alexander payne

Big Date Changes – Coen Brothers Added to Upcoming NEON Engagements!

December 17, 2013 By Jonathan McNeal Leave a Comment

Hello Everyone,

Once again, big changes are happening to our upcoming release dates. It was determined yesterday (by “the powers that be”) that MANDELA won’t open after all at THE NEON. We’re quite disappointed by this, but the decision is out of our hands. That said, we’re glad that we will be able to open two smaller gems between now and our next big titles on January 10. On Dec. 27, we plan to open KILL YOUR DARLINGS – a story about the early life of poet Allen Ginsberg (a brave choice for actor Daniel Radcliffe of the HARRY POTTER films). On Jan. 3, we plan to open BLUE IS THE WARMEST COLOR – the French sensation that is garnering numerous awards and lots of attention around the world. Then on January 10 – a potentially huge day for us – we are slated to open AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY as well as the new Coen Brothers film (we’re delighted about this) – INSIDE LLEWYN DAVIS.

This will more than likely be the final week for PHILOMENA – so hurry down if you still need to see this wonderful film (or if you need to see it again). NEBRASKA opened quite well this weekend, so we think it will stick around for a couple weeks. Click on either title above to visit that film’s official site. Both of these films are big contenders at this year’s Golden Globes!

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cd7uDrc5IpI’]

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

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jl8DidbbTQM’]

This year’s Family Holiday Film Series is already coming to a close! Tickets are FREE for children 12 and under, and all other tickets are $2 each. The final film – the holiday classic WHITE CHRISTMAS – will only screen this Saturday at Noon. Tickets will be available starting 45 minutes before the show.

An additional encore screening of THE TRIUMPH has been set for Monday, December 23 at 7:30. The local, faith-based non-profit hosting this screening is delighted that the demand for these tickets is so high. “THE TRIUMPH is a powerful new documentary film about our Blessed Mother’s apparitions in Medjugorje. On June 25, 1981, in the mountain village of Medjugorje in Bosnia Herzegovina, Our Lady appeared to six children. She identified herself as the Blessed Virgin Mary, Queen of Peace, and continues to appear to several of the visionaries even today.” (taken from Lovey Dovey, Inc. press notes) $10 presale tickets will only available via this LINK from Love Dovey, Inc. Remaining tickets will be sold at THE NEON on the night of the screening.

“Peace on Fifth is at it again with their knockout film series START FREEDOM DAYTON. Save the date for January 23rd at 7:30, as Peace on Fifth is slated to screen a film about human trafficking. Zonta Club of Dayton is the sponsor for the first film of 2014 and a human trafficking professional will lead the after viewing discussion. Tickets will be $8 and will be available exclusively at THE NEON. Contact Peace on Fifth with questions at 937.367.7215 or at [email protected] The film title will be announced in January.” (Taken from Peace On Fifth press notes.)

Don’t forget that we sell gift certificates at our box office in $5 and $10 denominations. These are a perfect gift for the film lover in your life…or perhaps the person who still needs to discover what THE NEON has to offer.

Thanks for your continued support!

We hope to see you soon,

Jonathan

SHOWTIMES for Friday, Dec. 20 – Thursday, Dec. 26:

PHILOMENA (PG-13) 1 hr 38 min
Friday: 12:30, 2:45, 5:00, 7:20, 9:30
Saturday: 2:45, 5:00, 7:20, 9:30
Sunday: 12:30, 2:45, 5:00, 7:20
Monday: 5:15
Tuesday – Thursday: 3:00, 5:15, 7:30

NEBRASKA (R) 1 hr 55 min
Friday, Saturday: 12:10, 2:30, 5:00, 7:30, 9:55
Sunday: 12:10, 2:30, 5:00, 7:30
Monday: 2:40, 7:45
Tuesday – Thursday: 2:40, 5:10, 7:45

