Jonathan McNeal

TIFF 2016 – Day #3

September 12, 2016 By Jonathan McNeal

Hello Everyone,

I got the tickets I needed this morning (for Monday), so the day was off to a great start. I hightailed it to the Scotiabank multiplex for my first screening of the day – a movie I know we won’t play (but I felt like I wanted something ridiculous) – Christopher Guest’s MASCOTS (which will soon make its debut on Netflix). It’s been a long time since we saw Guest and his crew, and I was delighted by the opening scenes. I thought “he’s back!” The set-up is an competition for mascots from around the world – and it lends itself to some really fun material. Unfortunately, the material lost some steam…and though the movie is sprinkled with a few gems, I felt like it didn’t quite live up to previous films (though the return of one of Guest’s most famous characters was a moment that made me feel like applauding).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C6hqYhcPFvw

ALL I SEE IS YOU, the new film by Marc Forster (FINDING NEVERLAND, MONSTER’S BALL) starring Blake Lively, was next on my list. This is a dramatic film with Lively playing a woman who lost her sight in an accident when she was a child. The first 20 minutes of the film has a certain experimental tone – as Forster has us experiencing many moments as the lead character “sees” them. It’s a lovely, interesting approach, and the film works in setting a tone (though I never understood why it was set in Thailand). An operation is available for Lively’s character to have her vision restored, and everything changes. With sight, she is surprised by how the world around her looks…and her husband quickly becomes disappointed in how their lives are changing. The movie then shifts tone and becomes more of a quiet thriller. I won’t give away more of the story, but I did feel like the tonal shift was surprising and the final 6 minutes of the film wrapped things up in a very frantic pace from what started as a slow and methodical first 90 minutes. The sound design is incredible, and the photography is lovely. I think this film will find an audience, but it’s not incredible.

After a short nap and a bite to eat, I went to an event – IN CONVERSATION WITH ISABELLE HUPPERT. This 80 minute curated Q&A was incredible. Accented with clips of Huppert’s body of work (she’s made over 100 films/television appearances), she sat with Piers Handling and talked about her craft. From insight to how she doesn’t feel like she truly “prepare” for roles to inside stories about movies like HEAVEN’S GATE to the fact that sometimes she takes a role because she reads the script and falls in love with one line, it’s a wonderful inside look at one of the greatest actresses working today. Here’s a treat…you can watch the taped event by visiting this LINK and clicking the image of Huppert.

My final film of the day was also the highlight of the festival so far – Barry Jenkins’ MOONLIGHT. This gorgeous, poetic look at the life of a black man growing up in Miami, is based on the play IN MOONLIGHT, BLACK BOYS LOOK BLUE. The film is told in three chapters – with the protagonist played by three different actors (each giving incredible performances). We see him grow from a bullied, guarded young boy to a hyper masculine drug dealer. This examination of masculinity is one of the most thoughtful and beautifully told stories I’ve seen in recent years. Performances are incredible across the board, the photography is lovely, and the screenplay is touching and heartbreaking and honest. I think this film will see a lot of love this award season. (Janelle Monae, one of my favorite music artists, has a small role in this film…and seeing her on screen seemed like a natural extension of her talents. She sat across the aisle from me at the screening, and though I contained myself, I was a giddy schoolgirl inside.) The cast, director and playwright had a Q&A after the screening, and it was also incredible.

After the screening, I met up with a friend from NYC for a couple beers and a bite to eat. I returned to my apartment at 2:00…so my alarm going off at 5:50 will not be a welcome sound.

Thanks for reading,

Jonathan

TIFF 2016 – Day #2

September 10, 2016 By Jonathan McNeal

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Hi Everyone,

I was in bed by 12:30 last night, so getting up by 6:00am wasn’t so rough today (it will get much worse later in the festival). That said, the line was already about 15 deep when I arrived at the industry box office at 6:40 (by 7:30/7:45, it was at about 100).

BURN YOUR MAPS, directed by Jordan Roberts, was my first film of the day. This is a film with Jacob Tremblay (the little guy from ROOM) & Vera Farmiga, and they give really wonderful performances…unfortunately, I can’t say the same for everyone else. This is a story about how a kid begins to say that he’s actually Mongolian. He becomes “obsessed” with wearing traditional costumes and shepherding his make-believe goats. His parents are having marital problems after the loss of a child, and the desire for the boy to connect with his “true heritage” is a pleasant distraction for his mother…and a source of frustration for his father. The story eventually “takes” us to Mongolia, and budget restrictions rear their heads. There were some lovely moments in this film, and it will certainly find its fans – but overall, it wasn’t a big success for me. (There is no trailer currently available, so a photo is all I can post.)

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FRANTZ was up next for me. Francois Ozon is a French director who has made some of my favorite films (I adore UNDER THE SAND, 8 WOMEN, SWIMMING POOL, TIME TO LEAVE and IN THE HOUSE). That said, he’s quite unpredictable and difficult to nail down as an auteur, and he’s made a couple magnificent clunkers, too. Tone, themes and genres are often in flux, and this film lends itself to that sentiment quite well – as it’s his most accessible work. Gorgeously shot in black and white, this post WWI story is about a German woman who meets the French man who has been visiting her fiancee’s grave. The film is shrouded in mystery, and and to tell you more of the story is to reveal too much. In both setting and a story with twists-and-turns, this film had me thinking of A VERY LONG ENGAGEMENT – a film that I admire much more than critics did. This film has found American distribution with Music Box Films, and I hope the timing works for us to be able to bring it.

A MONSTER CALLS, directed by J.A. Bayona, was next on my list. People may immediately want to dismiss a story about a pre-teen boy who is visited by a monster as being too fantastical or juvenile…but this lovely film connects and works on so many levels and is certainly not for children. Dealing with repeated nightmares and constant fear of the declining health of his mother, the boy summons a monster who comes to tell him stories…and potentially save his mom (played by Felicity Jones). Though I thought the film could use some trimming, it’s ultimately quite wonderful (albeit a challenge to market).

AMERICAN PASTORAL, the directorial debut of Ewan McGregor (based on the novel by Philip Roth), was my final film of the day. With a story that spans from the late 40’s to the early 90’s, this beautifully shot and gorgeously art directed film stars McGregor and Jennifer Connelly. Examining the breakdown of American society via looking at an American family who has to deal with the radicalization of a daughter who eventually becomes an underground terrorist, this film sadly falls a bit flat and didn’t live up to my hopes for the material. Though the look of the film and the performances are solid, I came out feeling like the film never really hit the mark.

Tomorrow morning is an important one for me. There are two tickets for Sunday that I really want to make sure I get for Monday – LOVING and LA LA LAND. Wish me luck.

Thanks for reading,

Jonathan

TIFF 2016 – Day #1

September 9, 2016 By Jonathan McNeal

Hello Everyone.

With the pass that I have, I can screen as many “press/industry screenings” that I’d like during the festival. That said, those screenings are just screenings. It’s awesome to have the opportunity to see so many films with an audience, but part of the reason I come to a festival (people come for a variety of reasons) is to hear filmmakers talk about their craft. Thus I have the opportunity to obtain two “public screening” tickets per day. Public screenings are the fun, glamorous screenings where they roll out the red carpet and hold Q&A’s with directors, producers, screenwriters and actors. These tickets are only available two days in advance of each screening, so I find myself in line every day during the festival…usually before 7am.

This morning, I was out to obtain tickets for Barry Jenkins’ MOONLIGHT and a curated interview with Isabelle Huppert. Both take place on Saturday…and I got both!

Then I was off to my first screening at 9:00am – Kenneth Lonergan’s MANCHESTER BY THE SEA. This film had a lot of tonal qualities of Lonergan’s first feature – YOU CAN COUNT ON ME. With a wonderful central performance by Casey Affleck (and a spectacularly touching small role by Michelle Williams), the story is about a man who seems to lead a rather thankless life of mundane routines (he’s a janitorial handy man for an apartment complex). When he gets a call that his brother has passed away, he is forced to confront lingering pain from his past – told through a series of flashbacks. Though I thought the film was a bit overscored, the drama really works and the story unfolds in a lovely way. There were a couple moments of schtick that I thought seemed a bit out of place – but so is life. I think this film will go far.

Olivier Assayas’ PERSONAL SHOPPER was next on my list. This non-traditional ghost story had me teetering back and forth throughout…I was invested, I was raising my eyebrows, I was intrigued, I was disappointed…and then I ultimately was sold by the final 10 minutes. Kristen Stewart gives a great performance as a woman who shops for high-end designer clothing and jewelry for a wealthy client who is always on the go. She’s also a medium. While trying to connect to the spirit world for a client, she’s also hoping to catch a sign from her recently deceased brother. Assayas’ previous work included THE CLOUDS OF SILS MARIA (with Juliette Binoche as well as Stewart) and of my favorites from TIFF in 2008 – SUMMER HOURS. This film won’t go down as one of my favorites, and I know many people will be quite disappointed, but I was a fan by the end.

The third film of the day for me was Terence Davies’ A QUIET PASSION – a film about Emily Dickinson starring Cynthia Nixon. The film opens in a sort of parochial school. A teacher asks students who have given themselves to Christ to go to one side and for students who are still working toward giving themselves to Christ to the other. Left in the middle is one student – a young Emily Dickinson (at this point played by Emma Bell). The dialog is sharp and thoughtful (one of the best strengths throughout the film), and the teacher eventually tell Dickinson, “You stand alone in your rebellion.” This telling line haunts the remainder of the film. Though I found some filmmaking devices to be odd choices (one superimposed was particularly weird), it’s ultimately a thoughtful and visually stunning film with wonderful performances and some very funny moments due to razor sharp dialog.

