ben stiller

TIFF Day #2 – 2024

September 7, 2024 By Jonathan McNeal

Hello NEON Community!

Today’s early films had an Ohio focus!

My first movie of the day was THE LUCKIEST MAN IN AMERICA, dir Samir Oliveros (USA) “Featuring Paul Walter Hauser (Richard Jewell), Walton Goggins, and David Strathairn, this stranger-than-fiction drama resurrects a hugely popular 1980s game show and the ‘luckiest man in America’ who broke it.” (taken from TIFF catalog) Based on a true story about how a man memorized and beat the “random” lights on PRESS YOUR LUCK, the protagonist from this scandal was from Lebanon, Ohio! This funny, tense, and upsetting film works on so many levels. From it’s vintage-looking credits and camera work to the crazy set-up, this movie is a lot of fun. Though the ending was slightly unsatisfying, I think this film ultimately works.

Shot largely in Wilmington, Ohio, my next film was NUTCRACKERS, dir David Gordon Green (USA) “Ben Stiller stars as a city slicker forced to look after a quartet of mischievous rural orphans in this fish-out-of-water comedy that speaks to the hidden talents in each of us just waiting for a chance to shine.” (taken from TIFF catalog) This film has a giant heart…and despite its formula-driven script (with some cringe-worthy moments) and its overly predictable turns, the film lands exactly where it wants to – and I think it will work well with audiences. The 4 boys (real-life siblings from Ohio) are pretty great, and you’ll likely recognize some settings (and maybe even some locals).

My next film was my first public screening of the festival (meaning it wasn’t just industry folks – but open to the general public)…and the director & cast were there! (Due to last year’s strikes, hardly any films had casts in attendance…so this will be a nice change this year.) THE LAST SHOWGIRL, dir Gia Coppola (USA) “A seasoned performer must plan for her future when her show abruptly closes after a 30-year run. Starring Pamela Anderson, Jamie Lee Curtis, and Dave Bautista.” From a good script written by Kate Gersten – someone who “was there” when the last big, old-fashion Vegas show closed (known as Jubilee! – which Gersten said was referred to as “the last of the tits and feathers shows” ) – this story seemed quite authentic, and Pamela Anderson said she had been “getting ready my whole life for this role.” Touching and full of melancholy, Anderson and Curtis are great in this film. And I love when there’s a moment in a film that evokes the crowd to burst into applause. A solid film from Gia Coppola

My first documentary of the festival was MISTRESS DISPELLER, dir Elizabeth Lo (China, USA) “Sure to be a conversation starter and filmed with an astonishing emotional intimacy, Mistress Dispeller follows the work of a Chinese woman who practices unorthodox techniques to repair marital infidelity.” From the director of STRAY – a doc we played at THE NEON about a dog living on the streets of Istanbul – this film had a very intriguing set-up. The lines of documentary ethics seemed to be blurred in order to get the material…but so was the story of the protagonist who is called in to make extramarital affairs disappear. I loved a lot of this film, and the last 8-10 minutes were very satisfying. The post-screening discussion was very enlightening and answered my questions…but I think there’s a much stronger 40-60 minute film here instead of a feature.
There’s no trailer for this film…but here’s a clip:

My 9th film for the festival and fifth film for today is a winner! WE LIVE IN TIME, dir John Crowley (United Kingdom, France) “Featuring gorgeously detailed performances from Oscar nominees Florence Pugh and Andrew Garfield, this inventively structured romance explores the question of how to make the most of our time in this world.” (taken from TIFF catalog) The energy was high when I arrived at the Visa Screening Room. Hundreds of fans were cheering for Andrew Garfield…and he was just a few feet away when I was checking in. When I got to my nosebleed seat (about 5 stories up), the crowd on the street was chanting “Florence. Florence.” This town is so ready to welcome big stars again!
This gorgeous, nonlinear film did not disappoint. With three different timelines playing against each other, the title resonates even stronger as we get to know a couple who are dealing with pregnancy, cancer and the day-to-day act of living. It’s a beautiful story, and these two actors are at the top of their crafts…and having them talk about how they worked on this project has been the highlight of the festival so far.

