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TIFF 2018 – Day #8

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Hello!

Day #8 had me seeing 4 more films.

ROMA, directed by Alfonso Cuarón, was my first film of the day. “Alfonso Cuarón’s cogent and nuanced semi-autobiographical feature chronicles one year in the life of a middle-class family in 1970s Mexico City.”  This black-and-white feature film is simply sublime.  With themes of class and position in society as well as government/societal upheaval, this film is full of visual metaphors and is incredibly sophisticated.  One might think “not much happens in this film”…but ultimately – EVERYTHING happens.  This film should 100% be viewed on a big screen.  Though Netflix has it set to premiere on their channel, this film deserves a theatrical release.  In a word, it’s Incredible!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fp_i7cnOgbQ

HIGH LIFE, directed by Claire Denis, was up next. “Master French filmmaker Claire Denis’s long-anticipated English-language debut and provocative sci-fi drama stars Robert Pattinson, Juliette Binoche, Mia Goth, and André Benjamin as a group of criminals sent into deep space.”  This is perhaps one of Denis’ most accessible films (as far as “I’m following what’s happening”) – but it’s also still quite avant garde…and I can imagine customers saying “what the hell?” for most of the film.  The mini description fails to explain that the spaceship (which looks somewhat like a floating hard drive) is essentially being used as a laboratory in which Binoche’s character does sexual experiments on its “recycled scum” inhabitants.  Complete with rape scenes and other bloody violence, this film is a challenging film that will likely have many searching for its rosetta stone.

I attended the next film based on its description.  I had no idea that it was a big studio picture.  THE HATE U GIVE, directed by George Tillman, Jr, simply sounded like an important film that I wanted to support. “A timely commentary in the Black Lives Matter era, George Tillman, Jr.’s adaptation of the novel by Angie Thomas follows Starr, a promising student and cherished daughter whose life is upended, then galvanized, when a friend is senselessly shot dead by police.”  This film is targeted at a young adult audience, and it’s so refreshing that it’s not about vampires or a fish-out-of-water comedy.  This is an urgent tale about a young black student who consciously alters her persona between her school self (which is in a private school full of affluent white kids) and her at home self.  I hope this film finds a wide, diverse audience – but I’m afraid it might only end up preaching to the choir.  The plot takes some unexpected turns and covers a lot of bases, but it’s ultimately a strong film that needs to be seen by a lot of people.

RED JOAN, directed by Trevor Nunn, was my last film before an incredible dinner of Japanese tapas (but that’s a different story).  “Academy Award winner Judi Dench and Sophie Cookson take on the complex persona and legacy of Joan Stanley, the seemingly demure physicist who was also a long-serving British spy for the KGB.”  This film is based on a novel…that is very loosely based on a real woman named Melita Norwood.  The film uses the framing device of Dench’s character being arrested and interrogated while flashing back to WWII era material where she may have been conspiring with the Russians.  Handsomely shot with strong performances, this film will certainly go over well at THE NEON if it finds a US distributor. It contains both great dramatic moments and sequences with wonderful, thrilling tension.  The fact that “nuclear bombs and who has them” continues to be a fear in today’s climate shows how little things have changed.

Things are winding down here at the festival.  Many big players have gone home, and the lines for movies are easier to navigate.  I have one more full day of films and then one Saturday morning screening before flying home.

Thanks for checking in.

Jonathan

TIFF 2018 – Day #7

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Hello NEON Fans,

Thanks for checking in again…it’s been another busy day.  I attended a little queer party for TIFF attendees last night, so it was a bit of a struggle to get up this morning.  But I made it to my first screening – FIRST MAN, directed by Damien Chazelle.  Almost every year, I go ahead and see one big film that is too big (too Hollywood) to make it to THE NEON.  This year, I chose Chazelle’s follow-up to LA LA LAND (which is still THE NEON’s highest grossing film).  “The Academy Award–winning team of director Damien Chazelle and star Ryan Gosling reunites for this biopic on the adventures and life of Neil Armstrong, from his entry into NASA’s astronaut program in 1961 to his epoch-making walk on the moon eight years later.”  This film is beautifully done and best seen via IMAX (ALERT:  If you don’t want a fun aspect of the film ruined, don’t read this parenthetical.  SPOILER: The film plays with aspect ratio that can only be accomplished to full effect on an IMAX screen…this happens upon landing on the moon – and it’s magical.)  The film feels more indie than Hollywood in its use of close-ups and medium shots and its overall quiet approach to its lead character.  It will certainly be a big player in this year’s Award Season.

GIANT LITTLE ONES, a Canadian feature directed by Keith Behrman, was my next film of the day.  “In the latest from Canadian director Keith Behrman, Kyle MacLachlan and Maria Bello star as divorced parents whose teenage son (Josh Wiggins) faces seismic personal upheaval after an unexpected incident at a party.”  This touching (and scary and frustrating and exhilarating) coming-of-age story is truly intended for a teenage audience.  Though not without storytelling flaws (including some major tonal shifts), it’s a good film.  That said, I couldn’t help but think “Who is the intended audience for this film?” during the entire screening.  It wouldn’t work for a theatrical release…thus I think it will mostly find a home on the festival circuit and as a popular streaming film.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3hfVG2u5Icw

VITA & VIRGINIA, directed by Chanya Button, was my next film.  Here’s the brief TIFF synopsis: “Gemma Arterton and Elizabeth Debicki shine as socialite and author Vita Sackville-West and literary icon Virginia Woolf, respectively, in director Chanya Button’s sumptuous double portrait of two uncompromising women and the unconventional affair behind one of Woolf’s greatest novels.”  This film has a lot of merits…but it ultimately turned me off.  There is a lot of attention to period detail, but the contemporary score pulled me out of the movie at every turn.  It’s not like a stylized use of contemporary music (ala MARIE ANTOINETTE), it’s almost a dance club beat that interrupts the drama.  (There are also a couple moments of strange, fanciful special effects that didn’t work for me…is this a trend – period films with overdone special effects?  They didn’t work in TELL IT TO THE BEES for me either.)  The best thing about this film for me is that it makes me want to pick up and re-read my copy of ORLANDO when I get home.  (there’s no trailer for this film – just the clip below)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zfwQG7T9X6E

Up next was PAPI CHULO, directed by John Butler (Butler directed HANDSOME DEVIL, the awesome little film we screened last summer for our special PRIDE selection).  “A solitary and alienated television weatherman ‘hires’ a middle-aged Latino migrant worker to be his friend, in this darkly comedic reflection on class, ethnicity, and companionship in contemporary Los Angeles.”  This modest little film is funny/sad and really kind of charming…but takes a darker, sadder, scarier and then pathetic turn in act 3.  Matt Bomer lets loose in this performance, and Alejandro Patiño is hysterically dry.  It’s a sweet little matinee film, but I don’t see much of a life for it theatrically.  (there’s no trailer for this film – just the clip below)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cr3bSXRnRMI

My final film for the day was EVERYBODY KNOWS, directed by 2-time Oscar winner Asghar Farhadi…but this time he’s moved landscapes from the Middle East to Spain.  “Academy Award winner Asghar Farhadi (A Separation, The Salesman) directs Penélope Cruz and Javier Bardem in this layered, psychological drama about a family wedding interrupted by a shocking crime and some long-buried secrets.”  The performances in this film are spectacular, and I could have watched scenes from the wedding for hours – so jovial, so vibrant, so steeped in tradition.  Penelope is radiant in the opening scenes of this film (think VOLVER or BROKEN EMBRACES).  There’s so much to like.  It’s naturalistic, something terrible happens and the stakes are high…but it never seems phony.  Ultimately, I really liked this film – but it lacks the wallop of other Farhadi films.  I wanted more…but I’d also want to trim it down a bit.

