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ST. VINCENT (Starring Bill Murray) & PRIDE (With Amazing British Cast) Start Friday at THE NEON!

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pride_ver3Hello Everyone,

If you’ve liked films like BILLY ELLIOT and THE FULL MONTY, I’m pretty certain you’re going to absolutely love PRIDE. The standing ovation at the screening I attended in Toronto was invigorating, and the film is more than just warm and charming – it’s inspiring. I hope you’ll come and support it this weekend. In addition to PRIDE, we will open the new Bill Murray comedy – ST. VINCENT. This film was also a crowd-pleaser when I saw it in Toronto, and I think Dayton audiences will like it as well. If you still need to see THE SKELETON TWINS, LOVE IS STRANGE, MY OLD LADY or THE TWO FACES OF JANUARY, you only have until Thursday to see them at THE NEON. Visit www.neonmovies.com for this week’s remaining showtimes.

As a reminder, we will have a special preview screening of ST. VINCENT on Thursday, Oct. 23 at 8:00. Regular ticket prices will apply…and we’ll have some fun prizes to give away!

Synopsis for PRIDE: “PRIDE is inspired by an extraordinary true story. It’s the summer of 1984, Margaret Thatcher is in power and the National Union of Mineworkers is on strike, prompting a London-based group of gay and lesbian activists to raise money to support the strikers’ families. Initially rebuffed by the Union, the group identifies a tiny mining village in Wales and sets off to make their donation in person. As the strike drags on, the two groups discover that standing together makes for the strongest union of all.” This film stars some real heavyweight British actors like Imedla Staunton, Bill Nighy, Dominic West and Paddy Considine. Click this LINK to visit the film’s official site.

Synopsis for ST. VINCENT: “Maggie (Melissa McCarthy), a single mother, moves into a new home in Brooklyn with her 12-year old son, Oliver. Forced to work long hours, she has no choice but to leave Oliver in the care of their new neighbor, Vincent (Bill Murray), a retired curmudgeon with a penchant for alcohol and gambling. An odd friendship soon blossoms between the improbable pair. Together with a pregnant stripper named Daka (Naomi Watts), Vincent brings Oliver along on all the stops that make up his daily routine – the race track, a strip club, and the local dive bar. Vincent helps Oliver grow to become a man, while Oliver begins to see in Vincent something that no one else is able to: a misunderstood man with a good heart.” Click on this LINK to visit the film’s official site.

By now, many of you are familiar with Gathr and Tugg – platforms used to bring films to town that might not otherwise screen in our market. When you visit these sites, you can reserve a ticket that will help bring the film to THE NEON. If not enough tickets are reserved, the screening doesn’t go forward and your card is never charged. Here are 2 upcoming films that are attempting to come to town:
CULTURE HIGH, a film about the modern day marijuana debate – Wed. Nov. 5 at 7:30 – LINK for CULTURE HIGH
PENTON, a film about the American icon and motorcycle pioneer (this is an encore screening due to the sold-out success of the screening a month ago) – Thursday, Nov. 6 a 7:30 – LINK for PENTON

VSOP Music & Film is bringing HARLEM STREET SINGER – THE STORY OF REVEREND GARY DAVIS to THE NEON for a one-time screening on Wednesday, Nov. 12 at 7:30. “The film tells the story of the blind, self-taught musician Reverend Gary Davis. It chronicles his hardscrabble life and the profound impact he made on musicians eager to explore his technique – a homegrown guitar style forged from ragtime, gospel and blues. In addition to archival footage and interview segments with Bob Weir, Jorma Kaukonen, John Cohen, David Bromberg, Ramblin’ Jack Elliott and others, the film features newly recorded versions of songs Davis was closely identified with performed by a band led by Woody Mann. Blues and jazz historian (and frontman for the Classic Jazz Stompers) Dave Greer will lead a Q&A following the screeing.” (taken from VSOP Press Notes) Tickets will be $8 each and available starting Oct. 22 at THE NEON’s box office.

Thanks for your continued support!

We hope to see you soon,
Jonathan

SHOWTIMES for Friday, Oct. 24 – Thursday, Oct. 30:

PRIDE (R) 1 Hr 57 Min
Friday & Saturday: 12:00, 2:20, 4:50, 7:15, 9:45
Sunday: 12:00, 2:20, 4:50, 7:15
Monday – Thursday: 2:45, 5:15, 7:45

ST. VINCENT (PG-13) 1 Hr 42 Min
Special Preview screening Thursday, Oct. 23 at 8:00!
Friday & Saturday: 12:30, 2:50, 5:10, 7:30, 9:50
Sunday: 12:30, 2:50, 5:10, 7:30
Monday – Thursday: 2:50, 5:10, 7:30

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

Nov. 7 – BIRDMAN
Nov. 14 – WHIPLASH
Nov. 28 – THE THEORY OF EVERYTHING
Dec. 19 – THE IMITATION GAME
Jan. 9 – FOXCATCHER

Critically Acclaimed LOVE IS STRANGE Opens at THE NEON!