The official “Opening Night Film” was a big Hollywood remake – THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN, directed by Antoine Fuqua (SOUTHPAW, BROOKLYN’S FINEST) and starring Denzel Washington, Chris Pratt, Ethan Hawke and many more. Here’s the point that some of you might find disappointing…I left 20 minutes into the film. (I almost never write about films that I don’t finish.) I went to the Opening night with my friend Glenn Kiser – a great filmmaker who attended The Dayton LGBT Film Festival with his short film SABBATICAL. We had “great” seats – very close to the stage…only paces from all of the stars and director. The movie started an hour late and the speakers were above us – thus pushing the sound far behind us and bouncing off the back walls. Having difficulty understanding any of the dialog, we decided to leave. Not being a film I would seek out under any other circumstances, I wasn’t disappointed…it gave me a great opportunity to catch up with Glenn and finally grab dinner.

At the end of the day, I’ll simply say I’ve seen 3 films (and a dozen stars) so far.

Thanks for reading!

More soon,

Jonathan

TIFF 2016 – Arrival & Prep

September 7, 2016 By Jonathan McNeal

Hello Everyone.

I made it to Toronto with minimal delays…and made my way to the Industry offices to pick up my credentials and begin the madness. This is just an intro! Watching movies actually starts tomorrow (Thursday, Sept. 8).

I always give myself a buffer day when traveling to Toronto for TIFF. It can come in handy if you have flight delays, ridiculous lines in customs or you’re carrying an expired passport (that was a nightmare 2 years ago)…that extra day can make certain that you don’t miss any of the good stuff.

If all goes as planned, tomorrow will be a busy day with 4 films – including the splashy Opening Night film with a friend who I first met when he was a guest of The Dayton LGBT Film Festival. If all goes as planned, tomorrow’s screenings include new work by Kenneth Lonergan, Terence Davies and Olivier Assayas.

In the next couple hours, I’ll grab a bite to eat, check into my apartment and continue to plan my schedule for the next 9 days.

Here are trailers for a few films I can’t wait to see:

Check back in Friday morning…that’s when I’ll have my Thursday wrap-up posted.

Thanks for reading!

Jonathan

SOUTHSIDE WITH YOU & New Chair Update at THE NEON

August 30, 2016 By Jonathan McNeal

Hello!

We opened SOUTHSIDE WITH YOU this weekend – the charming and inspiring film about Barack & Michelle Obama’s first date…and we still have HUNT FOR THE WILDERPEOPLE and INDIGNATION for a couple more days (Thursday will be your last chance to catch them at THE NEON).

Synopsis for SOUTHSIDE WITH YOU : From executive producer John Legend comes a charming and inspiring film about a wonderful couple. “Inspired by Barack and Michelle Obama’s first date, SOUTHSIDE WITH YOU recounts the eventful summer day in 1989 when a young law firm associate named Barack Obama (Parker Sawyers) tried to woo lawyer Michelle Robinson (Tika Sumpter) during a daylong date that took them from the Art Institute of Chicago to a screening of Spike Lee’s DO THE RIGHT THING to the site of their first kiss outside of an ice cream parlor.” (taken from Roadside Attractions) Click this LINK to visit the film’s official site.

YARN ticket sales have passed the threshold and the screening will move forward as planned! The Miami Valley Knitting Guild is bringing the film YARN to town on Wednesday, August 31 at 7:30. ” Meet the artists who are redefining the tradition of knit and crochet, bringing yarn out of the house and into the world. Reinventing our relationship with this colorful tradition, YARN weaves together wool graffiti artists, circus performers, and structural designers into a visually-striking look at the women who are making a creative stance while building one of modern art’s hottest trends.” Click this LINK to reserve your advanced ticket. If tickets remain, they will be available at our box office one hour before the screening.

“Join us for a special screening of 91%: A Film About Guns in America. A film collaboration between John Richie and Dayton Native Ian Cook. 91% is a documentary that examines U.S. gun policies with a focus on the background check system. 91% of Americans are for background checks on all gun sales, yet Congress continues to fail to close the loophole. Why is that and how does that undermine our public safety? The hour long film will be followed by a discussion afterwards. Please join us for this important event!” (taken from 91% press notes) This film will screen on Sunday, September 4 at 7:30, and tickets are now on sale at THE NEON’s box office – traditional ticket prices apply.

“NEON Lumbar Supporter” Update: Amazing news! We made our Goal!!! Replacing our 30 year-old chairs will cost us $50,000, and we hoped to raise at least half of that through your generous donations. As of this weekend, we have sold 113 chairs at $250 each! Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!! You can read all about this project by clicking this LINK, and we’ll keep the campaign running until the end of August. Donations can be accepted on-line, but we can also take donations in person — where we’d love to chat with you about the new chairs and have you try out the samples in our lobby.

We’ve had many requests for the new film from Mike Birbiglia – DON’T THINK TWICE. I’m happy to let you know that this new comedy (rated “99% Fresh” on rottentomatoes) is slated to open Sept. 9!

EQUITY – a film about women on Wall Street – opens Friday!!

I’ll be heading to The Toronto International Film Festival again this year…and I’ll be there Sept. 7-17. You can check in on all my screenings and parties and sightings by visiting www.mostmetro.com/tag/tiff

Thanks so much for your continued support.
We hope to see you soon,
Jonathan

SHOWTIMES for Tuesday, Aug. 30 – Thursday, Sept. 1:

HUNT FOR THE WILDERPEOPLE (PG-13) 1 Hr 41 Min
Tuesday-Thursday (Aug 30-Sept 1): 5:20

INDIGNATION (R) 1 Hr 50 Min
Tuesday (Aug 30): 3:00, 7:45
Wednesday (Aug 31): 3:00
Thursday (Sept 1): 3:00, 7:45

SOUTHSIDE WITH YOU (PG-13) 1 hr 24 Min
Tuesday-Thursday (Aug 30-Sept 1): 3:00, 5:15, 7:30

YARN (NR) 1 Hr 16 Min
Wednesday (Aug 31): 7:30

COMING SOON:
(All Dates Are Tentative. Dates Often Move And Sometimes Disappear.)
Sept 2 – EQUITY
Sept 9 – DON’T THINK TWICE
Sept 16 – THE INNOCENTS
Sept 23 – COMPLETE UNKNOWN
Sept 23 – THE HOLLARS
Oct 7-9 – DAYTON LGBT FILM FEST
Oct 7 – BIRTH OF A NATION

ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS & Lots of Fun News at THE NEON!

July 19, 2016 By Jonathan McNeal

Hello Everyone,

I’m sorry to say that TICKLED tanked this weekend…but interestingly, folks have loved it! (Some of our staffers have even said it’s one of their favorites we’ve shown this year.) If you still need to see it, Thursday will be your last chance to see it with us. We will hold MUSIC OF STRANGERS and DARK HORSE for one final week! On Thursday evening, we will open the highly anticipated comedy ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS – a film based on the beloved British sitcom. (On Friday, July 29, we’ll open Woody Allen’s latest – CAFE SOCIETY.)

Synopsis for ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS: “Edina and Patsy are still oozing glitz and glamor, living the high life they are accustomed to; shopping, drinking and clubbing their way around London’s trendiest hot-spots. Blamed for a major incident at an uber fashionable launch party, they become entangled in a media storm and are relentlessly pursued by the paparazzi. Fleeing penniless to the glamorous playground of the super-rich, the French Riviera, they hatch a plan to make their escape permanent and live the high life forever more!” (Fox Searchlight) Join us on Sunday afternoon at 12:50 & 3:00 (we’ll open at 11:30am) for AN ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS BUBBLY BRUNCH! We’ll have bottles of bubbly for sale and you can grab a bite from Pa’s Pork Foodtruck! Amelia Robinson & Alexis Larsen will be your “Patsy & Edina” for the afternoon – giving lots of fun prizes! (Many thanks to Lisa Grigsby of Dayton Most Metro for putting us in touch with Pa’s Pork!) Click this LINK to visit the film’s official website.

PUSH Dayton has rented our space to bring a one-time screening of TRAPPED to THE NEON on Thur, Aug. 4 at 7:30. “On June 27, 2016, the Supreme Court ruled in Whole Woman’s Health v. Hellerstedt, that restrictions on abortion clinics in Texas posed an undue burden on women seeking abortions. TRAPPED, a documentary by Dawn Porter, follows the struggles of the clinic workers and lawyers who are on the front lines of a battle to keep abortion safe and legal for millions of American women. US. reproductive health clinics are fighting to remain open. Since 2010, 288 TRAP (Targeted Regulations of Abortion Providers) laws have been passed by conservative state legislatures. Unable to comply with these far-reaching and medically unnecessary measures, clinics have taken their fight to the courts. What do these restrictions mean for the women of the United States? Their doctors? What’s the collateral damage when legislation plays politics with women’s health? PUSH (Professionals United for Sexual Health) is a Dayton-based advocacy group that raises funding and awareness for Planned Parenthood Southwest Ohio.” Ticket details coming soon. Sponsored by Harmony Creek United Church of Christ, Drunk Think Tank, Blue Jacket Books, and Mark E. Owens, Dayton Clerk of Court.” Tickets are $5 each and are only available by clicking this LINK. If tickets remain, they will be available in our lobby one hour before the screening.

