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Jonathan McNeal

3 New Virtual Treats, ReOpening Film & More News From The Neon

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I appreciate so many of you reaching out with suggestions as to films I should explore or revisit to expand my knowledge of the struggle and inequalities that face Black people in our society — great recommendations like Ryan Coogler’s FRUITVALE STATION, Spike Lee’s 4 LITTLE GIRLS, and Sabaah Folayan’s WHOSE STREETS? I also loved hearing back from so many of you regarding the list of films on my screening list last week.  If you’re looking for a particular film and you can’t seem to easily find it on Netflix or Amazon, there’s a great resource called justwatch.com that can help you find the film in question on-line.

This week, we’re starting three new films in our virtual cinema.  The dark, comedic heist film  LUCKY GRANDMA and the cine-essay YOU DON’T NOMI (about the cult status of the trainwreck-of-a-film SHOWGIRLS) are already available, and the powerful doc FOR THEY KNOW NOT WHAT THEY DO will be available starting Friday.  ( Be sure sure to read about our first Virtual Community Discussion.  This on-line discussion with local partners will center around the film FOR THEY KNOW NOW WHAT THEY DO.)  More details are below. We will hold over 1 ANGRY BLACK MAN, PAHOKEE, CORPUS CHRISTI and MR. JONES for one more week.

 

As I mentioned last Friday, we are targeting early July as our opening date.  If all goes as planned, we will open a terrific, important, and perfect documentary for July 4th weekend – JOHN LEWIS: GOOD TROUBLE.  Check out this trailer when you get a moment!  (I’ll announce our 2nd new film here next week.)
I am looking to fill at least one part-time position.  If you know someone who is at least 21 years old and loves independent cinema and is looking for a little extra money, please send them to this LINK.  In the coming weeks, we may also start looking for some volunteers.  We will have limited seating capacity upon reopen, and I think I may need the help of ushers during our busier times. I’ll keep you posted!

Synopsis for LUCKY GRANDMA: Critics everywhere are loving Tsai Chin’s central performance. “Set in New York’s Chinatown, Chin portrays an ornery, newly-widowed 80-year-old eager to live life as an independent woman, despite her family’s concerns. When a local fortune teller (Wai Ching Ho) predicts a most auspicious day in her future, she decides to head to the casino, only to land herself on the wrong side of luck by suddenly attracting the attention of local gangsters. She then employs the services of a bodyguard from a rival gang. LUCKY GRANDMA is a dynamic comedy with a stand-out performance by Tsai Chin. A new song by Akwafina is also featured.” (Good Deed Entertainment) Jude Dry of indieWire writes, ” LUCKY GRANDMA is a wickedly entertaining dark comedy, steeped in the colors and characters of New York City’s Chinatown.”  And Peter Debruge of VARIETY wrote, ” Chin is plainly the film’s greatest asset, a terrific actor with great comic timing and a tendency to underplay her character’s reactions…” This film can be watched on your computer, mobile device or on your TV via the KinoMarquee app on a variety of sources. Scroll to the bottom of the purchasing page for further details.  Click the image below to watch the trailer and gain 5 day access to the film for $12.

Synopsis for YOU DON’T NOMI: “A chorus of film critics and fervent devotees explore the complicated afterlife of 1995’s biggest film flop, Paul Verhoeven’s salacious SHOWGIRLS, from disastrous release to cult adoration and extraordinary redemption. The film features Adam Nayman (Vice Guide to Film), April Kidwell (I, Nomi) and Peaches Christ (Milk) along with archive interview footage with the cast and crew of SHOWGIRLS.” David Rooney of THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER wrote that the film presents ” a compelling case that the much-maligned pop-culture landmark can be judged as either tawdry rubbish or subversive comic triumph.” And Peter Travers of ROLLING STONE wrote,
” Jeffrey McHale’s feature debut doc is a raucous hoot that also generates a grudging appreciation for the 1995 trashathon that really might be so bad it’s good.” This film will be available to watch on your computer, mobile device and many TVs.  For more details, visit the platforms HELP page.  Click the image below to watch the trailer and gain 72 hour access for $9.99.

 

Synopsis for FOR THEY KNOW NOT WHAT THEY DO: “From the director of the landmark film FOR THE BIBLE TELLS ME SO comes a new documentary that explores the intersection of religion, sexual orientation and gender identity in present day America.” THE ADVOCATE wrote, “In this vital, authentic follow-up to FOR THE BIBLE TELLS ME SO, filmmaker Daniel Karslake returns a decade later to the religious right, embittered by the Supreme Court’s Obergefell decision and emboldened by the rise of Trump. Heartbreaking – and inspirational.”    This film will be available starting this Friday and throughout  the rest of June. On Sunday, June 28 at 5:00, I will host a Community Discussion via Zoom with a variety of Spiritual leaders from around the Miami Valley. Click HERE if you’d like to RSVP  for the Community Discussion. This film will be available to watch on your computer or mobile device and on some SmartTVs.  For more details about how you can watch the film, visit First Run Feature’s HELP page.  Click the image below to watch the trailer and pre-order 72 hour access to the film for $10 .
These films are continuing for one more week!
1 ANGRY BLACK MAN:   Click the image below to watch the trailer and gain 48 hour access to the film for $4.99.
PAHOKEE: To purchase 72 hour access of the film for $12, c lick on the image below to be directed to the film’s official site.  You will get a small pop-up that will allow you to purchase the film for $12.  If you get to a screen that quotes you $18, enter the word “neon” as your promo code…this will get your our $12 screening price (instead of $18) and will give us proper credit for your purchase.
CORPUS CHRISTI:  Click the picture below to watch the trailer and gain 72 hour access to the film for $12.
MR. JONES:  Click the picture below to watch the trailer and gain 72 hour access to the film for $12.
HAIL SATAN? Don’t forget that the Q&A with director Penny Lane in conversation with Lucien Greaves, head of The Satanic Temple is tonight!  Watch the trailer and gain 72 hour access to the film for $5 by clicking the image below.

The DAYTON JEWISH FILM FESTIVAL is already underway, and you can gain FREE access to their virtual selections and on-line events! Though we certainly miss hosting this fantastic festival at THE NEON, we think they’ve made a wise decision!! Check out their awesome line-up by clicking the image below!  It’s their 20th anniversary, and they’re making all the screenings and on-line discussions FREE…and it’s very easy to sign up!
Wanna know what’s coming down the road in our virtual cinema? ( Click any title to watch that film’s trailer.) On June 17, we plan to open a film that was supposed to have its world premiere at the SXSW Film Festival – THE SURROGATE.  On June 19, we’ll open the Sundance hit MISS JUNETEENTH as well as a project that might include some of your work – THE QUARANTINE CAT FILM FEST.  NEON regulars love Bill Nighy, and he’s the star of SOMETIMES ALWAYS NEVER – it opens for us on June 24. On June 26, we will open a new doc that I know many of you will love – ELLA FITZGERALD: JUST ONE OF THOSE THINGS.  And sometime in early July, we hope to open THE TOBACCONIST – a film I saw and loved at The Cleveland International Film Festival last year. On July 1, we will open a powerful Sundance film about a young Black man exploring his roots and struggling with what it all means – THE LAST TREE.

 

After all these weeks and hurdles, we finally have a DONATE button on our website.  If you would like to make a donation to our non-profit, please visit this LINK.
Wishing you all good health!
Be safe & well.
My best,
Jonathan

THE NEON’s Reopening News! Postponed Screenings! Added Films!

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Hello Everyone!

In the last 48 hours, we’ve made a lot of changes. We’ve added movies to our virtual cinema line-up, some future events have been postponed, and we’ve received word that cinemas are allowed to reopen in Ohio next week.  So I’ll take you through all that news.

First off, we just found out about a new film that speaks to the much-needed discussions about race in America…and the distributor was excited for us to open it today (6/5/20).  So we’ve added 1 ANGRY BLACK MAN, from writer and director Menelek Lumumbato, to our line-up. (More details below)

Our special screening of SHIRLEY (along with the Elisabeth Moss Q&A originally scheduled for 6/6/20) has been postponed with a new date TBD.  Knowing that Saturday evening would be a time for national protests, the organizer of this nation-wide screening event had this to say, “The mission of the Movie Night platform is to cultivate a communal experience through cinema. Hosting the event this Saturday does not feel appropriate or supportive of the activism happening across the country.”  We agree! If you pre-ordered a ticket, you should have already received an email from the organizers.  I’ll keep you posted as to when this event will move forward.

 

Yesterday, Governor DeWine announced that movie theaters can open on June 10.  That said, we are going to give it a few more weeks.  Our target re-open date will be July 1.  We’ve still got some major projects in the works to make the return safer and more comfortable for you and our staff alike. We also have to re-hire the entire staff, learn new policies, order fresh supplies, and book films.  (That said, I’m delighted with the prospects of what we might have on July 4th weekend.  I’ll keep you posted.)

 

Knowing we won’t be open before June 22, we will have to re-schedule our screening of DIE! DIE! MY DARLING! – which was part of our PNC Presents WOMEN OF INFLUENCE IN THE MOVIES series with The Human Race Theatre Company.  I’ll keep you posted.

 

I was delighted to read that The Criterion Channel has lifted their paywall on numerous films that center on Black Lives…including Julie Dash’s masterpiece DAUGHTERS OF THE DUST – starring the brilliant actress from Dayton, BarbaraO. The Criterion Channel is a treasure!

Lastly, I’ve booked a lot more new titles in the coming weeks to our Virtual Cinema.  Check out those details in the revised newsletter below.  (New titles include YOU DON’T NOMI, LUCKY GRANDMA, and MISS JUNETEENTH.)