Thanks so much for reading.
Tomorrow is Almodovar Day!

More soon,
Jonathan

GREY GARDENS and New Juliette Binoche Film at THE NEON!

May 15, 2015 By Jonathan McNeal

Hello Everyone,

Over the past 14 years that I’ve been at THE NEON, THE D TRAIN ranks as one of the biggest box office disappointments we’ve ever had. We had to lose it quickly. Today, we opened a new film with Juliette Binoche and Kristen Stewart – CLOUDS OF SILS MARIA. (Stewart became the first American to ever win a Cesar award for her role in this film. The Cesar Awards are France’s equivalent to our Academy Awards.) In addition, we will open the 40th Anniversary Restoration of GREY GARDENS – the documentary that became the basis for numerous books, an HBO narrative film and even a Broadway musical. We will continue our run of WHILE WE’RE YOUNG for one more week. Next week, we’ll open the gorgeous new film FAR FROM THE MADDING CROWD!

Synopsis for CLOUDS OF SILS MARIA: “Maria Enders (Juliette Binoche) is an actress at the peak of her international career who is asked to perform in a revival of the play that made her famous twenty years earlier. Back then she played the role of Sigrid, an alluring young woman who disarms and eventually drives her boss Helena to suicide. Now she is being asked to step into the other role, that of the older Helena. She departs with her assistant (Kristen Stewart) to rehearse in Sils Maria, a remote region of the Alps. A young Hollywood starlet with a penchant for scandal (Chloe Grace Moretz) is to take on the role of Sigrid, and Maria finds herself on the other side of the mirror, face to face with an ambiguously charming woman who is, in essence, an unsettling reflection of herself. (Sundance Selects) Click this LINK to visit the film’s official site.

Synopsis for GREY GARDENS: The original documentary from 1975 has received a 40th Anniversary Restoration! This is one of my favorite movies. In fact, when the musical adaptation premiered (before its move to Broadway), I scurried to NYC to see it. “Meet Big and Little Edie Beale: mother and daughter, high-society dropouts, and reclusive cousins of Jackie Onassis. The two manage to thrive together amid the decay and disorder of their East Hampton, New York, mansion, making for an eerily ramshackle echo of the American Camelot. An impossibly intimate portrait, this 1976 documentary by Albert and David Maysles, codirected by Ellen Hovde and Muffie Meyer, quickly became a cult classic and established Little Edie as a fashion icon and philosopher queen.” (taken from Janus Films) Click this LINK to visit the film’s official site.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ijPIfZt72vc

“Stivers School for the Arts-Film & Animation Studio Presents THE SHOWCASE. This compilation of short films includes live action & animation and ranges from comedy to documentary. Some of these films have already won regional and state awards. Following the show, there will be a Q & A with the student filmmakers. All proceeds go towards updating equipment in the Stivers Film and Animation studio. The Showcase runs one night only – Wednesday, May 20th at 7:30pm. Tickets are$5.00 in advance and $7.00 on the day of the event.. Tickets are now available at THE NEON’s box office and Stivers School for the Arts. Please join us for an evening of entertainment as we celebrate this next generation of filmmakers.” (taken from press release)

On Tuesday, May 26 at 7:30, T.J.’s Place of Hope will host a screening of I AM A GIRL. This film is “an inspirational feature length documentary that paints a clear picture of the reality of what it means to be a girl in the 21st century. Feminism may have promised equality and sought a better and fairer world for women but the reality is that girls make up almost a quarter of the world’s population yet still face the greatest discrimination of any group in the world. Technology and science offer unimaginable potential but we still struggle to ensure men and women are afforded equal opportunities. Yet in spite of these obstacles, girls have found extraordinary ways to persevere and in our documentary we hear their stories of strength, hope, courage and a refusal to be second best.” (taken from Gathr press notes) Advanced tickets are $10 each and must be purchased on Gathr’s website. If tickets remain on the day of the event, they will be available at our box office one hour before the screening. Click this LINK to visit the site and purchase your ticket.

