Dayton Ohio

HYDE PARK ON HUDSON and PROMISED LAND at THE NEON

January 2, 2013 By Jonathan McNeal Leave a Comment

Hello Everyone,

Everything must go! If you still need to see ANNA KARENINA, HITCHCOCK or SMASHED, you only have until Thursday (Jan. 3) to see them at THE NEON! On Friday (Jan. 4), we will open two new, exciting films – HYDE PARK ON HUDSON (starring Bill Murray as FDR) and PROMISED LAND (the new film from Gus Van Sant starring Matt Damon). For this week’s remaining showtimes, visit our website at www.neonmovies.com

Synopsis for HYDE PARK ON HUDSON: “In June 1939, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt and his wife Eleanor host the King and Queen of England for a weekend at the Roosevelt home at Hyde Park on Hudson, in upstate New York – the first-ever visit of a reigning English monarch to America. With Britain facing imminent war with Germany, the Royals are desperately looking to FDR for support. But international affairs must be juggled with the complexities of FDR’s domestic establishment, as wife, mother, and mistresses all conspire to make the royal weekend an unforgettable one. Seen through the eyes of Daisy, Franklin’s neighbor and intimate, the weekend will produce not only a special relationship between two great nations, but, for Daisy – and through her, for us all – a deeper understanding of the mysteries of love and friendship.” (Focus Features) Click HERE to visit the official site.

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

Synopsis for PROMISED LAND: “In Promised Land, Matt Damon stars as Steve Butler, a corporate salesman whose journey from farm boy to big-time player takes an unexpected detour when he lands in a small town, where he grapples with a surprising array of both open hearts and closed doors. Gus Van Sant (GOOD WILL HUNTING and MILK) helms the film from an original screenplay written by John Krasinski & Matt Damon.” (Focus Features) Also stars John Krasinski, Frances McDormand, Hal Holbrook and Rosmarie DeWitt. This film about fracking and the strength of small town communities should hit close to home for many in the Miami Valley. Click HERE to visit the official site.

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iBqPv6xO6es’]

A few NEON regulars have asked if I would publish my “Top 10” list for the year. Unfortunately, I just can’t. I feel as though I still need to see so many movies before I decide. (I have yet to see ZERO DARK THIRTY, ARGO, HOLY MOTORS and dozens more.) One thing is for certain. Of the films I have seen, AMOUR is my favorite…and we will bring it to town in February (if you’ve seen the trailer for this film and were unimpressed, you’re not alone…I don’t think the trailer does any service for the brilliant film). Other films that I really liked that have yet to show in town are RUST AND BONE (perhaps you’ve seen the gorgeous and intriguing trailer at THE NEON), QUARTET (Maggie Smith in Dustin Hoffman’s directorial debut) and IN THE HOUSE (Ozon’s new, incredible film).

In reviewing our 2012 numbers, here are the Top 10 films at THE NEON (in order of box office performance) –
MOONRISE KINGDOM (the best by far!), THE BEST EXOTIC MARIGOLD HOTEL, THE ARTIST (this film didn’t open until January of 2012 in Dayton), ANNA KARENINA, THE INTOUCHABLES, TO ROME WITH LOVE, THE MASTER, TINKER TAILOR SOLDIER SPY, BEASTS OF THE SOUTHERN WILD and JEFF WHO LIVES AT HOME (Though the #10 almost went to HITCHCOCK …it was that close!).

We’ve never announced anything like this before, but we thought that some of you might be interested…
THE NEON is excited to spread the word about an investment opportunity for people who love good, independent filmmaking. This Spring, a Dayton-native who currently lives and works in NYC will return to town in order to shoot a feature-length film. We’ve shown her work in the past, and we believe in her Dayton-centric screenplay and vision. If you’d like to find out more about the opportunity to invest in this project, please respond to me via e-mail or telephone. Someone associated with the film will contact you with more details. My contact info: [email protected] or (937)222-8452

If you were a fan of the one-night only screening of RIDE THE DIVIDE, mark your calendars now for January 23. We will host a one-night only screening of the new film REVEAL THE PATH. “REVEAL THE PATH is a genre-defying adventure film that contemplates what it means to live an inspired life using the bicycle as a mechanism to explore, dream and discover. Regions explored include Scotland’s lush valleys, Europe’s snow capped mountains, Morocco’s high desert landscapes, Nepal’s rural countryside and Alaska’s rugged coastal beaches…Meet the locals living modest yet seemingly fulfilling lives, leading us to question what it means to live an inspired life – however humble or extravagant. Join in as the creators of RIDE THE DIVIDE take you on an adventure that will leave you with an eager desire to chart your own course to far away lands or simply to discover with eyes wide open what’s right around the bend.” (taken from press notes) Check out the official site to find out more about the film and to purchase advanced tickets. (We will not be selling advanced tickets for this event at our box office…they will only be available on the official site.)

Thanks so much for your ongoing support throughout the year!
It’s officially Oscar season, and we hope to see you soon,
Jonathan

SHOWTIMES for Fri. Jan. 4 – Thur, Jan. 10:

HYDE PARK ON HUDSON (R) 1 Hr 34 Min
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 12:50, 3:00, 5:10, 7:20, 9:30
Monday – Thursday: 3:00, 5:15, 7:50

PROMISED LAND (R) 1 Hr 46 Min
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 12:45, 3:00, 5:15, 7:30, 9:45
Monday – Thursday: 3:00, 5:30, 8:00

COMING SOON:
As always, all dates are tentative. Many of these dates will change.
In some rare cases, titles may disappear.
Jan. 11 – DIANA VREELAND: THE EYE HAS TO TRAVEL
Jan 25 – RUST AND BONE
Jan. ? – A ROYAL AFFAIR
Feb. 15 – AMOUR
Feb ? – WEST OF MEMPHIS
Spring – ON THE ROAD

Bloody Delicious

January 1, 2013 By Brian Petro 1 Comment

There are so many Bloody Marys to discuss, who knows where to begin? Queen Mary I of England first picked up the name during her reign from 1553 to 1558. Her prosecution of the Protestants was brutal, ranging from exile to execution. The rate at which she executed them was extreme, earning her the nickname of Bloody Mary. There is also a game you can play during Halloween (or any sufficiently dark sleepover) where you go into the bathroom and stare into the mirror, chanting the name “Bloody Mary” over and over again to either summon the ghost of the murderous Queen Mary, or a witch of the same name. Summoning the ghost in the mirror will not make her happy, and you have to turn the light on in the room you are playing before she breaks through the mirror and rips your soul to pieces. Or does something considerably worse. January 1, National Bloody Mary Day, on the dawn of a brand new year, does not seem to be the best time to celebrate either of the two previous ladies. The spicy, vodka based cocktail you sip at brunches is a better thing to focus on. It might be your first cocktail of 2013, working hard to cure your hangover.

The history of the Bloody Mary cocktail is as interesting and complex as the drink itself. It was invented in the early 1920’s by a man named Ferdinand “Pete” Petoit at Harry’s American Bar in Paris. He claims to have named it after a woman named Mary, who would spend hours at the bar sadly waiting for a less than stellar, or punctual, boyfriend. Initially, the drink was made with equal parts of vodka and tomato juice, making it a thick and rather bland drink. When Petoit moved the drink with him to America, he began to improve it, adding Worcestershire sauce, Tobasco, celery salt, salt, pepper, lemon juice, and anything else to spice up the tomato juice. The other thing that was changed in America was the liquor. We may think of vodka as a spirit that has always been around, but the United States did not get on the vodka bandwagon until the 1950’s with Smirnoff’s big, “Breathless” push. The base spirit in the 30’s and 40’s became the much easier to find gin, and the name of the cocktail switched over to a Red Snapper. Some theories abound that we delicate Americans could not handle the original name and it was switched for that reason. When the Smirnoff promotion fully hit the United States, the company used the Bloody Mary as one of the cocktails to promote the spirit, it was launched into the American bar scene.

The Bloody Mary is considered by most cocktail historians and scholars as a staple drink, and is included within the pages of every cocktail book published since it was invented. They are so iconic that in 1986 Absolut vodka introduced Absolut Peppar, the first commercially made flavored vodka, specifically for the Bloody Mary craze that was going on at the time. The Bloody Mary may be a cornerstone of many bars, but it is not universally liked. Many cocktails scholars, including David Embury and Gary Regan, are not fans of the drink. Embury went as far as to call it “strictly vile”. The thickness of the drink or the savory flavors tend to turn off as many people to the drink as it attracts. It is also not something popular to drink in the evening; it is too thick to drink many of them at one sitting. But having one at breakfast is very acceptable. In fact, the vitamins and minerals in the tomato juice, along with your eggs, toast, and bacon make a pretty handy hangover cure for everything you DID drink last night. A Virgin Mary, all of the nutrients, none of the alcohol, makes an even better cure.