I’m now at 31 films in 7 days, and I still have 2.3 days left.  I’m trending for a personal best.

Thanks for stopping by.

More tomorrow,

Jonathan

TIFF 2018 – Day #6

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Hi there, Folks!

I saw five films today, and I’m slated for five tomorrow.   (We’ll see if that happens.)

THE LIE, directed by Veena Sud, was my first film of the day.  The premise intrigued me, and then I heard a few people talk it up at a party a couple nights ago.  Here’s the brief TIFF synopsis: “In this thriller from Toronto-born writer-director Veena Sud, two parents wrestle with the consequences of their teenage daughter’s lethal mistake, proving just how far any parent would go to protect their child.”  This film has won my “most eye rolls per scene” award.  Idiot dialog.  Over-the-top moments complete with lots of furrowed brows and indicating.  It’s a turkey.  This film (ultimately about white privilege) had me wanting to leave within the first half hour.  But because all other screenings were in progress, I decided to stick it out.  I also stayed for smug reasons.  20 minutes into the film, I wrote down my suspicion as to how the film would end.  I wanted to know if I was right…and I hit the nail on the head 100%.  I really hate it when a bad film happens to an actor I like (Peter Sarsgaard).

TELL IT TO THE BEES, directed by Annabel Jankel, was my next film of the day.  “Academy Award winner Anna Paquin and Holliday Grainger star in this wrenching drama of a shunned small-town doctor and beekeeper in postwar Britain who befriends a struggling mother and son, helping them discover that love can be found in many forms.” This film is full of lovely period details and lush cinematography, but it’s the central performances that shine (while many other characters aren’t fleshed out).  It’s a slower-paced film that works on some levels, but there are plot points and character attitudes that shift and change without much notice.  In addition, there are special effects regarding swarming bees that are too over-the-top.  There’s a line that comes toward the end of the film via voiceover that says “what I saw and what I thought I saw” – and that would have been helpful at the beginning (but maybe it was there and I really didn’t contextualize it). Ultimately, the message is great – but it’s not a film that will find great commercial success.

THE PUBLIC, directed by Emilio Estevez, was shot and set in downtown Cincinnati.  “A sit-in by patrons at a public library escalates into a police standoff and a media sideshow, in Emilio Estevez’s arresting drama that explores issues surrounding homelessness, mental health, and community. Featuring Estevez, Alec Baldwin, Taylor Schilling, Jeffrey Wright, Jena Malone, Gabrielle Union, Christian Slater, and Michael K. Williams.”  This film has some powerful moments and great messages (regarding homelessness, mental health, substance abuse and public libraries as a democratic pillar), but it attempts to tackle too many storylines in a short amount of time.  The film has clearly been condensed for time, and though the narrative holes can easily be filled in by savvy viewers – it seems too choppy.  This film has a lot of heart, but it still needs some editing help to truly make it sing.

COLETTE, directed by Wash Westmoreland, was my next film.  Here’s the brief TIFF synopsis: “Keira Knightley stars in this historical drama about the eponymous French novelist, whose provocative debut — falsely credited to her husband — becomes the toast of Paris, triggering a battle for identity, equality, and self-determination at the dawn of the feminist age.”  Here’s my brief response: LOVED IT.  From the performances to the production design to the smart dialog, I really loved this film.  I’m happy to report that we have it booked to open at THE NEON on Oct. 19.  The heartfelt Q&A with this screening was spectacular…particularly Wash Westmoreland (STILL ALICE) talking about dedicating the film to his recently deceased co-director and husband.  Knightley is superb, and the history lesson has me wanting to read even more of Colette’s work (I have only read some short stories and CHERI – now I want more). From the tone and look of the trailer, I suspected I would like this film…but it delivered so much more.

BOY ERASED, directed by Joel Edgerton, was my last film of the day.  “The teenaged son of a Baptist pastor is forced into a gay-conversion program by his parents, in actor-director Joel Edgerton’s emotive drama starring Nicole Kidman, Russell Crowe, and Lucas Hedges.”  This film is meant for mass consumption – and for that reason, I give it a bit of a pass.  The cast does a fine job with the material, and certain scenes even elicited rounds of applause from the audience…but there’s something a little too sterile for me to put the film on the top of the list.  It’s as though the filmmaker was scared to get too close.  And I get it on some level.  At some point, a filmmaker (or distributor) has to ask “who do we want to see this movie?”  If the film pushed the envelope too much, then it would only preach to the choir.  In this instance, perhaps the film can actually be seen by more than the queer community…and possibly save some lives – and for that, I give it my blessing (plus the fact that Kidman is pretty awesome here).  The Q&A with Kidman, Edgerton, and the author of the source material (as well as his mother) was pretty spectacular.

Thanks for checking in,

Jonathan

TIFF 2018 – Day #5

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Hello Everyone!

I only got to see three films today.  🙁

8 o’clock this morning was my on-line ticketing window to secure tickets for the second half of the festival.  I got up early (with very little sleep), showered and got ready for the day and logged on right at 8:00…and the system was down.  I stuck around for another 15-20 minutes, hoping it would be back up.  At about 8:30, I decided to pack everything and hustle to the physical box office (which means I missed my first screening of the day).  Luckily, I beat the crowds of people who were also experiencing technical difficulties and I secured all the other tickets I wanted for the next several days.

My first screening was instead at 10:45.  FREE SOLO, directed by E. Chai Vasarhelyi & Jimmy Chin, was another film that my PR friend highly recommended (I had more faith in this film than I did in CLIMAX as it comes from the directors of MERU – which was wonderful).  Here’s the brief description from TIFF: “The documentarian duo behind 2015’s acclaimed Meru return to high altitudes, this time as renowned rock climber Alex Honnold attempts to do what no climber has done before: ascend free solo — without safety ropes — up the 3,000-foot cliff of El Capitan in California’s Yosemite National Park.”  More than just an outdoor adventure documentary, this film is also a very interesting character study about a man who had to teach himself how to hug (because it’s something people do – but he never had).  I never knew or understood exactly how much planning would go into something like this, and it’s pretty spectacular.  The last 10 minutes become incredibly emotional – for Alex’s girlfriend, the entire camera crew and the viewer.