WHITE CHRISTMAS (NR) 2 Hrs
Saturday: Noon

THE TRIUMPH (NR) 1 Hr 45 Min + Discussion
Monday: 7:30

COMING SOON:
As always, all dates are tentative. Many of these dates will change.
In some rare cases, titles may disappear.
Dec. 27 – KILL YOUR DARLINGS
Jan. 3 – BLUE IS THE WARMEST COLOR
Jan. 10 – AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY
Jan. 10 – INSIDE LLEWYN DAVIS
TBD – THE ARMSTRONG LIE
TBD – THE PAST
TBD – THE INVISIBLE WOMAN

Alexander Payne’s NEBRASKA – Starring Bruce Dern – Opens Friday at THE NEON!

December 10, 2013 By Jonathan McNeal 1 Comment

Hello Everyone,

Distributors are playing with opening dates like crazy. Sometimes it works to our advantage, and sometimes it really changes everything. We got news on both sides of that fence today! Though AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY has now moved into January, I’m delighted to announce that we will open Alexander Payne’s new film NEBRASKA this Friday. In addition, it looks like we’ll now be able to open MANDELA: LONG WALK TO FREEDOM on Dec. 25.

If you still need to see DALLAS BUYERS CLUB, Thursday will be your last chance to catch it at THE NEON. PHILOMENA, which has had spectacular word-of-mouth business, will stick around.

Synopsis for NEBRASKA: “After receiving a sweepstakes letter in the mail, a cantankerous father (Bruce Dern) thinks he’s struck it rich, and wrangles his son (Will Forte) into taking a road trip to claim the fortune. Shot in black and white across four states, Nebraska tells the stories of family life in the heartland of America.” One of the best reviewed films of the year, NEBRASKA was just nominated for 5 Independent Spirit Awards – including Best Feature. Alexander Payne also directed other NEON hits – SIDEWAYS and THE DESCENDANTS. Click this LINK to be directed to the film’s official site.

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UT5tqPojMtg’]

This year’s Family Holiday Film Series is already off and running! Tickets are FREE for children 12 and under, and all other tickets are $2 each. Two films remain – on December 14 we will screen HOME ALONE, and on December 21 – the holiday classic – WHITE CHRISTMAS. Each film will only screen one time – at Noon. Tickets will only be available starting 45 minutes before each show.

Dayton-native Toni Dixon will premiere her new short film on this Sunday, December 15 at 7:30. “FROM HIDDEN PAIN TO FREEDOM is an emotional depiction of the life of Tia. It is a powerful story of survival against all odds – the story of a little girl caught up in a world of physical, emotional and sexual abuse. The setting takes place in the inner-city projects of Ohio where Tia resides with her grandmother because her mother chose the company of men over family. There, she quickly realizes how cold and cruel the world can really be. Gaining strength from within, she grows up to overcome her pain to new found freedom.” (taken from Press Notes) Tickets are $10 each and are now available at THE NEON’s box office.

Thanks for your continued support!

We hope to see you soon,
Jonathan

SHOWTIMES for Friday, Dec. 13 – Thursday, Dec. 19:

PHILOMENA (PG-13) 1 hr 38 min
Friday: 12:30, 2:45, 5:00, 7:20, 9:30
Saturday: 2:45, 5:00, 7:20, 9:30
Sunday: 12:30, 2:45, 5:00, 9:30
Monday – Thursday: 3:00, 5:15, 7:30

NEBRASKA (R) 1 hr 55 min
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 12:10, 2:30, 5:00, 7:30, 9:55
Monday – Thursday: 2:40, 5:10, 7:45

HOME ALONE
Saturday: Noon

FROM HIDDEN PAIN TO FREEDOM (NR) 30 minutes + Q&A
Sunday: 7:30

COMING SOON:
As always, all dates are tentative. Many of these dates will change.
In some rare cases, titles may disappear.
TBD – KILL YOUR DARLINGS
Dec. 25 – MANDELA: LONG WALK TO FREEDOM
Jan. 10 – AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY
TBD – THE ARMSTRONG LIE
TBD – THE PAST
TBD – THE INVISIBLE WOMAN

PHILOMENA and DALLAS BUYERS CLUB Are Hits at THE NEON!