The recipe…yeah, about that. There is an art to making a Bloody Mary. The main ingredients of vodka and tomato juice are not in question. The spices that go into the cocktail is where the lines get drawn. The inventor himself laid out the spicy ingredients as salt, black pepper, cayenne pepper, Worcestershire sauce, and lemon. Over the years other spices have been introduced or experimented with, like horseradish, sriracha, dill, rice vinegar, mustard, and many others. Ultimately, the goal is to make sure you are balancing out the sweet tomato juice with the spices as not to make either overpowering. Garnishes for the Bloody Mary fall into the same category. Many people associate a celery stick as the garnish, but you can also use a lime wedge or olives to finish off the drink as well.

Bloody Mary (Classic version)

2 oz. vodka (pepper or bacon works well)
5 oz tomato juice
.5 oz lemon juice
4 dashes of hot sauce
2 dashes of Worcestershire sauce
A dash of salt
A dash of pepper
Celery salt (optional)

Pour all of the ingredients into a mixing glass with ice. Roll the ingredients back and forth between two separate glasses. Rolling a cocktail mixes all the ingredients gently, so the tomato juice does not get very thin and bubbly, as it would if it was shaken. You can add a dash of celery salt to the top of the cocktail, or rim the glass with the salt.

Tyrannical queens and creepy children’s games aside, the Blood Mary is rich in flavor and history. It is evolving as tastes change as other bartenders get their hands on it. You can get it very well made at most brunch places in the area, or you can make it at home with spices you have there. With the biggest party of the year being on December 31^st, having a classic brunch cocktail/hangover cure celebrated on the first day of the year only makes sense.

Let us know where you are having your Bloody Mary today, and who makes the best ones in Dayton. Happy New Year everyone!

Waiter, There is Champagne in my Cocktail…

December 28, 2012 By Brian Petro 1 Comment

Champagne is a beverage that we bring out only at special celebrations. It was the French royalty at the beginning of the 18^th century that popularized the trend of drinking this sparkling beverage. It became perceived (with marketing help from the grape growers in the Champagne region of France) as a drink of the affluent, so the people of the middle and working classes only would drink it for special occasions. Even though champagne and other sparkling wines have become fairly easy to find and purchase at a modest price, it is still something we associate with infrequent celebrations and special events. We see it when sports teams win championships, when couples get married, maybe when someone smashes a bottle of it to christen a boat, and of course, New Year’s Eve. People sip it straight out of a flute or a coupe if they are feeling a little more vintage vibe. What you do not see much of is people mixing it into a cocktail.

A mimosa at breakfast is typically the extent of people’s experience with a champagne based cocktail. Possibly a bellini for brunch or a light lunch drink. There are so many more cocktails you can make with champagne as the base, playing off the general sweetness and effervescence of it. The one thing you always want to keep in mind: champagne is very carbonated. Take care when you are mixing the ingredients together. Also, champagne is a sparkling wine specific to the Champagne region of France. It belongs to the larger category of sparkling white wines where you will find cava (Spain), prosecco (Italy), and sekt (Germany). For the purposes of the recipes, I am going to use what the original source calls for. You can use other sparkling wines, but the taste will vary accordingly.

Champagne Cocktails 101

Here are a few cocktails you can make with champagne and common liquors, or other mixers you may have at your party.

Bellini

1.5 oz. peach schnapps
4-6 oz. prosecco

Pour the peach schnapps into a flute, and then add champagne. Stir gently, and garnish with a peach slice.

Before all of you bartenders and other cocktail experts leap upon me, a traditional bellini is made with white peach puree, not peach schnapps. If you can find the ripe peaches in the store, or premade peach puree, substitute that for the peach schnapps. I have even
seen this recipe called a Dirty Bellini.

Mimosa

2 oz. orange juice
.25 oz orange liqueur (triple sec, Grand Marnier, etc.)
4-6 oz. champagne

Pour the orange juice into the flute, and then add champagne. The orange liqueur is added last, as a float, and is optional if you do not have it available. It will also not be bad to have on New Year’s Day.

Black Velvet

Stout (Guinness is the traditional choice)
Champagne

Add equal parts stout and champagne into a pilsner glass. It is a bigger trick that you might think. I will usually put the champagne in first, and then add the stout VERY slowly, keeping a close eye on the bubbling of the champagne. When Prince Albert passed away, the whole country went into mourning with Queen Victoria. Even the champagne, with the help from Guinness, was black with sorrow.

Champagne Cocktails 201

Very popular, you may need to purchase a few specialty ingredients, or make a few extra preparations for these cocktails.

Kir Royale

.5 oz Crème de cassis
6 oz. champagne

Pour a standard pour of champagne in a flute and add the crème de cassis. Crème de cassis is a black currant flavored liqueur. A kir can also be made in a similar fashion, substituting a dry white wine for the champagne.

Champagne Cocktail

Sugar cube soaked in Angostura bitters (2 dashes of bitters should do)
6 oz. champagne
Splash of cognac (optional)

Place the sugar cube in the bottom of the flute. Pour the champagne over the cube, allowing the sugar and bitters to dissolve. The cognac float at the end is more popular in England than it is here. This is another notable vintage cocktail, something you will see mentioned in more than a few black and white movies. Talkies, as the kids call them.

Poinsettia

3 oz. cranberry juice
1 oz. orange liqueur
3 oz. champagne

Pour the cranberry juice and orange liqueur into a flute and stir together. Add the champagne and enjoy. It is seasonal, festive, and delicious.

Champagne Cocktails 301

These are going to take liqueurs that are a little more obscure or expensive, and much more preparation.
They may be a little less known generally, but have a place in cocktail history.

Death in the Afternoon

1 oz. absinthe or Pernod
5 oz. champagne

Pour the absinthe into a flute, and then add champagne. Absinthe balances out the sweet champagne with a hint of wormwood and licorice flavors. Ernest Hemmingway, who is credited with the creation of the drink, also suggests in the recipe to enjoy three to five in the afternoon. This probably explains quite a bit about his work.

French 75

1 oz. gin
.5 oz. lemon juice
1.5 tsp. simple syrup
4 oz. champagne

In a mixing glass, combine the gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup. Shake it, and strain the contents into a Collins glass over ice. Top it off with the champagne and gently stir it. Garnish with a cherry and an orange slice. If you are not a fan of gin, you can substitute it with cognac. This cocktail got its name because it was said it felt like you were hit with a French 75mm field gun, a staple of the French army during World War I and the first piece of modern artillery. Boom.

Seelbach Cocktail

1.5 oz. bourbon
.5 oz. orange liqueur
7 dashes Angostura bitters
7 dashes Peychaud bitters
4 oz. champagne

Mix the bourbon, bitters, and orange liqueur briefly over ice, and strain into a flute. Top off the mixture with champagne. It was created at the Seelbach Hotel in Louisville just before Prohibition hit, and the original recipe for this cocktail was lost. It was found recently and brought back to life, with a shocking amount of bitters that offer some balance to the sweetness of the champagne, bourbon, and orange.

You know champagne is going to be in the mix on December 31^st. With a little more planning and a few more purchases, you can have a wide range of cocktails available that can be made with that single ingredient. Of course, there is nothing wrong with just enjoying it as it comes out of the bottle. If you enjoy a little too much of it (since you will not be driving, right?), we have a few remedies for the hangover on January 1^st.

Have a wonderful and safe New Year’s Eve, and a prosperous 2013.

Cheers!

SMASHED and Exciting Announcement at THE NEON

December 26, 2012 By Jonathan McNeal Leave a Comment

Hello Everyone,

HITCHCOCK and ANNA KARENINA are still performing well for us, so we’re going to keep both…but we’ll also add a new film into the mix for one week. On Friday, we will open SMASHED – the new film which just earned an Independent Spirit Award nomination for Mary Elizabeth Winstead.

Synopsis for SMASHED: “A married couple whose bond is built on a mutual love of alcohol gets their relationship put to the test when the wife decides to get sober.” (taken from Sony Classics) Starring Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Aaron Paul, Octavia Spencer and Megan Mullally. Click this LINK to visit the film’s official site.

