The cel celebration By DREW JESCHKE H-P Staff Writer John Loeks has waited a long time for this weekend to finally arrive. Celebration! Cinema in Benton Township is running on all cylinders. Movies are showing on all 14 screens. "This has been a long time coming," said Loeks, president of Celebration! owner Jackson Entertainment. "Now, here we are. It's a euphoric feeling. I've heard so many compliments so far." The $9 million cinema opened its doors in late August, but only showed movies on eight screens for several weeks. The remaining auditoriums opened as soon as they were completed. "This is a new era of film-going in continues at new theater Princess Escape from Castle Mountain" Princess Escape from Castle Mountain" and "Free Willy 3," are free for kids 12 and under. Free showings will end next Thursday. On Saturdays and Sundays, the theater will start showing films at 10 a.m. From noon to 5 p.m. Saturday, face painting, a magician, clowns and giveaways are planned for children. A fireworks display will be presented in the parking lot at dusk Saturday. Starting Sunday, Celebration! Cinema will present the film "When We Were Kings," an Academy Award winning documentary about Muhammad Ali. Proceeds will benefit Ali's "Sparring for Success" program. "Sparring for Success" was established by Ali to benefit Lake Michigan College, Southwestern Michigan College and Berrien Springs Public Schools. 'This is a new era of film-going in Southwest Michigan.' Jack Loeks Celebration! Cinema Southwest Michigan," Loeks said. "We're committed to an excellent film-going experience and excellent service." Loeks said about 20,000 patrons have come to the theater in the first month. He said he expects a 50-percent increase in customers this month because of the added screens. "G.I! Jane" starring Demi Moore has been the cinema's highest grossing film. About 3,500 people have watched "G.I. Jane," which has gener- ated about $20,000. Loeks and theater manager Dan Boyer said that audience response to the cinema has been® good. "We really haven't heard anything but good comments," Boyer said. "Business is going great. We're doing well for this slow time of the year for movies." To celebrate its grand opening, the cinema is hosting a variety of special events during the coming weekend. Starting today, two films, "Swan
