Dayton937

Things to do in Dayton | Restaurants, Theatre, Music and More

Jonathan McNeal

TIFF Day #3 – 2023

By

Hello Everyone,

Just three screenings today…but a solid day.  It’s hard to believe that 3 days have flown by so quickly.  I’ve seen 11 films, spent time with Jake (before he returned to Dayton earlier today) run into a handful of old friends and colleagues on the street, watched a movie with a filmmaker whose work we’ve screened at OUT HERE DAYTON FILM FEST (formerly known as The Dayton LGBT Film Fest), and still managed to keep up with this blog.  That said, I have yet to do the whole late night party scene…things have changed a bit since I’ve been gone – the festival and myself.

My first film was made in Montreal.  SOLO, dir. Sophie Dupois (Canada). “Set in Montreal’s vivacious drag scene, this tender character study from writer-director Sophie Dupuis (Underground) focuses on a talented young performer whose past and present merge in unexpected ways.” (TIFF Catalog) Simon is a successful makeup artist and drag performer, but when a Oliver, new guy shows up in the dressing room, he sets his eyes on something new.  At first, the chemistry is wonderful – but eventually we realize that Simon is willing to compromise himself for what he thinks he needs in his life..and Oliver is a master manipulator.  This film is well done with great, fleshed out performances…and full of people I “know.”

HIS THREE DAUGHTERS, dir. Azazel Jacobs (USA). “A tense, captivating, and touching portrait of family dynamics starring Carrie Coon, Elizabeth Olsen, and Natasha Lyonne as sisters who converge after their father’s health declines.” (TIFF Catalog) What this film lacks in visual appeal (there are some very strange choices about shooting people up against a blank wall), it makes up for in screenplay and performances.  This little gem’s third act is terrific…and the claustrophobia of being in a relatively small New York apartment for the majority of the film works on a lot of levels in creating tension and drama.  These women are all terrific.

IN CONVERSATION WITH PEDRO ALMODOVAR (with screening of STRANGE WAY OF LIFE, dir. Pedro Almodovar (SPAIN)).  Today’s event with Almodovar was a treat.  Almodovar talked with Cameron Bailey for about 45 minutes about his career – and it was insightful and delightful.  He talked about the “transition” from screwball comedies to melodrama and the industry’s rating system.  Then he screened the short film STRANGE WAY OF LIFE – a gay Western with Ethan Hawke and Pedro Pascal…which Almodovar explained was his sort of answer to BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN (which he had been asked to direct years ago).  “Two lovers reunite after 25 years apart, but secret ulterior motives threaten to spoil the relationship, in this emotional western from Pedro Almodóvar.” (TIFF Catalog)  Pedro then returned to the stage to talk for a bit more before taking questions from the audience.  Sadly, there wasn’t much time for questions and I didn’t get to ask mine.  (Almodovar apologized to the audience that neither of the lead actors would be seen naked in the film.)

 

I’m about to head out and meet one of our Board members for a cocktail this evening.  Susan and her husband are at the festival for the first time, and I’m anxious to hear what they’re seeing and how they like their experience so far.

Until tomorrow!

Thanks for reading,

Jonathan

 

TIFF Day #2 – 2023

By

Hello Dayton937,

Today was a slimmer day for screenings.  Only three movies!

GONZO GIRL, dir. Patricia Arquette (USA). “Willem Dafoe and Camila Morrone star in Patricia Arquette’s high-flying, fast-paced directorial debut based on Cheryl Della Pietra’s semi-autobiographical novel chronicling her time as Hunter S. Thompson’s personal assistant.” (TIFF Catalog)  Though the names have been changed for the sake of the “novel,” this story of a young woman’s time as Hunter S. Thompson’s assistant is about a person meeting their “idol,” only to be be disappointed (but nonetheless grateful for the experience and the lessons along the way…and the material).  The performances are strong and Arquette’s direction is assured (Arquette has a subtle, strong supporting role, too) and the energetic “trip” is worth the ride.  There’s a cautionary line that Thompson’s secretary gives the new assistant in the movie – “Water down your drinks and fake half the lines he gives you, that’s the only way to survive.” That’s not a bad life lesson.

SUMMER QAMP, Jennifer Markowitz (Canada). “At Camp fYrefly in rural Alberta, queer, non-binary, and trans teens get to just be kids in a supportive space, surrounded by counsellors who can relate to their experience ― and help them toast the perfect marshmallow.” (TIFF Catalog). There are some powerful moments in this little documentary about queer youth going to summer camp…and there’s something wonderful about LGBTQIA+ kids getting such positive affirmations in a place where they don’t have to be afraid to express who they are.  There’s a lot to like here (I wouldn’t mind a short film about Marshall – one of the counselors), but overall, I didn’t love this doc.  I found it to be overscored and a bit repetitive. I recommend seeing it (but it’s not something I’d need to revisit).

DICKS: THE MUSICAL, Larry Charles (USA). “Larry Charles (Borat) conducts an uproarious musical-comedy riff on The Parent Trap that follows a pair of identical twins who conspire to reunite their divorced and disturbingly deranged parents (Nathan Lane and Megan Mullally).” (TIFF Catalog) A24’s raunchy, irreverent musical was my last film for the day.  This movie is based on material that comedians Josh Sharp and Aaron Jackson have been working on for years (they’re also the stars of the film).  IndieWire wrote this about the opening night, midnight screening: “No amount of context can prepare folks for the film’s final number, with a chorus that refers to God as a slur. The song that leapt from the screen out into the audience, with a flash mob of chorus members jumping out their seats to sing along, and pride balloons and penis inflatables dropping down onto attendees.”  This movie has some great melodies, fun material (Megan Thee Stallion & Megan Mullally steal the show), and some real laugh-out-loud moments.  It is destined to reach cult status, but I thought it wore a little thin pretty quickly.  The cast appears to be having a blast making this film (that’s almost always true when there’s a gag reel at the end), and I think it would be much more fun in a party-like environment (instead of the industry screening I attended).

Jake is heading back to Dayton tomorrow, and I’m sticking around for another week…lots more films to see.

Tomorrow is something I’m looking forward to most of all – IN CONVERSATION WITH PEDRO ALMODOVAR!

Hope you tune back in for Day #3.

Thanks for reading,
Jonathan

TIFF 2023 – Day #1

By

Hello Everyone,

Off to the races.  I had five screenings on the agenda for today – 3 with industry folks and 2 with the general public.  Of the five, one was a real winner…and one had a lot of merit but could have been trimmed by 30 minutes (I know some critics will greatly disagree with me on that).

LAST SUMMER, dir Catherine Breillat (France).  My first film of the day was from a director who is quite used to working with taboo subject matter…and this was no exception. “In the latest film by French provocateur Catherine Breillat, a prominent lawyer’s passionate affair with her 17-year-old stepson threatens both her career and family.”  (TIFF Catalog)  In the opening scene of this (intentionally) cringe-inducing film, the protagonist is dealing with an underage client who is preparing for court.  She tells the girl, “in court, the victims often become the accused” – which sets a certain tone for the rest of the film.  Though the film certainly has some memorable moments and worked on some levels,  there were multiple decisions for a lingering camera which became frustrating and laborious.  And in the end, I ultimately didn’t buy the attraction and thus the affair – so the film really didn’t work for me.

THE CRITIC, dir Anand Tucker (United Kingdom).  Next up was a rather handsomely designed period film with Ian McKellan chewing up the dimly lit scenery. “Gemma Arterton and Ian McKellen star as adversaries forced to take desperate measures to save their careers, in this scintillating tale of ambition and deceit in the theatre world.” (TIFF Catalog). Though lovely to look at, I found some of the story a bit hard to follow initially…this was due in part to tiredness and the fact that all interior scenes at night appeared to be lit with a 20 watt bulb…which had me a little confused keeping track of characters who mostly appeared in shadows.  Though McKellan is having a ball, he is sadly better than the material.    It’s a noir-ish story which doesn’t quite commit to the genre.

FLORA AND SON, dir John Carney (US & Ireland).  My winner for the day was this little gem! “The latest from writer-director John Carney (ONCE, SING STREET) features a revelatory performance from Eve Hewson as a young mother trying to connect with her teenage son through a shared love of music.” (TIFF Catalog) The rough-around-the-edges characters are so wonderful in this heartwarming (and occasionally crass) story about an Irish woman who ends up taking on-line guitar lessons from a guy in California (played by Joseph Gordon Levitt) while trying to build a relationship with her son.  Lots of laughs and several tears…it really works.  (NOTE: We may bring this to THE NEON at the end of the month.)

ANATOMY OF A FALL, dir. Justine Triet (France). “Winner of this year’s Palme d’Or, and starring German actress Sandra Hüller, Justine Triet’s Anatomy of a Fall is a riveting portrait of a complex woman put on trial for the murder of her spouse.” (TIFF Catalog) (One big detail of the short synopsis from the catalog is the fact that the only potential witness of what transpired is the woman’s visually impaired son.)  I’ve heard a lot of great things about this (mostly) courtroom drama, and it works on a lot of levels…but boy, oh boy – it’s longer than it needs to be.  (And this was the 2nd film today which thematically explored a victim being put on trial during court proceedings.)  One of the strongest moments of the film is a tennis-match-like argument that is fascinating for its character development.  A solid film with an outstanding lead performance (but don’t go in the slightest bit tired).

NORTH STAR, dir. Kristin Scott Thomas (United Kingdom).  This is Kristin Scott Thomas’s directorial debut, and I was sadly a bit disappointed.  I considered leaving early and just going to bed…but I’m glad I didn’t.  There’s a 10-minute scene in a cemetery that’s worth the whole film (and I’d bet my next paycheck it’s the scene that was the genesis for the entire movie).  Some funny moments.  Some touching moments.  But I could have easily seen this as a short film.

NORTH STAR – directed by Kristin Scott Thomas

And now it’s time for bed!  Bright and early tomorrow!

Thanks for reading!!

Jonathan

P.S.  Here’s a little picture of me and Jake just before heading into the NORTH STAR screening.

