melancholia

MELANCHOLIA Opens Friday at THE NEON!

December 7, 2011 By Jonathan McNeal Leave a Comment

Hello Everyone,

I’m sad to report it, but THE SKIN I LIVE IN did not perform well enough to stick around for a 2nd week. If you still need to see the latest from master filmmaker Pedro Almodovar, Thursday will be your last chance to see it at THE NEON.

On Friday, we will begin the latest film from Lars von Trier (director of BREAKING THE WAVES, DANCER IN THE DARK and DOGVILLE). MELANCHOLIA has received a 100% rating from numerous sources including Entertainment Weekly, Variety, The Los Angeles Times, and the cast includes Kirsten Dunst, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Kiefer Sutherland, and Charlotte Rampling. (Dunst won “Best Actress” for this part at this year’s Cannes Film Festival.)

Synopsis for MELANCHOLIA: “In this beautiful movie about the end of the world, Justine and Michael are celebrating their marriage at a sumptuous party in the home of her sister Claire, and brother-in-law John. Despite Claire’s best efforts, the wedding is a fiasco, with family tensions mounting and relationships fraying. Meanwhile, a planet called Melancholia is heading directly towards Earth.” (Magnolia Pictures) Click the link to visit the film’s official website.

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I’m certain that some of you will be happy to know that we’re trying out a couple new wines. In addition to the Woodbridge Merlot and Chardonnay, we are trying Carernet Sauvignon and Moscato. If you want to make certain that we keep these two wines in the mix, please order a glass during your next visit.

Current opening dates are moving all around. We don’t know when MY WEEK WITH MARILYN will be available in our market, and we’re disappointed that THE ARTIST has been bumped to sometime in January (which is going to be a very busy time for specialty cinemas). I’ll keep you up-to-date as best I can…that said, this e-mail is the best place for the latest details.

This Saturday marks the 2nd film in The Holiday Family Movie Series…sponsored by The Downtown Dayton Partnership, DP&L and THE NEON. Movies begin at noon and are free for children 12 and under; other tickets are only $2 each. This Saturday will be – THE POLAR EXPRESS. And next week, on December 17, we will play A CHRISTMAS STORY. All of these movies will be presented via digital video projection.

Last week, I mentioned a list of some of our friends and partners in the area, and I’d like to continue that list by thanking 2 additional businesses for their continued help and willingness to spread the word about what’s happening at THE NEON. Omega Music and MJ’s Cafe & Dance Bar always allow me to hang up posters. Without grassroots marketing, positive word-of-mouth and community support, we’d be long gone by now. Thank you!

When shopping for the holidays, don’t forget that NEON Gift Certificates are a perfect gift for film lovers…and for people who still need to be introduced to us. For every $50 worth of gift certificates you purchase, we’ll give you a hearty-sized bag of Candy Cane Granola…making your gift all the sweeter.

I’m heading to NYC for a long weekend on Thursday morning. I’m terribly excited to go, and I hope you’ll keep the staff plenty busy while I’m gone.

See you soon,

Jonathan

SHOWTIMES for Fri. December 9 – Thur. December 15:

THE DESCENDANTS (R) 1 Hrs 55 Min

Friday,Saturday, Sunday: 12:15, 2:40, 5:00, 7:20, 9:45

Monday – Thursday: 2:40, 5:00, 7:20, 9:45

MELANCHOLIA (R) 2 Hr 16 Min

Friday: 1:00, 4:00, 7:00, 9:45

Saturday: 4:00, 7:00, 9:45

Sunday: 1:00, 4:00, 7:00, 9:45

Monday – Thursday: 2:30, 5:15, 8:00

THE POLAR EXPRESS (PG) 1 Hr 40 Min

Saturday: 12:00 (Noon)

COMING SOON:

As always, all dates are tentative. Some of these dates will change.

In some cases, titles may disappear.

??? MY WEEK WITH MARILYN

TBD WEEKEND

TBD THE HEDGEHOG

TBD THE ARTIST

Jan. 13 TINKER TAILOR SOLDIER SPY

Jan. 20 SHAME

Jan. 20 CARNAGE

Jan. 27 A DANGEROUS METHOD

New Almodovar Film at THE NEON!

November 29, 2011 By Jonathan McNeal Leave a Comment

Hello Everyone,

Special thanks to all of you who came out over the weekend. This was our best Thanksgiving Weekend ever, and THE DESCENDANTS is certainly a hit!! (Interesting to note, 2nd place goes to the Thanksgiving weekend we opened AMELIE in 2001…3rd place to our Thanksgiving opening of SIDEWAYS – also Alexander Payne – back in 2004.)

If you haven’t had a chance to see MARTHA MARCY MAY MARLENE, Thursday will be your last chance to see it at THE NEON. On Friday, we will open the latest film by my favorite filmmaker of all time – Pedro Almodovar. THE SKIN I LIVE IN is a melodramatic thriller that reveals itself in a brilliant way. I sat in the front row during its screening at the Toronto International Film Festival – when the film was introduced by its stars Antonio Banderas and Elena Anaya. The film has stuck with me ever since – and I’ve grown to like it even more. That said, I wish I hadn’t read much about it before seeing it on the big screen. (Due to that reason, the description below will be relatively vague by comparison to the content of the film.)

