Jason Segel

Woody Allen’s IRRATIONAL MAN – starring Joaquin Phoenix, Emma Stone & Parker Posey – Opens Friday at THE NEON

August 5, 2015 By Jonathan McNeal

Hello Everyone,

We had another solid weekend at THE NEON. Many thanks for your continued support! MR. HOLMES is going to stick around, but as anticipated, INFINITELY POLAR BEAR will only screen until Thursday. For this week’s remaining showtimes, please visit our website at www.neonmovies.com. On Friday, we will open Woody Allen’s latest film – IRRATIONAL MAN – starring Joaquin Phoenix, Emma Stone & Parker Posey.

Synopsis for IRRATIONAL MAN: “Woody Allen’s IRRATIONAL MAN is about a tormented philosophy professor who finds a will to live when he commits an existential act. Philosophy professor Abe Lucas (Joaquin Phoenix) is at rock bottom emotionally, unable to find any meaning or joy in life. Abe feels that everything he’s tried to do, from political activism to teaching, hasn’t made any difference. Soon after arriving to teach at a small town college, Abe gets involved with two women: Rita Richards (Parker Posey), a lonely professor who wants him to rescue her from her unhappy marriage; and Jill Pollard (Emma Stone), his best student, who becomes his closest friend. Pure chance changes everything when Abe and Jill overhear a stranger’s conversation and become drawn in…” (taken from Sony Classics) Click this LINK to visit the film’s official website.

Don’t forget that this Thursday, August 6 at 7:30, director Enzo Libertini will premiere his new film THRESHOLD (Libertini has a background in theater, this is his first feature film). “Three slackers wake up to find their friend is missing and in the search for his whereabouts they continue their normal routine that is both odd and compelling. When this routine becomes threatened they must face what’s been holding them back and cross the threshold into truly living. Filmmaker Enzo Libertini brings an epic comedy to the screen for the first time. Libertini began his work on the stage, with original plays Fulmination and Fall for This.” (taken from press notes) Tickets are on sale now for $8 each at THE NEON’s box office.

On Thursday, August 27 at 7:30, we will hold the world premiere of the new film DIARY OF A DEADBEAT: THE STORY OF JIM VANBEBBER. “Jim VanBebber, an uncompromising, underground, outlaw filmmaker from Greenville, Ohio has become one of the most infamous and controversial American independent filmmakers of our time. VanBebber brought us such cult classics as DEADBEAT AT DAWN (The first feature film made in Dayton, Ohio) MY SWEET SATAN, THE MANSON FAMILY, and many others. Diary of a Deadbeat is a documentary that follows his life from his early super 8mm films to his strange days in Hollywood. It features interviews with an eclectic group of artists such as Phil Ansemlo (Pantera), Richard Kern (Trangressive Film Director), Nivek Ogre (Skinny Puppy), R.A the Rugged Man, and many more. Director Victor Bonacore will be in attendance, granting the world the first look at this documentary that has been in the works for over five years! Be the first to see the much-anticipated and long-awaited Diary of a Deadbeat at its world premiere, for only $5!” Tickets on sale now at THE NEON’s box office.

A Reminder About PARKING! Parking across from our front door (the old Greyhound lot) is free for our customers at any time. In addition, we do validate for parking in the parking garage on weekdays after 6pm and all day on Saturday and Sunday. (In the event that the Convention Center is hosting a special event, do not pay an attendant for parking on your way in…simply state that you’re heading to THE NEON and you require a ticket that will be later validated.)

Thanks for your continued support.

We hope to see you this weekend!

