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Jonathan McNeal

TRIBE CALLED QUEST Documentary Opens + Toronto-Bound

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Hello Everyone.

THE TRIP did moderate business over the weekend…just enough to stick around for another week.  That said, SARAH’S KEY is still performing quite well.  In addition to these two films, we will open something new for one week only…a music documentary by actor and filmmaker Michael Rapaport.

Synopsis for BEATS, RHYMES & LIFE – THE TRAVELS OF A TRIBE CALLED QUEST: “Michael Rapaport sets out on tour with A Tribe Called Quest in 2008, when they reunited to perform sold-out concerts across the country, almost ten years after the release of their last album, The Love Movement. As he travels with the band members, Rapaport captures the story of how tenuous their relationship has become; how their personal differences and unresolved conflicts continue to be a threat to their creative cohesion. When mounting tensions erupt backstage during a show in San Francisco, we get a behind-the-scenes look at their journey and contributions as a band and what currently is at stake for these long-time friends collaborators.” (Sony Picture Classics)  Click this LINK to visit the official site.

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bbCT6_HAOmM’]

On Friday, September 16 at 9:30pm, come to THE NEON for PK Night Dayton, Volume 8– sponsored by AIA Dayton, a chapter of The American Institute of Architects.  Pecha Kucha Night was devised in Tokyo in 2003 as an event where people meet, network, and share their creative endeavors with a lively audience.  PK Nights are now held in hundreds of cities, including Dayton. Presenters share 20 images but with only 20 seconds per image, the timed format keeps presentations lively and concise.  Volume 8 will feature architects from around the region along with Dayton’s own Jane Black, London Coe, and Terry Welker.  The cost for this event is $5, and tickets are already available at our box office.

The 6th Annual Downtown Dayton LGBT Film Festival is in the final prep stages, and festival passes are currently on sale at our box office (single tickets go on sale Sept. 8).  5 visiting artists are already booked to visit the festival (all 5 are being flown in from L.A.), and our opening night party is shaping up to be something special.

To visit the official website for the festival, visit www.daytonlgbt.com.  The image above is from a French movie called TOMBOY – the film has one of the best child performances you will ever see.  Here’s the trailer:

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=onYkjprd-t8′]

I leave for the Toronto International Film Festival Wednesday morning…and I can hardly wait!  If you’d like to read about the films I’m seeing, the stars I’ve sighted, and the parties I’m attending, please visit DaytonMostMetro’s site by visiting the link starting on Thursday:  http://www.daytonmostmetro.com/tag/toronto-film-fest Just a few of the films I’m terribly excited to see are SHAME (with Michael Fassbender), ALBERT NOBBS (with Glenn Close), Almodovar’s THE SKIN I LIVE IN, Cronenberg’s A DANGEROUS METHOD, a new silent film from France called THE ARTIST, and the new film from Nadine Labaki (director of CARAMEL).

Please keep the staff busy in my absence.

Take care,

Jonathan

SHOWTIMES for Sept. 9 – September 15:

SARAH’S KEY (PG-13) 1 Hr 51 Min

Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 12:20, 2:40, 5:00, 7:20, 9:40

Monday – Thursday:  3:00, 5:30, 8:00

BEATS, RHYMES & LIFE:

THE TRAVELS OF A TRIBE CALLED QUEST (R) 1 Hr 37 Min

Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 5:10, 9:50

Monday – Thursday: 8:15

THE TRIP (NR) 1 Hr 47 Min

Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 12:30, 2:50, 7:30

Monday – Thursday: 3:30, 6:00

COMING SOON:

As always, all dates are tentative.  Some of these dates will change.

In some cases, titles may disappear.

Sept. 16  THE GUARD

Sept 23   HIGHER GROUND

Sept. 30   THE FUTURE

Oct. 7   RESTLESS

Oct. 7   SENNA

Nov. 4  TAKE SHELTER

Nov. 18  MARTHA MARCY MAY MARLENE

Nov. 25   THE SKIN I LIVE IN

TBD   THE WHISTLEBLOWER

TBD   LIFE ABOVE ALL

British Comedy THE TRIP – Opens Sept. 2 at THE NEON!

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Hello Everyone.

A special thanks to all of you who came out for opening weekend for SARAH’S KEY…we had a terrific weekend.  I’ve heard back from many of you that word is spreading about getting to THE NEON to see the film.  I certainly appreciate this…as word-of-mouth is one of the most effective marketing tools for us.

SARAH’S KEY will hold over as well as ANOTHER EARTH (for one screening a day).  In addition, we will open the new British comedy THE TRIP.

Synopsis for THE TRIP:  “When Steve Coogan is asked by The Observer to tour the country’s finest restaurants, he envisions it as the perfect getaway with his beautiful girlfriend. But, when she backs out on him, he has no one to accompany him but his best friend and source of eternal aggravation, Rob Brydon. As the brilliant comic duo, freestyling with flair, drive each other mad with constant competition and showdowns of competing impressions, the ultimate odd couple realize in the end a rich amount about not only good food, but the nature of fame, relationships and their own lives.” (IFC Films)  Click HERE to be directed to THE TRIP’s official website.

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

The 6th Annual Downtown Dayton LGBT Film Festival is in the final prep stages.  Visiting artists are booking their flights, posters and postcards are showing up all around town, and community partners are helping to spread the word.  Check out this wonderful clip from CAROL CHANNING: LARGER THAN LIFE …it’s an interview in which she talks about Jacqueline Kennedy visiting backstage during HELLO DOLLY.  (This particular screening is sponsored by The Human Race Theatre Company)

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ex8gE6YC63Q’]

The official website is now up and running!  Check out www.daytonlgbt.com to read a synopsis about each film…you’ll also find embedded trailers and links to official websites.  One special treat…The Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra will give a pair of tickets away at each LGBT screening to see Lynda Carter when she’s in town!  Festival passes go on sale tomorrow at THE NEON’s box office.  $50 for all seven screenings + the Opening Night Party at Sidebar.  (Single tickets go on sale Sept. 8 for $8 each.)

Living City’s Fall Festival is officially booked.  This year?  Vampires!  From Bela Lugosi’sDRACULA (in 35mm) to Catherine Deneuve & David Bowie in THE HUNGER – the line-up is lots of fun.  More details soon…the series begins Oct. 17!

Don’t forget…Take your NEON ticket stub to our new neighbor Sa bai: Asian Cuisine & Sushi Bar – and receive 15% off your meal.

We’ve got some new great bookings below.  From Pedro Almodovar and Gus Van Sant to the much-requested SENNA.  Check out titles below.

I leave for the Toronto International Film Festival next Wednesday…and I can hardly wait!  Beginning next week, I will blog on a daily basis (right here on DaytonMostMetro.com) about the films I’m seeing, the parties I’ve attended, and the stars I’ve sighted.

See you soon,
Jonathan

SHOWTIMES for Sept. 2 – September 8:

SARAH’S KEY (PG-13) 1 Hr 51 Min

Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 12:20, 2:40, 5:00, 7:20, 9:40

Monday – Thursday:  3:00, 5:30, 8:00

ANOTHER EARTH (PG-13)  1 Hr  32 Min

Friday, Saturday, Sunday:  5:10

Monday – Thursday:  5:20

THE TRIP (NR) 1 Hr 47 Min

Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 12:30, 2:50, 7:30, 9:50

Monday – Thursday: 2:50, 7:50

COMING SOON:

As always, all dates are tentative.  Some of these dates will change.
In some cases, titles may disappear.

Sept. 9   THE GUARD
Sept 9   THE WHISTLEBLOWER
Sept 16  BEATS, RHYMES & LIFE: A TRIBE CALLED QUEST
Sept 23   HIGHER GROUND
Sept. 30   THE FUTURE
Oct. 7   RESTLESS
Oct. 7   SENNA
Nov. 4  TAKE SHELTER
Nov. 18  MARTHA MARCY MAY MARLENE
Nov. 25   THE SKIN I LIVE IN
TBD   LIFE ABOVE ALL

This Week at The Neon – “Another Earth” and “Sarah’s Key”

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Hello Everyone.

