colin firth

Colin Firth & Emma Stone in Woody Allen’s MAGIC IN THE MOONLIGHT at THE NEON!

August 14, 2014 By Jonathan McNeal

Hello Everyone,

Woody Allen’s last three films – MIDNIGHT IN PARIS, TO ROME WITH LOVE and BLUE JASMINE – have all been big hits at THE NEON. On Friday, we will open Allen’s latest film – a 1920’s romantic comedy starring Colin Frith and Emma Stone – MAGIC IN THE MOONLIGHT. BOYHOOD – the best-reviewed film of the year – will stick around for another week.

Synopsis for MAGIC IN THE MOONLIGHT: “Chinese conjuror Wei Ling Soo is the most celebrated magician of his age, but few know that he is the stage persona of Stanley Crawford (Colin Firth), a grouchy and arrogant Englishman with a sky-high opinion of himself and an aversion to phony spiritualists’ claims. Persuaded by his friend, Howard Burkan (Simon McBurney), Stanley goes on a mission to the Cote d’Azur mansion of the Catledge family: mother Grace (Jacki Weaver), son Brice (Hamish Linklater), and daughter Caroline (Erica Leerhsen). He presents himself as a businessman named Stanley Taplinger in order to debunk the alluring young clairvoyant Sophie Baker (Emma Stone) who is staying there with her mother (Marcia Gay Harden)…What follows is a series of events that are magical in every sense of the word and send the characters reeling. In the end, the biggest trick MAGIC IN THE MOONLIGHT plays is the one that fools us all.” (taken from Sony Pictures Classics) Click this LINK to visit the film’s official site.

The FilmDayton Film Festival is just around the corner – August 22-24. The full schedule has been released and festival passes and single tickets are now available on-line. Check out the line-up and purchase your tickets at the festival’s Official Site. In addition to screenings that will be held at THE NEON, there are a number of other special programs happening downtown. Here’s a list of what’s happening at THE NEON:
Friday, Aug. 22 at 7pm – THE INFINITE MAN
Friday, Aug. 22 at 9pm – FLICK MY CLIP
Saturday, Aug. 23 at Noon – INTERNATIONAL SHORTS
Saturday, Aug. 23 at 2pm – GIVE TO LIVE THE MOVIE
Saturday, Aug. 23 at 4pm – OHIO SHORTS
Saturday, Aug. 23 at 7pm – ZERO MOTIVATION
Sunday, Aug. 24 at 12:30pm – U.S. SHORTS
Sunday, Aug. 24 at 3:15pm – STOMPING GROUND
Sunday, Aug. 24 at 5:30pm – THIS TIME NEXT YEAR
Sunday, Aug. 24 at 8pm – FILMDAYTON AWARDS

On Saturday, August 30 at noon, Roosevelt Class of ’67 will hold a fundraiser with a screening of BUCK AND THE PREACHER. “The film stars several icons who were at the beginning of their careers. Sidney Pointier stars as Buck. This was also the first film that he directed. Harry Belafonte stars as the preacher. His production company, Belafonte Enterprise produced the film with others. Ruby Dee was the wife of Buck. This film was set in Kansas Territory immediately following the Civil War in the late 1860’s. The cost is $20. This includes the movie, glass of wine, soda, and popcorn. Tickets are available at THE NEON.” (taken from press notes)

Mark your calendars now for The Dayton LGBT Film Festival – set for October 10-12. I met with the festival committee on Sunday for our epic, hash-it-out, planning meeting…and we came up with a really strong line-up of films. That said, I’m still awaiting confirmation from a couple titles before I can make big announcements. However, I can announce this – our Opening Night film – THE WAY HE LOOKS, sponsored by Square One Salon & Spa – is a huge crowd pleaser that has been winning awards all around the world. I hope you’ll hurry down to get tickets once they go on sale!