 

In addition to starting a couple new films this week in our virtual cinema, we are bringing back PAHOKEE.  This film is an important part of the national conversation, and I want to give our community another chance to see this powerful work.  In addition, we just started the handsome and thrilling new period political thriller by Agnieszka Holland (director of EUROPA EUROPA and THE SECRET GARDEN) – MR. JONES.  We will also open the Oscar nominated film that several of you have asked for – CORPUS CHRISTI.  HAIL SATAN?, which starts Friday, will wrap up our Magnolia Pictures documentary fest, and on Saturday, we will have a one-time screening of a film with a very special Q&A – SHIRLEY (about famous author Shirley Jackson). 1 ANGRY BLACK MAN, has just been added to our virtual offerings. Jamie Broadnax of Black Girl Nerds says it’s “An impactful film that deals with cerebral discussions around race, class, and society through the lens of liberal arts students.”
Synopsis for 1 ANGRY BLACK MAN: “After a traumatic sexual mishap at the quintessential New England liberal arts school, Mike Anderson, 8 weeks away from graduation, is in his African-American literature class with his favorite teacher feeling sad, isolated and angry.” (Soulidifly) Click the image below to watch the trailer and gain 48 hour access to the film for $4.99.
Synopsis for our return engagement of PAHOKEE: “In a small agricultural town in the Florida Everglades, hopes for the future are concentrated on the youth. Four teens face heartbreak and celebrate in the rituals of an extraordinary senior year. Ivete Lucas and Patrick Bresnan create a detailed and incredibly nuanced portrait…A complex and multi-layered work that recalls both the gritty social realism of the new American cinema as well as a neorealist touch. PAHOKEE is a powerful portrait of a forgotten America absent from the current political discourse.” (Giona A. Nazzaro) Here’s a note from the distributor for this film: “you can watch it on your computer, smartphone, or tablet, or use the official Vimeo app on your Apple TV (4th generation), Android TV, Roku, Amazon Fire, Samsung TV, or Google Chromecast. Please note that there is no Vimeo app available for LG Smart TVs.” More details can be found on this Help Page. To purchase 72 hour access of the film for $12, click on the image below to be directed to the film’s official site.  You will get a small pop-up that will allow you to purchase the film for $12.  If you get to a screen that quotes you $18, enter the word “neon” as your promo code…this will get your our $12 screening price (instead of $18) and will give us proper credit for your purchase.
Synopsis for CORPUS CHRISTI: OSCAR NOMINATED! “After spending years in a Warsaw prison for a violent crime, 20-year-old Daniel is released and sent to a remote village to work as a manual laborer. The job is designed to keep the ex-con busy, but Daniel has a higher calling. Over the course of his incarceration he has found Christ, and aspires to join the clergy – but his criminal record means no seminary will accept him. When Daniel arrives in town, one quick lie allows him to be mistaken for the town’s new priest, and he sets about leading his newfound flock. Though he has no training, his passion and charisma inspire the community. At the same time, his unconventional sermons and unpriestly behavior raise suspicions among some of the townsfolk – even more so as he edges towards a dark secret that the community hasn’t revealed in the confessional booth.” (Film Movement) Anchored by a “dynamically physical, wild-eyed performance” (THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER) from newcomer Bartosz Bielenia, this film is an incisive, darkly humorous, and “engrossing exploration of faith, second chances and the possibility of atonement” (SCREEN). You can watch this film on your web browser or via an app on AppleTV, Amazon Fire or Roku. Here’s a link to more instructions from the distributor. Click the picture below to watch the trailer and gain 72 hour access to the film for $12.
Synopsis for MR. JONES: “Agnieszka Holland’s thriller, set on the eve of world WWII, sees Hitler’s rise to power and Stalin’s Soviet propaganda machine pushing their ‘utopia’ to the Western world. Meanwhile an ambitious young journalist, Gareth Jones travels to Moscow to uncover the truth behind the propaganda, but then gets a tip that could expose an international conspiracy, one that could cost him and his informant their lives. Jones goes on a life-or-death journey to uncover the truth behind the façade that would later inspire George Orwell’s seminal book ANIMAL FARM.”  This film stars James Norton, Vanessa Kirby and Peter Sarsgaard.  Click the picture below to watch the trailer and gain 72 hour access to the film for $12.
MAGNOLIA PICTURES: A FEW OF OUR FAVORITE DOCS is wrapping up. We’re now on the last film of the series…and this one is a documentary that we didn’t have a chance to play when we were open – HAIL, SATAN?  Watch the film anytime and then you can then participate in a live Q&A next Wednesday by submitting questions in advance (You can either submit them over email to [email protected], or they can tweet at Magnolia by using the hashtag #magnoliadocseries.)  You can still rent the earlier films by clicking each film’s title.
RBG started on May 15.
LIFE ITSELF started May 22.
BLACKFISH started May 29. (Q&A tonight – 6/3 with director Gabriela Cowperthwaite)
HAIL SATAN? started today. (Q&A on 6/10 with director Penny Lane in conversation with Lucien Greaves, head of The Satanic Temple.)
Watch the trailer and gain 72 hour access to the film for $5 by clicking the image below.

The DAYTON JEWISH FILM FESTIVAL is ready to go! Though we’ll certainly miss hosting this fantastic festival at THE NEON, we think they’ve made a wise decision!! Check out their awesome line-up by clicking the image below!  It’s their 20th anniversary, and they’re making all the screenings and on-line discussions FREE!!  Opening night is next Tuesday and it’s at the Dixie Drive-In (make sure to register on-line).
Wanna know what’s coming down the road in our virtual cinema? (Click any title to watch that film’s trailer.) On June 10, we have two new films set to open.  The first is YOU DON’T NOMI – a cine-essay on the cult status of the terribly bad film SHOWGIRLS. We’ll also open a dark comedy heist film LUCKY GRANDMA. On June 12, we will open the documentary FOR THEY KNOW NOT WHAT THEY DO– Daniel Karslake’s follow-up to his film FOR THE BIBLE TELLS ME SO. (I’m working on creating an on-line, community-based discussion for this film. Save the date for June 28…more details next week!)
On June 17, we plan to open a film that was supposed to have its world premiere at the SXSW Film Festival –THE SURROGATE.  On June 19, we’ll open the Sundance hit MISS JUNETEENTH. On June 26, we will open a new doc that I know many of you will love – ELLA FITZGERALD: JUST ONE OF THOSE THINGS. And sometime in late June/early July, we hope to open THE TOBACCONIST – a film I saw and loved at The Cleveland International Film Festival last year.
Wishing you all good health!
Be safe & well.
Jonathan

The Latest From The Neon: Peter Sellers, Diana Kennedy, Killer Whales & Gift Cards!

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Our selections have been really well received over the last few weeks.  DRIVEWAYS continues to get great responses, our followers have told us that FRENCH SHORTS 2020 are wonderful, and Sherry told us that MILITARY WIVES“was the perfect Memorial Day film, or any day film. It is a film that reminds me that being human is a complex, painful, joyful journey.  I feel more human for watching.” That’s quite an endorsement!  All of these films will stick around for another week!  But we’re also going to keep moving.  Today, we’re bringing two new documentaries, and both are rated “100% Fresh” on rottentomatoes.  THE GHOST OF PETER SELLERS is about the disastrous making of the film GHOST OF THE NOONDAY SUN, and DIANA KENNEDY: NOTHING FANCY will be a delight for foodies and lovers of travel alike.  Lastly, on Friday, we’ll virtually open the fantastic documentary BLACKFISH – where you’ll be able to write in questions for a live Q&A next week.
(Don’t forget – Tonight, Wednesday, May 27 at 8pm, is the Q&A for the Roger Ebert documentary LIFE ITSELF!)
Synopsis for THE GHOST OF PETER SELLERS: “In September 1973 Peter  Sellers  embarked on the production of a 17th Century pirate comedy in Cyprus  for Columbia Pictures (GHOST OF THE NOONDAY SUN). Sellers  lost  confidence  with the film as soon as it began and desperately tried to sabotage it, firing the producers in the first week and then setting his sights on his friend the director, Peter Medak. At its core lies the story of an unraveling  production but also the tale of a young director firmly on a path to greatness. Medak had made 3 back-to-back successes; most notably THE RULING CLASS in 1972 with Peter O’Toole (nominated for the Palm D’Or). This film changed his career forever. After 43 years the wounds have barely healed for Medak and this is his opportunity to tell the story and finally release the weight associated with its failure. THE GHOST OF PETER SELLERS is a comic-tragic feature doc about what it takes to be a film director and survive your biggest disaster.” This film will be available on computers and mobile devices as well as Android, Apple TV, Roku, and Chromecast.  Here’s a LINK to a help page where you can learn more. Click on the image below to watch the trailer and gain 72 hour access to this film for $10.
Synopsis for DIANA KENNEDY: NOTHING FANCY: “An intimate, candid perspective into the curious world of 95-year-old cookbook author and British ex-patriot Diana Kennedy, widely regarded as the world’s academic expert on
Mexican cuisine. Standing barely five feet tall with a thick English accent, Diana is a formidable critic of anyone who doesn’t agree with her views on Mexican culinary traditions, or, God forbid, doesn’t recycle. The author of nine acclaimed cookbooks, Diana has spent nearly seventy years exploring Mexico (typically solo in her truck), and researching the country’s varied and complex cuisines. A two-time James Beard Award winner, Diana was decorated with an Order of the Aztec Eagle from the Mexican government in 1982 and became a Member of the Order of
the British Empire from the UK in 2002. Despite her notable achievements, Diana is difficult to categorize; often referred to as the ‘Julia Child of Mexico.’ Given her edgier style, however, Diana prefers a different title: ‘The Mick Jagger of
Mexican Cuisine.'” This film is available to watch on your computer or mobile devices and via and app with supported Apple and android TVs. More technicals details can be found on this LINK. You can watch the trailer and gain 72 hour access to this film will for $9.99 by clicking the image below.
These selections are sticking around:
NEW FRENCH SHORTS 2020 Click the image below to watch the trailer and gain 5 day access to this collection of films for $12.
MILITARY WIVES Click the image below to watch the trailer and gain 72 hour access for $4.99.
DRIVEWAYS Click the image below to watch the trailer and gain 72 hour access for $12.  This will be the final week for DRIVEWAYS!
MAGNOLIA PICTURES: A FEW OF OUR FAVORITE DOCS is already underway, and you’ve been invited to ask questions to the directors.  Each Friday, we start a virtual engagement of a great documentary for just $5.00 each.  On the following Wednesday, you can attend a live virtual Q&A with the film’s director – and you can submit your own questions in advance. (You can either submit them over email to [email protected], or they can tweet at Magnolia by using the hashtag #magnoliadocseries.)  This Friday marks the third film in the series, BLACKFISH…and you can still rent the first two:
RBG started on May 15.
LIFE ITSELF started May 22. (Q&A tonight, 5/27, with Chaz Ebert in conversation with director Steve James)
BLACKFISH starts May 29. (Q&A on 6/3 with director Gabriela Cowperthwaite)
HAIL SATAN? starts June 5. (Q&A on 6/10 with director Penny Lane in conversation with Lucien Greaves, head of The Satanic Temple.)
When you purchase access to each film for $5, you will also get invited to that film’s Q&A event and 10% of all the national sales will go to a charity of the filmmaker’s choice.
Due to the uncertainty of the coming weeks/months, the DAYTON JEWISH FILM FESTIVAL has decided to go mostly virtual this June instead of postponing or canceling…and the preview event on June 2 is right around the corner. Though we’ll certainly miss hosting this fantastic festival at THE NEON, we think they’ve made a wise decision!! Check out their awesome line-up by clicking the image below!  It’s their 20th anniversary, and they’re making all the screenings and on-line discussions FREE!!
Wanna know what’s coming down the road? (Click any title to watch that film’s trailer.) On June 3, we will virtually open the Oscar nominated film CORPUS CHRISTI. Also on June 3, we’ll start the beautiful political thriller from a director I greatly admire – Agnieszka Holand. MR. JONES is set during the early 1930’s and stars James Norton, Vanessa Kirby and Peter Sarsgaard. On June 12, we will open the documentary FOR THEY KNOW NOT WHAT THEY DO – Daniel Karslake’s follow-up to his film FOR THE BIBLE TELLS ME SO. And sometime in late June, we hope to open THE TOBACCONIST – a film I saw and loved at The Cleveland International Film Festival last year.  We’re working to make this a sidebar or encore to the Dayton Jewish Film Festival…and you’ll be invited to participate in a post-screening discussion with yours truly.
Last week, we participated in a gift card program with The Downtown Dayton Partnership…you could buy $25 gift cards for a number of businesses downtown and they would send you a bonus $15 gift card for a mystery business.  I wanted to let you know all about it, but the program was so successful that they sold out of $15,000 of free $15 gift cards in one day.  Due to some generous folks in the region, it looks like they may be announcing “Round 2” pretty soon.  Stay tuned to their Facebook Page for the latest details.