December 5, 2013 By Jonathan McNeal Leave a Comment

Hello Everyone,

For the second week in a row – Wow!! We had one of our best Thanksgiving Weekends ever at THE NEON! Audiences are loving both DALLAS BUYERS CLUB and PHILOMENA, and I want to Thank YOU for being such loyal and wonderful patrons at THE NEON. Even though other theaters jumped in on PHILOMENA, you made us come out on top! Thank You! (To visit the official site for each of our current titles (which we will hold), click on the titles above.)

Though we are doing well with our current titles, I’d suggest hurrying down if you still need to see them. We have other titles we need to get to before the end of the year – including Alexander Payne’s new film NEBRASKA and the star-studded AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY.

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=huQkhv0xQEk’]

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sFQctZ-Mhc4′]

This year’s Family Holiday Film Series starts this Saturday! Tickets are FREE for children 12 and under, and all other tickets are $2 each. We will screen RISE OF THE GUARDIANS on December 7, on December 14 we will screen HOME ALONE, and on December 21 – the holiday classic – WHITE CHRISTMAS. Each film will only screen one time – at Noon. Tickets will only be available starting 45 minutes before each show.

Dayton-native Toni Dixon will premiere her new short film on Sunday, December 15 at 7:30. “FROM HIDDEN PAIN TO FREEDOM is an emotional depiction of the life of Tia. It is a powerful story of survival against all odds – the story of a little girl caught up in a world of physical, emotional and sexual abuse. The setting takes place in the inner-city projects of Ohio where Tia resides with her grandmother because her mother chose the company of men over family. There, she quickly realizes how cold and cruel the world can really be. Gaining strength from within, she grows up to overcome her pain to new found freedom.” (taken from Press Notes) Tickets are $10 each and are now available at THE NEON’s box office.

Thanks for your continued support!

We hope to see you soon,

Jonathan

SHOWTIMES for Friday, Dec. 6 – Thursday, Dec. 12:

PHILOMENA (PG-13) 1 hr 38 min
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 12:30, 2:45, 5:00, 7:20, 9:40
Monday – Thursday: 3:00, 5:15, 7:30

DALLAS BUYERS CLUB (R) 1 hr 57 min
Friday: 12:10, 2:30, 5:00, 7:30, 9:55
Saturday: 2:30, 5:00, 7:30, 9:55
Sunday: 12:10, 2:30, 5:00, 7:30, 9:55
Monday – Thursday: 2:40, 5:10, 7:45

RISE OF THE GUARDIANS
Saturday: Noon

COMING SOON:
As always, all dates are tentative. Many of these dates will change.
In some rare cases, titles may disappear.
TBD – KILL YOUR DARLINGS
Dec. 20 – NEBRASKA
Dec. 25 – AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY
TBD – THE ARMSTRONG LIE

New Almodovar Film at THE NEON!

November 29, 2011 By Jonathan McNeal Leave a Comment

Hello Everyone,

Special thanks to all of you who came out over the weekend. This was our best Thanksgiving Weekend ever, and THE DESCENDANTS is certainly a hit!! (Interesting to note, 2nd place goes to the Thanksgiving weekend we opened AMELIE in 2001…3rd place to our Thanksgiving opening of SIDEWAYS – also Alexander Payne – back in 2004.)

If you haven’t had a chance to see MARTHA MARCY MAY MARLENE, Thursday will be your last chance to see it at THE NEON. On Friday, we will open the latest film by my favorite filmmaker of all time – Pedro Almodovar. THE SKIN I LIVE IN is a melodramatic thriller that reveals itself in a brilliant way. I sat in the front row during its screening at the Toronto International Film Festival – when the film was introduced by its stars Antonio Banderas and Elena Anaya. The film has stuck with me ever since – and I’ve grown to like it even more. That said, I wish I hadn’t read much about it before seeing it on the big screen. (Due to that reason, the description below will be relatively vague by comparison to the content of the film.)

