Jonathan McNeal

Hello Everyone.

Tomorrow, THE NEON begins the engagement of my favorite film from last year’s Toronto International Film Festival. I saw 31 films in 9 days, and I AM LOVE – starring Tilda Swinton – took my breath away and came out on top. Don’t miss this film on the big screen.

Perhaps you’ve read one of the stunning reviews from any number of sources. Jay Weissberg of VARIETY gave the film a 100% review. He wrote, “In every sense, I AM LOVE is a stunning achievement.”
Erica Abeel of HUFFINGTON POST has similar feelings to mine about the film – “Is it possible to be addicted to a movie? I’ve watched I AM LOVE three times, and I can feel an urge coming on for a fourth fix. A rapturously beautiful film.”

In addition to a beautiful film, we’ve got a great promotion in place. Foodies are loving the exquisite food offerings in the film…so we have decided to partner with a wonderful restaurant just a few blocks away – Coco’s Bistro on Wayne Avenue. Karen Wick, owner of Coco’s, screened I AM LOVE a couple weeks ago and immediately had menu ideas. While THE NEON is playing I AM LOVE, you can use a NEON ticket stub to receive 15% off your meal at Coco’s. If you go to Coco’s first, you can use your dining receipt to receive a buy 1 get 1 ticket to I AM LOVE at THE NEON. (Offer only valid on the same day.) If you visit Coco’s for dinner, you can try their special feature – Prawnographic Risotto…based on a scene from the film.

Synopsis for I AM LOVE: “I AM LOVE tells the story of the wealthy Recchi family, whose lives are undergoing sweeping changes. Eduardo Sr., the family patriarch, has decided to name a successor to the reigns of his massive industrial company, surprising everyone by splitting power between his son Tancredi, and grandson Edo. But Edo dreams of opening a restaurant with his friend Antonio, a handsome and talented chef. At the heart of the family is Tancredi’s wife Emma (Tilda Swinton), a Russian immigrant who has adopted the culture of Milan. An adoring and attentive mother, her existence is shocked to the core when she falls quickly and deeply in love with Edo’s friend and partner Antonio, and embarks on a passionate love affair that will change her family forever.” (Magnolia Pictures)

Lastly, we’re holding onto both HARRY BROWN and THE SQUARE for one more week. On July 16th, we’ll start what’s looking to be the indie hit of the summer – CYRUS.

We hope to see you very soon!
Jonathan

SHOWTIMES for July 9 – July 15:

THE SQUARE (R) 105 Minutes
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 5:10, 9:45
Monday – Thursday: 5:10

HARRY BROWN (R) 103 Minutes
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 12:40, 2:50, 7:30
Monday – Thursday: 2:50, 7:30

I AM LOVE (R) 120 Minutes
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 12:10, 2:30, 5:00, 7:30, 9:50
Monday – Thursday: 2:30, 5:15, 7:45

COMING SOON:
As always, all dates are tentative.
July 16 CYRUS
July 30 WINTER’S BONE
July 30 THE KIDS ARE ALL RIGHT
Aug. 20 THE GIRL WHO PLAYED WITH FIRE
Sept. 10 FAREWELL
TBD – JOAN RIVERS: A PIECE OF WORK
TBD – MICMACS

Hello Everyone.

In addition to holding PLEASE GIVE for limited screenings, THE NEON will open 2 new films – HARRY BROWN (starring NEON favorite Michael Caine) and THE SQUARE (a thriller that has drawn many critical comparisons to the Coen Brothers).

Synopsis for HARRY BROWN: “Academy Award nominee Daniel Barber makes his feature directorial debut with this gritty critique on contemporary British society starring Michael Caine as an elderly shut-in who’s spurred to action by a senseless act of violence. Harry Brown (Caine) resides in a desolate public-housing apartment block as his sickly wife lies dying in a local hospital. He spends most of his days in solitude, only getting out to play the occasional game of chess at a nearby pub with his best friend, Leonard. The days of basic human decency seem to be a thing of the past, because in recent years barbarous drug dealers and gangsters have overtaken the dilapidated complex. Killing is a way of life for these young thugs, and as a result overburdened detectives Frampton (Emily Mortimer) and Hicock are essentially relegated to knocking on doors and notifying parents when their children have been killed in the latest fracas, instead of investigating the crimes and jailing the guilty parties. When Leonard is murdered just feet from his own apartment, former Royal Marine Harry utilizes the skills he learned while fighting the IRA to take on the aggressive chavs who have intimidated the police into inaction.” (Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide)