Neon News:

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We’re gonna move forward with some new films this week, but we will absolutely hold onto DRIVEWAYS for another week – NEON fans have loved it. Jane wrote, “DRIVEWAYS was a great film-we really enjoyed it!”  Richard says it’s an “Excellent film,” and Mickey chimed in with “Oh my goodness Driveways is SUCH a wonderful film!” Stuart told folks that DRIVEWAYS is, “Wonderful, poignant, one of Brian Dennehy’s best performances ever, and highly recommended.”  Thanks to all the folks who help spread the word.  If you missed the Q&A for UP FROM THE STREETS, the terrific doc about the Music of New Orleans, you’re in luck – a second has been added! A LIVE Q&A with Terence Blanchard, director Michael Murphy, and Ben Jaffe, Creative Director of Preservation Hall will take place on May 26 at 9pm ET/6pm PT – here’s the LINK where you sign up for the Free Q&A.  We’ll hold the film for another week, too!
Starting today, because we know how Daytonians have really started to embrace short films over the past few years, we are opening a collection of “petite Gallic pleasures” – NEW FRENCH SHORTS 2020.  On Friday, because we love Kristin Scott Thomas and because Dayton is proud of Wright Patt Air Force Base, we are opening MILITARY WIVES (and it’s just in time for Memorial Day).  In addition, on Friday, we will begin the next in the Magnolia Pictures’ Doc Series – A FEW OF OUR FAVORITE DOCS – where you can send in questions to each of the films’ directors (this week’s selection is LIFE ITSELF)!  (Don’t forget –  Tonight, Wednesday, May 20, is the Q&A for RBG!)
Synopsis for NEW FRENCH SHORTS 2020: “This showcase of some of the most exciting new cinematic voices from France runs the gamut from animation to romance to absurdist comedy. Revel in these petite Gallic pleasures, including award winners from Cannes, Locarno, and Palm Springs ShortFest. New French Shorts 2020 is made available through Young French Cinema, a program of UniFrance and the Cultural Services of the French Embassy. Selections include: Ahmed’s Song (Foued Mansour, 30m), Sheep, Wolf, and a Cup of Tea… (Marion Lacourt, 12m), Tuesday from 8 to 6 (Cecilia de Arce, 26m), The Distance Between Us and the Sky (Vasilis Kekatos, 9m), The Tears Thing (Clémence Poésy, 25m), Magnetic Harvest (Marine Levéel, 24m), Bonus: The Glorious Acceptance Speech of Nicolas Chauvin (Benjamin Crotty, 26m)” This collection of films will be available for viewing on most computers, phones and tablets as well as via apps on AppleTV, Roku and Firestick. Further details are available on the bottom of the official purchasing site. Click the image below to watch the trailer and gain 5 day access to this collection of films for $12.
Synopsis for MILITARY WIVES: Perfect for Memorial Day Weekend! We’re pleased to continue our partnership with Bleecker Street in bringing you their latest release, MILITARY WIVES. From the director of THE FULL MONTY and starring Kristin Scott Thomas (THE ENGLISH PATIENT) and Sharon Horgan (CATASTROPHE), it’s the feel-good movie of the year! “MILITARY WIVES centers on a group of women from different backgrounds whose partners are away serving in Afghanistan. Faced with their loved ones’ absences, they come together to form the very first military wives choir, helping each other through some of life’s most difficult moments, and quickly find themselves on an international stage.” (Bleecker Street) THE DAILY MAIL calls MILITARY WIVES “Hugely engaging, enormously moving.”  Starting May 22, you’ll be able to gain 72 hour access to the film for just $4.99. Click the image below to watch the trailer…the link to purchase the film will be available starting Friday on our website.
MAGNOLIA PICTURES: A FEW OF OUR FAVORITE DOCS is already underway with RBG, and you’ve been invited to ask questions to the directors.  Each Friday, we’ll start a virtual engagement of a great documentary for just $5.00 each.  On the following Wednesday, you can attend a live virtual Q&A with the film’s director – and you’ll be able to submit your own questions in advance. You can either submit them over email to [email protected], or they can tweet at Magnolia by using the hashtag #magnoliadocseries.  Here’s the line-up (click the titles to watch the trailers…the link for RBG and LIFE ITSELF are also where you can gain 72 hour access to each film for $5):
RBG starts on May 15. (Q&A on 5/20 with directors Betsy West and Julie Cohen, moderated by Melena Ryzik from the New York Times)
LIFE ITSELF starts May 22. (Q&A on 5/27 with Chaz Ebert in conversation with director Steve James)
BLACKFISH starts May 29. (Q&A on 6/3 with director Gabriela Cowperthwaite)
HAIL SATAN? starts June 5. (Q&A on 6/10 with director Penny Lane in conversation with Lucien Greaves, head of The Satanic Temple.)
When you purchase access to each film for $5, you will also get invited to that film’s Q&A event and 10% of all the national sales will go to a charity of the filmmaker’s choice.
Due to the uncertainty of the coming weeks/months, the DAYTON JEWISH FILM FESTIVAL has decided to go mostly virtual this June instead of postponing or canceling…and the preview event on June 2 is right around the corner. Though we’ll certainly miss hosting this fantastic festival at THE NEON, we think they’ve made a wise decision!! Check out their awesome line-up by clicking the image below!  It’s their 20th anniversary, and they’re making all the screenings and on-line discussions FREE!!
Wanna know what’s coming down the road? (Click any title to watch that film’s trailer.)  On May 27, foodies will delight in the new documentary DIANA KENNEDY: NOTHING FANCY. Also on the 27th, lovers of classic cinema and film history will adore THE GHOST OF PETER SELLERS. On June 12, we will open the documentary FOR THEY KNOW NOT WHAT THEY DO – Daniel Karslake’s follow-up to his film FOR THE BIBLE TELLS ME SO. And sometime in June, we hope to open THE TOBACCONIST – a film I saw and loved at The Cleveland International Film Festival last year.  We’re working to make this a sidebar or encore to the Dayton Jewish Film Festival…and you’ll be invited to participate in a post-screening discussion with yours truly.
There are many other irons in the fire right now, and THE NEON is working hard to make sure that when we’re able to re-open, we can do it as safely as possible. I’ll keep you posted.

NEON Trivia & “Virtually” Playing BOOKSELLERS and BALLOON!