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

On January 4 we will open 2 new films – HYDE PARK ON HUDSON (with Bill Murray as FDR) and PROMISED LAND (starring Matt Damon, John Krasinski and Frances McDormand – directed by Gus Van Sant)! I think we’ll start the year off with some enthusiastic audiences…this also means that everything on this week’s playlist will leave on January 3. We hope you’ll hurry down.

Thanks so much for your ongoing support!
Just a reminder – we’re open 365 Days a Year!

We hope to see you soon,
Jonathan

SHOWTIMES for Fri. Dec. 28 – Thur, Jan. 3:

ANNA KARENINA (R) 2 Hr 10 Min
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 1:00, 4:00, 7:10
Monday – Thursday: 2:30, 5:15, 8:00

HITCHCOCK (PG-13) 1 Hr 38 Min
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 2:45, 5:00, 7:20, 9:30
Monday – Thursday: 3:00, 7:50

SMASHED (R) 1 Hr 21 Min
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 12:40, 9:45
Monday – Thursday: 5:30

COMING SOON:

As always, all dates are tentative. Many of these dates will change.
In some rare cases, titles may disappear.
Jan. 4 – HYDE PARK ON HUDSON
Jan. 4 – PROMISED LAND
Jan. 11 – DIANA VREELAND: THE EYE HAS TO TRAVEL
Jan 25 – RUST AND BONE
Jan. ? – A ROYAL AFFAIR
Feb. 8 – ON THE ROAD
Feb. 15 – AMOUR
Feb ? – WEST OF MEMPHIS

ANNA KARENINA and HITCHCOCK are Hits At THE NEON!

December 19, 2012 By Jonathan McNeal Leave a Comment

Hello Everyone,

HITCHCOCK and ANNA KARENINA are performing quite well for us, so we’ll hold both for another week!
I’m happy to announce that along with our upgrade to digital projection, we also installed hearing assisted devices. These headphones are available for check-out when you purchase your tickets, and the devices work for all titles. For select titles, “Audio Description” is available. This is a service for the blind and visually impaired…and HITCHCOCK makes use of this technology. (A person narrates the on-screen action via headphones.) Please let us know if you’d like to try these out…and please help us spread the word to people who might be interested in these services.

Check out this lovely featurette about ANNA KARENINA:

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

Check out this fun scene from HITCHCOCK…it’s all about editing and makes me nostalgic for our 35mm projectors (not to mention the way I learned to edit 16mm film at WSU).

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vOTq6KYDTfI’]

Do you use Facebook? If so, we’ve got a fun contest going on that uses the HITCHCOCK photobooth in our lobby. Check out our Facebook page for details on how you could win a HITCHCOCK prize pack – which includes dvds of PSYCHO and NORTH BY NORTHWEST. Only a handful of people have entered, so your chances are very good! But hurry up – the contest ends on Dec. 23! Here’s our page – www.facebook.com/neonmovies

If you are in need of a fun stocking stuffer, we have day planners featuring The Rubi Girls in our lobby for $20 each or 2 for $30. The Rubi Girls are a comedic drag troupe here in Dayton who have now helped to raise over One Million Dollars for HIV Charities in Ohio. 100% of the price of the planner goes back to AIDS Resource Center Ohio. (These planners are intended for mature audiences.)

We just confirmed our line-up for the next few weeks. On December 28, we will open SMASHED for one week – featuring a fantastic performance by Mary Elizabeth Winstead (who was just nominated for an Independent Spirit Award). On January 4 we will open 2 new films – HYDE PARK ON HUDSON (with Bill Murray as FDR) and PROMISED LAND (starring Matt Damon, John Krasinski and Frances McDormand – directed by Gus Van Sant)! I think we’ll start the year off with some enthusiastic audiences.

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iBqPv6xO6es’]

Thanks so much for your ongoing support!
Just a reminder – we’re open 365 Days a Year!
We hope to see you soon,
Jonathan

SHOWTIMES for Fri. Dec. 21 – Thur, Dec. 27:

ANNA KARENINA (R) 2 Hr 10 Min
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 1:00, 4:00, 7:10, 9:45
Monday: 2:30, 5:15
Tuesday – Thursday: 2:30, 5:15, 8:00

HITCHCOCK (PG-13) 1 Hr 38 Min
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 12:30, 2:45, 5:00, 7:20, 9:30
Monday: 3:00, 5:30
Tuesday – Thursday: 3:00, 5:30, 7:50

COMING SOON:
As always, all dates are tentative. Many of these dates will change.
In some rare cases, titles may disappear.
Dec. 28 – SMASHED
Jan. 4 – HYDE PARK ON HUDSON
Jan. 4 – PROMISED LAND
Jan. 11 – DIANA VREELAND: THE EYE HAS TO TRAVEL
Jan 25 – RUST AND BONE
Jan. ? – A ROYAL AFFAIR
Feb. 8 – ON THE ROAD
Feb. 15 – AMOUR
Feb ? – WEST OF MEMPHIS

HITCHCOCK Now Playing At THE NEON

December 14, 2012 By Jonathan McNeal Leave a Comment

Hello Everyone,

ANNA KARENINA is still going strong…and we’re opening a film today that I think will continue to keep us quite busy. HITCHCOCK – a film about the making of PSYCHO and the relationship between Alfred Hitchcock and his wife Alma Reville – is lots of fun. The performances are stellar and the story is great. Rex Reed of THE NEW YORK OBSERVER gave the film a 100% review. He wrote, “This is one of the best movies of 2012. With rich performances, a riveting and articulate screenplay, meticulous direction and enough grounded emotional intensity to keep your pulse pounding, Hitchcock grabs you by the lapels like a suspense classic by Hitch himself – a knockout from start to finish.”

Synopsis for HITCHCOCK: “Lurking behind Alfred Hitchcock, cinema’s ‘master of suspense’ — the extraordinary film icon known for orchestrating some of the most intense experiences of menace and intrigue audiences have ever seen, was a hidden side: his creatively explosive romance with his steadfast wife and filmmaking collaborator, Alma Reville. Now, for the first time, Sacha Gervasi’s HITCHCOCK lays bare their captivating and complex love story. It does so through the sly, shadowy lens of their most daring filmmaking adventure: the making of the spine-tingling 1960 thriller, PSYCHO, which would become the director’s most controversial and legendary film. When the tumultuous, against-the-odds production was over, nothing about movies would ever be the same – but few realized that it took two to pull it off.” (Fox Searchlight) Click this link to visit the official site.

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3rQuRLERl6A’]

Do you use Facebook? If so, we’ve got a fun contest going on that uses the HITCHCOCK photobooth in our lobby. Check out our Facebook page for details on how you could win a HITCHCOCK prize pack – which includes dvds of PSYCHO and NORTH BY NORTHWEST. Here’s our page – www.facebook.com/neonmovies

The Family Holiday Film Series picked up quite a bit this past weekend. Thanks to everyone who came out for IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE…the crowd was awesome. This Saturday marks the final film in the series. Many thanks to the Dayton Holiday Festival, DP&L, and Channel 99.9 for their sponsorship.
Here is the last film of this year’s line-up:
DEC. 15 at Noon – ARTHUR CHRISTMAS
This film is free for children 12 & under and only $2 for everyone else.

The holidays are upon us, and we hope you won’t forget that NEON gift certificates make great presents! Whether they’re for the film-lover in your life…or the person who still needs to discover THE NEON…we sell them at our box office in $5 and $10 denominations.