Synopsis for THE SQUARE: “Temptation turns a man’s life upside down in this noir-influenced thriller from Australia. Ray Yale (David Roberts) is a construction worker who is married to Martha (Lucy Bell) and is helping to build an upscale resort hotel just outside Sydney. Ray isn’t entirely happy in his marriage, and his roving eye has become focused on Carla (Claire van der Boom), a hairdresser who lives next door. Carla is married to a low-level mobster, Greg (Anthony Hayes), but she craves excitement and is soon having a torrid affair with Ray. Carla knows that Greg has a large bundle of cash hidden in their home, and she hatches a scheme she shares with Ray — they steal they money, set fire to the house, and run off together, with Greg imagining the cash was lost in the blaze. While Ray isn’t interested in a life of crime, he can’t say no to Carla, but when he develops cold feet at the last minute, his attempts to reach Billy (Joel Edgerton), who was hired to torch the house, are unsuccessful, and things take a turn for the worse…” (Mark Deming, All Movie Guide)

I’m very excited about next Friday. On July 9th, we open I AM LOVE – my favorite film from last year’s Toronto Film Fest. I AM LOVE, with an incredible lead performance by Tilda Swinton, has a very interesting food element entwined in the film. Because it seems like a perfect match, we’re partnering with Coco’s Bistro – on Wayne Avenue – during the film’s engagement. Karen Wick, owner of Coco’s, screened I AM LOVE a couple weeks ago and immediately had ideas of a special menu that ties in with the film. While THE NEON is playing I AM LOVE, you can use a NEON ticket stub to receive 15% off your meal at Coco’s. If you go to Coco’s first, you can use your dining receipt to receive a buy 1 get 1 ticket to I AM LOVE at THE NEON. (Offer only valid on the same day.) You won’t want to miss I AM LOVE on the big screen. I promise you…it’s incredible!! Mark your calendars.

We hope to see you soon!
Jonathan

SHOWTIMES for July 2 – July 8:

THE SQUARE (R) 105 Minutes
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 12:30, 5:00, 7:20, 9:40
Monday – Thursday: 5:00, 7:20

HARRY BROWN (R) 103 Minutes
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 12:40, 2:50, 5:10, 7:30, 9:45
Monday – Thursday: 2:50, 5:10, 7:30

PLEASE GIVE (R) 90 Minutes
Friday – Thursday: 2:45

COMING SOON:
As always, all dates are tentative.
July 9 I AM LOVE (My favorite from Toronto!)
July 16 CYRUS
July 30 WINTER’S BONE
July 30 THE KIDS ARE ALL RIGHT
Aug. 20 THE GIRL WHO PLAYED WITH FIRE
Sept. 10 FAREWELL
TBD – JOAN RIVERS: A PIECE OF WORK
TBD – MICMACS

Hello Everyone.

Though many audience members really connected with MOTHER AND CHILD, attendance was quite weak…so it has to be on its way out the door. Thursday will be the film’s last day at THE NEON. On Friday, we will start 2 new films – HARRY BROWN (starring Michael Caine) and THE SQUARE (an Australian thriller that Ain’t It Cool News says is “The best film noir since BODY HEAT.”)

My full update will come later in the week.
We hope to see you soon!
Jonathan

Hello Everyone.

MOTHER AND CHILD, the new film starring Annette Bening, Naomi Watts and Kerry Washington, was directed by Rodrigo Garcia – director of the films THINGS YOU CAN TELL JUST BY LOOKING AT HER and NINE LIVES as well as episodes of some incredible television shows like THE SOPRANOS, SIX FEET UNDER and IN TREATMENT. We hope you’ll come out to see this new film which Rex Reed has given a 100% review – stating, “A flawless film of heartrending realism about the eternal chord that binds parents and children and the emptiness when they are separated.”