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WOW!  Friday’s “Curbside Candy Clearance & More” was a huge, huge hit.  Some people waited over 90 minutes, and cars were lined up around the block.  Love for THE NEON was pouring in, and we were blown away!  Many, many thanks for all of your support!  (One family was even watching THE WOMAN WHO LOVES GIRAFFES on an i-pad while they waited – BRILLIANT!)  This Friday, we’ve got something completely different for all of you folks with Facebook and Instagram – “TEST YOUR NEON KNOWLEDGE” – NEON Movie Trivia Live!  More details below.
Next up in our “Virtual Cinema” are two new, great films.  The first is for all the book lovers of the world – THE BOOKSELLERS – a wonderful documentary that was executive produced by Parker Posey.  (I love a good bookstore – from the labyrinth of Strand and the charm of Three Lives Books in NYC to our neighborhood treasure Bonnett’s in the Oregon District.)  The second film is a nail-biting political thriller set during the time of the Berlin Wall – BALLOON – and it’s based on a true story!
Synopsis for THE BOOKSELLERS: “Antiquarian booksellers are part scholar, part detective and part businessperson, and their personalities and knowledge are as broad as the material they handle. They also play an underappreciated yet essential role in preserving history. THE BOOKSELLERS takes viewers inside their small but fascinating world, populated by an assortment of obsessives, intellects, eccentrics and dreamers.” (Greenwich Entertainment) Executive produced by Parker Posey. The Hollywood Reporter wrote, “A treat for anyone who appreciates the printed word.”  You can access this film virtually for 72 hours for $9.99.  Just click the image below. A note from this distributor for this particular film: “You can watch on your desktop, tablet, smartphone, Chromecast or AirPlay. If you prefer to watch on another device, check this here before your purchase.”
Synopsis for BALLOON: “In the summer of 1979, the Strelzyk and Wetzel families-who had been working on their audacious plan for more than two years-try to flee East Germany in a self-made hot-air balloon. But after the balloon crash-lands just before the West German border, the Stasi find traces of the attempted escape and immediately launch an investigation. In a nerve-wracking race against the clock, the two families attempt to build a new escape balloon as the Stasi get closer and closer each day…” (Distrib Films) Click the image below to visit the site where you can watch the trailer and then purchase 72 access to the film for $10. A note from the distributor about BALLOON: “You will be able to watch the film for 3 days on any computer, laptop, ipad, chromebook or other mobile devices. IMPORTANT: The only way to watch this film on a television is to mirror or cast from one of the above devices to your television.”  (I watched this one with an HDMI cable from my computer to my television.)
And for one more week, we’ll continue to offer THE WOMAN WHO LOVES GIRAFFES and THE TIMES OF BILL CUNNINGHAM.  Visit our website – www.neonmovies.com – for all the details!
Wanna know what’s coming down the road? (click any title to watch that film’s trailer)  On 4/29, we’ll open a film I saw and loved at The Cleveland International Film Festival last year – WHAT SHE SAID: THE ART OF PAULINE KAEL.  This terrific documentary is for anyone who loves the movies.  In addition, we will open a documentary that many of you will be excited about – THE DOG DOC.  We’ll be partnering with and donating $1 of every download to a really special organization – Ellie’s Rainy Day Fund – which works through veterinary request to support families that would otherwise be in danger of losing their beloved furry family members to veterinary emergencies they cannot afford to treat. To learn about Ellie’s Rainy Day Fund, please visit https://elliesrainydayfund.org/.  On May 6, we are slated to open 2 more films.  The first is a truly inspiring documentary about a high school where 91% of the students qualify for free lunch and where 90% graduate each year – PAHOKEE.  In addition, we’ll open a smart, rapid-fire comedy that moves at the pace of those beloved Golden Age comedies like HIS GIRL FRIDAY and BRINGING UP BABY – STRAIGHT UP.
Thanks to our friends at Row House Cinema, you have a chance to make your cats the stars they were meant to be! “Now that we are all quarantined at home with our cats, let us use this time to raise money for independent cinemas across the country. Videos selected will be joined with others, becoming the QUARANTINE CAT FILM FESTIVAL. THE NEON will sell tickets to the film, and receive 50% of the net proceeds. With your help, we are hoping cats will help to save independent movie theaters through this unprecedented quarantine. The videos will be judged in four categories: Cutest, Funniest, Bravest, and Most Loving. There will be a Best Of Show award as well. The videos will be judged by cat experts who are very opinionated. The cash prize amounts will be determined closer to the film’s release…Winners will be notified before the release of the film and identified in the film.” (Row House Cinema) Here’s the LINK with all the details!
Over the past few weeks, many have reached out and asked how you can help during our time of closure…and we truly appreciate your support!  One great way you can help is by spreading the word about our virtual offerings!  90% of the films we will offer virtually are not available on any other platform.  Please send people to our website, urge them to sign up for our newsletter and encourage them to enjoy one of our curated films.  And because we are now a non-profit, there’s another way you can help – by making a donation.  And your gifts are tax deductible! If you’d like to make a donation to THE NEON, we’ll certainly put it to good use – just mail a check to THE NEON, 130 E 5th St., Dayton, OH  45402.  We’ll make sure you get a receipt for your records.  One of our customers requested that his employer match his donation – very cool!…so we are now set up with Benevity (a platform that many large companies use to match charitable donations).  And as of late last year, we are also set up with The Dayton Foundation under “Dayton Movies dba The Neon.”
A Note About Our Virtual Offerings! It’s hard to believe that one month ago, offering films virtually wasn’t even something we had considered.  But many indie distributors stepped up very quickly and began to figure out ways to help us maintain a bit of revenue during these tricky times.  Each distributor comes with a different set of rules and prices, and all of us are learning a lot in the process of exploring multiple platforms.  Please know that you can always view the film from your browser (on your PC, laptop or ipad), and in most circumstances there are ways to access the media on your TV (via an app, syncing your wireless device with your TV, and more).  I’m a little “old fashioned”…I still hook an HDMI cable from my laptop to my TV – just like a bluray player (it works great).
And here’s the special news for Friday.  I’ll be on Facebook Live & Instagram Live on Friday, April 24 at 4:00 with a game where you can win prizes – TEST YOUR NEON KNOWLEDGE!  I’ll ask a series of 15 trivia questions, and you can email in your answers by 10pm on Friday night to [email protected]. Winners will be revealed on Saturday afternoon. You can find us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/neonmovies and here’s our instagram handle: @neonmovies – I hope to see many of you there!
Wishing you all good health!
My best,
Jonathan

My Favorite Films of 2019

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Hello Dayton MostMetro!

When asked to write a “Best of ” list about movies, it’s hard to decide what to write.  First off, it’s so subjective…do people really want to read about my personal tastes or should I look at films scholastically and determine what is the “best” in regards to craft?  In addition, what should I include – only films that got picked up for distribution? only films that screened in this market?  only films that got a release this year?

Here’s what I’ve decided.  The following list is a collection of films that I saw and loved this year.  (Though some films didn’t play until 2019 in Dayton, movies like CAPERNAUM and IF BEALE STREET COULD TALK and THE FAVOURITE are not on the list because I saw them in 2018.)  And contrary to popular belief, not all the films on the list screened at THE NEON!

I should make it known that I have not seen every film that got a release this year…once in a while, a film even plays at THE NEON that I can’t fit into my schedule.  I tend to shy away from science fiction (though not always), most horror movies and films with gratuitous violence and/or machismo-driven male plot lines (a la Tarantino).  (I have not yet seen THE IRISHMAN – as I intend to see it on our big screen on NYE.)

Here they are. 15 Favorite Films of 2019 (in alphabetical order):

AMERICAN FACTORY – Julia Reichert & Steve Bognar’s masterful documentary is stunningly heartfelt and equally scary.  It’s a call to action from and regarding America’s workforce (which also happens to be filmed in our own backyard).  I’m so happy for Julia & Steve’s success with this film!

BELLE EPOQUE – This little French gem with Daniel Auteuil and Fanny Ardant has not yet found a distributor in the US, but its existential ETERNAL SUNSHINE vibe is so much fun…I hope it makes its way to the States soon.  Here’s a trailer:

THE BLONDE ONE – I love a good, slow-paced, foreign film that’s beautifully shot and fraught with honest sexual tension…especially when I can empathize on some level.  This film is a slow burn, and I love it.  (It played at The Dayton LGBT Film Festival.)

BOOKSMART – This generation’s CLUELESS is smart, fresh and so endearing…the best teen comedy in years!  I watched this film on a flight to Germany…and again on the flight back. Beanie is a treasure! (trailer is for mature audiences)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uhd3lo_IWJc

CIRCUS OF BOOKS – This endearing doc about a straight Jewish couple who ran one of the most famous gay adult bookstores in the US while raising three children is poignant, personal and a great history lesson.  (This film screened as part of The Dayton LGBT Film Festival – there is no trailer yet.)


THE FAREWELL – This runaway hit is billed as a comedy, but it’s so much more.

JOJO RABBIT – My feelings about this film ebb and flow…today it happened to make the list. The child performances are extraordinary, and the production design is flawless.  This film has a lot to say about how our children are often taught to hate – and how easy it is to spread misinformation.

THE LAST BLACK MAN IN SAN FRANCISCO – This poetic film isn’t getting much year-end discussion, but I absolutely loved it – from the performances to the score to the cinematography.

LITTLE WOMEN – Thoughtful and exquisite! I complain about movie runtimes a lot.  (I wish MARRIAGE STORY and WAVES were both 15-20 minutes shorter.)  But this film seemed rushed at times…I think it would be stronger with a slightly slower pace and perhaps a runtime of 20 minutes more. Regardless, this is a gorgeous film with a beautiful structure.

PAIN & GLORY – Almodovar’s best film in over a decade…and that’s quite a feat (JULIETA and THE SKIN I LIVE IN are also quite strong from the last several years). This quiet film is full of rich performances, inventive storytelling and fantastic production design.

PARASITE – Must be seen.  This film changes genres on a dime and has so much to say about class.  Full of surprises and beautiful to look at – even when dark and disturbing.

PORTRAIT OF A LADY ON FIRE – This film will get a release in early 2020, and it is sublime.  I can’t wait to see it again.

ROCKS – This film has not yet been picked up for distribution.  It’s a gorgeous and heartbreaking story about a young girl trying to take care of her younger brother and herself after her mother has disappeared (again). There is sadly no trailer for this – just a clip.

THE TWO POPES – This film isn’t just a chamber piece – though simple moments between these two brilliant actors are certainly worth studying.

UNSETTLED – Winner of this year’s Audience Award at The Dayton LGBT Film Festival, this story about LGBT refugees in America is touching, timely, thought-provoking and powerful.

Don’t get me wrong.  There are many more solid films from this year.  There are movies with standout performances (like HARRIET) or incredible cinematography (like HONEYLAND) or great messages (like BIGGEST LITTLE FARM) or fascinating central subjects (like SOUND OF MY VOICE or PAVAROTTI) – but it’s the “Top 15” that really spoke to me in their entirety.  That said, these other films are certainly worth mentioning (also in alphabetical order): A BEAUTIFUL DAY IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD, BOMBSHELL, CLEMENCY, DARK WATERS, GLORIA BELL, HONEY BOY, HOPE GAP, HOW TO BUILD A GIRL (here’s Beanie again!!),  THE KINGMAKER, MARRIAGE STORY (sometimes I want to switch this with JOJO RABBIT), STRAIGHT UP, VARDA BY AGNES, and WAVES.

For the sake of trivia, here are the top 3 highest grossing films of 2019 at THE NEON:

#1 – JOJO RABBIT.  #2 – DOWNTON ABBEY.  #3 – HARRIET.   (LITTLE WOMEN could possibly join the list, but it will be split between 2019 and 2020.)