WILDLIFE, directed by Paul Dano, was my second film of the day.  “In Paul Dano’s evocative and emotional directorial debut, a teenage boy (Ed Oxenbould) in 1960s Montana experiences the breakdown of his parents’ marriage and his mother’s (Carey Mulligan) struggle to keep their lives afloat after his father (Jake Gyllenhaal) leaves.”  This low-key and quietly observed film is about a boy who is caught in the middle of his parents’ discontent.  It’s a slow burn that actually packs quite a punch.  The production design is lovely, the performances are strong, and the “small town America” vibe seems just right.  One issue I had with the film was the teenage boy.  Though playing 14, at times it seemed like he’s pushing 25…he just has a certain look that is hard to nail down an age.  At the end of the day, it’s a really well-made film, and I think Dano will have quite a career as a director (and IFC is going to push for an Oscar nomination for Mulligan).

After the screening, I came back to my apartment and tended to some NEON business before heading to IFC’s WILDLIFE party.  I met a few new folks (cinema operators and a critic) and enjoyed some deliciously crafted cocktails.  Mulligan and Dano were at the party and seemed quite at ease…they know they have a great film on their hands.

THE OLD MAN & THE GUN, directed by David Lowery, was my last film of the day.  With scenes shot partially in Dayton, I was all the more interested to see this film.  And boy was I happily surprised.  Here’s the TIFF synopsis:  “Academy Award winners Robert Redford and Sissy Spacek lead an all-star cast, including Danny Glover, Tom Waits, Elisabeth Moss, and Casey Affleck, in director David Lowery’s true-life dramedy about an unrepentant bank robber and jail-breaker determined to live life by his own rules.”  This is one of the best films I’ve seen so far at TIFF 2018.  It’s tender and funny and laced with (non-sappy) cinematic nostalgia.  I think it’s a gem, and I’m delighted that we are set to open it on Oct. 12.  (Our FilmDayton preview on Oct. 11 has already sold out!)  Take a look at this new trailer.  Dayton (though playing the part of St. Louis in the film) is featured quite a bit!

And now I need to finish up my NEON weekly newsletter. If all goes as planned, I’ll be back to five films tomorrow.

Thanks for checking in!

Jonathan

 

TIFF 2018 – Day #4

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Hello NEON Fans,

Thanks for checking out my Day #4.

My first film of the day was SKIN, directed by Guy Nattiv.  Here’s the brief TIFF synopsis: “Jamie Bell stars in the true life story of Bryon Widner, a young man raised by skinheads, for whom turning his back on hatred and violence meant undergoing painful and expensive operations to remove the tattoos that signified his terrible past life — a process only possible with the support of a Black activist.”  This powerful story is a grim reminder that hate isn’t just something on TV in a far-away rural landscape (or public office)…it lives right next door.  With opening shots of a white supremacy group in Columbus, Ohio, the film constantly reminded me that Ohio is home to some of the most hate-fulled groups in the nation…and that’s terrifying.  This film is a tense and disturbing look into a cult of white supremacists, and it’s a reminder of how any cult can organize and assemble their followers.  They’re looking for the disenfranchised, the lost and angry, or even just the hungry – and they brainwash these people until they become lackeys.  The images are horrific, the mind-sets are intolerable, and actions  of these groups need to be made more and more public.  That’s one reason I think this film is successful…and this story in particular provides a small ray of hope and will hopefully also serve as a call to action.

THE WEDDING GUEST, directed by Michael Winterbottom, was next on my list. “A mysterious British man (Dev Patel) with a hidden agenda travels to Pakistan to attend a wedding, but things take an unexpected and dangerous turn when his plans begin to unravel.” Patel is quite good in this tight little thriller.  I know that critical response has been mixed, but I was engaged and often on the edge of my seat for this tight storytelling from the director of more recently well-known films like TRISTAM SHANDY, THE TRIP and THE TRIP TO ITALY.

THIS CHANGES EVERYTHING, directed by Tom Donahue, was next on my list.  Here’s what TIFF had to say about it: “In this timely follow-up to his documentary Casting By, Tom Donahue explores the insidious and systemic sexism in Hollywood through the voices of marquee celebrities, including Geena Davis, Meryl Streep, Sandra Oh, Jessica Chastain, and many other ambassadors of the #TimesUp movement.”  This film is a powerful exploration (with data collected by an initiative by Geena Davis) of women’s roles in the film industry…and the lack of representation (as well as the boys’ club mentality that keep them from having a place at the table).  There is some very interesting data presented in this film – particularly from the CEO of FX.  Ultimately, the film makes us understand that if we bring more women into the filmmaking fold – we’ll get better content as well as a better and stronger self-image for women and girls on a national and global scale.  The glaring issue I had with this film was the fact that it was directed by a man.  Huh?

The next film was one that I’ve been looking forward to for quite a while. IF BEALE STREET COULD TALK – directed by Barry Jenkins. Here’s the brief TIFF synopsis: “Director Barry Jenkins’ ambitious follow-up to Moonlight adapts James Baldwin’s poignant novel about a woman fighting to free her falsely accused husband from prison before the birth of their child.”  This striking film is about love (as well as an unfair judicial system and the black experience in America).  The production design is sublime and the performances are incredible.  I fell in love with this love story and the strong sense of family.

A friend of mine who works in PR convinced me that I needed to check out CLIMAX, directed by Gasper Noe…so I went to my first midnight screening of the festival.  Here’s what TIFF wrote about the film: “Set in 1996 and inspired by real-life events, the latest from art-house agitator Gaspar Noé (Love, Enter the Void) depicts the malevolent madness that envelops a dance troupe’s post-rehearsal party after a punchbowl of sangria is spiked with LSD.”  The film opens with a high energy dance performance that elicited a round of applause from the audience…then it went into a series of two-shots where people talked as though being interviewed about various life experiences (this went on way too long)…and eventually the party happened (with the aforementioned spiked sangria).  Though I appreciate the craft that goes into creating such an effective nightmare, I absolutely loathed this film.  I wanted to leave multiple times, but I also wanted to make sure I could tell you all about it.  On my way out, I heard one audience member say, “The thing that really depressed me about it [this film] is that I haven’t tripped balls like that in years.”  That response made me think, “I’m happy to be as square as I am.”

Before my last film of the day, I stopped by the Fox Searchlight party – a celebration of their two films in the festival – CAN YOU EVERY FORGIVE ME? and THE OLD MAN & THE GUN.  I met a handful of folks in the industry, caught up with a couple old friends and was within arm’s reach of Melissa McCarthy, Richard E. Grant, Casey Affleck and Sissy Spacek.  It was a fun little respite (with great appetizers and delicious cocktails), and I always appreciate being invited.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DQ3Dc3poDJQ

Thanks for reading!  18 films in 4 days.  Let’s see what the next days hold…I’m trending to set a personal record.

Jonathan

TIFF 2018 – Day #3

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Hello NEON Fans!

I started off Day #3 with some big star moments.