Synopsis for MOTHER AND CHILD: “Three women’s lives share a common core: they have all been profoundly affected by adoption. Karen placed a baby for adoption at age 14 and has been haunted ever since by the daughter she never knew. Elizabeth grew up as an adopted child; she’s a bright and ambitious lawyer, but a flinty loner in her personal life. Lucy is just embarking with her husband on the adoption odyssey, hoping for the opportunity to become parents.” (Sony Picture Classics)

PLEASE GIVE will stick around for another week…audiences are loving it!

Be sure to check out our coming attractions below.

We hope to see you soon!
Jonathan

SHOWTIMES for June 25 – July 1:

MOTHER AND CHILD (R) 125 Minutes
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 1:15, 4:00, 7:15, 9:45
Monday – Thursday: 2:30, 5:00, 7:30

PLEASE GIVE (R) 90 Minutes
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 1:00, 3:10, 5:15, 7:20, 9:30
Monday – Thursday: 3:10, 5:15, 7:20

COMING SOON:
As always, all dates are tentative.
July 2 HARRY BROWN
July 9 I AM LOVE (My favorite from Toronto!)
July 16 CYRUS
July 30 WINTER’S BONE
July 30 THE KIDS ARE ALL RIGHT
Aug. 20 THE GIRL WHO PLAYED WITH FIRE
Sept. 10 FAREWELL
TBD – JOAN RIVERS: A PIECE OF WORK
TBD – MICMACS
TBD – THE SQUARE

Hello Everyone.

The new comedy from Nicole Holofcener – starring Catherine Keener, Amanda Peet, and Oliver Platt – starts its exclusive engagement at THE NEON today. PLEASE GIVE has received “A” reviews from THE WALL STREET JOURNAL, ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY, THE LA TIMES and more.

Synopsis for PLEASE GIVE: “A family looking for some extra space gets drawn into a difficult relationship with the folks next door in this comedy drama from writer and director Nicole Holofcener. Kate (Catherine Keener) and Alex (Oliver Platt) are a couple living in New York City who run a successful store specializing in vintage furniture. Kate and Alex have a teenage daughter, Abby (Sarah Steele) and their apartment is starting to feel a bit small for the three of them; Kate and Alex own the unit next door to them, and once the flat becomes vacant, they plan to knock out a wall and take over the space. However, Andra (Ann Morgan Guilbert), their tenant, is an elderly woman with a poor disposition who doesn’t seem eager to go anywhere soon, and it’s occurred to Kate and Alex that they’re probably going to have wait for her to die, since evicting her would be very awkward. Hoping to make the best of the situation, Kate tries to strike up a friendship with Andra and her fiercely protective granddaughter Rebecca (Rebecca Hall), but Andra isn’t especially interested in making new friends, and Rebecca’s sister, Mary (Amanda Peet), isn’t much easier to deal with.” (Mark Deming, All Movie Guide)
Visit www.sonyclassics.com/pleasegive for more details about the film.

Be sure to check out our coming attractions below…dates have changed, and our line-up is getting better and better.

And don’t forget that THE SECRET IN THEIR EYES, winner of “Best Foreign Film” at this year’s Academy Awards, is still playing at THE NEON. Check out this fun clip of the score’s composer directing the Argentine National Symphony in front of 1.7 million people!!

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

SHOWTIMES for June 18 – June 24:

THE SECRET IN THEIR EYES (R) 127 Minutes
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 1:15, 4:00, 7:15, 9:45
Monday – Thursday: 2:30, 5:00, 7:30

PLEASE GIVE (R) 90 Minutes
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 1:00, 3:10, 5:15, 7:20, 9:30
Monday – Thursday: 3:10, 5:15, 7:20

COMING SOON:
As always, all dates are tentative.
June 25 MOTHER AND CHILD
July 2 HARRY BROWN
July 9 I AM LOVE (My favorite from Toronto!)
July 16 CYRUS
July 30 WINTER’S BONE
July 30 THE KIDS ARE ALL RIGHT
Aug. 20 THE GIRL WHO PLAYED WITH FIRE
TBD – JOAN RIVERS: A PIECE OF WORK
TBD – MICMACS
TBD – THE SQUARE

Hello Everyone.