Local filmmaker Gino Pasi and his team are hosting a special screening of his new film on Thursday, August 11. “THE ARCHIVIST, a short-film written, produced, and directed by Pasi, tells the story of the brief and unusual relationship of Virginia Hirsch and Archie Vecchio, two people unable to forsake the past. The halcyon days of Virginia Hirsch’s youth are quickly fading no matter how hard she tries to hold on to them. For Archie Vechhio, history is much easier to navigate than the complicated present. When these two people meet, however, the past is buried and the present engaged. And both Virginia and Archie come to realize that living life to the fullest in the “here and now” means taking action – action that won’t come easy for either. Tickets available now at THE NEON’s box office for $5. One Time Only Public Showing! 9PM, Thursday, August 11, 2016.” (This film will screen earlier in the evening for invited guests.)

Our “NEON Lumbar Supporter” campaign is off to a pretty good start. Many thanks to those of you who have contributed to the cause! So far, we’ve “sold” 21 chairs toward our goal of 100. This project will cost us $50,000, and you can read all about it by clicking this LINK. Donations can be accepted on-line, but we can also take donations in person…we’d love to chat with you and have you try out the new sample chairs in our lobby.

Thanks so much for your continued support,
Jonathan

SHOWTIMES for Tuesday, July 19 – Thursday, July 28:

TICKLED (R) 1 Hr 32 Min
Tuesday-Wednesday (July 19-20): 3:10, 7:20
Thursday (July 21): 3:10
FINAL DAY – July 21!

DARK HORSE (PG) 1 Hr 25 Min
Tuesday-Thursday (July 19-21): 5:15
Friday, Saturday, Sunday (July 22-24): 5:00
Monday-Thursday (July 25-28): 5:20
FINAL DAY – July 28!

THE MUSIC OF STRANGERS (PG-13) 1 Hr 36 Min
Tuesday-Thursday (July 19-21): 3:00, 5:20, 7:40
Friday & Saturday (July 22 & 23): 12:30, 2:45, 7:20, 9:30
Sunday (July 24): 12:30, 2:45, 7:20
Monday-Thursday (July 25-28): 3:00, 7:40

ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS (R) 1 Hr 30 Min
Thursday (July 21 – Sneak Preview): 7:30
Friday & Saturday (July 22 & 23): 12:50, 3:00, 5:15, 7:30, 9:45
Sunday (July 24): 12:50, 3:00, 5:15, 7:30
Monday-Thursday (July 25-28): 3:00, 5:15, 7:30

COMING SOON:
(All Dates Are Tentative. Dates Often Move And Sometimes Disappear.)
July 29 – CAFE SOCIETY
Aug 5 – HUNT FOR THE WILDERPEOPLE
Aug 12 – EAT THAT QUESTION
Aug 19 – GLEASON
Aug 26 – OUR LITTLE SISTER
Sept 2 – EQUITY
Sept 23 – THE HOLLARS

Beloved DARK HORSE Opens Friday at THE NEON! WEINER and MAN WHO KNEW INFINITY Continue!

July 6, 2016 By Jonathan McNeal

Hello Everyone,

We had a great holiday weekend at THE NEON. Thanks to everyone who came out. Though critics had luke-warm reviews of OUR KIND OF TRAITOR, many of our regulars truly enjoyed the film. In addition, THE MAN WHO KNEW INFINITY had a couple sell-outs over the weekend – it’s a film that has incredible word-of-mouth business. And then there’s WEINER – a documentary like you’ve never seen before. We will keep all three films for another week, and we’ll add a brand new film into the mix – DARK HORSE. This delightful documentary is currently rated “97% Fresh” on rottentomatoes.

Synopsis for DARK HORSE: “Set in a former mining village in Wales, DARK HORSE is the inspirational true story of a group of friends from a working men’s club who decide to take on the elite ‘sport of kings’ and breed themselves a racehorse. Raised on a slagheap allotment, their foal grows into an unlikely champion, beating the finest thoroughbreds in the land, before suffering a near fatal accident. Nursed back to health by the love of his owners – for whom he’s become a source of inspiration and hope – he makes a remarkable recovery, returning to the track for a heart-stopping comeback.” (Taken from Sony Classics) Click this LINK to visit the film’s official website.

Many thanks for everyone who came out to see CLOSET MONSTER last week. Though it wasn’t a sell-out, audience response was fantastic. And I’m happy to report that we raised over $650 to send to victims’ families of the Orlando nightclub tragedy.

Local filmmaker Gino Pasi and his team are hosting a special screening of his new film on Thursday, August 11. “THE ARCHIVIST, a short-film written, produced, and directed by Pasi, tells the story of the brief and unusual relationship of Virginia Hirsch and Archie Vecchio, two people unable to forsake the past. The halcyon days of Virginia Hirsch’s youth are quickly fading no matter how hard she tries to hold on to them. For Archie Vechhio, history is much easier to navigate than the complicated present. When these two people meet, however, the past is buried and the present engaged. And both Virginia and Archie come to realize that living life to the fullest in the “here and now” means taking action – action that won’t come easy for either. Tickets available now at THE NEON’s box office or at the door the night of the showing for $5. One Time Only Public Showing! 9PM, Thursday, August 11, 2016.” (This film will screen earlier in the evening for invited guests.)

If you’re a FaceBook user and a fan of ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS, be sure to visit our FaceBook page…There’s a contest you’ll likely want to enter. (More AbFab contests to come!)

Next week, I will roll out our campaign to assist with installing brand new chairs at THE NEON. A handful of people have already mentioned that they’d like to help – and that makes me quite hopeful. If you’d like to become a “NEON Lumbar Supporter,” you’ll find out all about it in next week’s newsletter.

We hope to see you soon!
Jonathan

SHOWTIMES for Tuesday, July 5 – Thursday, July 14:

THE MAN WHO KNEW INFINITY (PG-13) 1 Hr 48 Min
Tuesday – Thursday (July 5-7): 3:00, 7:20
Friday, Saturday, Sunday (July 8-10): 3:00
Monday-Thursday (July 11-14): 5:15

WEINER (R) 1 Hr 36 Min
Tuesday – Thursday (July 5-7): 5:15
Friday, Saturday, Sunday (July 8-10): 5:00
Monday-Thursday (July 11-14): 5:20

OUR KIND OF TRAITOR (R) 1 Hr 47 Min
Tuesday – Thursday (July 5-7): 3:00, 5:20, 7:40
Friday & Saturday (July 8 & 9): 12:20, 2:40, 7:20, 9:40
Sunday (July 10): 12:20, 2:40, 7:20
Monday-Thursday (July 11-14): 3:00, 7:40

DARK HORSE (PG) 1 Hr 25 Min
Friday & Saturday (July 8 & 9): 12:50, 5:20, 7:30, 9:30
Sunday (July 10): 12:50, 5:20, 7:30
Monday-Thursday (July 11-14): 3:10, 7:30

COMING SOON:
(All Dates Are Tentative. Dates Often Move And Sometimes Disappear.)
July 15 – MUSIC OF STRANGERS
July 22 – ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS
July 29 – CAFE SOCIETY
TBD – CAPTAIN FANTASTIC
Aug 5 – HUNT FOR THE WILDERPEOPLE
Aug 12 – EAT THAT QUESTION
Aug 26 – OUR LITTLE SISTER
Sept 2 – EQUITY
Sept 23 – THE HOLLARS

One-Time CLOSET MONSTER Screening – Proceeds Benefit Orlando

June 25, 2016 By Jonathan McNeal

Dayton PRIDE will close out month-long events with the screening of the award-winning film CLOSET MONSTER…and 100% of the proceeds will go to victims’ families of the horrendous massacre in Orlando. “CLOSET MONSTER tells the story of Oscar Madly, a creative and driven teenager who hovers on the brink of adulthood. Destabilized by his dysfunctional parents, unsure of his sexuality, and haunted by horrific images of a tragic gay bashing he witnessed as a child, Oscar dreams of escaping the town he feels is suffocating him.” (taken from press notes) Tickets available now at THE NEON’s box office – just $8 each. (Editors Note: the showing for CLOSET MONSTER is Thurs, June 30th at 7:30pm)

THE NEON is located at 130 E. 5th St. in downtown Dayton. The box office opens daily by 2:30 and by Noon on weekends. For additional information, call (937)222-8452 or visit THE NEON’s official site – www.neonmovies.com

Susan Sarandon in THE MEDDLER, SING STREET Continues + MADONNA at THE NEON!

May 19, 2016 By Jonathan McNeal

Hello Everyone,

If you still need to see CITY OF GOLD, it won’t be at THE NEON much longer. It will only screen for one matinee per day over the weekend. On Friday, we will open a film that many of you will adore – THE MEDDLER – starring Susan Sarandon, Rose Byrne and a great supporting performance by J.K. Simmons. SING STREET is going to stick around for one more week! (If you’ve already seen this gem, please help us spread the word!)

