONT></EM> </STRONG><FONT face=Papyrus><BR><FONT
color=#008000><STRONG><FONT face="Comic Sans MS"><EM>"All of Life's Answers
are in the Movies!"</EM></FONT> <FONT face="Comic Sans MS"><EM> </EM><FONT
size=2><EM>-Dr. Skippy P. Huston</EM></FONT></FONT></STRONG></FONT><FONT
face=Papyrus><BR></FONT></FONT></FONT><FONT face=Papyrus><FONT face=Impact
size=5>WEEK OF FRIDAY, <FONT color=#ff0000>JAN. 9th</FONT> thru THURSDAY, <FONT
color=#ff0000>JAN. 15th</FONT> ONLY!! </FONT>
</FONT></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Georgia><FONT face=Papyrus><FONT face=Arial size=4><STRONG>Check
out our cool website at: </STRONG></FONT><A href="http://www.theavon.com/"><FONT
face=Arial size=4><STRONG>www.TheAvon.com</STRONG></FONT></A></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Tahoma></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Impact size=5>
<DIV><FONT face="Comic Sans MS" color=#ff0000 size=4><STRONG>OPENING FRIDAY:
<FONT color=#000000>CLINT EASTWOOD in <U>GRAN TORINO</U>
(R)<BR>
Kate Hudson & Anne Hathaway in <U>BRIDE WARS</U>
(PG)</FONT></STRONG></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Comic Sans MS" color=#ff0000
size=4><STRONG></STRONG> </DIV></FONT>
<DIV><FONT face="Comic Sans MS" color=#ff0000 size=4><STRONG>CONTINUING: <FONT
color=#000000><U>MARLEY & ME</U>
(PG)</FONT></STRONG></FONT></DIV><STRONG><FONT face="Comic Sans MS"
color=#ff0000 size=4></FONT></STRONG><FONT face="Comic Sans MS" color=#ff0000
size=4><STRONG><FONT color=#000000>
<DIV><BR></FONT></STRONG></FONT><FONT face="Comic Sans MS" color=#ff0000
size=4><STRONG>COMING SOON:<FONT color=#000000> January 16th: <U>LAST
CHANCE HARVEY</U> (PG13) Dustin Hoffman & Emma
Thompson</FONT></STRONG></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Comic Sans MS" color=#ff0000 size=4><STRONG><FONT
color=#000000>
January 23rd: <U>THE WRESTLER</U> (R) Mickey Rourke is back!! BIG
TIME!!<BR>+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++</FONT></STRONG></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Comic Sans MS" color=#ff0000 size=4>
<DIV><STRONG><FONT face=Tahoma size=2>
<DIV><STRONG><FONT face=Georgia size=2><FONT face=Tahoma><FONT size=4><FONT
color=#000000><U>GRAN TORINO</U> (R) <FONT size=3>Here is a
"must-see" movie, folks! In fact, this may be not only one of the best films of
Clint Eastwood's remarkable career, but it is also a very important film for our
time and place in history at this very
moment.</FONT></FONT></FONT></FONT></FONT></STRONG></DIV>
<DIV><FONT color=#000000 size=3>I had the good fortune to see this the other
night at a special screening, and I must tell you it is everything you want out
of a classic Eastwood, and much more!</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT color=#000000 size=3>The fact that this may be Clint's last film as
an actor, only underscores how essential it is in his roster of fine
films.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT color=#000000 size=3>From time to time, I will step back and let one
of the film critics I respect (and there are few) take over and tell you about
this in their way. Here is one of my favorite reviewers to tell you
more...<BR></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT color=#000000><FONT size=4><U>GRAN TORINO as reviewed by
Champaign-Urbana's Chuck Koplinski</U><BR></FONT><FONT
face="Century Gothic">Gran Torino proves to be a requiem of sorts for Clint
Eastwood. This graceful, poignant film is the perfect exit for the iconic
actor/director as he displays not only his usual confidence behind the camera
but is also at the height of his skills in front of it. Never before has
Eastwood given such a reflective, introspective performance as Walt Kowalski, a
bitter widower who finds himself a stranger in his own country, being the only
one left in his Detroit neighborhood that’s been taken over by a myriad of
immigrant groups. Adding insult to injury is the fact that he doesn’t know how
to relate to his estranged sons and that the only friends he ends up having are
the neighbors he initially hates the most. </FONT></FONT></DIV>
<DIV>
<P><FONT face="Century Gothic" color=#000000>While the trailers for the film