Carol Quinones is trying to bring a special, one-time screening of TRACE AMOUNTS to town on Wednesday, June 10 at 7:30. That said, 50 tickets need to be reserved by May 30 in order to proceed. Click this LINK to reserve your ticket – they’re $12.50 each. “After recovering from a sickness that would bring him to the edge of despair, Eric Gladen began researching the science behind what had made him so sick. His research led him straight into one of the biggest medical debates of all time, the question of whether or not childhood vaccines are causing Autism. He would end up quitting his career, moving into an RV, and traveling the country interviewing experts and piecing together thousands of studies and leaked documents. But Eric wasn’t focused on the vaccines themselves, he was focused on something that belongs nowhere near vaccines- mercury.”

Mark your calendars now for a special screening of a new, crowd-pleasing documentary – TAB HUNTER CONFIDENTIAL. It will screen Thursday, June 18 at 7:30 (tickets $8 each). I’ll include more details in next week’s newsletter.

Thanks for your continued support.
We hope to see you this weekend!

All the best,
Jonathan

SHOWTIMES for Friday, May 15 – Thursday, May 21:

GREY GARDENS (PG) 1 Hr 37 Min
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 3:00
Monday: 3:00, 7:40
Tuesday & Wednesday: 3:00
Thursday: 3:00, 7:40

WHILE WE’RE YOUNG (R) 1 Hr 37 Min
Friday, Saturday: 12:40, 5:10, 7:20, 9:30
Sunday: 12:40, 5:10, 7:20
Monday – Thursday: 5:10

CLOUDS OF SILS MARIA (R) 2 Hrs 4 Min
Friday & Saturday: 1:00, 4:00, 7:00, 9:40
Sunday: 1:00, 4:00, 7:00
Monday – Thursday: 2:45, 5:15, 7:50

STIVERS: THE SHOWCASE (NR)
Wednesday: 7:30

COMING SOON:
(All Dates Are Tentative. Dates Often Move And Sometimes Disappear.)
May 22 – FAR FROM THE MADDING CROWD
TBD – IRIS, SUNSHINE SUPERMAN,
SALT OF THE EARTH, LAMBERT & STAMP, SAINT LAURENT, ALOFT
Early July – ME AND EARL AND THE DYING GIRL

Jack Black, James Marsden & Elaine Paige – See New Films at THE NEON

May 8, 2015 By Jonathan McNeal

Hello Everyone,

Today we opened the Sundance hit THE D TRAIN – a new comedy starring Jack Black and James Marsden. On Wednesday, May 13, we will have a one-night-only screening of I’M STILL HERE: ELAINE PAIGE. In addition, this week we’re holding onto my favorite comedy in a long, long time – WHILE WE’RE YOUNG (starring Ben Stiller and Naomi Watts) and got the last two films for this year’s DAYTON JEWISH FILM FESTIVAL. GREY GARDENS (the original) starts next Friday!

Synopsis for THE D TRAIN: “All his life, Dan Landsman (Jack Black) has never been the cool guy. That’s about to change – if he can convince Oliver Lawless (James Marsden), the most popular guy from his high school who’s now the face of a national Banana Boat ad campaign, to show up with him to their class reunion. A man on a mission, Dan travels from Pittsburgh to LA and spins a web of lies to recruit Lawless. But he gets more than he bargains for as the unpredictable Lawless proceeds to take over his home, career, and entire life.” (IFC Films) Click this LINK to visit the film’s official site.

THE DAYTON JEWISH INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL has a terrific line-up this year, and it is already at the half-way point. Here’s a list of remaining screenings at THE NEON:
Tue, May 12 at 7:15 – FOR A WOMAN
Thu, May 14 at 7:15 – RUN BOY RUN
The official website for the festival has lots more details. You can read about all the films, watch trailers and discover all that the festival has to offer. Check it out by visiting this LINK.

