Dayton Ohio

SKELETON TWINS and ALIVE INSIDE Open at THE NEON!

September 25, 2014 By Jonathan McNeal

Hello Everyone,

We’re moving forward this weekend with 2 new films! THE SKELETON TWINS has been winning high praise for Kristen Wiig and Bill Hader, and ALIVE INSIDE is a moving documentary that will uplift audiences and perhaps start a local movement.

Synopsis for THE SKELETON TWINS: “When estranged twins Maggie (Kristen Wiig) and Milo (Bill Hader) feel they’re at the end of their ropes, an unexpected reunion forces them to confront why their lives went so wrong. As the twins reconnect, they realize the key to fixing their lives may just lie in repairing their relationship.” (taken from Roadside Attractions) Click this LINK to visit the film’s official site.

Synopsis for ALIVE INSIDE: “Alive Inside is a joyous cinematic exploration of music’s capacity to reawaken our souls and uncover the deepest parts of our humanity. Filmmaker Michael Rossato-Bennett chronicles the astonishing experiences of individuals around the country who have been revitalized through the simple experience of listening to music. His camera reveals the uniquely human connection we find in music and how its healing power can triumph where prescription medication falls short. This stirring documentary follows social worker Dan Cohen, founder of the nonprofit organization Music & Memory, as he fights against a broken healthcare system to demonstrate music’s ability to combat memory loss and restore a deep sense of self to those suffering from it…An uplifting cinematic exploration of music and the mind, Alive Inside’s inspirational and emotional story left audiences humming, clapping and cheering at the 2014 Sundance Film Festival, where it won the Audience Award.” (taken from Bond/360) Click this LINK to visit the film’s official site.

“On Wednesday, October 8 at 7:30, there will be a one-time screening of AMERICAN WINTER immediately followed by a moderated discussion with the producer Harry Gantz. This screening is sponsored by the City of Dayton, Ohio CDC Association, and CareSource. ‘For countless middle-class families who have experienced job loss or an unexpected financial setback, the American Dream has become an American nightmare. Working families, seemingly on a path toward economic security, have discovered how quickly they can slip from the middle class into poverty. The film presents an intimate snapshot of the state of the nation’s economy as it is playing out in the lives of many American families.’ (From American Winter notes) A must see for those working with those in poverty and those involved in the formation of policy that impacts the community’s safety net services! Admission is $5 and open to the public. Tickets can be purchased by visiting THE NEON’s box office, going to www.thinktank-inc.org or by contacting [email protected].” (taken from press notes)

We received wonderful news late last week. THE WAY HE LOOKS, the opening night film of this year’s Dayton LGBT Film Festival, was selected by Brazil to represent their country in this year’s Oscar race. We’re so delighted that this little gem is getting such great recognition around the world! Our festival’s official website is now live, and festival passes (only 2 left) and single tickets are starting to move. Click this LINK to visit the site and read all about the films. If you get a ticket to Opening Night (only $8), you get to see the film (sponsored by Square One Salon & Spa) and attend the Opening Night Party at Salar (sponsored by Lisa Hanauer & Sue Spiegel) – where there will be complimentary wine and delicious appetizers. It’s really the best deal in town!

Thanks for your continued support!

Jonathan

SHOWTIMES for Friday, Sept. 26 – Thursday, Oct. 2:

THE SKELETON TWINS (R) 1 Hr 33 Min
Friday & Saturday: 12:30, 2:45, 5:00, 7:20, 9:40
Sunday: 12:30, 2:45, 5:00, 7:20
Monday: 3:15, 5:30, 7:45
Tuesday: 5:30, 7:45
Wednesday & Thursday: 3:15, 5:30, 7:45

ALIVE INSIDE (NR) 1 Hr 18 Min
Friday & Saturday: 1:00, 3:00, 5:15, 7:30, 9:30
Sunday: 1:00, 3:00, 5:15, 7:30
Monday: 3:00, 5:15, 7:30
Tuesday: 3:00, 7:30
Wednesday & Thursday: 3:00, 5:15, 7:30

COMING SOON:
(All Dates Are Tentative. Dates Often Move And Sometimes Disappear.)
Oct. 3 – LOVE IS STRANGE
Oct. 10-12 – DAYTON LGBT FILM FEST
Oct. 17 – MY OLD LADY
Oct. 24 – PRIDE
Nov. 7 – BIRDMAN
Nov. 14 – WHIPLASH
Nov. 28 – THE THEORY OF EVERYTHING

LAND HO! Starts Friday at THE NEON!

September 4, 2014 By Jonathan McNeal

Hello Everyone,

Wow! We had a terrific weekend…much better than anticipated. Many thanks to all of you who came out to support our films. CALVARY performed better in Dayton than in many other cities, and we’re delighted and grateful. BOYHOOD has already screened for the last time, but MAGIC IN THE MOONLIGHT and CALVARY will stick around. In addition, we will open a film that many of you have been asking about – LAND HO! If you’ve been to THE NEON recently, you’ve more than likely seen the trailer. Remaining showtimes for this week can be found on our website at www.neonmovies.com.

Synopsis for LAND HO!: “A pair of 60-something ex-brothers-in-law sets off on a road trip through Iceland, hoping to reclaim their youth. Their picaresque adventures, from trendy Reykjavík to rugged outback, are a throwback to classic bawdy road comedies as well as a candid exploration of aging, loneliness, and friendship.” (taken from Sony Classics) Click on this LINK to visit the film’s official website.

KRW Cycles in Clayton hopes you’ll help tip the scales and bring PENTON to THE NEON. “The John Penton Story is an American story about family, competition, ingenuity and business that will tug at hearts of everyone who sees it. John Penton is motorcycle icon and pioneer who’s life on a farm in Ohio led to a long list of motorcycling accomplishments and global notoriety. What began with a humble motorcycle shop, turned into international off-road racing career leading him to the discovery of the need for a smaller machine which he was soon selling in the US. With his innovative Penton motorcycles he introduced riding to a new generation of riders around the world.” (taken from press notes) Click this LINK to the official site and reserve your ticket. If enough people don’t reserve a ticket by Sept. 5, the screening will not happen and your credit card will not be charged.

Start Freedom Dayton is hoping you’ll help tip the scales to bring #StandWithMe to Dayton on Thursday, Sept. 25. This film will only screen if 68 tickets are sold by Friday, Sept. 12. Click this LINK to watch a trailer and reserve your ticket now (if not enough tickets are reserved, your card will never be charged). “Only a 9-year-old would dream that a lemonade stand could free 500 enslaved children. What followed became so much bigger. After seeing a photo of two enslaved boys in Nepal, Vivienne Harr is moved to help in the only way she knows how: by setting up her lemonade stand. With the goal of freeing 500 children from a life of slavery, she sets up her stand every day, rain or shine. As Vivienne’s vision begins to show promise for something greater, her community stands with her – and she develops her own Social Purpose Company. In telling Vivienne’s story, #standwithme examines the realities of modern-day slavery, the role we play in it as consumers, and the importance of knowing the story behind what we buy.” (taken from tugg press notes)

Have you seen the trailer or read about the incredibly moving documentary ALIVE INSIDE? (If not, check out the official site.) We will have a traditional engagement of the film beginning sometime in late September or October, but a special preview screening is being planned for Wednesday, September 24 at 7:30. Special details are still in the works, but I wanted to let you know right away. Regular ticket prices will apply, and tickets are now available at THE NEON’s box office.

I just made it to Toronto for the Toronto International Film Festival. I’ll see numerous films over the course of 9 days, and in order to keep track of what I’m seeing, I’ll keep a daily blog. Starting this morning, you can click this LINK daily to read about my adventures.

Thanks for your continued support!

Jonathan

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SHOWTIMES for Friday, Sept. 5 – Thursday, Sept. 11:

MAGIC IN THE MOONLIGHT (PG-13) 1 Hr 37 Min
Friday, Saturday: 12:50, 5:10, 9:30
Sunday:12:50, 5:10
Monday – Thursday: 5:20

LAND HO! (R) 1 Hr 35 Min
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 3:00, 7:20
Monday – Thursday: 3:10, 7:30

CALVARY (R) 1 Hr 40 Min
Friday, Saturday: 12:45, 3:00, 5:15, 7:30, 9:45
Sunday: 12:45, 3:00, 5:15, 7:30
Monday – Thursday: 3:15, 5:30, 8:00

COMING SOON:

(All Dates Are Tentative. Dates Often Move And Sometimes Disappear.)

