Jonathan McNeal

Toronto – Day #6 – 2013

September 11, 2013 By Jonathan McNeal Leave a Comment

Today is my last day of needing to wait in line for early-morning tickets…thus my last day of waking up at 6:00am. How refreshing!

In addition to seeing 3 films yesterday, I got to hang out with a dear friend, Bill Taylor, who I met in line at a screening of TALK TO HER (one of my favorite Almodovar films) back in 2002 (my first year at TIFF). Bill just completed his first feature film (which I will soon get a chance to see), and we have played 2 of his short films at the Dayton LGBT Film Festival over the years. It was great to catch up.

VIOLETTE was the first film of the day, and it made me want to go out and pick up a bundle of books. This is a film about Violette Leduc and how she became a well-known author. A large portion of the film focuses on her relationship with Simone de Beauvoir, and several other renowned French authors work their way into the narrative. The film is gorgeously directed by Martin Provost – director of SERAPHINE (if you haven’t seen this film, I highly recommend it – available via netflix, etc.), and it’s a wonderful story of self-discovery through writing.

IDA, perhaps the most visually stunning film I’ve seen this year, is a lovely, quiet film (shot in black & white in a 1:37 aspect ratio (which means it appears more like a square than a rectangle)). A young Catholic girl – about to take her vows as a nun – goes into the city to meet her aunt for the first time. During the trip, she discovers her true roots and the life she had before being brought to the convent. I loved this film.

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRzbCZtiWYc’]

TOM AT THE FARM is the new film by Xavier Dolan. Based on a play, this is the first time Dolan has directed material that was in-part written by someone else…and it works. I felt that Dolan’s last film suffered from its length – this one feels just right. Tom visits the family of his recently deceased lover, and the mother didn’t know of her son’s homosexuality. Very different in tone from Dolan’s first three films, this is a psychological thriller that becomes rather creepy. Though I questioned a couple script choices, I ultimately really liked this film. (The clip below doesn’t do the film justice…but at least you’ll get a small glance.)

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b8bq-MGazn0′]

Thanks for reading! Off to more screenings!

Toronto – Day #5 – 2013

September 10, 2013 By Jonathan McNeal Leave a Comment

Hello!

Yesterday ended up being not as productive as I had planned. I only saw 3 films in their entirety…and the festival is officially starting to wear me out. The early morning line-up is dwindling. Some industry folks have already left town, and some of this drop-off is due merely to communal exhaustion.

First off, I saw a film called BELLE – a Fox Searchlight film (which means we’ll more than likely play it…but it won’t come out until next Spring) set in 18-century Britain about a mixed-race woman who is accepted by her affluent father and is brought up in high class society. Though not given all the same treatment due to her skin color and the fact that she is “illegitimate,” she is given a good education and is rather free-spirited. After asking lots of questions and meeting an idealistic son of the town vicar, she becomes instrumental in ending slavery in England. This film is beautifully shot and will be a crowd-pleaser – on par with films like YOUNG VICTORIA and THE DUCHESS.

THE INVISIBLE WOMAN is based on the true story of Charles Dickens and his secret relationship with a younger woman. Directed by and starring Ralph Fiennes, this is a lovely, intelligent film about a strong-willed woman facing her past. The lead character is played with a rich, layered performance by Felicity Jones (she had a small part in the under-appreciated HYSTERIA), and Sony Classics is positioning this film for a limited Christmas release – which makes it clear that they will push for some Oscar attention. The art direction, the costumes, and the performances are all lovely, and though the pacing is slow, lovers of mid-career Merchant Ivory films (like THE BOSTONIANS and MAURICE) will be delighted. Fiennes and Jones were present for a Q&A after the screening.

UNDER THE SKIN is the new, highly anticipated film by Jonathan Glazer – director of SEXY BEAST and BIRTH. (It’s been a decade since his last film.) Each of his films is distinctly different, and UNDER THE SKIN is partially experimental in form. The movie is about a young woman who stalks the streets of Scotland – looking for single, unattached men. The film is sexually charged and absolutely captivating. There’s very little dialog in this film, but the images and score create poetry. A lot more could be added in describing the plot to this film, but as the catalog states, “it’s best to allow UNDER THE SKIN to reveal itself.” Lead actress Scarlett Johansson and director Jonathan Glazer were in attendance for an insightful Q&A. I can’t remember the last time I saw such an abstract film with over 1500 people…it was a nice feeling…but it won’t be appreciated by the masses. (That said, there will certainly be a cult-like following for this film.) Watch the teaser to get a small sense of tone for this film.

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kGDnbcq0BkU’]

More soon!

Thanks for reading!

Toronto – Day #4 – 2013

September 9, 2013 By Jonathan McNeal Leave a Comment

Hello!

Yesterday was another epic day. After seeing 5 films, I still managed to meet up with a couple friends for drinks…a nap is certainly in store at some point today. One person I met up with is a Dayton native (a former Neon regular and Stivers grad) – Rachel Allen. She now lives in Brooklyn and works for a PR firm in NYC…and she’s in Toronto working with a handful of films at the festival. It was great to see her, and I was delighted to hear of her recent successes.

The first film I saw in the morning was THE F WORD – a romantic comedy starring Daniel Radcliffe and Zoe Kazan. This charming film is full of fast, witty dialog (and sadly way too many poop-obsessed jokes), and it doesn’t try to be anything beyond a sweet film targeted at young adults. The story centers on 2 young people who meet at a party. The young girl, delightfully played by Kazan, is an animator who is in a relationship. The young guy, played by Radcliffe (he has 3 films at TIFF this year), is still getting over a broken heart (the opening scene has him finally deleting a year-old voicemail from his ex-girlfriend). The 2, upon meeting, have great chemistry…but they determine that they can only be friends. Thogh predictable and at times a bit too screwball for my taste, this film ultimately works.

DALLAS BUYERS CLUB was the 2nd film of the festival that I really loved. Based on a true story, this is a film about a man in the 1980’s who is diagnosed with HIV. Frustrated by the lack of FDA-approved drugs, he sets out to smuggle non-approved treatments into the US. Matthew McConaughey plays the main character, and his performance is mind-blowing. That said, Jarred Leto – who plays a trans character – is also out of this world. With lots of interesting choices (great sound design and an urgency that makes the film not seem like a period piece), this will go down as one of the best films of the year…stay tuned for lots of award season recognition.

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U8utPuIFVnU’]

Next up was a romantic, modern musical by John Carney (director of ONCE) – CAN A SONG SAVE YOUR LIFE? Starring Keira Knightley and Mark Ruffalo, this film is full of great music and good performances. It’s the story of two broken people who begin working together to produce an album of fresh, new music. I’ve heard many people raving about this film. Though I liked it, I didn’t think it was amazing. There are some magical moments, but I didn’t buy into the film entirely. (There’s a scene where Ruffalo imagines orchestrations over Knightley’s simple, guitar-accompanied performance…and I found it terribly cheesy.) There will certainly be an audience for this film, but I don’t think the results are as successful as ONCE.