Synopsis for THE SKIN I LIVE IN: “Ever since his wife was burned in a car crash, Dr. Robert Ledgard, an eminent plastic surgeon, has been interested in creating a new skin with which he could have saved her. After twelve years, he manages to cultivate a skin that is a real shield against every assault. In addition to years of study and experimentation, Robert needed three things: no scruples, an accomplice and a human guinea pig. Scruples were never a problem. Marilia, the woman who looked after him from the day he was born, is his most faithful accomplice. And as for the human guinea pig…” (Sony Classics) Visit the film’s official website.

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PavJUoZNT7g’]

As you can tell by now, the Weinstein Co. decided not to open MY WEEK WITH MARILYN in Dayton on December 2. Right now, we don’t know their intentions for the film in this market. Though we would certainly love to play the film, it will all be a matter of screen availability when they decide to move forward.

Starting this Saturday, we’ll be hosting The Holiday Family Movie Series…sponsored by The Downtown Dayton Partnership, DP&L and THE NEON. The movies begin at noon and are free for children 12 and under; other tickets are only $2 each. On December 3, we will play MIRACLE ON 34th STREET (original 1947 version). On December 10 – POLAR EXPRESS. And lastly, on December 17, we will play A CHRISTMAS STORY. All of these movies will be presented via digital video projection.

For remaining showtimes for this week, visit our site.

Special thanks to our new friends at Ghostlight Coffee for letting us hang posters in their new, adorable coffeeshop. If you haven’t had a chance to check them out, click on the link – they’re a great addition to Dayton. Of course we appreciate all of our friends and partners – Meadowlark, Boston Stoker, Ohio Coffee Company, Olive, A Urban Dive, Blind Bob’s, Square One Salon & Spa, 5th Street Wine & Deli, Gem City Records, and all of you…and of course DAYTON MOST METRO. Without grassroots marketing and positive word-of-mouth, we wouldn’t still be here. Thank you!

We hope to see you very soon,

Jonathan

SHOWTIMES for Fri. December 2 – Thur. December 8:

THE DESCENDANTS (R) 1 Hrs 55 Min

Friday,Saturday, Sunday: 12:15, 2:40, 5:00, 7:20, 9:45

Monday – Thursday: 2:40, 5:00, 7:20, 9:45

THE SKIN I LIVE IN (R) 1 Hr 57 Min

Friday: 12:20, 2:50, 5:10, 7:30, 9:50

Saturday: 2:50, 5:10, 7:30, 9:50

Sunday: 12:20, 2:50, 5:10, 7:30, 9:50

Monday – Thursday: 2:50, 5:10, 7:30, 9:50

MIRACLE ON 34th STREET 1947 version (G) 1 Hr 36 Min

Saturday: 12:00 (Noon)

COMING SOON:

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

In some cases, titles may disappear.

??? MY WEEK WITH MARILYN

TBD MELANCHOLIA

Dec. 25 THE ARTIST

Jan. 20 SHAME

Jan. 20 CARNAGE

Jan. 27 A DANGEROUS METHOD

TBD WEEKEND

TBD THE HEDGEHOG

Don’t Miss THE DESCENDANTS at THE NEON!

November 22, 2011 By Jonathan McNeal Leave a Comment

Hello Everyone,

If you still need to catch TAKE SHELTER or MARGIN CALL, tomorrow (11/22) will be your last chance to see them at THE NEON. On Wednesday, we open my favorite American film of the year – THE DESCENDANTS – directed by Alexander Payne and starring George Clooney. I fell in love with this film at The Toronto International Film Festival, and it has nothing to do with the fact that George Clooney was three feet away from me at the after-party. As funny as it is touching, this film has been given a 100% review from The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, The Chicago-Sun Times, USA Today, Entertainment Weekly, Rolling Stone, The Hollywood Reporter and many more. I think it’s a shoe-in to be nominated for “Best Picture” this year.