Jonathan

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

IRRATIONAL MAN (R) 1 Hr 36 Min
Friday, Saturday: 12:45, 3:00, 5:15, 7:30, 9:45
Sunday: 12:45, 3:00, 5:15, 7:30
Monday – Thursday: 3:15, 5:30, 7:40

MR. HOLMES (PG) 1 Hr 45 Min
Friday & Saturday: 12:20, 2:40, 5:00, 7:20, 9:40
Sunday: 12:20, 2:40, 5:00, 7:20
Monday – Thursday: 3:00, 5:15, 7:30

COMING SOON:
(All Dates Are Tentative. Dates Often Move And Sometimes Disappear.)
Aug. 14 – TESTAMENT OF YOUTH
Aug. 21 – THE END OF THE TOUR
Aug. 28 – DIARY OF A TEENAGE GIRL
Sept. 11 – MISTRESS AMERICA Sept. 18 – LEARNING TO DRIVE
TBD: THE HUNDRED YEAR OLD MAN WHO CLIMBED OUT THE WINDOW AND DISAPPEARED

JIRO DREAMS OF SUSHI Opens Friday at THE NEON

April 25, 2012 By Jonathan McNeal Leave a Comment

Hello Everyone,

Audiences are certainly talking about KEVIN. After almost every screening of WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT KEVIN, members of the audience have stuck around to talk about the film. Though dark and unsettling, this smart and masterful film will stick with you…and discussing it makes the experience even stronger. We’re going to hold it, along with JEFF WHO LIVES AT HOME, for one more week. In addition, we will open a new documentary that has garnered quite a fan-base since it premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival last spring – JIRO DREAMS OF SUSHI. This is the first documentary of 2012 to gross over a million dollars. That’s a rarity for documentaries…and a sign that audiences are loving it!

Synopsis for JIRO DREAMS OF SUSHI: “Jiro Dreams of Sushi is the story of 85 year-old Jiro Ono, considered by many to be the world’s greatest sushi chef. He is the proprietor of Sukiyabashi Jiro, a 10-seat, sushi-only restaurant inauspiciously located in a Tokyo subway station. Despite its humble appearances, it is the first restaurant of its kind to be awarded a prestigious 3 star Michelin review, and sushi lovers from around the globe make repeated pilgrimage, calling months in advance and shelling out top dollar for a coveted seat at Jiro’s sushi bar. For most of his life, Jiro has been mastering the art of making sushi, but even at his age he sees himself still striving for perfection, working from sunrise to well beyond sunset to taste every piece of fish; meticulously train his employees; and carefully mold and finesse the impeccable presentation of each sushi creation. At the heart of this story is Jiro’s relationship with his eldest son Yoshikazu, the worthy heir to Jiro’s legacy, who is unable to live up to his full potential in his father’s shadow.” (taken from Magnolia Pictures) Click this LINK to be directed to the film’s official site.
If you’re in the mood for sushi after the screening, don’t forget that your ticket stub will get you 15% off your meal from SA BAI – our new neighbor.

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

The 12th Dayton Jewish International Film Festival is ready to kick off. This wonderful, international film festival has a focus on the lives and issues of Jewish people, but it’s open the community and essential viewing for those who love good cinema. The following is a list of films that will screen at THE NEON:
Sun, Apr 29 at 5:15 – EICHMANN’S END: LOVE, BETRAYAL, & DEATH
Tues, May 1 at 9:30am – DAVID
Thurs, May 3 at 7:10 – REUNITING THE RUBINS
Sun, May 6 at 2:50 – SHOLEM ALEICHEM: LAUGHING IN THE DARKNESS
Sun, May 6 at 7:10 – KADDISH FOR A FRIEND
Tue, May 8 at 7:10 – SALSA TEL AVIV
Thur, May 10 at 7:10 – BERLIN 36
For the complete line-up of films and ticket details, visit the official site.

For those of you who use Facebook, we finally have an actual page…not just a “group” page. We will soon be fazing out the old group, so please LIKE us by visiting our page – which now has a very easy address: www.facebook.com/neonmovies

For remaining showtimes for this week (you only have a couple days left to see THE RAID: REDEMPTION), visit our site.

We’ve added some great new titles. Check out our “Coming Soon” list below.