PHILOMENA, the new Judi Dench film by Stephen Frears, is absolutely wonderful. This is the story of a relationship between a journalist and an aging woman. Philomena gave birth to a boy in a convent when she was 14, and the nuns found a home for him when he was an toddler. After years of feeling guilty for her sins of the flesh (the nuns were successful at shaming her for decades), a journalist takes interest in Philomena’s attempt to locate her son. The story is ultimately a mystery, but it’s so much more. The script is absolutely terrific, and the performances are rich and layered. This film is 100% NEON material! Without harping, the film has very interesting things to say at the Catholic Church, contemporary journalism and the Republican Party.

LE WEEK-END – a new film about a retirement-aged, British couple during a weekend is Paris – is clearly inspired by (and even references) films of the French New Wave. Though there are several great scenes in this film, and the performances of Jim Broadbent and Lindsay Duncan are terrific, I had a hard time connecting. Duncan’s hot/cold character changes moods on a dime, and I ultimately found her so frustrating that I found it difficult to care about anybody. Though I was ultimately moved by the film, I didn’t love it overall. Directed by Roger Michell (NOTTING HILL, THE MOTHER, VENUS, HYDE PARK ON HUDSON), I don’t see a lot of commercial success with this title.

I’m about to head into a screening of BELLE…then 3 other films today.

Thanks for reading! More tomorrow!

Toronto – Day #3 – 2013

September 8, 2013 By Jonathan McNeal Leave a Comment

Hello!

Well…I’m really exhausted this morning…but it’s my own fault. I was simply having too much fun last night, and I didn’t get to bed until about 2:00. I then got up at 6:00am and darted out the door to land in this line by 6:50. The Fox Searchlight Party was last night, and it was a winner. The cocktails were good, the food was exceptional (though I couldn’t bring myself to sample everything), and the mingling was perfect. The party was celebrating 4 films that the distributor will release this year – BELLE, DOM HEMINGWAY, ENOUGH SAID, and 12 YEARS A SLAVE. I met and chatted with several folks, and the party was full of industry folks including numerous stars (like Michael Fassbender, Alfre Woodard, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Paul Giamatti, Tom Felton, Sarah Paulson and more).

And now the films from yesterday. I saw three.

First off was HATESHIP LOVESHIP – a film by Liza Johnson starring Kristen Wiig and Guy Pearce. This film has a Dayton connection…the production design (done very well!) was by Hannah Beachler – graduate of WSU’s Motion Picture Program. The story is about a socially awkward woman – Johanna – who is hired to take care of a teenage girl with a mother who has died and somewhat absent father (the girl lives with her grandfather – played by Nick Nolte). Upon receiving a note from the girl’s father, Johanna responds with a letter that is ultimately hijacked by the girl and her friend. They devise a scheme where they respond to Johanna via e-mail and make her think that the father has developed a crush and is ultimately falling in love. It’s a cruel, teenage prank, and Johanna goes headfirst into the “relationship.” Though not without some wonderful moments, I didn’t love this film. I felt that it had some tone issues and had a few moments that I just didn’t buy. It’s nice to see Wiig do some serious material, but it was a bit of a challenge to hear her deliver some monotone, unaffected delivery and not be swept back to former SNL characters.

12 YEARS A SLAVE – I finally saw a really amazing film…one that will clearly be nominated for Best Picture along with numerous acting nominations. This new film by Steve McQueen (director of HUNGER and SHAME) is a masterpiece – based on the memoir by Solomon Northup. Northup was a free African American who was kidnapped in 1841 and sold into slavery. The film is harrowing and beautifully done, and the performances are rich and complex. After the screening, a Q&A with McQueen and several actors provided some eloquent insight into the production. Upon talking about the films of McQueen, Michael Fassbender said something that sums up the challenging material that McQueen often addresses, “As an audience member, you have to contribute. It’s not a passive experience.” Those are the films I love. I don’t want to be spoon fed, and McQueen always presents material that requires some work and introspection. One issue that I don’t think too many people want to talk about is the use of the Bible in the film. Slave owners often refer to it – justifying their rights by the Biblical text. This is not unlike people who continue to use the Bible to promote their hate-filled agendas today. Without making it a focus, I think McQueen wants us to consider how we approach this book.

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iiw1cYXQw4g’]

THERESE was the last film I saw yesterday. Based on the novel THERESE RAQUIN by Emile Zola, this film stars Elizabeth Olsen, Tom Felton, and Jessica Lang – who were all present for a Q&A following the film – along with director Charlie Stratton. This period story (which ultimately became the basis for THE POSTMAN ALWAYS RINGS TWICE), is about a sexually repressed young woman who must marry a sickly cousin. Upon meeting an old family friend, she has a sexual awakening and yearns to be set free from the confines of her current surroundings. This film is a bit clunky, but the production values are lovely and the performances are solid. The director mentioned one thing that attracted him to the story – it’s rare to go into a film where you change who you’re rooting for several times. I think that’s rather interesting…and I need to think about it.

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XCLBkM4OfSY’]

A few of you asked which film I walked out of yesterday. You’ll have to ask me in person…as I don’t reveal the titles of films that I don’t watch in their entirety.

More soon! Thanks for reading!

Toronto – Day #2 – 2013

September 7, 2013 By Jonathan McNeal Leave a Comment

Hello Everyone.

On my second day, I set out to see 4 films…but I really only saw 3. I sat down for my first film, and I simply couldn’t take it. After 5 minutes, I thought I might leave. After 10 minutes, I couldn’t stand it…but I thought I needed to give it more time. After 30 minutes, I simply couldn’t tolerate seeing one of my favorite actresses in such a terrible film. So I left.

A couple hours later, I made my way to LABOR DAY – the new film by Jason Reitman starring Kate Winslet and Josh Brolin. This is the story of a mother and son who live alone in a small town in the late 1980’s. Winslet’s character is extremely lonely and depressed, and her son (a nice performance by Gattlin Griffith) tries to keep her afloat. An escaped convict works his way into their home, and rather unlikely relationships ensue – new lover for mom and a father figure for her son. The movie is shot beautifully, and the performances are really wonderful – Winslet’s melancholy is palpable. I really loved a lot about this film, but it sadly has a few big annoyances…a couple bad situations and a couple moments of laugh-out-loud bad screenwriting. A slight recut could fix a lot…but I don’t think that will happen before its release.

Next up was the world premiere of the first animated feature by Chomet (director of THE TRIPLETS OF BELLVILLE) – ATTILA MARCEL. As a big fan of PARIS JE T’AIME, I was already familiar with the fact that he can direct live material with great success – he did the short about the little boy with mime parents. This film is highly stylized with lots of charm and a lot of great music. It’s the story of a mute piano player who is raised by his overbearing aunts. After meeting an herbalist who lives on a secret floor in his building, he begins to explore hidden memories of his deceased parents. Though a bit clunky (a couple devises just don’t work) and a bit long, it’s got enough magic to keep you invested…and you’ll root for the protagonist all the way through. (Sorry…there’s no trailer with subtitles.)