Sept. 12 – THE DROP
Sept. 12 – TRIP TO ITALY
Sept. 26 – SKELETON TWINS
Sept. 26 – ALIVE INSIDE
Oct. 3 – LOVE IS STRANGE
Oct. 10-12 – DAYTON LGBT FILM FEST
Oct. 24 – PRIDE
Nov. 28 – THE THEORY OF EVERYTHING

I ORIGINS Opens & BOYHOOD Continues at THE NEON!

August 6, 2014 By Jonathan McNeal

Hello Everyone,

We had a very solid weekend with BOYHOOD. Many thanks to all of you who came out to support it. (We even had quite a few folks from Cincinnati – the film isn’t playing that market yet!) We will hold BOYHOOD, but we need to let go of IDA. If you still need to see this marvelous film, Thursday will be your last chance. On Friday, we will open I ORIGINS – a new film from the director of ANOTHER EARTH. (For this week’s remaining showtimes, visit our website at www.neonmovies.com)

Synopsis for I ORIGINS: ONE WEEK ONLY! “I ORIGINS, the second feature film from writer and director Mike Cahill, tells the story of Dr. Ian Gray (Michael Pitt), a molecular biologist studying the evolution of the eye. He finds his work permeating his life after a brief encounter with an exotic young woman (Astrid Bergès-Frisbey) who slips away from him. As his research continues years later with his lab partner Karen (Brit Marling), they make a stunning scientific discovery that has far reaching implications and complicates both his scientific and spiritual beliefs. Traveling half way around the world, he risks everything he has ever known to validate his theory.” (taken from Fox Searchlight press notes) Click on this LINK to visit the official website. I ORIGINS will play for One Week Only! Check out a featurette about the film below…

“On Thursday, August 14 at 7:30, Boston Stoker is proud to present A FILM ABOUT COFFEE to the Dayton Area. The film, which first premiered in Seattle at the Specialty Coffee Association of America (SCAA), explores the world’s involvement and fascination with specialty coffee from crop to cup. It captures in-depth views on the current state of specialty coffee with footage from throughout the US, Africa, South America and Japan. Boston Stoker is a specialty coffee roaster and wholesaler that has operated out of Dayton, Ohio since 1973. The company has a long history with direct trade work within the coffee industry, focusing on Heart to Honduras.” (taken from Boston Stoker press notes) This screening will be an Ohio premiere! Click this LINK to find out more about the film. Click this LINK to visit Boston Stoker’s official site.

The FilmDayton Film Festival is set for 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.

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)

I can’t believe that the Toronto International Film Festival is less than a month away. Before I depart, The Dayton LGBT Film Festival committee will sit down and finalize this year’s line-up (save the dates for October 10-12…titles will revealed in mid-August). Between that and all the special events at THE NEON, there’s a lot to do in the next few weeks.

Thanks for your continued support!
Jonathan

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

I ORIGINS (R) 1 Hr 47 Min
Friday: 2:50, 5:10, 7:30, 9:45
Saturday: 12:30, 2:50, 5:10, 7:30, 9:45
Sunday: 12:30, 2:50, 5:10, 7:30
Monday-Wednesday: 3:00, 5:20, 7:40
Thursday: 3:00, 5:20

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

A FILM ABOUT COFFEE (NR)
Thursday: 7:30

COMING SOON:
(All Dates Are Tentative. Dates Often Move And Sometimes Disappear.)
Aug 15 – MAGIC IN THE MOONLIGHT
Aug 29 – LAND HO
Aug 29 – CALVARY
TBD – TRIP TO ITALY
TBD – LOVE IS STRANGE
TBD – ALIVE INSIDE
TBD – SKELETON TWINS

IDA & WORDS AND PICTURES Open Friday at THE NEON!

July 23, 2014 By Jonathan McNeal

Hello Everyone,

If you still need to see LIFE ITSELF, THIRD PERSON or CHEF (which has been here 9 weeks!), you’ll need to hurry. Thursday will be your last chance to catch any of these films at THE NEON. On Friday, we’re clearing the decks for two new films – the critically acclaimed and powerful new film IDA and the romantic drama WORDS AND PICTURES. (For this week’s remaining showtimes, visit our website at www.neonmovies.com)

Synopsis for IDA: At last year’s Toronto International Film Festival, I saw 30+ films. This film was at the top of my list (with films like 12 YEARS A SLAVE and PHILOMENA), but it won’t stick around for too long. I hope you’ll hurry down. “From acclaimed director Pawel Pawlikowski comes IDA, a moving and intimate drama about a young novitiate nun in 1960s Poland who, on the verge of taking her vows, discovers a dark family secret dating from the terrible years of the Nazi occupation. 18-year old Anna, a sheltered orphan raised in a convent, is preparing to become a nun when the Mother Superior insists she first visit her sole living relative. Naive, innocent Anna soon finds herself in the presence of her aunt Wanda, a worldly and cynical Communist Party insider, who shocks her with the declaration that her real name is Ida… In this beautifully directed film, Pawlikowski returns to his native Poland for the first time in his career to confront some of the more contentious issues in the history of his birthplace. Powerfully written and eloquently shot, IDA is a masterly evocation of a time, a dilemma, and a defining historical moment; IDA is also personal, intimate, and human. The weight of history is everywhere, but the scale falls within the scope of a young woman learning about the secrets of her own past.” (taken from Music Box Films press notes) Click on this LINK to visit the official website.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oXhCaVqB0x0

Synopsis for WORDS AND PICTURES: “A witty romantic drama, WORDS AND PICTURES stars the engaging duo of Juliette Binoche and Clive Owen working together on-screen for the first time. Prep school English teacher Jack Marcus laments his students’ obsession with social media and good grades rather than engaging with the power of the written word. A one-time literary star, Jack has not published in years filling his spare time with drink versus the art of language. He meets his match in Dina Delsanto – an abstract painter and new teacher on campus, who was once celebrated for her art. From the start, the two flirt and provoke each other with equal relish.” (taken from Roadside Attractions press notes) Click on this LINK to visit the film’s official website.

On Tuesday, July 29 at 7:30, The Evangelical Immigration Table will host a one-time screening of the documentary THE STRANGER. “This film was produced to motivate evangelical Christians to take a stand for immigration reform. The film tells the story of three families caught in our broken immigration system. The film is a stark reminder that immigration isn’t just a political issue, and it certainly isn’t a liberal or conservative issue. It is an American issue, and it is a spiritual issue. Tickets are $5 (Now Available at THE NEON’s Box Office) and all proceeds will go to local refugees served by New Path Outreach, a ministry of Ginghamsburg Church. Watch the film. Then call your Congressman.” (taken from press notes) A panel discussion will be held after the screening.

On Thursday, July 31 at 7:30, 4 Paws For Ability will screen LEGENDS OF THE KNIGHT. This tugg screening has crossed its required threshold, but more tickets are still available…with a portion of the proceeds going to the group that provides service dogs to children in need. “LEGENDS OF THE KNIGHT weaves together the uplifting true stories of individuals who have overcome devastating obstacles, unselfishly given to the community, and embraced their inner superhero because of their love of Batman.” Follow this LINK to find out more about the film, watch a trailer and reserve your ticket.

On Sunday, August 3 at 1:00, SPAN Ohio will hold a one-time screening of THE HEALTHCARE MOVIE. “Single Payer Action Network Ohio (SPAN Ohio) is proud to host THE HEALTHCARE MOVIE on the 49th anniversary of our own Medicare system. THE HEALTHCARE MOVIE is a 65 minute documentary that reveals the intensity of the political struggle that led to Canada’s universal medical care system, and exposes public relations campaigns that have been prevalent in the U.S. since the early 1900’s to dissuade the American public from supporting national health care. Every day people are dying or going bankrupt due to the ills of the United States system. Who are we in the face of this human tragedy? If you agree that people are more important than profits, then you must see this film. Admission is free and open to the public.” (taken from SPAN Ohio press notes)

“On Thursday, August 14 at 7:30 Boston Stoker is proud to present A FILM ABOUT COFFEE to the Dayton Area. The film, which first premiered in Seattle at the Specialty Coffee Association of America (SCAA), explores the world’s involvement and fascination with specialty coffee from crop to cup. It captures in-depth views on the current state of specialty coffee with footage from throughout the US, Africa, South America and Japan. Boston Stoker is a specialty coffee roaster and wholesaler that has operated out of Dayton, Ohio since 1973. The company has a long history with direct trade work within the coffee industry, focusing on Heart to Honduras.” (taken from Boston Stoker press notes) This screening will be an Ohio premiere! Click this LINK to find out more about the film. Click this LINK to visit Boston Stoker’s official site.