Synopsis for THE DESCENDANTS: “Matt King is an indifferent husband and father of two girls, who is forced to re-examine his past and embrace his future when his wife suffers a boating accident off of Waikiki. The event leads to a rapprochement with his young daughters while Matt wrestles with a decision to sell the family’s land handed down from Hawaiian royalty and missionaries.” (Fox Searchlight) Click HERE to visit the film’s official website.

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-OBvd5MgPYA’]

Upcoming dates are changing all around, and it’s quite possible that The Weinstein Company may give us MY WEEK WITH MARILYN on December 2…but we’ll have to wait and see.

And don’t forget that we’ll be hosting holiday films on Saturdays in December…sponsored by The Downtown Dayton Partnership, DP&L and THE NEON. The movies begin at noon and are free for children 12 and under; other tickets are only $2 each. On December 3, we will play MIRACLE ON 34th STREET (original 1947 version). On December 10 – POLAR EXPRESS. And lastly, on December 17, we will play A CHRISTMAS STORY. All of these movies will be presented via digital video projection.

For remaining showtimes for this week, visit www.neonmovies.com.

Wishing you a wonderful Thanksgiving.

Hope to see you very soon,

Jonathan

SHOWTIMES forWed. November 23 – Thur. December 1:

THE DESCENDANTS (R) 1 Hrs 55 Min

Wednesday & Thursday: 2:40, 5:00, 7:20, 9:45

Friday,Saturday, Sunday: 12:15, 2:40, 5:00, 7:20, 9:45

Monday – Thursday: 2:40, 5:00, 7:20, 9:45

MARTHA MARCY MAY MARLENE (R) 1 Hr 42 Min

Wednesday & Thursday: 3:00, 5:15, 7:30, 9:50

Friday,Saturday, Sunday: 12:45, 3:00, 5:15, 7:30, 9:50

Monday – Thursday: 3:00, 5:15, 7:30, 9:50

COMING SOON:

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

In some cases, titles may disappear.

Dec. 2 (?) MY WEEK WITH MARILYN

TBD THE SKIN I LIVE IN

TBD MELANCHOLIA

TBD WEEKEND

Dec. 25 THE ARTIST

TBD THE HEDGEHOG

Jan. 20 SHAME

Jan. 20 CARNAGE

Jan. 27 A DANGEROUS METHOD

MARGIN CALL Opens Friday at THE NEON!

November 9, 2011 By Jonathan McNeal Leave a Comment

Hello Everyone,

Opening weekend of TAKE SHELTER was perfect. We had a couple full houses, and folks have really been liking the film. Many thanks to all of you who attended our special Q&As with Tyler Davidson – having the chance to pose questions and gain further insight into the film was a great opportunity, and I’m so glad many of you were able to come out.

TAKE SHELTER will hold over for another week, and we’ll open a new film about the 2008 Wall Street collapse – MARGIN CALL – on Friday (the cast of this film is enough reason to see it…but the reviews are great, too). If you still need to see THE WAY, Thursday will be your last chance to see it at THE NEON.

Synopsis for MARGIN CALL: “This tense Wall Street thriller follows the staff of a high-powered brokerage firm in the 24 hours before the stock market crash of 2008. Featuring an all-star cast, Margin Call was one of the most talked about films of the Sundance Film Festival and was also the Opening Night selection of New Directors/New Films.” (Roadside Attractions) Click this LINK to visit the film’s official website.