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gxYhMGHKZzo’]

My last film of the day was BAD HAIR from Venezuela. This is the story of a curly-haired boy who lives in the projects with his mother and her newborn. It’s a gritty existence – surrounded by gunfire, violence and rough terrain. More than anything in the world, the little boy wants straight hair so he can be “like a singer.” The mother fears that her son is gay, and her lack of education and fear for his well-being makes her take strides to eventually “heal” her son. This is a grim film – but not without moments of sheer joy. The performances are incredible from everyone, and the material is transportive. Though I wish the film had been 10-15 minutes shorter (not a whole lot happens…it would be stronger if it was tighter), I think it’s my favorite film of the festival so far (it brings to mind two other films – the great performances of childhood in TOMBOY and the gritty style of FISH TANK).

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uW0o1jz5d9Y’]

After screening 3 films, I met up with Glenn Kiser – director of SABBATICAL (which won the Audience Award at last year’s Dayton LGBT Film Festival). We had a great time catching up, and he mentioned that Dayton was one of his favorite festival experiences during his travels with SABBATICAL. I don’t think he was just feeing me a line – he mentioned the great sense of community, the friends he made, and his overall experience. I think we can be proud of that!

I’m currently in line for tickets…then off to 3 films today and a big party tonight. More soon. Thanks for reading!

Jonathan

Toronto – Day #1 (5 Films)

September 6, 2013 By Jonathan McNeal Leave a Comment

Hello!

Today was one of those packed days…and I’m thinking I might finish typing this while in line tomorrow morning (so I can get at least 5 hours of sleep).

I saw 5 films on Day #1.

First off was an Iranian film called CLOSED CURTAIN by Jafar Panahi & Kambuzia Partovi. This is a film about a man who goes into hiding with his dog – residing in a “friend’s house” where he blacks out all the windows and fears any sounds of people outside. A strange woman finds her way into the house, and tensions mount. About half way into the film, the story reveals itself. Not everything is as it seems…for this is a story being written/imagined by a director. This is a film about inspiration and character development…and how one creates under certain constraits. Not knowing Panahi’s story (of being under house arrest in Iran) could make this film a little more difficult to initially understand…though I eventually found the cinematic riddles/metaphors to be a little obtuse and tedious. (There’s a side story about how dogs are not allowed to be seen in public…and the dog in this movie steals every scene.)

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lBLiT13SBl8′]

(CONTINUED at 7:00am Friday morning)

Francois Ozon’s latest film – YOUNG AND BEAUTIFUL – is a sexually charged film about a girl losing her virginity over the summer…and how she eventually is drawn into the power-play of sexuality. At 17, while still in high school and living at home, she begins leading a double life of a prostitute. She uses on-line pornography as tutorials, and she steals her mother’s clothes to look more sophisticated. Told over the course of 4 seasons, this film has a couple clunky moments and on-the-nose song choices (and a little too overscored – though I do love the score). It even visually references BELLE DE JOUR – which is clearly loved by Ozon. Overall, I rather liked the sexual politics of the film…and I loved the ending. (Last year, I saw Ozon’s last film – IN THE HOUSE…it ended up being one of my favorites.)

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KMSiEhAw4PA’]

ABUSE OF WEAKNESS is Catherine Breillat’s latest film – based loosely on her personal story of dealing with the aftermath of a stroke and being swindled by a man who she came to admire (who was supposed to star in her next film). This film stars Isabelle Huppert, and she is out of this world! The control of her body and speech are unbelievable! Though a bit too long and sometimes a bit frustrating (though I’m guessing that might be the point…as dealing with an illness and its physical challenges can be much the same). The psychology of what makes people do things that seem out of character is a driving force of this film, and it’s worth seeing just for Huppert’s incredible performance.

KILL YOUR DARLINGS stars Daniel Radcliffe as Allen Ginsberg – which should seal the deal to mainstream America that Radcliffe can do a lot more than play a boy wizard (many already knew this given EQUUS and other examples). Though produced by Killer Films (known for a variety of indie gems over the years – BOYS DON’T CRY, FAR FROM HEAVEN, and many many more), this film seemed more “Hollywood” than anything I saw on Day #1. This is due mostly to its simplistic script. The visual style is rather nice, and most of the performances are really quite good, but it seemed a little too easy and I found myself rolling my eyes a lot – especially in the first 20 minutes (and the use of some contemporary music killed a few moments instead of making them relatable). Overall, I came away liking several things about the film – but it’s far from being a masterpiece. (Part biopic, part thriller!…you didn’t see that coming, did you? Without the opening scene set in prison, you wouldn’t really guess the film was heading that direction.)

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t6i4XR5Z4lU’]

ONLY LOVERS LEFT ALIVE was my final film of the day. Jim Jarmusch’s vampire movie isn’t what many might suspect. It’s not at all a horror film! This is a love story about 2 sophisticated people who have lived for hundreds of years. Told in a bit of a hallucinogenic haze, this film is actually full of humorous moments and thoughtful insights to today’s world. (Tom Hiddleston’s character – who plays opposite Tilda Swinton – is contemplating suicide…due mostly to being so disenchanted with the monstrous actions of today’s human beings – who he refers to as “zombies”). Told in a languid, poetic fashion, this is a character driven film with lots of long, slowly moving scenes with beautiful music and photography. Some might find the film boring (especially if they’re looking for a traditional genre film), but I thought it was rather lovely. Tilda was NOT there! Though disappointing, it was nice to see and hear Jarmusch and Hiddleston discuss the film (I didn’t previously know who Hiddleston was…but fans were shrieking with delight when he emerged from his car). Mia Wasikowska was also in attendance. She had little to say.

3 Films today. Maybe 4!

More later! Thanks for reading!

Toronto International Film Fest – I Made It To Town!

September 4, 2013 By Jonathan McNeal Leave a Comment

Hello Friends of THE NEON!

I made it to Toronto. With very little sleep, I ran right to registration and picked up my pass and catalog…which I looked at very quickly and made my first picks. The Toronto International Film Festival (which I’ll refer to now as TIFF) officially begins tomorrow night. That said, industry screenings begin tomorrow morning. Each day, my pass allows me to see 2 public screenings and numerous industry screenings. (The public screenings are more fun…they’re filled with film lovers…and the filmmakers and stars often attend those screenings.) Only a handful of tickets for those public screenings are put aside for people who have passes like mine…and we can only collect them 48 hours in advance. This means that I’ll be up every morning at 6:00 so I can leave my apartment and get in line by 7:00. At 8:00, I’ll hopefully be one of the first people in line so I can get the tickets I want….then I’m off to screenings for the rest of the day.

Each day, I’ll see 3, 4 or sometimes even 5 films (that’s a rarity, though…my eyes can only handle so much).

I just returned from grabbing a beer and plotting my next few days. I picked up some local publications and started to assess the buzz about any films that I might need to see, and my initial plan of attack is in place. With over 300 films to chose from, the scheduling can become madness…and I love it.

Thanks for checking in with my blog. One film I’ll be seeing tomorrow (Thursday night) is Jim Jarmusch’s new vampire film (not a genre I really like…but my favorite actress is the star – TILDA SWINTON). Tune in again (and each day thereafter) to read about each of the films I’m seeing (and each of the stars I see flitting around).