We had a very slow weekend at THE NEON…so it’s time to clear the decks and move forward in a big way.  If you haven’t seen BUCK, SNOW FLOWER AND THE SECRET FAN orTHE DOUBLE HOUR, you only have until Thursday to see them at THE NEON. (Click here for current showtimes.)

On Friday, we will open 2 new films – the Sundance hit ANOTHER EARTH and the adaptation of the beloved novel SARAH’S KEY.  We haven’t had a big opportunity to market SARAH’S KEY via trailer play…though we know there’s a large interest in the film.  Please help us spread the word about its opening this Friday.

Synopsis for ANOTHER EARTH:  “Rhoda Williams, a bright young woman accepted into MIT’s astrophysics program, aspires to explore the cosmos. A brilliant composer, John Burroughs, has just reached the pinnacle of his profession and is about to have a second child. On the eve of the discovery of a duplicate earth, tragedy strikes and the lives of these strangers become irrevocably intertwined.” (Fox Searchlight Pictures)  ANOTHER EARTH’s official website.

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N8hEwMMDtFY’]

Synopsis for SARAH’S KEY: “Julia Jarmond, an American journalist married to a Frenchman, is commissioned to write an article about the notorious Vel d’Hiv round up, which took place in Paris, in 1942. She stumbles upon a family secret which will link her forever to the destiny of a young Jewish girl, Sarah. Julia learns that the apartment she and her husband Bertrand plan to move into was acquired by Bertrand’s family when its Jewish occupants were dispossessed and deported 60 years before. She resolves to find out what happened to the former occupants: Wladyslaw and Rywka Starzynski, parents of 10-year-old Sarah and four-year-old Michel. The more Julia discovers – especially about Sarah, the only member of the Starzynski family to survive – the more she uncovers about Bertrand’s family, about France and, finally, herself.” (The Weinstein Company)  The official website for SARAH’S KEY.

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0AmxnNxiNWA’]

Marketing pieces for The 6th Annual Downtown Dayton LGBT Film Festival are well underway, and I’m quite pleased with the line-up!  In the coming days, you’ll start to see stacks of postcards popping up all over town (if you’d like to place some at your business or favorite hangout, please let me know…I have 2 different versions).

The official website is now up and running.  Check out www.daytonlgbt.com to read a synopsis about each film…you’ll also find embedded trailers and links to official websites.  One special treat…The Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra will give a pair of tickets away at each LGBT screening to see Lynda Carter when she’s in town!  If you are a lover of theatre, don’t miss CAROL CHANNING: LARGER THAN LIFE.  If you like being in the know regarding films that make the critics’ top ten lists…you’ll certainly want to see WEEKEND (one of my favorite films of the year).

Living City’s Fall Festival is also shaping up.  This year?  Vampires!  From Bela Lugosi’sDRACULA (in 35mm) to Catherine Deneuve & David Bowie in THE HUNGER – the line-up is lots of fun.  More details soon…the series begins Oct. 17!

And here’s another treat!!!  Take your NEON ticket stub to our new neighbor Sa bai: Asian Cuisine & Sushi Bar – and receive 15% off your meal.

Take care!

Jonathan

SHOWTIMES for August 26 – September 1:

SARAH’S KEY (PG-13) 1 Hr 51 Min

Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 12:20, 2:40, 5:00, 7:20, 9:40

Monday – Thursday:  3:00, 5:30, 8:00

ANOTHER EARTH (PG-13)  1 Hr  32 Min

Friday, Saturday, Sunday:  1:00, 3:10, 5:20, 7:30, 9:40

Monday – Thursday:  3:10, 5:20, 7:50

COMING SOON:

As always, all dates are tentative.  Some of these dates will change.

In some cases, titles may disappear.

Sept. 2   THE TRIP

Sept. 9   LIFE ABOVE ALL

Sept 9   THE WHISTLEBLOWER

Sept 9  BEATS AND RHYMES: A TRIBE CALLED QUEST

Sept 23   HIGHER GROUND

TBD   THE GUARD

TBD   THE FUTURE

2 New Films This Weekend at THE NEON + LGBT Film Fest Line-Up!

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Hello Everyone.

After a phenomenal 10-week run, it’s time for MIDNIGHT IN PARIS to head out.  If you still need to see it (or need to see it one more time), you can find remaining showtimes on ourwebsite.  That said, PAGE ONE: INSIDE THE NEW YORK TIMES is leaving after just one week.  Hurry down if it’s still on your list.

In addition to holding onto BUCK, we will open two new films – SNOW FLOWER AND THE SECRET FAN and THE DOUBLE HOUR.

Synopsis for SNOW FLOWER AND THE SECRET FAN:  “In 19th-century China, seven year old girls Snow Flower and Lily are matched as laotong – or “old sames” – bound together for eternity. Isolated by their families, they furtively communicate by taking turns writing in a secret language, nu shu, between the folds of a white silk fan.In a parallel story in present day Shanghai, the laotong’s descendants, Nina and Sophia, struggle to maintain the intimacy of their own childhood friendship in the face of demanding careers, complicated love lives, and a relentlessly evolving Shanghai. Drawing on the lessons of the past, the two modern women must understand the story of their ancestral connection, hidden from them in the folds of the antique white silk fan, or risk losing one another forever.What unfolds are two stories, generations apart, but everlasting in their universal notion of love, hope and friendship.” (Fox Searchlight Pictures)  Click HERE to be directed to SNOW FLOWER’s official website.

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6wlk7TsdhsY’]

Synopsis for THE DOUBLE HOUR: “Guido, a former cop, is a luckless veteran of the speed-dating scene in Turin. But, much to his surprise, he meets Slovenian immigrant Sonia, a chambermaid at a high-end hotel. The two hit it off, and a passionate romance develops. After they leave the city for a romantic getaway in the country, things suddenly take a dark turn. As Sonia’s murky past resurfaces, her reality starts to crumble. Everything in her life begins to change – questions arise and answers only arrive through a continuous twist and turn of events keeping viewers on edge until the film’s final moments.” (Samuel Goldwyn Pictures)  Click HERE to be directed to THE DOUBLE HOUR’s official website.

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4loZt8-MRZw’]

Marketing pieces for The 6th Annual Downtown Dayton LGBT Film Festival are well underway, and I’m quite pleased with the line-up!  In the coming days, you’ll start to see stacks of postcards popping up all over town (if you’d like to place some at your business or favorite hangout, please let me know…I anticipate their arrival any day).

Here’s this year’s line-up:

Fri. Sept. 23 at 7:30 – THE GREEN – sponsored by Square One Salon & Spa

Fri. Sept. 23 postfilm – PARTY at SIDEBAR – sponsored by Lisa Hanauer & Sue Spiegel

Sat. Sept. 24 at 12:30 – GEN SILENT with THE COLONEL’S OUTING & FIRST AND LOVELISS – sponsored by Greater Dayton LGBT Center

Sat. Sept. 24 at 3:00 – TOP DRAWER SHORTS: I DON’T WANT TO GO BACK ALONE, REVOLUTION, LUST LIFE, CHANGE, THE QUEEN, and THE NOT SO SUBTLE SUBTEXT – sponsored by Miami Valley Fair Housing Center

Sat. Sept. 24 at 7:30 – TOMBOY – sponsored by PFLAG Dayton

Sat. Sept. 24 at 9:30 – GOING DOWN IN LA-LA LAND with 52 – sponsored by MJ’s Cafe, JOHN and Marion’s Piazza

Sun. Sept. 25 at 12:30 – CAROL CHANNING: LARGER THAN LIFE – sponsored by Human Race Theatre Company

Sun. Sept. 25 at 3:00 – WEEKEND with EMPIRE – sponsored by Ken Byers

Ticketing details, trailers, and news about visiting artists will be available soon on the festival website.  One special treat…The Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra will give a pair of tickets away at each LGBT festival screening to see Lynda Carter when she’s in town!

We don’t anticipate THE DOUBLE HOUR (and maybe even SNOW FLOWER) to stick around too long…so we hope you’ll hurry down.

Take care!