Synopsis for THE MEDDLER: “With a new iPhone, an apartment near the Grove, and a comfortable bank account left to her by her beloved late husband, Marnie Minervini (Susan Sarandon) has happily relocated from New Jersey to LosAngeles to be near her daughter Lori (Rose Byrne), a successful (but still single) screenwriter, and smother her with motherly love. But when the dozens of texts, unexpected visits, and conversations dominated by unsolicited advice force Lori to draw strict personal boundaries, Marnie finds ways to channel her eternal optimism and forceful generosity to change the lives of others – as well as her own – and find a new purpose in life.” (Sony Pictures Classics) Click this LINK to visit the film’s official website.

I can hardly believe it, but the documentary TRUTH OR DARE is now 25 years old! Take a Holiday with Madonna and her entourage as we celebrate the film’s anniversary on the big screen…one of the great concert films of the past 30 years…and an incredibly important film to me when I first saw it at age 17! “This documentary chronicles Madonna’s controversial 1990 ‘Blonde Ambition’ international tour (which ROLLING STONE has recently called “the best concert tour of the 1990’s”). The film is a behind-the-scenes look at Madonna’s relationships with her dancers and crew, her then-boyfriend Warren Beatty, and her family and friends, achieving an intimate glimpse into the boundary-pushing singer’s drive and individuality.” Gene Siskel said it was “One of the best and most entertaining films of the year.” Come dressed as Madonna or wear your favorite Madonna T-shirt for discounts at the Concession Stand! Tickets are now on sale. TRUTH OR DARE will screen this Thursday, May 19 at 7:30 and Saturday, May 21 at 10pm. Watch the original (“scandalous” albeit censored) trailer from 25 years ago:

“Massie Creek Paddlers and Tomfoolery Outdoors are pleased to announce the Dayton screening of THE REEL PADDLING FILM FESTIVAL WORLD TOUR. The festival is an international adventure film tour presenting the world’s best paddling films of the year – categories include: whitewater, sea kayaking, canoeing, SUP, action and lifestyle. Audiences will see hairy whitewater action, sea kayakers exploring remote coastlines, northern river canoe expeditions, international river travel films, motivating environmental documentaries, grueling kayak fishing battles and hilarious short films capturing the lighter side of paddling life. Join us on May 25 at 7:30 for the best paddling films of the year.” Tickets are $10 in advance and are only available at this LINK. If tickets remain on the day of the show, they will be $15 each and available at our box office one hour before showtime.

“LUNAFEST, a national festival of women’s films, comes to Dayton for the 7th time Sunday June 5 at 3:00 at THE NEON. The program features six award-winning short films that are international in scope, plus a short film by local filmmaker Aisha Ford. The films examine women’s stories told through the lens of women filmmakers in places ranging from Dayton, Ohio to the Philippines, Cuba and Iran. The diverse, thought-provoking stories for 2016 include challenges facing a woman boxer, a deaf woman dealing with cancer, the effects of drug addiction, raising a transgender child and more. Funds raised by this event will go to the Breast Cancer Fund and to Planned Parenthood Southwest Ohio Region. Tickets are $10.00 ($5.00 for students) and donations over this amount are gratefully accepted. The event is sponsored nationally by Luna and locally by Dayton Women’s Rights Alliance & the Dayton chapter of the American Association of University Women. Tickets can be purchased in advance at THE NEON.” (taken from press notes) To read about each of this year’s films, visit this LINK. And here’s a trailer for Aisha Ford’s film WREN:

https://vimeo.com/149449892

Eric Totel has partnered with Tugg to hopefully bring the film RANGE 15 to town on Wednesday, June 15 at 7:30. As of this posting, they still need to sell 17 tickets in order to make the screening a reality. Here’s a synopsis: “A group of veterans wake up after a night of partying to find out that the zombie apocalypse has spread across the United States. Together, they must fight their way across the country in order to find a cure for the outbreak and restore freedom before it’s too late.” To watch a trailer and/or secure your ticket, visit this screening’s OFFICIAL PAGE. (If not enough tickets are reserved, the screening will not take place and your card will never be charged.)

If you were at THE NEON this weekend, you’ve already seen a sample of the chairs we’re hoping to purchase and install this September. Because we’re not a non-profit, I don’t like to seek or accept donations…but for this big project, we are going to ask for some assistance. (Interestingly, a couple people have approached me over the past year and asked how they might be able to help us financially – this is the way!) This June, I’ll start a campaign to help us raise a bit of extra money in order to make our auditoriums more comfortable for everyone – finally including our guests in wheelchairs. Stay tuned for updates!

Next week, we will bring Whit Stillman’s LOVE & FRIENDSHIP to town. This film is based on the novella LADY SUSAN by Jane Austen, and it is currently rated “100% Fresh” on rottentomatoes.com – a score that almost never happens! We will have a special sneak preview screening of the film on Thursday, May 26.

Thanks for your continued support.

See you soon!
Jonathan

SHOWTIMES for Tuesday, May 17- Thursday, May 26:

KRISHA (R) 1 Hr 23 Min
Tuesday – Thursday (May 17-19): 5:15
FINAL DAY – May 19!

CITY OF GOLD (R) 1 Hr 36 Min
Tuesday & Wednesday (May 17 &18): 3:00, 7:15
Thursday (May 19): 3:00
Friday, Saturday, Sunday (May 20-22): 12:30
FINAL DAY – May 22!

SING STREET (PG-13) 1 Hr 46 Min
Monday – Thursday (May 16-19): 3:10, 5:30, 7:50
Friday (May 20): 2:50, 5:10, 7:20, 9:40
Saturday – Wednesday (May 21-25): 2:50, 5:10, 7:20
Thursday (May 26): 2:50, 5:10

MADONNA: TRUTH OR DARE (R) 2 Hrs
Thursday (May 19): 7:30
Saturday (May 21): 10:00

THE MEDDLER (PG-13) 1 Hr 40 Min
Friday & Saturday (May 20 & 21): 12:45, 3:00, 5:15, 7:30, 9:45
Sunday (May 22): 12:45, 3:00, 5:15, 7:30
Monday & Tuesday (May 23 & 24): 3:00, 5:15, 7:30
Wednesday (May 25): 3:00, 5:15
Thursday (May 26): 3:00, 5:15, 7:30

LOVE & FRIENDSHIP (PG) 1 Hr 32 Min
Thursday (May 26) – Preview Screening – 7:30

COMING SOON:
(All Dates Are Tentative. Dates Often Move And Sometimes Disappear.)
May 27 – LOVE & FRIENDSHIP
TBD – A BIGGER SPLASH
June 10 – MAGGIE’S PLAN
June 17 – DARK HORSE
TBD – HUNT FOR THE WILDERPEOPLE
TBD – SWISS ARMY MAN
TBD – CAPTAIN FANTASTIC
July 22 – ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS
July 29 – CAFE SOCIETY

2 New Gems – CITY OF GOLD & KRISHA – Open Friday + Madonna’s TRUTH OR DARE Turns 25!

May 11, 2016 By Jonathan McNeal

Hello Everyone,

I just got back from a short, revitalizing vacation, and we’re ready to tackle the next several weeks (which are currently overbooked). If you still need to see MILES AHEAD or A HOLOGRAM FOR THE KING, you only have until Thursday to see them at THE NEON. Though audiences are loving SING STREET, I’m sad to say that it didn’t perform nearly as well as I had hoped. Though it will stick around, it won’t be here for long. On Friday, we will open 2 films that will likely only play for one week. First is a film that foodies and doc lovers will devour – CITY OF GOLD. Second is a film that won big awards at SXSW last year (and also played as part of the FilmDayton Festival – one of the best reviewed films of the year) – KRISHA.

Synopsis for CITY OF GOLD: “In this richly penetrating documentary odyssey, Pulitzer Prize-winning food critic Jonathan Gold shows us a Los Angeles where ethnic cooking is a kaleidoscopic portal to the mysteries of an unwieldy city and the soul of America. Combing through colorful neighborhoods in his green pickup truck, Gold is sniffing out his next strip-mall discovery-whether Oaxacan grasshopper soup, hand-cut tonkotsu ramen, or a particularly unctuous pad see ew. As piping-hot platters are served up, so are stories of immigrants whose secret family recipes are like sacred offerings pledged for the opportunity to build their American Dream. With eternal curiosity, razor-sharp intellect, and existential longing, Gold is a culinary geographer taking us where no critic has gone before.” Click this LINK to visit the film’s official website.

Synopsis for KRISHA: One of the best reviewed films of the year and a big winner from last year’s SXSW Film Festival! ONE WEEK ONLY! “When Krisha shows up at her sister’s Texas home on Thanksgiving morning, her close and extended family greet her with a mixture of warmth and wariness. Almost immediately, a palpable unease permeates the air, one which only grows in force as Krisha gets to work cooking the turkey and trying to make up for lost time by catching up with her various relatives, chief among them her nephew, Trey. As Krisha’s attempts at reconciliation become increasingly rebuffed, tension and suspicion reach their peak, with long-buried secrets and deep-seated resentments coming to the fore as everyone becomes immersed in an emotionally charged familial reckoning.” Click this LINK to visit the film’s official website.