 

Returning to Toronto International Film Fest – 4 Years Later!

By

Hello Dayton937!

It’s been 4 years since I’ve made the trip to Toronto for TIFF (The Toronto International Film Festival), and my soul has truly missed it.  I know that this year will be very different.  Not only has COVID changed how festivals work, the ongoing writer & actor strikes will also likely change the energy at this year’s festival.  Regardless, I’m anxious to go and submerge myself in multiple screenings of international cinema for 9 days.

The illuminated sign on King Street West indicates the start of the festival!

I’m feeling a little out of practice, but I hope to update you every day with details about the films I’m seeing, the Q&A’s I’m observing and the glitterati I’m spotting.  I’m not sure how many parties will be happening this year, but I hope to pop in on a couple.

For industry folks, the fest works a little different.  I will have an opportunity to see 10 films with the general public.  These are the screenings where directors, producers and stars might walk the Red Carpet and be interviewed for television.  When people think “glamorous film festivals,” these are the screenings that come to mind.  That said, the majority of the films I screen will be in multiplex settings with other press and industry folks.  I might get sandwiched between an international sales agent on one side and someone writing for HOLLYWOOD REPORTER on the other.  It’s fun to rub elbows with a variety of people who make this industry tick.

Maya Hawke as Flannery O’Connor in WILDCAT

I already have a handful of tickets to screenings and events.  In addition to the premiere of NORTH STAR on Opening Night (the directorial debut of Kristin Scott Thomas – starring Scarlett Johansson), Taika Waititi’s latest NEXT GOAL WINS and the anticipated feature WILDCAT (directed by Ethan Hawke and produced by Dayton’s own Karri O’Reilly), I’m so delighted that I scored a ticket to IN CONVERSATION WITH PEDRO ALMODOVAR – a sit down interview (Charlie Rose-style – but in front of an audience)  with my favorite filmmaker of all time!

I’ll try to stay on top of updating this blog on a daily basis after my first day of movie watching.  (Screenings start on Sept. 7 – and I’ll have a full day!)  I’ll screen films through the 15th and head back to Dayton on the 16th.

Thanks for reading.

More soon,

Jonathan

What’s on Screen at The Neon

By

We had a very solid weekend at THE NEON with nice, steady business for all screenings. Thanks to everyone who came out to support our 2 big Academy Award contenders – LIVING and WOMEN TALKING – as well as CAROLE KING: HOME AGAIN. It felt great to have so many people enjoying films with us. Both films are going to stick around for another week, and you still have a chance to see CAROLE KING this evening if you missed it on Sunday.

“Open Caption Mondays” continue to be well-received. On Monday, Feb. 6, WOMEN TALKING and LIVING will be presented with Open Captions. As a reminder, seating is no longer assigned on Mondays-Thursdays for traditional engagements.

Need a refresher regarding our current engagements? Click the images below to watch each film’s trailer.

LIVING:
WOMEN TALKING:
UPCOMING SPECIAL EVENTS:ONE MORE SCREENING TONIGHT! Wednesday, Feb. 1 at 7:30 – CAROLE KING: HOME AGAIN – LIVE IN CENTRAL PARK. Tickets $12.50 each – available now!

“CAROLE KING: HOME AGAIN – LIVE IN CENTRAL PARK, which presents musical icon Carole King’s triumphant May 26, 1973 homecoming concert on The Great Lawn of New York City’s Central Park before an estimated audience of 100,000. The complete multi-camera 16mm footage filmed and recorded by Lou Adler in 1973 has never before been released.” Click the image below to watch the film’s trailer!
TICKETS ARE REALLY MOVING NOW! MIDWEST PREMIERE of WRONG REASONSwith visiting director (and Middletown, Ohio native) Josh Roush. “When an ambiguously intentioned masked man kidnaps a drug addicted punk singer, it triggers a police investigation as well as a media circus.” This film was exec-produced by and stars Kevin Smith. It will screen Saturday, February 4 at Noon, and ticket are $12.50 each – available now! Click the image below to watch the film’s trailer.
“On February 9, 2023, at 6:00 pm, The Miami Valley School will present PAUL LAURENCE DUNBAR: BEYOND THE MASK. The filmmaker, Frederick Lewis, a professor at Ohio University, will be on hand to introduce the film and lead a post-screening discussion. The screening, which is presented through The Miami Valley School’s Speaker Series, is free and open to the public. Interested guests may register online at this LINK. BEYOND THE MASK is a feature-length documentary on the life and legacy of the first African American poet/writer to gain international fame. Born to former slaves in Dayton, Ohio, Paul Laurence Dunbar (1872-1906) is best remembered for his poem “We Wear The Mask” and for lines from “Sympathy” that became the title of Maya Angelou’s famous autobiography I KNOW WHY THE CAGED BIRD SINGS. More than eight years in the making, BEYOND THE MASK received major funding from the National Endowment for the Humanities with additional support from Ohio Humanities.” (taken from press notes)
Among so many surprises with this year’s Academy Award nominations was the inclusion of Andrea Riseborough for “Best Actress” in a film called TO LESLIE. We think this film is worth seeing on the big screen…not only because of Riseborough’s incredible performance, but because it also stars Dayton’s own Allison Janney. TO LESLIE will screen 2 times in February – Sunday, Feb. 12 at 4:00 and Thursday, Feb. 16 at 7:30. Tickets are on sale now! Click the image below to watch the film’s trailer.
ONLY A COUPLE TICKETS REMAIN! “While there is nothing wrong with the de rigueur heart-shaped box of chocolates or calling in that dedicated love song to Delilah on your way home from work, THE NEON is giving you a chance to change it up this Valentine’s Day with a date night showing of the 25th Anniversary of YOU’VE GOT MAIL. In addition to the movie, the cocktail and desserts will be a nod to NYC’s Café Lalo, an iconic landmark restaurant made popular by the movie in the 90s. Tickets are available now until sold out. $25 includes a movie ticket, an adult beverage (wine, beer, or house cocktail), a small popcorn, and dessert from the former owner of St. Anne the Tart (and current board member at THE NEON), Megan Smith. YOU’VE GOT MAIL has two local ties as well! Dave Chappelle played Kevin Jackson, best friend to Tom Hanks’s character, Joe Fox. Additionally, Mary Beth Kuhn of Germantown was an art director on the film.” (Megan Smith) Tickets are available at our box office or via our official site!
“Homelessness is a Humanitarian Crisis in the United States. Join us for a screening of LEAD ME HOME – Feb. 15 at 4pm. More than 500,000 people experience homelessness every night in America. LEAD ME HOME is a short documentary (40 minutes) that tells these real-life stories giving audiences a rare, in-depth look at the scale, scope and diversity of what it means to be unsheltered and unhoused while calling into question uninformed attitudes and outmoded polices. After watching the film, the audience will hear from members of our community facing housing insecurity and have an opportunity to learn more about what we can do as a community around housing justice. In lieu of an entrance fee, we are collecting donations of socks and toiletries for the unhoused in our community. Donations will be given to St. Vincent Shelter. This screening is part of a week-long focus on housing in our community beginning with the opening of the National Building Association’s Eviction Exhibit on February 13, 2023 at the Dayton Metro Library.” (Sponsored by Kathy Rowell, Professor of Sociology at Sinclair in Support of St. Vincent Shelter System in Dayton.) To reserve your spot, please visit this eventbrite LINK.
“Did you know there are more than 32,000 mothers in America, many from conservative, Christian backgrounds, who fully accept their LGBTQ+ children? They call themselves “mama bears” because while their love is warm and fuzzy, they fight ferociously to make the world kinder and safer for all LGBTQ+ people.” This special, one-time screening of MAMA BEARS, with visiting director Daresha Kyi (who graduated from The Miami Valley School), will take place on Saturday, March 11 at Noon…and tickets are Free due the generosity of The Hope Collective – the church that utilizes our auditoriums for worship on Sunday mornings. (Doors will open on March 11 at 11:15 – tickets will be first-come, first-serve that day.)
National Theatre Live’s presentation of THE CRUCIBLE is heading to our big screen this March.The classic Arthur Miller play is “a five-star scorcher” writes THE SUNDAY TIMES, and TIME OUT writes “It doesn’t get much more spectacular.” “A witch hunt is beginning. Raised to be seen but not heard, a group of young women in Salem suddenly find their words have an almighty power. As a climate of fear, vendetta, and accusation spreads through the community, no one is safe from the trial. Lyndsey Turner (HAMLET) directs this contemporary new staging, designed by Tony Award-winner Es Devlin (THE LEHMAN TRILOGY).” (ByExperience) Tickets are $12.50 each and available now. Wed, March 15, 2023 at 7:00 and Sun, March 19 at 4:00
We were delighted to partner with The Human Race Theatre Company during their 2019/2020 Season – “Women of Influence: Their Power, Passion & Pitfalls.” PNC came on board to sponsor our spectacular line-up of films that spoke to each play in The Human Race’s season – and then the world closed down after our third screening. We are now pleased to announce that we finally have a new date for BE NATURAL: THE UNTOLD STORY OF ALICE GUY-BLACHE – Wednesday, March 29 at 7pm. If you purchased a pass for this series, it will still be honored for this screening. Otherwise, tickets will be $10 each – available starting this Friday. Click the image below to watch the film’s trailer.
   

SHOWTIMES for Wednesday, Feb. 1 – Thursday, Feb. 9:

LIVING (PG-13): 1 Hr 42 Min

Wednesday & Thursday (Feb 1 & 2): 2:50, 5:10, 7:30

Fri, Sat, Sun (Feb 3-5): 12:30, 2:50, 5:10, 7:30

Monday-Thursday (Feb 6-9): 2:50, 5:10, 7:30

WOMEN TALKING (PG-13) 1 Hr 44 Min

Wednesday (Feb 1): 3:00, 5:15

Thursday (Feb 2): 3:00, 5:20, 7:40

Friday (Feb 3): 12:40, 3:00, 5:20, 7:40

Saturday (Feb 4): 3:00, 5:20, 7:40

Sunday (Feb 5): 12:40, 3:00, 5:20, 7:40

Monday-Wednesday (Feb 6-8): 3:00, 5:20, 7:40

Thursday (Feb 9): 3:00

CAROLE KING: HOME AGAIN (NR) 1 Hr 20 Min

Wednesday (Feb 1): 7:30

WRONG REASONS (NR) 1 Hr 40 Min

Saturday: 12:00

PAUL LAURENCE DUNBAR: BEYOND THE MASK (NR) 2 Hrs

Thursday: 6:00

COMING SOON:

(All Dates Are Tentative. Dates Often Move And Sometimes Disappear)

TBD: TURN EVERY PAGE

Feb 12 & 16 – TO LESLIE (2 screenings only!)