On Wednesday, May 13 at 7:30, we will have a one-time screening of I’M STILL HERE – ELAINE PAIGE AT THE ROYAL ALBERT HALL. Tickets are just now starting to move! “The incomparable Elaine Paige brings her sell-out Farewell Concert from the Royal Albert Hall to the big screen accompanied by a live orchestra featuring special guests. Filmed for cinema, the concert features the BBC Concert Orchestra, with Elaine performing the highlights of her extraordinary 50 year career, including “Memory,” “I Know Him so Well” and “As If We Never Said Goodbye.” The evening will finish with special footage including a Q&A and more intimate performance with special guests recently captured in London.” (taken from press notes) General Admission tickets just $12. Senior tickets just $10. Tickets for this event can be purchased on-line via this LINK. They are also available at our box office (without the surcharge).

Next Friday, we will begin limited screenings of the newly restored, 40th Anniversary edition of GREY GARDENS – one of my favorite documentaries of all time. I’ve heard people in our lobby say “I saw that on HBO, why are they playing it?” This isn’t the made for HBO narrative film starring Drew Barrymore & Jessica Lang, this is the original documentary on which that film was based. This film has been the basis for numerous books, the HBO film and even a Broadway musical. You’ll not want to miss the opportunity to see this classic film on a big screen!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ijPIfZt72vc

Thanks for your continued support.
See you soon,
Jonathan

SHOWTIMES for Friday, May 8 – Thursday, May 14:

THE D TRAIN (R) 1 Hr 37 Min
Friday & Saturday: 12:40, 3:00, 5:15, 7:30, 9:45
Sunday: 12:40, 3:00, 5:15, 7:30
Monday – Wednesday: 2:50, 5:10, 7:30
Thursday: 2:50, 5:10

WHILE WE’RE YOUNG (R) 1 Hr 37 Min
Friday, Saturday: 12:00, 2:20, 4:50, 7:20, 9:40
Sunday: 12:00, 2:20, 4:50, 7:20
Monday: 3:00, 5:15, 7:30
Tuesday & Wednesday: 3:00, 5:15
Thursday: 3:00, 5:15, 7:30

DAYTON JEWISH FILM FESTIVAL
(see list above for specific titles)
Tuesday: 7:15
Thursday: 7:15

I’M STILL HERE: ELAINE PAIGE (NR) 2 Hrs
Wednesday: 7:30

COMING SOON:
(All Dates Are Tentative. Dates Often Move And Sometimes Disappear.)
May 15: GREY GARDENS
May 22 – FAR FROM THE MADDING CROWD
TBD – CLOUDS OF SILS MARIA
IRIS
SUNSHINE SUPERMAN
SALT OF THE EARTH
LAMBERT & STAMP
SAINT LAURENT
ALOFT
Early July – ME AND EARL AND THE DYING GIRL

EX MACHINA Opens Friday & Jewish Film Fest Starts This Weekend at THE NEON!

April 21, 2015 By Jonathan McNeal

Hello Everyone,

If you still need to see WOMAN IN GOLD, a film that many of our regulars are absolutely loving, you only have until Thursday to see it at THE NEON. On Friday, we will open a new sci-fi film about artificial intelligence – one that seems all the more scary after having heard a story about a similar subject on NPR. EX MACHINA has been garnering rave reviews, and it certainly looks sophisticated and thought provoking…it also holds the record for the biggest opening of 2015 in larger markets. We have our fingers crossed that Dayton audiences are interested! TRUE STORY will stick around for another week, and WHILE WE’RE YOUNG will open on May 1. For this week’s remaining showtimes (they’re different than the upcoming week – which are listed below), please visit our website at www.neonmovies.com

Synopsis for EX MACHINA: “Alex Garland, writer of 28 Days Later and Sunshine, makes his directorial debut with the stylish and cerebral thriller, EX MACHINA. Caleb Smith, a programmer at an internet-search giant, wins a competition to spend a week at the private mountain estate of the company’s brilliant and reclusive CEO, Nathan Bateman (Oscar Isaac). Upon his arrival, Caleb learns that Nathan has chosen him to be the human component in a Turing Test-charging him with evaluating the capabilities, and ultimately the consciousness, of Nathan’s latest experiment in artificial intelligence. That experiment is Ava, a breathtaking A.I. whose emotional intelligence proves more sophisticated – and more deceptive – than the two men could have imagined.” (A24) Click this LINK to visit the film’s official site.