Thanks for your continued support!
Jonathan

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

MAGIC IN THE MOONLIGHT (PG-13) 1 Hr 37 Min
Friday, Saturday: 12:40, 2:50, 5:00, 7:20, 9:30
Sunday: 12:40, 2:50, 5:00, 7:20
Monday & Tuesday: 3:00, 5:20, 7:40
Wednesday: 3:00, 5:20, 8:30
Thursday: 3:00, 5:20, 7:40

BOYHOOD (R) 2 Hr 45 Min
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 1:00, 4:30, 8:00
Monday – Thursday: 3:30, 7:30

COMING SOON:
(All Dates Are Tentative. Dates Often Move And Sometimes Disappear.)
Aug 29 – LAND HO
Aug 29 – CALVARY
TBD – TRIP TO ITALY
TBD – LOVE IS STRANGE
TBD – ALIVE INSIDE
TBD – SKELETON TWINS

GOD’S POCKET – One of Philip Seymour Hoffman’s Last Films – Opens Friday!

May 13, 2014 By Jonathan McNeal Leave a Comment

Hello Everyone,

It’s now time to bid adieu to our 3rd highest grossing film ever – THE GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL. Many thanks to all of you who helped make this film such a success. Thursday will be its last day at THE NEON. In addition, Thursday will be the last day for UNDER THE SKIN. Hurry down if you still need to see these films. (Showtimes for this week can still be found on our website at www.neonmovies.com )

Last weekend didn’t go as well as we had hoped for THE RAILWAY MAN. Though mediocre reviews may have kept some folks away, many of our regulars agreed that the film is actually quite powerful…and the performances from Colin Firth and Nicole Kidman are worth the price of admission. We will hold the film for another week. In addition, we will open the film GOD’S POCKET – one of Philip Seymour Hoffman’s final films.

Synopsis for GOD’S POCKET: Philip Seymour Hoffman, John Turturro, Christina Hendricks and Richard Jenkins star in the directorial debut from John Slattery (known for his work on MAD MEN). “In the gritty, blue-collar neighborhood of God’s Pocket, Mickey Scarpato’s crazy stepson, Leon, is killed in a construction ‘accident,’ and Mickey quickly tries to bury the bad news with the body. But when a local columnist comes sniffing around for the truth, things go from bad to worse. Mickey finds himself stuck in a life-and-death struggle compounded by a body he can’t bury, a wife he can’t please, and a debt he can’t pay. Acclaimed actor John Slattery makes an impressive jump behind the camera with an assured directorial debut that shows he has a razor-sharp eye for conveying the absurdity, cruelty, desperation, and tragic optimism of the people he portrays.” (taken from IFC Films)

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

The 2014 Dayton Jewish Film Festival is already winding down. Only 2 films are left. Click this LINK to visit the festival’s official site…details for buying advanced tickets can be found there. Here is a list of remaining films that are screening at THE NEON:
Thursday, May 15 at 7:15 – WHITE PANTHER
Sunday, May 18 at 7:15 – THE THIRD HALF
Program guides are currently available in our lobby!

Don’t forget about tomorrow evening’s special presentation in celebration of National Architecture Week. The American Institute of Architects Dayton will present 2 special films on Wednesday, May 14 at 7:30. PEOPLE IN GLASS HOUSES (45 Minutes) celebrates the mid-century modern homes designed by Joseph Eichler in California between 1949 and 1974 and MONUMENT TO A DREAM (30 Minutes) traces the adventure of the St. Louis Arch’s evolution, from early concepts on the drawing boards to the fabrication of its stainless steel sections, and the triumphant placement, in a race against the sun, of its final section in the fall of 1965. Tickets, just $5 each, are now available at THE NEON’s box office.