Feb ? – EO

Feb. ? – ALL QUIET ON THE WESTERN FRONT

Feb 17 – OSCAR SHORTS

Feb 24 – EMILY

Cannes Hit ELVIS and Crowd-Pleasing PHANTOM OF THE OPEN at The Neon

By

We’ve got to keep moving. If you still need to see the wonderful Sundance-winning comedy CHA CHA REAL SMOOTH – you’ve only got a few more chances. We found a way to keep EIFFEL for a few screenings over the weekend…but June 26 will be its last day. Baz Luhrmann’s ELVIS opens Thursday night and the crowd-pleasing golf comedy THE PHANTOM OF THE OPEN (which is based on a true story) starts Friday.

Be sure to check out the trailers below for WILDHOOD (which is currently rated “100% Fresh” on rottentomatoes) and KINKY BOOTS (the uplifting musical that has quite a large fan-base)!
On Monday, June 27, both of our films – ELVIS and THE PHANTOM OF THE OPEN – will be presented with open captions (where captions will be projected on the screen).
We’ve got a booking in the works for July 1…so stay tuned to our official website and social pages for an announcement later in the week.
NEW IN-PERSON ENGAGEMENTS:
Synopsis for ELVIS: At the Cannes Film Festival in May, ELVIS received a 12-minute standing ovation…and numerous critics have predicted that Austin Butler will be a part of the Oscar race next year!! “ELVIS is an epic, big-screen spectacle from Warner Bros. Pictures and visionary, Oscar-nominated filmmaker Baz Luhrmann that explores the life and music of Elvis Presley, starring Austin Butler and Oscar winner Tom Hanks. A thoroughly cinematic drama, Elvis’s story is seen through the prism of his complicated relationship with his enigmatic manager, Colonel Tom Parker. As told by Parker, the film delves into the complex dynamic between the two spanning over 20 years, from Presley’s rise to fame to his unprecedented stardom, against the backdrop of the evolving cultural landscape and loss of innocence in America. Central to that journey is one of the significant and influential people in Elvis’s life, Priscilla Presley (Olivia DeJonge).” (Warner Brothers) Click the image below to watch the film’s second trailer.
Synopsis for THE PHANTOM OF THE OPEN: “THE PHANTOM OF THE OPEN follows Maurice Flitcroft (Mark Rylance), a dreamer and unrelenting optimist who managed to gain entry to The British Open Golf Championship Qualifying in 1976 and subsequently shot the worst round in Open history, becoming a folk hero in the process.” The LA TIMES writes, “Rylance makes golf irresistible in inspiring true story! Rylance compels as the star of his own kooky fable,” and THE WASHINGTON POST writes, “A sly little gem grounded in a fantastic performance by Rylance!” Click the image below to watch the film’s trailer.
UPCOMING SPECIAL EVENTS:
THE DAYTON JEWISH FILM FESTIVAL is heading toward the finish line with three more films! The festival is back in person this year (and additionally being offered virtually). You won’t find these films on a big screen anywhere else in town…so don’t miss your chance to see them this week!
Here’s the remaining line-up of films playing at THE NEON:
Tuesday, June 21 at 7pm – 200 METERS
Thursday, June 23 at 7pm – I AM HERE
Sunday, June 26 at 7pm – WET DOG
For more details about all the films, click the image below to visit the festival’s official site.
For the last 2 weeks, in partnership with ThinkTV and The Dayton Metro Library, we’ve had really nice turn-outs for our FREE Family Summer Film Festival…but there’s room for more! Please help us spread the word!  Each week, doors will open at 10:30am, and tickets will be given on a first-come, first-serve basis. Events will start with Read-Along videos with Dayton Metro Library’s Ms. Winnie and continue with programming from the PBS Kids library. Children will leave each screening with activity books and other materials to promote continued learning over the summer. Parents and caregivers will also be provided with resources to keep learning happening at home and prevent the “summer slide.” These materials are courtesy of ThinkTV and The Dayton Metro Library.
Featuring episodic shorts from popular characters in the PBS Kids library, screenings will give an opportunity for families to enjoy the movie-going experience together in a budget-friendly way while keeping kids thoughtfully engaged. Each Saturday will focus on a different program. Here are the four programs that remain:
June 25 – “Jungle Animal Day” with THE WILD KRATTS
July 2 – “Be My Neighbor Day” with DANIEL TIGER – this screening will be preceded by a hands-on event on THE NEON’s patio hosted by The Dayton International Peace Museum
July 9 – “Exploring the Library” with CURIOUS GEORGE – this screening will be followed by a post-screening “hands on” event at the Dayton Metro Library Main Branch where children will have an opportunity to meet “Curious George” at 12:30
July 16 – “Nature Day” with NATURE CAT
Click the image below to watch this year’s preview.
We’ve booked a wonderful, award-winning film for PRIDE Night at THE NEON on Thursday, June 30 at 7pm – WILDHOOD – and tickets are already on sale! This film is currently rated “100% Fresh” on rottentomatoes, and THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER writes, “WILDHOOD combines the foundation of heartrending coming-of-age narratives with the feel-good elements of road trip flicks to create a delicate, not to mention visually appealing, sophomore film.” Here’s a brief synopsis: “In a rural east-coast trailer park, Link lives with his toxic father and younger half-brother Travis. When Link discovers his Mi’kmaw mother could still be alive, it lights a flame and they make a run for a better life. On the road they meet Pasmay, a pow wow dancer drawn to Link. As the boys journey across Mi’kma’ki, Link finds community, identity, and love in the land where he belongs.” (Wolfe Releasing) Click the image below to watch the film’s trailer. EVERYONE is Welcome to PRIDE Night at THE NEON!
After our recent successful screenings of ANYTHING GOES, many folks have been asking for more musicals…and now you’ve got ’em! Save the dates! On Wed, July 6 at 7pm & Sun, July 10 at 4pm, we will present KINKY BOOTS – beautifully captured from the London stage. On August 10 & 14, we’ll present 42ND STREET – also captured from the West End. Tickets are $12.50 each and available now! Click the image below to watch a short trailer for KINKY BOOTS.
“Scripted In Black is back at it again with some of our favorite Black movie classics + community social hours! This time around, we’re coming more live + personal with timeless Black classics while giving homage to local Black talent and businesses, Whether you’re in the mood to search for true love, plotting to make it big by any means necessary, or getting well-versed with the dynamic nature of hood politics, this year’s film series allows us to collectively experience the art of Black cinema, together. This movie night series is a chance to celebrate as a community the importance of Black storytelling and the way it honors the multi-dimensional layers of our culture, experience, and perspective. This movie night series is the perfect way to close out a busy work week or end the weekend with nothing but high-vibes.”  (Scripted in Black press release) Tickets to each event will cost $28 and include admittance to the pre-screening social hour, a voucher for popcorn & soda, and admission to the film. Social hour will begin 90 minutes before each screening on THE NEON’s patio. LOVE JONES will screen on Sunday, July 29 at 4:30. B*A*P*S will s screen on Sunday, Aug 28 at 4:30, NEW JACK CITY will screen on Thursday, Sept. 29 at 7:30. Tickets for each event are available via THE NEON’s website and box office. Click the image below to visit Scripted In Black’s official website.
Thank you for all of your continued support!
We hope to see you soon,
Jonathan
IN-PERSON SHOWTIMES for Tuesday, June 21 – Thursday, June 30:
EIFFEL (R) 1 Hr 48 Min
Tuesday & Wednesday (June 21 & 22): 3:30, 7:00
Thursday (June 23): 3:30
Friday, Saturday, Sunday (June 24-26): 4:15
FINAL DAY – June 26!
CHA CHA REAL SMOOTH (R) 1 Hr 47 Min
Tue (June 21): 3:15
Wed (June 22): 3:15, 7:15
Thurs (June 23): 3:15
FINAL DAY – June 23!
FAMILY SUMMER FILM FESTIVAL with PBS KIDS (NR) approx. 1 Hr
Saturday (June 25): 11:00 – THE WILD KRATTS
DAYTON JEWISH FILM FESTIVAL
Tuesday, June 21 – 200 METERS – 7pm
Thursday, June 23 – I AM HERE – 7pm
Sunday, June 26 – WET DOG – 7pm
ELVIS (PG-13) 2 Hrs 39 Min
Thursday (June 23): 7:15
Fri, Sat, Sun (June 24-26): 12:30, 4:00, 7:30
Monday-Thursday (June 27-30): 3:15, 7:00
THE PHANTOM OF THE OPEN (PG-13) 1 Hr 46 Min
Friday & Saturday (June 24 & 25): 1:15, 7:20
Sunday (June 26): 1:15
Monday-Wednesday (June 27-29): 3:30, 7:20
Thursday (June 30): 3:30
COMING SOON – In-Person Screenings:
(All Dates Are Tentative. Dates Often Move And Sometimes Disappear)
July 1 – Booking in Progress – TBA Soon!
July 15 – MRS. HARRIS GOES TO PARIS
July 15 or 22: MARCEL THE SHELL WITH SHOES ON
TBD: MEMORIA

NEON News: MORE OSCAR SHORTS

By

Audiences have loved CYRANO as well as the OSCAR NOMINATED SHORTS: LIVE ACTION, and both will stick around. If you still need to see THE WORST PERSON IN THE WORLD, a film that a few of our regulars have considered to be the best film of 2021, you only have a couple more chances.