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Love-is-StrangeHello Everyone,

Taking a cue from national trends, we didn’t have the highest hopes for ALIVE INSIDE…but it’s a film we believed in and hoped would find an audience. Unfortunately, those trends proved to be right in line with the film’s performance in Dayton. That said, people who saw it can easily understand why this inspiring film won the audience award at Sundance. Unfortunately, Thursday was the last chance to see it at THE NEON. On Friday, we open a wonderful new film with two of the best male performances of the year – LOVE IS STRANGE. We will also hold onto the much-loved, darkly funny sibling drama THE SKELETON TWINS. Visit www.neonmovies.com for this week’s remaining showtimes.

Synopsis for LOVE IS STRANGE:Rated 97% FRESH on Rottentomatoes.com. “After nearly four decades together, Ben (John Lithgow) and George (Alfred Molina) finally tie the knot in an idyllic wedding ceremony in lower Manhattan. But when George loses his job soon after, the couple must sell their apartment and – victims of the relentless New York City real estate market – temporarily live apart until they can find an affordable new home. While George moves in with two cops (Cheyenne Jackson and Manny Perez) who live down stairs, Ben lands in Brooklyn with his nephew (Darren Burrows), his wife (Marisa Tomei), and their temperamental teenage son (Charlie Tahan), with whom Ben shares a bedroom. While struggling with the pain of separation, Ben and George are further challenged by the intergenerational tensions and capricious family dynamics of their new living arrangements.” (taken from Sony Pictures Classics) This film was directed by Ira Sachs – a director who has visited Dayton and worked directly with WSU motion picture students…he has also been quite kind to The Dayton LGBT Film Festival over the years. Click this LINK to visit the film’s official site.

“Next Wednesday, October 8 at 7:30, there will be a one-time screening of AMERICAN WINTER immediately followed by a moderated discussion with the producer Harry Gantz. This screening is sponsored by the City of Dayton, Ohio CDC Association, and CareSource. ‘For countless middle-class families who have experienced job loss or an unexpected financial setback, the American Dream has become an American nightmare. Working families, seemingly on a path toward economic security, have discovered how quickly they can slip from the middle class into poverty. The film presents an intimate snapshot of the state of the nation’s economy as it is playing out in the lives of many American families.’ (From American Winter notes) A must see for those working with those in poverty and those involved in the formation of policy that impacts the community’s safety net services! Admission is $5 and open to the public. THIS JUST IN: Tickets to this screening are sold out!  If you’d like to be put on a waiting list, contact  amy.riegel@daytonohio.gov.” (taken from press notes).

On Sunday, Oct. 19 at 5:30, Jeff Akers has rented one of our auditoriums to locally premiere his new short film ILLUMINATION. “Jeff Akers Films, a subsidiary of NJP Media Network, is pleased to announce the release of the riveting new short film ILLUMINATION, which brings to light the mindset of an unbeliever who continues to deny that God is real. The film is set in current reality but personifies new age technology and the power it can have on those in control of it. ILLUMINATION stars veteran actor Shane Willimon, as well as newcomers like Chedrick Cohens, Kenya Permenter, and Darrell Brown who bring this film to life with their skill and believability on screen. Director Jeff Akers plans to screen the film in Greenville, SC and Dayton, Ohio where the majority of it was filmed, he will also enter the production into numerous Christian-based film festivals. ‘This film will not only surprise people, but it will have them thinking on a completely different level,’ he stated. Akers plans to leave you pining for more compelling films and industrials that change your thinking and re-shape your awareness.” (taken from press notes) Akers will attend this screening, and tickets are $5 each – available at THE NEON.

The Dayton LGBT Film Festival is right around the corner, and we have 4 guests who will attend screenings this year. Lisa Hass, lead actress and writer of THE FOXY MERKINS, is flying in from NYC. Director Drew Van Steenbergen will join the writer and star of ALONE WITH PEOPLE – both flying in from L.A. Chinonye Chukwu, writer and director of A LONG WALK, is now part of the Motion Pictures Department at WSU and a recent Dayton transplant. Tickets for the Opening Night Film – THE WAY HE LOOKS – are going quickly…take a look at the brand new trailer for this wonderful film. Visit the official site to read about all of our selections and get your tickets before they’re gone.