Thanks so much for your ongoing support!
We hope to see you soon,
Jonathan

SHOWTIMES for Fri. Dec. 14 – Thur, Dec. 20:

ANNA KARENINA (R) 2 Hr 10 Min
Friday: 1:00, 4:00, 7:10, 9:45
Saturday: 4:00, 7:10, 9:45
Sunday: 1:00, 4:00, 7:10, 9:45
Monday – Thursday: 2:30, 5:15, 8:00

HITCHCOCK (PG-13) 1 Hr 38 Min
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 12:30, 2:45, 5:00, 7:20, 9:30
Monday – Thursday: 3:00, 5:30, 7:50

ARTHUR CHRISTMAS (NR) 1 Hr 37 Min
Saturday: 12:00 (Noon)

COMING SOON:
As always, all dates are tentative. Many of these dates will change.
In some rare cases, titles may disappear.
Dec. ? – SMASHED
Dec. ? – A ROYAL AFFAIR
Jan. 4 – HYDE PARK ON HUDSON
Jan ? – RUST AND BONE
Jan ? – ON THE ROAD
Feb ? – WEST OF MEMPHIS
Feb. ? – AMOUR
TBD – DIANA VREELAND: THE EYE HAS TO TRAVEL

CHASING ICE & IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE at THE NEON

December 5, 2012 By Jonathan McNeal Leave a Comment

Hello Everyone,

We’ve got a hit! ANNA KARENINA had a great opening weekend. Thanks to everyone who came out to support it. If you were at THE NEON over the weekend, you more than likely saw the trailer for CHASING ICE – the beautiful and scary documentary that will open this Friday. If you still need to see THE SESSIONS (one of my favorite films of the year) or THE PERKS OF BEING A WALLFLOWER (a great little film that has helped us find a younger audience at THE NEON), you only have until Thursday to see them at THE NEON.

CHASING ICE is only slated to play for one week! Hurry down!!

Synopsis for CHASING ICE: “In the spring of 2005, acclaimed environmental photographer James Balog headed to the Arctic on a tricky assignment for National Geographic: to capture images to help tell the story of the Earth’s changing climate. Even with a scientific upbringing, Balog had been a skeptic about climate change. But that first trip north opened his eyes to the biggest story in human history and sparked a challenge within him that would put his career and his very well-being at risk. Chasing Ice is the story of one man’s mission to change the tide of history by gathering undeniable evidence of our changing planet.” (National Geographic Channel) Click this LINK to visit the official site.

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eIZTMVNBjc4′]

The Family Holiday Film Series was off to a slow start this past weekend, but there are still 2 films left. If you know someone who might be interested in these special holiday films, we hope you’ll help us spread the word. Many thanks to the Dayton Holiday Festival, DP&L, and Channel 99.9 for their sponsorship.
Here are the last 2 films of this year’s line-up:
DEC. 8 at Noon – IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE
DEC. 15 at Noon – ARTHUR CHRISTMAS
These films are FREE for children 12 & under and only $2 for everyone else.

Thanks so much for your ongoing support!
We hope to see you soon,
Jonathan

SHOWTIMES for Fri. Dec. 7 – Thur, Dec. 13:

ANNA KARENINA (R) 2 Hr 10 Min
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 1:00, 4:00, 7:00, 9:45
Monday – Wednesday: 2:30, 5:15, 8:00
Thursday: 2:30, 8:00

CHASING ICE (PG-13) 1 Hr 16 Min
Friday: 1:15, 3:15, 5:15, 7:20, 9:30
Saturday: 3:15, 5:15, 7:20, 9:30
Sunday: 1:15, 3:15, 5:15, 7:20, 9:30
Monday – Wednesday: 3:30, 5:30, 7:30
Thursday: 3:30, 7:30

IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE (NR) 2 Hr 10 Min
Saturday: 12:00 (Noon)

COMING SOON:
As always, all dates are tentative. Many of these dates will change.
In some rare cases, titles may disappear.
Dec. 14 – HITCHCOCK
Dec. ? – SMASHED
Dec. ? – A ROYAL AFFAIR
Jan. 4 – HYDE PARK ON HUDSON
Jan ? – RUST AND BONE
Jan ? – ON THE ROAD
Feb ? – WEST OF MEMPHIS
Feb. ? – AMOUR
TBD – DIANA VREELAND: THE EYE HAS TO TRAVEL

So You Want to Bar Tend…

December 2, 2012 By Brian Petro 1 Comment

Perhaps you will be making many of these…

Bartending has a fog of grandeur around it. We lean against the bar polishing glasses, we are in touch with deeper wisdom than many mortals, and we know the ins and outs of every drink known to man. In the middle of the chaotic bar scene you are used to, we are the men and women who navigate through it all with ease and confidence, remembering drink orders of most of the patrons. That is why we always get one or two numbers a night from the people in the bar. I hear more than once or twice a week how nice it must be to be a bartender, and how they would love to do what I do.

Bartending is a tough gig. The hours are long, there is quite a bit of very physical work involved (kegs and cases of beer are incredibly heavy), and the pay is always uncertain. Being on top of your game means doing what people in other professions do: reading the trades and books, searching the internet for the edges of the trends, and trying to stay one step ahead of what your customers might be demanding. You get to deal with very drunk people, sometimes demanding people, and of course cleaning up after a great party every night.

There are good and bad things about every job. The first time I went behind the bar, I knew it was something I was going to love doing. It was comfortable, like a well worn t-shirt. It is not something for everyone. If you are looking to eventually work your way into becoming a bartender, here are a few things you want to consider:

Pick your spot. It is interesting to note that not all places offer the same sort of bartending. Jokers and the Funny Bone work on the premise of speed. We had a limited amount of time, and we wanted to make the best cocktails at the fastest pace. That leaves many cocktails with muddling out. Or making cocktails with fresh squeezed ingredients. However, there are places around town where they can take their time to squeeze oranges for each drink, and delicately muddle the mint in a mojito. They may even make their own liquor infusions. On the other end, some bartending jobs are little more than pulling draughts, pouring shots, and opening cans. Look for the type of bartending you want to do, and try to get in a place that offers it.
Prepare for a long apprenticeship. I started bartending at Jokers Comedy Café in 2005. I started working at Jokers in 2002. I do not know of any bartenders that walked in and right away got the job unless they had some experience. And not classroom experience; real world behind-the-bar experience. To become a bartender, you are going to have to take some time lurking in the shadows at the place you want to bartend at. Maybe as a bar back. Maybe as a server. Just get in somehow, and let the manager know you want to be a bartender. It may be a long time, but you might actually get back there. Then there will be a period of working the Tuesday dinner shifts, the Sunday brunch shifts, or other less than desirable bartending periods. Once make it through all of this, it makes it easier to get bartending jobs at other places.
Everyday you’re hustling. There is a hierarchy in the serving industry, and bartenders are on the top of it. There are usually very few of them compared to other positions in the restaurant, and they are picked from the best servers and workers. They are given the most autonomy out of any position, and it is not by shirking shifts and needing to be prodded to do their job at every turn. Why? They are in charge of one of the most precious commodities a bar has: the liquor. The management has to trust you with such a vital and expensive part of their business. You have to show them that you are that person they can trust.
Study the menu. See the type of drinks they offer, and the types of drinks people are ordering. I have made hundreds, possibly thousands, of Mai Tais and Blue Kazoos (.75 oz. blue curacao, .75 oz. Bacardi 151 rum, and lemon lime soda, served in a highball glass). I could count the number of Rob Roys or Rusty Nails I have made on my fingers. This gives you a chance to start learning the popular drinks and how to make them.
…or opening quite a few of these.
Learn your trade. What is the difference between cognac and brandy? What craft beers are starting to become popular? Who is Jerry Thomas? Or Gary Regan? These are things you want to start learning as you are waiting to become a bartender. Go to tastings like the Century has for whiskey, the Trolley Stop has for beer, and various places around the area have for wine. Read books. Check out magazines. Surf the web. Absorb everything you can, and use it. Your customers will thank you for it. Hopefully with money.
Weekends? Holidays? Most people see weekends and holidays as a time to relax and spend time with family and friends. While they are winding down, you have to be winding up. Weekends are when you make your money. Friday and Saturday night are the prime shifts, when all the real money making occurs. Though, you have probably learned all this through the apprenticeship phase. Or just by looking around when you are out on Friday and Saturday while waiting for a table. It could cause some friction with family and friends when you tell them you really cannot make it for the big Saturday graduation party because you have to, you know, pay rent. It becomes a trade off you have to be willing to accept.
Love thy customer. The other side of your bar has people on it. They are not the enemy, they are not walking ATMs, they are not trying to make you have a bad night. They just want a drink, even if that drink is something that makes your bartender soul cringe (chocolate martini with Tanquery, anyone?). They want to celebrate their birthday, have fun on their date, or commiserate a bad day with friends. Your rough night behind the bar, broken glass in the ice, or bartender that did not show up is not their concern. Always smile. Chat with them, ask them about their day, and enjoy their company. Being a great bartender is more than just knowing how to make a good cocktail; it is knowing how to help a few hundred people a night a really good time.

