Randy's Guide CCXV (215)

Historic milestones: 15 years since the first full-length computer-generated film (Toy Story); 16 years since the establishment of SETI Institute; 20 years since Milli Vanilli lost its Grammy Award for lip-syncing; 47 years since the first use of the push-button telephone and the assassination of President JFK; 147 years since President Lincoln's Gettysburg Address; 152 years since the founding of Denver; and 384 years since the consecration of St. Peter's Basilica.


Local News
Target received unanimous approval from the San Francisco Redevelopment Agency to open a two-floor store inside the Metreon. The signature bulls-eye will grace the side of the building, and the store (San Francisco's first) should be open in 2012. www.sfexaminer.com/local/Metreon-scores-big-box-Target-108850839.html


Deal of the Week
A repeat, as the days grow cold, dark, and rainy: Free Seattle's Best coffee at all Burger King restaurants on Friday mornings in November. No coupon required. www.bk.com


Change for Change
Charity: San Francisco Neighborhood Theater Foundation. I attended an informative discussion about the history of San Francisco's theaters, including the Castro, Vogue, and Alexandria. The group started in 2002 to preserve neighborhood movie theaters and to initiate the popular Film Night in the Park outdoor series. www.sfneighborhoodtheater.org

Previous organizations Randy's Guide has spotlighted and donated: Common Ground Relief, LYRIC, Aldea Inc., Glide Memorial, City CarShare, Maitri, Loaves and Fishes, Friends of the Urban Forest, Farm Sanctuary, Bay Area Community Services, Blue Energy, My New Red Shoes, College Track, Foundation for the People of Burma, Vital Life Services, Little Angel Fund, San Francisco Health Services Coalition, Natural Resources Defense Council, Bay Localize, San Francisco Women Against Rape, Sustainable Conservation, Ashoka, Old Skool Cafe, Darfur Sister Schools, Rebuilding Together San Francisco, Asian & Pacific Islander Wellness Center, Urban Solutions, San Francisco Suicide Prevention, The East Bay Depot for Creative Reuse, Shanti, and Curry Without Worry.


Bay Area Weekend Weather
Record heat on Sunday and Monday is giving way to our first arctic storm on Friday. Expect a wet Big Game - go Stanford!

Highs: mid-50s
Lows: mid-40s


Movies {domestic revenues for November 12-14}
"Megamind" repeated in the top slot, with $29.1 million [3949 theatres; $7,374 per theatre; $88.8 million overall]. Denzel Washington's second train-related thriller, "Unstoppable," opened in second with $22.7 million [3207 theatres; $7,075 per theatre]. The low-rent sci-fi "Skyline" tallied $11.7 million for fourth [2880 theatres; $4,060 per theatre]. The star-packed romantic comedy "Morning Glory" disappointed with $9.2 million [2518 theatres; $3,655 per theatre]. The biggest buzz, though, continues to build for James Franco's survival story "127 Hours," directed by Danny Boyle, as it added $0.4 million in very limited release [22 theatres; $19,934 per theatre, $0.8 million overall].

Mainstream films:
-Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 1 (PG-13): Adventure sequel; co-starring Daniel Radcliffe and Helena Bonham Carter
-The Next Three Days (PG-13): Thriller; co-starring Russell Crowe, Elizabeth Banks, and Liam Neeson

Art-house films:
-Client 9: The Rise of Fall of Eliot Spitzer (R): Documentary
-Genius Within: The Inner Life of Glenn Gould (NR): Documentary
-Kings of Pastry (NR): Documentary
-Today's Special (R): Documentary
-Waste Land (NR): Documentary

DVD Pick - No Country for Old Men (R): The relentless look at Americana by the Coen Brothers won four Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Director. See it as a sneak peek at their next feature, True Grit. Domestic box office: $74.3 million; foreign: $97.3 million.


Free Weekend Activities
De Young Artisan Faire [Fri 9:30a-8:30p, Sat 9:30a-4:30p]: 4th annual. Featuring local jewelers, stationers, artists, and textile craftspeople. At the de Young Museum (SF). www.famsf.org

San Rafael Parade of Lights [Fri noon-8p, Sat 9a-noon]: 31st annual. Featuring a holiday parade, snow sledding, live entertainment, and holiday marketplace. Along Fourth St. (San Rafael). www.sresproductions.com/san_rafael_parade_of_lights.html

Embarcadero Center Carnival [Fri 4-6p]: 24th annual. Featuring Disney on Ice performance, building center lighting, carnival games, guest appearance by Captain Sullenberger, and holiday music. At the Embarcadero Center (SF). www.embarcaderocenter.com

* Arms and the Man production [Fri 7:30p, Sat-Sun 3p]: This is a delightful free staging by the 16th Street Players for George Bernard Shaw's romantic comedy set during the Serbo-Bulgarian War. At Notre Dame Senior Plaza, near Mission Dolores (SF). www.missiondolores.org/events/upcoming_events.html

Vintage Paper Fair [Sat-Sun 10a-6p]: Featuring antique postcards, advertisements, and more. At Centre Concord. www.vintagepaperfair.com

Vegetarian Thanksgiving cooking demo [Sat 2p]: Featuring Chef Eric Gower (previously on Iron Chef). At Macy's Union Square Cellar (SF). www.macys.com/store/event/index.ognc?action=search&storeId=212

Yellena James exhibit [Sat 6p]: Opening reception for the joint work with Pete Belkin, entitled "Biosynthesis." At Gallery Hijinks (SF). www.galleryhijinks.com