Save the Date! On Saturday, August 30 at noon, Roosevelt Class of ’67 is planning a fundraiser with a screening of BUCK AND THE PREACHER. More details will be in next week’s newsletter.

I’m delighted to announce that our opening date for BOYHOOD has been moved up! It will now open on August 1, and we can’t wait!

Thanks so much for your continued support!

We hope to see you soon!
Jonathan

SHOWTIMES for Friday, July 25- Thursday, July 31:

IDA (PG-13) 1 Hr 20 Min
Friday, Saturday: 1:00, 3:00, 5:15, 7:20, 9:20
Sunday: 1:00, 3:00, 5:15, 7:20
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday: 3:00, 5:15, 7:20
Thursday: 3:00, 5:15

WORDS AND PICTURES (PG-13) 1 Hr 51 Min
Friday, Saturday: 12:30, 2:50, 5:10, 7:30, 9:45
Sunday: 12:30, 2:50, 5:10, 7:30
Monday: 2:50, 5:10, 7:30
Tuesday: 2:50, 5:10
Wednesday, Thursday: 2:50, 5:10, 7:30

THE STRANGER (NR) 45 Min + Discussion
Tuesday: 7:30

LEGENDS OF THE KNIGHT (NR) 1 Hr 17 Min
Thursday: 7:30

COMING SOON:
(All Dates Are Tentative. Dates Often Move And Sometimes Disappear.)
Aug 1 – BOYHOOD
Aug 8 – I ORIGINS
Aug 15 – MAGIC IN THE MOONLIGHT
Aug 29 – LAND HO
Aug 29 – CALVARY
TBD – TRIP TO ITALY
TBD – LOVE IS STRANGE
TBD – ALIVE INSIDE
TBD – SKELETON TWINS

Star-Studded THIRD PERSON Opens Friday at THE NEON

July 8, 2014 By Jonathan McNeal

Hello Everyone,

We had a lot of fun this weekend with A HARD DAY’S NIGHT. Audiences applauded after each screening, and some folks even admitted to having cried tears of joy during their revisit with The Beatles. If you’d still like to see it, Thursday will be your last chance at THE NEON. Thursday will also be the last day for the ground-breaking film OBVIOUS CHILD. On Friday, we will open the new film from Paul Haggis – THIRD PERSON. SNOWPIERCER (which had a terrific opening weekend) and CHEF will stick around for another week. (For this week’s remaining showtimes, visit our website at www.neonmovies.com)

Synopsis for THIRD PERSON: “THIRD PERSON tells three stories of love, passion, trust and betrayal, in a multi-strand story line reminiscent of Paul Haggis’s earlier Oscar-winning film CRASH. The tales play out in New York, Paris and Rome: three couples who appear to have nothing related but share deep commonalities: lovers and estranged spouses, children lost and found.” Starring Liam Neeson, Mila Kunis, Adrien Brody, Olivia Wilde, James Franco and many other well-known actors.

There’s been a locally-initiated tugg request for the film NO ORDINARY HERO: THE SUPERDEAFY MOVIE on July 23 at 7:30, and the event will only proceed if 62 tickets are purchased by July 14. (If the threshold isn’t met, your card will not be charged.) “When a deaf actor who plays a superhero on television looks beyond his cape to influence a deaf boy to redefine what ‘being normal’ means, he also finds inspiration to transform himself.” Visit the official LINK to watch the trailer and to reserver your ticket.

On Tuesday, July 29 at 7:30, The Evangelical Immigration Table will host a one-time screening of the documentary THE STRANGER. “This film was produced to motivate evangelical Christians to take a stand for immigration reform. The film tells the story of three families caught in our broken immigration system. The film is a stark reminder that immigration isn’t just a political issue, and it certainly isn’t a liberal or conservative issue. It is an American issue, and it is a spiritual issue. Tickets are $5 (available starting July 11 at THE NEON’s Box Office) and all proceeds will go to local refugees served by New Path Outreach, a ministry of Ginghamsburg Church. Watch the film. Then call your Congressman.” (taken from press notes) A panel discussion will be held after the screening.

On Thursday, July 31 at 7:30, 4 Paws For Ability would like to screen the documentary LEGENDS OF THE KNIGHT. This is a tugg screening…which means that 62 people need to reserve tickets by July 20 for the engagement to move forward. “LEGENDS OF THE KNIGHT weaves together the uplifting true stories of individuals who have overcome devastating obstacles, unselfishly given to the community, and embraced their inner superhero because of their love of Batman.” Follow this LINK to find out more about the film, watch a trailer and reserve your ticket.

Thanks so much for your continued support!

We hope to see you soon!

Jonathan

SHOWTIMES for Friday, July 11- Thursday, July 17:

THIRD PERSON (R) 2 Hr 17 Min
Friday, Saturday: 1:00, 4:00, 7:00, 9:45
Sunday: 1:00, 4:00, 7:00
Monday: 2:20, 5:10, 7:50
Tuesday: 2:20, 7:50
Wednesday, Thursday: 2:20, 5:10, 7:50

CHEF (R) 1 Hr 55 Min
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 12:20, 5:30
Monday – Thursday: 5:30

SNOWPIERCER (R) 2 Hr 6 Min
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 2:50, 8:00
Monday: 2:50, 8:00
Tuesday: 2:50
Wednesday, Thursday: 2:50, 8:00

COMING SOON:

(All Dates Are Tentative. Dates Often Move And Sometimes Disappear.)

TBD – IDA
TBD – WORDS AND PICTURES
July 18 – LIFE ITSELF
Aug 8 – BOYHOOD
Aug 15 – MAGIC IN THE MOONLIGHT
Aug 29 – LAND HO

The Beatles & SNOWPIERCER This Weekend at THE NEON

July 2, 2014 By Jonathan McNeal

Hello Everyone,

You only have until Thursday (July 3) to see JODOROWSKY’S DUNE…Thursday will be its last day at THE NEON. On Friday, we will open 2 films. One is the remastered and restored Beatles’ classic – A HARD DAY’S NIGHT – celebrating its 50th Anniversary. The other is a genre that doesn’t get much play around THE NEON…it’s a sci-fi action film by beloved and master filmmaker Bong Joon-ho. It’s called SNOWPIERCER, and the cast is amazing – Tilda Swinton, Ed Harris, Jamie Bell, John Hurt, Octavia Spencer, Chris Evans and more! OBVIOUS CHILD and CHEF will continue their runs for another week. (For this week’s remaining showtimes, visit our website at www.neonmovies.com)

Synopsis for SNOWPIERCER: This film has been receiving incredible reviews, and it has a lot to say about our society. “In this sci-fi epic from director Bong Joon Ho (THE HOST, MOTHER), a failed global-warming experiment kills off most life on the planet. The final survivors board the SNOWPIERCER, a train that travels around the globe via a perpetual-motion engine. When cryptic messages incite the passengers to revolt, the train thrusts full-throttle towards disaster.” (A24) Claudia Puig of USA TODAY wrote “A rare hybrid that perfectly blends the dazzle of a futuristic action thriller with the intellectual substance of an art film.” Scott Foundas of VARIETY wrote that the film has a “respect for the audience’s intelligence rarely encountered in high-concept genre cinema.” Peter Travers of ROLLING STONE wrote, “SNOWPIERCER is everything TRANSFORMERS wishes it could be: A slambam sci-fi thriller with a brain, a heart and an artful sense of purpose.” Click THIS LINK to visit the film’s official site.

Synopsis for A HARD DAY’S NIGHT: ONE WEEK ONLY! RESTORED & REMASTERED!! “Meet the Beatles! Just one month after they exploded onto the U.S. scene with their Ed Sullivan appearance, John, Paul, George, and Ringo began working on a project that would bring their revolutionary talent to the big screen. A Hard Day’s Night, in which the bandmates play wily, exuberant versions of themselves, captured the astonishing moment when they officially became the singular, irreverent idols of their generation and changed music forever. Directed with raucous, anything-goes verve by Richard Lester and featuring a slew of iconic pop anthems, including the title track, “Can’t Buy Me Love,” “I Should Have Known Better,” and “If I Fell,” A Hard Day’s Night, which reconceived the movie musical and exerted an incalculable influence on the music video, is one of the most deliriously entertaining movies of all time.” (Janus) Click THIS LINK to visit the film’s official facebook page.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wiW003U4iA8

Would you like to win tickets to A HARD DAY’S NIGHT? Listen to WSWO – Oldies 97.3 for chances to win tickets. WSWO is working on getting guest musicians to perform Beatles classics on our patio on Saturday afternoon starting at 4:00. For more information, follow this LINK to their facebook page.