I am a huge fan of working behind the bar, making cocktails for people, and seeing all of them enjoying their night. When I do complain about the bad tipper or the overly needy customer, I remember that they are in the minority, and ninety five percent of the people I deal with are incredible, fun, and are looking to enjoy their night. If after reading all of this, you still are looking to bet back there and make the best damn drinks in Dayton, good luck. I hope you make it. If anyone else has some tips, or wants to share their story about getting into bartending, we would love to hear it. Cheers!

ANNA KARENINA Opens at THE NEON

November 28, 2012 By Jonathan McNeal Leave a Comment

Hello Everyone,

If you haven’t had a chance to see A LATE QUARTET, Thursday will be your last chance to see it at THE NEON. On Friday, we will open Joe Wright’s gorgeous adaptation of ANNA KARENINA. We will also hold THE SESSIONS and THE PERKS OF BEING A WALLFLOWER for one more week. (CHASING ICE – the stunningly incredible new documentary – is slated to open on Dec. 7…check out its website.) Showtimes for the remainder of this week can be found on our website.

Synopsis for ANNA KARENINA: “The third collaboration of Academy Award nominee Keira Knightley with acclaimed director Joe Wright, following the award-winning box office successes Pride & Prejudice and Atonement, is a bold, theatrical new vision of the epic story of love, adapted from Leo Tolstoy’s timeless novel by Academy Award winner Tom Stoppard. The story powerfully explores the capacity for love that surges through the human heart. As Anna (Ms. Knightley) questions her happiness and marriage, change comes to all around her.” (Focus Features) Also starring Jude Law, this is a stunningly conceptual film. I saw it at its premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival, and though it took me a few moments to adjust to its technique, I was eventually consumed by it. Click this link to visit the official site.

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rPGLRO3fZnQ’]

On Saturday, we will kick off the return of the Family Holiday Film Series
– sponsored by The Dayton Holiday Festival, DP&L, Channel 99.9 and THE NEON. Here is this year’s line-up:
DEC. 1 at Noon – PRANCER
DEC. 8 at Noon – IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE
DEC. 15 at Noon – ARTHUR CHRISTMAS
These films are free for children 12 & under and only $2 for everyone else.

If you were a fan of the one-night only screening of RIDE THE DIVIDE, mark your calendars now for January 23. We will host a one-night only screening of the new film REVEAL THE PATH. In the next couple weeks, I will provide more details…but if you just can’t wait, you can check out the official site to find out more about the film.

And don’t forget NEON gift certificates! Whether they’re for the film-lover in your life…or the person who still needs to discover THE NEON…our gift certificate make the perfect gift this holiday season. We sell them at our box office in $5 and $10 denominations.

Thanks so much for your ongoing support!
We hope to see you soon,
Jonathan

SHOWTIMES for Fri. Nov. 30 – Thur, Dec. 6:

THE SESSIONS (R) 1 Hr 35 Min
Friday: 12:30, 2:45, 7:20
Saturday: 2:45, 7:20
Sunday: 12:30, 2:45, 7:20
Monday – Thursday: 3:00, 7:50

ANNA KARENINA (R) 2 Hr 10 Min
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 1:00, 4:00, 7:00, 9:45
Monday – Thursday: 2:30, 5:15, 8:00

THE PERKS OF BEING A WALLFLOWER (PG-13) 1 Hr 42 Min
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 4:50, 9:30
Monday – Thursday: 5:30

PRANCER (G) 1 Hr 43 Min
Saturday: 12:00 (Noon)

COMING SOON:
As always, all dates are tentative. Many of these dates will change.
In some rare cases, titles may disappear.
Dec. 7 – CHASING ICE
Dec. 14 – HITCHCOCK
Dec. ? – SMASHED
Dec. ? – A ROYAL AFFAIR
Jan. 4 – HYDE PARK ON HUDSON
Jan ? – RUST AND BONE
Jan ? – ON THE ROAD
Feb ? – WEST OF MEMPHIS
Feb. ? – AMOUR
TBD – DIANA VREELAND: THE EYE HAS TO TRAVEL

Short, Dark, and Strong – National Espresso Day

November 23, 2012 By Brian Petro Leave a Comment

A traditional cup of espresso.

Europe is a culture always on the move. In the 1600’s, coffee was introduced to Europe, allowing people to stay up longer to get more done. After it was given the blessing of Pope Clement VIII, it spread like wildfire through the continent, allowing people to stay up longer, be sharper, and get even more done. It overtook beer as a breakfast drink in New York by the 1670’s, and just kept getting more and more popular. Things moved really fast for coffee. The only thing that was not moving fast for coffee was how it was made. There were some innovations, like the French press and the vacuum pot, but they could only make small quantities, taking upwards of ten minutes to make two cups. People had factories to build and continents to conquer, so there was a constant search to speed up the process. It was not until the beginning of the 20^th century, in the explosion of the Industrial Age, that coffee was put on the fast track.

Luigi Bezzera was one of the many people looking for a better way to get a cup of coffee. He created a machine that used steam power to force hot water at a high rate of speed through the coffee grinds, pulling out all of the best aspects of the coffee and doing it rapidly. It took the five minute long process of making coffee down to thirty seconds and the product tasted delicious. A machine to brew coffee for the masses was created in 1884 by Angelo Moriondo, but each cup was not created for individuals. Bezzera’s made a cup of coffee expressly and quickly for each individual. The patent was eventually bought by Desiderio Pavoni and then the machine mass produced, which helped to spread the popularity of this coffee concentrate, referred to as “espresso” (“fast” or “expressed” in Italian), throughout Italy. Eventually it conquered the European continent and went anywhere Italians travelled to. It was not just the speed at which espresso was made that boosted its popularity in Italy; if you wanted to sit down to drink your coffee, you paid an extra fee. Enjoying your coffee standing up made it a little cheaper, so you wanted to drink it a little faster. The espresso machine has gone through many refinements since it was first created. A piston pump was eventually added to force water through the coffee without depending on the boiler. This removed some of the burnt flavor from the espresso, since the water being forced through the grounds could be done at a cooler temperature. This was eventually replaced by an electric pump, which has created the modern espresso machine.

The traditional espresso machine. A big machine for a little drink…

Espresso has a rich, deep flavor to it, much like you would expect when you compress an eight ounce cup of coffee into two ounces. The cup of coffee, however, has more caffeine per serving. Espresso does not have a specific roast required, so you can make a dark or light roast coffee into an espresso. The beans are typically ground very fine; since the water is being forced through at a high rate of speed and you want to get the most flavor out of it. Espresso is also the foundation for a whole industry of beverages. American soldiers started to drink it while they were stationed in Europe during World War II, but added hot water to it do dilute the strong flavor, creating the Americano. Cappuccinos and lattes became popular because of the uniqueness of the foam on top of the cappuccino, and the American tradition of adding cream or milk to their coffee. If you want to add a little chocolate flavor to the mix, you can have a Mocha (also the name of the area coffee was rumored to be discovered). Most coffee chains also offer the ability to add espresso to a standard cup of coffee for a little extra kick, a red eye being one shot, and a black eye being two shots. The deep coffee flavor of espresso has also jumped into the world of cocktails as well.

When people think coffee flavor and liquor, Kahlua is what people reach for. It has been the go to coffee flavoring for drinks for decades. As the flavored vodka boom expanded, there were two companies in the early days that created enduring espresso vodkas: Three Olives Triple Shot Espresso and Van Gogh Double and Single Espresso. Sminoff also has jumped into the mix with their Dark Roasted Espresso vodka, which also steps in with a 100 proof punch. Of course, if you want to make your own espresso vodka, there are simple ways to do that as well (via Bex Huff).

Equipment:

Coarse ground espresso beans
A 4 cup French Press for making coffee
Good vodka (I will always recommend Buckeye)
A funnel
A glass bottle

Process:

Put a ½ cup of the espresso beans in the press.
Add three cups of vodka to the press.
Allow the mixture to sit for about fifteen minutes.
Press down the plunger to strain out the coffee grounds from the vodka.
Pour into the glass bottle for storage.

Now that you have a good, solid espresso vodka (store bought or homemade), here is the most popular recipe used for espresso vodka, the espresso martini.

Espresso Martini 1

1 oz. cold espresso
1.5 oz. vodka
.75 oz. coffee liqueur
.5 oz. white cream de cocoa

Pour the ingredients into a mixing glass over ice. Shake vigorously, and pour into a chilled martini glass. If you want to make it extra fancy, you can rim the glass with powdered chocolate.