Jonathan

SHOWTIMES for August 19 – August 25:

THE DOUBLE HOUR (NR) 1 Hr 35 Min

Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 3:00, 9:30

Monday – Thursday:  2:20, 8:30

SNOW FLOWER AND THE SECRET FAN (PG-13) 2 Hr

Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 12:10, 2:30, 5:00, 7:30, 9:50

Monday – Thursday: 3:00, 5:30, 8:00

BUCK (PG) 1 Hr 28 Min

Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 1:00, 5:15, 7:20

Monday – Thursday: 4:30, 6:30

COMING SOON:

As always, all dates are tentative.  Some of these dates will change.

In some cases, titles may disappear.

Aug 26   ANOTHER EARTH

Aug 26   THE GUARD

Sept. 2   THE TRIP

Sept. 9   LIFE ABOVE ALL

Sept 9   THE WHISTLEBLOWER

Sept 9  BEATS AND RHYMES: A TRIBE CALLED QUEST

Sept 23   HIGHER GROUND

TBD   SARAH’S KEY

TBD   THE FUTURE

THE NEON Gets To PAGE ONE

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Hello Everyone.

We’ve had a great summer so far…and you certainly helped to keep the ball rollin’ with BUCK.  Our weekend was fantastic, and positive word-of-mouth should keep this film going for a little while.  In addition to BUCK, we’re going to bring you another documentary which also has some great buzz – PAGE ONE: INSIDE THE NEW YORK TIMES.  In addition, we’re going to keep MIDNIGHT IN PARIS for yet another week.  Crowds keep coming to this little gem, and it’s quickly becoming one of our longest running and highest grossing summer films.

If you haven’t had a chance to see BEGINNERS, Thursday will be your last chance.  For showtimes for this week and next, visit www.neonmovies.com.

Synopsis for PAGE ONE:  “In the tradition of great fly-on-the-wall documentaries, Page One: A Year Inside the New York Times deftly gains unprecedented access to The New York Times newsroom and the inner workings of the Media Desk. With the Internet surpassing print as our main news source and newspapers all over the country going bankrupt, PAGE ONE chronicles the transformation of the media industry at its time of greatest turmoil. Writers like Brian Stelter, Tim Arango and the salty but brilliant David Carr track print journalism’s metamorphosis even as their own paper struggles to stay vital and solvent. Meanwhile, their editors and publishers grapple with existential challenges from players like WikiLeaks, new platforms ranging from Twitter to tablet computers, and readers’ expectations that news online should be free. But rigorous journalism is thriving. PAGE ONE gives us an up-close look at the vibrant cross-cubicle debates and collaborations, tenacious jockeying for on-the-record quotes, and skillful page-one pitching that produce the “daily miracle” of a great news organization. What emerges is a nuanced portrait of journalists continuing to produce extraordinary work-under increasingly difficult circumstances.” (Magnolia Picutures)

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rwTMFXgf95c’]

Click HERE to visit PAGE ONE’s Official site.  Click HERE to visit BUCK’s Official site.

In the next few days, I will release the entire line-up for The 6th Annual Downtown Dayton LGBT Film Festival.  The selection committee sorted through over a hundred hours of material in order to bring the best films to Dayton.  For a sneak peek, check out a trailer for our opening night film – THE GREEN – sponsored by Square One Salon & Spa.

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t4fZqbMrd2E’]

Hope to see you soon.

Take care!

Jonathan

SHOWTIMES for August 12 – August 18:

MIDNIGHT IN PARIS (PG-13) 1 Hr 40 Min

Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 1:00, 5:10

Monday – Thursday: 6:00

PAGE ONE: INSIDE THE NEW YORK TIMES (R) 1 Hr 28 Min

Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 3:10, 7:30, 9:30

Monday – Thursday: 3:30, 8:15

BUCK (PG) 1 Hr 28 Min

Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 1:15, 3:15, 5:15, 7:20, 9:20

Monday – Thursday: 3:15, 5:30, 8:00

COMING SOON:

As always, all dates are tentative.  Some of these dates will change.
In some cases, titles may disappear.

Aug 19   SNOW FLOWER AND THE SECRET FAN
Aug 26   ANOTHER EARTH
Aug 26   THE GUARD
Sept. 9   LIFE ABOVE ALL
Sept 9   THE WHISTLEBLOWER
Sept 9  BEATS AND RHYMES: A TRIBE CALLED QUEST
Sept 23   HIGHER GROUND
TBD   DOUBLE HOUR
TBD   THE FUTURE

Don’t Miss BEGINNERS! Prize Details Inside!!

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Hello Everyone.

If you still need to see THE TREE OF LIFE, Thursday (7/21) will be its last day at THE NEON (all showtimes are available at HERE).  On Friday, we will open the new film from Mike Mills – BEGINNERS – starring Ewan McGregor and Christopher Plummer (Plummer’s performance is an Oscar shoe-in for “Best Supporting Actor”).

Synopsis for BEGINNERS: “From writer/director Mike Mills comes a comedy/drama about how deeply funny and transformative life can be, even at its most serious moments.  BEGINNERS imaginatively explores the hilarity, confusion, and surprises of love through the evolving consciousness of Oliver (Golden Globe Award nominee Ewan McGregor). Oliver meets the irreverent and unpredictable Anna (Melanie Laurent of Inglourious Basterds) only months after his father Hal (Academy Award nominee Christopher Plummer) has passed away. This new love floods Oliver with memories of his father who – following 44 years of marriage – came out of the closet at age 75 to live a full, energized, and wonderfully tumultuous gay life. The upheavals of Hal’s new honesty, by turns funny and moving, brought father and son closer than they’d ever been able to be. Now Oliver endeavors to love Anna with all the bravery, humor, and hope that his father taught him.” (taken from filmjabber.com)

Click HERE to visit the official site.  Below is a wonderful “Making Of” featurette.

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6dOYyCaH_t4′]

Before the 7:20 screenings of BEGINNERS on both Friday and Saturday night, I will be giving out a handful of T-Shirts and soundtracks.  So brush up on your NEON trivia – I hope to see you here!

On Saturday night, our large auditorium has been rented for a special event.   2 MUCH FLAVOR is a rollerblading documentary (a follow-up to SAVOR THE FLAVOR from 2008) by local videomakers Ryan Benner and Andrew Thompson.  A trailer is available HERE.  The movie will play on Saturday night, July 23 at 10pm.  Tickets will be $5 each.

Many of you have been asking and calling about BUCK.  We appreciate your patience as our schedule continues to re-arrange.  We will eventually play it!

Our new parking lot has new lines and is ready for parking!  You can access this lot (which has 2 different sections) from St. Clair.  One section exits onto 5th Street…the other exits back onto St. Clair.  All the spots are visible from our front window, and new light bulbs have been installed to make certain it is well lit.  As always, this lot if free to NEON customers.  If it is full, we can validate your ticket for the parking garage any time after 6:00 on weekdays or all weekend long.  If you have questions, please don’t hesitate to call or write.

Hope to see you soon.

Take care!

Jonathan

SHOWTIMES for July 22 – July 28:

MIDNIGHT IN PARIS (PG-13) 1 Hr 40 Min

Friday: 12:50, 3:00, 5:10, 7:30, 9:40

Saturday: 12:50, 3:00, 5:10, 7:30

Sunday: 12:50, 3:00, 5:10, 7:30, 9:40

Monday – Thursday: 3:30, 6:00, 8:30

BEGINNERS (R) 1 Hr 45 Min

Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 12:30, 2:45, 5:00, 7:20, 9:45

Monday – Thursday:  3:00, 5:30, 8:00

2 MUCH FLAVOR (NR)

Saturday: 10pm

COMING SOON:

As always, all dates are tentative.  Some of these dates will change.

In some cases, titles may disappear.

July 29 PAGE ONE: INSIDE THE NEW YORK TIMES

July 29 DOUBLE HOUR

Aug 5 BUCK

Aug 5 SNOW FLOWER AND THE SECRET FAN

Aug 12 BEATS AND RHYMES: A TRIBE CALLED QUEST

Aug 26 ANOTHER EARTH

Aug 26 THE GUARD

Sept. 9 LIFE ABOVE ALL

Sept 9 WHISTLEBLOWER

Sept 23 HIGHER GROUND

TBD THE FUTURE

One More Week at THE NEON!

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Hello Everyone.

I’m keepin’ it short and sweet this week.

