Neon News: Martin Sheen in 12 MIGHTY ORPHANS

NEW IN-PERSON ENGAGEMENTS:

Synopsis for 12 MIGHTY ORPHANS: “12 MIGHTY ORPHANS tells the true story of the Mighty Mites, the football team of a Fort Worth orphanage who, during the Great Depression, went from playing without shoes—or even a football—to playing for the Texas state championships. Over the course of their winning season these underdogs and their resilient spirit became an inspiration to their city, state, and an entire nation in need of a rebound, even catching the attention of President Franklin D. Roosevelt. The architect of their success was Rusty Russell, a legendary high school coach who shocked his colleagues by giving up a privileged position so he could teach and coach at an orphanage. Few knew Rusty’s secret: that he himself was an orphan. Recognizing that his scrawny players couldn’t beat the other teams with brawn, Rusty developed innovative strategies that would come to define modern football.” (Sony Classics) Click the image below to watch the film’s trailer.

Synopsis for TRUMAN & TENNESSEE: AN INTIMATE CONVERSATION: We have 2 in-person screenings set for this great new documentary. “The brilliant work, personal struggles, and cultural impact of iconic American writers Truman Capote and Tennessee Williams explodes onto the screen in this innovative dual-portrait documentary. Filmmaker Lisa Immordino Vreeland masterfully collages a wealth of archival material, including dishy talk show appearances with Dick Cavett and David Frost, with clips from some of the duo’s most memorable movie adaptions: A Streetcar Named Desire, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, The Glass Menagerie, Breakfast at Tiffany’s, and In Cold Blood. Featuring vibrant voiceover work by award-winning actors Jim Parsons (Capote) and Zachary Quinto (Williams), the film is dripping with wit and wisdom. It is a celebration of both men’s fearless candor and often tumultuous friendship that honors how their identity as gay Southerners informed their timeless artistic achievements and relationships with family, colleagues, confidants, and – most significantly – each other.” TRUMAN & TENNESSEE will screen this Saturday at Noon and on Thursday, June 24 at 7:30. Click the image below to watch the film’s trailer.

NEW IN OUR VIRTUAL CINEMA:

Synopsis for MONUMENTS: “A young widower sidesteps grief, loss, and familial dysfunction when he steals his wife’s ashes and sets off on an impulsive odyssey through America’s heartland in the charming new road trip comedy, MONUMENTS. Ted (David Sullivan) encounters a cast of eccentric characters, including his rival Howl (Javier Muñoz), who direct and misdirect him on his mission to find something he’d lost long before the death his wife Laura (Marguerite Moreau). MONUMENTS infuses humor and hope into a story of mourning, loss, and marriage to create one of the best feel-good indie films of 2021.” Click the image below to watch the trailer and gain 72 hour access to the film for $11.99.

Synopsis for TRUMAN & TENNESSEE: If you can’t catch this terrific new doc in person, you’ll be able to watch it from home. “The brilliant work, personal struggles, and cultural impact of iconic American writers Truman Capote and Tennessee Williams explodes onto the screen in this innovative dual-portrait documentary. Filmmaker Lisa Immordino Vreeland masterfully collages a wealth of archival material, including dishy talk show appearances with Dick Cavett and David Frost, with clips from some of the duo’s most memorable movie adaptions: A Streetcar Named Desire, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, The Glass Menagerie, Breakfast at Tiffany’s, and In Cold Blood. Featuring vibrant voiceover work by award-winning actors Jim Parsons (Capote) and Zachary Quinto (Williams), the film is dripping with wit and wisdom. It is a celebration of both men’s fearless candor and often tumultuous friendship that honors how their identity as gay Southerners informed their timeless artistic achievements and relationships with family, colleagues, confidants, and – most significantly – each other.” This film can be viewed on your computer or mobile device. You can also watch via your TV (when you download the Kino Now app on Apple TV, Roku, or Amazon TV/Stick). Additional instructions can be found on the film’s landing page…just click the picture below to watch the trailer and reserve access to the film for $12.