“Stivers School for the Arts presents THE SHOWCASE 2014. This eclectic compilation of short films includes absurdly comedic work as well as hard hitting documentaries. Some of these films have already won national and regional awards. Following the show will be a Q & A with the student filmmakers. All proceeds go toward updating equipment in the Stivers video and animation studio. Tickets are $5.00 during the pre-sale and will be $7.00 the night of the screening. This presentation will screen on Tuesday, May 20 at 7:30. Tickets are available at THE NEON box office and Stivers School of the Arts.” (taken from press notes)

The Dayton Gay Men’s Chorus is celebrating the life and legacy of gay rights pioneer Harvey Milk with a 2 1/2 week celebration. Over that time, the chorus will screen THE TIMES OF HARVEY MILK at THE NEON as well as premiere a new work – I AM HARVEY MILK – at The Victoria Theatre. They will additionally host a brunch at Wheat Penny. More information on all these events (including ticketing details) can be found on the DGMC official site. If you’re only able to see the film (which includes the screening at THE NEON, a post-screening discussion with community leaders, and a reception at Serendipity Bistro), those tickets can be purchased at THE NEON’s box office for $15 each. This documentary from 1984 played a big part in the creation of the screenplay for the MILK biopic from 2008. It screens Thursday, May 22 at 7:15.

“On a fall afternoon in 1976, young Annie Parker (Samantha Morton) loses everything a person can lose, including her family. Through the years, Annie continues her fight, even after she is diagnosed with breast cancer herself. Meanwhile, far away, brilliant research scientist Mary-Claire King (Helen Hunt), contrary to the advice of her colleagues, is embarking on a journey that will touch millions of lives – one of the most important scientific discoveries of the twentieth century: the BRCA1 gene. This film premier of DECODING ANNIE PARKER, taking place Thursday June 12 at 7:30pm at THE NEON, is hosted by Cancer Support Community Western Ohio. Tickets cost $35 and include admission, concessions, a red carpet with photographers, complimentary wine and cheese, a Q&A with a panel of local experts, and a tax-deductible charitable donation to CSCWO. Tickets can be obtained by calling CSCWO at 937-223-4117 or visiting cancersupportwesternohio.org or visiting dineoutdayton.com.”

Many thanks for your continued interest in THE NEON.

We hope to see you soon!

All the best,
Jonathan

SHOWTIMES for Friday, May 16 – Thursday, May 22:

GOD’S POCKET (R) 1 Hr 28 Min
Friday, Saturday: 1:00, 3:00, 5:10, 7:20, 9:30
Sunday: 1:00, 3:00, 5:10, 7:20
Monday – Thursday: 3:00, 5:10, 7:20

THE RAILWAY MAN (R) 1 Hr 56 Min
Friday, Saturday: 12:15, 2:40, 5:00, 7:30, 9:50
Sunday: 12:15, 2:40, 5:00
Monday: 2:40, 5:00, 7:30
Tuesday: 2:40, 5:00
Wednesday: 2:40, 5:00, 7:30
Thursday: 2:40, 5:00

DAYTON JEWISH FILM FESTIVAL
THE THIRD HALF (NR) 1 Hr 55 Min – Sunday at 7:15

STIVERS: THE SHOWCASE 2014 (NR)
Tuesday: 7:30

THE TIMES OF HARVEY MILK (NR) 1 Hr 28 Min
Thursday: 7:15

COMING SOON:
(All Dates Are Tentative. Dates Often Move And Sometimes Disappear.)
May 23 – BELLE
May 30 – ONLY LOVERS LEFT ALIVE
May 30 – JODOROWSKI’S DUNE
June 13 – FOR NO GOOD REASON
TBD – DOM HEMINGWAY

Toronto – Day #8 – 2013

September 13, 2013 By Jonathan McNeal Leave a Comment

My time in Toronto is wrapping up. I’ll screen a couple films today and perhaps 1 film early tomorrow before I head to the airport. It’s been a blast so far, but I am starting to drag.