This Friday, we’re opening 5 more Oscar contenders…THE OSCAR NOMINATED SHORTS: ANIMATION. As always, this collection is quite a mix of styles and subjects, but in the past, we’ve had some attendees bring children to this program. This year is different…this collection of shorts contains a lot of adult content (essentially a hard R), and children will not be permitted. Next week, we’ll sprinkle in some screenings of the nominated DOCUMENTARY SHORTS.
Over the past week, I’ve been communicating with Julia Reichert about Part 2 of her Retrospective – JULIA REICHERT: 50 YEARS IN FILM. Right now, we’re looking at Wednesdays in April, and we plan to get all of those details secured next week. Stay tuned!
As national protocols regarding COVID safety are altered across the country, THE NEON’s Board realizes that a shift in our policies will eventually need to happen. Every day, we have to turn away potential customers who weren’t aware of our protocols…and conversely, every day we have customers thank us for our strict policies. The Board is not taking this next step lightly, and we understand that we’ll never be able to make everyone happy. That said, until decisions are made, our current COVID protocols will remain in effect.
NEW IN-PERSON ENGAGEMENTS:
Synopsis for OSCAR NOMINATED SHORTS: ANIMATION: This year’s program of animated shorts features five award-winning shorts that range in style, subject, and nationality. (Please note, this year’s selection is not suitable for children!) Nominees included ROBIN ROBIN (UK, 32 min), BOXBALLET (Russia, 15 min.), AFFAIRS OF THE ART (UK/Canada, 16 min.), BESTIA (Chile, 15 min), and THE WINDSHIELD WIPER (USA/Spain, 14 min). Click the image below to watch a trailer for this year’s Oscar Nominated Shorts.
UPCOMING SPECIAL EVENTS:

TOMORROW NIGHT! “K. Carter, with film creator Jeremy Tkach, give a glimpse into the progress of a man’s passions in a city thriving after chaos. This documentary shines a light on the process of a native Dayton talent pursuing his passions: music and his community. After devastating tornadoes, a mass shooting, and in the midst of a global pandemic, K. Carter continues to work on his music and plan a music festival for a small urban city. Viewers will see the teams behind Carter’s endeavors and the words of those who look up to him. His journey to making an album not only spans across time but across state lines, while planning a festival has its own challenges. See the connections made and the leaps bound to bring something special to Dayton, Ohio.” Join us on Thursday, March 3 at 7:30 for the World Premiere of SON OF HIP HOP: A RAPUMENTARY – followed by a Q&A with K. Carter and Jeremy Tkach! Tickets only available at this

We’ve booked 2 special screenings of The West End’s ANYTHING GOES – set for March 27 & 30, and tickets are already on sale! What I’m even more excited about is that WSU’s Joe Deer, who was in the 1987 Broadway revival of ANYTHING GOES and has directed productions of this show several times, will introduce the screening on Wednesday, March 30. This is a filmed version of last summer’s West End production starring the luminous Tony-winning Sutton Foster. Don’t miss this Cole Porter treat on the big screen! Tickets are $12.50 and available now at our box office or on-line! More details can be found on our website. Click the image below to watch a trailer.
TICKETS ARE FLYING! We’ve booked a special event for Thursday, April 21 at 6:30. Many of you are familiar with THE DISASTER ARTIST – the story & film about the making of what is regarded as “the greatest bad movie ever made” – the cult hit THE ROOM. On April 21, we will screen THE ROOM along with special guest actor & author Greg Sestero (he co-starred in THE ROOM and wrote the book THE DISASTER ARTIST). Greg will host a Q&A, we’ll screen THE ROOM, and then you will have an opportunity for a meet & greet. Tickets are $20 each and are already on sale!
On Sunday, March 27, you’re invited to our FREE Academy Awards Screening Party. Doors will open at 7pm and the official broadcast of the ceremony will begin at 8pm…though seating will be limited. That said, you can reserve your spot in advance by coming to THE NEON starting on Saturday, March 26 at Noon. (Only two reserved seats per person. i.e. If you have a party of 6 who want to sit together, 3 of you need to come and claim your seats.) More details and official party ballots (so you can play along and win great prizes) are available now at our Box Office!

What’s On Screen at The Neon

By

Neon Movies on Fifth Street

This Friday, we’re bringing the film that Paul Thomas Anderson (writer and director of LICORICE PIZZA) calls “The best movie in the world” – Joachim Trier’s THE WORST PERSON IN THE WORLD…nominated for 2 Academy Awards. We’re also bringing back DRIVE MY CAR for 3 encore screenings due to high demand after it was nominated for 4 Academy Awards including “Best Picture.” And because our return engagement of BELFAST was met with so much enthusiasm this past weekend, it will stick around for another week. LICORICE PIZZA will stay for 1 more week, but if you need to see THE POWER OF THE DOG or THE LOST DAUGHTER, you only have a couple more chances. And don’t forget that we’ ll begin our engagement of Joe Wright’s CYRANO(starring Peter Dinklage) next Thursday, Feb. 24 (tickets are already on sale). If you need more details about any of these titles, please visit our official site – www.neonmovies.com

NEW IN-PERSON ENGAGEMENTS:
Synopsis for THE WORST PERSON IN THE WORLD: “Director Joachim Trier returns with another modern twist on a classically constructed character portrait of contemporary life in Oslo. Chronicling four years in the life of Julie, THE WORST PERSON IN THE WORLD examines one woman’s quest for love and meaning in the modern world. Fluidly told in twelve chapters, the film features a breakout performance by Cannes Best Actress winner Renate Reinsve as she explores new professional avenues and embarks on relationships with two very different men (Anders Danielsen Lie and Herbert Nordrum) in her search for happiness and identity.” (Neon Releasing) Click the image below to watch the film’s trailer. This film has been nominated for “Best Screenplay” and “Best International Film.”
CONTINUING IN OUR VIRTUAL CINEMA
To read more about the few films that are still available, please visit our WEBSITE. Here’s a LINK with a video I made about how Virtual Cinema works. Our Virtual Cinema is in its last days (at least for now), but you still have a chance to check out a couple titles from home.
UPCOMING SPECIAL EVENT:
“K. Carter, with film creator Jeremy Tkach, give a glimpse into the progress of a man’s passions in a city thriving after chaos. This documentary shines a light on the process of a native Dayton talent pursuing his passions: music and his community. After devastating tornadoes, a mass shooting, and in the midst of a global pandemic, K. Carter continues to work on his music and plan a music festival for a small urban city. Viewers will see the teams behind Carter’s endeavors and the words of those who look up to him. His journey to making an album not only spans across time but across state lines, while planning a festival has its own challenges. See the connections made and the leaps bound to bring something special to Dayton, Ohio.” Join us on Thursday, March 3 at 7:30 for the World Premiere of SON OF HIP HOP: A RAPUMENTARY – followed by a Q&A with K. Carter and Jeremy Tkach! Tickets only available at this LINK.
We’ve booked 2 special screenings of The West End’s ANYTHING GOES – set for March 27 & 30, and tickets are already on sale! What I’m even more excited about is that WSU’s Joe Deer, who was in the 1987 Broadway revival of ANYTHING GOES and has directed productions of this show several times, will introduce the screening on Wednesday, March 30. This is a filmed version of last summer’s West End production starring the luminous Tony-winning Sutton Foster. Don’t miss this Cole Porter treat on the big screen! Tickets are $12.50 and available now at our box office or on-line! More details can be found on our website. Click the image below to watch a trailer.
You’re hearing about this first! We’ve just booked a special event for Thursday, April 21. Many of you are familiar with THE DISASTER ARTIST – the story & film about the making of what is regarded as one of the worst movies of all time – the cult hit THE ROOM. On April 21, we will screen THE ROOM along with special guest actor & author Greg Sestero (he co-starred in THE ROOM and wrote the book THE DISASTER ARTIST). Mark your calendars now…you’ll be the first to get ticketing details in next week’s newsletter.
Details for this year’s screening party of the March 27 Academy Awards (always a FREE Event for NEON fans) will be revealed soon!

We’re delighted to be the sponsor for a wonderful program on WDPR Discover Classical – THE SCORE – “a celebration of symphonic music in film.” You can listen to this program on Sunday’s at 5pm on 88.1FM or via WDPR’s official site. To read more THE SCORE and the focus of each week’s program, visit this official

POWER OF THE DOG, LOST DAUGHTER, BELFAST & More at The Neon

By

On Monday, while making predictions and confirming our engagements of THE POWER OF THE DOG and THE LOST DAUGHTER, we decided to throw in a handful of screenings of BELFAST. I’m glad we did. Our slate for this weekend is golden. (I’ll go into more details with each synopsis.) In addition to those 3 films arriving on Friday, you’ll still have chances to see LICORICE PIZZA (nominated for 3 Academy Awards including “Best Picture”) and PARALLEL MOTHERS (nominated for 2 Oscars including “Best Actress”). If you still need to see WHO WE ARE: A CHRONICLE OF RACISM IN AMERICA, Thursday will be your last chance to see it at THE NEON.