More soon,

Jonathan

SPECTACULAR NOW and BLUE JASMINE Continue at THE NEON!

September 3, 2013 By Jonathan McNeal Leave a Comment

Hello Everyone,

Wow! Another great weekend! It’s rare for us to label a film a “NEON Hit” in less than 2 weeks, but BLUE JASMINE hit that mark over the weekend (in just under 10 days). In addition, audiences are loving THE SPECTACULAR NOW. These are the 2 hottest indie films in release, and we truly appreciate your support! It goes without saying that we will hold both great films. If you want to know more about either movie, click each title above to visit that film’s official site.

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XDTBLSkUmYk’]

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tWLtj4LY5CA’]

“James Booker, the ‘Piano Prince of New Orleans,’ is resurrected in Lily Keber’s superb new documentary film – BAYOU MAJARAJA: THE TRAGIC GENIUS OF JAMES BOOKER. The documentary features concert footage, eyewitness accounts of the outrageous Booker in action and reflections from fellow New Orleans musicians Harry Connick Jr., Allen Toussaint, Dr. John, Aaron Neville and others. 2013’s most talked-about music documentary, the movie captures the essence of this underappreciated virtuoso. Meet Lily Keber at THE NEON when she introduces her film and leads a Q&A session following the screening.” (taken from VSOP Press Notes) This film will play one time only – Wednesday, September 18 at 7:30. Tickets are already on sale at THE NEON’s box office.

On Wednesday morning (Sept. 4), I’m heading to The Toronto International Film Festival. Though I haven’t had too much time to look at the line-up, I’m nonetheless excited to go. If all goes as planned, I’ll see at least 30 films in 9 days. If you’d like to read about my screenings (and maybe a bit about the parties and frivolities), I’ll keep a daily blog that can be found at: http://daytonmostmetro.com/tag/toronto (If you click the link now, you’ll see all my stories from last year…I’ll post my first Toronto 2013 story on Wednesday night.)

Many thanks for your continued support!
Jonathan

SHOWTIMES for Fri, Sept. 6 – Thurs, Sept. 12:

BLUE JASMINE (PG-13) 1 Hr 38 Min
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 12:30, 2:45, 5:00, 7:15, 9:30
Monday – Thursday: 3:10, 5:20, 7:30

THE SPECTACULAR NOW (R) 1 Hr 35 Min
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 12:40, 3:00, 5:15, 7:30, 9:40
Monday – Thursday: 3:00, 5:15, 7:40

COMING SOON:
As always, all dates are tentative. Many of these dates will change.
In some rare cases, titles may disappear.

Sept. 13 – BLACKFISH
Sept. 13 – SALINGER
TBD – THE HUNT
TBD – THE PATIENCE STONE
TBD – AUSTENLAND
TBD – WADJDA
Oct. 18 – ENOUGH SAID
Oct. 18 – INEQUALITY FOR ALL
TBD – CUTIE AND THE BOXER

THE SPECTACULAR NOW Opens & BLUE JASMINE Continues at THE NEON!

August 28, 2013 By Jonathan McNeal Leave a Comment

Hello Everyone,

Wow! What an incredible weekend! FilmDayton had some nice crowds over the weekend (their line-up was awesome), and BLUE JASMINE became one of our biggest openings of the year! Many thanks to all of you who came out. We were busy, and it felt great!

If you still need to see THE WAY WAY BACK, you only have a couple more days. In addition, I hope many of you will come down for our special 4-day engagement of IN THE HOUSE – one of my absolute favorite films of the year (only a few people turned out on Monday). Thursday will be the last day for both films, and you can see their schedules on our official site – www.neonmovies.com. While BLUE JASMINE will certainly stick around, we have another hot, new film opening this weekend – THE SPECTACULAR NOW. This film has garnered high praise from The Wall Street Journal, Los Angeles Times, Entertainment Weekly, USA Today, Variety, Chicago Sun-Times and many more. We hope you’ll support it!

Synopsis for THE SPECTACULAR NOW: “This is the tale of Sutter Keely, a high school senior and effortless charmer, and of how he unexpectedly falls in love with “the good girl” Aimee Finecky. What starts as an unlikely romance, becomes a sharp-eyed, straight-up snapshot of the heady confusion and haunting passion of youth – one that doesn’t look for tidy truths.” (taken from A24) This film stars Shailene Woodley – she played a daughter to George Clooney’s character in THE DESCENDANTS. She’s really wonderful. Click this LINK to visit the official site.

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wceaLzbtuDY’]

“James Booker, the ‘Piano Prince of New Orleans,’ is resurrected in Lily Keber’s superb new documentary film – BAYOU MAHARAJA: THE TRAGIC GENIUS OF JAMES BOOKER. The documentary features concert footage, eyewitness accounts of the outrageous Booker in action and reflections from fellow New Orleans musicians Harry Connick Jr., Allen Toussaint, Dr. John, Aaron Neville and others. 2013’s most talked-about music documentary, the movie captures the essence of this underappreciated virtuoso. Meet Lily Keber at THE NEON when she introduces her film and leads a Q&A session following the screening.” (taken from VSOP Press Notes) This film will play one time only – Wednesday, September 18 at 7:30. Tickets are already on sale at THE NEON’s box office.

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tV8zi0uwChk’]

I’m sad to announce that THE NEON has lost a good friend. Harish Trivedi of The India Foundation passed away earlier this month. He was such a lover of film, and he provided the community with a wealth of knowledge and passion for Indian cinema. He was a great collaborator, and his spirit and drive were infectious. He will be greatly missed.

Unfortunately, Saturday’s screening of SALMA has been cancelled. We hope it will be rescheduled for a future event, but no further details are available at this time.

Thanks for your continued support!

We hope to see you soon!
Jonathan

SHOWTIMES for Fri, Aug. 30 – Thurs, Sept. 5:

BLUE JASMINE (PG-13) 1 Hr 38 Min
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 12:30, 2:45, 5:00, 7:15, 9:30
Monday: 12:30, 2:45, 5:00, 7:15
Tuesday – Thursday: 3:10, 5:20, 7:30

THE SPECTACULAR NOW (R) 1 Hr 35 Min
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 12:40, 3:00, 5:15, 7:30, 9:40
Monday: 12:40, 3:00, 5:15, 7:40
Tuesday – Thursday: 3:00, 5:15, 7:40

COMING SOON:
As always, all dates are tentative. Many of these dates will change.
In some rare cases, titles may disappear.
TBD – BLACKFISH
TBD – THE HUNT
Sept. 13 – SALINGER
TBD – THE PATIENCE STONE
TBD – AUSTENLAND
TBD – WADJDA
Oct. 18 – ENOUGH SAID
Oct. 18 – INEQUALITY FOR ALL
TBD – CUTIE AND THE BOXER

BLUE JASMINE, IN THE HOUSE, FilmDAYTON & More Great News at THE NEON!