The first film I saw yesterday was IGNACI M. – a Spanish documentary about an artist. Brought up in a home with a mother and father who were also artists, this is an exploration of his relationships with his parents, children, and others in the community. Ignaci is a colorful, gay, HIV+ man who takes 29 pills every day (the opening of the film has him explaining each pill – which is funny and heartbreaking all at once) and is willing to speak frankly with anyone. Though I found this piece interesting, some of the interviews go on way too long. I felt as though the editor was stretching this film to make it a feature – whereas it would make a much stronger 30-40 minute portrait. (The cheesy photoshoot moments didn’t help matters.)

THE RAILWAY MAN, based on a memoir by Eric Lomax, is the story of a man who is dealing with the demons of having been tortured while a prisoner of the Japanese troops in Thailand. Starring Colin Firth and Nicole Kidman (among many other great performances in the flashback scenes), this film has lush visuals and strong performances. Lomax, in real life, died just last year…and the director of the film told the audience “Lomax loved that Colin Firth was playing him…his wife Patti was at the festival earlier in the week…she loved being here with her best friend Nicole.” This film is well done, and it will appeal to people who love historical, war dramas – like THE EMPEROR from earlier this year.

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

SALVATION ARMY is a quiet, directorial debut for Abdellah Taia – based on his own semi-autobiographical novel. This is the story of a young Moroccan boy who is discovering his sexuality and social codes in Casablanca. Told in two parts, we see his upbringing and familial relations…then we see him off to study in Geneva – where more political and social obstacles lay in wait. With very little dialog and told in a very matter-of-fact style, this film is certainly not for everyone…but I liked it quite a bit. (Below is just a clip – a trailer doesn’t exist yet.)

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5_CB0aVpKsw’]

And off I go to start my day.

Thanks for reading!

TINKER TAILOR SOLDIER SPY Opens Friday at THE NEON!

January 3, 2012 By Jonathan McNeal Leave a Comment

Hello Everyone,

It’s time to say farewell to THE DESCENDANTS – one of our big hits from 2011. If you haven’t seen the film yet (or need to see it again), you only have through Thursday to see it at THE NEON. On Friday, we will open a film that has been long-awaited by several of you and a “Top 10” for numerous critics – TINKER TAILOR SOLDIER SPY. For our other screen, MY WEEK WITH MARILYN will hold for another week.

I just found out that we will not be exclusive on TINKER TAILOR. Though this is a big disappointment, I hope you’ll help us by telling your friends & family to please support this film at THE NEON. Having a great opening weekend will help send the message to distributors that THE NEON is where people want to see smart, thought-provoking cinema.

Synopsis for TINKER TAILOR SOLDIER SPY: “The time is 1973. The Cold War of the mid-20th Century continues to damage international relations. Britain’s Secret Intelligence Service (SIS), a.k.a. MI6 and code-named the Circus, is striving to keep pace with other countries’ espionage efforts and to keep the U.K. secure. When things go awry, it’s up to top lieutenant, George Smiley, a career spy with razor-sharp senses, to get things back on track.” (Taken from Focus Features) Based on the 1974 novel by John le Carre that “redefined the spy thriller,” the new film stars Gary Oldman, John Hurt, Toby Jones, Colin Firth, Tom Hardy and Mark Strong.

Click this link to visit the film’s official site.

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

We have several organizations renting our space for special events in the coming weeks…so I’ll hopefully have more details for you by next week’s newsletter.

We hope to see you this weekend at THE NEON,

Jonathan

SHOWTIMES for Friday Jan 6 – Thursday Jan 12:

TINKER TAILOR SOLDIER SPY (R) 2 Hrs 07 Min

Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 1:00, 4:15, 7:15, 9:45

Monday – Thursday: 2:30, 5:15, 8:00

MY WEEK WITH MARILYN (R) 1 Hr 39 Min

Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 12:50, 3:00, 5:10, 7:20, 9:30

Monday – Thursday: 3:00, 5:10, 7:20

COMING SOON:

As always, all dates are tentative.

Many of these dates will change.

In some cases, titles may disappear.

Jan. 13 CARNAGE

Jan. 20 THE ARTIST

TBD THE HEDGEHOG

TBD SHAME

TBD A DANGEROUS METHOD