My first film of the day was GLORIA BELL directed by Sebastian Lelio.  Lelio has remade his film GLORIA (which played at THE NEON 4+ years ago) for an English-speaking audience…this time with Julianne Moore in the lead role.  During the Q&A, Moore admitted that she had been approached to play the role, but she said she’d only do it if Lelio was attached.  (Lelio is most recently know for directing DISOBEDIENCE as well as the Oscar winning film A FANTASTIC WOMAN.)   Folks wondered why he would want to remake his own film, and he told our audience today that musicians shouldn’t be the only artists who get to re-work their art over and over “with a different band.” Here’s the brief TIFF description of the film: “Academy award winner Sebastián Lelio (A Fantastic Woman) directs Academy Award–winning actor Julianne Moore (Still Alice) in this English-language remake of his 2013 film about a free-spirited, middle-aged divorcee hoping to find love on the dance floor.”  I had an interesting response to this film.  I was completely invested, I laughed at times, I felt hurt for our lead at times.  Though engaged from beginning to end, I wasn’t 100% connecting with the material…until the last 10 minutes.  It was the final scene that completely took my emotions by surprise.  I already knew how the film would end, but I suddenly felt a connection with Gloria that made me love the entire film.  I felt a sisterhood with her, and I had a small breakdown in the theater.  This is a film for all the single people who keep putting themselves out there.

Next up was CAN YOU EVER FORGIVE ME? directed by Marielle Heller.  Here is the TIFF description of the film: “A jaded, out-of-work biographer (Melissa McCarthy) resorts to selling forged historical letters on the black market, and grapples with the ethical complications that arise, in Marielle Heller’s charming biopic about bestselling writer Lee Israel.”  Melissa McCarthy is a complete gem in this film…and it is her best work to date.  She’s still able to give us comedy, but it’s so much more human than anything I’ve seen her do before.  This touching movie has you rooting for a criminal, and she’s someone you probably wouldn’t like if you just met her on the street.  This film is polished and endearing, and I think it will find a good audience.  (I’ll attend the Fox Searchlight party for this film as well as OLD MAN AND THE GUN tomorrow night.) In person, Melissa McCarthy is smart, funny and clearly in love with the character she played and created with her co-star Richard E. Grant.  The Q&A after the screening was wonderful.

TEEN SPIRIT, directed by first-time feature director Max Minghella (son of Anthony), was my next film.  Not being a fan of any of the pop-star-creation shows (like The Voice or American Idol), my expectations weren’t terribly high.  But Elle Fanning & Zlatko Buric delivered.  Here’s TIFF’s brief synopsis: “A shy teenager dreams of pop stardom and enters an international singing competition as an escape from her small town and difficult family life, in actor Max Minghella’s (The Handmaid’s Tale) feature debut.”  I was pleasantly surprised by how invested I became in this film.  Though not without a couple eye-rolls and moments where I felt like story arcs shifted too quickly, I was ultimately a fan of this film (though the last 2 minutes left me a little flummoxed).

SPLINTERS, directed by Thom Fitzgerald, was my last film of the day.  In a word, it was terrible.  Here’s the TIFF synopsis: “Two decades after his inspired feature debut The Hanging Garden won best Canadian Feature at TIFF, Thom Fitzgerald again explores interconnections of sexual identity, family, and small-town Nova Scotia life, in this intimate drama about a young woman reassessing her relationship with her mother following the death of her father.” In most circumstances, I would have simply left the screening after 20 minutes.  But when I leave a screening early, I don’t feel like I have the right to write poor criticism.  However, because there weren’t other options for screenings this late at night and because I didn’t have any concrete post-screening plans, I stuck it out and watched the entire film (even though 90% of the audience walked out).  Though there are a couple good scenes (which come really late) and some great agricultural landscapes, this film is full of some really poor, on-the-nose performances with lots of “indicating” and over-the-top body language.  The screenplay was at times quite trite and there were moments when I wish a camera could have been on my face to show my bafflement as to what was happening on screen.  Overall, I can’t imagine this film ever getting picked up for American distribution.

I stopped for a quick beer before coming back to my Airbnb apartment, and I ended up running into a couple industry folks that I knew.  Upon hanging out with them for a few moments, I was then introduced to someone who I have been e-mailing for years.  It was fun to put a face with a name, and we chatted for about an hour before I decided I needed to get back to all of you.

Thanks so much for taking the time to read my rundown of Day #3.

More tomorrow!

Jonathan

TIFF 2018 – Day #2

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Hello NEON Fans,

I caught four films today.

My first film of the day was DUELLES (MOTHERS’ INSTINCT), directed by Olivier Masset-Depasse.  This domestic, period thriller has made an interesting choice in renaming itself for English speaking audiences.  Whereas the French title actually means “dual,” they’ve gone a different direction by calling it “Mothers’ Instinct” for English speakers. Here’s the short synopsis from TIFF: “When a sudden tragedy uproots the lives of two women and their families, they begin to question the relationships they once held so dear, in this psychological thriller from Olivier Masset-Depasse (Illégal).”  This doesn’t really tell you much of anything…so I’m going to spoil the first 12 minutes.  A little boy is involved in an accident that results in his death, and the neighboring mother who witnessed the accident begins to feel as though the boy’s mother blames her for not saving the day.  As the story progresses, more unfortunate circumstances occur, and the mother in question begins to feel more and more suspicious.  We often wonder “is this maternal instinct at work…or is this just paranoia (bordering on mental illness)?”  Some of the score at the beginning of the film sets up the idea that we might not have the most reliable narrator, so we as audience members have to doubt whether or not we are always shown the truth.  Though the film works on a number of levels, there’s ultimately something missing. I’m glad I saw it, but it’s not a masterpiece.

FIRECRACKERS, a French Canadian film from director Jasmin Mozafarri, borrows a lot of spirit and tone from FISH TANK and AMERICAN HONEY.  Here’s TIFF’s short synopsis: “An intense drama about two young women desperate to escape their repressive small town, whose friendship is challenged after a night of debauchery threatens to undo their grand plans for freedom.”   The yearning to escape their current life is honest, the performances are rich, and the camera is restless.  But I couldn’t help feeling that we’d seen this before (and better) from Andrea Arnold.

And finally…a Masterpiece.  CAPERNAUM, directed by Nadine Labaki, is a film that will clearly be a highlight for me at this year’s festival.  I fell in love with Labaki with her film CARAMEL that played at the festival (and at THE NEON) several years ago.  She’s a gifted director and a talented actress.  Here’s the brief synopsis from TIFF: “Nadine Labaki (2011 TIFF People’s Choice Award winner Where Do We Go Now?) explores the lives of children living on the fringes of Lebanese society, in this political and heartbreaking story of a young boy who sues his parents for bringing him into the world when they couldn’t properly care for him.”  This film is about so many things, and it’s Labaki’s call to action for us to help the disenfranchised children of the world…and for the people who need paperwork to prove their worth.  This film is heartbreakingly honest, and I couldn’t avert my eyes.  The central performance is so strong – among the best child performances ever on screen.  With over 500 hours of material shot for this film, the documentary-like style helps create a realism that is so refreshing in a narrative film.  This movie has been picked up by Sony Classics.  That means THE NEON will almost certainly play it…and I have a feeling it will almost certainly be nominated for “Best Foreign Film” this year.