THE DAYTON JEWISH INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL has grown considerably over the years, and the line-up is always terrific. Screenings at THE NEON begin this Sunday:
Sun, April 26 at 3:10 – 70 HESTER STREET & THE STURGEON QUEENS.
Sun, April 26 at 5:00 – ZAYTOUN.
Tue, April 28 at 10am – THE OUTRAGEOUS SOPHIE TUCKER.
Tue, April 28 at 7:15 – 24 DAYS.
Wed, May 6 at 7:15 – DANCING IN JAFFA.
Tue, May 12 at 7:15 – FOR A WOMAN.
Thu, May 14 at 7:15 – RUN BOY RUN.
The official website for the festival is now up and running! You can read about all the films, watch trailers and discover all that the festival has to offer. Check it out by visiting this LINK.

Montgomery County Food Policy Coalition is brining a special screening of GROWING CITIES to town. “Growing Cities is a film about urban farming in America. At a time when so much negative attention is paid to the food system – from mad cows to factory farms – this film tells the inspiring stories of city-dwellers who are transforming their communities one vacant lot, backyard beehive, and rooftop farm at a time. Join the filmmakers on a cross-county road trip, along the way these growers show that the urban farming movement is about a whole lot more than simply food and that everyone can take part in creating a healthier, more just, and sustainable food system.” (taken from press notes) This film will screen on Saturday, May 2 at 3:00. Tickets are free, but reservations must be made by calling or emailing Emily Bradford at (937)225-6470 or [email protected]

On Wednesday, May 13 at 7:30, we will have a one-time screening of I’M STILL HERE – ELAINE PAIGE AT THE ROYAL ALBERT HALL. “The incomparable Elaine Paige brings her sell-out Farewell Concert from the Royal Albert Hall to the big screen accompanied by a live orchestra featuring special guests. Filmed for cinema, the concert features the BBC Concert Orchestra, with Elaine performing the highlights of her extraordinary 50 year career, including “Memory,” “I Know Him so Well” and “As If We Never Said Goodbye.” The evening will finish with special footage including a Q&A and more intimate performance with special guests recently captured in London.” (taken from press notes) General Admission tickets just $12. Senior tickets just $10. Tickets for this event can be purchased on-line via this LINK. They are also available at our box office (without the surcharge).

“Stivers School for the Arts-Film & Animation Studio Presents THE SHOWCASE. This compilation of short films includes live action & animation and ranges from comedy to documentary. Some of these films have already won regional and state awards. Following the show, there will be a Q & A with the student filmmakers. All proceeds go towards updating equipment in the Stivers Film and Animation studio. The Showcase runs one night only – Wednesday, May 20th at 7:30pm. Tickets are$5.00 in advance and $7.00 on the day of the event.. Tickets will soon be available at THE NEON’s box office and Stivers School for the Arts. Please join us for an evening of entertainment as we celebrate this next generation of filmmakers.” (taken from press release)

Thanks for your continued support.

See you soon,

Jonathan

SHOWTIMES for Friday, April 24 – Thursday, April 30:

EX MACHINA (R) 1 Hr 48 Min
Friday, Saturday: 12:10, 2:30, 5:00, 7:30, 9:50
Sunday: 12:10, 2:30, 5:30, 7:30
Monday – Thursday: 2:55, 5:15, 7:40

TRUE STORY (R) 1 Hr 40 Min
Friday, Saturday: 12:00, 2:20, 4:50, 7:20, 9:45
Sunday: 12:00, 7:30
Monday: 2:40, 5:10, 7:30
Tuesday: 2:40, 5:10
Wednesday & Thursday: 2:40, 5:10, 7:30

DAYTON JEWISH FILM FESTIVAL
(see list above for specific titles)
Sunday: 3:10, 5:00
Tuesday: 10am, 7:15

COMING SOON:
(All Dates Are Tentative. Dates Often Move And Sometimes Disappear.)
May 1 – WHILE WE’RE YOUNG
TBD- RED ARMY
TBD – MERCHANTS OF DOUBT
TBD – GREY GARDENS
TBD – ’71
May 22 – FAR FROM THE MADDING CROWD
TBD – ME AND EARL AND THE DYING GIRL

Franco and Hill in TRUE STORY Starts Friday + Elaine Paige News at THE NEON!