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1jQoScJFNj0′]

The Ohio Liberty Film Festival is gearing up for its third year this November. With numerous presenters and sponsors, the festival is able to make admission free to all of their screenings. Click this LINK to see the entire line-up for various venues around town. The following are movies that will play at THE NEON: Friday, Nov. 11 at 3:00 – THE GREAT DICTATOR (The Charlie Chaplin classic). Saturday, Nov. 12 at 1:30 – AS FAR AS MY FEET WILL CARRY ME. Sunday, Nov. 13 at 1:30 – PATTON.

There is only 1 film left for Living City’s VAMPIRE retrospective. Single tickets will be available at the door before the screening for $8 each. BRAM STOKER’S DRACULA (1992 – 35mm) will play November 14 at 7:30.

“Help support DATV and be inspired by short films that aim to make a difference in our lives. DATV presents the MEDIA THAT MATTERS SHORT FILM SHOWCASE on Thursday, November 17th at 7:30pm…The festival features 12 jury selected short films that tackle a broad range of social issues with humor, humanity and honesty in 12 minutes or less. Special thanks to our sponsor Merrill Lynch Global Wealth Management OGDM Group – Centerville, Ohio…Proceeds from the event will benefit DATV. DATV’s mission is to be a community forum that empowers all citizens to learn, create and express their ideas through electronic media…” (taken from press notes) Visit the official site for this event. Tickets are already available at our box office for $10 each.

The rest of November is great! With MARGIN CALL, MARTHA MARCY MAY MARLENE (the huge Sundance hit – being called “this year’s WINTER’S BONE”) and THE DESCENDANTS (an incredible film directed by Alexander Payne & starring George Clooney), I think we’ll be seeing a lot of you over the coming weeks!

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0_k3wCsOgqk’]

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CWHNXJ1K4yA’]

And don’t forget that we’ll be hosting holiday films on Saturdays in December…flyers are in our lobby now, and I’ll give you a full update next week.

For remaining showtimes for this week visit our site.

Hope to see you very soon,

Jonathan

SHOWTIMES for Nov 11 – Nov 17:

MARGIN CALL (R) 1 Hrs 47 Min

Friday: 12:20, 2:45, 5:00, 7:20, 9:40

Saturday, Sunday: 2:45, 5:00, 7:20, 9:40

Monday – Wednesday: 2:45, 5:00, 7:20

Thursday: 2:45, 5:00

TAKE SHELTER (R) 2 Hrs

Friday – Sunday: 12:30, 5:10, 7:30, 9:50

Monday: 2:50, 5:10

Tuesday – Thursday: 2:50, 5:10, 7:30

OHIO LIBERTY FILM FEST

The Great Dictoator (125 minutes) – Fri. at 3:00

As Far As My Feet Will Carry Me (158 min) – Sat. at 1:30

Patton (172 min) – Sun. at 1:30

BRAM STOKER’S DRACULA (R) 2 Hrs 8 Min

Monday: 7:30

MEDIA THAT MATTERS (NR)

Thursday: 7:30

COMING SOON:

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

In some cases, titles may disappear.

Nov. 18 MARTHA MARCY MAY MARLENE

Nov. 23 THE DESCENDANTS

Dec. 16 WEEKEND

TBD THE ARTIST

TBD THE SKIN I LIVE IN

TBD MELANCHOLIA

TBD THE HEDGEHOG

MY AFTERNOONS WITH MARGUERITTE & Hot November Plans for THE NEON

October 26, 2011 By Jonathan McNeal Leave a Comment

Hello Everyone,

Professor Charles Derry told me that THE DEVIL’S DOUBLE is a combination of SCARFACE and a Bette David melodrama (FYI – that’s a compliment)…and my friend Maddi Breslin said that it was outstanding…and that she “could see it again.” Unfortunately, the film did not perform well. Thursday will be your last chance to see THE DEVIL’S DOUBLE at THE NEON.

Conversely, Martin Sheen’s THE WAY (directed by son Emilio Estevez) had a great weekend! We were way above the national average for the film, and audiences are loving it. THE WAY is set to stick around for another week.