suggest this is Dirty Harry for the geriatric set, Torino’s strong suit is its
presentation of the cross generational relationship that develops between Walt
and Thao (Bee Vang), a teenager of Vietnamese heritage who tries to steal the
old man’s prized Gran Torino as part of a gang initiation. A bigot to the core,
Walt regards the kid as just another “zipperhead,” until he realizes that the
young man possesses a degree of respect and responsibility that he fails to see
in his own grandchildren or anyone else for that matter. Taking the boy under
his wing, he shows him how to “man up” and take charge of his life. While the
racial epithets Walt and the local barber teach Thao are woefully inappropriate,
the sense of dignity and confidence he develops under Walt’s tutelage proves
invaluable. </FONT></P>
<P><FONT face="Century Gothic" color=#000000>Unfortunately, the gang rears its
ugly head in the film’s third act and Thao and his sister Sue (Ahney Her) find
their lives in danger. Walt rides to the rescue and it’s to Eastwood and
screenwriter Nick Schenk’s credit that the movie’s climax plays against
expectations and opts for realism over wish fulfillment. It is in the film’s
final moments that the actor truly shines, putting to rest old demons while
preparing for one last stand. The subtext here is unmistakable and it adds to
the movie’s poignancy as we become aware that Eastwood himself is putting things
to rest. Cinematic history is playing out before us here and it’s as powerful as
any exit put on film. </FONT></P>
<P><FONT face="Century Gothic" color=#000000>Gran Torino’s message is worthwhile
as it espouses the virtues of honor and dignity as well as the value of earning
the respect of those who put a proper value to it. Walt puts these things above
all others and he’s lonely as a result because in doing so, he proves himself a
dinosaur. Most who surround him cling to the superficial, opting for the easy
way out in everything rather than the pride that comes from earning anything of
value. It’s fitting that Eastwood be the one who delivers this message; he’s
built his incomparable career by adhering to these precepts. As such, Gran
Torino is one of the most genuine films of 2008 and one whose message will far
outlive those of the many vacuous movies that will come in its wake.
<BR></FONT></P></FONT></STRONG><STRONG><FONT face=Tahoma size=2><FONT
size=4><STRONG><FONT face=Georgia size=2><FONT face=Tahoma><FONT size=4><FONT
color=#000000><U>GRAN TORINO</U> (R)</FONT></DIV></DIV>
<DIV>
<DIV><STRONG><FONT face=Tahoma size=1><FONT color=#000000>(Showtimes in brackets
are $6.00/$5.50 'Bargain Matinees")<BR></FONT>
<DIV><FONT face=Tahoma color=#000000 size=4>FRI: (5:00) - 8:00<BR>SAT &
SUN: (2:00) - (5:00) - 8:00<BR>MON thru THURS:
7:15<BR>+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2></FONT><FONT color=#000000><U><FONT
size=4>BRIDE WARS</FONT></U> <FONT size=4>(PG) </FONT><FONT
size=3>Here is Kate Hudson and Anne Hathaway (who may be an Oscar nominee this
year for her role in a movie about a very different wedding, "Rachel Getting
Married"--possibly showing soon at the Avon) </FONT></FONT><FONT color=#000000
size=3>in a hilarious comedy for the entire family. <EM>See that "PG"
rating?</EM> Two best friends have a conflict with their wedding dates, and the
fur does fly, let me tell you! If you are looking for a great time at the
movies, <U>and some big laughs</U>; this is it!</FONT></DIV>
<DIV></FONT></STRONG></FONT></FONT></FONT></STRONG></FONT><STRONG><FONT
face=Georgia size=2><FONT color=#000000><FONT face=Tahoma><U><FONT
size=4>BRIDE WARS</FONT></U> <FONT size=4>(PG)</FONT></FONT>
</FONT></DIV></DIV>
<DIV>
<DIV>
<DIV><STRONG><FONT face=Tahoma color=#000000 size=1>(Showtimes in brackets are
$6.00/$5.50 'Bargain Matinees")</FONT></STRONG></DIV>
<DIV><STRONG><FONT face=Tahoma color=#000000 size=4>FRI: (4:15) -
7:15</FONT></STRONG></DIV>
<DIV><STRONG><FONT face=Tahoma color=#000000 size=4>SAT & SUN: (1:15) -
(4:15) - 7:15</FONT></STRONG></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Tahoma color=#000000 size=4>MON thru THURS:
6:40<BR>+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Tahoma color=#000000 size=4><U>MARLEY &
ME</U> (PG) <FONT size=3>The "bad doggie" movie has become a