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

SHOWTIMES for
Fri. April 27 – Thur. May 3:

JEFF WHO LIVES AT HOME (R) 1 Hr 23 Min
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 1:00, 3:00, 7:30
Monday – Wednesday: 3:00, 7:30
Thursday: 3:00

JIRO DREAMS OF SUSHI (PG) 1 Hr 21 Min
Friday, Saturday: 1:15, 3:15, 5:15, 7:30, 9:30
Sunday: 1:15, 3:15, 7:30, 9:30
Monday – Thursday: 3:15, 5:15, 7:30

WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT KEVIN (R) 1 Hr 51 Min
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 5:10, 9:30
Monday – Thursday: 5:10

COMING SOON:
As always, all dates are tentative.
Many of these dates will change.
In some rare cases, titles may disappear.
May 4 DAMSELS IN DISTRESS
May 11 FOOTNOTE
May 25 DARLING COMPANION
May 25 THE BEST EXOTIC MARIGOLD HOTEL
June 1 SOUND OF MY VOICE
June 15 WHERE DO WE GO NOW?
June 29 MOONRISE KINGDOM
July ? BEASTS OF THE SOUTHERN WILD
July ? TO ROME WITH LOVE

“We Need To Talk About Kevin” Opens Friday at THE NEON!

April 18, 2012 By Jonathan McNeal Leave a Comment

Hello Everyone,

Tilda Swinton was robbed! One of the most disappointing omissions from this year’s Oscar nominations was Swinton’s performance in WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT KEVIN.
After several months of playing the trailer, a print is available and we’re finally able to open this chilling, masterfully crafted film.
In addition to opening KEVIN, we will hold JEFF WHO LIVES AT HOME (which had a fantastic weekend) and one screening per day of THE RAID: REDEMPTION.

Synopsis for WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT KEVIN: “We Need to Talk About Kevin explores the factious relationship between a mother and her evil son. Tilda Swinton plays the mother, Eva, as she contends for 15 years with the increasing malevolence of her first-born child, Kevin. Based on the best-selling novel of the same name, We Need to Talk About Kevin explores nature vs. nurture on a whole new level as Eva’s own culpability is measured against Kevin’s innate evilness.” (taken from Oscilloscope Laboratories) This film also stars John C. Reilly and Ezra Miller.
Click this LINK to visit the official site.

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TGjjK5SMbJA’]

“In celebration of National Record Store Day, GHETTOBLASTER MAGAZINE will be hosting a special screening of EMPIRE RECORDS on Saturday, April 21 at 10:15pm. In addition to the movie we’ll be giving away two tickets for this year’s Nelsonville Music Festival and all proceeds will go toward 2012’s Dayton Music Fest. Dayton MostMetro.com is the media sponsor for Record Store Day and other events that day include music trivia at Blind Bob’s from 4-6pm, live music throughout the day at Omega Music, Record Gallery and Feathers in the Oregon District and Toxic Beauty in Yellow Springs (Omega and Toxic will also be selling special RSD releases) and many local businesses will be offering discounts with a shown receipt from one of our local record stores.” (taken from press notes) Tickets for this event will be just $6 each (and only $4 each if you have a receipt from one of the local, indie record stores). Tickets will only be available on the night of the screening.

The banner just went up in our lobby for the 12th Dayton Jewish International Film Festival. This wonderful, international film festival has a focus on the lives and issues of Jewish people, but it’s open the community and essential viewing for those who love good cinema. The following is a list of films that will screen at THE NEON:
Sun, Apr 29 at 5:15 – EICHMANN’S END: LOVE, BETRAYAL, & DEATH
Tues, May 1 at 9:30am – DAVID
Thurs, May 3 at 7:10 – REUNITING THE RUBINS
Sun, May 6 at 2:50 – SHOLEM ALEICHEM: LAUGHING IN THE DARKNESS
Sun, May 6 at 7:10 – KADDISH FOR A FRIEND
Tue, May 8 at 7:10 – SALSA TEL AVIV
Thur, May 10 at 7:10 – BERLIN 36
For the complete line-up of films and ticket details, check out our feature article here.

For remaining showtimes for this week – including details about tomorrow’s premiere (4/19) of OBSCURA – visit our site.