BEAUTIFUL BOY, directed by Felix van Groningen, was my last film of the day.  Though van Groningen was the only person to introduce the film, the audience was in for a treat when the cast and authors of the source material all came onstage after the screening for a Q&A.  Here is the brief TIFF synopsis: “Based on the bestselling pair of memoirs by father and son David and Nic Sheff, Felix van Groeningen’s film chronicles the heartbreaking and inspiring experience of survival, relapse, and recovery in a family coping with addiction over many years.” Timothée Chalamet gives another Oscar-worthy performance as a boy dealing with drug addiction, and his performance along with Steve Carell’s, are what help to keep this film above water – they are both magnificent.  The repetition of using, recovery, relapsing, recovery is all part of  how recovery from drug addition often works, but it becomes a little exhausting as a narrative device (as I’m certain it does for the families dealing with this very issue).  I think this film could be used as a tool, and I think as the death toll rises annually for drug overdoses, it’s a much-needed topical film about an epidemic that is plaguing us.

I met up with a friend for a couple drinks after my screenings this evening, and it was good to catch up (and realize that he’s even working with more people I know).

Looking forward to a couple even bigger films tomorrow.

Thanks for reading,

Jonathan

 

TIFF 2018 – Day #1

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Hello!

Thanks for checking out my daily TIFF blog.  I hit the ground running on the first day of TIFF…I saw 5 films.  4 of the screenings were strictly with press & industry folks, and one was public screening that had all the glitz and glamour of the fest (red carpet, big stars, etc.).

First off was DOGMAN directed by Matteo Garrone.  Here’s the festival’s brief synopsis: “In the latest from Matteo Garrone (Gomorrah), mild-mannered Marcello spends his days grooming dogs, hanging out with his beloved daughter and, like most of his neighbourhood, trying to avoid Simoncino, a former boxer and resident bully with whom Marcello uneasily coexists — until a double-crossing prompts an ugly act of vengeance.”  This was the first of two Italian films I saw today – both shot in rather desolate locations that aren’t the Italy we’ve come to know in classic cinema.  This little film started out with some glimmers of hope, but it got really dark really fast.  I loved the protagonist, and I believed his trajectory, but this film isn’t for everyone.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LI2JE_xjAaY

NON-FICTION, directed by Olivier Assayas, was next on my list.  Here’s the festival’s brief synopsis: “French auteur Olivier Assayas probes the promises and pitfalls of art in the age of digital communication, in this comedy about a Parisian publisher (Guillaume Canet) and his successful-actor wife (Juliette Binoche) adapting to the new-media landscape.”  This film covers all the bases in the debate/discussion of whether the digital age is helping or hindering society/artists/publishers/basic human communication.  Though it certainly has some insightful and funny moments, I found it to get tedious after a while.  When it comes to Assayas, I think my favorite is still SUMMER HOURS.

BURNING, directed by Lee Chang-dong, was next on my list.  Here’s TIFF’s brief synopsis: “In this thriller from director Lee Chang-dong, based on a short story by Haruki Murakami, a young man grows suspicious about the motives of a deceptive interloper who is hanging around with his childhood friend–turned–burgeoning love interest.”  This slow burn thriller is heavy on the “slow”…I could easily remove 40 minutes from its 2 Hr 28 Min runtime.  There were certainly some moments that worked, but I looked at my watch one hour in and couldn’t believe we weren’t at the half way point yet.

GRETA was my first public screening of the festival.  Here’s the brief synopsis from TIFF: “Isabelle Huppert teams with writer-director Neil Jordan to play the title role in this psychological thriller about a lonely, mysterious widow whose friendship with a naïve young woman (Chloë Grace Moretz) takes on an increasingly obsessive and sinister air.”  I was delighted that Jordan, Huppert and Moretz were all in attendance…as was Maika Monroe – a supporting star who stole several several scenes while on screen.  (Interestingly, Chloë Grace Moretz is the lead actress in the Opening Night Film of this year’s Dayton LGBT Film Festival – THE MISEDUCATION OF CAMERON POST.)  The film is glossy and full of some fun choices…but it’s perhaps the most over-the-top and campy thriller I’ve seen in years.  At one moment, when a major plot point is revealed, the audience burst into laughter and I immediately thought “Is that what Jordan intended – or was that supposed to be a gut-punch?”  Some of the music cues are so big, and some of the decisions are so on-the-nose – I couldn’t decide how I was feeling for most of the film.  But by the end, I was rooting for the protagonist and laughing along with the brilliant Huppert.  (I’ll post a picture I took of the cast on our FACEBOOK page.)

VICE OF HOPE, directed by Edoardo de Angelis, was my last film of the night.  This was the second film of the day set on the bleak seaside of Italy.  Here’s the brief TIFF synopsis: “To support her family, Maria works as a trafficker of surrogate mothers, transporting them from place to place along a river — but when one disappears, Maria is left with the task of finding her and must enter deeper into a world she wishes to escape.”  This film had more walk-outs than any film I can recently remember.  Granted, it was late at night and there were lots of parties going on, but I couldn’t bring myself to leave.  This was a world I’d never seen before, and Maria, the lead character (played by Pina Turco), was someone I really wanted to see overcome the odds.  Given the subject matter, you can’t escape the overall sad and desperate and humiliating tone of the film…but there were always glimmers of hope – and that’s what kept Maria going (as well as the viewer…well at least for me).

No parties tonight for me.  I’m going to bed early and looking forward to another full day tomorrow (though maybe only 4 films).