Espresso Martini 2

1.5 oz. espresso vodka
1 oz. vanilla vodka or vanilla liqueur (Dr. McGillicuddy makes a fine one.)
1 oz. white cream de cocoa

Pour the ingredients into a mixing glass over ice. Shake vigorously, and pour into a chilled martini glass. If you want to make it extra fancy, you can rim the glass with powdered chocolate.

Espresso’s richness, versatility, and speed of making it has helped it become a staple to the coffee culture that has developed in the United States. It simmered as a novelty until chains like Starbucks helped it to cover the nation with its deep flavor and versatility. Our culture is not going to be moving any slower in the near future, so our need for a quick pick me will continue for a long time. However, we have found other ways to relax with this densely caffeinated drink. Where is the best place to hit before work to get a little espresso pick me up, or the best place to wind down with an espresso cocktail, in Dayton? Let us know in the comments! And however you enjoy your shot of joy to the mind, have a happy National Espresso Day! Cheers!

THE NEON Opens THE PERKS OF BEING A WALLFLOWER

November 20, 2012 By Jonathan McNeal Leave a Comment

Hello Everyone,

I’m sad to report that we had a rather abysmal weekend at THE NEON. THE SESSIONS (which is such a wonderful film) performed well below what we had hoped. A LATE QUARTET (which audiences are loving) absolutely tanked. Because we’ve got a big film opening on Nov. 30 (Joe Wright’s ANNA KARENINA), we needed to add something to the mix for just on week in order to help this weekend’s numbers. It’s a rarity for us to open a film that has already played in our market, but THE PERKS OF BEING A WALLFLOWER is a film that I really loved at The Toronto International Film Festival – and I hope that there are several people who still need to see it. If you saw and loved SESSIONS or LATE QUARTET, please help us spread the word that they won’t be at THE NEON much longer.

Synopsis for THE PERKS OF BEING A WALLFLOWER: “Based on the best-selling novel by Stephen Chbosky, The Perks of Being a Wallflower is a modern classic that captures the dizzying highs and crushing lows of growing up. Starring Logan Lerman, Emma Watson and Ezra Miller, The Perks of Being a Wallflower is a moving tale of love, loss, fear and hope-and the unforgettable friends that help us through life.” (Summit Entertainment) Click HERE to visit the official site.

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aog8680PVmU’]

The first three Saturdays at Noon in December will mark the return of the Family Holiday Film Series – sponsored by The Dayton Holiday Festival, DP&L, Channel 99.9 and THE NEON. Here is this year’s line-up:
DEC. 1 at Noon – PRANCER
DEC. 8 at Noon – IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE
DEC. 15 at Noon – ARTHUR CHRISTMAS
These films are free for children 12 & under and only $2 for everyone else.

We’ve added some great titles to our line-up, so be sure to check out our list below.
And next time you’re in our lobby, make sure to take your picture in our HITCHCOCK Screaming Booth. We’ll soon have a contest on facebook where you’ll be able to post your picture and vote on your favorite scream! (HITCHCOCK – about the making of PSYCHO – is slated to start on December 14…and it’s lots of fun.)

Thanks so much for your ongoing support!
We hope to see you soon,
Jonathan

SHOWTIMES for Fri. Nov. 23 – Thur, Nov. 29:

THE SESSIONS (R) 1 Hr 35 Min
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 12:45, 3:00, 5:15, 7:30, 9:40
Monday – Thursday: 3:00, 5:30, 8:00

A LATE QUARTET (R) 1 Hr 45 Min
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 2:40, 7:20
Monday – Thursday: 2:50, 7:50

THE PERKS OF BEING A WALLFLOWER (PG-13) 1 Hr 42 Min
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 12:20, 5:00, 9:40
Monday – Thursday: 5:30

COMING SOON:
As always, all dates are tentative. Many of these dates will change.
In some rare cases, titles may disappear.
Nov. 30 – ANNA KARENINA
Nov. 30 or Dec. 7 – CHASING ICE
Dec. 14 – HITCHCOCK
Dec. ? – SMASHED
Dec. ? – A ROYAL AFFAIR
Jan. 4 – HYDE PARK ON HUDSON
Jan ? – RUST AND BONE
Jan ? – ON THE ROAD
Feb ? – WEST OF MEMPHIS
Feb. ? – AMOUR
TBD – DIANA VREELAND: THE EYE HAS TO TRAVEL

THE SESSIONS + A LATE QUARTET Opening at THE NEON

November 14, 2012 By Jonathan McNeal Leave a Comment

Hello Everyone,

We’re opening 2 new films at this weekend, and we hope they’ll attract big crowds. This is a lucrative weekend/week at THE NEON. Thanksgiving business can often set the tone for the remaining weeks of the year…and we’re really hoping to end 2012 with a bang! Like many of the films we’ve played at this time, we think some Oscar nominations could arise from our selections. (Here are some films that we’ve played during Thanksgiving in past years: AMELIE, CAPOTE, THE QUEEN, BOY IN THE STRIPED PAJAMAS, 127 HOURS and THE DESCENDANTS.) If you need to see any of our current attractions, Thursday will be your last chance to see them at THE NEON (visit our website for current showtimes). On Friday, we will open THE SESSIONS and A LATE QUARTET.

Synopsis for THE SESSIONS: “The Sessions tells the story of a man confined to an iron lung who is determined at age 38 to lose his virginity. With the help of his therapists and the guidance of his priest, he sets out to make his dream a reality.” (from Fox Searchlight) Starring the amazing John Hawkes and a fearless Helen Hunt, this film is certain to get Oscar attention this year! Click this link to visit the official site. I LOVE THIS FILM!

Synopsis for A LATE QUARTET: “When the beloved cellist of a world-renowned string quartet receives a life changing diagnosis, the group’s future suddenly hangs in the balance: suppressed emotions, competing egos, and uncontrollable passions threaten to derail years of friendship and collaboration. As they are about to play their 25th anniversary concert, quite possibly their last, only their intimate bond and the power of music can preserve their legacy. Inspired by and structured around Beethoven’s Opus 131 String Quartet in C-sharp minor, A LATE QUARTET pays homage to chamber music and the cultural world of New York.” (taken from rottentomatoes.com) Starring Catherine Keener, Christopher Walken, Mark Ivanir, and Philip Seymour Hoffman Click this link to visit the official site.

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6T7vqxwuWEM’]

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O1VCyikozys’]

On Sunday, November 18 at 3:00, The Dayton International Peace Museum, Wright State Peace Lecture Committee, Pi Beta Phi at the University of Dayton and The Dayton Council on World Affairs will present a special, free screening of IN THE LAND OF BLOOD AND HONEY.
“Dayton has made its place in history as the host city for the Dayton Peace Accords. A historic achievement in 1995, the Accords helped bring an end to the tragic civil war of the Former Yugoslavia. With the end in fighting, a horrific reality of ethnic cleaning and genocide was revealed, especially after the international community had pledged ‘No More’ after the end of the Holocaust in 1945. The Angelina Jolie-directed movie, IN THE LAND OF BLOOD AND HONEY portrays a bittersweet love story during the war. It brings to light the tragic reality of war and its impact on our humanity. In the aftermath of the conflict in the former Yugoslavia, a major trial at the International Criminal Court at The Hague took place that led to
international recognition of rape as a weapon of war. At this screening, we will be commemorating the historic Dayton Peace Accords and how Dayton was instrumental in the process. There will also be a Q&A panel after the movie to discuss ongoing violence issues against women that sadly continue domestically and internationally. Please join us for this important movie and stimulating discussion on how we can contribute to peace and humanity in our world today.” (taken from press notes) Visit the film’s official site.

The first three Saturdays at Noon in December will mark the return of the Family Holiday Film Series – sponsored by The Dayton Holiday Festival, DP&L, Channel 99.9 and THE NEON. Here is this year’s line-up:
DEC. 1 at Noon – PRANCER
DEC. 8 at Noon – IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE
DEC. 15 at Noon – ARTHUR CHRISTMAS
These films are free for children 12 & under and only $2 for everyone else.

Next time you’re in our lobby, make sure to take your picture in our HITCHCOCK Screaming Booth. We’ll soon have a contest on facebook where you’ll be able to post your picture and vote on your favorite scream! (HITCHCOCK – about the making of PSYCHO – is slated to start in December…and it’s lots of fun.)