This Sunday, February 13, we will have our first ever FREE POPCORN DAY! Whether you’re just passing by or joining us for a movie, any beverage purchase starting at Noon until closing on Feb. 13 will get you a FREE SMALL POPCORN (one free popcorn per customer). You can stop by and grab a beer “to go” before you kick-off your pregame at home…or grab a soda for your screening of THE POWER OF THE DOG – either way, the popcorn will be on us!
Please pay close attention to this week’s schedule. Some movies are only screening a handful of times, so I’ve moved them all around in order to get a mix of matinee and evening times throughout the week.
More nominees are on the way! THE WORST PERSON IN THE WORLD (nominated for “Best International Film” and “Best Original Screenplay”) opens next Friday. CYRANO and many of the OSCAR NOMINATED SHORT FILMS will open on Feb. 25. Other surprises are also in store. (FYI – Tickets for opening weekend of CYRANO are slated to go on sale this Friday morning!)
NEW IN-PERSON ENGAGEMENTS:
Synopsis for THE POWER OF THE DOG: Nominated for 12 Academy Awards including “Best Picture” and “Best Director” (Jane Campion is the first woman to ever be nominated twice for this award – how is that possible?). “A domineering rancher responds with mocking cruelty when his brother brings home a new wife and her son, until the unexpected comes to pass.” Starring Benedict Cumberbatch, Kirsten Dunst, Jesse Plemons, and Kodi Smit-McPhee – all nominated for their performances! Click the image below to watch the film’s trailer.
Synopsis for THE LOST DAUGHTER: Nominated for 3 Academy Awards including “Best Actress” for Olivia Colman. In the feature directorial debut from Maggie Gyllenhaal, Colman gives a strong and unsettling performance – one that has been winning awards around the world. “A college professor confronts her unsettling past after meeting a woman and her young daughter while on vacation in Italy. Her obsession with the woman and her daughter prompts memories of her early motherhood.” Click the image below to watch the film’s trailer. Gyllenhaal was nominated for her “Adapted Screenplay” for this film!
Synopsis for BELFAST: We had a feeling that nominations might renew interest in this gem…so we re-booked it without knowing it would garner 7 Academy Awards nominations including “Best Picture” (and a surprise nomination for the much-loved Judi Dench). We’ll have BELFAST for 5 special screenings starting Friday, Feb. 11. Director Kenneth Branagh’s “semi-autobiographical film which chronicles the life of a working class family and their young son’s childhood during the tumult of the late 1960s in the Northern Ireland capital.” (Focus Features) With Jamie Dornan, Caitriona Balfe, Judi Dench and Ciaran Hinds…and introducing Jude Hill. Click on the image below to watch the film’s trailer.
CONTINUING IN OUR VIRTUAL CINEMA
To read more about the few films that are still available, please visit our WEBSITE. Here’s a LINK with a video I made about how Virtual Cinema works. Our Virtual Cinema is in its last days (at least for now), but you still have a chance to check out a couple titles from home.
UPCOMING SPECIAL EVENT:
“K. Carter, with film creator Jeremy Tkach, give a glimpse into the progress of a man’s passions in a city thriving after chaos. This documentary shines a light on the process of a native Dayton talent pursuing his passions: music and his community. After devastating tornadoes, a mass shooting, and in the midst of a global pandemic, K. Carter continues to work on his music and plan a music festival for a small urban city. Viewers will see the teams behind Carter’s endeavors and the words of those who look up to him. His journey to making an album not only spans across time but across state lines, while planning a festival has its own challenges. See the connections made and the leaps bound to bring something special to Dayton, Ohio.” Join us on Thursday, March 3 at 7:30 for the World Premiere of SON OF HIP HOP: A RAPUMENTARY – followed by a Q&A with K. Carter and Jeremy Tkach! Tickets only available at this LINK.
We’re set for 2 special screenings of The West End’s ANYTHING GOES – set for March 27 & 30, and tickets are already on sale! What I’m even more excited about is that WSU’s Joe Deer, who was in the 1987 Broadway revival of ANYTHING GOES and has directed productions of this show several times, will introduce the screening on Wednesday, March 30. This is a filmed version of last summer’s West End production starring the luminous Sutton Foster. Don’t miss this Cole Porter treat on the big screen! Tickets are $12.50 and available now at our box office or on-line! More details can be found on our website. Click the image below to watch a trailer.
Details for this year’s screening party of the Academy Awards (set for March 27)…always a FREE Event for NEON fans…will be revealed soon!

WHO WE ARE Opens Friday at The Neon

By

On Friday, we will open one of the most powerful documentaries I have seen in a long time – WHO WE ARE: A CHRONICLE OF RACISM IN AMERICA. I think this film should be part of a national curriculum, and I hope you’ll help me spread the word about this important engagement. LICORICE PIZZA continues to be our biggest draw – so it will stick around. PARALLEL MOTHERS will hold for a second week, and DRIVE MY CAR is coming back for three more encore screenings this weekend.

Academy Award nominations are coming out on Feb. 8, and we’re pretty sure we know a couple contenders coming down the pike that haven’t screened at THE NEON. So starting next Friday, you’ll have a chance to see Jane Campion’s THE POWER OF THE DOG(starring Benedict Cumberbatch) and Maggie Gyllenhaal’s feature directorial debut THE LOST DAUGHTER (starring Olivia Coleman) on our big screen.

On Sunday, February 13, we will have our first ever FREE POPCORN DAY! Whether you’re just passing by or joining us for a movie, any beverage purchase starting at Noon until closing on Feb. 13 will get you a FREE SMALL POPCORN (one free popcorn per customer). You can stop by and grab a beer “to go” before you kick-off your pregame at home…or grab a soda for your screening of THE POWER OF THE DOG – either way, the popcorn will be on us!

NEW IN-PERSON ENGAGEMENTS:
Synopsis for WHO WE ARE: A CHRONICLE OF RACISM IN AMERICA: Rated “100% Fresh” on rottentomatoes and the winner of numerous awards at film festivals across the country, this film is a Must-See! “Interweaving lecture, personal anecdotes, interviews, and shocking revelations, in WHO WE ARE: A CHRONICLE OF RACISM IN AMERICA, criminal defense/civil rights lawyer Jeffery Robinson draws a stark timeline of anti-Black racism in the United States, from slavery to the modern myth of a post-racial America.” (Sony Classics) Robert Daniels of THE LOS ANGELES TIMES wrote, “Through Robinson’s fervor for truth, Emily and Sarah Kunstler’s WHO WE ARE chronicles how such heartaches, when observed on a personal level, remind us how knowing the unchangeable past can still improve the alterable future for the better.” Click the image below to watch the film’s trailer.
CONTINUING IN OUR VIRTUAL CINEMA
To read more about the few films that are still available, please visit our WEBSITE. Here’s a LINK with a video I made about how Virtual Cinema works. Our Virtual Cinema is in its last days (at least for now), but you still have a chance to check out a couple titles from home.
UPCOMING SPECIAL EVENT:
We’re set for 2 special screenings of The West End’s ANYTHING GOES – set for March 27 & 30, and tickets are already on sale! What I’m even more excited about is that WSU’s Joe Deer, who was in the 1987 Broadway revival of ANYTHING GOES and has directed productions of this show several times, will introduce the screening on Wednesday, March 30. This is a filmed version of last summer’s West End production starring the luminous Sutton Foster. Don’t miss this Cole Porter treat on the big screen! Tickets are $12.50 and available now at our box office or on-line! More details can be found on our website. Click the image below to watch a trailer.
THE NEON wants to keep our Staff and Patrons safe! Our Board of Directors has sought advisement from Combined Health Dayton & Montgomery County and the Center for Disease Control…we’re also looking at other arthouse cinemas in major markets across the country. We have recently made one minor change to our policy. Masks are now required for all guests age 2 and higher until further notice.  All patrons aged 12 and over will be required to present proof of vaccination with a photo ID or a negative COVID-19 test from the last 72 hours. (Self-reported vaccination records not verified by a third party health care provider are not acceptable. Test results must include name, test result, and a timestamp within the past 72 hours.) We will continue to monitor the community’s health data and amend our policies based on guidance.
Please stay tuned to THE NEON’s website for the latest updates. A couple helpful hints!! Take a single picture of your photo ID and your vaccination card in the same shot. You’ll be able to flash this photo at our box office, and that will work as proof enough for us. If you have a smart phone, you could also download the app that most folks in NYC are using to get into movies, Broadway shows and restaurants – NYCCOVIDSAFE. This app will have you take a photo of your ID and your vaccine card – and it saves you from having to hunt for a photo on your phone. I downloaded it, and it’s very easy to use.
Please remember – We ask that you arrive before showtime to allow for checking everyone in before the auditorium gets dark!

Almodovar’s PARALLEL MOTHERS and Stunning Refugee Doc FLEE at The Neon

By

Two films are rolling in and two films are rolling out! If you still need to see THE VELVET QUEEN or RED ROCKET, Thursday will be your last chance to catch them at THE NEON. On Friday, we will open Almodóvar’s new film with Penelope Cruz – PARALLEL MOTHERS (one of my absolute favorites of 2021). In addition, we’ll bring the very special animated doc FLEE for three screenings this weekend! LICORICE PIZZA is sticking around for another week, and because DRIVE MY CAR saw a nice uptick over the weekend, we’ll bring it back for three more shows starting Friday.