On Friday, we will open a charming French film with Gerard Depardieu and Gisele Casadesus – MY AFTERNOONS WITH MARGUERITTE. If you saw THE WAY this weekend, you saw a trailer for this film. It is only slated to play for one week, so hurry down!

Synopsis for MY AFTERNOONS WITH MARGUERITTE: “My Afternoon with Margueritte is the story of life’s random encounters. In a small French town, Germain, a nearly illiterate man in his 50’s and considered to be the village idiot by his friends at the local bistro, takes a walk to the park one day and happens to sit beside Margueritte, a little old lady who is reading excerpts from her novel aloud. She’s articulate, highly intelligent and frail…Afternoons spent reading aloud on their favorite bench transform their lives and start them both on a new journey — to literacy and respect for Germain, and to the deepest friendship for Margueritte.” (Cohen Media Group)

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

Next Monday will be the 3rd film in Living City’s VAMPIRE retrospective. (If you missed Monday’s screening of DRACULA, you missed an absolutely gorgeous 35mm print!) Single tickets will be available at the door before each screening for $8 each. Here are the remaining dates and films:

October 31 – THE LOST BOYS (digital video projection)

November 7 – INTERVIEW WITH THE VAMPIRE (35mm)

November 14 – BRAM STOKER’S DRACULA (1992 – 35mm).

Here’s the latest regarding our special opening of TAKE SHELTER! TAKE SHELTER was one of my favorite films from this year’s Toronto International Film Festival. It has been receiving much-deserved international acclaim, and I hope we hear a lot more about it come Oscar time. The performances are incredible, the story is great, and the photography is wonderful. On top of all that, the film was made in Ohio! We’re so glad to announce that we will bring producer Tyler Davidson to town during opening weekend. Mr. Davidson will do a Q&A after the following screenings:

Friday, Nov. 4 at 7:00

Saturday, Nov. 5 at 4:15

Saturday, Nov. 5 at 7:00

Advanced tickets (which are regular price!!) are available now at our box office. To read more about the film, visit the film’s official site.

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I5U4TtYpKIc’]

Friday, Nov. 11 at 3:00 – THE GREAT DICTATOR (The Charlie Chaplin classic)

Saturday, Nov. 12 at 1:30 – AS FAR AS MY FEET WILL CARRY ME

Sunday, Nov. 13 at 1:30 – PATTON

“Help support DATV and be inspired by short films that aim to make a difference in our lives. DATV presents the MEDIA THAT MATTERS SHORT FILM SHOWCASE on Thursday, November 17th at 7:30pm…The festival features 12 jury selected short films that tackle a broad range of social issues with humor, humanity and honesty in 12 minutes or less. Special thanks to our sponsor Merrill Lynch Global Wealth Management OGDM Group – Centerville, Ohio…Proceeds from the event will benefit DATV. DATV’s mission is to be a community forum that empowers all citizens to learn, create and express their ideas through electronic media…” (taken from press notes) Visit the official site for this event . Tickets are already available at our box office for $10 each.

I’m very excited to announce that we have booked an incredible film to open in time for Thanksgiving. Alexander Payne’s new film THE DESCENDANTS (starring George Clooney) is fantastic! SIDEWAYS (also directed by Payne) was a huge hit for us, and I think THE DESCENDANTS is his best film yet. (Payne also directed the final short film in PARIS, JE T’AIME – which was also fantastic!) Thanksgiving weekend is a crucial movie-going weekend for cinemas…and we hope you’ll make plans to see this great film with us! To find out more about the film, visit the official site.

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CWHNXJ1K4yA’]

For remaining showtimes for this week visit our official site.