Thanks so much for your ongoing support!
We hope to see you soon,
Jonathan

SHOWTIMES for Fri. Nov. 16 – Thur, Nov. 22:

THE SESSIONS (R) 1 Hr 35 Min
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 12:45, 3:00, 5:15, 7:30, 9:45
Monday – Thursday: 3:00, 5:15, 7:30, 9:45

A LATE QUARTET (R) 1 Hr 45 Min
Friday & Saturday: 12:20, 2:40, 5:00, 7:20, 9:40
Sunday: 12:20, 5:50, 8:00
Monday – Thursday: 2:40, 5:00, 7:20, 9:40

IN THE LAND OF BLOOD AND HONEY (R) 2 Hr 7 Min
Sunday: 3:00

COMING SOON:
As always, all dates are tentative. Many of these dates will change.
In some rare cases, titles may disappear.
Nov. 30 ANNA KARENINA
Dec. TBD – HITCHCOCK
Dec. ? – SMASHED
Dec. ? – A ROYAL AFFAIR
Jan. 4 – HYDE PARK ON HUDSON
Jan ? – RUST AND BONE
Jan ? – ON THE ROAD
Feb ? – WEST OF MEMPHIS
Feb. ? – AMOUR
TBD – DIANA VREELAND: THE EYE HAS TO TRAVEL

True Nature | For A Good Time Call – at THE NEON

November 8, 2012 By Jonathan McNeal Leave a Comment

Hello Everyone,

This should be a fun weekend. We have two new films – a big festival winner made right here in Dayton and a charmingly raunchy comedy from a director I love. TRUE NATURE, the supernatural thriller that has played in over 40 film festivals around the world, was made in Dayton by local filmmakers (keep reading for details about special Q&As). FOR A GOOD TIME, CALL was made by Jamie Travis – the maker of one of my favorite short films ever (THE SADDEST BOY IN THE WORLD).
We will hold SAMSARA and LIBERAL ARTS for one more week. On Nov. 15, we’ll clean house. On Nov. 16, we have 2 new films slated to open, and all other films will have to leave in order to make room. Hurry down if we have films you want to see!

Synopsis for TRUE NATURE: “The Pascal family has it all – wealth, power, privilege – but their picture perfect lives change forever when their college-athlete daughter Marianne disappears one night while running. She mysteriously returns a year later with no recollection of where she’s been. Haunted by violent visions, she begins to suspect that her family is hiding dark secrets and that the key to her disappearance may be linked to them. As the fragile web of lies unravels, she fears that her own life and sanity may be the price for discovering the truth.” (taken from press notes) Special Q&As with filmmakers Patrick Steele and Ann Rotolante will take place after the screening on Friday, Nov. 9 at 9:30 and on Saturday & Sunday, Nov. 10 & 11 following the 5:00 screenings. Visit the official site.

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kWyMIfmBI6A’]

Synopsis for FOR A GOOD TIME, CALL…: “The reserved Lauren and the irrepressible Katie are polar opposites… and past enemies. But when both come up short on the funds needed to afford their dream New York City apartment a mutual friend re-introduces them and they reluctantly agree to room together. These apartment-mates have nothing in common – until Lauren discovers that Katie is working as a phone-sex operator, and recognizes a good business opportunity. But as their business partnership takes off, their newfound friendship finds unexpected challenges that may leave them both, as they say, hanging on the telephone.” (Focus Features) Visit the official site.

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qigVz5l8v9Q’]

The first three Saturdays at Noon in December will mark the return of the Family Holiday Film Series. In next week’s newsletter, I’ll announce the films…which are free for children 12 & under and only $2 for everyone else.

Thanks so much for your ongoing support!
We hope to see you soon,
Jonathan

SHOWTIMES for Fri. Nov. 9 – Thur, Nov. 15:

TRUE NATURE (NR) 1 Hr 32 Min
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 12:45, 5:00, 9:30
Monday – Thursday: 5:00, 9:30

FOR A GOOD TIME, CALL… (R) 1 Hr 25 Min
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 1:00, 5:15, 7:30, 9:40
Monday – Thursday: 5:15, 7:30, 9:40

LIBERAL ARTS (PG-13) 1 Hr 37 Min
Friday – Thursday: 3:10

SAMSARA (PG-13) 1 Hr 42 Min
Friday – Wednesday: 2:50, 7:20
Thursday: 2:50

COMING SOON:
As always, all dates are tentative. Many of these dates will change.
In some rare cases, titles may disappear.
Nov. 16 (2 weeks only) – A LATE QUARTET
Nov. 16 THE SESSIONS
Nov. 30 ANNA KARENINA
Dec. TBD – HITCHCOCK
Dec. ? – SMASHED
Dec. ? – A ROYAL AFFAIR
Jan. 4 – HYDE PARK ON HUDSON
Jan ? – RUST AND BONE
Jan ? – ON THE ROAD
Feb ? – WEST OF MEMPHIS
Feb. ? – AMOUR
TBD – DIANA VREELAND: THE EYE HAS TO TRAVEL

Hello Sunshine!

November 8, 2012 By Brian Petro Leave a Comment

Just add some avocado shag carpeting, and the 70’s are back!

Cocktails made a very slow recovery after World War II. The basics, like the Manhattan and the martini, came back rather quickly. In all honesty, they never really disappeared. During the 1950’s, like most of the culture, we were slowly getting back into the swing of things after three decades of unrest. We tried to put things back together the way they were, but it really did not work that well. Vodka became the staple spirit, once people realized that three martini lunches could be had without smelling of strong liquor. That led us to the 1960’s, where boundaries were pushed as far as they could go. The tiki cocktail craze hit and drinks got complicated. We went from simple combinations of one or two spirits and one mixer to the Mai Tai, Zombie, Planter’s Punch, and crazy combinations of exotic spirits and mixers. Rum was king, and every drink had multiple mixers, liquors, and garnishes. The 1970’s simplified the cocktail game a little. There were a few throwbacks to complexity, like the Long Island Iced Tea, but simpler cocktails returned. They returned with additional flavors. A little bit of a twist on the traditional. It was in this environment that the Harvey Wallbanger thrived.

The Harvey Wallbanger is incredibly simple to make. Take a Screwdriver (1.5 oz. vodka, 4-5 oz. orange juice, and build over ice) and float an additional .75 oz. of Galliano over it. Simple, but with a little twist. The story behind the cocktail also has a little twist. One story revolves around a surfer named Harvey, who had a bad day on the waves. He lost a big contest, and went to one of the local watering holes, where Donato “Duke” Antone had a drink special going that day: a Screwdriver with a float of Galliano. Harvey apparently loved them, and spent the afternoon drinking them. When he got up to leave, he was stumbling out of the bar, hitting tables and banging into walls. From that day forward, they called him “Harvey the Wallbanger”, and the name stuck to the drink. The twist to the story? It could have been completely fabricated by the Galliano company, who was trying to figure out a way to sell their liquor to a market that was willing to experiment. The drink was invented in the 1950’s, but did not hit its stride until the 1970’s. It was so popular that it actually earned enough votes in the 1972 election to be noticed, and was named as one of the top food fads of the 70’s by the Food Network.

Much like polyester suits and disco, the drink fell back into obscurity after the 1970’s. You will still see a tall, lone, golden bottle of Galliano in bars, just waiting to be used in a Harvey Wallbanger, possibly a Golden Cadillac. It will then go back to its seat on the shelf. There are rumblings that the elaborate craft cocktail movement may be transitioning to simpler cocktails, and the Harvey Wallbanger might become one of the fads of 2013. On this November 8^th, National Harvey Wallbanger Day, search out one of those distinctive cocktails and try and become a trendsetter. Cheers!

SAMSARA at THE NEON + Exciting Local News

November 1, 2012 By Jonathan McNeal Leave a Comment

Hello Everyone,

We’ve got a new, stunningly gorgeous film opening on Friday (11/2). I refer to it as cinematic poetry. If you recall the hit BARAKA that played more than decade ago, this film – SAMSARA – was made by the same people. In addition to the new film, we’ll hold LIBERAL ARTS, KILLER JOE and one more week of SEARCHING FOR SUGAR MAN. Don’t forget that Omega Music, just a block from THE NEON, has the soundtrack on hand for SEARCHING FOR SUGAR MAN. If you’re interested in the music, we hope you’ll support another locally owned business (they even have the soundtrack available on vinyl)!

Be sure to read all the way to the end of this blog for fun, breaking news.