I’m sorry to report (but happy to report) that we can’t open BEGINNERS on Friday.  Why?  Because our two current films are still performing amazingly!  We will hold MIDNIGHT IN PARIS and THE TREE OF LIFE for another week…and we plan to at least open BEGINNERS on July 22.   If possible, we’ll also openBUCK on July 22.  We appreciate your patronage and your patience as we continue to do gangbuster business.  And I promise…BEGINNERS is worth the wait.

Visit the official website for each of our current films:

MIDNIGHT IN PARIS THE TREE OF LIFE

Our new parking lot has new lines and is ready!  You can access this lot (which has 2 different sections) from St. Clair.  One section exits onto 5th Street…the other exits back onto St. Clair.  All the spots are visible from our front window, and new light bulbs have been installed to make certain it is well lit.  As always, this lot if free to NEON customers.  If it is full, we can validate your ticket for the parking garage any time after 6:00 on weekdays or all weekend long.  If you have questions, please don’t hesitate to call or write.

Hope to see you soon.

Take care!

Jonathan

SHOWTIMES for July 15 – July 21:

MIDNIGHT IN PARIS (PG-13) 1 Hr 40 Min

Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 12:50, 3:00, 5:10, 7:30, 9:40

Monday – Thursday: 3:30, 6:00, 8:30

THE TREE OF LIFE (R) 2 Hr 18 Min

Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 1:00, 4:15, 7:00, 9:45

Monday – Thursday:  2:30, 5:15, 8:00

COMING SOON:

As always, all dates are tentative.  Some of these dates will change.

In some cases, titles may disappear.

July 22   BEGINNERS

July 22   BUCK

July 29   PAGE ONE: INSIDE THE NEW YORK TIMES

Aug 5   SNOW FLOWER AND THE SECRET FAN

Aug 12   BEATS AND RHYMES: A TRIBE CALLED QUEST

Aug 26   ANOTHER EARTH

Aug 26   THE GUARD

Sept. 9   LIFE ABOVE ALL

Sept 23   HIGHER GROUND

TBD   DOUBLE HOUR

TBD   THE FUTURE

Stayin’ Put for 1 More Week at THE NEON!

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Hello Everyone.

We had another great weekend at THE NEON…in fact, MIDNIGHT IN PARIS saw a small increase over the past few days.  Both THE TREE OF LIFE and MIDNIGHT IN PARIS will stick around for another week…and we plan to at least open BEGINNERS on July 15.

Visit each film’s website by clicking on the links below:

MIDNIGHT IN PARIS

THE TREE OF LIFE

Our new parking lot has new lines and is ready!  You can access this lot (which has 2 different sections) from St. Clair.  One section exits onto 5th Street…the other exits back onto St. Clair.  All the spots are visible from our front window, and new light bulbs have been installed to make certain it is well lit.  As always, this lot if free to NEON customers.  If it is full, we can validate your ticket for the parking garage any time after 6:00 on weekdays or all weekend long.  If you have questions, please don’t hesitate to call or write.

Take a look at the trailer for BEGINNERS – opening on July 15.  You don’t want to miss this film!!

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rXUFUp6vsxg’]

Hope to see you soon.

Take care!

Jonathan

SHOWTIMES for July 8 – July 14:

MIDNIGHT IN PARIS (PG-13) 1 Hr 40 Min

Friday: 12:50, 3:00, 5:10, 7:30, 9:40

Saturday: 12:50, 5:10, 7:30, 9:40

Sunday: 12:50, 3:00, 5:10, 7:30, 9:40

Monday – Thursday: 3:30, 6:00, 8:30

THE TREE OF LIFE (R) 2 Hr 18 Min

Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 1:00, 4:15, 7:00, 9:45

Monday – Thursday:  2:30, 5:15, 8:00

COMING SOON:

As always, all dates are tentative.  Some of these dates will change.

In some cases, titles may disappear.

July 15   BEGINNERS

July 15   BUCK

July 22   PAGE ONE: INSIDE THE NEW YORK TIMES

Aug 5   SNOW FLOWER AND THE SECRET FAN

Aug 12   BEATS AND RHYMES: A TRIBE CALLED QUEST

Aug 26   ANOTHER EARTH

Aug 26   THE GUARD

Sept. 9   LIFE ABOVE ALL

Sept 23   HIGHER GROUND

TBD   DOUBLE HOUR

TBD   THE FUTURE

THE TREE OF LIFE – The Most Talked About Indie of the Year at THE NEON!

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Hello Everyone.

As planned, the fantastically charming POTICHE was only here for a week.  And just as we suspected, MIDNIGHT IN PARIS is still performing very well, and audiences are adoring it…so it will stick around for at least another week.

Today (6/24), we open the most talked about indie film of the year – Terrence Malick’s THE TREE OF LIFE.  Starring Brad Pitt, Sean Penn and Jessica Chastain, TREE OF LIFE was the winner of the Palme d’Or at this year’s Cannes Film Festival.  This film has been given a 100% review by The New York Times, The Chicago Sun-Times, NPR, USA Today, Variety, Time Out New York, The Village Voice, and many more.  Roger Ebert wrote, “The only other film I’ve seen with this boldness of vision is Kubrick’s 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY, and it lacked Malick’s fierce evocation of human feeling.”

Synopsis for THE TREE OF LIFE:  “The film follows the life journey of the eldest son, Jack, through the innocence of childhood to his disillusioned adult years as he tries to reconcile a complicated relationship with his father. Jack finds himself a lost soul in the modern world, seeking answers to the origins and meaning of life while questioning the existence of faith. Through Malick’s signature imagery, we see how both brute nature and spiritual grace shape not only our lives as individuals and families, but all life.”  (Fox Searchlight Pictures)  Check out the beautifully designed official site.

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WXRYA1dxP_0′]

Last week’s screening of WE WERE HERE was a marvelous, sold-out event – with a beautiful film and an insightful and brave panel discussion.  Many thanks to all my friends and community partners who helped to make the evening such a success.

We will have a new neighbor in the next few days – Sabai: Asian Cuisine & Sushi Bar. What we have been using for our parking lot for the past several years will soon become theirs.  Luckily, we will be able to utilize a new space that’s visible from our front windows.  Please start getting in the habit of parking in our new lot…though there aren’t parking lines yet, there will be soon.  We’ve painted a couple of the posts to make the lot quite easy to find.

Hope to see you this weekend.

Take care!

Jonathan

SHOWTIMES for June 24 – June 30:

MIDNIGHT IN PARIS (PG-13) 1 Hr 40 Min

Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 12:50, 3:00, 5:10, 7:30, 9:40

Monday – Thursday: 3:30, 6:00, 8:30

THE TREE OF LIFE (R) 2 Hr 18 Min

Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 1:00, 4:15, 7:00, 9:45

Monday – Thursday:  2:30, 5:15, 8:00

COMING SOON:

As always, all dates are tentative.  Some of these dates will change.

In some cases, titles may disappear.

July 1  DOUBLE HOUR

July 8  BUCK

July 15   PAGE ONE: INSIDE THE NEW YORK TIMES

July 15   BEGINNERS

Aug 5   SNOW FLOWER AND THE SECRET FAN

Aug 12   BEATS AND RHYMES: A TRIBE CALLED QUEST

Aug 26   ANOTHER EARTH

Aug 26   THE GUARD

Sept. 9   LIFE ABOVE ALL

Sept 23   HIGHER GROUND

Woody’s Latest – Midnight In Paris + Incendies!

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Hello Everyone.

If you haven’t had a chance to see WINTER IN WARTIME, BILL CUNNINGHAM NEW YORK, and/or THE BEAVER, you only have through Thursday (6/9) to see them at THE NEON.  On Friday, we will open the Oscar-nominated political thriller INCENDIES and Woody Allen’s latest film MIDNIGHT IN PARIS (check out the stellar cast in the description below).  Both of these new films come with a great response from critics and audiences alike!

I’m delighted to announce a couple big changes to our calendar.  1) POTICHE has been dated for a one-week engagement.  It will open on June 17.  This was one of my favorites in Toronto last year (I generally don’t respond to comedies the way I do to serious films).  It’s wonderfully charming, and Catherine Deneuve is superb!  2) Due to the success of THE TREE OF LIFE in larger markets, Fox Searchlight has bumped up our opening date.  THE TREE OF LIFE will now open on June 24!