Wishing everyone a happy and prosperous New Year.

See you at the movies,

Jonathan

Jonathan’s Weekly Neon Update

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It is award season, and every film on our horizon is a contender.  On Friday, we will open THE TWO POPES – a film I saw in Toronto and immediately knew I wanted to bring to all of you.  Just yesterday, nominations for The Golden Globes were announced, and THE TWO POPES garnered 4 nominations – including “Best Picture: Drama” as well as nods for both Jonathan Pryce and Anthony Hopkins.  I was not raised Catholic, yet I found this film to be intriguing, insightful and important (as well as full of warmth, hope and even with fun moments) – I hope you’ll support it.  Every film on our list is receiving recognition from critics and awards programs.  From LITTLE WOMEN and THE IRISHMAN to MARRIAGE STORY and GIVE ME LIBERTY (with its big local connection), we have the best line-up ever to wrap up 2019.  In addition to having TWO POPES, DARK WATERSwill stick around (audiences are loving it).  If you still need to see the phenomenal PARASITE or the crowd-pleasing JOJO RABBIT, Thursday will be your last chance.
Synopsis for THE TWO POPES: “The Catholic Church’s papacy is a singular institution, with unique demands placed on the men who would see themselves elevated to it. This decade saw one of the Church’s most important moments of transition, but news reports can fail in the face of such enormous, complex change. THE TWO POPES takes us beyond TV images of smoke rising from the Vatican chimney into the hearts, minds, and actions of those charged with leading over a billion faithful. Directed by Brazil’s Oscar-nominated Fernando Meirelles (CITY OF GOD) and starring two acting legends in Sir Anthony Hopkins and Jonathan Pryce, this insightful story ushers us behind gilded doors to watch the once and future Popes grapple with faith and religious leadership in a rapidly changing world.” (TIFF Catalog) Click the image below to watch the film’s trailer.

Thanks to everyone who came out to our DARK WATERS talk-back on Sunday evening.  It was by far our highest attended screening of the weekend!  Though an exact date and time has yet to be solidified (an announcement will be made within the next couple days), you can come back and learn more about GIVE ME LIBERTY from line-producer (and WSU grad) Karri O’Reilly.  This film has been nominated for 4 Independent Spirit Awards – and it’s a wonderful story with incredible performances from actors we’ll certainly be seeing again and again.

Dale Farmer is bringing his award-winning film to THE NEON on Thursday, January 16 at 7:30.  “Deeply infused with the traditional Appalachian musical genres of Old Time and Bluegrass, THE MOUNTAIN MINOR tells an overlooked story about the people and culture behind the resurgence of American Roots Music today and highlights artful responses to the difficult circumstances of human migration. In the 1920s-1950s, millions of Appalachians left their homes in the mountains and migrated to urban Midwestern centers in Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and Michigan. The Mountain Minor is the story of a life-worn Charlie Abner, a generation later, as he struggles with leaving his present life and family in Cincinnati, Ohio to return to the Kentucky Mountain home and musical heritage that once defined him. The story is partially told in flashbacks to depression era Eastern Kentucky, when Charlie’s parents, Oza and Vestal Abner, face the difficult decision to leave the way of life they know and move to Ohio for employment and better opportunities. This is not only film director Dale Farmer’s family story, but the story of thousands of families that left their mountain homes to move to the Dayton, Ohio area to become the heart of the working middle class. This film is unique in that all of its principal actors are traditional musicians-such as Smithsonian Folkways artist Elizabeth LaPrelle and acclaimed banjoist and fiddler Dan Gellert-and they perform all of the music in the film. Pre-film music by The Corn Drinkers will start at 7:30, and the movie will play at 8:00.  A Q&A will follow the film with the writer/director Dale Farmer and actors Ma Crow, Warren & Judy Waldron and Amy Cogan Clay.” (press notes) Tickets are $12 each and will go on sale Dec. 16.

We need your help!  Sponsored by The Dayton Holiday Festival, Mix 107.7 and THE NEON, The Family Holiday Film Series started last Saturday with THE WIZARD OF OZ…and we had a lot of empty seats.  Tickets are FREE for kids 12 and under, and we’ll screen A CHRISTMAS STORY this Saturday, Dec. 14 at Noon.  And next week, THE GRINCH (2018) will screen on Saturday, Dec. 21 at Noon.  Tickets are FREE for children 12 and under and only $2 for anyone over 12.  These tickets will become available at 11:15am on the day of each screening, and they are limited to one ticket per person (aka: everyone must be present in order to pick up tickets – we can’t hold or disperse tickets for people who are not at the theater – thank you for your understanding).  Everyone is welcome!  If you have friends, neighbors, grandkids, or grandmas who like good holiday fun, let ’em know!
Many of you have been asking about showtimes for December 25.  Interestingly, Sony has asked us to go ahead and create showtimes and put tickets on sale for LITTLE WOMEN tomorrow morning.  We’ll go ahead and set showtimes for THE IRISHMAN and MARRIAGE STORY too.  You can get advanced tickets via our website starting tomorrow at 9:00am – www.neonmovies.com.
We hope to see you often over the next few weeks. It’s going to be quite a season!

News from The Neon

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Neon Movies on Fifth Street

In the past few days, we’ve made some big decisions as to our plans for the next several weeks.  Some of our upcoming films have local connections, some are certain to be best picture contenders, and many are full of stars we love to see on screen.  One thing is clear about each – it’s Oscar season!

On Friday, we will open PAIN AND GLORY – the latest film from my favorite director of all time – Pedro Almodóvar.  Almost certain to garner a “Best International Feature Film” nomination, this one could go even further and possibly get a nod for Antonio Banderas and production design, too.  It’s truly gorgeous, and Penelope Cruz is luminous.  On our other screen, we will hold onto the stunning film from Bong Joon Ho – PARASITE – which is certain to be a big contender this year.   And just for the weekend, we will hold JOJO RABBIT for a few shows as well as bring back the much-loved HARRIET for a handful of screenings.  There is truly something for everyone this holiday weekend!
Synopsis for PAIN AND GLORY: Pedro Almodóvar’s latest film is his best in years.  Don’t miss this visually exciting (and part auto-biographical) story with stellar performances. “PAIN AND GLORY tells of a series of reencounters experienced by Salvador Mallo, a film director in his physical decline. Some of them in the flesh, others remembered: his childhood in the 60s, when he emigrated with his parents to a village in Valencia in search of prosperity, the first desire, his first adult love in the Madrid of the 80s, the pain of the breakup of that love while it was still alive and intense, writing as the only therapy to forget the unforgettable, the early discovery of cinema, and the void, the infinite void that creates the incapacity to keep on making films. PAIN AND GLORY talks about creation, about the difficulty of separating it from one’s own life and about the passions that give it meaning and hope. In recovering his past, Salvador finds the urgent need to recount it, and in that need he also finds his salvation.” (Sony Classics) Click the image below to visit the film’s official site.
Sponsored by The Dayton Holiday Festival, Mix 107.7 and THE NEON, The Family Holiday Film Series starts in less than 2 weeks.  THE WIZARD OF OZwill screen on Saturday, Dec. 7 at Noon, A CHRISTMAS STORY will screen on Saturday, Dec. 14 at Noon, and THE GRINCH (2018) will screen Saturday, Dec. 21 at Noon.  Tickets are FREE for children 12 and under and only $2 for anyone over 12.  These tickets will become available at 11:15am on the day of each screening, and they are limited to one ticket per person (aka: everyone must be present in order to pick up tickets – we can’t hold or disperse tickets for people who are not at the theater – thank you for your understanding).
Have you seen the nominations for the Independent Spirit Awards?  (This is the huge awards program that celebrates independent cinema.)  We’ve played so many of this year’s nominees – including Julia Reichert & Steve Bognar’s AMERICAN FACTORY and Chase Whiteside & Erick Stoll’s AMÉRICA!  Many congrats to these local connections (all with ties to Wright State University)!!  Also included in the nominees we’ve played are: LAST BLACK MAN IN SAN FRANCISCO, THE SOUVENIR, PARASITE, RETABLO (part of The Dayton LGBT Film Festival last year), WILD NIGHTS WITH EMILY (also part of The Dayton LGBT Film Festival last year), APOLLO 11, HONEYLAND, THE FAREWELL, JUDY & THE MUSTANG.  On December 20, we will open GIVE ME LIBERTY – which was just nominated for 4 of these awards.  This fantastic film was line-produced by Dayton’s own Karri O’Reilly!
In last week’s newsletter, I detailed a lot of the local connections associated with DARK WATERS…including my minor involvement.  It was truly special to be on a set where I was seeing so many old friends (and even a couple former students) making it all happen.  I’m currently working with Karri O’Reilly (who served as a production supervisor on the film) to assemble a small group of people for a talk-back to follow the screening on Sunday, Dec. 8 at 4:30.  DARK WATERS opens on Thursday, Dec. 5, and tickets for all of the opening weekend shows are now available on our website and in person at our box office.
Julia Reichert has been in the news a lot lately.  It was just announced that she will receive the “Women of Influence” honor from the YWCA, and the film she made with Steve Bognar – AMERICAN FACTORY – continues to be a major conversation piece in film communities, at world-renowned museums, on prestigious college campuses, and with policy-makers. It’s exciting that such an important film came from our backyard. Julia & Steve’s next film – 9 TO 5: THE STORY OF A MOVEMENT – will be part of our “Women of Influence In The Movies” series in March. I’ll have more details about this collaboration with The Human Race Theatre Company early next year.
We made some big decisions. The following is our current, anticipated slate for the next several weeks. Click any title to watch that film’s trailer.  On Dec 5, we open Todd Haynes’ new political thriller (set and shot in Cincinnati based on true events) – DARK WATERS (with lots of WSU and Dayton talent). On Dec 13 we open THE TWO POPES – a veritable acting masterclass with Anthony Hopkins and Jonathan Pryce. On Dec 20, we open GIVE ME LIBERTY – a film with local ties that just garnered 4 Independent Spirit Award nominations.  On Dec 25, we’ll open 3 films – Greta Gerwig’s exhilarating and gorgeous adaptation of LITTLE WOMEN as well as the much-anticipated film THE IRISHMAN (directed by Martin Scorsese and starring Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, Joe Pesci and many more) and MARRIAGE STORY (written and directed by Noah Baumbach and starring Scarlett Johansson and Adam Driver). On Jan 3, we’ll open A HIDDEN LIFE – Terrence Malick’s new masterpiece.