August 20, 2013 By Jonathan McNeal Leave a Comment

Hello Everyone,

We’ve got so much happening over the next week…I’m absolutely certain that there is something for everyone at THE NEON! In addition to FilmDayton‘s great line-up (including gems like IN A WORLD, SHORT TERM 12 and REMOTE AREA MEDICAL), we will open one of the most talked about indies of the year – Woody Allen’s BLUE JASMINE (featuring one of the most outstanding performances of Cate Blanchett’s incredible career). And it doesn’t stop there. Next Monday through Thursday, we will bring one of my favorite films of the year – Francois Ozon’s IN THE HOUSE – for a 4-day run!

Next Friday, August 30, we will open a coming of age story that critics and audiences alike are loving – THE SPECTACULAR NOW.

Synopsis for BLUE JASMINE: “After everything in her life falls to pieces, including her marriage to wealthy businessman Hal, elegant New York socialite Jasmine moves into her sister Ginger’s modest apartment in San Francisco to try to pull herself back together again.” (taken from Sony Classics) Click THIS LINK to visit the official site.

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FER3C394aI8′]

Synopsis for IN THE HOUSE: “Sixteen-year-old Claude insinuates himself into the house of fellow high school student, writing about his family in essays that perversely blur the lines between reality and fiction for his jaded literature teacher. Intrigued by this gifted and unusual student, Germain rediscovers his taste for teaching, but the boy’s intrusion sparks a series of uncontrollable events.” This was one of my Top 3 Films at last year’s Toronto Film Festival…it stars Fabrice Luchini and Kristin Scott Thomas. Be sure to check out the trailer below.

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eegoZpxQCzc’]

The FilmDayton Festival is ready to go! Film screenings will take place at THE NEON, but the festival is about a whole lot more. Check out their complete line-up on their official site.
Films/Events at THE NEON are:
Friday, Aug. 23 at 7:00 – IN A WORLD
Friday, Aug. 23 at 9:00 – FLICK MY CLIP COMEDY SHORTS
Friday, Aug. 23 at 11:00 – FRIDAY NIGHT FRIGHT
Saturday, Aug 24 at 11:00am – WYSO SCREENLESS SCREENING
Saturday, Aug 24 at 1:00 – JACK, JULES, ESTHER AND ME
Saturday, Aug 24 at 3:30 – SHORTS BLOCK #1
Saturday, Aug 24 at 6:00 – SUNDOG FESTIVAL (FREE!)
Saturday, Aug 24 at 8:30 – SHORT TERM 12
Sunday, Aug. 25 at 1:00 – SHORTS BLOCK #2
Sunday, Aug 25 at 3:30 – REMOTE AREA MEDICAL
Sunday, Aug 25 at 6:00 – BIG WORDS
Sunday, Aug 25 at 8:00 – FilmDayton AWARDS

As an FYI, Tickets to both screenings of WSU’s BIG LENS FILM FESTIVAL are completely sold out!

In next week’s week’s newsletter, I’ll have more details about VSOP’s special screening of BAYOU MAHARAJA: THE TRAGIC GENIUS OF JAMES BOOKER – slated for Wed, Sept. 18 at 7:30.

We’ve got so much going on!
We hope to see you soon!
All the best,
Jonathan

SHOWTIMES for Fri, Aug. 23 – Thurs, Aug. 29:

BLUE JASMINE (PG-13) 1 Hr 38 Min
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 12:30, 2:45, 5:00, 7:15, 9:30
Monday – Thursday: 3:10, 5:20, 7:30

IN THE HOUSE (R) 1 Hr 45 Min
Monday – Thursday: 3:00, 7:45

THE WAY WAY BACK (PG-13) 1 Hr 43 Min
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: NO SCREENINGS
Monday – Thursday: 5:30

THE FILMDAYTON FESTIVAL
Friday: 7:00, 9:00, 11:00
Saturday: 11:00am, 1:00, 3:30, 6:00, 8:30
Sunday: 1:00, 3:30, 6:00, 8:00

COMING SOON:
As always, all dates are tentative. Many of these dates will change.
In some rare cases, titles may disappear.
Aug. 30 – THE SPECTACULAR NOW
TBD – THE HUNT
Sept. 13 – SALINGER
Sept. ? – BLACKFISH
TBD – THE PATIENCE STONE
TBD – AUSTENLAND
TBD – WADJDA
Oct. 18 – ENOUGH SAID
Oct. 18 – INEQUALITY FOR ALL
TBD – CUTIE AND THE BOXER

I’M SO EXCITED – Almodovar’s Latest & BIG LENS News at THE NEON!

August 15, 2013 By Jonathan McNeal Leave a Comment

Hello Everyone,

Tomorrow (Fri, Aug 16), we will open the new film from my favorite director Pedro Almodovar – I’M SO EXCITED. This film is a return to the tone of his earlier work. It’s a sex farce that’s more in the vein of WOMEN ON THE VERGE OF A NERVOUS BREAKDOWN than ALL ABOUT MY MOTHER, but it’s certainly not without social commentary. Even though Almodovar’s work runs the gamut in regards to stories and themes, you can always tell his work by the incredible design and color palette.

Synopsis for I’M SO EXCITED: “A very varied group of people are in a precarious situation aboard a plane flying to Mexico City. A technical failure (a kind of justifiable negligence, even though it sounds contradictory, but that’s what human actions are) has endangered the lives of the passengers on Peninsula Flight 2549. The pilots, hardened, experienced professionals are striving, along with their colleagues in the Control Center, to find a solution. The flight attendants and the chief steward are atypical, baroque characters who, in the face of danger, try to forget their own personal problems and devote themselves body and soul to the task of making the flight as enjoyable as possible for the passengers, while they wait for a solution. Life in the clouds is as complicated as it is at ground level, and for the same reasons, which could be summarized in two: sex and death.” (taken from Sony Classics) Click this LINK to visit the official site.

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lkdv-La2anI’]

The FilmDayton Festival is ready to kick off next weekend with the opening night film of IN A WORLD! Film screenings will take place at THE NEON, but the festival is about a whole lot more…and it’s scheduled for August 23-25. Check out their line-up on the official site.

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bZHBjLFu5is’]

And speaking of FilmDayton, WSU’s Annual Big Lens Film Festival will kick off the festival this year. “The 21st Annual Big Lens Film Festival will premiere on Thursday, August 22nd at the THE NEON…Every year, Big Lens screens a selection of the very best short films to come from the Wright State University Motion Picture program, and this year is no different! Ranging from documentary to narrative, these six films cover a wide variety of subjects and emotions. There will be two screenings shown concurrently, one at 7:30pm and one at 8:00. Following the screenings, there will be a Q&A with the filmmakers, emceed by Oscar-nominated filmmaker Julia Reichert. Tickets to either screening are $7 each, and are now available at THE NEON. Some films may contain adult content.” (taken from Big Lens press notes)

The India Foundation is also gearing up for another special screening. “When Salma, a young Muslim girl in a south Indian village, was 13 years old, her family locked her up for 25 years, forbidding her to study and forcing her into marriage. During that time, words were Salma’s salvation. She began covertly composing poems on scraps of paper and, through an intricate system, was able to sneak them out of the house, eventually getting them into the hands of a publisher. Against the odds, Salma became the most famous Tamil poet: the first step to discovering her own freedom and challenging the traditions and code of conduct in her village.” The India Foundation Celebrates One Hundred Years of Indian Cinema with this month’s selection – SALMA – the critically acclaimed documentary by Kim Longinotto – Saturday, August 31, 2013 at 12 noon. This is the first public screening in Ohio and outside the festival circuit!