April 14, 2015 By Jonathan McNeal

Hello Everyone,

If you still need to see THE WRECKING CREW, IT FOLLOWS or WILD TALES, you only have until Thursday (Apr. 16). WOMAN IN GOLD was loved by patrons this weekend, and it will stick around for another week. Many thanks if you hurried out this past weekend to see it! On Friday, we will open a film based on a true story…and guess what, it’s called TRUE STORY – starring Jonah Hill, James Franco and Felicity Jones. For this week’s remaining showtimes (they’re different than the upcoming week – which are listed below), please visit our website at www.neonmovies.com

Synopsis for TRUE STORY: “When disgraced New York Times reporter Michael Finkel (Jonah Hill) meets accused killer Christian Longo (James Franco) – who has taken on Finkel’s identity – his investigation morphs into an unforgettable game of cat and mouse. Based on actual events, Finkel’s relentless pursuit of Longo’s true story encompasses murder, love, deceit, and redemption.” (Fox Searchlight) Click this LINK to visit the film’s official site.

“This Sunday, April 19 at 3:00, join The Dayton International Peace Museum at THE NEON for an upbeat rally to inspire, inform and prepare Team Captains for their essential role in the upcoming May 2 Peace Heroes Walk at RiverScape MetroPark. Featured speaker will be Captain Paul Chappell, author, educator and Peace Leadership Director at the Nuclear Age Peace Foundation. Featured musical entertainment will be Michael and Sandy Bashaw. Artists/musicians Michael and Sandy Bashaw are based in Dayton, Ohio. Michael is a musician, visual artist, and educator. For over 25 years, he has conducted residencies and workshops in hundreds of schools. Sandy began her musical career as a folksinger and recording artist for the Vanguard Recording Society. Both are BMI-affiliated, Emmy-nominated composers. More information about the walk at: PeaceHeroesWalk.org This event is sponsored by the Dayton International Peace Museum and NCCJ of Greater Dayton. It is open to anyone interested in helping organize a team for this year’s Walk.” (taken from The Dayton International Peace Museum press notes)

THE DAYTON JEWISH INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL has grown considerably over the years, and the line-up is always terrific. The following are films that will screen at THE NEON:
Sun, April 26 at 3:10 – 70 HESTER STREET & THE STURGEON QUEENS.
Sun, April 26 at 5:00 – ZAYTOUN.
Tue, April 28 at 10am – THE OUTRAGEOUS SOPHIE TUCKER.
Tue, April 28 at 7:15 – 24 DAYS.
Wed, May 6 at 7:15 – DANCING IN JAFFA.
Tue, May 12 at 7:15 – FOR A WOMAN.
Thu, May 14 at 7:15 – RUN BOY RUN.
The official website for the festival is now up and running! You can read about all the films, watch trailers and discover all that the festival has to offer. Check it out by visiting this LINK.