Thanks for reading,

Jonathan

2018 Dayton Survey results show improvements, citizen concerns

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Community response to the 2018 Dayton Survey indicates several areas of improvement in residents’ opinions about City government and living in Dayton, as well as areas identified as needing improvement.
The Dayton Survey measures residents’ opinions of City services, programs and performance, as well as neighborhood life and other matters.
Public safety, neighborhood satisfaction, and customer service are areas where City government and life in Dayton received improved marks by survey respondents when compared to earlier surveys. Highlights of the survey findings include:
  • A majority of residents say they feel safe out in their neighborhood at night. The number of residents who say they feel safe alone in their neighborhood at night has risen five percentage points since 2016, from 48 percent to 53 percent. Additionally, those indicating they feel unsafe has also fallen, from 50 percent to 44 percent. The number of residents who report seeing drug transactions regularly has dropped seven percentage points, from 38 percent in 2016 to 31 percent today.
  • Residents’ overall satisfaction with neighborhoods rose three percentage points, from 45 percent to 48 percent. Dissatisfaction has dropped five points over the same period.
  • Satisfaction with park and green space maintenance increased from 41 percent to 44 percent since 2016, tracking closely to the City’s “Your Dollars, Your Neighborhood” investments in park mowing and park facility improvements.
  • Among residents who had an issue that needed to be resolved by the City, 54 percent said they were satisfied with the City’s handling of the issue, compared to 49 percent two years ago. Dissatisfaction with the City’s handling of the issue dropped eight percentage points over that period, from 23 percent to 15 percent.
  • The survey found residents expressed greatest satisfaction for services they ranked as being most important to them: Fire and EMS services, water and wastewater services, and police services were ranked as the most important services to residents; all had satisfaction ratings well above the average. Satisfaction with and support for waste collection and recycling services was also high among residents.
The 2018 Dayton Survey also underscores areas for improvement:
  • Satisfaction with street maintenance remains low, with 60 percent of residents reporting they were dissatisfied with the condition of roads and streets.
  • The percentage of residents who said police are generally respectful in their dealings with people has dropped seven points in the last two years, from 74 percent to 67 percent.
  • Dissatisfaction with Dayton Public Schools has increased since 2016:  39 percent of residents say they are dissatisfied or very dissatisfied with Dayton Public Schools, compared to 31 percent last year.
In addition to questions about City services, the 2018 Dayton Survey included questions about well-being for the first time:
  • One in four residents are “always” or “usually” worried or stressed about having enough money to pay vital expenses such as rent, mortgage and food.
  • One in three residents reported they do not have access to fresh groceries.
  • One in five residents reported they do not have access to adequate health services.
The survey was conducted from May 16 through July 9, 2018, by OpinionWorks, LLC. More than 9,000 survey packets were mailed to randomly selected Dayton households, with 1,503 responses. Another 300 residents completed a public online survey.
For a report of survey results, go to daytonohio.gov/2018daytonsurvey.

TIFF 2018 – Preparing For The Festival

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Hello NEON Fans,

Thanks for checking in with me as I prepare to immerse myself in new cinema for the next several days.  I’ve toiled over the line-up and come up with a list of about 15 must-see films.  I’ve also got over 40 “possible” titles that I will continue to explore and try to fit into my 30+ films that I’ll cram in between Sept. 5 and Sept. 14.

I’m now in Toronto, I’ve picked up my credentials, and I have secured a handful of tickets that were high on my list…but the next step is to start listening to buzz, check in with friends from the industry and structure my first few days at the festival.

Here are a few trailers for a smattering of films that I’m excited to see:

Check in again soon at www.mostmetro.com/tag/tiff for new entries.  I’ll blog each day so I can try to keep my thoughts straight!

Thanks for reading,

Jonathan

 

Amber Rose Ghost Adventures Are Back!

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Big Crowd Expected – limited seats

They’re Baaaaack !  Yes that is right, the spookiest, creepiest and most delicious Ghost Dinners are back again at Amber Rose Restaurant in Dayton!  Once again, owner Joe Castellano and his incredible chefs and staff are teaming up with the Food Adventure Crew for an unforgettable “spirit” filled night!

The events will be held in the restaurant on Oct 6th and Oct 20th respectively, and will feature a paranormal investigator crew, sharing their yearly findings of nights exploring all nooks and crannys of the Amber Rose.

***TICKETS ARE ONLY AVAILABLE ONLINE BY CLICKING HERE ***
SEATING IS LIMITED !! Get yours before we sell out !

 

1)RHINEGEISTS AND POLTERGEISTS RETURNS !

Prizes and more

This is the big event everyone is talking about. We usually sell this one out at 100 people and it features a full presentation from “Para-sense,” a 3 person team of paranormal investigators who have been featured on national TV. It also features a 4 course dinner of Amber Rose, paired with 4 beers from Rhinegeist brewery out of Cincinnati.

WHAT:RHINEGEISTS AND POLTERGEISTS, 4 COURSE DINNER and BEER PAIRING
WHEN: SATURDAY OCTOBER 6th at 7pm-10pm + after party
WHERE: AMBER ROSE RESTAURANT, 1400 Valley St, Dayton, OH 45404
COST: $38 per person includes paranormal presentation, 4 beer tastings, 4 course dinner, and gratuity.

TICKETS ARE PRE PAY ONLY
***BUY TICKETS HERE, ONLY AVAILABLE ONLINE***

 

 

Explore parts of the Amber Rose normally off-limits

2) “GHOST HUNTING NIGHT” IS BACK AGAIN!
This event is for amateur ghost hunters or seasoned ghost hunters and is limited to 50 people. The night will feature heavy appetizers and local and seasonal beer tasting that ends with in open time for exploring the Amber Rose with unprecedented access to various areas of the restaurant that are normally off-limits.  These exploring sessions will be lead by the “Para Sense” paranormal investigative team.  Bring your cameras and any other “ghost hunting ” devices you want.

WHAT:”GHOST HUNTING NIGHT” at AMBER ROSE, APPETIZERS and BEER PAIRINGs
WHEN: SATURDAY OCTOBER 20th at 9pm – 1am
WHERE: AMBER ROSE RESTAURANT, 1400 Valley St, Dayton, OH 45404
COST: $28 per person includes paranormal ghost hunting, 4 beer tastings, 4 appetizers, and gratuity.

TICKETS ARE PRE PAY ONLY
***BUY TICKETS HERE, ONLY AVAILABLE ONLINE***

There will be souvenirs, door prizes and more … DONT MISS THIS EVENT !

There will also be a cash bar after party downstairs, and a chance to mingle with the paranormal investigators too.  Extra food may also be ordered at the after party at regular pricing.

Follow Food Adventures on FACEBOOK, TWITTER and INSTAGRAM !

 

 

Are you a ghost hunter ?

PARA SENSE – Investigators at your service !

Chef , Joe Castellano and Rhinegeists Brewmaster

Amber Rose oin Valley Street is HAUNTED

Playful ghost of the Amber Rose ?

 

 

 

Sound Valley Summer Music Festival at Yellow Cab Tavern

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The inaugural Sound Valley Summer Music Festival is being held over Labor Day weekend, at the Yellow Cab Tavern on Saturday, September 1st. This festival has a dual purpose: one, to showcase talented rock bands from across the Miami Valley, and to raise awareness and funds to help combat the heroin epidemic through the local non-profit, Brigid’s Path.

“Dayton has been considered the heroin capital of the United States. We want to shift the national perspective and reclaim our reputation as a place for innovation, creativity and artistic expression through music,” Zac Pitts, co-owner of Sound Valley said.

With a full day of live music, Sound Valley Summer Music Festival will feature local rock, indie, and alternative bands, including: Life In Idle, Knavery, Beesly, Yardboss, Weathervein, NOVAGOLD, Seth Canan And The Carriers, Crosley Court, Isicle, Flee The Valley, Dave Zup, ThunderTaker, and A Voice of Your Own.

“This event is meant to connect those who want to take Dayton’s music scene to the next level.” Pitts said. “There will be two stages, both indoor and outdoor, and some amazing local food trucks throughout the day to keep hungry fans happy!”