It’s almost time for our Madonna celebration. I can hardly believe it, but the documentary MADONNA: TRUTH OR DARE is now 25 years old! Take a Holiday with Madonna and her entourage as we celebrate the film’s anniversary on the big screen…one of the great concert films of the past 30 years…and an incredibly important film to me when I first saw it at age 17! “This documentary chronicles Madonna’s controversial 1990 ‘Blonde Ambition’ international tour (which ROLLING STONE has recently called “the best concert tour of the 1990’s”). The film is a behind-the-scenes look at Madonna’s relationships with her dancers and crew, her then-boyfriend Warren Beatty, and her family and friends, achieving an intimate glimpse into the boundary-pushing singer’s drive and individuality.” Gene Siskel said it was “One of the best and most entertaining films of the year.” Come dressed as Madonna or wear your favorite Madonna T-shirt for discounts at the Concession Stand! Tickets are now on sale. TRUTH OR DARE will screen Thursday, May 19 at 7:30 and Saturday, May 21 at 10pm.

“LUNAFEST, a national festival of women’s films, comes to Dayton for the 7th time Sunday June 5 at 3:00 at THE NEON. The program features six award-winning short films that are international in scope, plus a short film by local filmmaker Aisha Ford. The films examine women’s stories told through the lens of women filmmakers in places ranging from Dayton, Ohio to the Philippines, Cuba and Iran. The diverse, thought-provoking stories for 2016 include challenges facing a woman boxer, a deaf woman dealing with cancer, the effects of drug addiction, raising a transgender child and more. Funds raised by this event will go to the Breast Cancer Fund and to Planned Parenthood Southwest Ohio Region. Tickets are $10.00 ($5.00 for students) and donations over this amount are gratefully accepted. The event is sponsored nationally by Luna and locally by Dayton Women’s Rights Alliance & the Dayton chapter of the American Association of University Women. Tickets can be purchased in advance at THE NEON.” (taken from press notes) To read about each of this year’s films, visit this LINK. A trailer for Aisha Ford’s film WREN can be viewed below.

https://vimeo.com/149449892

Eric Totel has partnered with Tugg to hopefully bring the film RANGE 15 to town on Wednesday, June 15 at 7:30. As of this email, they still need to sell 22 tickets in order to make the screening a reality. Here’s a synopsis: “A group of veterans wake up after a night of partying to find out that the zombie apocalypse has spread across the United States. Together, they must fight their way across the country in order to find a cure for the outbreak and restore freedom before it’s too late.” To watch a trailer and/or secure your ticket, visit this screening’s OFFICIAL PAGE. (If not enough tickets are reserved, the screening will not take place and your card will never be charged.)

Next week, we plan to bring Susan Sarandon’s new film THE MEDDLER to town – a film that Rex Reed called “Charming, Insightful and Funny.”

Thanks for your continued support.

See you soon!
Jonathan

SHOWTIMES for Tuesday, May 10- Thursday, May 19:

MILES AHEAD (R) 1 Hr 40 Min
Tuesday – Thursday (May 10-12): 5:10
FINAL DAY – May 12!

A HOLOGRAM FOR THE KING (R) 1 Hr 37 Min
Tuesday (May 10): 2:50
Wednesday (May 11): 2:50, 7:30
Thursday (May 12): 2:50
FINAL DAY – May 12!

SING STREET (PG-13) 1 Hr 46 Min
Tuesday – Thursday (May 10-12): 3:10, 5:30, 7:50
Friday & Saturday (May 13 & 14): 12:30, 2:50, 5:10, 7:30, 9:45
Sunday (May 15): 12:30, 2:50, 5:10, 7:30
Monday – Thursday (May 16-19): 3:10, 5:30, 7:50

CITY OF GOLD (R) 1 Hr 36 Min
Friday, Saturday, Sunday (May 13-15): 12:50, 3:00, 7:15
Monday – Wednesday (May 16-18): 3:00, 7:15
Thursday (May 19): 3:00

KRISHA (R) 1 Hr 23 Min
Friday, Saturday, Sunday (May 13-15): 5:15, 9:30
Monday – Thursday (May 16-19): 5:15

MADONNA: TRUTH OR DARE (R) 2 Hrs
Thursday (May 19): 7:30

COMING SOON:
(All Dates Are Tentative. Dates Often Move And Sometimes Disappear.)
May 20 – THE MEDDLER
May 27 – LOVE AND FRIENDSHIP
TBD – A BIGGER SPLASH
TBD – THE CONGRESSMAN
June 10 – MAGGIE’S PLAN
June 17 – DARK HORSE
TBD – HUNT FOR THE WILDERPEOPLE
TBD – SWISS ARMY MAN
TBD – CAPTAIN FANTASTIC
July 22 – ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS
July 29 – CAFE SOCIETY

Audiences & Critics Love SING STREET – Opening Friday at THE NEON!

May 4, 2016 By Jonathan McNeal

Hello Everyone,

We had a really nice weekend at THE NEON. Folks in the packed house on Saturday night really loved the screening of PURPLE RAIN…so we’re bringing it back one more time this Saturday at 10pm (last week’s screening sold out, and numerous people were disappointed not to get tickets). In addition to holding both MILES AHEAD and A HOLOGRAM FOR THE KING, we’re opening a brand new film that is currently rated “97% Fresh” on rottentomatoes – SING STREET. This charming, uplifting and funny film is a complete gem, and it’s from John Carney – director of ONCE.

Synopsis for SING STREET: “In 1980s Dublin, 14-year-old Conor is looking for a break from a home strained by his parents’ relationship and money troubles, while trying to adjust to his new inner-city public school where the kids are rough and the teachers are rougher. He finds a glimmer of hope in the mysterious, uber-cool and beautiful Raphina, and with the aim of winning her heart he invites her to star in his band’s music videos. There’s only one problem: he’s not part of a band…yet. She agrees, and now Conor must deliver what he’s promised – calling himself ‘Cosmo’ and immersing himself in the vibrant rock music trends of the decade, he forms a band with a few lads, and the group pours their heart into writing lyrics and shooting videos.” Click this LINK to visit the film’s official website.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C_YqJ_aimkM

Don’t forget about this Thursday, May 5th’s special screening! Stivers School for the Arts is coming back to THE NEON with a new edition of student work – THE SHOWCASE. “This eclectic compilation of short films includes comedies, documentaries, animations, music videos, as well as experimental work. Some of these films have won national and regional awards. Following the show we’ll have a Q & A with the student filmmakers. All proceeds go towards updating equipment in the film and animation studio. Tickets will be $5.00 during the pre-sale and $7.00 day of the screening. Tickets are now available at THE NEON’s box office. Our students thank you for your continued support!” (taken from press notes)

“The Dayton International Peace Museum invites you to save Sunday, May 8, 2016 at 3:00 p.m. for HIP-HOPERATION. In conjunction with our ‘Invent Peace’ theme, this funny documentary follows the Journey of Seniors from New Zealand as they not only learn to dance Hip Hop, but attend a World Hip Hop Dance Championship in Las Vegas. Enjoy their delight in discovering a new world. Suggested Donation: $10 (includes popcorn!) More info at: daytonpeacemuseum.org or call Jerry at 937-999-7314.” (If you liked YOUNG AT HEART – the documentary about seniors singing rock songs – you’ll love this film.) Check out the trailer by clicking this LINK.

Mark your calendars! I can hardly believe it, but the documentary TRUTH OR DARE is now 25 years old! Take a Holiday with Madonna and her entourage as we celebrate the film’s anniversary on the big screen…one of the great concert films of the past 30 years…and an incredibly important film to me when I first saw it at age 17! “This documentary chronicles Madonna’s controversial 1990 ‘Blonde Ambition’ international tour (which ROLLING STONE has recently called “the best concert tour of the 1990’s”). The film is a behind-the-scenes look at Madonna’s relationships with her dancers and crew, her then-boyfriend Warren Beatty, and her family and friends, achieving an intimate glimpse into the boundary-pushing singer’s drive and individuality.” Gene Siskel said it was “One of the best and most entertaining films of the year.” Come dressed as Madonna or wear your favorite Madonna T-shirt for discounts at the Concession Stand! Tickets are now on sale. TRUTH OR DARE will screen Thursday, May 19 at 7:30 and Saturday, May 21 at 10pm.

“LUNAFEST, a national festival of women’s films, comes to Dayton for the 7th time Sunday June 5 at 3:00 at THE NEON. The program features six award-winning short films that are international in scope, plus a short film by local filmmaker Aisha Ford. The films examine women’s stories told through the lens of women filmmakers in places ranging from Dayton, Ohio to the Philippines, Cuba and Iran. The diverse, thought-provoking stories for 2016 include challenges facing a woman boxer, a deaf woman dealing with cancer, the effects of drug addiction, raising a transgender child and more. Funds raised by this event will go to the Breast Cancer Fund and to Planned Parenthood Southwest Ohio Region. Tickets are $10.00 ($5.00 for students) and donations over this amount are gratefully accepted. The event is sponsored nationally by Luna and locally by Dayton Women’s Rights Alliance & the Dayton chapter of the American Association of University Women. Tickets can be purchased in advance at THE NEON.” (taken from press notes) To read about each of this year’s films, visit this LINK. A trailer for Aisha Ford’s film WREN can be viewed at this LINK.

Next week, we plan to bring a film that will absolutely delight foodies – CITY OF GOLD. If we have room, we’ll also open the big SXSW winner KRISHA.

Thanks for your continued support.