Next time you’re in the neighborhood, even if you’re not up for a movie, be sure to check out our patio. We’ve really spruced things up with new furniture, new umbrellas and beautiful plants. Our beer selection is pretty awesome (not to mention our iced coffee and other cold drinks), so think about our patio as a great place to unwind down the road.

We hope to see you soon!
Jonathan

SHOWTIMES for Friday, July 4 – Thursday, July 10:

OBVIOUS CHILD (R) 1 Hr 24 Min
Friday, Saturday: 3:15, 9:45
Sunday – Thursday: 3:15

CHEF (R) 1 Hr 55 Min
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 12:50, 7:20
Monday – Thursday: 7:20

A HARD DAY’S NIGHT (NR) 1 Hr 27 Min
Friday – Thursday: 5:15

SNOWPIERCER (R) 2 Hr 6 Min
Friday, Saturday: 1:30, 4:15, 7:00, 9:45
Sunday: 1:30, 4:15, 7:00
Monday – Thursday: 2:50, 5:20, 8:00

COMING SOON:
(All Dates Are Tentative. Dates Often Move And Sometimes Disappear.)
TBD – IDA
TBD – WORDS AND PICTURES
July 11 – THIRD PERSON
July 18 – LIFE ITSELF
Aug 8 – BOYHOOD
Aug 15 – MAGIC IN THE MOONLIGHT
Aug 29 – LAND HO

OBVIOUS CHILD & JODOROWSKY’S DUNE at THE NEON!

June 25, 2014 By Jonathan McNeal

Hello Everyone,

If you still need to see BELLE, FED UP or SUPERMENSCH, you only have until Thursday to catch them at THE NEON. In addition to holding CHEF, we will open 2 new films. One is a brand new, critically acclaimed, cutting edge comedy with a lot of heart – OBVIOUS CHILD. The other is a documentary that several of you have been asking about – JODOROWSKY’S DUNE – currently at 99% FRESH on rottentomatoes.com. (For this week’s remaining showtimes, visit our website at www.neonmovies.com)

Synopsis for OBVIOUS CHILD: “For aspiring comedian Donna Stern, everyday life as a female twenty-something provides ample material for her incredibly relatable brand of humor. On stage, Donna is unapologetically herself, joking about topics as intimate as her sex life and as crude as her day-old underwear. But when Donna gets dumped, loses her job, and finds herself pregnant just in time for Valentine’s Day, she has to navigate the murky waters of independent adulthood for the first time…Never failing to find the comedy and humanity in each awkward situation she encounters, Donna finds out along the way what it means to be as brave in life as she is on stage. Anchored by a breakout performance from Jenny Slate, OBVIOUS CHILD is a winning discovery, packed tight with raw, energetic comedy and moments of poignant human honesty. Writer/Director Gillian Robespierre handles the topic of Donna’s unwanted pregnancy with a refreshing matter-of-factness rarely seen onscreen. And with Donna, Slate and Robespierre have crafted a character for the ages – a female audiences will recognize, cheer for, and love.” (A24) Click on this LINK to visit the film’s official site.

Synopsis for JODOROWSKY’S DUNE: ONE WEEK ONLY! Currently at 99% FRESH on Rottentomatoes.com! “In 1975, Chilean director Alejandro Jodorowsky, whose films EL TOPO and THE HOLY MOUNTAIN launched and ultimately defined the midnight movie phenomenon, began work on his most ambitious project yet. Starring his own 12 year old son Brontis alongside Orson Welles, Mick Jagger, David Carradine and Salvador Dali, featuring music by Pink Floyd and art by some of the most provocative talents of the era, including HR Giger and Jean ‘Moebius’ Giraud, Jodorowsky’s adaptation of Frank Herbert’s classic sci-fi novel DUNE was poised to change cinema forever.” (Sony Classics) Click on this LINK to visit the film’s official facebook page.

Ryan Benner will premiere the 4th installment in the SAVOR THE FLAVOR series (locally produced roller-blading videos) on Saturday, June 28 at 10pm. Ticket, $5 each, are available now at THE NEON’s box office. “Featuring blading from: Aaron Pyle, Tri Tri-Rudolf, Reed Huston, Andrew Thompson, Dan Mikesell,Alex Papalios & Ryan Benner.” In addition, Benner will also screen Hawke Trackler’s CRUISIN’ 4 A BRUISIN’ – featuring Kyle Wood, Ben Poling, Stefan Brandow, Jimmy Spetz, Matt Lyon, Jesse Soda, Hawke Trackler, Greg Preston, Cody Reffner & Bradley Wilson.” (taken from Benner’s Press Notes)

We have several other special events in the works, so I should have plenty of new details in next week’s newsletter.

Thanks for your continued interest and enthusiastic support.
We hope to see you soon!

Jonathan

SHOWTIMES for Friday, June 27 – Thursday, July 3:

OBVIOUS CHILD (R) 1 Hr 24 Min
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 1:00, 3:10, 5:20, 7:30, 9:40
Monday – Thursday: 3:10, 5:20, 7:30

CHEF (R) 1 Hr 55 Min
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 12:20, 2:50, 7:20
Monday – Thursday: 2:50, 7:20

JODOROWSKY’S DUNE (PG-13) 1 Hr 30 Min
Friday: 5:15, 9:45
Saturday: 5:15
Sunday: 5:15, 9:45
Monday – Thursday: 5:15

SAVOR THE FLAVOR 4 (Not Appropriate for Young Audiences) approx. 30 Min.
Saturday: 10:00

COMING SOON:

(All Dates Are Tentative. Dates Often Move And Sometimes Disappear.)

July 4 – A HARD DAY’S NIGHT
July 11 – THIRD PERSON
TBD – IDA
TBD – WORDS AND PICTURES
Aug 8 – BOYHOOD
Aug 15 – MAGIC IN THE MOONLIGHT
Aug 29 – LAND HO

THE NEON Has 2 Big Hits with CHEF & BELLE!

May 29, 2014 By Jonathan McNeal Leave a Comment

Hello Everyone,

We had an absolutely terrific holiday weekend. Audiences are loving CHEF and BELLE, and we’re going to hold them both. Many thanks to all of you who came out to support these films.

I know that many of you are anxious to see some of our upcoming selections – like FED UP and ONLY LOVERS LEFT ALIVE and JODOROWSKY’S DUNE…please rest assured that these films will eventually make their way to THE NEON. Our opening dates can move for a variety of reasons, and we appreciate your patience as some of the films get shifted. Stay tuned to this newsletter or our website for the latest date changes.

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qK-ZUFX5fnk’]

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wtdk6owFj2o’]

“Start Freedom Dayton, a film series started by Peace on Fifth to raise awareness about human trafficking, returns June 19th at 7:30 pm at THE NEON with the newest movie about human trafficking – TRICKED. The sex trafficking industry rakes in $3 billion dollars a year and with little awareness for the general population. TRICKED, released in December 2013, is set on the streets of the US as a clear witness to the domestic sex trafficking ‘game.’ This is a very powerful movie. Age appropriate for 12+, however children should have some level of awareness and emotional maturity. For more information call Peace on Fifth at 937.367.7215 or email [email protected]. To learn more about TRICKED and to see a trailer, visit the official site. All advanced tickets are available exclusively at Peace on Fifth (234 S Dutoit St., St. Anne’s Hill) for an $8 suggested donation. The screening will only happen if 75 tickets are distributed.” (taken from Peace on Fifth press release)

On Wednesday, June 25 at 7:30, THE NEON is happy to host a one-night screening of the new documentary TO BE TAKEI. This is part of Dayton PRIDE‘s month-long LGBT Pride celebration. “Over seven decades, actor and activist George Takei boldly journeyed from a WWII internment camp, to the helm of the starship Enterprise, to the daily news feeds of five million Facebook fans. Join George and his husband Brad on this star’s playful and profound trek for life, liberty, and love. Best known for playing Sulu on the original Star Trek TV series and six movies that followed, George Takei is unlikely social media royalty. Unofficially dubbed the King of Facebook, he counts over 5 million fans in his online empire – including Trekkies, Howard Stern listeners, and the LGBTQ community – who devour his quirky mix of kitten jokes, Star Trek references, heartfelt messages, and sci-fi/fantasy memes…” (taken from press notes) Tickets, just $8 each, are now available at our box office.