Synopsis for SAMSARA: “Expanding on the themes they developed in Baraka (1992) and CHronos (1985), Samsara explores the wonders of our world from the mundane to the miraculous, looking into the unfathomable reaches of man’s spirituality and the human experience. Neither a traditional documentary nor a travelogue, Samsara takes the form of a nonverbal, guided meditation. Through powerful images, the film illuminates the links between humanity and the rest of nature, showing how our life cycle mirrors the rhythm of the planet.” (Oscilloscope Pictures) Click THIS LINK to visit the film’s official site.

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P0xVp3N-M84′]

“Help support DATV and be inspired by short films that aim to make a difference in our lives. DATV presents the MEDIA THAT MATTERS SHORT FILM FESTIVAL on Thursday, November 8th at 7:30pm, at THE NEON in Downtown Dayton. The MEDIA THAT MATTERS SHORT FILM FESTIVAL is the premier national showcase for short films on the most important topics of the day. The films engagediverse audiences and inspires them to take action. The festival features 12 jury selected short films that tackle a broad range of social issues with humor, humanity and honesty in 12 minutes or less.” (provided by DATV) Tickets are $10 each, and we have a few available at our box office and on DATV’s site. For more details about the event and the films, visit the official site.

And here’s some exciting, breaking news! Many of you have read about, asked about, or maybe even had your hand in on the locally produced film TRUE NATURE. After a very successful film festival run (it played and won awards at numerous festivals around the world), TRUE NATURE will finally play at THE NEON. TRUE NATURE will play for one week starting on Friday, Nov. 9, and I’ll announce showtimes and filmmaker Q&As in next week’s blog. To learn more about the film, visit its OFFICIAL SITE.

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kWyMIfmBI6A’]

In addition, we will also have a one-week run of FOR A GOOD TIME, CALL – the sweetly raunchy tale of two young women who start a phone sex business. This little film – which is as fun and charming as it is dirty – was made by Jamie Travis, director of some of my favorite short films of all time (THE SADDEST BOY IN THE WORLD being one of them). To find out more about this film, visit the FOCUS SITE.

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YbWUQXq5yDM’]

And check out our “Coming Soon” list below. Dates are shifting and our line-up for the coming weeks is really coming along. I’m hoping you’re interested in several of our upcoming engagements.

Thanks so much for your ongoing support!
All the best,
Jonathan

SHOWTIMES for Fri. Nov. 2 – Thur, Nov. 8:

KILLER JOE (NC-17) 1 Hr 42 Min
Friday – Thursday: 5:00, 9:30

LIBERAL ARTS (PG-13) 1 Hr 37 Min
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 12:45, 3:00, 7:20
Monday – Wednesday: 3:00, 7:20
Thursday: 3:00

SEARCHING FOR SUGAR MAN (PG-13) 1 Hr 26 Min
Friday – Wednesday: 5:15, 9:30
Thursday: 5:15

SAMSARA (PG-13) 1 Hr 42 Min
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 12:30, 2:45, 7:15
Monday – Thursday: 2:45, 7:15

DATV presents MEDIA THAT MATTERS
Thursday: 7:30

COMING SOON:
As always, all dates are tentative. Many of these dates will change.
In some rare cases, titles may disappear.
Nov. 9 (1 Week Only!) – FOR A GOOD TIME, CALL
Nov. 9 (1 Week Only!) – TRUE NATURE
Nov. 16 (2 weeks only) – A LATE QUARTET
Nov. 16 THE SESSIONS
Nov. 30 ANNA KARENINA
Dec. TBD – HITCHCOCK

KILLER JOE and LIBERAL ARTS at THE NEON!

October 24, 2012 By Jonathan McNeal Leave a Comment

Hello Everyone,

We’ve got two new films opening this weekend. First off is a film with Ohio & Dayton connections. LIBERAL ARTS – directed by and starring Josh Radnor (an Ohio native) – was shot mostly at Kenyon College. In addition to Elizabeth Olsen, the film also stars Dayton’s own Allison Janney. Our second film is a darkly comic crime thriller directed by William Friedkin (director of THE EXORCIST and THE FRENCH CONNECTION) starring Matthew McConaughey – KILLER JOE. (KILLER JOE is rated NC-17 for graphic violence & sexuality…no one under 17 will be admitted.)

In addition to our two new films, we will hold SLEEPWALK WITH ME and SEARCHING FOR SUGAR MAN for limited screenings. Audiences are loving SEARCHING FOR SUGAR MAN. People who gave the film a chance (knowing nothing about the subject) are so glad they came! Many folks are coming out of the auditorium wondering if the music is available. It is! Omega Music, just a block from THE NEON, has the soundtrack on hand. If you’re interested in the music, we hope you’ll support another locally owned business (they even have the soundtrack available on vinyl)!

Synopsis for LIBERAL ARTS: “Newly single and uninspired by his job in college admissions, the introverted Jesse Fisher (Josh Radnor) lives with his head buried in a book. His deep nostalgia for his own alma mater in Ohio – the dining halls and dorm rooms, the parties and poetry seminars – makes him wonder if his best days are behind him. So when his favorite professor (Richard Jenkins) invites him back to campus to speak at his retirement dinner, Jesse jumps at the chance. Meeting Zibby (Elizabeth Olsen) – a precocious classical music-loving sophomore – awakens in Jesse long-dormant feelings of possibility and connection.” (IFC Films) Visit the official site.

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vW4zsyuFhew’]

Synopsis for KILLER JOE: “When 22 year-old drug dealer Chris (Hirsch) has his stash of drugs stolen from him by his mother, he has to come up with six-thousand dollars quick, or he’s dead. Desperate, he goes to the trailer-park to see his father, Ansel (Hayden Church), and he lays out the plan. Chris’s mother, who everyone hates, has a life insurance policy that would clear up his debt and make them all rich. The problem is that Chris’ mother is very much alive. Enter Detective “Killer” Joe Cooper, a hired hit man with the manners of a Southern gentleman, who will do the job – for an upfront fee, that Chris and Ansel can’t pay. Just as Joe is about to leave, he spots Dottie (Temple), Chris’ innocent younger sister. Joe makes Chris an offer, he’ll keep Dottie as sexual collateral until the money is collected and his fee can be paid.” (Voltage Pictures) Visit the official site.

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X9cnYXwGX4U’]

It’s unusual for me to talk about movies that aren’t playing at THE NEON…but I need to make an exception. SPARKLE, a new documentary made by NEON supporters and local filmmakers Julia Reichert and Steve Bognar, will premiere next week at Dayton Art Institute. “The evening will be quite unusual – a night of dance and cinema. SPARKLE is the story of legendary dancer Sheri ‘Sparkle’ Williams, who at age 50 (!) is still dancing with the world renowned Dayton Contemporary Dance Company. Our film is the story of how Sheri faces a devastating injury, which actually happened on stage. The evening will include the movie premiere, plus the world premiere of a new dance work choreographed specifically for Sheri Williams by Rodney A. Brown, a rising star in the world of contemporary dance choreography. The evening will also include a performance by the entire DCDC ensemble, AND several surprise guests. It promises to be a memorable night. Friday, Nov. 2 at 7 PM at the Dayton Art Institute’s newly renovated Renaissance Auditorium. Tickets are available at Ticket Center Stage, 937-228-3630, or at http://www.dcdc.org/ .” (taken from press notes) You can also join the conversation on the official facebook page.

Thanks so much for your ongoing support!
All the best,
Jonathan

SHOWTIMES for Fri. Oct. 26 – Thu. Nov. 1:

KILLER JOE (NC-17) 1 Hr 42 Min
Friday – Thursday: 5:00, 9:30

LIBERAL ARTS (PG-13) 1 Hr 37 Min
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 12:30, 2:45, 7:20
Monday – Thursday: 2:45, 7:20

SLEEPWALK WITH ME (NR) 1 Hrs 30 Min
Friday – Thursday: 5:15, 9:30

SEARCHING FOR SUGAR MAN (PG-13) 1 Hr 26 Min
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 1:00, 3:00, 7:30
Monday – Thursday: 3:00, 7:30

COMING SOON:
As always, all dates are tentative. Many of these dates will change.
In some rare cases, titles may disappear
Nov. 2 – SAMSARA
Nov. 9 – FOR A GOOD TIME, CALL
Nov. 16 (5 Days Only) – THE DETAILS
Nov. 16 (2 weeks only) – A LATE QUARTET
Nov. 21 – THE SESSIONS
Nov. 30 – ANNA KARENINA
Dec. TBD – HITCHCOCK