See you soon!
Jonathan

SHOWTIMES for Tuesday, May 3- Thursday, May 12:

MILES AHEAD (R) 1 Hr 40 Min
Tuesday & Wednesday (May 3 & 4): 3:00, 5:10, 7:30
Thursday (May 5): 3:00, 5:10
Friday (May 6): 12:20, 5:00, 9:30
Saturday (May 7): 12:20, 5:00
Sunday (May 8): 12:20, 5:15
Monday – Thursday (May 9-12): 5:10

A HOLOGRAM FOR THE KING (R) 1 Hr 37 Min
Tuesday-Thursday (May 3-5): 3:10, 5:20, 7:40
Friday & Saturday (May 6 & 7): 2:45, 7:15
Sunday (May 8): 7:30
Monday (May 9): 2:50, 7:30
Tuesday (May 10): 2:50
Wednesday (May 11): 2:50, 7:30
Thursday (May 12): 2:50

STIVERS FILM & ANIMATION – THE SHOWCASE (NR)
Thursday (May 5): 7:30

SING STREET (PG-13) 1 Hr 46 Min
Friday & Saturday (May 6 & 7): 12:30, 2:50, 5:10, 7:30, 9:45
Sunday (May 8): 12:30, 2:50, 5:10, 7:30
Monday – Thursday (May 9-12): 3:10, 5:30, 7:50

PURPLE RAIN (R) 1 Hr 51 Min
Saturday (May 7): 10:00pm

HIP HOP-ERATION (NR) 1 Hr 33 Min
Sunday (May 8): 3:00

COMING SOON:
(All Dates Are Tentative. Dates Often Move And Sometimes Disappear.)
May 13 – CITY OF GOLD
May 13 – KRISHA
May 20 – THE MEDDLER
May 27 – LOVE AND FRIENDSHIP
TBD – A BIGGER SPLASH
TBD – THE CONGRESSMAN
June 10 – MAGGIE’S PLAN
June 17 – DARK HORSE
TBD – HUNT FOR THE WILDERPEOPLE
TBD – SWISS ARMY MAN
TBD – CAPTAIN FANTASTIC
July 22 – ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS
July 29 – CAFE SOCIETY

Tom Hanks Fever + Cincinnati & Dayton’s MILES AHEAD at THE NEON!

April 21, 2016 By Jonathan McNeal

Hello Everyone,

We’re cleaning house this week! On Friday, we will start two brand new films. First is Don Cheadle’s MILES AHEAD. This film was shot in Cincinnati and Dayton, and many filmmakers and actors from the region participated in the production (I even had the privilege of being an extra for a day back in 2014). In addition, we’ll open A HOLOGRAM FOR THE KING – starring Tom Hanks. Dayton is currently quite excited about Hanks and his attachment to Wright State University. Interestingly, Stuart McDowell of WSU visited Hanks on the set of HOLOGRAM FOR A KING in Berlin. It was during this meeting that Hanks agreed to put his name on the new “Tom Hanks Center for Motion Pictures” at WSU. (Would you like to win an autographed poster? Keep reading.)

Synopsis for MILES AHEAD: “In the midst of a dazzling and prolific career at the forefront of modern jazz innovation, Miles Davis (Don Cheadle) virtually disappears from public view for a period of five years in the late 1970s. Alone and holed up in his home, he is beset by chronic pain from a deteriorating hip, his musical voice stifled and numbed by drugs and pain medications, his mind haunted by unsettling ghosts from the past.” (taken from Sony Classics) Shot in Cincinnati & Dayton, this improvisation on the life of Miles Davis is a treat for music lovers! Click this LINK to visit the film’s official website.

Synopsis for A HOLOGRAM FOR THE KING: This film is based on the beloved novel by Dave Eggers and directed by visionary director Tom Tykwer. “Cultures collide when an American businessman (Tom Hanks) is sent to Saudi Arabia to close what he hopes will be the deal of a lifetime. Baffled by local customs and stymied by an opaque bureaucracy, he eventually finds his footing with the help of a wise-cracking taxi driver (Alexander Black) and a beautiful Saudi doctor (Sarita Choudhury).” (taken from Roadside Attractions) Click this LINK to visit the film’s official website. (More about Hanks, HOLOGRAM and WSU below.)

On Monday, April 25 at 7:30, Gathr Films along with Tricia Rau-Hammond will present a one-time screening of the new documentary MILK. “Through an intimate and artistic lens, MILK brings a universal perspective on the politics, commercialization and controversies surrounding birth and infant feeding over the canvas of stunningly beautiful visuals and poignant voices from around the globe. Inspiring, informative, provocative and sensitive, MILK celebrates bringing a new life into this world with a strong call to action and reflection.” (taken from Press Notes) In addition to the screening, the evening will feature a raffle of prizes from Luna Blue’s Boutique. Advanced tickets must be purchased on the Gathr site by following this LINK. If tickets remain, they will be available at our box office one hour before the screening.

“The seniors from the award winning Motion Picture program at Wright State University are showcasing their thesis work at the annual BIG LENS FILM FESTIVAL. The film festival of new work is scheduled for May 1st, 2016 at 7:30. There will be work from Joe Cook, Alan Lewin, Mitch Centers, Sydney Waltz, Brian Roll, C. B. Hovey, Jessica Barton, Michaela Scholl, Eric Risher, and Liz Lowe. Past participants in Big Lens have won awards at festivals such as Slamdance, Student Academy Awards, and Sundance.” (taken from press notes) Tickets are $7 and can now be purchased at THE NEON’s box office.

Thursday, May 5 at 7:30 has been reserved for a showcase of student work from Stivers School for the Arts. I’ll have more details for you soon!

Would you like to win a poster from HOLOGRAM FOR THE KING signed by Tom Hanks? During our run of the film, you can enter your name for a chance to win one. Stuart McDowell helped to get posters autographed for us during yesterday’s festivities at WSU with Hanks – a truly fantastic event! Here are a couple photos I took from the ceremony.

Thanks for your continued support.
I hope to see you soon at THE NEON,
Jonathan

SHOWTIMES for Friday, April 22 – Thursday, April 28:

MILES AHEAD (R) 1 Hr 40 Min
Friday & Saturday (Apr 22 & 23): 12:50, 3:00, 5:10, 7:30, 9:45
Sunday (Apr 24): 12:50, 3:00, 5:10, 7:30
Monday-Thursday (Apr 25-28): 3:00, 5:10, 7:30

A HOLOGRAM FOR THE KING (R) 1 Hr 37 Min
Friday & Saturday (Apr 22 & 23): 12:30, 2:45, 5:00, 7:20, 9:40
Sunday (Apr 24): 12:30, 2:45, 5:00, 7:20
Monday (Apr 25): 3:10, 5:20
Tuesday-Thursday (Apr 26-28): 3:10, 5:20, 7:40

MILK – BORN INTO THIS WORLD (NR) 1 Hr 30 Min
Monday (Apr 25): 7:30
ONE NIGHT ONLY!

COMING SOON:
(All Dates Are Tentative. Dates Often Move And Sometimes Disappear.)
TBD – THE DARK HORSE
TBD – KRISHA
TBD – THE CONGRESSMAN
May 6 – SING STREET
May 13 – LOVE AND FRIENDSHIP
May 27 – THE MEDDLER
June 10 – MAGGIE’S PLAN
June 17 – DARK HORSE

Sally Field’s DORIS Soars! Hank Williams Biopic Opens Friday at THE NEON!

March 30, 2016 By Jonathan McNeal

Hello Everyone,

Many thanks to everyone who came out to see HELLO, MY NAME IS DORIS this weekend. The response was terrific, and DORIS will certainly stick around. If you’re a Terrence Malick fan (or a fan of Christian Bale, Cate Blanchett or Natalie Portman) and you still need to see KNIGHT OF CUPS, Thursday will be your last chance to see it at THE NEON. On Friday, we will open the new Hank Williams biopic – I SAW THE LIGHT – featuring an incredible central performance by Tom Hiddleston.

Synopsis for I SAW THE LIGHT: “I SAW THE LIGHT tells the story of the iconic, tormented singer-songwriter Hank Williams who revolutionized country music with his raw charisma, haunting voice and original songs, most of which are considered American standards today and have been recorded many times over by pop, rock and country artists alike. Hank Williams (Tom Hiddleston) emerged from the local Alabama music scene after World War II. Wife Audrey (Elizabeth Olsen) was desperate to sing by his side despite being of lesser talent, which fueled an extremely turbulent home life.” (Sony Classics) Stephen Hubbard of ABC-Nashville wrote, “Not since Sissy Spacek portrayed Loretta Lynn as an actor inhabited a legend like Tom Hiddleston playing Hank Williams.” Click this LINK to visit the film’s official site.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jc2TEsl7vC8

We’re only a week away from THE DAYTON JEWISH FILM FESTIVAL, and this year’s selections look like a winning line-up! The fest begins in early April with screenings and speakers all around town. Here’s a list of films that will screen at THE NEON:
Thursday, April 7 – 7:15pm – ATOMIC FALAFEL
Sunday, April 10 – 7:15pm – THE LAST MENTSCH
Tuesday, April 12 – 9:30am – GETT: THE TRIAL OF VIVIANE AMSALEM
Tuesday, April 12 – 7:15pm – BORROWED IDENTITY
Thursday, April 14 – 7:15pm – APPLES FROM THE DESERT
Sunday, April 17 – 5:20pm – MAKING MORNING STAR
Sunday, April 17 – 7:15pm – DOUGH
Advanced tickets are available on the festival’s official site.