box-office phenomenon! Here is a film with so much heart, and some belly laughs
too! Owen Wilson and Jennifer Anniston are perfect together, and that "world's
worst dog" will fetch you heart away! HURRY!! ENDS SOON!!</FONT></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><STRONG><FONT face=Tahoma size=2><STRONG><FONT face=Georgia size=2><FONT
face=Tahoma><FONT size=4><FONT color=#000000><U>MARLEY &
ME</U> (PG)</FONT></DIV>
<DIV>
<DIV>
<DIV><STRONG><FONT face=Tahoma color=#000000 size=1>(Showtimes in brackets are
$6.00/$5.50 'Bargain
Matinees")</FONT></STRONG></DIV></FONT></FONT></FONT></STRONG></DIV>
<DIV><FONT color=#000000 size=4>FRI: (4:00) - 7:00<BR>SAT & SUN: (1:00)
- (4:00) - 7:00<BR>MON thru THURS:
6:30<BR>+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT color=#000000 size=4><U>A NOTE FROM SKIP:</U></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT color=#000000 size=4>I hope all of you had a wonderful holiday
season!!</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT color=#000000 size=4></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT color=#000000 size=4>Sue and I worked about a dozen 15 hour days in a
row, and were ready to drop in our tracks, but it was worth it!</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT color=#000000 size=4>I am happy to report this holiday season was a
record-breaker for us!</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT color=#000000 size=4></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT color=#000000 size=4>We have never seen so many new faces, and so
many new chances to show why THE AVON has just been voted the Decatur
area's "Best Place to See a Movie" for the 4th year in a row!</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT color=#000000 size=4></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT color=#000000 size=4>Indeed, it is truly unfortunate we only have 3
screens, as I must have heard a gazillion times in the past few weeks how much
it was wished we were showing ALL the big holiday movies!!</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT color=#000000 size=4>Well, <EM>maybe someday</EM> we WILL be able to
add 2 or 3 more screens and cover ALL the product!</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT color=#000000 size=4></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT color=#000000 size=4>BUT, for now, I try and choose the "right"
movies for our 3 screens that will fit our clientele.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT color=#000000 size=4>It is a tough job, and the film choices have not
always been flawless over the past 10 years, but, by and large, I think we
have succeeded in bringing you the "hand-picked" new movies that are best for
YOU, the <EM>more discerning</EM> movie-goer!</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT color=#000000 size=4></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT color=#000000 size=4>Thanks to YOU, we enter 2009, celebrating our
10th anniversary in April, and beginning our 11th year of operations, full of
vim and vigor and ready to entertain you for a long time to come!</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT color=#000000 size=4></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT color=#000000 size=4>BUT, always know this: It is ALL thanks to
YOU!!</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT color=#000000 size=4></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Lucida Handwriting" color=#000000 size=4>Come See Me
Soon!</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Lucida Handwriting" color=#000000 size=4>I'll be LOOKING for
YOU!!</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Lucida Handwriting" color=#000000 size=6><EM>-Skip
Huston</EM></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Lucida Handwriting" color=#000000><FONT size=4>P.S. Take a look
at our groovy new group photo on our website, </FONT><A
href="http://www.theAvon.com"><FONT size=4>www.theAvon.com</FONT></A><FONT
size=4>
!!</FONT></FONT></FONT></STRONG></DIV></DIV></DIV></DIV></FONT></STRONG></FONT></STRONG></DIV></DIV></FONT></FONT></FONT></FONT></FONT></DIV></DIV></FONT></DIV></BODY></HTML>