We’ve got so much going on!
We hope to see you soon!

All the best,
Jonathan

SHOWTIMES for Fri, Aug. 16 – Thurs, Aug. 22:

I’M SO EXCITED (R) 1 Hr 30 Min
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 12:50, 3:00, 5:10, 7:20, 9:30
Monday – Wednesday: 3:15, 5:30, 7:45
Thursday: 3:15, 5:30

THE WAY WAY BACK (PG-13) 1 Hr 43 Min
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 12:30, 2:45, 5:00, 7:15, 9:30
Monday – Wednesday: 3:00, 5:15, 7:30
Thursday: 3:00, 5:15

WSU’S BIG LENS FILM FESTIVAL (NR)
1 Hr 30 Min + Discussion
Thursday: 7:30 (large auditorium), 8:00 (small auditorium)

COMING SOON:
As always, all dates are tentative. Many of these dates will change.
In some rare cases, titles may disappear.
8/23 – BLUE JASMINE
8/26-29 – IN THE HOUSE
8/30 – BLACKFISH
TBD – THE HUNT
9/13 – SALINGER
9/? – THE SPECTACULAR NOW
TBD – THE PATIENCE STONE
TBD – AUSTENLAND
TBD – CUTIE AND THE BOXER
10/18 – INEQUALITY FOR NOW
10/18 – ENOUGH SAID
TBD – WADJDA

FILL THE VOID Opening at THE NEON!

August 8, 2013 By Jonathan McNeal Leave a Comment

Hello Everyone,

We’re moving along this week. On Friday (Aug. 9), we will open a lovely new Israeli film called FILL THE VOID.

Synopsis for FILL THE VOID: “Fill the Void tells the story of an Orthodox Hassidic family from Tel Aviv. Eighteen-year-old Shira is the youngest daughter of the family. She is about to be married off to a promising young man of the same age and background. It is a dream-come-true, and Shira feels prepared and excited. On Purim, her twenty-eight-year-old sister, Esther, dies while giving birth to her first child. The pain and grief that overwhelm the family postpone Shira’s promised match…When the girls’ mother finds out that Yochay may leave the country with her only grandchild, she proposes a match between Shira and the widower. Shira will have to choose between her heart’s wish and her family duty.” Peter Rainer of The Christian Science Monitor wrote, “The sheer force of artistry has the power to convert outsiders into insiders. I left Fill the Void feeling privileged, however briefly, to have been brought into this world.” It’s quite possible that FILL THE VOID will only play for one week. I hope you’ll hurry down! Click the image above to be directed to the film’s official site.

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NQuWarA9KXg’]

“Roger Brown — the greatest basketball player Dayton has ever known — will be inducted into the Naismith Hall of Fame on Sept. 8. Without the love and sacrifice of 84-year-old Daytonian Arlena Smith, it wouldn’t be happening. Join us at THE NEON on Aug. 15 at 7:30 for a benefit screening of the acclaimed documentary UNDEFEATED: THE ROGER BROWN STORY, with all proceeds going toward Arlena Smith’s trip to Springfield, Mass., for Brown’s Hall of Fame induction. Arlena and her late husband Azariah could not have children of their own, so they regularly welcomed troubled teenagers into their modest West Side home. One of those was Roger Brown. Among the greatest young basketball players in New York City history, Brown in 1961 had been unfairly implicated in a gambling scandal just as he was finishing his freshman year at the University of Dayton. Though never charged with a crime, he was kicked out of school and banned for life by the NBA. The Smiths came to the rescue. They opened up their home, found Brown a job, gave him the strength to move on. And finally, Brown bloomed anew. In 1967, he became the first player of the ABA’s Indiana Pacers. He led them to three championships, and became an Indianapolis City Councilman. All along, until his death at age 54 of cancer, Brown credited the Smiths — his ‘second parents’ — for making it possible.” (taken from press notes) Mark your calendars now! Tickets, just $10 each, are now available at our box office and at EbonNia Gallery.

The FilmDayton Festival is putting their marketing pieces into play, and they’re gearing up for another great festival. Film screenings will take place at THE NEON, but the festival is about a whole lot more…and it’s scheduled for August 23-25. Check out their line-up on the official site.

And speaking of FilmDayton, WSU’s Annual Big Lens Film Festival will kick off the festival this year. “The 21st Annual Big Lens Film Festival will premiere on Thursday, August 22nd at the THE NEON…Every year, Big Lens screens a selection of the very best short films to come from the Wright State University Motion Picture program, and this year is no different! Ranging from documentary to narrative, these six films cover a wide variety of subjects and emotions. There will be two screenings shown concurrently, one at 7:30pm and one at 8:00. Following the screenings, there will be a Q&A with the filmmakers, emceed by Oscar-nominated filmmaker Julia Reichert. Tickets to either screening are $7 each, and will soon be available at THE NEON. Some films may contain adult content.” (taken from Big Lens press notes)

We hope to see you this weekend!

All the best,
Jonathan

SHOWTIMES for Fri, Aug. 9 – Thurs, Aug. 15:

FILL THE VOID (PG) 1 Hr 30 Min
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 12:50, 3:00, 5:10, 7:20, 9:30
Monday – Wednesday: 3:15, 5:30, 7:45
Thursday: 3:15, 5:30

THE WAY WAY BACK (PG-13) 1 Hr 43 Min
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 12:30, 2:45, 5:00, 7:15, 9:30
Monday – Thursday: 3:00, 5:15, 7:30

UNDEFEATED: THE ROGER BROWN STORY
(NR) 1 Hr 30 Min + Discussion
Thursday: 7:30

COMING SOON:
As always, all dates are tentative. Many of these dates will change.
In some rare cases, titles may disappear.
Aug. 16 – I’M SO EXCITED

Aug. 23 – BLUE JASMINE

TBD – BLACKFISH

TBD – THE HUNT

TBD – FROM UP ON POPPY HILL

TBD – IN THE HOUSE

FRUITVALE STATION and THE WAY WAY BACK Open at THE NEON!

July 25, 2013 By Jonathan McNeal Leave a Comment

Hello Everyone,

As much as we’d like to hold THE KINGS OF SUMMER (it performed very well over the weekend, and audiences loved it), we have to keep moving (otherwise we’d have to skip this weekend’s titles). On Friday (July 26), we will open 2 of the biggest indie hits of the summer – FRUITVALE STATION and THE WAY WAY BACK. Thursday will be your last chance to see 20 FEET FROM STARDOM and THE KINGS OF SUMMER. For this week’s remaining showtimes, visit our website at www.neonmovies.com.