On February 4, we will open one of the most powerful documentaries I have seen in a long time – WHO WE ARE: A CHRONICLE OF RACISM IN AMERICA. I think this film should be part of a national curriculum. I hope you’ll help me spread the word about this doc that needs a groundswell of support to gain traction. Here’s a LINK to the trailer.
As most of you know, we closed our doors for 3+ months in 2020 due to the COVID pandemic. We reopened with strict protocols in late June that year and have only closed our doors again when we installed new projectors last Fall. It’s been a challenging ride for numerous reasons…but you’ve stuck with us, and we appreciate your support so much. We’ve had a few successes along the way – NOMADLAND, SUMMER OF SOUL, and THE FRENCH DISPATCH have been the highlights – and now LICORICE PIZZA has become our highest grossing film since we reopened our doors in June 2020. Thank you!
NEW IN-PERSON ENGAGEMENTS:
Synopsis for PARALLEL MOTHERS: “Don’t miss Pedro Almodóvar’s gorgeous new film on the big screen! “Two women, Janis and Ana, coincide in a hospital room where they are going to give birth. Both are single and became pregnant by accident. Janis, middle-aged, doesn’t regret it and she is exultant. The other, Ana, an adolescent, is scared, repentant and traumatized. Janis tries to encourage her while they move like sleepwalkers along the hospital corridors. The few words they exchange in these hours will create a very close link between the two, which by chance develops and complicates, and changes their lives in a decisive way.” (Sony Classics) EMPIRE writes, “Almodóvar juggles comedy and drama to terrifically entertaining ends, aided by a tip-top Penélope Cruz. It’s hard to think of a more exciting actor-director partnership working today.” Click the image below to watch the film’s trailer.
Synopsis for FLEE: Rated “98% Fresh” – “FLEE tells the story of Amin Nawabi as he grapples with a painful secret he has kept hidden for 20 years, one that threatens to derail the life he has built for himself and his soon to be husband. Recounted mostly through animation to director Jonas Poher Rasmussen, he tells for the first time the story of his extraordinary journey as a child refugee from Afghanistan.” (Neon Releasing) Don’t miss this gorgeous documentary that is certain to be an Academy Award contender this year! ABC News says, “The year’s most inventive animated adventure mixes graphic design with documentary realism and puts hallucinatory brilliance at the service of understanding the continuing psychic damage of war. You’ll never forget it.” Click the image below to watch the film’s trailer.
CONTINUING IN OUR VIRTUAL CINEMA
To read more about all the films that are still available, please visit our WEBSITE. Here’s a LINK with a video I made about how Virtual Cinema works. Our Virtual Cinema is slowing down, but we still want to bring new films now and again that deserve to be seen that you can enjoy from home! As a reminder, THE LAST PICTURE SHOW and A RAISIN IN THE SUN are only available until January 31!
UPCOMING SPECIAL EVENT:
Last week, I let you know about special screenings of ANYTHING GOES – set for March 27 & 30. Tickets are already on sale! What I’m even more excited about is that WSU’s Joe Deer, who was in the 1987 Broadway revival of ANYTHING GOES and has directed productions of this show several times, will introduce the screening on Wednesday, March 30. This is a filmed version of last summer’s West End production starring the luminous Sutton Foster. Don’t miss this Cole Porter treat on the big screen! Tickets are $12.50 available now at our box office or on-line! More details can be found on our website. Click the image below to watch a trailer.
THE NEON wants to keep our Staff and Patrons safe! Our Board of Directors has sought advisement from Combined Health Dayton & Montgomery County and the Center for Disease Control…we’re also looking at other arthouse cinemas in major markets across the country. We have recently made one minor change to our policy. Masks are now required for all guests age 2 and higher until further notice.  All patrons aged 12 and over will be required to present proof of vaccination with a photo ID or a negative COVID-19 test from the last 72 hours. (Self-reported vaccination records not verified by a third party health care provider are not acceptable. Test results must include name, test result, and a timestamp within the past 72 hours.) We will continue to monitor the community’s health data and amend our policies based on guidance. Please stay tuned to THE NEON’s website for the latest updates. A couple helpful hints!! Take a single picture of your photo ID and your vaccination card in the same shot. You’ll be able to flash this photo at our box office, and that will work as proof enough for us. If you have a smart phone, you could also download the app that most folks in NYC are using to get into movies, Broadway shows and restaurants – NYCCOVIDSAFE. This app will have you take a photo of your ID and your vaccine card – and it saves you from having to hunt for a photo on your phone. I downloaded it, and it’s very easy to use.
Please remember – We ask that you arrive before showtime to allow for checking everyone in before the auditorium gets dark!
Thank you for all of your continued support through these challenging times!
We hope to see you soon,
Jonathan

Neon Newsflash: RED ROCKET and THE VELVET QUEEN!

By

This Friday, we’re bringing two new films to town. The mesmerizing documentary THE VELVET QUEEN and the boisterous and critically acclaimed RED ROCKET. Both of these films might only play for a week…so hurry down. LICORICE PIZZA will stick around for another week, and DRIVE MY CAR will stick around for one show per day over the weekend. If you still need to see THE TRAGEDY OF MACBETH on the big screen, Thursday will be your last chance at THE NEON.

Several distributors are moving dates around this season, so we will likely be filling the early weeks of February with some critically lauded titles from earlier in the Awards Season that deserve to be seen on the big screen – like THE POWER OF THE DOG and THE LOST DAUGHTER. I’ll keep you posted. That said, we’re still on track to open two incredible new films next Friday (both of which will likely garner Academy Award nominations) – Almodovar’s PARALLEL MOTHERS and the animated documentary FLEE.
One special event that I know many of you will be excited about is now set for March 27 & 30 – 2 special screenings of ANYTHING GOES – a filmed version of last summer’s West End production starring the luminous Sutton Foster. This Cole Porter treasure is a treat! Tickets are available now! More details can be found on our website.
NEW IN-PERSON ENGAGEMENT:
Synopsis for THE VELVET QUEEN: “In the heart of the Tibetan highlands, multi-award-winning nature photographer Vincent Munier guides writer Sylvain Tesson on his quest to document the infamously elusive snow leopard. Munier introduces Tesson to the subtle art of waiting from a blind spot, tracking animals, and finding the patience to catch sight of the beasts. Through their journey in the Tibetan peaks, inhabited by invisible presences, the two men ponder humankind’s place amongst the magnificent creatures and glorious landscapes they encounter along the way.” (Oscilloscope) Click the image below to watch the film’s trailer.
Synopsis for RED ROCKET: “The audacious new film from writer-director Sean Baker (THE FLORIDA PROJECT and TANGERINE), starring Simon Rex in a magnetic, live-wire performance, RED ROCKET is a darkly funny and humane portrait of a uniquely American hustler and a hometown that barely tolerates him.” (A24) The Chicago Tribune says this film is “Raunchy, restless, cinematically vital…” Click the image below to watch the film’s trailer.
CONTINUING IN OUR VIRTUAL CINEMA
To read more about all the films that are still available, please visit our WEBSITE. Here’s a LINK with a video I made about how Virtual Cinema works. Our Virtual Cinema is slowing down, but we still want to bring new films now and again that deserve to be seen that you can enjoy from home! As a reminder, THE LAST PICTURE SHOW and A RAISIN IN THE SUN are only available until January 31!
UPCOMING SPECIAL EVENT
January 20th  – A DREAM TO SERVE THROUGH EDUCATION is a new short documentary that is being presented by the founder of The Dayton School. “The Dayton School (TDS) is an up and coming revolutionary educational experience for students, families, and the surrounding community. The school will specifically service Dayton students, however, through after school programming and community partners we plan to offer educational experiences for TDS families and the community. This documentary outlines a story of a young woman’s journey of resilience through poverty to educational success. Follow her on this voyage as she transforms humbling life lessons and early teaching experiences into passion and commitment to create rewarding education environments for all Dayton families. Witness her unflagging support for the Dayton community as a dedicated educator inside and outside of the classroom. It is the belief of The Dayton School that every child, regardless of zip code, economic status, or culture, deserves a free holistic project based style education that transcends beyond high school. The Dayton School has a mission to improve access, opportunity, and resources for students through multiple exemplary education pathways. This short 30 minute documentary can be viewed for $10 on Thursday January 20th at 7:30pm at THE NEON. After viewing the film The Dayton School’s board, and/or film participants will be available for questions, comments, and discussion. Tickets are available at THE NEON’s Box Office or via this LINK. For more information regarding The Dayton School, including ways in which you can support prior to viewing, please visit Daytonschoolohio.org.” (taken from press notes)
THE NEON wants to keep our Staff and Patrons safe! Our Board of Directors has sought advisement from Combined Health Dayton & Montgomery County and the Center for Disease Control…we’re also looking at other arthouse cinemas in major markets across the country. We have recently made one minor change to our policy. Masks are now required for all guests age 2 and higher until further notice.  All patrons aged 12 and over will be required to present proof of vaccination with a photo ID or a negative COVID-19 test from the last 72 hours. (Self-reported vaccination records not verified by a third party health care provider are not acceptable. Test results must include name, test result, and a timestamp within the past 72 hours.) We will continue to monitor the community’s health data and amend our policies based on guidance. Please stay tuned to THE NEON’s website for the latest updates. A couple helpful hints!! Take a single picture of your photo ID and your vaccination card in the same shot. You’ll be able to flash this photo at our box office, and that will work as proof enough for us. If you have a smart phone, you could also download the app that most folks in NYC are using to get into movies, Broadway shows and restaurants – NYCCOVIDSAFE. This app will have you take a photo of your ID and your vaccine card – and it saves you from having to hunt for a photo on your phone. I downloaded it, and it’s very easy to use.
Please remember – We ask that you arrive before showtime to allow for checking everyone in before the auditorium gets dark!
Thank you for all of your continued support through these challenging times!
We hope to see you soon,
Jonathan

NEON NEWSFLASH: Award Winning DRIVE MY CAR Opens Friday!