It’s going to be quite a season!
Many thanks for all of your continued support!
Wishing you a Happy Thanksgiving,
Jonathan

TIFF 2019 – Day #9

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Hello Everyone.

Today was my last full day of movies, and it was a strong selection.

HONEY BOY was my first film of the day – directed by Alma Har’el and written by Shia LaBeouf (did you see his performance in THE PEANUT BUTTER FALCON at THE NEON over the last few weeks?). “Actor and screenwriter Shia LaBeouf mines his own life in this confessional collaboration with director Alma Har’el, about the stormy childhood and early adult years of an actor struggling to reconcile with his abusive father (played by LaBeouf himself).” (taken from TIFF catalog)  This tough story of the “bad boy” actor coming to terms with his upbringing is at times hard to watch – but certainly worth the ride.  Performances across the board are strong – from the flashback scenes starring Noah Jupe (who is really fantastic) and LaBeouf to the more “current” scenes starring Lucas Hedges.

ROCKS – the title refers to the nickname of the main character – was up next. “British director Sarah Gavron (Brick Lane, Suffragette) returns with this intimate, honest portrait of a teenage girl who suddenly finds herself struggling to take care of herself and her younger brother.” (taken from TIFF catalog)  I love when a film that is only minorly on my radar ends up blowing me away.  I love this little gem.  So rarely do we get stories about young black girls – and this one is strong and runs the emotional gamut. It’s honest, fresh, frustrating, complicated (though simply told) and full of life – sometimes jubilant and often heartbreaking.  I hope this film gets a stateside release.

HOW TO BUILD A GIRL, my 31st film of the festival, was my last film of the day. “A working-class teenager (Beanie Feldstein) tries to reinvent herself as a hip London music critic, in this unconventional coming-of-age story based on British author Caitlin Moran’s semiautobiographical novel.” (taken from TIFF catalog)  I felt like this film didn’t go over as well with the audience while I was loving it.  There is a lot of really funny material – particularly in the first hour – that I felt others weren’t appreciating the way I did (you know that feeling when you’re the only one laughing).  The dialog is sharp, and Feldstein is brilliant.  But what starts as a charming and “innocent” film treads into adult territory as the main character is thrust into a grown-up atmosphere (which means the rating will keep the potential tween audience from seeing it theatrically).  Sadly, as the film progresses, it starts to go in a rather predictable direction. That said, I felt like the film repaired some of its missteps by the end, and ultimately I found it quite satisfying. I left the film a much bigger fan of Beanie Feldstein. There is no trailer for this film yet…but here’s a little interview piece.

I met up with a couple friends for a last hurrah in the city and then came back to begin packing my bags.  I have one more film early tomorrow morning, and then I’ll head to the airport.

Thanks for reading!

Jonathan

TIFF 2019 – Day #8

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Hello Most Metro,

Things are winding down at TIFF.  I’ve seen 28 films so far, and I have 1.25 days left.  Today seemed like a “minor” day.  Nothing extraordinary…but lots of tear to start off the day.

DADS,  a sweet documentary, was my first film of the day. “Director Bryce Dallas Howard teams up with her father, Ron Howard, to explore contemporary fatherhood through anecdotes and wisdom from famous funnymen such as Will Smith, Jimmy Fallon, Neil Patrick Harris, and more.” (taken from TIFF catalog) This little film has a fantastic opening sequence – it’s funny, poignant, inclusive, and provokes reflection and introspection and brought me to tears right off the bat. There’s a lot to love about this little film, but it does lose some steam in the third act.  (Am I getting old and tired, or do more and more films need recuts?) There is a lot of priceless material here, and the topic is valuable.

COMING HOME AGAIN was my next film. “A Korean American man cares for his ailing mother while trying to master her traditional cooking in the latest from Wayne Wang (The Joy Luck Club), based on Chang-rae Lee’s New Yorker short story.” (taken from TIFF catalog)  This film starts out in a languid manner – lots of lingering shots without much happening (except everything is happening).  A young man is caring for his mother who is dying of stomach Cancer, and the days stretch on with little happening – thus the pace. But eventually some old wounds start to surface, and some additional players enter the scene – and the performances are not of the same caliber.  In the last 25 minutes, I felt like the film went off its quiet rails and not at all in a good way.  I don’t see much box office life for this one.

LYREBIRD, my last film of the day, just got picked up by Sony Classics.   “In Dan Friedkin’s directorial debut, a soldier and member of the Dutch resistance (Claes Bang) investigates stolen art in the wake of the Second World War, including a Vermeer sold to the Nazis by a flamboyant painter (Guy Pearce).” (taken from TIFF catalog)  Based on a true story, this movie goes big (at least the score and some of the performances do) and the audience seemed to like it.  The mystery at the first act’s core was an easy solve, and the movie changes genres a couple times. Though there were aspects of the story I appreciated, my final response was more of a shoulder shrug.

Thanks for checking in.

Tomorrow is my last full day of movies, and then I need to pack my bags…I head home after one movie on Saturday morning.

Cheers,
Jonathan

TIFF 2019 – Day #7

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Hello Everyone.

I got to sleep in today because my first film started later than usual, and I was glad I got an extra hour in bed.  Here’s why:  Last night had me attending my first true parties of the festival.  First was a gathering with lots of LGBT industry folks – people in PR, critics, film buyers, distributors, programers, etc.  It was a nice event, and I saw a handful of people I’ve met before and was introduced to a handful more – these parties are a lot about networking, so I’m glad I went.  I was a little baffled that it was after 1:30 when I decided to leave, but upon arriving at my apartment, there was a party for A24 right across the street…and a friend had put my name on the list…so I had to check it out.  Though it was “winding down,” it was still a pretty terrific party.  I saw several people I knew (including some crossover from the earlier LGBT party), recognized numerous celebrities from films I’ve screened (WAVES, HARRIET, JOJO RABBIT, and more), and then I saw Jon Hamm.  (swoon) This party was super casual and people didn’t seem to have their guards up…what a fun way to wrap up a great day.

MY ZOE was my first film of Day #7. “A recently divorced mother is driven to extremes in this seventh film by writer-director-actor Julie Delpy — a suspense drama unlike anything she has done before.” (taken from TIFF catalog)  This film goes in a direction you’re not anticipating.  It’s a very straight-forward drama – well-acted, solid script, etc…and then you start to realize some new-fangled, sci-fi technology…but maybe it’s not so sci-fi.  This film will spur a lot of interesting dialog. (So many films at this year’s festival are about divorce and the strains they induce.)

THE KINGMAKER was my next film. “Acclaimed documentarian Lauren Greenfield (The Queen of Versailles) aims her lens at Filipino politician and former First Lady Imelda Marcos, who, despite disgrace, remains unbowed and enmeshed in her nation’s politics.” (taken from TIFF catalog)  Imelda Marcos is a great subject.  She’s funny, charming, charitable, and fumbles a bit.  She seems like the crazy, rich aunt you never knew you had….until the truth starts pouring out.  Greenfield set out to make a very different film, but the story you see unfolded before her, and she couldn’t stop filming.  What was supposed to take a year or so took five years to make, and you simply can’t believe it.  It’s political corruption like you’ve never seen…and the gullible public who seem to keep inviting it in.  This is a cautionary tale!  During the very interesting Q&A, Greenfield said that Imelda would answer every question she ever asked except one.  She wouldn’t answer “How do you feel about Donald Trump?”  I’m so glad my friend Charlie suggested I see this film.  He’s the person who suggested I see FREE SOLO and BIGGEST LITTLE FARM last year…and look what happened to those!

Imelda Marcos in KINGMAKER. Photo Credit: Lauren Greenfield.

Though HUSTLERS doesn’t initially seem like a film I’d be screening at TIFF, a critic friend told me that it’s much better than the trailer alludes…and that JLo could garner an Oscar nomination.  So, I found a way to squeeze it in…only to arrive and the venue and find out that the projector won’t start due to an AC issue.  This just goes to show that no venue is surefire – technical issues happen everywhere.  Thus I’ll have to wait and see HUSTLERS when it gets a theatrical release.  “Inspired by a 2015 New York Magazine article that went viral, Hustlers follows a savvy crew of former strippers who band together to turn the tables on their Wall Street clients. Starring Constance Wu, Jennifer Lopez, and Julia Stiles.” (taken from TIFF catalog)

LUCY IN THE SKY was my last film of the day. “After returning to earth, an obsessive astronaut (Natalie Portman) begins to question her place in the universe — including her relationships with her gentle husband (Dan Stevens) and her alluring crewmate (Jon Hamm) — in the debut feature from accomplished television showrunner Noah Hawley (Fargo, Legion).” (taken from TIFF catalog) During the first few minutes, I liked what I was seeing.  The sound design (and especially lack of sound) was great, the idea of someone returning from space and not knowing how to reintegrate was an interesting idea…but things got muddy pretty quickly.  Perhaps I wasn’t in the right mind frame, but at the end of the day, I think this film is a mess.  More and more directors are playing with aspect ratio these days (though never as well as Xavier Dolan or Wes Anderson), and though some scenes had motivation for a change in ratio, the director admitted that sometimes he just wanted to play.  And it shows – the shifts simply don’t make sense.  And there’s more that doesn’t make sense. At one moment, when Portman is purchasing items in a hardware department, she reaches over and grabs a wig…duct tape, hammer, box cutter, wig…makes no sense!  I realize this film is about a woman in the midst of an existential crisis, but I ultimately didn’t care about anyone. The accent is bad, the Dorothy Hamill haircut is bad, some of the green screen work is bad.  I rolled my eyes and shook my head numerous times during this film….and I’m ultimately sad that such a lackluster film has happened to such a great distributor.

Only 2+ more days.

Off to bed.