Our facebook page is blowing up because I announced that we’re considering playing the newly remastered A HARD DAY’S NIGHT during July 4 weekend. This is in celebration of the 50th anniversary. Would you come out to support this Beatles favorite if we played it during the holiday weekend?

Thanks for your continued interest and enthusiastic support.
We hope to see you soon!
Jonathan

SHOWTIMES for Friday, May 30 – Thursday, June 5:

BELLE (PG) 1 Hr Min
Friday, Saturday: 12:20, 2:40, 5:00, 7:20, 9:40
Sunday: 12:20, 2:40, 5:00, 7:20
Monday – Thursday: 3:00, 5:20, 7:45

CHEF (R) 1 Hr Min
Friday, Saturday: 12:10, 2:30, 5:00, 7:30, 9:50
Sunday: 12:10, 2:30, 5:00, 7:30
Monday – Thursday: 2:45, 5:10, 7:40

COMING SOON:
(All Dates Are Tentative. Dates Often Move And Sometimes Disappear.)
June 6 – FED UP
June 6 – JODOROWSKI’S DUNE
June 13 – ONLY LOVERS LEFT ALIVE
June 13 – FOR NO GOOD REASON
June 20 – SUPERMENSCH: SHEP GORDON
July 4 – A HARD DAY’S NIGHT
July 25 – THIRD PERSON
Aug. 8 – BOYHOOD
Aug. 15 – MAGIC IN THE MOONLIGHT
Aug. 29 – LAND HO

THE LUNCHBOX and GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL at THE NEON

April 17, 2014 By Jonathan McNeal Leave a Comment

Hello Everyone,

THE GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL is starting to fade..but it’s still performing well enough to stick around for another week. That said, this could be its last. Hurry down if you still need to see it (or see it again).

On Friday, we will open the charming, feature debut film from director Ritesh Batra – THE LUNCHBOX. T.T. Stern-Enzi of DAYTON CITY PAPER just gave the film an “A” review. He wrote, “A soulful performance by Irrfan Khan serves as the key ingredient in this marvelous dish.”

Synopsis for THE LUNCHBOX: Currently rated 96% FRESH on Rottentomatoes.com “Middle class housewife Ila is trying once again to add some spice to her marriage, this time through her cooking. She desperately hopes that this new recipe will finally arouse some kind of reaction from her neglectful husband. She prepares a special lunchbox to be delivered to him at work, but, unbeknownst to her, it is mistakenly delivered to another office worker – a lonely man on the verge of retirement. Curious about the lack of reaction from her husband, Ila puts a little note in the following day’s lunchbox, in the hopes of getting to the bottom of the mystery. This begins a series of lunchbox notes between the two, and the mere comfort of communicating with a stranger anonymously soon evolves into an unexpected friendship.” (taken from Sony Classics) Visit the film’s official website by clicking this LINK.

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sK3R0rvnlPs’]

The 2014 Dayton Jewish Film Festival is gearing up for next week’s Opening Night. With terrific films and all the extras that are being planned, this promises to be a truly exciting festival. Click this LINK to visit the festival’s official site…details for buying advanced tickets can be found there. Here are a list of films that are screening at THE NEON:

Thursday, April 24 at 7:30 – THE ZIG ZAG KID
Tuesday, April 29 at 7:15 – AFTERMATH
Thursday, May 1 at 7:15 – BETHLEHEM
Tuesday, May 6 at 7:20 – QUALITY BALLS: THE DAVID STEINBERG STORY
Thursday, May 8 at 7:15 – SUESKIND
Monday, May 12 at 7:15 – THE PRIME MINISTERS: THE PIONEERS
Tuesday, May 13 at 9:30am – ESTHER BRONER: A WEAVE OF WOMEN
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!

THE NEON is currently helping AIDS Resource Center Ohio sell tickets for a special raffle. Tickets are $25 each or 6 for $100. There will be 2 great prizes – one from the Red Rock Resort & Spa in Las Vegas and the other from Elizabeth Diamond Company. Each prize is valued at $4900. Raffle tickets are available at our box office…and will only be available through this weekend!

Thanks for your continued support of THE NEON!
We couldn’t do it without you!
All the best,
Jonathan

SHOWTIMES for Friday, April 18 – Thursday, April 24:

THE GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL (R) 1 Hr 39 Min
Friday, Saturday: 12:30, 2:45, 5:10, 7:30, 10:00
Sunday: 12:30, 2:45, 5:10, 7:30
Monday – Wednesday: 2:45, 5:10, 7:30
Thursday: 2:45, 5:10

THE LUNCHBOX (PG) 1 Hr 44 Min
Friday, Saturday: 12:40 2:50, 5:00, 7:20, 9:40
Sunday: 12:40 2:50, 5:00, 7:20
Monday – Wednesday: 2:50, 5:20, 7:40
Thursday: 2:50, 5:20

DAYTON JEWISH FILM FESTIVAL
THE ZIGZAG KID (NR) 1 Hr 35 Min – Thursday at 7:30

COMING SOON:
As always, all dates are tentative. Many of these dates will change.
In some rare cases, titles may disappear.
April 25 – LE WEEK-END
May 2 – UNDER THE SKIN
May 2 – JODOROWSKI’S DUNE
May 16 – ONLY LOVERS LEFT ALIVE
May 16 – GOD’S POCKET
May 23 – BELLE
June 13 – FOR NO GOOD REASON
TBD – DOM HEMINGWAY

A Family in Art – The Dayton Visual Arts Center 20th Anniversary Auction

April 15, 2014 By Brian Petro 1 Comment

A view from the top.

The Dayton Racquet Club sits on top of the Kettering Tower, offering an amazing view of the city from any window you choose. Heading into this venerable Dayton establishment is special for any reason. This past Thursday night was no different; people mingling, smiling, and filling the 29^th floor of the Kettering Tower with light conversation and laughter. If you did not know better, you would think that this was a family reunion. Everyone knew each other, and any stranger that came up was warmly greeted and introduced to the rest of the group. You would have been hard pressed to find two people in the room that were complete strangers. The only difference on this night is the main focus of the room. The views of all things grand in Dayton fades back as thirteen pieces step into the spotlight.

The thirteen pieces of art ranged from photography to ink drawings, from sculpture to charcoal drawings. This gallery represents just a fraction of the art that has been purchased over the past 20 years through various shows, Artist’s Palates, and auctions sponsored by the Dayton Visual Art Center (DVAC). DVAC is celebrating the 20^th anniversary of this yearly tradition. The actual auction this year is on April 25^th, but on this past Thursday evening they had a kickoff party leading up to the main event. Being on the top floor in the tallest building in Dayton can almost be seen as a metaphor of how far this institution has come.

DVAC started in 1991 in the Biltmore Hotel, where they were able to set up a small gallery for local artists to share their work with the community. Their goal was a simple one; expose Dayton to the original artistic talent they had in the city and provide a setting for art lovers to meet and discuss their passion. They had a few fundraisers in the early days through various shows, such as their Masquerades where they invited artists to create masks for auction. It was not long before the idea of organizing an auction where artists would donate work and the community at large could come in and bid on it was suggested. The first auction in 1994 was at the Dayton Art Institute. It was organized by artists and members Pam Hauk, Linda Lombard, and Ray Must, and it started a tradition that has helped build this community into a family over the last twenty years.

Just one of the beautiful pieces on loan for the show, Caryatids by Don Williams.

Everyone in the room had a story to tell. Each piece of art that silently drew all of the attention in the room belonged to a member. They sat as examples of some of the art that has been auctioned over the lifetime of the events. Eva Buttacavoli, the Executive Director of DVAC and host for the evening, did not just introduce each piece of art in the room, she was able to entice almost every owner to narrate the history of the piece and why they love it. Each piece was impressive, created by names like Andy Snow, Homer Hacker, and Palli Davis. What is equally impressive were the stories told by the collectors about the impact the piece had in their lives. Some did not just collect art from the artists, but were able to develop personal relationships with them. Relationships that led to deeper understanding of the art that was being produced. Some purchased from a variety of artists; some would buy every piece from one artist (if they had room in the house). As one of the collectors told her story, she spoke about how “DVAC becomes a part of your life” and how they “never buy work we don’t love to see every day.” Another woman spoke about how her children, growing up around all this amazing art, were able to not only meet these talented people, but pick out their work on the street. More than a few pieces were bought while the speakers spouse was away. There was a bond among all the people in the room, being either lovers of art, creators of art, or both.