In addition to great music, half of Sound Valley Summer Music Festival’s proceeds will benefit the Dayton organization, Brigid’s Path. This local non-profit provides inpatient medical care for drug-exposed newborns, non-judgmental support for mothers and education services to improve family outcomes. “The heroin epidemic has hit our community hard,” Pitts said. “We want to work alongside those that are taking away the stigma and standing with our neighbors who are struggling.”

Life in Idle is one of the bands set to perform at Sound Valley Music Festival at Yellow Cab Tavern on September 1, 2018.

HOW TO GO?

Sound Valley Summer Music Festival

Saturday, September 1 at 4pm

Yellow Cab Tavern 700 E 4th Street Dayton, OH

$10 in advance / $13 at doors

 

 

 

NEON Opening PUZZLE + Great NEON News!

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Hello Everyone!

We’re moving right along to wrap up one of the best summers on record at THE NEON. If you still need to see THE KING, Thursday will be your last chance to catch it with us. LEAVE NO TRACE and THREE IDENTICAL STRANGERS will hold for another week, and we’ll open a new crowdpleaser – PUZZLE.

Synopsis for PUZZLE: “PUZZLE is a closely observed portrait of Agnes, who has reached her early 40s without ever venturing far from home, family or the tight-knit immigrant community in which she was raised by her widowed father. That begins to change in a quietly dramatic fashion when Agnes receives a jigsaw puzzle as a birthday gift and experiences the heady thrill of not only doing something she enjoys, but being very, very good at it. Stepping out of her domestic bubble to pursue her new hobby, Agnes meets Robert, a wealthy, reclusive inventor who immediately recognizes her talent and recruits her as his partner for an upcoming world jigsaw tournament. Each day she spends out in the world, puzzling and conversing with Robert, takes Agnes further along on the road to a new understanding of herself and her strengths.” Click on this LINK to visit the film’s official site.

For all the details about numerous other NEON events and happenings, click this LINK to read our weekly newsletter.

Be sure to pay close attention to this weekend’s schedule – it includes a couple extra screenings on Labor Day!

We hope to see you soon,
Jonathan

SHOWTIMES for Tuesday, Aug 28 – Thursday, Sept 6:

THREE IDENTICAL STRANGERS (PG-13) 1 Hr 36 Min
Tuesday-Thursday (Aug 28-30): 3:10, 7:40
Fri, Sat, Sun, Mon (Aug 31-Sep 3): 12:40, 5:15
Tue-Thu (Sep 4-6): 5:30

LEAVE NO TRACE (PG) 1 Hr 49 Min
Tuesday-Thursday (Aug 28-30): 2:50, 5:20, 7:45
Fri & Sat (Aug 31 & Sep 1): 2:50, 7:30, 9:50
Sun (Sep 2): 7:30
Mon (Sep 3): 2:50, 7:30
Tue-Thu (Sep 4-6): 3:10, 7:45

THE KING (R) 1 Hr 47 Min
Tuesday-Thursday (Aug 28-30): 5:00
FINAL DAY – Aug. 30!

PUZZLE (R) 1 Hr 43 Min
Friday & Saturday (Aug 31 & Sep 1): 12:00, 2:20, 4:50, 7:20, 9:40
Sunday & Monday (Sep 2 & 3): 12:00, 2:20, 4:50, 7:20
Tuesday – Thursday (Sep 3-6): 3:00, 5:20, 7:40

DR. FROM INDIA (NR) 1 Hr 29 Min + Discussion & Meditation
Sunday (Sep 2): 3:00

COMING SOON:
(All Dates Are Tentative. Dates Often Move And Sometimes Disappear)
Sept 7 – JULIET, NAKED
Sept 14 – THE WIFE
Sept 21 – FAHRENHEIT 11/9
Sept 21 – LOVE GILDA
Oct 12 – THE OLD MAN AND THE GUN

PorchFest – 40 Mini-Concerts In One Day

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Play Music on The Porch Day started out as an idea…“What if for one day everything stopped…and we all just listened to the music?”

Even though this seems like a simple idea, if it worked, it could produce profound results. So in 2013 the organizers of the first “Play on a Porch Day” decided to share this idea with the world and to their surprise the idea spread even faster than they could have ever imagined.

In 2017 thousands of musicians from at least 40 countries and over 400 cities – including Dayton for the first time – participated and the movement continues to grow every day. Musicians from across the globe, regardless of their differences, are finding common ground through music.

This year Dayton again participates in this growing international music phenomenon as the now annual event known as Dayton Porchfest, a free, family friendly event for all ages. The festivities take place in the historic St. Anne’s Hill neighborhood, just east of downtown. There you will find over 40 live Dayton musical acts performing on home owner’s porches. Not only do you get to listen to music all afternoon, you get to experience one of Dayton’s most charming neighborhoods!

This event celebrates Dayton’s rich and diverse music scene, with musicians and bands covering funk and blues to indie rock and jazz, classical and country, to bluegrass and old time muisc that has deep Appalachian roots here. This event also celebrates our “Welcome Dayton” spirit that has contributed to a significant influx of immigrants and refugees over the past decade.

Dayton Porchfest is organized by The Collaboratory, a non-profit incubator for community enterprises and initiatives, located on Courthouse Square. Proceeds from Porchfest go to benefit The Collaboratory. Tips for the musicians are appreciated!

St Anne’s is home to the Fifth Street Brew Pub, who will be open during the festivities. Four food trucks will also be on site, including: McNasty’s, Courtland’s Mobile Grill, Pa’s Pork, Chi-Dogs, and Gary’s Italian Ice. Be sure to scroll below for map and music schedule.

How to Go?

When: Saturday August 25th from 1:30pm – 7pm aka “International Play on the Porch” Day. See schedule below.

Where: Throughout St. Anne’s Hill Historic District located between 4th and Josie St. Please do not park in the neighborhood. Parking is available at the Liederkranz building, Stivers High School, Becker Electric, RSC Graphics, and Miami Valley Gasket. Signs will be present. See map below.

Cost: Free!

Ages: All ages welcome

Remember to bring: Sunscreen, chair, and umbrella (just in case!)

Take photos? Please use #DaytonPorchfest #MusicOnTheHill #DiscoverDayton

Still Time To Register For Breast Wishes 5k for Kelli

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Many women we know and love have been affected by breast cancer, including Kelli James, a young mother and beloved sister, who died in the prime of her life. Her sisters, Elesha Snyder and Mandi Moore, decided to both honor their sister and help other women and families in the same situation. The founded the Breast Wishes Foundation to bring joy to those who are suffering with spa days, restaurant gift cards, yoga retreats, nutrition classes, family vacations and financial assistance for medical bills and holistic treatments that aren’t covered by insurance.
The 6th annual 5k for Kelli Run/Walk is Breast Wishes Foundation’s biggest fundraiser of the year, and is coming up this weekend, on August 18th, 2018 at the beautiful Wegerzyn Gardens Metro Park. Since Kelli loved fairies, runners are encourage to dress in their fairy best! No fairy gear? No problem! They will have tutus, wings and flower crowns at the merchandise tent.
This is run / walk 5k, so even if you’re not a runner, you can walk it and support this worthwhile local charity! Foro the competitors out there, awards to the top 3 male and female in each age group and the top 3 male and female overall. Please do consider supporting this fabulous organization!