Thanks for reading,

Jonathan

 

TIFF 2019 – Day #6

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Hi Everyone!

I’m now well beyond the half-way mark, and today’s 4 screenings took my grand total to 22 films so far…this means I’ll certainly hit the 30+ mark for this year’s TIFF.

AERONAUTS was my first movie of the day. “The Theory of Everything costars Eddie Redmayne and Felicity Jones reunite for Tom Harper’s high-flying tale about a 19th-century scientist and hot-air balloonist making altitudinal and meteorological history.” (taken from TIFF catalog)  This thrilling adventure is a little too “easy,” but it is also rather fun.  That said, I can’t imagine watching it on a television screen at home – the thrills are best felt on a big screen with a great sound system.  Redmayne and Jones are charming as can be, and though the costumes are sometimes a little “too much,” I felt like there’s certainly an audience who will revel in this tale – and cheer for the bold and brave female character in the central role.

Though it’s getting a wide release that won’t include us at THE NEON, I had to go see THE GOLDFINCH – based on one of my favorite novels of the past several years. “Theo Decker (Ansel Elgort) was only 13 when his mother died in a museum bombing, sending him on an odyssey of grief and guilt, reinvention and redemption. Through it all, he holds on to one tangible piece of hope from that terrible day: a priceless painting of a bird chained to its perch, The Goldfinch. The latest from John Crowley (Brooklyn) is based on Donna Tartt’s bestselling novel.” (taken from TIFF catalog)  Though I felt like the film was off to a great start – making a lot of great decisions, this movie is one that actually needs more time.  We meet too many characters and never get to know them…which in turn makes the material lose its heart.  We never get too attached.  The source material is more intended for a mini-series than a 140 minute feature film, and I’m sad to say that I don’t think this film will go too far.

The new documentary THE CAPOTE TAPES was my third screening of the day. “Newly discovered interviews with friends of Truman Capote made by Paris Review co-founder George Plimpton invigorate this fascinating documentary on the author (and socialite) behind Breakfast at Tiffany’s and In Cold Blood, while situating Capote in the 20th-century American literary canon.” (taken from TIFF catalog)  There is so much to love about this film – because at its center is the brilliant, hysterical, and tormented Truman Capote.  The interviews are divine, but the piece starts to lose steam in the last 30 minutes.  Though there’s not much room in the “marketplace” for an hour-long documentary (too long for a short and too short for a feature), it would be a much stronger piece at 1 hour.  That said, there’s so much good material here…but unfortunately, the director had to use cutaways because evidently there aren’t enough photos to put on screen during the tape recorded interviews…so he resorts to tracking shots of dinner plates, silverware and crystal goblets – thus so many visuals are uninteresting and do nothing for the story.  Luckily, interviews are great – so I stuck with it…and feel I know Truman a bit better.

USA. New York City. 1966. Truman CAPOTE at his “Black and White Ball” at the Plaza Hotel.

The premiere of HARRIET, the very first feature film ever made about Harriet Tubman, was my last film of the night.  “Tony-winning Broadway actor Cynthia Erivo stars in Kasi Lemmons’ inspiring biopic about renowned abolitionist Harriet Tubman, who escaped slavery and risked her life to lead others to freedom through the network of safehouses known as the Underground Railroad.” (taken from TIFF catalog)  From seeing the trailer, I was a little fearful that this film was going to be too polished and not raw enough.  And though I think it could still use a little more indie grit, the story did indeed envelop me.  Kasi Lemmons explained that they decided not to use the often seen violent tropes of other slavery stories, they wanted to focus on this movie being about freedom.  Though we know some of what characters have suffered, we aren’t forced to watch it as with other recent films about slavery like 12 YEARS A SLAVE or BIRTH OF A NATION.  Instead, we get an adventure film with a true woman – a human being, not a super hero – who saves lives and should inform us all.  Though there were some devices that I thought wore a little thin, I still was completely invested in the story and loved learning more about this American Hero…and having many from the cast do a Q&A was incredibly insightful and all the more powerful.  This film really got the crowd going, and I think it will be well received in Dayton, too.

I’m getting this done a bit earlier than usual…and heading out to a party or two tonight.  My first screening isn’t until Noon tomorrow, so sleeping in is a possibility.

Thanks for checking in!

Jonathan

TIFF 2019 – Day #5

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Hello Most Metro!

Today was my fullest day so far.  I’m so glad I had an auxiliary battery for my phone.

MARRIAGE STORY was my first film of the day.  “Academy Award nominee Noah Baumbach’s incisive and compassionate portrait of a marriage breaking up, and a family staying together, stars Scarlett Johansson and Adam Driver, and co-stars Laura Dern, Alan Alda, and Ray Liotta.” (taken from TIFF catalog)  Within the first five minutes of this film, I wrote “It’s incredible” in my notes.  The script is fantastic, the performances are right on, and material is taxingly honest, and the supporting cast are lovely additions to the mix.  At one point, I felt like “this is getting to be too long” (a feeling I’ve had numerous times this year), but then I reconciled it by thinking “getting a divorce is tedious and insufferable – so maybe that’s the point…perhaps it suits the material to be a little too drawn out.  In a very clever marketing strategy, there are actually 2 trailers for MARRIAGE STORY…watch both in one sitting below.

After my first screening, I went to a delightful hour+ event in which Allison Janney was interviewed about her career – along with clips that illustrated some of her cinematic touchstones.  This was a pretty hot ticket, and Allison’s mother Macy was the person who scored the ticket for me.  In the coming days, I believe that TIFF will post this interview on-line, and I’ll make sure to share the link with you if I find it.  Allison is funny, smart, gracious and a great storyteller – it was a delight to hear some of her personal history.

After listening to Allison, I got to see her new film – BAD EDUCATION.  “Hugh Jackman, Allison Janney, and Ray Romano star in this fact-based dramedy directed by Cory Finley (Thoroughbreds), about an infamous school-larceny scandal that rocked Long Island in the early aughts.” (taken from TIFF catalog)  This film is pretty terrific (though I questioned some of the motivation for the queer content)!  The story’s upsetting subject matter is handled in such an interesting fashion and Jackman’s performance is unlike any I’ve seen him give before.  Janney is also in top form, and I think this film will get snatched up in no time.  Below is the image being used with this film…there is no trailer yet.

THE TRUTH – with two leading ladies I adore – was next on my list. “Acclaimed director Hirokazu Kore-eda’s (Shoplifters, Like Father, Like Son) first film made outside his native Japan stars Catherine Deneuve and Juliette Binoche as a mother and daughter in the film industry whose professional collaboration triggers long-buried resentments.” (taken from TIFF catalog)  My “review” of this film might be a little unfair because I was a bit tired when I walked into this screening.  The first half hour was pretty wonderful, but then my eyes got very heavy and I fought to stay awake.  Ultimately, I kept feeling like I wanted the pace to pick up – but maybe that was just my exhaustion speaking…or maybe it was a little too slow.  At the end of the day, I think it’s a nice film…but it won’t get the roll-out that SHOPLIFTERS did for this director.

TWO POPES was my last film of the day.  Fernando Meirelles and Jonathan Pryce and others from the team introduced the film, and Meirelles said that the reason he likes Pope Francis so much is because he wants to build bridges when so many leaders want to build walls.  Of course that deservedly got a huge round of applause. “In 2013, progressive incoming Pope Francis (Jonathan Pryce) and conservative outgoing Pope Benedict (Anthony Hopkins) debate the best path forward for the Catholic Church, in this surprisingly funny chamber piece from Oscar-nominated director Fernando Meirelles (City of God).” (taken from TIFF catalog)  That description kinda sums up the film…but not really.  It’s not just a chamber piece, it’s a pretty big, fully realized film with two incredible central performances.  I’m not a Catholic, thus I can never understand the ways of the church, but I’ve always felt like the regality surrounding the papacy seems to contradict some of the church’s messaging…and it appears that Pope Francis holds a similar sentiment.  This film made me appreciate him more. Through flashbacks and archival footage, we get a much bigger picture than just two Popes chatting.  Though the film loses a little steam in its third act, I think audiences will nonetheless adore it.  I hope Netflix does a theatrical release – more than just a couple cinemas. (I personally know many people who don’t subscribe to Netflix who would love to see this movie.)

It’s time to call it a night. Four more films are on the docket for tomorrow.

Thanks for checking in!

Jonathan

TIFF 2019 – Day #4

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Hello NEON Fans,

A lot came together today.  Tickets for tomorrow fell into line and I squeezed in a film that I wasn’t anticipating.

My first film of day #4 was A BEAUTIFUL DAY IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD. “A jaded journalist (Matthew Rhys) reluctantly accepts an Esquire assignment to profile the children’s television host Fred Rogers (Tom Hanks), and encounters a profoundly empathetic world view that changes his life forever.” (taken from TIFF catalog) This film, though a little uneven, works in mysterious ways.   I found the opening to be rather upsetting – as though there was a tongue-in-cheek approach to the reverence of Mister Rogers.  Were they praising him while slightly mocking him?  My initial thought was “this isn’t working”…and then the film strikes.  I saw this film with a jaded press/industry audience, and there were numerous signs of sniffles and crying…and even a splattering of applause at the end (something that almost never happens at industry screenings).  Tom Hanks is wonderful, and Heller (DIARY OF A TEENAGE GIRL and CAN YOU EVER FORGIVE ME? both played at THE NEON) works some magic (though it certainly lacks some of the edginess that her earlier indies displayed).  One really nice touch was a cameo (blink and you might miss it) of Fred’s wife in a restaurant scene…she arrives at just the right moment.  Even though the Focus documentary about Rogers was our highest grossing film last year, being a big studio film, this one likely won’t make it to THE NEON.

Next up, I managed to wiggle in a screening of GREED.  “Festival favourite Michael Winterbottom skewers the fast-fashion industry in this scathing farce about the grotesque inequality between a retail billionaire (Steve Coogan) and the female garment workers who toil on his trendy clothing line.” (taken from TIFF catalog)  This film is problematic.  It’s a farce.  The set-up is comedy, and the writing is scathingly good…perhaps too good.  Instead of laughs, I found most of it cringe-worthy. The main character’s true lack of compassion seemed a little too probable – and thus quite hard to laugh at.  That said, the film supplied a great deal of education as to how someone in this particular industry can make money – all legally (though drenched with moral irresponsibility).  Title cards at the end of the film provided statistics as to how much money people in the textile industry make…and how the rich keep getting richer.  It’s such an interesting piece on so many levels – and perhaps the only way to get people to see the statistics is to lure them with a comedy…but I was hardly laughing.  (That said, there are some really great moments and material here.)  There’s no trailer yet, but here’s a clip.