On Wednesday, April 20 at 7:30, “Go Wild for Earth Month at the WILD AND SCENIC FILM FESTIVAL presented by Aveda and the SierraClub. The evening will be a celebration of wilderness and waterways as we take a cinematic tour of rivers, lakes, oceans and the individuals exploring, enjoying, and protecting them. Over 15 films spanning the globe highlight why our waterways should be wild.” (taken from press notes) Tickets are $10 each in advance, and they can be purchased via this LINK. If tickets remain, they will be sold one hour before the event at our box office for $12 each. All proceeds benefit the Sierra Club.

On Monday, April 25 at 7:30, Gathr Films along with Tricia Rau-Hammond will present a one-time screening of the new documentary MILK. “Through an intimate and artistic lens, MILK brings a universal perspective on the politics, commercialization and controversies surrounding birth and infant feeding over the canvas of stunningly beautiful visuals and poignant voices from around the globe. Inspiring, informative, provocative and sensitive, MILK celebrates bringing a new life into this world with a strong call to action and reflection.” (taken from Press Notes) In addition to the screening, the evening will feature a raffle of prizes from Luna Blue’s Boutique. Advanced tickets must be purchased on the Gathr site by following this LINK. If tickets remain, they will be available at our box office one hour before the screening.

Next Friday (April 8), we’re slated to open DEMOLITION – the new film from Jean Marc Vallee (director of WILD and DALLAS BUYERS CLUB). It stars Jake Gyllenhaal & Naomi Watts, and it was the Opening Night Film at last year’s Toronto International Film Festival. I think many of you will love it!

We hope to see you soon!
Thanks for your continued support,
Jonathan

SHOWTIMES for Monday, March 28 – Thursday, April 7:

KNIGHT OF CUPS (R) 1 Hr 58 Min
Monday – Thursday (March 28-31): 3:00, 5:30, 8:00
FINAL DAY – March 31!

HELLO, MY NAME IS DORIS (R) 1 Hr 35 Min
Monday – Thursday (March 28-31): 3:00, 5:15, 7:30
Friday & Saturday (April 1 & 2): 12:20, 2:40, 5:00, 7:20, 9:30
Sunday (April 3): 12:20, 2:40, 5:00, 7:20
Monday – Wednesday (April 4-6): 3:00, 5:15, 7:30
Thursday (April 7): 3:00, 5:15

I SAW THE LIGHT (R) 2 Hrs 3 Min
Friday & Saturday (April 1 & 2): 1:00, 4:00, 7:00, 9:30
Sunday (April 3): 1:00, 4:00, 7:00
Monday – Thursday (April 4-7): 3:00, 5:30, 8:00

DAYTON JEWISH FILM FESTIVAL
Thursday (April 7): ATOMIC FALAFEL (NR) – 7:15

COMING SOON:
(All Dates Are Tentative. Dates Often Move And Sometimes Disappear.)
April 8 – DEMOLITION (Opening Night film from TIFF)
April ? – REMEMBER
April 22 – MILES AHEAD (shot in Cincinnati & Dayton)
April ? – THE DARK HORSE
April ? – KRISHA
May 6 – SING STREET
May 13 – LOVE AND FRIENDSHIP
May 27 – THE MEDDLER
June 10 – MAGGIE’S PLAN
June 17 – DARK HORSE

Sally Field’s DORIS & Star-Studded Malick Film Open Friday at THE NEON!

March 23, 2016 By Jonathan McNeal

Hello Everyone,

We’re cleaning house this week! If you need to see HITCHCOCK/TRUFFAUT, MUSTANG, SON OF SAUL or LADY IN THE VAN, Thursday will be your last chance to catch them at THE NEON. On Friday, we’ll begin a film that many of you have expressed excitement about – HELLO, MY NAME IS DORIS – starring Sally Field. In addition, we’ll begin a film by master filmmaker Terrence Malick with a star-studded cast – KNIGHT OF CUPS.

Synopsis for HELLO, MY NAME IS DORIS: “When Doris Miller meets John Fremont, her company’s hip new art director, sparks fly-at least for Doris. In the cluttered house she shared with her late mother, Doris mines the Internet for information on her one-and-only, guided by the 13-year-old granddaughter of her best pal Roz. When Doris begins showing up at John’s regular haunts, she wins over his Williamsburg friends. Her new life brings Doris a thrilling perspective, but also creates a rift between her and her longtime friends and family, who believe she’s making a fool of herself over a guy half her age. Eager for all the experiences she has missed out on, Doris throws caution to the wind and follows her heart for the very first time.” VARIETY wrote, “A showstopper. Sally Field shines.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pdn-CcRypo8

Synopsis for KNIGHT OF CUPS: “Knight of Cups follows writer Rick (Christian Bale) on an odyssey through the playgrounds of Los Angeles and Las Vegas as he undertakes a search for love and self. Even as he moves through a desire-laden landscape of mansions, resorts, beaches and clubs, Rick grapples over complicated relationships with his brother (Wes Bentley) and father (Brian Dennehy). His quest to break the spell of his disenchantment takes him on a series of adventures with six alluring women: rebellious Della (Imogen Poots); his physician ex-wife, Nancy (Cate Blanchett); a serene model Helen (Freida Pinto); a woman he wronged in the past Elizabeth (Natalie Portman); a spirited, playful stripper Karen (Teresa Palmer); and an innocent Isabel (Isabel Lucas), who helps him see a way forward. Rick moves in a daze through a strange and overwhelming dreamscape — but can he wake up to the beauty, humanity and rhythms of life around him? The deeper he searches, the more the journey becomes his destination.” THE VILLAGE VOICE wrote, “KNIGHT OF CUPS might be both the most intoxicating film [Malik] has ever made-a deluge of gorgeous, kinetic images and sounds-and, in some ways, the most perplexing.” Click this LINK to visit the film’s official site.

It’s almost time for THE DAYTON JEWISH FILM FESTIVAL, and this year’s selections look like a winning line-up! The fest begins in early April with screenings and speakers all around town. Here’s a list of films that will screen at THE NEON:
Thursday, April 7 – 7:15pm – ATOMIC FALAFEL
Sunday, April 10 – 7:15pm – THE LAST MENTSCH
Tuesday, April 12 – 9:30am – GETT: THE TRIAL OF VIVIANE AMSALEM
Tuesday, April 12 – 7:15pm – BORROWED IDENTITY
Thursday, April 14 – 7:15pm – APPLES FROM THE DESERT
Sunday, April 17 – 5:20pm – MAKING MORNING STAR
Sunday, April 17 – 7:15pm – DOUGH
Advanced tickets are available on the festival’s official site.

On Wednesday, April 20 at 7:30, “Go Wild for Earth Month at the WILD AND SCENIC FILM FESTIVAL presented by Aveda and the SierraClub. The evening will be a celebration of wilderness and waterways as we take a cinematic tour of rivers, lakes, oceans and the individuals exploring, enjoying, and protecting them. Over 15 films spanning the globe highlight why our waterways should be wild.” (taken from press notes) Tickets are $10 each and can be purchased in advance via this LINK. If tickets remain, they will be sold one hour before the event at our box office. All proceeds benefit the Sierra Club.

We hope to see you soon!
Thanks for your continued support!
Jonathan

SHOWTIMES for Tuesday, March 22 – Thursday, March 31:

THE LADY IN THE VAN (PG-13) 1 Hr 44 Min
Tuesday – Thursday (March 22-24): 3:00, 7:30
FINAL DAY – March 24!

SON OF SAUL (R) 1 Hr 47 Min
Tuesday-Thursday (March 22-24): 5:10
FINAL DAY – March 24!

HITCHCOCK/TRUFFAUT (PG-13) 1 Hr 19 Min
Tuesday-Thursday (March 22-24): 5:15
FINAL DAY – March 24!

MUSTANG (PG-13) 1 Hr 37 Min
Tuesday-Thursday (March 22-24): 3:15, 7:30
FINAL DAY – March 24!

HELLO, MY NAME IS DORIS (R) 1 Hr 35 Min
Friday & Saturday (March 25 & 26): 12:20, 2:40, 5:00, 7:20, 9:30
Sunday (March 27): 12:20, 2:40, 5:00, 7:20
Monday – Thursday (March 28-31): 3:00, 5:15, 7:30

KNIGHT OF CUPS (R) 1 Hr 58 Min
Friday, Saturday, Sunday (March 25-27): 12:30, 3:00, 5:30, 8:00
Monday – Thursday (March 28-31): 3:00, 5:30, 8:00

COMING SOON:
(All Dates Are Tentative. Dates Often Move And Sometimes Disappear.)
April 1 – I SAW THE LIGHT
April 8 – DEMOLITION
April ? – REMEMBER
April 22 – MILES AHEAD (shot in Cincinnati & Dayton)
April ? – THE DARK HORSE
April ? – KRISHA
May 6 – SING STREET
May 13 – LOVE AND FRIENDSHIP
May 27 – THE MEDDLER
June 10 – MAGGIE’S PLAN
June 17 – DARK HORSE

New Michael Moore Film Now Playing at THE NEON!

February 13, 2016 By Jonathan McNeal

Hello Everyone,

We just opened a documentary that is insightful, optimistic and terribly funny – Michael Moore’s WHERE TO INVADE NEXT. Knowing Moore’s work, you might look at the title and feel as though you already know where this film is going…but it’s actually quite a different tone (more below). In addition, we’re holding ANOMALISA as well as the OSCAR NOMINATED SHORTS (we’ve even brought back the documentaries for a few screenings). On February 19, we will open the new highly-anticipated Maggie Smith film – THE LADY IN THE VAN.