Maggie Smith fans rejoice! We have booked MY OLD LADY for Oct. 17! Click HERE to visit the film’s site and check out the trailer.

Thanks for your continued support!

We hope to see you soon,

Jonathan

SHOWTIMES for Friday, Oct. 3 – Thursday, Oct. 9:

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

LOVE IS STRANGE (R) 1 Hr 34 Min
Friday & Saturday: 12:45, 3:00, 5:15, 7:30, 9:40
Sunday: 12:45, 3:00, 5:15, 7:30
Monday & Tuesday: 3:00, 5:15, 7:30
Wednesday: 3:00, 5:15
Thursday: 3:00, 5:15, 7:30

AMERICAN WINTER (NR) 1 Hr 30 Min + Discussion
Wednesday: 7:30

COMING SOON:

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

Oct. 10-12 – DAYTON LGBT FILM FEST, Oct. 17 – MY OLD LADY
Oct. 24 – PRIDE, Oct. 24 –  ST. VINCENT, Nov. 7 – BIRDMAN, Nov. 14 – WHIPLASH, Nov. 28 – THE THEORY OF EVERYTHING

ENOUGH SAID, 2 French Imports & More at THE NEON

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enough-said-posterHello Everyone,

We’re cleaning house this weekend. If you still need to see BLUE JASMINE, AUSTENLAND, SALINGER or THE HUNT, you only have until Thursday to see them at THE NEON. For remaining showtimes for this week, visit our official site at www.neonmovies.com.

On Friday, we will open 3 new films. First of all, we’ll open one of the best reviewed comedies of the year – a film I really like – ENOUGH SAID. Directed by Nicole Holofcener, this film is smart, funny & touching, and it has two incredible central performances by Julia Louis-Dreyfus and James Gandolfini. In addition, Francophiles will rejoice for our one-week engagement of 2 French films – POPULAIRE and HAUTE CUISINE (and foodies will certainly want to see the latter).

Synopsis for ENOUGH SAID: “A divorced and single parent, Eva (Julia Louis Dreyfus) spends her days enjoying work as a masseuse but dreading her daughter’s impending departure for college. She meets Albert (James Gandolfini) – a sweet, funny and like-minded man also facing an empty nest. As their romance quickly blossoms, Eva befriends Marianne (Catherine Keener), her new massage client. Marianne is a beautiful poet who seems “almost perfect” except for one prominent quality: she rags on her ex-husband way too much. Suddenly, Eva finds herself doubting her own relationship with Albert as she learns the truth about Marianne’s Ex. ENOUGH SAID is a sharp, insightful comedy that humorously explores the mess that often comes with getting involved again.” (taken from Fox Searchlight) Click HERE to visit the film’s official site.

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Synopsis for POPULAIRE: “Spring, 1958: 21-year-old Rose Pamphyle lives with her grouchy widower father who runs the village store. Engaged to the son of the local mechanic, she seems destined for the quiet, drudgery-filled life of a housewife. But that’s not the life Rose longs for. When she travels to Lisieux in Normandy, where charismatic insurance agency boss Louis Echard is advertising for a secretary, the ensuing interview is a disaster. But Rose reveals a special gift – she can type at extraordinary speed. Unwittingly, the young woman awakens the dormant sports fan in Louis. If she wants the job she’ll have to compete in a speed typing competition…He’ll turn her into the fastest girl in the world!” (taken from The Weinstein Company) Click HERE to visit the film’s official site.

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Synopsis for HAUTE CUISINE: “Hortense Laborie (Catherine Frot), a renowned chef from Perigord, is astonished when the President of the Republic (Jean d’Ormesson) appoints her his personal cook, responsible for creating all his meals at the Elysee Palace. Despite jealous resentment from the other kitchen staff, Hortense quickly establishes herself, thanks to her indomitable spirit. The authenticity of her cooking soon seduces the President, but the corridors of power are littered with traps.” (taken from The Weinstein Company) Click HERE to visit the film’s official site.

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THE DAYTON LGBT FILM FESTIVAL is just 10 days away! The dates are set for October 11-13, and the line-up is fantastic. The official site is up and running, and you can visit our Facebook Page for last-minute postings. We hope you’ll look at our site and find something you’d like to see…if you’re into thought-provoking documentaries or period films or satirical comedies, we’ve got it covered. As I’m writing this newsletter, there are less than 10 passes left (we made 60)…but there are plenty of single tickets to individual shows. Tickets can be purchased via the official site (with surcharges) or at THE NEON (for face value)!