1982 “During the 1982 invasion of Lebanon at a private school on the outskirts of Beirut, 11-year-old Wissam tries to tell a classmate about his crush on her, while his teachers — on different sides of the political divide — try to mask their fears, in this poignant debut feature from Oualid Mouaness.” (taken from TIFF catalog)  I went to this film namely because it stars Nadine Labaki – a director and actress I greatly admire.  (We’ve shown three films she has directed, including last year’s Oscar nominee CAPERNAUM.)  This film is a slow burn, but when the war keeps creeping closer and closer, it becomes rather terrifying.  There’s a strange device regarding Wissam and his drawings that I didn’t really feel was needed, but the performances and tone are strong.

Before my last film, I came back to the apartment and caught up on some NEON-related items and then I stopped by a gathering for The Art House Convergence.  I ran into a couple friends there, but I had to quickly scurry to the Princess of Wales Theatre.

JOJO RABBIT was my last film of the day.  This was the world premiere, and many people from the cast and crew were there. “Taika Waititi (WHAT WE DO IN THE SHADOWS) directs a riotous cast — including Sam Rockwell, Scarlett Johansson, Rebel Wilson, Thomasin McKenzie, and newcomer Roman Griffin Davis — in this daring, touching, and comedic satire about a young German boy who discovers a Jewish girl hiding in his home and consults with his imaginary best friend, Adolf Hitler (Waititi).” (taken from TIFF catalog) This film has raised a lot of eyebrows.  I’ve heard numerous people chatting about how this film shouldn’t be working…it’s irresponsible…with sentiments the likes of “How can we have a comedy about Hitler Youth?”  “How can Hitler be funny?” “This is sacred ground and we shouldn’t be laughing.”  But satire about Hitler has been around for decades – from Chaplin’s GREAT DICTATOR to Mel Brooks’ THE PRODUCERS.  And one interesting fact is that Waititi (the director) is Jewish, and he’s the one playing the absurd imaginary Hitler. This film does tread a very risky line, and some may find it in poor taste.  But ultimately, it’s a film about family and realizing that hate is a learned behavior. Waititi talked about how in 1933, Hitler came to power and little by little, he made changes.  People realized the changes weren’t good…but they didn’t seem “that bad.”  But he continued to make more and more changes…and citizens never revolted – they allowed the changes to happen until it was too late.  Waititi believes that we have to find different ways to tell these cautionary tales – because we need to learn from mistakes.  The production design, costumes, photography and performances are all fantastic, and this little film is an off-color gem.

Tomorrow is quite a full day.

Thanks for checking in,

Jonathan

TIFF 2019 – Day #3

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Hello Daytonians,

It was a very full day!

My first film this morning was BLACKBIRD. “A terminally ill mother (Susan Sarandon) invites her family to their country house for one final gathering, but tensions quickly boil over between her two daughters (Kate Winslet and Mia Wasikowska), in Roger Michell’s (My Cousin Rachel, Le Week-End, Venus, Hyde Park On Hudson, Tea With The Dames – all films that played at THE NEON) remake of the award-winning 2014 Danish film Silent Heart.” (taken from TIFF catalog) This film is a powerhouse of female talent.  It strikes some wonderful chords and will be a film that will invoke numerous important discussions…but there were some over-the-top moments and on-the-nose dialog that kept me from loving it.  That said, I ran into two women on the street after the screening, and they absolutely loved it.  Am I a little jade?  Perhaps. (There is no preview for this film yet.)

HOPE GAP was my second film of the day. “A together-forever couple (Annette Bening and Bill Nighy) unpack the many complications of splitting up, in Oscar-nominated writer-director William Nicholson’s razor-sharp drama. Featuring brilliant performances from Bill Nighy and four-time Oscar nominee Annette Bening, this exquisite drama from writer-director William Nicholson will resonate with anyone who has ever navigated the choppy waters of long-term love.” (taken from TIFF catalog)  Now here’s a film for adults.  The two central performances are incredible, and each side of this divorce-in-the-works will have you cringing.  And the fact that their son gets used as a pawn is all the more upsetting.  With lovely photography, colorful characters and a great script, I could see this film having a life with us at THE NEON.

LA BELLE EPOQUE was up next. “In this high-concept comedy from Nicolas Bedos (Mr. & Mrs. Adelman), a luddite cartoonist suffering an existential crisis hires a VR company to recreate a happier time in his marriage, as he tries to reconcile the golden-hued past with an inescapable digital present.” (taken from TIFF catalog) I haven’t seen anything this fresh and original since ETERNAL SUNSHINE OF THE SPOTLESS MIND. This wonderful film is a brilliant love story wrapped in a comedy. It’s truly French, and I could have stuck with it for hours.  The performances are on point (I want more Fanny Ardant), and the dialog is fantastic.  This is the first film of the festival where inventive editing has truly stood out.  This is a gem.

I met up for a quick cocktail (and charcuterie board) with a friend and colleague from Fox Searchlight.  In addition to catching up about life in general, we talked about the upcoming slate of films from Searchlight and all the films we’re seeing at the festival. I love this kind of one-on-one with someone I like and admire so much in the business.  After our meeting, I came back to my apartment and typed for a bit…and then I met up with some Daytonian friends who were at TIFF as part of a “bucket list” experience.  They had just wrapped up 5 films over the last 36 hours and I was about to head into my next screening…so our meeting was brief but sweet.

WAVES was my last film of the day, and there’s a lot of buzz around this film.  “Cracks begin to show in the perfect façade of a young athlete’s life, in this palpable and unexpected drama from Trey Edward Shults (It Comes at Night, Krisha).” (taken from TIFF catalog)  This beautifully yet unsettling film has so much going for it, and I think critics will truly take notice.  The story is accessible and we root for the characters and cringe whenever they make poor decisions.  There are so many interesting choices.  The aspect ratio changes several times throughout the film, and the storytelling shifts focus, too.  So much is working for this film, and the languid pace is quite lovely. That said, I would personally like to trim it down.  Currently at 135 minutes, I wish it was more like 115/120.  Unfortunately, I felt like the projection at this particular venue was too dark.  Having just seen the trailer online (below) there was a more interesting and vibrant film under the surface…but projecting the film on an IMAX screen with a “dim” bulb created a hurdle that wasn’t  necessary.

 

After my last screening, I met up with some industry folks at a casual gathering.  People from Magnolia Pictures, Netflix, IFC and a couple PR firms were gathered at a quaint restaurant called the The Town Crier.  It was a nice cap to a full day of films, and now I’m ready for bed.

Thanks for checking in!

Jonathan

TIFF 2019 – Day #2

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Hello Dayton NEON Fans!

Today was my second day, and I’m calling it an early night…in bed by 11:00.  It has been a wonderful and emotional day.  I was delighted to see my all-time favorite director just steps away from my seat.  (This wasn’t the first time I’ve seen Almodovar, but it’s been several years…and tonight’s film will be a stand-out for the festival as well as the year.)  I quickly snapped the picture to the left.

RADIOACTIVE was my first film of Day #2.  “Based on Lauren Redniss’s award-winning graphic novel, Marjane Satrapi’s (Persepolis) biopic stars Rosamund Pike as two-time Nobel Prize–winning scientist Marie Curie, highlighting the groundbreaking discoveries she made with her husband, Pierre (Sam Riley).” (taken from TIFF catalog)  This film gave a great historical background on Curie and posed a lot of interesting questions (through the use of flash-forwards to historical nuclear events) as to whether her discoveries and work were “for good” or ultimately the destruction of societies.  Though not without some wonderful moments that were both enlightening and even powerful, this film seemed rather clunky with its attempts to keep it “fresh and modern” while telling a very true story about an incredible woman.

VARDA BY AGNES “The last film from the late French New Wave filmmaker Agnès Varda (Faces Places) traces her legendary career and life with characteristic humour and vibrant energy, presenting a portrait of an artist who lived through her films and revealed the extraordinary in the ordinary.” (taken from TIFF catalog) This film, largely assembled from numerous lectures/master classes from recent years, is a long-form, cinematic essay as to how and why Varda worked.  It’s full of wonderful moments, incredible artistry and ultimately a realization that there’s so much more of her work for me to discover.   There was a lovely post-screening discussion with three women working in the industry…one being Lulu Wang, director of THE FAREWELL – who had incredibly insightful and inspiring things to say about Agnes and particularly THE GLEANERS AND I (a film that truly resonates with me, too).  Though I don’t see this film getting a traditional release, I would love to bring it for a couple special screenings. The still photo below the trailer is a pic I took during the talk-back.

 

PAIN AND GLORY “An aging filmmaker (Antonio Banderas) grapples with an uncertain future and the circumstances that shaped his successful but troubled life, in Pedro Almodóvar’s self-reflexive consideration of identity and desire.” (taken from TIFF catalog)  This gorgeous new film starring Antonio Banderas as well as other Almodovar favorites like Penelope Cruz Cecilia Roth, is a true winner – with the trademark Almodovar touches like a great score and incredible production design.  It’s about recalling childhood, dealing with physical and mental pain, and the return of an old lover.  I got emotional several times during this film, and I think we’ll be seeing it on some level this Oscar season.  Almodovar and Banderas were in attendance.  They gave a very moving and fun curtain speech and then returned to the stage after the screening for an insightful Q&A.  For various reasons, there were tears throughout the evening, and Almodovar is always a charming and appreciative festival guest.  I’m so glad I got to see him in conjunction with this wonderful film – which received a very long and heartfelt standing ovation.

I’ve got a few films tomorrow and will meet up with a couple different folks throughout the day.  Looking forward to perhaps one more night of good sleep before some of the crazy long nights begin.

Thanks for tuning in!

Jonathan