josh radnor

Hello Everyone,

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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