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Returning to Toronto International Film Fest – 4 Years Later!

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Hello Dayton937!

It’s been 4 years since I’ve made the trip to Toronto for TIFF (The Toronto International Film Festival), and my soul has truly missed it.  I know that this year will be very different.  Not only has COVID changed how festivals work, the ongoing writer & actor strikes will also likely change the energy at this year’s festival.  Regardless, I’m anxious to go and submerge myself in multiple screenings of international cinema for 9 days.

The illuminated sign on King Street West indicates the start of the festival!

I’m feeling a little out of practice, but I hope to update you every day with details about the films I’m seeing, the Q&A’s I’m observing and the glitterati I’m spotting.  I’m not sure how many parties will be happening this year, but I hope to pop in on a couple.

For industry folks, the fest works a little different.  I will have an opportunity to see 10 films with the general public.  These are the screenings where directors, producers and stars might walk the Red Carpet and be interviewed for television.  When people think “glamorous film festivals,” these are the screenings that come to mind.  That said, the majority of the films I screen will be in multiplex settings with other press and industry folks.  I might get sandwiched between an international sales agent on one side and someone writing for HOLLYWOOD REPORTER on the other.  It’s fun to rub elbows with a variety of people who make this industry tick.

Maya Hawke as Flannery O’Connor in WILDCAT

I already have a handful of tickets to screenings and events.  In addition to the premiere of NORTH STAR on Opening Night (the directorial debut of Kristin Scott Thomas – starring Scarlett Johansson), Taika Waititi’s latest NEXT GOAL WINS and the anticipated feature WILDCAT (directed by Ethan Hawke and produced by Dayton’s own Karri O’Reilly), I’m so delighted that I scored a ticket to IN CONVERSATION WITH PEDRO ALMODOVAR – a sit down interview (Charlie Rose-style – but in front of an audience)  with my favorite filmmaker of all time!

I’ll try to stay on top of updating this blog on a daily basis after my first day of movie watching.  (Screenings start on Sept. 7 – and I’ll have a full day!)  I’ll screen films through the 15th and head back to Dayton on the 16th.

Thanks for reading.

More soon,

Jonathan

Gaggle of Stars in New Movies at THE NEON!

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the-two-faces-of-january-posterHello Everyone,

We’re holding both LOVE IS STRANGE and THE SKELETON TWINS for one more week, but we’re going to add two new films into the mix. On Friday, we will open a film starring Dame Maggie Smith, always loved by our regulars, in MY OLD LADY – also starring Kevin Kline and Kristin Scott Thomas. In addition, we will open a stylish adaptation of a Patricia Highsmith thriller – THE TWO FACES OF JANUARY – starring Kirsten Dunst, Viggo Mortensen, and Oscar Isaac. All of these films will end their runs on Thursday, Oct. 23…so hurry down if you want to see them. Visit www.neonmovies.com for this week’s remaining showtimes.

Synopsis for MY OLD LADY: One Week Only! “Mathias Gold (Kevin Kline) is a down-on-his-luck New Yorker who inherits a Parisian apartment from his estranged father. But when he arrives in France to sell the vast domicile, he’s shocked to discover a live-in tenant who is not prepared to budge. His apartment is a viager – an ancient French real estate system with complex rules pertaining to its resale – and the feisty Englishwoman Mathilde Girard (Maggie Smith), who has lived in the apartment with her daughter Chloe (Kristin Scott Thomas) for many years, can by contract collect monthly payments from Mathias until her death.” (taken from Cohen Media) Click this LINK to visit the film’s official site.

Synopsis for THE TWO FACES OF JANUARY: One Week Only! “Screenwriter Hossein Amini (The Wings of the Dove, Drive) makes a stylish directing debut with this sleek thriller set in Greece and Istanbul, 1962, and adapted from Patricia Highsmith’s novel. Intrigue begins at the Parthenon when wealthy American tourists Chester MacFarland (Viggo Mortensen) and his young wife Collete (Kirsten Dunst) meet American expat Rydal (Oscar Isaac), a scammer working as a tour guide. Instead of becoming his latest marks, the two befriend him, but a murder at the couple’s hotel puts all three on the run together and creates a precarious bond between them as the trio’s allegiance is put to the test.”