By

This Friday, we will open one of the most acclaimed & awarded films of 2021 – DRIVE MY CAR. This Japanese drama is quite likely to be a big contender at this year’s Academy Awards…so don’t miss it on the big screen – it may only be here for a week! LICORICE PIZZA will stick around for another week on a full schedule, and THE TRAGEDY OF MACBETH will be here for one show per day until January 20.
In the next few weeks, we have some really wonderful films. PARALLEL MOTHERS(fantastic new film from Almodovar with a powerful central performance from Penelope Cruz), FLEE (an animated documentary that will likely garner at least 2 Oscar nominations), and THE VELVET QUEEN (a mesmerizing nature doc set in the Tibetan highlands). We hope to see you often.
During the entire pandemic, we have not raised our ticket prices…even though cost of goods have been rising across the board for months and months. Unfortunately, we have to make a change. Tickets will be going up 50 cents starting this Friday, and we will be exploring our concession prices in the coming days, too. Our prices will still be far below the multiplexes in town, and we hope you can understand the need for this change.
NEW IN-PERSON ENGAGEMENT:
Synopsis for DRIVE MY CAR: Winner of multiple awards around the world including the National Society of Film Critics’ “Best Picture” and “Best Director” prizes. “Two years after his wife’s unexpected death, Yusuke Kafuku (Hidetoshi Nishijima), a renowned stage actor and director, receives an offer to direct a production of Uncle Vanya at a theater festival in Hiroshima. There, he meets Misaki Watari (Toko Miura), a taciturn young woman assigned by the festival to chauffeur him in his beloved red Saab 900. As the production’s premiere approaches, tensions mount amongst the cast and crew, not least between Yusuke and Koji Takatsuki, a handsome TV star who shares an unwelcome connection to Yusuke’s late wife. Forced to confront painful truths raised from his past, Yusuke begins – with the help of his driver – to face the haunting mysteries his wife left behind. Adapted from Haruki Murakami’s short story, Ryusuke Hamaguchi’s DRIVE MY CAR is a haunting road movie traveling a path of love, loss, acceptance, and peace.” (Janus Films) Click the image below to watch the film’s trailer.
CONTINUING IN OUR VIRTUAL CINEMA
We added two classics to our Virtual Cinema over the weekend (available until Jan. 31), and we still have a handful of contemporary titles available. To read more about all the films that are still available, please visit our WEBSITE. Here’s a LINK with a video I made about how Virtual Cinema works. Our Virtual Cinema is slowing down, but we still want to bring new films now and again that deserve to be seen that you can enjoy from home! More titles are on the way…stay tuned!
In memory of the late, great Peter Bogdanovich – who passed away last week – we have secured the rights to his classic American film THE LAST PICTURE SHOW. Also known for directing other great films such as PAPER MOON, WHAT’S UP DOC? and MASK, THE LAST PICTURE SHOW was the movie that put Bogdanovich on the map. “Released in 1971 to critical acclaim and public controversy, THE LAST PICTURE SHOW garnered eight Academy Award nominations and was hailed as the most important work by a young American director since CITIZEN KANE. A surprisingly frank, bittersweet drama of social and sexual mores in small-town Texas, the film features a talent-laden cast led by Jeff Bridges (THE BIG LEBOWSKI), Cybill Sheperd (TV’s MOONLIGHTING) and Timothy Bottoms (THE PAPER CHASE). Cloris Leachman (TV’s THE MARY TYLER MOORE SHOW) and Ben Johnson (THE WILD BUNCH) each won Oscars for their work in supporting roles.” (Sony) Click on the image below to watch the trailer and rent the film. This film can be viewed on your computer or mobile device or via your TV with Apple TV or Roku (via the Eventive app). Once you unlock the film for $10, you’ll have 24 hours to finish watching it. Additional instructions can be found on Eventive’s Help Page.
In memory of the incomparable Sidney Poitier – who passed away last week – we have secured the rights to A RAISIN IN THE SUN – the screen adaptation of the award-winning play. Also known for great performances in films like IN THE HEAT OF THE NIGHT, THEY CALL ME MR. TIBBS!, GUESS WHO’S COMING TO DINNER?, LILLIES OF THE FIELD (for which he won an Oscar) and so many more, A RAISIN IN THE SUN saw him performing alongside Ruby Dee and Claudia McNeil. “A RAISIN IN THE SUN is a groundbreaking drama celebrating the human spirit, featuring an electrifying performance by Sidney Poitier. The Younger family, frustrated with living in their crowded Chicago apartment, sees the arrival of a $10,000 insurance check as the answer to their prayers. Matriarch Lena Younger promptly puts a down payment on a house in an all-white suburban neighborhood. But the family is divided when Lena entrusts the balance of the money to her mercurial son Walter Lee, against the wishes of her daughter and daughter-in-law. It takes the strength and integrity of this African-American family to battle against generations of prejudice to try to achieve their piece of the American Dream.” (Sony) Click on the image below to watch the trailer and rent the film. This film can be viewed on your computer or mobile device or via your TV with Apple TV or Roku (via the Eventive app). Once you unlock the film for $10, you’ll have 24 hours to finish watching it. Additional instructions can be found on Eventive’s Help Page.
UPCOMING SPECIAL EVENT
A DREAM TO SERVE THROUGH EDUCATION is a new short documentary that is being presented by the founder of The Dayton School. “The Dayton School (TDS) is an up and coming revolutionary educational experience for students, families, and the surrounding community. The school will specifically service Dayton students, however, through after school programming and community partners we plan to offer educational experiences for TDS families and the community. This documentary outlines a story of a young woman’s journey of resilience through poverty to educational success. Follow her on this voyage as she transforms humbling life lessons and early teaching experiences into passion and commitment to create rewarding education environments for all Dayton families. Witness her unflagging support for the Dayton community as a dedicated educator inside and outside of the classroom. It is the belief of The Dayton School that every child, regardless of zip code, economic status, or culture, deserves a free holistic project based style education that transcends beyond high school. The Dayton School has a mission to improve access, opportunity, and resources for students through multiple exemplary education pathways. This short 30 minute documentary can be viewed for $10 on Thursday January 20th at 7:30pm at THE NEON. After viewing the film The Dayton School’s board, and/or film participants will be available for questions, comments, and discussion. Tickets are available at THE NEON’s Box Office or via this LINK. For more information regarding The Dayton School, including ways in which you can support prior to viewing, please visit Daytonschoolohio.org.” (taken from press notes)
THE NEON wants to keep our Staff and Patrons safe! Our Board of Directors has sought advisement from Combined Health Dayton & Montgomery County and the Center for Disease Control…we’re also looking at other arthouse cinemas in major markets across the country. We have recently made one minor change to our policy. Masks are now required for all guests age 2 and higher until further notice.  All patrons aged 12 and over will be required to present proof of vaccination with a photo ID or a negative COVID-19 test from the last 72 hours. (Self-reported vaccination records not verified by a third party health care provider are not acceptable. Test results must include name, test result, and a timestamp within the past 72 hours.) We will continue to monitor the community’s health data and amend our policies based on guidance. Please stay tuned to THE NEON’s website for the latest updates. A couple helpful hints!! Take a single picture of your photo ID and your vaccination card in the same shot. You’ll be able to flash this photo at our box office, and that will work as proof enough for us. If you have a smart phone, you could also download the app that most folks in NYC are using to get into movies, Broadway shows and restaurants – NYCCOVIDSAFE. This app will have you take a photo of your ID and your vaccine card – and it saves you from having to hunt for a photo on your phone. I downloaded it, and it’s very easy to use.
Please remember – We ask that you arrive before showtime to allow for checking everyone in before the auditorium gets dark!
Thank you for all of your continued support through these challenging times!
We hope to see you soon,
Jonathan

Neon News: Denzel & Frances in Joel Coen’s TRAGEDY OF MACBETH

By

LICORICE PIZZA was just what we needed for the holidays…an exclusive engagement of a big Oscar contender that would bring people to the cinema! Our audiences have been loving it, and it will stick around.

Starting this Friday, we’ll have another exclusive of a big award season contender – THE TRAGEDY OF MACBETH! If you still need to see NIGHTMARE ALLEY, Friday afternoon will be your last chance.

Synopsis for THE TRAGEDY OF MACBETH: Opens Dec. 31! “Denzel Washington and Frances McDormand star in Joel Coen’s bold and fierce adaptation—a tale of murder, madness, ambition, and wrathful cunning.” (A24) Ann Hornaday of WASHINGTON POST wrote, “The pursuit of power by any means necessary – and the moral injury that ensues – feels both ancient and urgently new, especially when it’s animated by the artistry and acute intelligence on display here.” Click the photo below to watch the film’s trailer.
CONTINUING IN OUR VIRTUAL CINEMA
We still have a handful of titles available in our Virtual Cinema…and we hope to add something new in the next few weeks. To read more about all the films that are still available, please visit our WEBSITE. Here’s a LINK with a video I made about how Virtual Cinema works. Our Virtual Cinema is slowing down, but we still want to bring new films now and again that deserve to be seen that you can enjoy from home! More titles are on the way…stay tuned!
UPCOMING SPECIAL EVENT
A DREAM TO SERVE THROUGH EDUCATION is a new short documentary that is being presented by the founder of The Dayton School. “The Dayton School (TDS) is an up and coming revolutionary educational experience for students, families, and the surrounding community. The school will specifically service Dayton students, however, through after school programming and community partners we plan to offer educational experiences for TDS families and the community. This documentary outlines a story of a young woman’s journey of resilience through poverty to educational success. Follow her on this voyage as she transforms humbling life lessons and early teaching experiences into passion and commitment to create rewarding education environments for all Dayton families. Witness her unflagging support for the Dayton community as a dedicated educator inside and outside of the classroom. It is the belief of The Dayton School that every child, regardless of zip code, economic status, or culture, deserves a free holistic project based style education that transcends beyond high school.
The Dayton School has a mission to improve access, opportunity, and resources for students through multiple exemplary education pathways. This short 30 minute documentary can be viewed for $10 on Thursday January 20th at 7:30pm at THE NEON. After viewing the film The Dayton School’s board, and/or film participants will be available for questions, comments, and discussion. Tickets are available at THE NEON’s Box Office or via this LINK. For more information regarding The Dayton School, including ways in which you can support prior to viewing, please visit Daytonschoolohio.org.” (taken from press notes)

THE NEON wants to keep our Staff and Patrons safe! Our Board of Directors has sought advisement from Combined Health Dayton & Montgomery County and the Center for Disease Control…we’re also looking at other arthouse cinemas in major markets across the country. We have recently made one minor change to our policy. Masks are now required for all guests age 2 and higher until further notice.  All patrons aged 12 and over will be required to present proof of vaccination with a photo ID or a negative COVID-19 test from the last 72 hours. (Self-reported vaccination records not verified by a third party health care provider are not acceptable. Test results must include name, test result, and a timestamp within the past 72 hours.) We will continue to monitor the community’s health data and amend our policies based on guidance. Please stay tuned to THE NEON’s website for the latest updates. A couple helpful hints!! Take a single picture of your photo ID and your vaccination card in the same shot. You’ll be able to flash this photo at our box office, and that will work as proof enough for us. If you have a smart phone, you could also download the app that most folks in NYC are using to get into movies, Broadway shows and restaurants – NYCCOVIDSAFE. This app will have you take a photo of your ID and your vaccine card – and it saves you from having to hunt for a photo on your phone. I downloaded it, and it’s very easy to use.