How to Go?

What: 5k for Kelli Run/Walk

When: August 18, 2018 at 9am 

Where: Wegerzyn Gardens Metro Park at 1301 E. Siebenthaler Avenue. The race will take place on path along the Stillwater River.
Cost: $25-online registration at speedy-feet.com until August 14th. Paper registration at George’s Family Restaurant 5216 North Dixie Drive until the evening of August 17th. On site registration tent opens at 7:30am on race day.
Also – they need volunteers! If you’re interested please contact our volunteer coordinator at 5kforkellivolunteers@gmail.com
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=1&v=7IdOsIF5Z44

MISTER ROGERS Off To A Great Start at THE NEON! WHITNEY Houston Doc Opens Next Week!

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Hello Everyone!

We’re trucking right along this summer…and it’s all about well-received, high performing documentaries! From RBG to LIVES WELL LIVED to POPE FRANCIS, we’ve seen a lot of success with well-crafted docs. And there’s no end in sight. WON’T YOU BE MY NEIGHBOR? celebrated a SOLD OUT preview screening on Thursday, June 28, and numerous screenings are scheduled for the weekend.  This film is a much-needed dose of kindness – a fantastic piece about Fred Rogers and his ground-breaking television show. Next week, we’ll start a strong documentary about Whitney Houston by filmmaker Kevin Macdonald (director of TOUCHING THE VOID and LAST KING OF SCOTLAND). (And we’ll hopefully get to the crowd-pleasing THREE IDENTICAL STRANGERS later in the summer.) That said, there’s still room for traditional narratives, and we’re going to sneak in the new, star-studded adaptation of the beloved Chekhov classic for one week only starting today – THE SEAGULL.

Synopsis for WON’T YOU BE MY NEIGHBOR: “For over thirty years, Fred Rogers, an unassuming minister, puppeteer, writer and producer was beamed daily into homes across America. In his beloved television program, MISTER ROGERS’ NEIGHBORHOOD, Fred and his cast of puppets and friends spoke directly to young children about some of life’s weightiest issues, in a simple, direct fashion. There hadn’t been anything like Mr. Rogers on television before and there hasn’t been since. Though he may be best known today as a soft-spoken, cardigan-wearing children’s television host, in reality, Fred Rogers’ career represents a sustained attempt to present a coherent, beneficent view about how we should best speak to children about important matters and how television could be used as a positive force in our society.” (Focus Features) Click this LINK to visit the film’s official site.

Synopsis for THE SEAGULL: ONE WEEK ONLY! “One summer at a lakeside Russian estate, friends and family gather for a weekend in the countryside. While everyone is caught up in passionately loving someone who loves somebody else, a tragicomedy unfolds about art, fame, human folly, and the eternal desire to live a purposeful life. The estate is owned by Sorin (Brian Dennehy), a retired government employee, and his sister Irina (Annette Bening), a legendary actress of the Moscow stage. Irina is imperious, narcissistic and selfish, and anxious about holding on to her star status and the affections of her younger lover, Boris Trigorin (Corey Stoll), a successful writer of short stories. Irina constantly belittles her aspiring writer son Konstantin (Billy Howle), perhaps because his existence as a grown man reminds her that age is catching up with her. While he adores his mother despite her cruelty, Konstantin acts out his insecurity and anger by rejecting both her style of theatre and Boris’s writing, declaring them old-fashioned and banal. A dreamer, Konstantin declares he will create bold and superior new forms of theatre and literature. Adapted by Tony-winning playwright Stephen Karam (“The Humans”) from Anton Chekhov’s classic play and directed by Tony-winner Michael Mayer (“Spring Awakening”), THE SEAGULL explores, with comedy and melancholy, the obsessive nature of love, the tangled relationships between parents and children, and the transcendent value and psychic toll of art.” (Sony Classics) Click on this LINK to visit the film’s official website.

Tickets for our special 50th Anniversary Screening of YELLOW SUBMARINE (just $8 each) are available at our box office. The film has been gorgeously restored and will screen one time on Sunday, July 8 at 3:00.

Don’t forget that on Sunday, July 1 at 5:15, we will have a special guest who will speak to the audience after the screening of WON’T YOU BE MY NEIGHBOR? Jim Wiener, who currently works at ThinkTV, worked at WQED in Pittsburgh from 1986 until 1997, and knew Fred Rogers as well as his producer (Margie Whitmer) and director (Paul Lally). He will talk about his experiences in public television and personal recollections about Rogers and his iconic television show. Tickets are now available for all of this weekend’s screenings at our box office during traditional operating hours.

Because of the 4th of July holiday, we will have a couple days next week when we offer earlier shows than usual. Please pay close attention to the schedule below for all of our current attractions…showtimes are different depending on the day.

Next Thursday, we’ll have a special preview screening of WHITNEY. We hope you’ll make plans to see it then! Check out the trailer below!

Thank you for your continued support!
Have a great holiday!
Jonathan

SHOWTIMES for Friday, June 29 – Thursday, July 5:

AMERICAN ANIMALS (R) 1 Hr 56 Min
Friday & Saturday (June 29 & 30): 9:15
FINAL DAY – June 30!

WON’T YOU BE MY NEIGHBOR? (PG-13) 1 Hr 34 Min
Friday & Saturday (June 29 & 30): 12:45, 2:20, 3:00, 4:30, 5:15, 7:30, 9:40
Sunday (July 1): 12:45, 3:00, 4:30, 5:15, 8:00
Monday (July 2): 3:00, 5:15, 6:00, 7:30
Tuesday & Wednesday (July 3 & 4): 12:45, 1:15, 3:00, 5:15, 6:00, 7:30
Thursday (July 5): 3:00, 5:15, 6:00

THE SEAGULL (PG-13)
Friday, Saturday, Sunday (June 29-July 1): 12:00, 7:00
Monday-Thursday (July 2-5): 3:30, 8:10

WHITNEY (R) 2 Hrs
Thursday (July 5): 7:20 – Preview Screening!

COMING SOON:
(All Dates Are Tentative. Dates Often Move And Sometimes Disappear)
July 6 – WHITNEY
July 8 at 3:00 – YELLOW SUBMARINE – Special 50th Anniversary Screening
July 13 – HEARTS BEAT LOUD
July 20 – BOUNDARIES
July 27- DON’T WORRY, HE WON’T GET FAR ON FOOT
TBD – THREE IDENTICAL STRANGERS
Aug 3 – EIGHTH GRADE
Aug 10 – GENERATION WEALTH
Sept 21 – LOVE GILDA