CONTINUING IN OUR VIRTUAL CINEMA:

Synopsis for SUBLET: “Michael, a travel columnist for The New York Times, goes to Tel Aviv to write an article after suffering a tragedy. He is still grieving and the loss has caused problems between him and his husband. He just wants to do his research and go home. But when he sublets an apartment from Tomer, a young film student, he finds himself drawn into the life of the city” (Greenwich Entertainment) This film will be available to watch on your computer or mobile device or via the Eventive app on your Roku or AppleTV. Additional instructions can be found on Eventive’s HELP PAGE. Click the image below to check out the trailer and gain 72 hour access for $9.99.

To read more about all the films that are still available in our Virtual Cinema, please visit our WEBSITE. Several critically acclaimed films and audience favorites are still available! Here’s a LINK with a video I made about how Virtual Cinema works.

Would you like to know what titles we have planned for our Virtual cinema? (Click any title to watch that film’s trailer.) On June 25, we’ll star the gorgeous mother-daughter Israeli drama ASIA. July 2 will bring the Berlin winning Macedonian film GOD EXISTS, HER NAME IS PETRUNYA. And on July 9, we’ll open THE GOD COMMITTEE – starring Kelsey Grammer and Julia Stiles. More titles are on the way…stay tuned!

UPCOMING SPECIAL EVENTS

We have a few spots left for DISCLOSURE: TRANS LIVES ON FILM – set for Saturday, June 26 at Noon. This screening will be used as a fundraiser for David’s Place at Daybreak, and you can request your free tickets (though donations will be appreciated on the day of the screening) by clicking the image below. Click HERE to watch the film’s trailer.

Attention Families with Young Kids! Starting on July 3 at 11am, THE NEON and ThinkTV PBS will begin presenting a 10-week, FREE Summer Family Film Festival. Short films from PBS Kids will screen on Saturday mornings at 11am on a first-come, first-serve basis. This is a great, affordable way to keep kids engaged this summer…and ThinkTV will provide activity books for kids to take home after each screening. More details will be available in next week’s newsletter, but I wanted to make sure you were the first to hear about this. Please help us spread the word. This wonderful partnership is made possible with generous support from The RubiGirls Scholarship Initiative.

Scripted in Black, an exclusive multi-disciplinary arts collective that centers the work and collaboration of Black + Brown unconventional creatives, will be hosting a series of films in July, and tickets are already on sale. “When SIB thinks of super chill kick back Thursday vibes, we envision a film series featuring just a few of the greatest Black classics + favorites to date. Whether we are learning from the past, relishing in hood politics, or examining the dynamics of friendship, this film series allows us to collectively experience the art of cinema, together. Featuring three Black-owned local businesses and partnering with THE NEON in Dayton allows for mingling amongst the creative community + supporting the local business ecosystem. This movie night series is a chance to celebrate as a community the importance of Black storytelling and the way it honors the multi-dimensional layers of our culture, experience, and perspective. This movie night series is the perfect way to close out a busy work week and step into the weekend with laughs, high vibes, + a little reminiscing on the good old days.” (Scripted in Black) Tickets are $20 each and come with a complimentary popcorn and soda. Each film will be preceded by a business mixer from 6:00-7:00 on THE NEON’s patio…then films will start at 7:15! Series sponsored by Westchester Education Services. July 8 – JUST MERCY, featured business – Dayton Young Black Professionals. July 15 – PAID IN FULL, featured business – AKenlo. July 22 – THE WOOD, featured businesses – Flyght Academy + Wright Way Foundation.

A NOTE ABOUT COVID PRECAUTIONS. Starting Friday, June 25, THE NEON’s Board has decided to make a change to our COVID protocols. Though every other row will remain unavailable, we will only require one empty seat between parties sitting in the same row. As a reminder, All NEON Staff as well as unvaccinated patrons will still be required to wear masks…they are optional for all vaccinated patrons.