Synopsis for INCENDIES:  “When notary Lebel sits down with Jeanne and Simon Marwan to read them their mother Nawal’s will, the twins are stunned to receive a pair of envelopes – one for the father they thought was dead and another for a brother they didn’t know existed. In this enigmatic inheritance, Jeanne sees the key to Nawal’s retreat into unexplained silence during the final weeks of her life. With Lebel’s help, the twins piece together the story of the woman who brought them into the world, discovering a tragic fate as well as the courage of an exceptional woman.” (Sony Pictures Classics)  Click This Link to visit the film’s official site (the trailer will have your heading to THE NEON this weekend).

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YDf-XuYid1A’]

Synopsis for MIDNIGHT IN PARIS: “Owen Wilson, Marion Cotillard, Rachel McAdams, Kathy Bates, Michael Sheen, Adrien Brody and Carla Bruni star in Woody Allen’s romantic comedy about a family on a business trip in the City of Light. As a young couple engaged to be married experiences a profound transformation during their visit to Paris, an idealistic man with a romanticized view of the city finds that there’s plenty of truth to that old adage about the grass being greener on the other side.” (Jason Buchanon, All Movie Guide)  Click This Link to be directed to the official site for MIDNIGHT IN PARIS.

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BYRWfS2s2v4′]

We’re all set for next week’s screening of WE WERE HERE.  “WE WERE HERE is the first documentary to take a deep and reflective look back at the arrival and impact of AIDS in San Francisco.  It explores how the City’s inhabitants were affected by, and how they responded to, that calamitous epidemic.  Though a San Francisco-based story, We Were Here extends beyond San Francisco and beyond AIDS itself.  It speaks to our capacity as individuals to rise to the occasion, and to the incredible power of a community coming together with love, compassion, and determination.”  WE WERE HERE will screen on June 16 at 7PM.  Tickets are $8 each and are currently available at THE NEON box office.  This screening is sponsored by The Greater Dayton LGBT Center.  Be sure to take a look at thetrailer, and get your tickets early.  After the film, we will have a discussion with representatives from AIDS Resource Center Ohio, Miami Valley Poz 4 Poz, an early HIV/AIDS community educator, and more.  Additionally, we will have the opportunity to see a series of incredible photographs in THE NEON’s lobby.  Here’s the story:Approximately half way through WE WERE HERE, there are several beautiful and chilling photos of a man with AIDS.  These photos were the final project of the late John Davis of Dayton.  His sister contacted me a couple weeks ago and offered us the opportunity to display the entire series.  THE NEON will hang all 17 photographs in our lobby before the screening.

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

THE NEON has been rented out for a special screening of BICYCLE DREAMS. Advance tickets ($10 each + $1 handling fee) must be purchased on-line (visit Link). Remaining tickets will be sold at the door the night of the event for $15 each.  “BICYCLE DREAMS tells the true story of the Race Across America, a 3000-mile bicycle race that challenges riders to cross the country in just ten days. They must overcome searing desert hear, agonizing mountain climbs, and endless stretches of open road, all while battling extreme exhaustion and sleep deprivation. But when tragedy strikes the race, this simple test of human endurance is instantly transformed into something far more daunting. These voyageurs discover what is truly at stake as they pedal on, praying for the deliverance only the finish line can bring. By journey’s end, some are saved, others are lost, but all learn that the fuel that takes a soul toward its own true destiny is desire.” (taken from press notes)

Hope to see you soon,

Jonathan

SHOWTIMES for June 10 – June 16:

MIDNIGHT IN PARIS (PG-13) 1 Hr 40 Min

Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 12:50, 3:00, 5:10, 7:30, 9:45

Monday – Thursday: 3:00, 5:10, 7:30, 9:45

INCENDIES (R) 2 Hr 10 Min

Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 1:00, 4:15, 7:00, 9:30

Monday – Wednesday: 2:45, 5:15, 8:00

Thursday:  2:45, 9:45

WE WERE HERE (NR) 1 Hr 30 Min  + Discussion

Thursday:  7:00

COMING SOON:

As always, all dates are tentative.  Some of these dates will change.

In some cases, titles may disappear.

June 17  POTICHE

June 24  TREE OF LIFE

July 1  DOUBLE HOUR

July 8  BUCK

July 15   PAGE ONE: INSIDE THE NEW YORK TIMES

July 15   BEGINNERS

Aug 5   SNOW FLOWER AND THE SECRET FAN

Aug 26   ANOTHER EARTH

Bill Cunningham & Winter in Wartime – This Week at THE NEON!

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Hello Everyone.

Well…none of our films performed wonderfully last weekend (though THE BEAVER did well enough to stick around for a couple screenings a day for one more week).  I AM and POM WONDERFUL PRESENTS: THE GREATEST MOVIE EVER SOLD have left.

Today (6/3), we open two new films – BILL CUNNINGHAM NEW YORK and WINTER IN WARTIME.

If you’re a regular reader of The New York Times, I’m certain you’re already familiar with Bill Cunningham.  If not, I’m certain you’ll still be charmed by the story of this wonderful photographer.  Synopsis for BILL CUNNINGHAM NEW YORK: “‘We all get dressed for Bill,’ says Vogue editrix Anna Wintour. The “Bill” in question is 80+ New York Times photographer Bill Cunningham. For decades, this Schwinn-riding cultural anthropologist has been obsessively and inventively chronicling fashion trends and high society charity soirees for the Times Style section in his columns “On the Street” and “Evening Hours.” Documenting uptown fixtures (Wintour, Tom Wolfe, Brooke Astor, David Rockefeller-who all appear in the film out of their love for Bill), downtown eccentrics and everyone in between, Cunningham’s enormous body of work is more reliable than any catwalk as an expression of time, place and individual flair. In turn, Bill Cunningham New York is a delicate, funny and often poignant portrait of a dedicated artist whose only wealth is his own humanity and unassuming grace.” (taken from Zeitgeist Films) Visit the OFFICIAL SITE.

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

If you’ve been to THE NEON in the past few months, I’m certain you’ve seen the trailer for our next new film, the official selection from the Netherlands for this year’s “Best Foreign Film” Oscar.  Synopsis for WINTER IN WARTIME: “Near the end of World War II, 14-year-old Michiel becomes involved with the Resistance after coming to the aid of a wounded British soldier. With the conflict coming to an end, Michiel comes of age and learns of the stark difference between adventure fantasy and the ugly realities of war.” (taken from Sony Pictures Classics)  If you haven’t seen the trailer, be certain to take a look.  I don’t think this synopsis does the film justice.  Visit the OFFICIAL SITE.

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YrtnYwQXr6Y’]

A panel is in place for our screening of a powerful and moving documentary called WE WERE HERE.  “WE WERE HERE is the first documentary to take a deep and reflective look back at the arrival and impact of AIDS in San Francisco.  It explores how the City’s inhabitants were affected by, and how they responded to, that calamitous epidemic.  Though a San Francisco-based story, We Were Here extends beyond San Francisco and beyond AIDS itself.  It speaks to our capacity as individuals to rise to the occasion, and to the incredible power of a community coming together with love, compassion, and determination.”  WE WERE HERE will screen on June 16 at 7PM.  Tickets are $8 each and are currently available at THE NEON box office.  This screening is sponsored by The Greater Dayton LGBT Center.  Be sure to take a look at the trailer, and get your tickets early.  After the film, we will have a discussion with representatives from AIDS Resource Center Ohio, Miami Valley Poz 4 Poz, an early HIV/AIDS community educator, and more.  Additionally, we will have the opportunity to see a series of incredible photographs in THE NEON’s lobby.  Here’s the story: Approximately half way through WE WERE HERE, there are several beautiful and chilling photos of a man with AIDS.  These photos were the final project of the late John Davis of Belmont, Ohio.  His sister contacted me a couple weeks ago and offered us the opportunity to display the entire series.  THE NEON will hang all 17 photographs in our lobby before the screening.

