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DIANA VREELAND Doc at THE NEON Plus Fun Announcements

January 9, 2013 By Jonathan McNeal Leave a Comment

Hello Everyone,

Thanks to all of you who came out over the weekend. It was a great way to start off 2013! HYDE PARK ON HUDSON was a big hit, and we’re going to hold it steady. PROMISED LAND, though well-liked, wasn’t so hot. We’re going to hold it for a few screenings a day for one more week…but we’re also going to add something new to the mix. Diana Vreeland, the style icon and “Auntie Mame” of the fashion world, is featured in a new documentary that will appeal to all lovers of fashion, music and art – DIANA VREELAND: THE EYE HAS TO TRAVEL. This film will only play for one week…one screening per day. For this week’s remaining showtimes, visit our website at www.neonmovies.com

Synopsis for DIANA VREELAND: THE EYE HAS TO TRAVEL: “During Diana Vreeland’s fifty year reign as the “Empress of Fashion,” she launched Twiggy, advised Jackie Onassis, and established countless trends that have withstood the test of time. She was the fashion editor of Harper’s Bazaar where she worked for twenty-five years before becoming editor-in-chief of Vogue, followed by a remarkable stint at the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute, where she helped popularize its historical collections. Diana Vreeland: The Eye Has to Travel is an intimate portrait and a vibrant celebration of one of the most influential women of the twentieth century, an enduring icon who has had a strong influence on the course of fashion, beauty, publishing and culture.” (Samuel Goldwyn) Click this LINK to visit the official site.

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Have you heard of the new documentary directed by Ken Burns, Sarah Burns, and David McMahon – THE CENTRAL PARK FIVE? “In 1989, five black and Latino teenagers were arrested and charged with brutally attacking and raping a white female jogger in Central Park. News media swarmed the case, calling them a ‘wolfpack.’ The five would spend years in prison for a crime they didn’t commit before the truth about what really happened became clear…this incendiary film tells the riveting tale of innocent young men scapegoated for a heinous crime, and serves as a mirror for our times.” This documentary is not currently slated to play in town. That said, we’re trying something new. It’s called Gathr. If 25 people buy tickets in advance, we’ll play the film on Thursday, February. 7 at 7:30. Tickets will be $9 each. Visit the Gathr site to purchase your tickets by clicking this LINK (enter “45402” for the zip code, and the information for THE CENTRAL PARK FIVE will appear…along with a trailer). Don’t worry – If you “buy” a ticket but there’s not enough interest, we won’t hold the screening and you won’t be charged. Please help us spread the word…we need to sell 25 tickets in advance in order to proceed!

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.)

ThinkTV has once again offered to help us get a signal for our FREE Annual Oscar Party. Mark you calendars for Sunday, February 24. More details will be available soon.

On January 18, we will open SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK. The Weinstein Company wanted us to open the film on Dec. 25, but we had obligations with our other titles at that time…so we think adding it after tomorrow’s Oscar nominations will be a good fit. Please help us spread the word. If you haven’t seen this film yet, we hope you’ll wait to see it with us. If you’ve already seen it, perhaps you’d consider telling friends to see it here (or maybe even see it again).

We hope to see you soon,
Jonathan

SHOWTIMES for Fri. Jan. 11 – Thur, Jan. 17:

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, 5:15, 7:30, 9:45
Saturday, Sunday: 12:45, 5:15, 7:30, 9:45
Monday – Thursday: 3:00, 8:00

DIANA VREELAND: THE EYE HAS TO TRAVEL
(PG-13) 1 Hr 26 min
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 3:00
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. ? – A ROYAL AFFAIR
Jan 25 – RUST AND BONE
Feb. 15 – AMOUR
Feb ? – WEST OF MEMPHIS
Late February – QUARTET
Spring – ON THE ROAD

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

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

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