Montgomery County Food Policy Coalition is brining a special screening of GROWING CITIES to town. “Growing Cities is a film about urban farming in America. At a time when so much negative attention is paid to the food system – from mad cows to factory farms – this film tells the inspiring stories of city-dwellers who are transforming their communities one vacant lot, backyard beehive, and rooftop farm at a time. Join the filmmakers on a cross-county road trip, along the way these growers show that the urban farming movement is about a whole lot more than simply food and that everyone can take part in creating a healthier, more just, and sustainable food system.” (taken from press notes) This film will screen on Saturday, May 2 at 3:00. Tickets are free, but reservations must be made by call or emailing Emily Bradford at (937)225-6470 or [email protected]

On Wednesday, May 13 at 7:30, we will have a one-time screening of I’M STILL HERE – ELAINE PAIGE AT THE ROYAL ALBERT HALL. “The incomparable Elaine Paige brings her sell-out Farewell Concert from the Royal Albert Hall to the big screen accompanied by a live orchestra featuring special guests. Filmed for cinema, the concert features the BBC Concert Orchestra, with Elaine performing the highlights of her extraordinary 50 year career, including “Memory,” “I Know Him so Well” and “As If We Never Said Goodbye.” The evening will finish with special footage including a Q&A and more intimate performance with special guests recently captured in London.” (taken from press notes) General Admission tickets just $12. Senior tickets just $10. Tickets for this event can be purchased on-line via this LINK. They will also be available at THE NEON’s box office (without the surcharge) beginning 4/15/15.

We have so many one-night-only events on the horizon. In the next couple months, we’ll have Gathr screenings, a Stivers Student Showcase, and a special presentation of TAB HUNTER CONFIDENTIAL. More details coming soon. Stay tuned for the latest!

Thanks for your continued support.

See you soon,
Jonathan

SHOWTIMES for Friday, April 17 – Thursday, April 23:

WOMAN IN GOLD (PG-13) 1 Hr 49 Min
Friday, Saturday: 12:10, 2:30, 5:00, 7:30, 9:50
Sunday: 12:10, 5:15, 7:30
Monday – Thursday: 2:55, 5:15, 7:40

TRUE STORY (R) 1 Hr 40 Min
Friday, Saturday: 12:00, 2:20, 4:50, 7:20, 9:45
Sunday: 12:00, 2:20, 4:50, 7:20
Monday – Thursday: 3:00, 5:30, 7:50

Dayton International Peace Museum’s
PEACE HEROES WALK RALLY (NR)
Sunday: 3:00

COMING SOON:
(All Dates Are Tentative. Dates Often Move And Sometimes Disappear.)
April 24 – WHILE WE’RE YOUNG
TBD- RED ARMY
TBD – MERCHANTS OF DOUBT
TBD – GREY GARDENS
TBD – ’71
May 22 – FAR FROM THE MADDING CROWD
TBD – ME AND EARL AND THE DYING GIRL

WOMAN IN GOLD Opens Friday at THE NEON!

April 8, 2015 By Jonathan McNeal

Hello Everyone,

If you still need to see THE WRECKING CREW, IT FOLLOWS or WILD TALES, you’re in luck. We’re going to hold them for one more week (April 16 will be the last day for all three films). In addition, on Friday, we will open a film many of you have been anxious to see – WOMAN IN GOLD. For this week’s remaining showtimes (they’re different than the upcoming week – which are listed below), please visit our website at www.neonmovies.com

Synopsis for WOMAN IN GOLD: “Sixty years after she fled Vienna during World War II, an elderly Jewish woman, Maria Altmann (Helen Mirren), starts her journey to retrieve family possessions seized by the Nazis, among them Klimt’s famous painting ‘The Lady in Gold.’ Together with her inexperienced but plucky young lawyer Randy Schoenberg (Ryan Reynolds), she embarks upon a major battle which takes them all the way to the heart of the Austrian establishment and the U.S. Supreme Court, and forces her to confront difficult truths about the past along the way.” Click this LINK to visit the film’s official site.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9bx3KTGBEaI