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.

Many thanks to everyone who came out for The Dayton LGBT Film Festival. We had 3 sold-out screenings, and audiences seemed quite enthused by the selections and Opening Night Party. We’re still tabulating the audience award winners…so click this LINK for the festival’s Facebook page later this weekend to find out the latest.

On October 24, we are opening two new films – PRIDE (which is exceptional) and ST. VINCENT (in which Bill Murray is a scream). That said, we just booked a special preview of ST. VINCENT for Thursday, October 23 at 8:00 – where we will have some fun giveaways! Tickets will be available for this special screening by the weekend.

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

SHOWTIMES for Friday, Oct. 17 – Thursday, Oct. 23:

THE SKELETON TWINS (R) 1 Hr 33 Min
Friday & Saturday: 5:10, 9:30
Sunday – Thursday: 5:10

LOVE IS STRANGE (R) 1 Hr 34 Min
Friday & Saturday: 1:00, 5:15
Sunday: 1:00
Monday – Thursday: 5:15

MY OLD LADY (PG-13) 1 Hr 47 Min
Friday & Saturday: 12:30, 2:50, 7:15
Sunday:12:30, 2:50, 7:15
Monday – Thursday: 2:50, 7:15

THE TWO FACES OF JANUARY (PG-13) 1 Hr 36 Min
Friday & Saturday: 3:00, 7:30, 9:40
Sunday: 3:00, 7:45
Monday – Wednesday: 3:00, 7:30
Thursday: 3:00

ILLUMINATION (NR) 30+ Min
Sunday: 5:30

ST. VINCENT (PG-13) 1 Hr 43 Min
PREVIEW SCREENING!
Thursday: 8:00

COMING SOON:
(All Dates Are Tentative. Dates Often Move And Sometimes Disappear.)
Oct. 24 – PRIDE
Oct. 24 – ST. VINCENT
Nov. 7 – BIRDMAN
Nov. 14 – WHIPLASH
Nov. 28 – THE THEORY OF EVERYTHING
Dec. 19 – THE IMITATION GAME

Toronto Film Fest – Day #5

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Hello Everyone,

I have to make a confession.  Because we’re opening THE MASTER on Sept. 21, it has not been a priority for me to see during TIFF…especially because it’s always slated up against something else that I want to see.  That said, I did see the first 70 minutes today…and I found it quite engaging.  I’ll be anxious to see the rest!

The first film I saw today (in its entirety) was THANKS FOR SHARING – a dramedy about sex addiction.  Though there are lots of really funny moments, this film really does take the sex addiction part quite seriously.  Mark Ruffalo and Tim Robbins star along with relative newcomer Josh Gad …with supporting roles by Gwyneth Paltrow and Pink! (who is wonderful).  The film is directed by Stuart Blumberg.  Though this is his directorial debut, Blumberg has had his hand in filmmaking for a while.  (He wrote THE KIDS ARE ALL RIGHT a couple years ago.)  Though I thought this film was too long (I realize that I’m beginning to sound like Harvey Weinstein – who is famous for chopping filmmakers’ films), I do think it’s pretty good for the most part…and very audience friendly.

Next I saw the new film by Edward Burns – A FITZGERALD FAMILY CHRISTMAS.  This film started out on a really strong note.  It was an honest, insightfully funny film about a dysfunctional family during the holidays.  Sadly, the film went in a couple directions that were very problematic, and the movie ultimately didn’t work for me.  However, there are a couple characters that made the film worth watching…particularly Anita Gillette (known recently as Liz Lemon’s mother on 30 ROCK).

Lastly, I saw what might be at the top of the list so far for me.  Francois Ozon’s new film is spectacular.  IN THE HOUSE is the story of a schoolboy who has taken an interest in writing and his grammar teacher who is helping him hone his craft.  As the boy continues to write a story about his voyeuristic observations regarding a family in his neighborhood, the teacher becomes more invested in knowing what happens next…all the while teaching the boy what works and doesn’t work narratively.  It’s a twisted, inventive story…and it’s as funny as it is thrilling.  Both Francois Ozon and Kristin Scott Thomas were at the screening.  I loved it!