Synopsis for FRUITVALE STATION: “Winner of both the Grand Jury Prize for dramatic feature and the Audience Award for U.S. dramatic film at the 2013 Sundance Film Festival, director Ryan Coogler’s FRUITVALE STATION follows the true story of Oscar Grant (Michael B. Jordan), a 22-year-old Bay Area resident who wakes up on the morning of December 31, 2008 and feels something in the air. Not sure what it is, he takes it as a sign to get a head start on his resolutions: being a better son to his mother (Octavia Spencer), being a better partner to his girlfriend Sophina (Melonie Diaz), and being a better father to Tatiana (Ariana Neal), their beautiful four year-old daughter. His resolve takes a tragic turn, however, when BART officers shoot him in cold blood at the Fruitvale subway stop on New Year’s Day. Oscar’s life and tragic death would shake the Bay Area – and the entire nation – to its very core.” (The Weinstein Company) With production design from WSU Motion Picture Alum Hannah Beachler! Beachler will be available for Q&As after screenings on Friday (July 26) at 7:30 and Saturday (July 27) at 5:10. Click THIS LINK to visit the film’s official site.

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lhfuZo0Vju4′]

Synopsis for THE WAY WAY BACK: “THE WAY, WAY BACK is the funny and poignant coming of age story of 14-year-old Duncan’s (Liam James) summer vacation with his mother, Pam (Toni Collette), her overbearing boyfriend, Trent (Steve Carell), and his daughter, Steph (Zoe Levin). Having a rough time fitting in, the introverted Duncan finds an unexpected friend in gregarious Owen (Sam Rockwell), manager of the Water Wizz water park. Through his funny, clandestine friendship with Owen, Duncan slowly opens up to and begins to finally find his place in the world – all during a summer he will never forget.” The cast in this film is terrific – featuring one of Dayton’s own – Allison Janney! Click THIS LINK to visit the film’s official site.

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OwNo1i3jkCo’]

“The Libertarian Party of Ohio is hosting an evening of film, food, and discussion in support of the rights of individuals, families, and farmers to make healthy choices about what to grow and eat without interference from government. Food, Freedom and Farmageddon begins at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 8, with the film Farmageddon: The Unseen War on American Family Farms screening at 7:30 p.m at the The Neon, 130 E. Fifth St., Dayton. Fressa and Harvest Mobile Cuisine, two of Dayton’s most popular food trucks, will be parked right outside, and local food vendors will have their goods for sale. Also co-sponsoring the event is The Heights Cafe of Huber Heights. Admission is $5.” (taken from Libertarian Party Press Notes) Click THIS LINK to reserve your seat.
Hope to see you this weekend!

All the best,
Jonathan

SHOWTIMES for Fri. July 26 – Aug 1:

FRUITVALE STATION (R) 1 Hr 25 Min
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 12:50, 3:00, 5:10, 7:30, 9:45
Monday – Thursday: 3:00, 5:10, 7:30, 9:45

THE WAY WAY BACK (PG-13) 1 Hr 43 Min
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 12:30, 2:45, 5:00, 7:15, 9:30
Monday – Thursday: 2:45, 5:00, 7:15, 9:30

COMING SOON:
As always, all dates are tentative. Many of these dates will change.
In some rare cases, titles may disappear.
TBD – FILL THE VOID
TBD – IN THE HOUSE
Aug. 2 – I’M SO EXCITED
Aug. 23 – BLUE JASMINE
TBD – BLACKFISH
TBD – THE HUNT

KINGS OF SUMMER & Great News at THE NEON!

July 18, 2013 By Jonathan McNeal Leave a Comment

Hello Everyone,

If you’ve been to THE NEON recently, you’ve more than likely seen the trailer for the Ohio-made film THE KINGS OF SUMMER. It will open on Friday, and it’s a gem. That said, it will only play for one week! If you still need to see MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING or KON-TIKI, tomorrow will be your last chance. 20 FEET FROM STARDOM will stick around for a 2nd week, but it will also wrap up on July 25. I’m delighted to announce that we have 2 new films cemented to begin on July 26 – FRUITVALE STATION (a powerful true story that was a big winner at Sundance this year…and it was art directed by Hannah Beachler – a WSU Motion Picture alum...stay tuned for more details about special Q&As with Beachler during opening weekend) and THE WAY WAY BACK (a comedic & touching hit at Sundance). For this week’s remaining showtimes, visit our website at www.neonmovies.com.

ONE WEEK ONLY!! Synopsis for THE KINGS OF SUMMER:
“Premiering to rave reviews at the 2013 Sundance Film Festival, THE KINGS OF SUMMER is a unique coming-of-age comedy about three teenage friends – Joe, Patrick, and the eccentric and unpredictable Biaggio – who, in the ultimate act of independence, decide to spend their summer building a house in the woods and living off the land. Free from their parents’ rules, their idyllic summer quickly becomes a test of friendship as each boy learns to appreciate the fact that family – whether it is the one you’re born into or the one you create – is something you can’t run away from.” (taken from CBS Films) This film, shot in Ohio, was produced by Tyler Davidson – producer of TAKE SHELTER! Be sure to check out the really fun website by clicking this LINK. ONE WEEK ONLY!!

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4YgpaTcSndA’]

I’ll hopefully have some details for you next week about an upcoming screening of the documentary FARMAGEDDON – slated for August 8 and hosted by the Libertarian Party.

Hope to see you this weekend!

All the best,
Jonathan

SHOWTIMES for Fri. July 19 – Thur. July 25:

THE KINGS OF SUMMER (R) 1 Hr 35 Min
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 12:40, 2:50, 5:15, 7:30, 9:45
Monday – Thursday: 2:50, 5:15, 7:30

20 FEET FROM STARDOM (PG-13) 1 Hr 31 Min
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 12:50, 3:00, 5:10, 7:20, 9:30
Monday: 3:15, 5:30, 7:45
Tuesday: 3:15, 5:30
Wednesday & Thursday: 3:15, 5:30, 7:45

COMING SOON:
As always, all dates are tentative. Many of these dates will change.
In some rare cases, titles may disappear.
July 26 – THE WAY WAY BACK
July 26 – FRUITVALE STATION
TBD – FILL THE VOID
TBD – FROM UP ON POPPY HILL
TBD – IN THE HOUSE
Aug. 2 – I’M SO EXCITED
Aug. 23 – BLUE JASMINE

20 FEET FROM STARDOM Opens at THE NEON

July 10, 2013 By Jonathan McNeal Leave a Comment

Hello Everyone,

We’re gonna keep on movin’ at THE NEON. If you still need to see LOVE IS ALL YOU NEED, tomorrow will be your last chance (7/11). On Friday, we will open the documentary that audiences are adoring – 20 FEET FROM STARDOM. In addition, we will hold MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING and KON-TIKI for another week. For this week’s remaining showtimes, visit our website at www.neonmovies.com.