Synopsis for WHERE TO INVADE NEXT: “WHERE TO INVADE NEXT is an expansive, rib-tickling, and subversive comedy in which Moore, playing the role of ‘invader,’ visits a host of nations to learn how the U.S. could improve its own prospects. The creator of FAHRENHEIT 9/11 and BOWLING FOR COLUMBINE is back with this hilarious and eye-opening call to arms. Turns out the solutions to America’s most entrenched problems already existed in the world – they’re just waiting to be co-opted.” (taken from Drafthouse Films) Entertainment Weekly wrote, “Where to Invade Next is so heartfelt and sincere, it’s tempting to say that Moore’s mellowed with age. But beneath its innocent-abroad optimism, the film has a stinging truth that’s hard to ignore.” Click this LINK to visit the film’s official site.

Our friends at ThinkTV are helping us once again to get a signal for our Annual FREE Oscar Party! This year’s telecast will happen on Sunday, February 28, and Ballots (where you can predict the winners for awesome prizes) are now available in our lobby. Our friends at Square One Salon & Spa are once again donating a fantastic prize that will part of our Grand Prize – “The Star Treatment.” Keep tuning in for more details!

“The Junior Leaguers Club of Dayton will sponsor a screening of OPPOSITE FIELD on March 5, 2016 at Noon. This is the club’s fifth annual fundraiser at THE NEON, and this movie is a classic underdog sports story about an Ugandan Little League team. This documentary is inspiring and will have the audience displaying a wide range of emotions as the team makes history as the first African team hosted by the Little League World Series. This is a great film for adults and our youth. The funds raised will go into the Junior Leaguers Club scholarship fund. The tickets are $30 for adults (which include movie, glass of wine, glass of soda, and popcorn) and $15 for students (which include soda and popcorn). Tickets can be purchased at THE NEON. Guest speakers for this screening will be Mr. Ron Johnson, president First Dayton Little League and Mr. Keith Byars, former NFL professional player and a little league player in his youth.” (taken from press notes)

Due to the upcoming holiday, we will have later hours on Sunday and earlier hours on Monday. Please see all of our upcoming showtimes below.

We hope to see you soon!
Thanks for your continued support!
Jonathan

SHOWTIMES for Saturday, Feb. 13 – Thursday, Feb. 18:

OSCAR NOMINATED SHORTS: ANIMATION (NR) 1 Hr 26 Min
Saturday, Sunday (Feb 13-14): 9:30
Monday (Feb 15): No Screening
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday (Feb 16-18): 3:15

OSCAR NOMINATED SHORTS: LIVE ACTION (NR) 1 Hr 47 Min
Friday – Thursday (Feb 12-18): 5:10

ANOMALISA (R) 1 Hr 30 Min
Saturday, Sunday, Monday (Feb 13-15): 12:00, 7:30
Tuesday (Feb 16): 7:30
Wednesday (Feb 17): No Screening
Thursday (Feb 18): 7:30

OSCAR NOMINATED SHORTS: DOCUMENTARY (NR) 2 Hr 44 Min
Saturday, Sunday, Monday (Feb 13-15): 1:50
Tuesday (Feb 16): No Screening
Wednesday (Feb 17): 7:30
Thursday (Feb 18): No Screening

WHERE TO INVADE NEXT (R) 1 Hr 59 Min
Saturday, Sunday (Feb 13 & 14): 11:50, 2:20, 4:50, 7:20, 9:50
Monday (Feb 15): 11:50, 2:20, 4:50, 7:20
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday (Feb 16-18): 2:50, 5:20, 7:45

COMING SOON:
(All Dates Are Tentative. Dates Often Move And Sometimes Disappear.)
Feb. 19 – LADY IN THE VAN (Maggie Smith – need we say more?)
Mar. 4 – JANIS: LITTLE GIRL BLUE
TBD – 45 YEARS (Oscar Nomination for Charlotte Rampling)
TBD – SON OF SAUL (Oscar Nominated “Best Foreign Film”)
March 25 – KNIGHT OF CUPS
April 1 – I SAW THE LIGHT
TBD – THE LOBSTER, DEMOLITION, THE BRONZE

CAROL Soars at THE NEON! PEGGY GUGGENHEIM Doc & Return of SPOTLIGHT Start Friday!

January 12, 2016 By Jonathan McNeal

Hello Everyone,

What a fantastic weekend! Many thanks to everyone who came out for CAROL at THE NEON! This stunning film surpassed the national average for us and has already reached “hit status” in our books. Don’t forget that your ticket stub to CAROL gets you 50% off admission to America’s Packard Museum – just a few blocks away.

We’re holding everything we’ve got (CAROL, THE DANISH GIRL and TRUMBO), and we’re adding a couple more films to the line-up. First off, we’re bringing a documentary that has received several requests – but it will only play for a handful of screenings – PEGGY GUGGENHEIM: ART ADDICT. In addition, we will bring SPOTLIGHT back into the mix…we’re pretty certain it will receive numerous Oscar nominations on Thursday.

Speaking of Oscars, I’m happy to announce that our friends at ThinkTV have once again agreed to help us get a signal for our annual Oscar Party. Save the date for Sunday, February 28. More details coming soon!

Synopsis for PEGGY GUGGENHEIM: ART ADDICT: “Lisa Immordino Vreeland follows up her acclaimed debut DIANA VREELAND: THE EYE HAS TO TRAVEL with PEGGY GUGGENHEIM: ART ADDICT. A colorful character who was not only ahead of her time but helped to define it, Peggy Guggenheim was an heiress to her family fortune who became a central figure in the modern art movement. As she moved through the cultural upheaval of the 20th century, she collected not only art, but artists. Her colorful personal history included such figures as Samuel Beckett, Max Ernst, Jackson Pollock, Alexander Calder, Marcel Duchamp as well as countless others. While fighting through personal tragedy, she maintained her vision to build one of the most important collections of modern art, now enshrined in her Venetian palazzo.” (Submarine Deluxe) Click this LINK to visit the film’s official website.

Garry Harrington is bringing a cycling film to town on Wednesday, February 3 at 7:30. Sponsored by Five Rivers MetroParks, “INSPIRED TO RIDE is the followup film from the creators of the wildly popular and award-winning film RIDE THE DIVIDE, as well as their second film, REVEAL THE PATH. On June 7, 2014, forty-five cyclists from around the world set out on the inaugural TransAm Bike Race, a 4,233-mile cross-country, self-supported race from Astoria, OR, to Yorktown, VA. The route roughly follows the TransAmerica Trail as created by the Adventure Cycling Association, traversing through ten states in a transcontinental adventure of epic proportions…These athletes will endure agonizing climbs in the Rockies, driving winds in the Great Plains and sawtooth switchbacks in the Appalachians all for a pat on the back, potential bragging rights and a cold beer when it’s over. Some are out to make history and set records, while others are simply trying to finish.” Advanced tickets are $12 each and are only available at this LINK. Same day tickets (if available) will be $15 at our box office one hour before the screening.

We hope to see you soon!
Thanks for your continued support!
Jonathan

SHOWTIMES for Tuesday, Jan. 12 – Thursday, Jan. 21:

THE DANISH GIRL (R) 2 Hrs
Tuesday – Thursday (Jan 12-14): 2:40, 7:45
Fri, Sat, Sun (Jan 15-17): 7:15
Monday (Jan 18): 5:45
Tuesday – Thursday (Jan 19-21): 5:15

TRUMBO (R) 2 Hrs 4 Min
Tuesday – Thursday (Jan 12-14): 5:15
Fri, Sat, Sun (Jan 15-17): 4:45
Monday (Jan 18): 3:20
Tuesday – Thursday (Jan 19-21): 2:40

CAROL (R) 1 Hr 58 Min
Tuesday – Thursday (Jan 12-14): 2:50, 5:20, 7:50
Friday & Saturday (Jan 15 & 16): 11:45, 2:15, 4:45, 7:20, 9:50
Sunday (Jan 17): 11:45, 2:15, 4:45, 7:20
Monday (Jan 18): 3:15, 5:40, 8:00
Tuesday – Thursday (Jan 19-21): 2:50, 5:20, 7:50

PEGGY GUGGENHEIM: ART ADDICT (NR) 1 Hr 39 Min
ONLY 4 SCREENINGS OF THIS FILM!
Fri, Sat, Sun (Jan 15-17): Noon
Wednesday (Jan 20): 7:45

SPOTLIGHT (R) 2 Hrs 8 Min
Friday & Saturday (Jan 15 & 16): 2:10, 9:45
Sunday (Jan 17): 2:10
Monday (Jan 18): 8:10
Tuesday (Jan 19): 7:45
Wednesday (Jan 20): No Screening
Thursday (Jan 21): 7:45

COMING SOON:
(All Dates Are Tentative. Dates Often Move And Sometimes Disappear.)
Jan. 22 – ANOMALISA (Charlie Kaufman’s new film)
Jan. 22 – YOUTH (starring Michael Caine & Harvey Keitel)
Feb. 12 – WHERE TO INVADE NEXT (Michael Moore’s new film)
TBD – OSCAR NOMINATED SHORTS
Feb. 19 – LADY IN THE VAN (Maggie Smith – need we say more?)
TBD – SON OF SAUL (almost certain to get an Oscar nomination)
TBD – 45 YEARS (Big Oscar Push for Charlotte Rampling)