Sadly, there are no trailers for the films I screened today…so I’ll leave you with one for THE MASTER.

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fJ1O1vb9AUU’]

Thanks for reading!!!

Jonathan

THE NEON – Everything Must Go!

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Hello Everyone,

Everything playing this week at THE NEON is heading out. THE HEDGEHOG is gone already, and today is your last chance to catch THIN ICE and FRIENDS WITH KIDS. Tomorrow (Mar. 30)  we start two new films – SALMON FISHING IN THE YEMEN and IN DARKNESS – and they’ll both be playing exclusively at THE NEON!
For today’s remaining showtimes, please visit www.neonmovies.com.

Synopsis for SALMON FISHING IN THE YEMEN: “From the beloved director of CHOCOLAT and the Oscar-winning screenwriter of SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE comes the inspirational comedy SALMON FISHING IN THE YEMEN. A visionary sheik (Amr Waked) believes his passion for the peaceful pastime of salmon fishing can enrich the lives of his people, and he dreams of bringing the sport to the not so fish-friendly desert. Willing to spare no expense, he instructs his representative (Emily Blunt) to turn the dream into reality, an extraordinary feat that will require the involvement of Britain’s leading fisheries expert (Ewan McGregor) who happens to think the project both absurd and unachievable. That is, until the Prime Minister’s overzealous press secretary (Kristin Scott Thomas) latches on to it as a ‘good will’ story. Now, this unlikely team will put it all on the line and embark on an upstream journey of faith and fish to prove the impossible, possible.” (taken from CBS Films)
Visit the official site.

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K8YgX2EfbZs’]

Synopsis for IN DARKNESS: “In Darkness is based on a true story. Leopold Socha, a sewer worker and petty thief in Lvov, a Nazi occupied city in Poland, one day encounters a group of Jews trying to escape the liquidation of the ghetto. He hides them for money in the labyrinth of the town’s sewers beneath the bustling activity of the city above. What starts out as a straightforward and cynical business arrangement turns into something very unexpected, the unlikely alliance between Socha and the Jews as the enterprise seeps deeper into Socha’s conscience. The film is also an extraordinary story of survival as these men, women and children all try to outwit certain death during 14 months of ever increasing and intense danger.” (taken from Sony Pictures Classics)
Visit the official site.

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nb2TyPfxaQU’]

The 4th Annual LUNAFEST in Dayton will be held this Sunday at 3:00. “Nine Short Films By/For/About Women, including a funny view of a Persian woman at her younger sister’s engagement party and a serious look at treating obstetric fistulas in Africa. Also: PARK, by WSU film grad Liz Cambron, about a teenaged girl coming of age during summer in a Dayton-area trailer park (selected for this year’s SlamdDance Film Festival). Filmmaker will be do Q&A.
Tickets: $10 (suggested), $5 (minimum), $3 (students w/ ID).
Proceeds to National Breast Cancer Fund and Planned Parenthood of SW Ohio.
Sponsored by Dayton Women’s Rights Alliance.” (synopsis provided by Kathy Ellison)

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)

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 this LINK.

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

SHOWTIMES for Fri. March 30 – Thur. April 5:

SALMON FISHING IN THE YEMEN (PG-13) 1 Hr 47 Min
Friday, Saturday: 12:20, 2:40, 5:00, 7:20, 9:40
Sunday: 12:20, 5:40, 7:45, 9:50
Monday – Thursday: 2:40, 5:00, 7:20

IN DARKNESS (R) 2 Hr 33 Min
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 1:00, 4:00, 7:15
Monday – Thursday: 3:30, 7:15

LUNAFEST (NR) Films + Q&A
Sunday: 3:00

COMING SOON:

As always, all dates are tentative.
Many of these dates will change.
In some rare cases, titles may disappear.
April 6 JEFF WHO LIVES AT HOME
TBD PARIAH
April 13 THE RAID
April 20 WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT KEVIN
April 27 FOOTNOTE
mid-May DAMSELS IN DISTRESS
mid/late-May DARLIN 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

British Comedy THE TRIP – Opens Sept. 2 at THE NEON!