Just a couple quick notes. Two films that audiences have been loving are heading out. Thursday will be your last chance to catch CITY ISLAND and BABIES at THE NEON.  For showtimes, please visit www.neonmovies.com.

On Friday, we will open PLEASE GIVE – the new Sundance hit from Nicole Holofcener – starring the fantastic Catherine Keener.

Tickets for Thursday’s screenings of PATRIK, AGE 1.5 are starting to move. If you want to attend the screening with the panel discussion (7:00pm), I’d recommend getting your ticket in advance or arriving earlier than usual. (There are still plenty of tickets left for the 9:40 screening.) Click the poster below to find out more about the film – winner of the San Francisco Frameline Film Festival’s Audience Award in 2009.

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

Hello Everyone.

NEON patrons have been asking for it…and it’s finally here. THE SECRET IN THEIR EYES, this year’s winner of “Best Foreign Film” at the Academy Awards, starts Friday – exclusively at THE NEON.

If you still need to see MOTHER, you only have through Thursday to see it at THE NEON. BABIES and CITY ISLAND will stick around for another week.

Synopsis for THE SECRET IN THEIR EYES: “Benjamín, a former criminal court employee, wants to write a novel about an Argentine case from the 1970s in which a woman was raped and murdered. He confides his intentions to a judge with whom he’s been secretly smitten for years, but she expresses reservations about the idea… Meanwhile, flashbacks set up the central story, unfolding in 1970s Argentina. In that narrative, Argentina has fallen under the control of a military junta and a fair trial has become an increasingly uncommon event in that nation’s courts. A woman is found raped and murdered while her husband was at work, and two immigrant workers are essentially forced into confessing to the crime. Benjamín then teams up with his colleague and friend, the lush Pablo Sandoval, and the two go about identifying and tagging the perpetrator of the original crime. Subtle detail in a photograph alerts Benjamin to the possibility that a man named Gómez may have been the real culprit…as Benjamín and Pablo struggle to have the case reopened, they also find that bureaucracy and power in Argentine government have made this close to impossible.” (All Movie Guide)

Next Thursday – June 17 – The Dayton Pride Partnership and The Downtown Dayton LGBT Film Fest are joining forces to bring a special film to town – PATRIK, AGE 1.5. Here’s the set-up: “Göran always wanted to become a father. He is married to his partner, Sven, and they have been cleared for adoption by the Swedish authorities. The problem is that no country seems to be willing to give a child to a homosexual couple. Göran refuses to give up his dream of having what so many others take for granted; a real family. Göran and Sven receive a letter with an offer from the social services to take care of “Patrik, Age 1.5″ – a Swedish child who needs a new family. They happily accept the offer and prepare the nursery for the baby’s arrival. On the day that little Patrik is expected to arrive, a lanky teenager rings their doorbell. He says his name is Patrik and that he has come to live with them. They realize, horror-struck, that their little baby Patrik is actually a juvenile delinquent. To add insult to injury, he is also homophobic.” The film will screen Thursday, June 17 at 7:00 and 9:40, and a special panel discussion about gay adoption with adoption professionals and a local gay couple who are adoptive parents will occur after the 7:00 screening. Tickets to this film – just $6.00 each – are currently on sale at THE NEON’s box office. http://www.patrikonepointfive.com/

As a reminder, the official Downtown Dayton LGBT Film Festival is set to take place during the final weekend of September. A committee is hard at work determining the line-up for this year’s fest. If you or someone you know (or a business) would like to become a sponsor of the festival, please contact me right away. http://www.daytonlgbt.com/

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

SHOWTIMES for June 11 – June 17:

CITY ISLAND (PG-13) 100 Minutes
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 12:45, 5:00, 7:20, 9:40
Monday – Wednesday: 5:00, 7:20
Thursday: 5:00

BABIES (PG) 87 Minutes
Friday – Thursday: 3:10

THE SECRET IN THEIR EYES (R) 127 Minutes
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 1:00, 4:00, 7:15, 9:45
Monday – Thursday: 2:30, 5:00, 7:30

