Entertainment : Palace says, 'Come on in and have a seat'

Our family (loves) Vinton Palace Theatre!! We saw Shrek last weekend when allllll the family was here (21 of us running around asking everyone to "do the roar" for a week - goood times!) and then those of us still here came to the 7 pm movie tonight (Toy Story 3)...LOVED IT! It's like everyone has said - we laughed, we cried and we loved it all! Thanks for the awesome deal and family fun! :)

Thanks for that note of recommendation from one of our loyal Facebook fans! (BTW –Vinton Palace Theatre on Facebook currently has 496 fans! If you haven’t “liked” us, please do – I’d love to see that number double, even triple!)

You, too, can enjoy fabulous 3D digital entertainment on the big screen for the amazingly low, low ticket price of just $3!

“Toy Story 3”plays the Palace one more week, showing Friday, July 16 through Thursday, July 22 at 7 p.m.nightly, and Saturday, July 17 and Monday, July 19 at 2 p.m.

I loved “Toy Story 3,” and can’t wait to see it again! What a wonderful movie! The 3D effects are quite different from those of Shrek – not so much right at you, but all around you. Just as your favorite toys come to life and take you back to your childhood, the 3D draws you in and makes you feel a part of the movie.

What’s new in TS3? I really hate to give anything away. The “orphans” in the opening bit cracked me up. It’s a quick flash in the film, so you’ll want to make sure you’re holding a caffeinated drink if you can’t come back and see it a second time.

Also, new kid Bonnie’s theatrical porcupine, obviously a trained Shakespearean actor – hilarious!

I loved, loved, loved the Chatter Telephone! But my very favorite is the Baby Doll. The Pixar creators totally captured the look of every well-loved dollie. You’ll see what I mean when you watch the movie.

Another worthy mention – the Pixar short before the movie. Who comes up with those??

“Toy Story 3”is for everybody, young and old. Even my 70-year-old dad enjoyed it. Please note, when I told him he should come with Mom and my nieces because he’d really love the movie, he accused me of “saying anything to sell a ticket.” Well, yeah.

And speaking of selling tickets, many people are finding it worth the extra dollar surcharge to come to the theatre to purchase their tickets ahead. Not only can you buy tix for the remaining “Toy Story 3”showings, but we’ve already gotten “Karate Kid!” We’ll sell you a ticket at the podium anytime we’re open (after 5 pm regularly). Also, feel free to knock on the front door if you see my Expedition or bike out front, or give me a call to find out when I’ll be in that day.

If you don’t have the luxury of planning ahead, be sure to be in line by 6 p.m., as we’ve sold out every show but the Late Shows.

CHAIR CLUB

Thanks to those who’ve already joined the Chair Club, donating generously toward the purchase of new seats at the theatre! New comfortable, reclining chairs to replace our well-worn breaking seats come at a cost $350 each. Pool your funds with family, friends, co-workers, softball teams and card clubs to sponsor a seat at the Palace.

We are still giving away posters for $100 donations, and I have something new to add to the mix. Palace Theatre’s celebrity friend, Michelle Monaghan, sent six autographed DVDs for us to use in our fund raising efforts. You may recall that Michelle came to the Palace three years ago to watch herself in “Mission: Impossible:III” with her nephews, Shane and Quinn.

Michelle is absolutely lovely, inside and out, and, after the movie, those of us who were at that showing were treated to a laid back, informative question-answer session about movie making and life in Hollywood.

Michelle signed one copy of “MI3,” one “Eagle Eye,” two of “Made of Honor,” and two of “The Heartbreak Kid.” Any of those collector’s items can be yours for a contribution of $100.

Remember, call me on your Chatter Phone if you want to buy tickets early for “Toy Story 3”or “Karate Kid.” Tickets are selling fast at The Only $3 3D in the World!