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Hello Everyone.

A special thanks to all of you who came out for opening weekend for SARAH’S KEY…we had a terrific weekend.  I’ve heard back from many of you that word is spreading about getting to THE NEON to see the film.  I certainly appreciate this…as word-of-mouth is one of the most effective marketing tools for us.

SARAH’S KEY will hold over as well as ANOTHER EARTH (for one screening a day).  In addition, we will open the new British comedy THE TRIP.

Synopsis for THE TRIP:  “When Steve Coogan is asked by The Observer to tour the country’s finest restaurants, he envisions it as the perfect getaway with his beautiful girlfriend. But, when she backs out on him, he has no one to accompany him but his best friend and source of eternal aggravation, Rob Brydon. As the brilliant comic duo, freestyling with flair, drive each other mad with constant competition and showdowns of competing impressions, the ultimate odd couple realize in the end a rich amount about not only good food, but the nature of fame, relationships and their own lives.” (IFC Films)  Click HERE to be directed to THE TRIP’s official website.

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

The 6th Annual Downtown Dayton LGBT Film Festival is in the final prep stages.  Visiting artists are booking their flights, posters and postcards are showing up all around town, and community partners are helping to spread the word.  Check out this wonderful clip from CAROL CHANNING: LARGER THAN LIFE …it’s an interview in which she talks about Jacqueline Kennedy visiting backstage during HELLO DOLLY.  (This particular screening is sponsored by The Human Race Theatre Company)

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ex8gE6YC63Q’]

The official website is now up and running!  Check out www.daytonlgbt.com to read a synopsis about each film…you’ll also find embedded trailers and links to official websites.  One special treat…The Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra will give a pair of tickets away at each LGBT screening to see Lynda Carter when she’s in town!  Festival passes go on sale tomorrow at THE NEON’s box office.  $50 for all seven screenings + the Opening Night Party at Sidebar.  (Single tickets go on sale Sept. 8 for $8 each.)

Living City’s Fall Festival is officially booked.  This year?  Vampires!  From Bela Lugosi’sDRACULA (in 35mm) to Catherine Deneuve & David Bowie in THE HUNGER – the line-up is lots of fun.  More details soon…the series begins Oct. 17!

Don’t forget…Take your NEON ticket stub to our new neighbor Sa bai: Asian Cuisine & Sushi Bar – and receive 15% off your meal.

We’ve got some new great bookings below.  From Pedro Almodovar and Gus Van Sant to the much-requested SENNA.  Check out titles below.

I leave for the Toronto International Film Festival next Wednesday…and I can hardly wait!  Beginning next week, I will blog on a daily basis (right here on DaytonMostMetro.com) about the films I’m seeing, the parties I’ve attended, and the stars I’ve sighted.

See you soon,
Jonathan

SHOWTIMES for Sept. 2 – September 8:

SARAH’S KEY (PG-13) 1 Hr 51 Min

Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 12:20, 2:40, 5:00, 7:20, 9:40

Monday – Thursday:  3:00, 5:30, 8:00

ANOTHER EARTH (PG-13)  1 Hr  32 Min

Friday, Saturday, Sunday:  5:10

Monday – Thursday:  5:20

THE TRIP (NR) 1 Hr 47 Min

Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 12:30, 2:50, 7:30, 9:50

Monday – Thursday: 2:50, 7:50

COMING SOON:

As always, all dates are tentative.  Some of these dates will change.
In some cases, titles may disappear.

Sept. 9   THE GUARD
Sept 9   THE WHISTLEBLOWER
Sept 16  BEATS, RHYMES & LIFE: A TRIBE CALLED QUEST
Sept 23   HIGHER GROUND
Sept. 30   THE FUTURE
Oct. 7   RESTLESS
Oct. 7   SENNA
Nov. 4  TAKE SHELTER
Nov. 18  MARTHA MARCY MAY MARLENE
Nov. 25   THE SKIN I LIVE IN
TBD   LIFE ABOVE ALL