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

One last reminder regarding our price increase…If you’ve been to THE NEON lately, you’ve more than likely seen our note at the front counter about pricing.  Here’s what it states: “Effective June 3, 2011.  At THE NEON, we strive to have the best films, the best customer service and the best prices.  While we don’t intend on changing these goals, we must unfortunately raise our admission prices.  On June 3, all General Admission, Matinee and Senior Citizen tickets will increase by 50 cents.  Our ticket prices have not increased since August of 2008…and our new ticket prices will still be at least $2 less expensive than all the first-run multiplexes in the region.  Thanks for your understanding.”  We hope this won’t deter you from coming to THE NEON…as we have dozens of great films coming our way in the weeks and months ahead.

Hope to see you soon,

Jonathan

SHOWTIMES for June 3 – June 9:

WINTER IN WARTIME (R) 1 Hr 43 Min

Friday – Thursday:  3:00, 7:15

THE BEAVER (PG-13) 1 Hr 31 Min

Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 1:00, 5:10, 9:30

Monday – Thursday:  5:10, 9:30

BILL CUNNINGHAM NEW YORK (NR) 1 Hr 24 Min

Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 1:10, 3:15, 5:15, 7:30, 9:30

Monday – Thursday: 3:15, 5:15, 7:30, 9:30

COMING SOON:

As always, all dates are tentative.  Some of these dates will change.

In some cases, titles may disappear.

June 10 INCENDIES

June 10  MIDNIGHT IN PARIS

June 17  POTICHE

June 24 TREE OF LIFE

July 1 DOUBLE HOUR

July 8 BUCK

July 15 PAGE ONE

July 15  BEGINNERS

Aug 5   SNOW FLOWER AND THE SECRET FAN

Aug 26 ANOTHER EARTH

2 Hot, New Films Open Friday at THE NEON!

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Hello Everyone,

If you haven’t had a chance to see this year’s Academy Award winning film IN A BETTER WORLD, you only have until Thursday to catch it at THE NEON.  (And you really shouldn’t miss it!)  On Friday, we will open 2 new films – Jodi Foster’s third directorial effort – THE BEAVER and Morgan Spurlock’s latest documentary – POM WONDERFUL PRESENTS: THE GREATEST MOVIE EVER SOLD.

We will also hold I AM for a couple screenings per day for one more week.

Synopsis for THE BEAVER: “Plagued by his own demons, Walter Black was once a successful toy executive and family man who now suffers from depression. No matter what he tries, Walter can’t seem to get himself back on track… until a beaver hand puppet enters his life.”  (Summit Entertainment)

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

Synopsis for POM WONDERFUL PRESENTS: THE GREATEST MOVIE EVER SOLD: “We live in an age where it’s tough even to walk down the street without someone trying to sell you something. It’s at the point where practically the entire American experience is brought to us by some corporation. Utilizing cutting-edge tools of comic exploration and total self-exploitation, Spurlock dissects the world of advertising and marketing by using his personal integrity as currency to sell out to the highest bidder. Scathingly funny, subversive, and deceptively smart, “The Greatest Movie Ever Sold” shines the definitive light on our branded future as acclaimed filmmaker and master provocateur Morgan Spurlock (“Super Size Me”) attempts to create the “Iron Man of documentaries,” the first ever “docbuster”! He may very well have succeeded.”  (Sony Picture Classics)

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T4Ng2P3zxfM’]

Please Take Note – The YMCA has canceled their special screening of THE OTHER SIDE– previously scheduled for May 26.

A panel is in place for our screening of a powerful and moving documentary called WE WERE HERE.  “WE WERE HERE is the first documentary to take a deep and reflective look back at the arrival and impact of AIDS in San Francisco.  It explores how the City’s inhabitants were affected by, and how they responded to, that calamitous epidemic.  Though a San Francisco-based story, We Were Here extends beyond San Francisco and beyond AIDS itself.  It speaks to our capacity as individuals to rise to the occasion, and to the incredible power of a community coming together with love, compassion, and determination.”  WE WERE HERE will screen on June 16 at 7PM.  Tickets are $8 each and are currently available at THE NEON box office.  This screening is sponsored by The Greater Dayton LGBT Center.   Be sure to take a look at the trailer, and get your tickets early.  After the film, we will have a discussion with representatives from AIDS Resource Center Ohio, Miami Valley Poz 4 Poz, an early HIV/AIDS community educator, and more.  Additionally, we will have the opportunity to see a series of incredible photographs in THE NEON’s lobby.  Here’s the story: Approximately half way through WE WERE HERE, there are several beautiful and chilling photos of a man with AIDS.  These photos were the final project of the late John Davis of Belmont, Ohio.  His sister contacted me a couple weeks ago and offered us the opportunity to display the entire series.  THE NEON will hang all 17 photographs in our lobby before the screening.

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

If you’ve been to THE NEON lately, you’ve more than likely seen our note at the front counter about pricing.  Here’s what it states: “Effective June 3, 2011.  At THE NEON, we strive to have the best films, the best customer service and the best prices.  While we don’t intend on changing these goals, we must unfortunately raise our admission prices.  On June 3, all General Admission, Matinee and Senior Citizen tickets will increase by 50 cents.  Our ticket prices have not increased since August of 2008…and our new ticket prices will still be at least $2 less expensive than all the first-run multiplexes in the region.  Thanks for your understanding.”  We hope this won’t deter you from coming to THE NEON…as we have dozens of great films coming our way in the weeks and months ahead.

On Monday, May 30, we will open earlier than usual.  Because it’s Memorial Day, we will treat it like a weekend day. Perhaps we’ll see you then.

Take care,

Jonathan

SHOWTIMES for May 27 – June 2:

I AM (NR) 1 Hr 17 Min

Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday: 1:00, 5:15

Tuesday – Thursday:  5:15

THE BEAVER (PG-13) 1 Hr 31 Min

Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday: 1:10, 3:15, 5:20, 7:30, 9:45

Tuesday – Thursday:  3:15, 5:20, 7:30, 9:45

THE GREATEST MOVIE EVER SOLD (PG-13) 1 Hr 30 Min

Friday – Thursday: 3:10, 7:20, 9:30

COMING SOON:

As always, all dates are tentative.  Some of these dates will change.

In some cases, titles may disappear.

June 3 BILL CUNNINGHAM NEW YORK

June 3   WINTER IN WARTIME

June 10  INCENDIES

June 17  DOUBLE HOUR

June 24   MIDNIGHT IN PARIS

July 1  TREE OF LIFE

July 8  BUCK

July 15   PAGE ONE

July 15   BEGINNERS

TBD POTICHE

Academy Award Winner & FilmDayton Festival!

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Hello Everyone!

This is going to be a fun weekend for film lovers in Dayton.  In addition to a one-week-only engagement of this year’s Academy Award winning film IN A BETTER WORLD, The FilmDayton Festival has something for everyone.  (Incidentally, I saw IN A BETTER WORLD in Toronto last year.  It’s absolutely wonderful…don’t miss it!)  I AM will stick around for another week.

Synopsis for IN A BETTER WORLD: “Anton is a doctor who commutes between his home in an idyllic town in Denmark, and his work at an African refugee camp. In these two very different worlds, he and his family are faced with conflicts that lead them to difficult choices between revenge and forgiveness. Anton and his wife Marianne, who have two young sons, are separated and struggling with the possibility of divorce. Their older, ten-year-old son Elias is being bullied at school, until he is defended by Christian, a new boy who has just moved from London with his father, Claus. Christian’s mother recently lost her battle with cancer, and Christian is greatly troubled by her death. Elias and Christian quickly form a strong bond, but when Christian involves Elias in a dangerous act of revenge with potentially tragic consequences, their friendship is tested and lives are put in danger. Ultimately, it is their parents who are left to help them come to terms with the complexity of human emotions, pain and empathy.”  (Sony Pictures Classics)

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

The FilmDayton Festival is here.  Their website is up and running with details about each film, each party, numerous special events and links for tickets.  Check out the website by clicking the image below.