Please remember – We ask that you arrive before showtime to allow for checking everyone in before the auditorium gets dark!
Thank you for all of your support!
We hope to see you soon,
Jonathan
IN-PERSON SHOWTIMES for Tuesday, Dec. 28 – Thursday, Jan. 6 :
NIGHTMARE ALLEY (R) 2 Hrs 30 Min
Tuesday-Thursday (Dec 28-30): 3:15, 7:00
Friday (Dec 31): 1:00
FINAL DAY – Dec. 31!
LICORICE PIZZA (R) 2 Hrs 13 Min
Tuesday-Thursday (Dec 28-30): 3:30, 7:20
Friday, Saturday, Sunday (Dec 31-Jan 2): 12:50, 4:10, 7:20
Monday-Thursday (Jan 3-6): 3:30, 7:20
THE TRAGEDY OF MACBETH (R) 1 Hr 45 Min
Friday (Dec 31): 4:30, 7:30
Saturday & Sunday (Jan 1 & 2): 1:30, 4:30, 7:30
Monday-Thursday (Jan 3-6): 3:15, 7:00
COMING SOON – In-Person Screenings:
(All Dates Are Tentative. Dates Often Move And Sometimes Disappear)
TBD – CYRANO
TBD – PARALLEL MOTHERS
TBD – DRIVE MY CAR
TBD – THE DUKE
TBD – MOTHERING SUNDAYS

The Line Up at The Neon this Week

By

Wow! It felt really good to be busy again! THE FRENCH DISPATCH became our biggest opening of 2021, and we are thrilled. THANK YOU! It will certainly be sticking around. If you need to see LAST NIGHT IN SOHO, Thursday afternoon will be its last screening. On Thursday evening, we’ll open Kenneth Branagh’s semi-autobiographical film BELFAST – don’t miss this one!
We’re adding an award-winning new film to our Virtual Cinema this weekend, too – a powerful indigenous story set during Canada’s Oka Crisis in 1990 – BEANS.
NEW IN-PERSON ENGAGEMENT:
Synopsis for BELFAST: “Written and directed by Academy Award® nominee Kenneth Branagh, BELFAST is a poignant story of love, laughter and loss in one boy’s childhood, amid the music and social tumult of the late 1960s.” (Focus Features) This incredible, award-winning film will certainly garner a “Best Picture” nomination this year. Starring Jamie Dornan, Caitriona Balfe, Judi Dench and Ciarán Hinds, and introducing Jude Hill. I know that we have a lot of Judi Dench fans…and she is irresistible in this film. Her scenes with Ciarán Hinds are bliss. Don’t miss this one on the big screen! During Opening Week (Nov. 12-18), the 1:15 screening each day will feature Open Captions (this means captions will be projected on screen). Click the image below to watch the film’s trailer.
NEW IN OUR VIRTUAL CINEMA
Synopsis for BEANS: Available starting Nov. 12! “Twelve-year-old Beans is on the edge: torn between innocent childhood and delinquent adolescence; forced to grow up fast to become the tough Mohawk warrior she needs to be during the Indigenous uprising known as The Oka Crisis, which tore Quebec and Canada apart for 78 tense days in the summer of 1990.” Click the image below to watch the wonderful trailer and gain 72 hour access to the film for $12.
CONTINUING IN OUR VIRTUAL CINEMA
Synopsis for SISTERS: “For thirty years, French-Algerian sisters Zorah, Nohra and Djamila have been living in the hope of finding their brother Rheda, abducted by their father, and hidden in newly decolonised Algeria. Their relationship is shaken when Zorah, the eldest sister, decides to write a play based on the traumatising events of their childhood that haunted them their whole life. But when they learn that their father is dying, the three sisters decide to go to Algeria to seize their last opportunity to have him reveal where their brother is. When the past catches up, the three sisters have no choice but to put their differences aside.” (Distrib Films) Click the image below to watch the trailer and gain 72 hour access for $10.
To read more about all the films that are still available in our Virtual Cinema, please visit our WEBSITE. Here’s a LINK with a video I made about how Virtual Cinema works. Our Virtual Cinema is slowing down, but we still want to bring new films now and again that deserve to be seen that you can enjoy from home! More titles are on the way…stay tuned!
UPCOMING SPECIAL EVENTS
“SHOUT FOR JOY! brings the power and passion of Jeremy Winston Chorale International to the big screen.  Filmed in the beautiful sanctuary at Kettering Seventh-day Adventist Church, this short film showcases the exceptional artistry of this nation’s most outstanding vocalists and musicians. Along with in-depth artist interviews and discussions, the music will feature classical, spirituals, and a cappella gospel. It shares the story of this non-profit organization and how it uses music to change the world. All proceeds support scholarships for collegiate music students.” (taken from press notes) Tickets are $20 each and available on THE NEON’s website or at our box office during traditional operating hours. This event will take place Tuesday, November 23 at 7:30.
We’re delighted to bring JULIA REICHERT: 50 YEARS IN FILM to Julia’s hometown. The retrospective, which was curated and organized by the Wexner Center for the Arts, premiered at the Museum of Modern Art in May 2019. The film series then traveled to Los Angeles, Houston, Minneapolis, Portland, Cleveland, Louisville and Madison before the pandemic shut everything down. Reichert said, “It means so much to me to share these films again with Dayton audiences, many who weren’t even born yet when these films came out.” Attendees at the first screening on Nov. 21 will receive a complimentary souvenir program and will be treated to an artist talk from Reichert before screening her very first feature film – GROWING UP FEMALE. 4 dates have been set and more titles and dates will be determined in early 2022. Tickets are $10 for each screening and are now available on our website and at our box office. More details about each selection will be available in upcoming newsletters. Here’s the schedule:
Sunday, Nov 21 at 4:00 – GROWING UP FEMALE & Artist Talk
Wednesday, Dec 1 at 7:00 – UNION MAIDS and THE LAST TRUCK
Wednesday, Dec. 8 at 7:00 – SEEING RED
Wednesday, Dec. 15 at 7:00 – JULIA’S HIDDEN GEMS: 4 SHORT FILMS
We recently got a new delivery of NEON t-shirts and hoodies…perfect for the movie-lovers in your life. Get ’em while you can.
THE NEON wants to keep our Staff and Patrons safe! Our Board of Directors has sought advisement from Combined Health Dayton & Montgomery County and the Center for Disease Control.  Masks will continue to be required for all guests age 6 and higher until further notice.  On Oct. 1, 2021, we began our new policy that will be in effect until further notice – all patrons aged 12 and over will be required to present proof of vaccination with a photo ID or a negative COVID-19 test from the last 72 hours. (Self-administered tests will not be accepted. Test results must include name, test result, and a timestamp within the past 72 hours.) We will continue to monitor the community’s health data and amend our policies based on guidance. Please stay tuned to THE NEON’s website for the latest updates. A couple helpful hints!! Take a single picture of your photo ID and your vaccination card in the same shot. You’ll be able to flash this photo at our box office, and that will work as proof enough for us. If you have a smart phone, you could also download the app that most folks in NYC are using to get into movies, Broadway shows and restaurants – NYCCOVIDSAFE. This app will have you take a photo of your ID and your vaccine card – and it saves you from having to hunt for a photo on your phone. I downloaded it, and it’s very easy to use.
Please remember – We ask that you arrive before showtime to allow for checking everyone in before the auditorium gets dark!
If you know anyone or organization who might be interested in some old speakers and subwoofers, please send them my way.

“Julia Reichert: 50 Years in Film” Retrospective Coming to Neon

By

Traveling film exhibit which debuted at the Museum of Modern Art finally premiering in Dayton

The Neon, Dayton’s downtown art house cinema, will host “Julia Reichert:  50 Years in Film,” a traveling celebration of the Oscar winning filmmaker’s decades of documentaries.  The screenings begin on Sunday afternoon, November 21, 2021.   The retrospective, which was curated and organized by the Wexner Center for the Arts, premiered at the Museum of Modern Art in May 2019.  The film series then traveled to Los Angeles, Houston, Minneapolis, Portland, Cleveland, Louisville and Madison before the pandemic shut everything down. 

“I’m deeply grateful to the Neon’s manager Jonathan McNeal for bringing this retrospective home,” said Julia Reichert.  “It means so much to me to share these films again with Dayton audiences, many who weren’t even born yet when these films came out.  New and beautiful 4K restorations of the four films I made with Jim Klein will play on the Neon’s screens, and they look amazing.”

“For 50 years, my professor, mentor and dear friend Julia Reichert has been telling powerful and engaging cinematic stories,” said McNeal.  “These important films still resonate, and we’re thrilled to finally be able to present this incredible collection of work back on the big screen.”

The retrospective will begin on Nov 21 with Reichert, who taught film at Wright State for 28 years, giving a live, intimate, illustrated talk about her origins.  How did she go from a working-class small-town girl, told she could only be a secretary, teacher or nurse, to being a pioneering filmmaker?  The first event will also include a screening of Julia Reichert & Jim Klein’s first film, GROWING UP FEMALE, their groundbreaking 1971 documentary exploring how girls and women are socialized.  This film, Julia’s senior project at Antioch College, was selected in 2011 by the Library of Congress for the prestigious National Film Registry of historically significant films.

The 2021 events in the retrospective are:

  • Sun, Nov 21 at 4:00: Julia Reichert Artist Talk and GROWING UP FEMALE (1971)
  • Wednesday, Dec. 1 at 7:00:  UNION MAIDS (1976) and THE LAST TRUCK: CLOSING OF A GM PLANT (2009).
  • Wednesday, Dec. 8 at 7:00:  SEEING RED:  STORIES OF AMERICAN COMMUNISTS (1984)
  • Wednesday, Dec. 15 at 7:00:  Julia’s Hidden Gems & Deep Cuts:  Four shorter documentaries from Reichert’s body of work:  METHADONE – AN AMERICAN WAY OF DEALING (1974), SPARKLE (2012), MAKING MORNING STAR (2014) & NO GUNS FOR CHRISTMAS (2014).

Reichert’s retrospective will continue in 2022 with films and dates to be announced. 

Tickets are $10 for each screening and available on THE NEON’s website www.neonmovies.com or at THE NEON’s Box Office.  For additional information, please contact Jonathan McNeal at theneon@msn.com