LUNAFEST returns this Sunday! “Established in 2000, LUNAFEST connects women, their stories and their causes through film. This traveling film festival spotlights the work of a diverse array of talented women filmmakers with intelligent, funny and thought-provoking themes. 100 percent of all net proceeds are donated to charity. LUNAFEST’s main beneficiary, the Breast Cancer Fund, is dedicated to eliminating the environmental causes of breast cancer. Through education, policy initiatives and other innovative campaigns, the Breast Cancer Fund mobilizes the public to help stop this devastating epidemic affecting 1 in 8 women.” In addition to the traveling line-up, this special screening will include the short film ESTRAGON’S BOOT by local filmmaker Rani Deighe Crowe. LUNAFEST will be held on Sunday, April 12 at 3:00. Tickets (now available at THE NEON) are $5 for students with valid IDs and $10 for general admission. Dayton’s Lunafest is sponsored by The Dayton Women’s Rights Alliance – a feminist organization whose members work to promote and protect the rights of women of all classes, races and cultures. Money raised from this screening will additionally benefit Planned Parenthood of Southwest Ohio. Click this LINK to find out more about this year’s films.

“On Sunday, April 19 at 3:00, join The Dayton International Peace Museum at THE NEON for an upbeat rally to inspire, inform and prepare Team Captains for their essential role in the upcoming May 2 Peace Heroes Walk at RiverScape MetroPark. Featured speaker will be Captain Paul Chappell, author, educator and Peace Leadership Director at the Nuclear Age Peace Foundation. Featured musical entertainment will be Michael and Sandy Bashaw. Artists/musicians Michael and Sandy Bashaw are based in Dayton, Ohio. Michael is a musician, visual artist, and educator. For over 25 years, he has conducted residencies and workshops in hundreds of schools. Sandy began her musical career as a folksinger and recording artist for the Vanguard Recording Society. Both are BMI-affiliated, Emmy-nominated composers. More information about the walk at: PeaceHeroesWalk.org This event is sponsored by the Dayton International Peace Museum and NCCJ of Greater Dayton. It is open to anyone interested in helping organize a team for this year’s Walk.” (taken from The Dayton International Peace Museum press notes)

Visit The Jewish Community Center’s Event Page by clicking this LINK. The official website will include all local screenings and events…and it will be up and running soon!

Montgomery County Food Policy Coalition is brining a special screening of GROWING CITIES to town. “Growing Cities is a film about urban farming in America. At a time when so much negative attention is paid to the food system – from mad cows to factory farms – this film tells the inspiring stories of city-dwellers who are transforming their communities one vacant lot, backyard beehive, and rooftop farm at a time. Join the filmmakers on a cross-county road trip, along the way these growers show that the urban farming movement is about a whole lot more than simply food and that everyone can take part in creating a healthier, more just, and sustainable food system.” This film will screen on Saturday, May 2 at 3:00. Tickets are free, but reservations must be made by call or emailing Emily Bradford at (937)225-6470 or [email protected]

In the next couple weeks, we plan to really keep moving with our traditional engagements. On April 17, we will open TRUE STORY – starring Jonah Hill and James Franco. On April 24, we will open one of my favorite comedies of the past few years – WHILE WE’RE YOUNG.

Thanks for your continued support.

See you soon,
Jonathan

SHOWTIMES for Friday, April 10 – Thursday, April 16:

WOMAN IN GOLD (PG-13) 1 Hr 49 Min
Friday, Saturday: 12:10, 2:30, 5:00, 7:30, 9:50
Sunday: 12:10, 2:30, 5:00, 7:30
Monday – Thursday: 2:55, 5:15, 7:40

WILD TALES (R) 2 Hr 2 Min
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 12:15
Monday – Thursday: 5:20

THE WRECKING CREW (PG) 1 Hr 40 Min
Friday, Saturday: 2:50, 7:20
Sunday: 7:30
Monday – Thursday: 3:00

IT FOLLOWS (R) 1 Hr 40 Min
Friday & Saturday: 5:10, 9:30
Sunday: 5:20
Monday – Thursday: 7:50

LUNAFEST w/ ESTRAGONS BOOT (NR) 2 Hrs
Sunday: 3:00

COMING SOON:
(All Dates Are Tentative. Dates Often Move And Sometimes Disappear.)
April 17 – TRUE STORY
April 24 – WHILE WE’RE YOUNG
TBD – RED ARMY
TBD – MERCHANTS OF DOUBT
TBD – GREY GARDENS
TBD – ’71
May 22 – FAR FROM THE MADDING CROWD