Here are FilmDayton Festival screenings at THE NEON:

Friday, May 20 at 7:00 & 9:30 – WSU’s BIG LENS Film Festival

Saturday, May 21 at 10:30am – SCREENLESS SCREENING

Saturday, May 21 at 11:50am – FILMICALLY PERFECT

Saturday, May 21 at 1:00 – HOMERUN SHOWDOWN

Saturday, May 21 at 3:15 – BEAUTIFUL NOISE

Saturday, May 21 at 5:30 – INTO ETERNITY

Saturday, May 21 at 7:00 – NEW LEFT MEDIA Shorts

Saturday, May 21 at 8:15 – MARWENCOL

Saturday, May 21 at 10:30 – HUSK

Sunday, May 22 at 12:15 – SUNDOG & FILMDAYTON SHORTS

Sunday, May 22 at 2:40 – BILAL’S STAND

Sunday, May 22 at 4:45 – WHERE SOLDIERS COME FROM

Sunday, May 22 at 7:00 – ROCKIN’ THE WALL

This just in…The YMCA has cancelled the screening of THE OTHER SIDE on May 26.

A panel is in place for our screening of a powerful and moving documentary called WE WERE HERE.  “WE WERE HERE is the first documentary to take a deep and reflective look back at the arrival and impact of AIDS in San Francisco.  It explores how the City’s inhabitants were affected by, and how they responded to, that calamitous epidemic.  Though a San Francisco-based story, We Were Here extends beyond San Francisco and beyond AIDS itself.  It speaks to our capacity as individuals to rise to the occasion, and to the incredible power of a community coming together with love, compassion, and determination.”  WE WERE HERE will screen on June 16 at 7PM.  Tickets are $8 each and are currently available at THE NEON box office.  This screening is sponsored by The Greater Dayton LGBT Center.  Be sure to take a look at the trailer, and get your tickets early.  After the film, we will have a discussion with representatives from AIDS Resource Center Ohio, Miami Valley Poz 4 Poz, an early HIV/AIDS community educator, and more.  Additionally, we will have the opportunity to see a series of incredible photographs in THE NEON’s lobby.  I’ll give you more details about this special installation next week.

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

If you’ve been to THE NEON lately, you’ve more than likely seen our note at the front counter about pricing.  Here’s what it states: “Effective June 3, 2011.  At THE NEON, we strive to have the best films, the best customer service and the best prices.  While we don’t intend on changing these goals, we must unfortunately raise our admission prices.  On June 3, all General Admission, Matinee and Senior Citizen tickets will increase by 50 cents.  Our ticket prices have not increased since August of 2008…and our new ticket prices will still be at least $2 less expensive than all the first-run multiplexes in the region.  Thanks for your understanding.”  We hope this won’t deter you from coming to THE NEON…as we have dozens of great films coming our way in the weeks and months ahead.

Thanks so much for your interest in THE NEON.

Take care,

Jonathan

SHOWTIMES for May 20 – May 26:

IN A BETTER WORLD (PG-13) 2 Hrs

Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 3:00, 7:15

Monday – Thursday: 3:00, 5:30, 8:00

I AM (NR) 1 Hr 17 Min

Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 1:15, 5:30, 9:40

Monday – Wednesday: 3:15, 5:15, 7:45

Thursday: 3:15, 5:15

FILMDAYTON

See Schedule Above

THE OTHER SIDE (NR) 40 Min + Q&A

Thursday: 7:30

COMING SOON:

As always, all dates are tentative.  Some of these dates will change.

In some cases, titles may disappear.

May 27 THE GREATEST MOVIE EVER SOLD

May 27 THE BEAVER

June 3 BILL CUNNINGHAM NEW YORK

June 3   WINTER IN WARTIME

June 10  INCENDIES

June 17  DOUBLE HOUR

June 24   MIDNIGHT IN PARIS

July 1  TREE OF LIFE

July 8  BUCK

July 15   PAGE ONE

TBD   POTICHE

TBD  BEGINNERS

TBD MEEK’S CUTOFF

Tom Shadyac’s I AM Starts Today!

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Hello Everyone.
Opening this week is a film that was quietly released back in February.  No one asked me about it.  Then the press started to hit a few weeks ago – radio shows, afternoon talk shows (including Oprah)…and we started getting numerous calls and e-mails.  Tom Shadyac’s I AM is a documentary that we hope will live up to the requests.
In addition to opening I AM, we will hold onto OF GODS AND MEN and JANE EYRE for one more week.
Synopsis for I AM:  “I AM, a probing exploration of our world, what’s wrong with it, and what we can do to make it better, represents Tom Shadyac’s first foray into non-fiction following a career as one of Hollywood’s leading comedy practitioners, with such successful titles as ACE VENTURA, LIAR LIAR, and BRUCE ALMIGHTY to his credit. I AM recounts what happened to the filmmaker after a cycling accident left him incapacitated, possibly for good. Though he ultimately recovered, he emerged a changed man. Disillusioned with life on the A-list, he sold his house, moved to a mobile home community, and decided to start life anew.”  (Shady Acres Entertainment) Visit the OFFICIAL SITE
[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PeqB8JwpdE4&playnext=1&list=PL021CA823EA86DB07′]
Tickets are now available on at THE NEON box office for next week’s special screening of VEER.  “Start your Miami Valley Cycling Summit experience a day early with Bike Film Night at THE NEON on Thursday, May 19 at 7:30 – featuring the Dayton premier of VEER.  This critically acclaimed documentary tells the stories of people who have made a difference in the world of cycling, and how cycling has made a real difference in people’s lives.  Join us for this inspiring film and support one of the Miami Valley’s own cycling advocate organizations: Bike Miami Valley.  All proceeds from your $5 admission will benefit this growing cycling non-profit organization.” (taken from press release) Visit the SITE
The FilmDayton Festival is next weekend – May 20-22.  Their website is up and running with details about each film, each party, numerous special events and links for tickets.  Check out the OFFICIAL SITE.
On May 26 at 7:30, the YMCA will hold a special event at THE NEON.  “THE OTHER SIDE, a documentary by Baxter Stapleton, captures the story of two worlds colliding through mentoring.  Two successful business men living in the comfort of suburbia – surrounded with personal possessions and notoriety –  realized they were unfulfilled and wanted a greater purpose.  This desire to make a difference led them to reach out to the other side.  In doing so, they realized that both sides had lessons to teach. The film implores the audience to remember that in giving you receive.” (taken from press notes)   Tickets for this event are $8 and will be available at our box office starting this weekend.
Almost all details are in place for our screening of a powerful and moving documentary called WE WERE HERE.  That said,  new element was introduced to the event yesterday evening – when a local woman called me with a very interesting proposal…I’ll give you the full update next week.  “WE WERE HERE is the first documentary to take a deep and reflective look back at the arrival and impact of AIDS in San Francisco.  It explores how the City’s inhabitants were affected by, and how they responded to, that calamitous epidemic.  Though a San Francisco-based story, We Were Here extends beyond San Francisco and beyond AIDS itself.  It speaks to our capacity as individuals to rise to the occasion, and to the incredible power of a community coming together with love, compassion, and determination.”  WE WERE HERE will screen on June 16 at 7PM.  Tickets are $8 each and are currently available at THE NEON box office.  This screening is sponsored by The Greater Dayton LGBT Center.
Be sure to take a look at the trailer, and get your tickets early.
[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oCxqJgpejbs’]
If you’ve been to THE NEON lately, you’ve more than likely seen our note at the front counter about pricing.  Here’s what it states: “Effective June 3, 2011.  At THE NEON, we strive to have the best films, the best customer service and the best prices.  While we don’t intend on changing these goals, we must unfortunately raise our admission prices.  On June 3, all General Admission, Matinee and Senior Citizen tickets will increase by 50 cents.  Our ticket prices have not increased since August of 2008…and our new ticket prices will still be at least $2 less expensive than all the first-run multiplexes in the region.  Thanks for your understanding.”  We hope this won’t deter you from coming to THE NEON…as we have dozens of great films coming our way in the weeks and months ahead.
Thanks so much for your interest in THE NEON.
We hope to see you soon!
Take care,
Jonathan
SHOWTIMES for May 13 – May 19:

JANE EYRE (PG-13) 2 Hrs
Friday, Saturday, Sunday:  12:30, 5:15
Monday – Wednesday:  5:15
Thursday:   5:00
I AM (NR) 1 Hr 17 Min
Friday, Saturday, Sunday:  1:00, 3:15, 5:15, 7:30, 9:30
Monday – Thursday:  3:15, 5:15, 7:30
OF GODS AND MEN (R) 2 Hrs 2 Min
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 2:50, 8:00
Monday – Wednesday: 2:50, 8:00
Thursday:   2:50
VEER (Miami Valley Cycling Summit event)
Thursday: 7:30
COMING SOON:
As always, all dates are tentative.  Some of these dates will change.
In some cases, titles may disappear.
May 20 IN A BETTER WORLD
May 27   THE GREATEST MOVIE EVER SOLD
May 27  THE BEAVER
June 3  BILL CUNNINGHAM NEW YORK
June 3   WINTER IN WARTIME
June 10 INCENDIES
June 17  DOUBLE HOUR
June 24   MIDNIGHT IN PARIS
July 1  TREE OF LIFE
July 8  BUCK
July 15   PAGE ONE
TBD   POTICHE
TBD  BEGINNERS
TBD MEEK’S CUTOFF

Cannes Winner OF GODS AND MEN Now Playing!