Many of the people attending that night had memories of DVAC that went back to the beginning. Ray Must was there, one of the original three creators of the auction and an artist in his own right. He has been an active member in the Dayton art community for decades as an artist and an educator at Wright State University. His works range from large scale murals in acrylic paint to smaller, more detailed etching. In the opinion of one of the collectors, “what Ray has done for the community cannot be measured.” One of his works, “Edwin Moses and the Dayton Carousel”, will be available at the live auction on April 25^th. Bobette ”BK” Olsen was also in attendance, carrying a file that showed some of the history of DVAC’s shows. Names like Connie Hanselman, Ernest Koerlin, Abner Cope and Bobette herself showed up over the years of shows. Sculptor Susan Zurcher, was also there as an early supporter. She chaired the second artist auction, helping to “expose all the hidden gems” within the city. She sees the organization as a microcosm of the city, “helping each other without blowing our own horns.” These three and many more have been involved with this organization over the years, building it slowly but surely. All of the people in the room that night helped build it from the ground floor of a donated space downtown to the top of the town.

The apron from the first art auction.

The Friday, April 25^th show is going to be the 20^th Anniversary artist auction. Ten pieces will be on display at the live auction, with over one hundred more pieces being available online for a silent auction. The curators see this event less as a party and more of a family reunion. It is a chance for the art collectors in the community, some who may not have seen each other for years, to speak with old friends and meet new collectors in the community. This event has outgrown the auction’s home of the last few years, the Ponitz Center in Sinclair Community College, and has moved into a new home at The Benjamin and Marian Schuster Performing Arts Center. It is a perfect opportunity for veteran art collectors to see all the newest talent Dayton has to offer, or for new collectors to meet the artists and patron that make Dayton such an original. Ms. Buttacavoli stated it best at the kickoff; this is a celebration “of a generation of artists giving to the community and people supporting art.”

BUDAPEST HOTEL, TIM’S VERMEER and Other NEON News

April 10, 2014 By Jonathan McNeal Leave a Comment

Hello Everyone,

THE GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL continues to hit milestones. In less than 3 weeks, the film is already at #4 on our “Highest Grossing Films” list. (The Top 3 are SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE, SIDEWAYS and MY BIG FAT GREEK WEDDING – each of these films played at least 12 weeks). This is really spectacular, and we truly appreciate your support and positive word-of-mouth.

This week, we are going to hold both current attractions. Though TIM’S VERMEER didn’t have record attendance, it did well enough to stick around. With all the kudos from audience members, we think it’s worth holding for a 2nd week. That said, we plan to move forward with THE LUNCHBOX on April 18. Hurry down if you need to see TIM’S VERMEER. Details and showtimes for each of our current films are available at www.neonmovies.com

If you haven’t already seen the trailer for this wonderful little movie, take a look at the website for THE LUNCHBOX by clicking this LINK.

The TAB Entertainment has rented one of our auditoriums this Sunday for a special, one-time screening of MY DREAM BESIDE ME. “MY DREAM BESIDE ME is a romantic dramedy based on the true love story of Paul Rich and Mary Kay Slesinger Rich. At 84 years young Paul lost his wife of 66 years – Mary Kay was married for 34 years and she was left a widow when she was in her mid 60’s. After a few years Paul and Mary Kay met and fell in love. This union of marriage is a testimony that people can be strong, vital and full of life at any age.” (taken from press notes) Tickets for this screening are $9 each. Advanced tickets are only available on the film’s official website (Click HERE to visit the official site). Remaining tickets will be sold at THE NEON’s box office on the day of the screening.

“The Massie Creek Paddlers will be hosting Rapid Media’s 9th annual REEL PADDLING FILM FESTIVAL showcasing the world’s best paddling films to audiences in Canada, United States and around the world. The festival inspires more people to explore rivers, lakes and oceans, push physical and emotional extremes, embrace the lifestyle and appreciate the heritage of the wild places we paddle. The Reel Paddling Film Festival is a film contest awarding winning films in 10 categories. The winners and other shortlisted films are then toured to more than 100 cities around the world, screening for an audience of more than 30,000 outdoor adventure enthusiasts and their friends and families.” Advance tickets, just $10 each, are available on the official site (click this LINK). This special, one-night screening will stop by THE NEON on Wednesday, April 16 at 7:30.

The 2014 Dayton Jewish Film Festival has prepared an exciting line-up for this year’s festival. It kicks off on Thursday, April 24 at THE NEON, and the films look excellent. With all the extras that are being planned, this promises to be a truly exciting festival. Click this LINK to visit the festival’s official site…details for buying advanced tickets can be found there. Here are a list of films that are screening at THE NEON:

Take a look at the trailer from the opening film – THE ZIG ZAG KID. It looks like great fun:

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

Thanks for your continued support of THE NEON!
We couldn’t do it without you!

All the best,
Jonathan

SHOWTIMES for Friday, April 11 – Thursday, April 17:

THE GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL (R) 1 Hr 39 Min
Friday, Saturday: 12:30, 2:45, 5:10, 7:30, 10:00
Sunday: 12:30, 2:45, 5:10, 7:30
Monday – Thursday: 2:45, 5:10, 7:30

TIM’S VERMEER (PG-13) 1 Hr 20 Min
Friday, Saturday: 1:00, 3:00, 5:15, 7:15, 9:15
Sunday: 1:00, 5:30, 7:15
Monday, Tuesday: 3:00, 5:15, 7:15
Wednesday: 3:00, 5:15
Thursday: 3:00, 5:15, 7:30

MY DREAM BESIDE ME (NR) 1 Hr 24 Min
Sunday: 3:00

REEL PADDLING FILM FESTIVAL (NR) 2+ Hrs
Wednesday: 7:30

COMING SOON:
As always, all dates are tentative. Many of these dates will change. In some rare cases, titles may disappear.

April 18 – THE LUNCHBOX
April 25 – LE WEKK-END
May 5 – JODOROWSKI’S DUNE
May 16 – ONLY LOVERS LEFT ALIVE
May 16 – GOD’S POCKET
June 13 – FOR NO GOOD REASON
TBD – DOM HEMINGWAY
TBD – BELLE
TBD – UNDER THE SKIN

Happy New Beer!

April 7, 2014 By Brian Petro Leave a Comment

This bar was about to become really busy…

December 5^th, 1933 is the official day that liquor flowed back into the very dry veins of the United States. No more sneaking whiskey across the frozen Detroit RIver, no more gin made of questionable liquor, no more rum runners sneaking hooch into the country through Florida. This country could get back to the business of distilling and selling liquor, creating jobs and giving a financial shot in the arm during the long dark days of the Great Depression. Before that day there were some cracks in the dam. Trickles of legal liquor started to flow from wineries, which was not a big surprise. The religious leaders of the country made sure that communion was not interrupted by social change. Brewers, on the other hand, were able to clean out the tanks and fire up the bottling machines for the first time in over a decade earlier in the year.

Representative Thomas Cullen (D-NY) and Senator Pat Harrison (D-MS) put together a bill that allowed the brewers to stop making ice cream and malt syrup and get back to brewing. The Cullen-Harrison Act was signed into law on March 22^nd, 1933 by FDR, and allowed breweries to brew alcohol at a strength of 3.2%. Still very low by our standards, but at the time it was a glass of water after a long trip to the desert. This law went into effect on April 7, 1933, and tavern owners could not have been happier. Ever since that initial celebration, every year we as a country have come together and celebrated that day as National Beer Day, or New Beer’s Eve.

If you are paying any attention, you may have noticed that there are a few new breweries in Dayton. One, two…maybe about nine that are in operation. We are going to celebrate National Beer Day by taking a look at these outstanding new breweries and asking them about their favorite brews and most popular beers.

You don’t have to drink them all today, but here are some suggestions.

Hairless Hare Brewery: The brewery of the north, working their magic in Vandalia, is drawing fans from all over the Miami Valley. Their fans are raving about the Hoppin’ Hare IPA, and they have just recently started to serve delightful food you can wash down with their beers.

Eudora Brewing: Located in Kettering on Wilimington Pike, their space contains some big flavors. They are working towards allowing members of the community to use their space to brew, but in the meantime are creating their own outstanding brews. Their Boomerang IPA is one of their best sellers, with the Thunderball Stout coming right behind it. The brewer I spoke with suggested the easy drinking Bee’s Knees Pale Ale. It is a light, crisp beer brewed with local honey.