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

P.S. Below is a picture I took at the 2011 Toronto International Film Festival. In addition to a Q&A, I was able to attend a 90-minute conversation with Ms. Swinton. It was divine! (Pictured: director Lynne Ramsay, Tilda Swinton, Ezra Miller)

SHOWTIMES for Fri. April 20 – Thur. April 26:

JEFF WHO LIVES AT HOME (R) 1 Hr 23 Min
Friday: 1:00, 3:10, 7:20, 9:20
Saturday: 1:00, 3:10, 7:20
Sunday: 1:00, 3:10, 7:20, 9:20
Monday – Thursday: 3:10, 7:20

THE RAID: REDEMPTION (R) 1 Hr 41 Min
Friday – Thursday: 5:15

WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT KEVIN (R) 1 Hr 51 Min
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 12:20, 2:40, 5:00, 7:30, 9:50
Monday – Thursday: 2:40, 5:00, 7:30

EMPIRE RECORDS (PG-13) 1 Hr 47 Min
Saturday: 10:15pm

COMING SOON:
As always, all dates are tentative.
Many of these dates will change.
In some rare cases, titles may disappear.
April 27 FOOTNOTE
May 4 JIRO DREAMS OF SUSHI
May 11 DAMSELS IN DISTRESS
May 25 DARLING COMPANION
May 25 THE BEST EXOTIC MARIGOLD HOTEL
June 1 SOUND OF MY VOICE
July ? BEASTS OF THE SOUTHERN WILD
July ? TO ROME WITH LOVE

THE NEON is Cleaning House – 2 New Films Start Friday!

April 11, 2012 By Jonathan McNeal Leave a Comment

Hello Everyone,

I ran into a NEON regular at Meadowlark last week (you’ve been to their new, wonderful location, right?). He said, “Movies are comin’ and goin’ pretty quickly these days.” My response was simple. “That’s not a good sign.” When movies come and go, that means they’re not performing well…and that’s not to say that they aren’t great films. The response to both PARIAH and IN DARKNESS has been incredible, and numerous people have also loved SALMON FISHING IN THE YEMEN. However, all 3 films have to go. Tomorrow (Thursday, April 12) will be your last chance to see these films at THE NEON. On Friday, we will start two new, very different films – JEFF WHO LIVES AT HOME and THE RAID: REDEMPTION. To see current showtimes, visit our website.

Synopsis for JEFF WHO LIVES AT HOME: “On his way to the store to buy wood glue, Jeff looks for signs from the universe to determine his path. However, a series of comedic and unexpected events leads him to cross paths with his family in the strangest of locations and circumstances. Jeff just may find the meaning of his life…and if he’s lucky, pick up the wood glue as well.” (taken from Paramount Vantage) From the director of CYRUS comes JEFF WHO LIVES AT HOME – starring Jason Segel, Ed Helms and Susan Sarandon.

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=34kCWAsddtA’]

Synopsis for THE RAID: REDEMPTION: “A Swat team arrives at a rundown apartment block with a mission to remove its owner, a notorious drug lord named Tama. The building has never been raided before, never been touched by police. Seen as a no go zone it has since become a sanctuary to killers, gangs, rapists and thieves seeking accommodation in the one place they know they cannot be touched. Making their move in the break of dawn the swat team work their way up the building under cover of silence. But when a chance encounter with a spotter blows their cover and with news of their assault traveling to Tama in his penthouse suite the building is locked down with all lights out and all exits blocked. Stranded on the 6th floor the swat team must fight their way through every floor and every room not just to complete their mission but to survive.” (taken from Merantau Films) Many people who have seen the trailer say that this film doesn’t seem like our traditional fare…and I agree. That said, the movie is a foreign genre film with great reviews. Though the violence will turn some of you off, we hoping that fans of stylized action films find their way to us.