By Leave a Comment

Hello Everyone.

New to THE NEON this weekend is a film that has won awards around the world. It has received a grade of 100% from The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Los Angeles Times and many more. Several of you have been asking about OF GODS AND MEN, and it’s finally coming to town. That said, it might not stick around too long…so please hurry down. In addition to the new film, we will hold JANE EYRE and WIN WIN for one more week.

Synopsis for OF GODS AND MEN: “Eight French Christian monks live in harmony with their Muslim brothers in a monastery perched in the mountains of North Africa in the 1990s. When a crew of foreign workers is massacred by an Islamic fundamentalist group, fear sweeps though the region. The army offers them protection, but the monks refuse. Should they leave? Despite the growing menace in their midst, they slowly realize that they have no choice but to stay… come what may. This film is loosely based on the life of the Cistercian monks of Tibhirine in Algeria, from 1993 until their kidnapping in 1996.” (taken from Sony Classics press notes)   Visit the OFFICIAL SITE.

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

“Start your Miami Valley Cycling Summit experience a day early with Bike Film Night at THE NEON on Thursday, May 19 at 7:30 – featuring the Dayton premier of VEER. This critically acclaimed documentary tells the stories of people who have made a difference in the world of cycling, and how cycling has made a real difference in people’s lives. Join us for this inspiring film and support one of the Miami Valley’s own cycling advocate organizations: Bike Miami Valley. All proceeds from your $5 admission will benefit this growing cycling non-profit organization.” (taken from press release) Tickets are now available on at THE NEON box office.

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jyv0JchtTpQ’]

The FilmDayton Festival is set for May 20-22. Their website is up and running with details about each film, each party, numerous special events and links for tickets. Check it out!

I’m currently working on putting together a panel discussion to follow a screening of a powerful and moving documentary called WE WERE HERE. “WE WERE HERE is the first documentary to take a deep and reflective look back at the arrival and impact of AIDS in San Francisco. It explores how the City’s inhabitants were affected by, and how they responded to, that calamitous epidemic. Though a San Francisco-based story, We Were Here extends beyond San Francisco and beyond AIDS itself. It speaks to our capacity as individuals to rise to the occasion, and to the incredible power of a community coming together with love, compassion, and determination.” WE WERE HERE will screen on June 16 at 7PM. Tickets are $8 each and are currently available at THE NEON box office. This screening is sponsored by The Greater Dayton LGBT Center.
Be sure to take a look at the trailer, and get your tickets early.

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

We hope to see you soon!

Take care,
Jonathan

SHOWTIMES for May 6 – May 12:

JANE EYRE (PG-13) 2 Hrs
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 12:20, 2:45, 7:15
Monday – Wednesday: 2:45, 7:30
Thursday: 2:45

WIN WIN (R) 1 Hr 46 Min
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 5:10, 9:40
Monday – Thursday: 5:10

OF GODS AND MEN (R) 2 Hrs 2 Min
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 1:00, 4:30, 7:15, 9:40
Monday – Thursday: 3:00, 5:30, 8:00

COMING SOON:
As always, all dates are tentative. Some of these dates will change.
In some cases, titles may disappear.
May 13 WINTER IN WARTIME
May 13 I AM
May 20 IN A BETTER WORLD
May 27 THE GREATEST MOVIE EVER SOLD
May 27 THE BEAVER
June 3 BILL CUNNINGHAM NEW YORK
June 10 INCENDIES
June 17 MIDNIGHT IN PARIS
July 1 TREE OF LIFE
July 15 PAGE ONE
TBD POTICHE
TBD CERTIFIED COPY
TBD BEGINNERS
TBD MEEK’S CUTOFF

Date Changes/Updates & More at THE NEON

By Leave a Comment

Hello Everyone.

We’re still going strong with our two exclusive films – WIN WIN and JANE EYRE. The response has been quite positive to both films, and it’s great that 2 such different movies are resonating so much with so many of you. To read a synopsis of each film, please visit our website.

As you already know, all dates on our upcoming calendar are tentative. Sometimes distributors change opening dates based on print availability or a change in release strategy, and sometimes we change dates based on our box office performance. Because our two current films are doing so well, we have to move OF GODS AND MEN back. Right now, it’s scheduled to open May 6….we’ll see if that’s possible next week.
On that same subject, the distributor of THE GREATEST MOVIE EVER SOLD just moved that opening date back two weeks (to May 27)…so our entire upcoming list is going to shift as a result. I’ll keep you posted.
And on yet another similar note, we have just added I AM – a film that many of you have requested – into our schedule…dated (tentatively) for May 13. Please help us spread the word.

“Start your Miami Valley Cycling Summit experience a day early with Bike Film Night
at THE NEON on Thursday, May 19 at 7:30 – featuring the Dayton premier of VEER. This critically acclaimed documentary tells the stories of people who have made a difference in the world of cycling, and how cycling has made a real difference in people’s lives. Join us for this inspiring film and support one of the Miami Valley’s own cycling advocate organizations: Bike Miami Valley. All proceeds from your $5 admission will benefit this growing cycling non-profit organization.” (taken from press release) Click on the link to learn more about the Miami Valley Cycling Summit.

I’m currently working on putting together a panel discussion to follow a screening of a powerful and moving documentary called WE WERE HERE. “WE WERE HERE is the first documentary to take a deep and reflective look back at the arrival and impact of AIDS in San Francisco. It explores how the City’s inhabitants were affected by, and how they responded to, that calamitous epidemic. Though a San Francisco-based story, We Were Here extends beyond San Francisco and beyond AIDS itself. It speaks to our capacity as individuals to rise to the occasion, and to the incredible power of a community coming together with love, compassion, and determination.” WE WERE HERE will screen on June 16 at 7PM. Tickets are $8 each and are currently available at THE NEON box office. This screening is sponsored by The Greater Dayton LGBT Center.
Be sure to take a look at the trailer, and get your tickets early.

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

We hope to see you soon!

Take care,
Jonathan

SHOWTIMES for April 29 – May 5:

JANE EYRE (PG-13) 2 Hrs
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 12:10, 2:30, 4:50, 7:15, 9:40
Monday – Thursday: 2:30, 4:50, 7:15

WIN WIN (R) 1 Hr 46 Min
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 12:30, 2:50, 5:10, 7:30, 9:40
Monday – Thursday: 2:50, 5:10, 7:30

COMING SOON:
As always, all dates are tentative. Some of these dates will change.
In some cases, titles may disappear.
May 6 OF GODS AND MEN
May 6 WINTER IN WARTIME
May 13 I AM
May 20 IN A BETTER WORLD
May 27 POM WONDERFUL PRESENTS THE GREATEST MOVIE EVER SOLD
May 27 THE BEAVER
June 3 BILL CUNNINGHAM NEW YORK
June 10 INCENDIES
June 17 MIDNIGHT IN PARIS
July 1 TREE OF LIFE
July 15 PAGE ONE
TBD POTICHE
TBD CERTIFIED COPY
TBD THE BEGINNERS
TBD MEEK’S CUTOFF