PATRIK, AGE 1.5 (R) 103 Minutes
Thursday: 7:00, 9:40

COMING SOON:
As always, all dates are tentative.
June 18 PLEASE GIVE
June 25 THE SQUARE
July 9 I AM LOVE (My favorite from Toronto!)
July 16 CYRUS
July 30 WINTER’S BONE
July 30 THE KIDS ARE ALL RIGHT
TBD – MOTHER AND CHILD
TBD – JOAN RIVERS: A PIECE OF WORK
TBD – MICMACS

Hello Everyone.

First off, I have to thank all of you who voted for THE NEON as “Dayton’s Best Movie Theater” in Active Dayton’s annual poll. For the third year in a row, we came out on top! Thank you so much for your continued support.

On Friday we open one of the best reviewed thrillers in years…one that currently has a score of 92% approval on Rotten Tomatoes and has received 100% reviews from publications like the The San Francisco Chronicle, The Wall Street Journal and Entertainment Weekly. MOTHER, the Hitchcockian thriller from Korean director Bong Joon-ho, has an incredible performance at its center by Hye-ja Kim. If you like a good thriller, you don’t want to miss this.

Synopsis for MOTHER: “The latest film from award-winning Korean director Bong Joon-ho (The Host) is a unique murder mystery about a mother’s primal love for her son. Mother is a devoted single parent to her simple-minded twenty-seven-year-old son, Do-joon. Often a source of anxiety to his mother, Do-joon behaves in foolish or simply dangerous ways. One night, while walking home drunk, he encounters a school girl who he follows for a while before she disappears into a dark alley. The next morning, she is found dead in an abandoned building and Do-joon is accused of her murder. An inefficient lawyer and an apathetic police force result in a speedy conviction. His mother refuses to believe her beloved son is guilty and immediately undertakes her own investigation to find the girl’s killer. In her obsessive quest to clear her son’s name, Mother steps into a world of unimaginable chaos and shocking revelations.” (Magnolia Pictures)

On June 17, The Dayton Pride Partnership and The Downtown Dayton LGBT Film Fest are joining forces to bring a special film to town – PATRIK, AGE 1.5. Her’s the set-up: “Göran always wanted to become a father. He is married to his partner, Sven, and they have been cleared for adoption by the Swedish authorities. The problem is that no country seems to be willing to give a child to a homosexual couple. Göran refuses to give up his dream of having what so many others take for granted; a real family. Göran and Sven receive a letter with an offer from the social services to take care of “Patrik, Age 1.5″ – a Swedish child who needs a new family. They happily accept the offer and prepare the nursery for the baby’s arrival. On the day that little Patrik is expected to arrive, a lanky teenager rings their doorbell. He says his name is Patrik and that he has come to live with them. They realize, horror-struck, that their little baby Patrik is actually a juvenile delinquent. To add insult to injury, he is also homophobic.” The film will screen Thursday, June 17 at 7:00 and 9:40, and a special panel discussion about gay adoption with adoption professionals and a local gay couple who are adoptive parents will occur after the 7:00 screening. Tickets to this film – just $6.00 each – are currently on sale at THE NEON’s box office.

We hope to see you soon!
Jonathan

SHOWTIMES for June 4 – June 10:

CITY ISLAND (PG-13) 100 Minutes
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 12:40, 2:50, 5:10, 7:30, 9:40
Monday – Thursday: 2:50, 5:10, 7:30

BABIES (PG) 87 Minutes
Friday – Thursday: 3:00, 7:40

MOTHER (R) 128 Minutes
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 12:30, 5:10, 9:30
Monday – Thursday: 5:10

COMING SOON:
As always, all dates are tentative.
June 11 THE SECRET IN THEIR EYES (winner of “Best Foreign Film”)
June 18 PLEASE GIVE
June 25 THE SQUARE
July 16 I AM LOVE (My favorite from Toronto!)
July 16 CYRUS
July 30 WINTER’S BONE
TBD – MOTHER AND CHILD
TBD – JOAN RIVERS: A PIECE OF WORK