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

On Tuesday, April 17 at 7:30, we have a special treat for lovers of documentaries and vintage aircraft. “Each year the famous Doolittle Tokyo Raiders from WWII have a reunion to remember their mission, their comrades, and their heroic leader Gen. James Doolittle. In 2010, an extraordinary event took place – seventeen B-25 bomber crews volunteered to gather in honor of the Raiders, and over 70,000 people turned up to witness it. THE RESTORERS – THEY WERE ALL VOLUNTEERS follows the journey of a Minnesota B-25 named Miss Mitchell. Join this restored bomber as she travels to Dayton, Ohio to attend the largest B-25 gathering since WWII. Help us commemorate the 70th anniversary of the historic Doolittle mission. The filmmakers and participants will be on-hand for discussion and questions. Cost: $8.00 for adults, $6.00 for children and veterans.” (synopsis provided by Adam White)

On Thursday, April 19 at 7:30, we have a newly added special event for you. “OBSCURA is the new short film by writer/director and Wright State University Motion Picture graduate Chris Stevens. Filmed in the great state of Ohio with the accomplished and fellow Wright State graduate Mike King behind the camera, OBSCURA tells the story of Mike, Holly and Logan who are just your average family until a disaster leaves their world in darkness. Unknowing the origin of the mysterious disaster they decide to leave their home in search of answers and safety. Wandering in darkness their circumstance begins to wear them down. As trust and their faith in one another fades, so too does the chance they will ever find their answers as a family. A short Q&A will follow the screening. COST: Free Admission but Donations (to be used for film festival submissions) are encouraged.” (taken from press notes) Click this LINK to visit the film’s official site.

“In celebration of National Record Store Day, GHETTOBLASTER MAGAZINE will be hosting a special screening of EMPIRE RECORDS on Saturday, April 21 at 10:15pm. In addition to the movie we’ll be giving away two tickets for this year’s Nelsonville Music Festival and all proceeds will go toward 2012’s Dayton Music Fest. Other events that day include music trivia at Blind Bob’s from 4-6pm, live music throughout the day at Omega Music, Record Gallery and Feathers in the Oregon District and Toxic Beauty in Yellow Springs (Omega and Toxic will also be selling special RSD releases) and many local businesses will be offering discounts with a shown receipt from one of our local record stores.” (taken from press notes) Tickets for this event will be just $6 each (and only $4 each if you have a receipt from one of the local, indie record stores). Tickets will only be available on the night of the screening.

Do you want to win a trip to Paris? THE NEON has been happy to take part in selling raffle tickets for an upcoming benefit for AIDS Resource Center Ohio. Raffle tickets are $25 each or 6 for $100…and we still have a handful left. The drawing will take place on Saturday, April 28, and we will keep selling this tickets through this weekend.

For those of you who use Facebook, we finally have an actual page…not just a “group” page. We will soon be fazing out the old group, so please LIKE us by following the link.

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

SHOWTIMES for Fri. April 13 – Thur. April 19:

JEFF WHO LIVES AT HOME (R) 1 Hr 23 Min
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 1:00, 3:10, 5:15, 7:20, 9:20
Monday: 3:10, 5:15, 7:20
Tuesday: 3:10, 5:15
Wednesday – Thursday: 3:10, 5:15, 7:20

THE RAID: REDEMPTION (R) 1 Hr 41 Min
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 12:30, 2:45, 5:00, 7:15, 9:30
Monday – Wednesday: 2:45, 5:00, 7:15
Thursday: 2:45, 5:00

THE RESTORERS: THEY WERE ALL VOLUNTEERS (NR) 41 Min
Tuesday: 7:30

OBSCURA (NR) 10 Min
Thursday: 7:30

COMING SOON:
As always, all dates are tentative.
Many of these dates will change.
In some rare cases, titles may disappear.
April 20 WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT KEVIN
April 27 FOOTNOTE
May 4 JIRO DREAMS OF SUSHI
May 11 DAMSELS IN DISTRESS
May 25 DARLING COMPANION
May 25 THE BEST EXOTIC MARIGOLD HOTEL
June 1 SOUND OF MY VOICE
July ? BEASTS OF THE SOUTHERN WILD
July ? TO ROME WITH LOVE