Star City Brewing: This group of local Miamisburg brewers saw some potential in the old Peerless Mill Inn. They set up shop and the beer started to flow. They have a core group of four taps that have been pleasing the crowds. And those crowds are drinking down the Oatmeal Stout and Bavarian Hefeweizen the quickest. On their rotating tap, their Milk Stout gains quite a bit of interest.

Lock 27 Brewing: The brews here rotate on a regular basis, but there are a few that people make sure they follow. Their Map Reader IPA is a big hit with the people who seek it out, and the Bear Trap brown ale is high on the list of beers to keep an eye on. Fortunately Lock 27 makes it easy to follow what they have on tap through BeerMenus, who will email you when their taps rotate. Try their food while you are there. We hear it is as good as the beer.

Toxic Brew Company: Celebrating your one year anniversary is great for any business. This new Oregon District staple just celebrated theirs, and they show no signs of stopping. They offer an incredibly wide selection of beers, but a few rise to the top of the menu. Abby’s Cure, a Belgian Tripel, is one of them that rises, as well as Porn or Pawn Pepper Pale Ale, named after an old Oregon District drinking game (which I will someday learn). Another staff recommendation? The Practice Yoga IPA, named after another local business and a gentle introduction into the world of IPAs.

Warped Wing Brewing Company: Let’s stay in downtown Dayton and welcome the newest addition to the local beer community! Their following has been growing, and they can see some great things coming in the near future for their brewery and the local craft brewing scene in general. The Flying Rye has received excellent reviews (and is a top seller), as well as Ermals. Keep a look out for the return of the Red IPA, which was released in a limited batch and could come back soon.

This one is for you Dayton. Cheers!

Yellow Springs Brewery: Surrounded by nature and also to the north, this brewery has been growing at a rapid pace. Not only are their great beers available in their tap room, you can find them in bars and restaurants all over the city. What to choose from on their extensive list? Their most popular requests are the Captain Stardust saisson and Wyatt’s Eviction English-style pale ale. Fans of hop may also look for their Wobbly Wheel or Breaking Edge IPAs. They also have an award winning smoked brown ale, Smokin’ Handsome, which makes special appearances. You just have to be on the lookout.

Dayton Beer Company: The first one to the party is the anchor of our list. Right on Dorothy Lane in Kettering, they were the first new brewery in the area. They have been building their small batch magic into some award winning palette-pleasers. Their Mad River Milk Stout has been a hit with their patrons, as well as the Investor’s India Pale Ale. Their influence continues to expand, spreading out to local hot spots in Dayton and Columbus.

The craft beer boom keeps growing, with even more great beers on the way from Fifth Street Brewing Coop getting ready brew, and Carillon Brewing Company getting ready to open later this year. There has been such a boom of breweries in the Gem City, you can even take a tour of them via Dayton Brew Tours! These are what the brewers and bar tenders of these establishments know are their best beers, but what about you? What beers do you think are the best local ones in Dayton? Let us know in the comments! Take some time tonight to celebrate your right to drink a great craft beer. Maybe two. Cheers!

TIM’S VERMEER Opens and GRAND BUDAPEST Holds at THE NEON!

April 2, 2014 By Jonathan McNeal Leave a Comment

Hello Everyone,

In just under 11 days, THE GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL became our #7 highest grossing film at THE NEON. All films above it played for a minimum of 6 weeks to reach those kind of numbers. Thank you so much for your enthusiasm and support – it has been a wonderful ride so far.

It goes without saying that we will continue our run of BUDAPEST HOTEL. That said, it will now play on just one screen. Starting Friday, we will open a documentary that many of you have been eager to see – TIM’S VERMEER.

Synopsis for TIM’S VERMEER: “Tim Jenison, a Texas based inventor, (Video Toaster, LightWave, TriCaster) attempts to solve one of the greatest mysteries in all art: How did 17th century Dutch master Johannes Vermeer (“Girl with a Pearl Earring”) manage to paint so photo-realistically – 150 years before the invention of photography? The epic research project Jenison embarks on to test his theory is as extraordinary as what he discovers. Spanning a decade, Jenison’s adventure takes him to Delft, Holland, where Vermeer painted his masterpieces on a pilgrimage to the North coast of Yorkshire to meet artist David Hockney and eventually to Buckingham Palace, to see the Queen’s Vermeer.” Visit the official site for TIM’S VERMEER by clicking this LINK.

[yframe url=’https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CS_HUWs9c8c’]

The TAB Entertainment has rented one of our auditoriums on Sunday, April 13 for a special, one-time screening of MY DREAM BESIDE ME. “MY DREAM BESIDE ME is a romantic dramedy based on the true love story of Paul Rich and Mary Kay Slesinger Rich. At 84 years young Paul lost his wife of 66 years – Mary Kay was married for 34 years and she was left a widow when she was in her mid 60’s. After a few years Paul and Mary Kay met and fell in love. This union of marriage is a testimony that people can be strong, vital and full of life at any age.” (taken from press notes) Tickets for this screening are $9 each. Advanced tickets are only available on the film’s official website (Click HERE to visit the official site). Remaining tickets will be sold at THE NEON’s box office on the day of the screening.

The 2014 Dayton Jewish Film Festival is preparing for an exciting line-up. The festival kicks off on Thursday, April 24 at THE NEON, and the films look excellent. With all the extras that are being planned, this promises to be a truly exciting festival. I’ll include more details in next week’s newsletter…but if you can’t wait, visit the official site by clicking this LINK.

Thanks for your continued support of THE NEON!
We couldn’t do it without you!

All the best,
Jonathan

SHOWTIMES for Friday, April 4 – Thursday, April 10:

THE GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL (R) 1 Hr 39 Min
Friday, Saturday: 12:30, 2:45, 5:10, 7:30, 10:00
Sunday: 12:30, 2:45, 5:10, 7:30
Monday – Thursday: 2:45, 5:10, 7:30

TIM’S VERMEER (PG-13) 1 Hr 20 Min
Friday, Saturday: 1:00, 3:00, 5:15, 7:15, 9:15
Sunday: 1:00, 3:00, 5:15, 7:15
Monday – Thursday: 3:00, 5:15, 7:15

COMING SOON:
As always, all dates are tentative. Many of these dates will change.
In some rare cases, titles may disappear.
April 11 – THE RAID 2
April 18 – THE LUNCHBOX
April 25 – LE WEEK-END
May 5 – JODOROWSKI’S DUNE
May 16 – ONLY LOVERS LEFT ALIVE
May 16 – GOD’S POCKET
June 13 – FOR NO GOOD REASON
TBD – DOM HEMINGWAY
TBD – BELLE
TBD – UNDER THE SKIN

GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL Opens Exclusively at THE NEON

March 19, 2014 By Jonathan McNeal Leave a Comment

Hello Everyone,

We’re very excited about this weekend. Wes Anderson’s new film has been breaking box office records across the country, and now THE NEON gets to have the local exclusive opening of THE GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL. Many people in the Miami Valley have been eagerly anticipating this movie (including almost everyone at THE NEON), and we’re looking forward to our “Wes Anderson Fan Screening” on Thursday night at 8:00. (Regular ticket prices apply, and tickets are still available…with several fun prizes in store.) If you can’t make it Thursday, never fear…we’re dedicating both screens to this film for its first week.

If you still need to see any of our current attractions, you only have until Thursday for ELAINE STRITCH: SHOOT ME, THE GREAT BEAUTY and OMAR will all play for the last time on Thursday. For remaining showtimes for this week, please visit our official site – www.neonmovies.com

Synopsis for THE GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL: “THE GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL recounts the adventures of Gustave H, a legendary concierge at a famous European hotel between the wars, and Zero Moustafa, the lobby boy who becomes his most trusted friend. The story involves the theft and recovery of a priceless Renaissance painting and the battle for an enormous family fortune — all against the back-drop ofa suddenly and dramatically changing Continent.” The cast for this film is absolutely amazing. Visit the film’s official site by clicking this LINK.

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_hL8HEzTNmU’]

For even more flavor of the film, visit the site that is dedicated to its fictional world by clicking this LINK.