Synopsis for 20 FEET FROM STARDOM: “Millions know their voices, but no one knows their names. In his compelling new film 20 FEET FROM STARDOM, award-winning director Morgan Neville shines a spotlight on the untold true story of the backup singers behind some of the greatest musical legends of the 21st century. Triumphant and heartbreaking in equal measure, the film is both a tribute to the unsung voices who brought shape and style to popular music and a reflection on the conflicts, sacrifices and rewards of a career spent harmonizing with others. These gifted artists span a range of styles, genres and eras of popular music, but each has a uniquely fascinating and personal story to share of life spent in the shadows of superstardom. Along with rare archival footage and a peerless soundtrack, 20 FEET FROM STARDOM boasts intimate interviews with Bruce Springsteen, Stevie Wonder, Mick Jagger and Sting to name just a few. However, these world-famous figures take a backseat to the diverse array of backup singers whose lives and stories take center stage in the film.” (Taken from TWC-Radius) Currently at “98% FRESH” on rottentomatoes.com Click this LINK to visit the film’s official site.

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tWyUJcA8Zfo’]

“AMU is the story of Kaju, a twenty-one-year-old Indian American woman who returns to India to visit her family and discover the place where she was born. The film takes a dark turn as Kaju stumbles against secrets and lies from her past. A horrifying genocide that took place twenty years ago turns out to hold the key to her mysterious origins.” The India Foundation will present this special screening of AMU this Saturday, July 13 at Noon. Tickets will be $5 each.

Hope to see you this weekend!

All the best,
Jonathan

SHOWTIMES for Fri. July 12 – Thur. July 18:

MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING (PG-13) 1 Hr 49 Min
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 2:40, 7:30, 9:45
Monday – Thursday: 3:00, 7:30

KON-TIKI (PG-13) 1 Hr 36 Min
Friday: 12:30, 5:15
Saturday: 5:15
Sunday: 12:30, 5:15
Monday – Thursday: 5:15

20 FEET FROM STARDOM (PG-13) 1 Hr 31 Min
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 12:50, 3:00, 5:10, 7:20, 9:30
Monday – Thursday: 3:15, 5:30, 7:45

AMU (NR) 1 Hr 36 Min
Saturday: Noon

COMING SOON:
As always, all dates are tentative. Many of these dates will change.
In some rare cases, titles may disappear.
July ? – KINGS OF SUMMER
July 26 – THE WAY WAY BACK
TBD – GINGER AND ROSA
TBD – FILL THE VOID
TBD – FROM UP ON POPPY HILL
TBD – IN THE HOUSE
Aug. 2 – I’M SO EXCITED
Aug. 23 – BLUE JASMINE

Joss Whedon’s MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING & KON-TIKI Arrive at THE NEON!

July 2, 2013 By Jonathan McNeal Leave a Comment

Hello Everyone,

Once again, we’re truckin’ through the titles. If you still need to see BEFORE MIDNIGHT or THE EAST, you only have through Thursday to see them at THE NEON. On Friday, we will open 2 new films – Joss Whedon’s MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING and the Academy Award nominee KON-TIKI (which will more than likely only play for one week). In addition to the 2 new films, we will hold LOVE IS ALL YOU NEED for one more week. For this week’s remaining showtimes, visit our website at www.neonmovies.com.

Synopsis for MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING: “Shakespeare’s classic comedy is given a contemporary spin by director Joss Whedon. Shot in just 12 days, the story of sparring lovers Beatrice and Benedick offers a dark, sexy and occasionally absurd view of the intricate game that is love. As matchmaking schemes are put into play and disguguises are donned, loathing and love soon prove to be close cousins.” (taken from Lionsgate) Click HERE to visit the film’s official site.

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jk5kkLNPg8g’]

Synopsis for KON-TIKI: “Norwegian explorer Thor Heyerdahl crossed the Pacific ocean in a balsa wood raft in 1947, together with five men, to prove that South Americans already back in pre-Columbian times could have crossed the sea and settle on Polynesian islands. After gathering financing for the trip with loans and donations, they set off on an epic 101 day-long journey across 8,000 kilometers, all while the world was watching. KON-TIKI tells about the origin of Heyerdahl’s idea and the events surrounding the group’s voyage.” (taken from The Weinstein Co.) Click HERE to visit the film’s official site.

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i1Xf3toxvXM’]

This Saturday, July 6, THE NEON will host the premiere of Meladi McNair’s new film THE OMISSION. “Marissa tries to hide from her friends that she is in an unfortunate, yet common situation that afflicts many young adults. A violent, controlling relationship. Three flashbacks paint her birthday bash as the platform for a series of unfortunate events in which five long-time friends learn of her situation, and turn on each other… THE OMISSION, a dark, abuse awareness film debuts at 3 pm on July 6. The film was written and directed by Dayton’s own Meladi McNair; a Journalist and social-conscious author, artist and filmmaker. She is also the author of the anti-bullying book, ‘The Vexing.’ Tickets are $5 each.” (taken from press notes)

Here’s a note from American Pi, a store just a block from THE NEON: “Victory Film Group and Made in the USA Films present a 90 minute documentary that explores the rise and fall of U.S. manufacturing. Josh Miller sets out on a journey in which he attempts to live off of USA made products for 30 days. Can he do it!? During Josh’s journey he talks with locals to find out if ‘Made in the USA’ really means anything anymore. If not, what does that mean for the future of our country? Come find out when you join us on the MADE IN THE USA: THE 30 DAY JOURNEY. To obtain tickets online, visit the site. Our site says they are $10 but for a they are FREE. TICKETS MUST BE RESERVED via the website, at our location or via phone (click this LINK for the site). FREE price will reflect during checkout. We do have a VIP package so that viewers can get DVD and photos with Josh etc. and that price is $20.”

“AMU is the story of Kaju, a twenty-one-year-old Indian American woman who returns to India to visit her family and discover the place where she was born. The film takes a dark turn as Kaju stumbles against secrets and lies from her past. A horrifying genocide that took place twenty years ago turns out to hold the key to her mysterious origins.” The India Foundation will present this special screening of AMU on Saturday, July 13 at Noon. Tickets will be $5 each.

See you soon!
All the best,
Jonathan

SHOWTIMES for Fri. July 5 – Thur. July 11:

MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING (PG-13) 1 Hr 49 Min
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 12:10, 2:30, 4:50, 7:15, 9:40
Monday – Thursday: 3:00, 5:20, 7:45

KON-TIKI (PG-13) 1 Hr 36 Min
Friday: 2:40, 7:20, 9:30
Saturday: 7:20, 9:30
Sunday: 2:40, 7:20, 9:30
Monday – Wednesday: 3:00, 7:40
Thursday: 3:00

LOVE IS ALL YOU NEED (PG-13) 1 Hr 57 Min
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 12:15, 4:50
Monday – Thursday: 5:10

THE OMISSION (NR) 40 Min
Saturday: 3:00

MADE IN THE USA: THE 30 DAY JOURNEY (NR)
1 Hr 33 Min + Discussion
Thursday: 7:30

COMING SOON:

As always, all dates are tentative. Many of these dates will change.
In some rare cases, titles may disappear.
July 12 – 20 FEET FROM STARDOM
July ? – KINGS OF SUMMER
July 26 – THE WAY WAY BACK
TBD – GINGER AND ROSA
TBD – FROM UP ON POPPY HILL
TBD – IN THE HOUSE
Aug. 2 – I’M SO EXCITED
Aug. 23 – BLUE JASMINE