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THE WATCHER’S REVELATION will screen October 24 at 7:30 and 9:45. “Is a race of benign extraterrestrials secretly influencing the world’s governments? Are these creatures really ancient aliens sent to protect humanity from self-destruction, or are they evil beings set on deception as the world approaches its final days?…This faith-based, science fiction film was made by lifepointe church in Dayton, OH, featuring a cast and crew of local talent who worked for an occasional pizza and the love of film. Tickets are $5 and extremely limited. They are available for purchase at lifepointe church and will be available at The Neon box office starting October 7.” (taken from Lifepointe Church press notes)

We’ve got so much going on in the next few weeks…and we’re heading into Oscar season. I’m so delighted to announce that 12 YEARS A SLAVE has just been added to our line-up. It’s certain to be nominated for “Best Picture” this year, and it is exceptional!

Thanks for your continued support!
We hope to see you soon,
Jonathan

SHOWTIMES for Fri, Oct. 4 – Thurs, Oct. 10:

ENOUGH SAID (PG-13) 1 hr 33 min
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 1:00, 3:10, 5:15, 7:30, 9:40
Monday – Thursday: 3:15, 5:30, 7:45

POPULAIRE (R) 1 hr 51 min
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 12:30, 5:00, 9:30
Monday – Thursday: 5:15

HAUTE CUISINE (PG-13) 1 hr 35 min
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 2:45, 7:20
Monday – Thursday: 3:00, 7:40

COMING SOON:
As always, all dates are tentative. Many of these dates will change.
In some rare cases, titles may disappear.
Oct. 11 – THE PATIENCE STONE
Oct. 18 – INEQUALITY FOR ALL
Octo. 25 – ALL IS LOST
Oct. 25 – WADJDA
Nov. 8 – 12 YEARS A SLAVE
Nov. 22 – DALLAS BUYERS CLUB
Nov. 22- KILL YOUR DARLINGS
TBD – CUTIE AND THE BOXER

Populaire-Quad

Sixth Annual Dayton LGBT Film Festival

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With the sixth annual Downtown Dayton LGBT Film Festival starting this week at The Neon, moviegoers should be looking forward to what has been promised to be the best year yet.

To kick off the festival, Steven Williford’s The Green will be shown at 7:30p.m. Friday, September 23rd. The picture is about an accusation of a male teacher improperly involving himself with a male student.  Directly following the screening, there will be an opening night party at Sidebar in downtown Dayton’s Oregon District. All viewers need is their ticket stub for entry.

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Beginning at 12:30p.m. Saturday, September 24th, Stu Maddux’s Gen Silent will be presented, a film about being forced to change your sexual orientation in order to receive medical care. Next, a series of six short films, or “Top Drawer Shorts”, will begin at 3:00p.m. At 7:30p.m., Celine Sciamma’s picture Tomboy about a 10-year-old girl disguising herself as a young boy in a new town will certainly entertain movie lovers. Ending the night at 9:30p.m. is Casper Andrea’s Going Down in LA-LA Land, a film about an actor’s survival in Hollywood, which “has a great central performance by Matthew Ludwinski” who will attend this year’s festival (http://www.daytonlgbt.com/).

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Ending the three day festival on Sunday, September 25th will be Dori Berinstein’s Carol Channing: Larger Than Life (12:00p.m.) and Andrew Haigh’s Weekend (3:00p.m.). Closing with a documentary about one of Broadway’s most beloved singers and actresses and a drama about a passionate encounter between two strangers, this impressive lineup is sure to interest longtime fans of the festival as well as attract new viewers.

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Single showings are $8 and a Festival Pass is $50. Tickets can be purchased at The Neon Movie Theater. Tickets are on sale now. “See you at the movies!”

Downtown Dayton LGBT Film Festival

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lgbt_filmfestThe Downtown Dayton LGBT Film Festival (presented by the Downtown Priority Board) provides a space for voices to be heard that aren’t often represented in mainstream media.  The subjects range from the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community.  Generally, the festival highlights films that are made with smaller budgets.  These movies go relatively unnoticed beyond the LGBT community, but they’re strong pieces of work that merit being seen.

The Edge of Heaven, a selection from last year’s festival, went on to be named one of the “Top 10” films of the year by many critics.  Were The World Mine, last year’s opening night film, garnered a large following and won multiple awards around the world.  In 2007’s festival, the short film Freeheld went on to win an Academy Award.  This film was not screened anywhere else in the Dayton Region.

This year’s films include:

Friday September 25

Saturday September 26

Sunday September 27

This has become an annual tradition for both the Downtown Priority Board AND The Neon, and it brings people in from other cities like Cincinnati and Columbus.  As a priority board member I’m proud of our continued support for this film festival.

Check out this event on the DaytonMostMetro.com Event Calendar!