“Lion Apparel invites all area Firefighters & their friends to come to THE NEON to see the documentary BURN…’One year on the front lines of the battle to save Detroit.’ BURN is an award-winning, action-packed film that takes you closer than you’ve ever been, capturing a year in the lives of Detroit firefighters who are charged with the thankless task of saving a city that many have written off as dead. There will be 2 screenings – Tuesday April 1st and Wednesday April 2nd. Each screening starts at 7:30. Minimum $5 donation payable at the door. Money raised will go toward the Firefighter Cancer Support Network.” (taken from press notes)

Thanks for your continued support of THE NEON!
We hope to see you soon,

Jonathan

SHOWTIMES for Friday, March 21 – Thursday, March 27:

THE GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL (R) 1 Hr 39 Min
Friday, Saturday, Sunday:
12:30, 1:30, 2:45, 4:30, 5:10, 7:15, 7:30, 9:40, 10:00
Monday – Thursday:
1:30, 2:45, 4:00, 5:10, 6:30, 7:30, 9:00

COMING SOON:
As always, all dates are tentative. Many of these dates will change.
In some rare cases, titles may disappear.
March 28 – TIM’S VERMEER
April 11 – THE RAID 2
April 18 – THE LUNCHBOX
April 25 – LE WEEK-END
May 5 – JODOROWSKI’S DUNE
May 16 – ONLY LOVERS LEFT ALIVE
May 16 – GOD’S POCKET
June 13 – FOR NO GOOD REASON
TBD – DOM HEMINGWAY
TBD – BELLE
TBD – UNDER THE SKIN

ELAINE STRITCH Documentary At THE NEON and Wes Anderson News!

March 13, 2014 By Jonathan McNeal Leave a Comment

Hello Everyone,

OK. I’ll admit it. I’m biased. I simply adore Elaine Stritch. I’ve seen her perform twice (her cabaret act at The Carlyle and in A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC on Broadway), and I can’t wait to see the new documentary which opens Friday (March 14) at THE NEON. That said, we’re not bringing the film just because I love her. ELAINE STRITCH: SHOOT ME is currently rated “100% Fresh” on rottentomatoes.com. That score almost never happens!

In addition to the new film, we will hold OMAR, DALLAS BUYERS CLUB, and THE GREAT BEAUTY for limited shows for one more week.

Synopsis for ELAINE STRITCH: SHOOT ME: “Now in her late 80s, Broadway legend Elaine Stritch remains as ferociously funny as ever. In this bold, hilarious and poignant portrait, the uncompromising Tony and Emmy Award-winner is revealed both on and off stage. Candid reflections about her life are punctuated with words from friends (including James Gandolfini, Tina Fey, John Turturro, Hal Prince, George C. Wolfe, Nathan Lane and Cherry Jones) and archival footage that showcases some of the great moments from her career. Whether dominating the stage, tormenting Alec Baldwin on the set of 30 Rock, or sharing her struggles with aging, diabetes and alcoholism, Elaine Stritch: Shoot Me reaches beyond the icon’s brassy exterior and reveals an inspiring portrait of a complex woman and artist.” Visit the film’s official site by clicking this LINK.

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

We’re terribly excited to open Wes Anderson’s THE GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL on March 21. Opening weekend in NYC and LA broke huge records! For a little taste of the film, click HERE for the official site. For even more flavor of the film, visit the site that is dedicated to its fictional world by clicking HERE.

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Fg5iWmQjwk’]

“Lion Apparel invites all area Firefighters & their friends to come to THE NEON to see the documentary BURN…’One year on the front lines of the battle to save Detroit.’ BURN is an award-winning, action-packed film that takes you closer than you’ve ever been, capturing a year in the lives of Detroit firefighters who are charged with the thankless task of saving a city that many have written off as dead. There will be 2 screenings – Tuesday April 1st and Wednesday April 2nd. Each screening starts at 7:30. Minimum $5 donation payable at the door. Money raised will go toward the Firefighter Cancer Support Network.” (taken from press notes)

Thanks so much for reading this newsletter and for your continued support of THE NEON!

We hope to see you soon,

Jonathan

SHOWTIMES for Friday, March 14 – Thursday, March 20:

ELAINE STRITCH: SHOOT ME (NR) 1 Hr 20 Min
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 1:00, 3:00, 5:15, 7:15
Monday – Thursday: 3:15, 5:30, 7:30

DALLAS BUYERS CLUB (R) 1 Hr 57 Min
Friday, Saturday: 2:30, 9:40
Sunday: 2:30
Monday – Thursday: 7:50

THE GREAT BEAUTY (NR) 2 Hrs 22 Mins
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 4:50
Monday-Thursday: 5:10

OMAR (NR) 1 Hr 36 Min
Friday, Saturday: 12:20, 7:30, 9:15
Sunday: 12:20, 7:30
Monday – Thursday: 2:40

COMING SOON:
As always, all dates are tentative. Many of these dates will change.
In some rare cases, titles may disappear.

March 21 – GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL
March 28 – TIM’S VERMEER
April 11 – THE RAID 2
April 18 – THE LUNCHBOX
April 25 – LE WEKK-END
May 5 – JODOROWSKI’S DUNE
May 16 – ONLY LOVERS LEFT ALIVE
June 13 – FOR NO GOOD REASON

Academy Nominated OMAR Opens Friday at THE NEON!

March 5, 2014 By Jonathan McNeal Leave a Comment

f243d_movies_omar-96613-poster-xlarge-resized Hello Everyone,

This might be a first…we’ll be featuring 5 films this weekend! In addition to holding all of our current attractions (PHILOMENA, THE GREAT BEAUTY, GLORIA and DALLAS BUYERS CLUB), we will open the Academy Award nominated film OMAR. (PHILOMENA will only play through the weekend…it will screen for the last time on Sunday, March 9!) Visit our website for links to each of the film’s official sites as well as showtimes for the remainder of this week – www.neonmovies.com

Synopsis for OMAR: “A tense, gripping thriller about betrayal, suspected and real, in the Occupied Territories. Omar is a Palestinian baker who routinely climbs over the separation wall to meet up with his girl Nadja. By night, he’s either a freedom fighter or a terrorist – you decide – ready to risk his life to strike at the Israeli military with his childhood friends Tarek and Amjad. Arrested after the killing of an Israeli soldier and tricked into an admission of guilt by association, he agrees to work as an informant. So begins a dangerous game – is he playing his Israeli handler or will he really betray his cause? And who can he trust on either side? Palestinian filmmaker Hany Abu-Assad (director of PARADISE NOW) has made a dynamic, action-packed drama about the insoluble moral dilemmas and tough choices facing those on the frontlines of a conflict that shows no sign of letting up.” Click on this LINK to visit the film’s official site. Nominated for “Best Foreign Film” at this year’s Academy Awards!

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UuvO65EPWFo’]

For the next few weeks, it’s all about our traditional engagements at THE NEON. But starting in April, we will have special events galore for the rest of the Spring. Stay tuned for all the fun details.

Next week, we will open ELAINE STRITCH: SHOOT ME! Have you already seen the trailer? If not, check it out below. And on March 21, we will open Wes Anderson’s latest film – THE GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL. We can’t wait!

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zQysjiUA68U’]

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Fg5iWmQjwk’]

Many thanks to ThinkTV and Square One Salon & Spa for their support of our Annual Oscar Party (click on either business to visit their official sites). Snowy weather hurt our turn-out a little, but the 80+ people who attended still had a great time.

And thanks to YOU for your continued support.

We hope to see you soon,

Jonathan

SHOWTIMES for Friday, March 7 – Thursday, March 13:

PHILOMENA (PG-13) 1 Hr 38 Min
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 12:15

GLORIA (R) 1 Hr 50 Min
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 4:45
Monday – Thursday: 3:00

DALLAS BUYERS CLUB (R) 1 Hr 57 Min
Friday, Saturday: 2:20, 9:45
Sunday: 2:20
Monday – Thursday: 5:15

THE GREAT BEAUTY (NR) 2 Hrs 22 Mins
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 7:00
Monday-Thursday: 7:45

OMAR (NR) 1 Hr 36 Min
Friday, Saturday: 12:40, 2:50, 5:00, 7:15, 9:30
Sunday: 12:40, 2:50, 5:00, 7:15,
Monday – Thursday: 3:10, 5:20, 7:30

COMING SOON:
As always, all dates are tentative. Many of these dates will change.
In some rare cases, titles may disappear.
March 14 – ELAINE STRITCH: SHOOT ME
March 21 – GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL
TBD – TIM’S VERMEER
TBD – LE WEEK-END
April 18 – THE LUNCHBOX