Hope to see you very soon,

Jonathan

SHOWTIMES for October 28 – November 3:

THE WAY (PG-13) 2 Hrs 1 Min

Friday, Saturday: 12:15, 2:40, 5:00, 7:30, 9:50

Sunday: 12:15, 2:40, 5:00, 7:30

Monday: 2:45, 5:10

Tuesday – Thursday: 2:45, 5:10, 7:40

MY AFTERNOONS WITH MARGUERITTE (NR) 1 Hr 22 Min

Friday, Saturday: 1:00, 3:00, 5:15, 7:15, 9:15

Sunday: 1:00, 3:00, 5:15, 7:15

Monday – Wednesday: 3:00, 5:30, 7:30

Thursday: 3:00, 5:30

THE LOST BOYS (R) 1 Hr 37 Min

Monday: 7:30

COMING SOON:

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

In some cases, titles may disappear.

Nov. 4 TAKE SHELTER

Nov. 4 MARGIN CALL

Nov. 18 MARTHA MARCY MAY MARLENE

Nov. 23 THE DESCENDANTS

TBD THE SKIN I LIVE IN

TBD MELANCHOLIA

TBD WEEKENDTBD

THE HEDGEHOG

Toronto – THE FILMS – Day #3, Part 2

September 11, 2011 By Jonathan McNeal Leave a Comment

Hello Again,

With less than 4 hours of sleep, I managed to crawl out of bed this morning and get to my ticket line by 7:00. I got the tickets I desired for Tuesday (which made me happy…and I’ll make you wait until Tuesday for you to see why). I also managed to get the last available ticket (they made a few available this morning) to a Maverick session with Tilda Swinton – which I just attended. I’ll write more about that later – it was divine.

Yesterday’s films were a mixed bag.

First off, I saw Andrea Arnold’s WUTHERING HEIGHTS. Though still a period piece, this is unlike any version you’ve seen before. With a contemporary shooting style and almost entirely without scoring, this film took a little while for me to become invested. The dialog is quite altered (I don’t recall Bronte’s text having such vulgar language), but the story remains quite similar (though no ghosts per se)…and like FISH TANK, Arnold shot the film in 4×3 – which confines the characters more than a more panoramic aspect ratio. The film is not something I’d want to seek out to own, but it’s worth a viewing for the sake of it’s “honest” rendering of the story…though I feel it plays a little long. Below is a clip.

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0eN8kzHJEH0′]

Next I saw the new film from Todd Solondz – DARK HORSE. The story is about the ultimate man-child (played by Jordan Gelber) who still lives with his parents in a room filled with action figures and Absolut Vodka magazine ads lining the walls (in an early scene, we see him avoiding work by considering to pay $350 for a Thundercats action figure on e-bay). Solondz revels in making movies about the socially awkward. This is his most accessible film – and was quite funny for the first 45 minutes. (Mia Farrow, who plays his mother, is quietly hysterical.) Eventually, I thought the film got a bit stale – and the last 15 minutes was a bit of a puzzle (but perhaps my sleep deprivation was finally getting to me). Below is a teaser – from a scene in which the lead character goes to visit the girl (played by Selma Blair) he recently met (and fell for) at a wedding.

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zp9ueZ6rUA8′]

My next screening was THE DESCENDANTS. This film is fantastic, and I already posted the trailer in yesterday’s post. This film will be a hit – both at the box office and critically. The film is about a man who is dealing with raising his daughters while his wife lays in a coma (which was a result of a speed-boat accident). The film is as funny as it is touching, and the performances are fantastic across the board. (Clooney, during the Q&A, was absolutely charming.)

And then there was the party – hosted by Fox Searchlight, Vanity Fair and Belvedere Vodka. Lots of folks were there. Clooney, Elizabeth Olsen (as well as numerous people from MARTHA MARCY MAY MARLENE), Juliette Lewis, Kirsten Dunst, Alexander Skarsgard, and several talk show corespondents. I got to talk with several very interesting people in the film business – from producers, to a production designer, to people in marketing. It was a great party! The cocktails and food were delicious, and upon leaving, I once again ran into James Franco. Always a great way to end the evening.

More soon!

Jonathan

P.S. New Pedro Almodovar film tonight!!!