Synopsis for THE SKIN I LIVE IN: “Ever since his wife was burned in a car crash, Dr. Robert Ledgard, an eminent plastic surgeon, has been interested in creating a new skin with which he could have saved her. After twelve years, he manages to cultivate a skin that is a real shield against every assault. In addition to years of study and experimentation, Robert needed three things: no scruples, an accomplice and a human guinea pig. Scruples were never a problem. Marilia, the woman who looked after him from the day he was born, is his most faithful accomplice. And as for the human guinea pig…” (Sony Classics) Visit the film’s official website.

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As you can tell by now, the Weinstein Co. decided not to open MY WEEK WITH MARILYN in Dayton on December 2. Right now, we don’t know their intentions for the film in this market. Though we would certainly love to play the film, it will all be a matter of screen availability when they decide to move forward.

Starting this Saturday, we’ll be hosting The Holiday Family Movie Series…sponsored by The Downtown Dayton Partnership, DP&L and THE NEON. The movies begin at noon and are free for children 12 and under; other tickets are only $2 each. On December 3, we will play MIRACLE ON 34th STREET (original 1947 version). On December 10 – POLAR EXPRESS. And lastly, on December 17, we will play A CHRISTMAS STORY. All of these movies will be presented via digital video projection.

For remaining showtimes for this week, visit our site.

Special thanks to our new friends at Ghostlight Coffee for letting us hang posters in their new, adorable coffeeshop. If you haven’t had a chance to check them out, click on the link – they’re a great addition to Dayton. Of course we appreciate all of our friends and partners – Meadowlark, Boston Stoker, Ohio Coffee Company, Olive, A Urban Dive, Blind Bob’s, Square One Salon & Spa, 5th Street Wine & Deli, Gem City Records, and all of you…and of course DAYTON MOST METRO. Without grassroots marketing and positive word-of-mouth, we wouldn’t still be here. Thank you!

We hope to see you very soon,

Jonathan

SHOWTIMES for Fri. December 2 – Thur. December 8:

THE DESCENDANTS (R) 1 Hrs 55 Min

Friday,Saturday, Sunday: 12:15, 2:40, 5:00, 7:20, 9:45

Monday – Thursday: 2:40, 5:00, 7:20, 9:45

THE SKIN I LIVE IN (R) 1 Hr 57 Min

Friday: 12:20, 2:50, 5:10, 7:30, 9:50

Saturday: 2:50, 5:10, 7:30, 9:50

Sunday: 12:20, 2:50, 5:10, 7:30, 9:50

Monday – Thursday: 2:50, 5:10, 7:30, 9:50

MIRACLE ON 34th STREET 1947 version (G) 1 Hr 36 Min

Saturday: 12:00 (Noon)

COMING SOON:

As always, all dates are tentative. Some of these dates will change.

In some cases, titles may disappear.

??? MY WEEK WITH MARILYN

TBD MELANCHOLIA

Dec. 25 THE ARTIST

Jan. 20 SHAME

Jan. 20 CARNAGE

Jan. 27 A DANGEROUS METHOD

TBD WEEKEND

TBD THE HEDGEHOG

Don’t Miss THE DESCENDANTS at THE NEON!

November 22, 2011 By Jonathan McNeal Leave a Comment

Hello Everyone,

If you still need to catch TAKE SHELTER or MARGIN CALL, tomorrow (11/22) will be your last chance to see them at THE NEON. On Wednesday, we open my favorite American film of the year – THE DESCENDANTS – directed by Alexander Payne and starring George Clooney. I fell in love with this film at The Toronto International Film Festival, and it has nothing to do with the fact that George Clooney was three feet away from me at the after-party. As funny as it is touching, this film has been given a 100% review from The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, The Chicago-Sun Times, USA Today, Entertainment Weekly, Rolling Stone, The Hollywood Reporter and many more. I think it’s a shoe-in to be nominated for “Best Picture” this year.

Synopsis for THE DESCENDANTS: “Matt King is an indifferent husband and father of two girls, who is forced to re-examine his past and embrace his future when his wife suffers a boating accident off of Waikiki. The event leads to a rapprochement with his young daughters while Matt wrestles with a decision to sell the family’s land handed down from Hawaiian royalty and missionaries.” (Fox Searchlight) Click HERE to visit the film’s official website.

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Upcoming dates are changing all around, and it’s quite possible that The Weinstein Company may give us MY WEEK WITH MARILYN on December 2…but we’ll have to wait and see.

And don’t forget that we’ll be hosting holiday films on Saturdays in December…sponsored by The Downtown Dayton Partnership, DP&L and THE NEON. The movies begin at noon and are free for children 12 and under; other tickets are only $2 each. On December 3, we will play MIRACLE ON 34th STREET (original 1947 version). On December 10 – POLAR EXPRESS. And lastly, on December 17, we will play A CHRISTMAS STORY. All of these movies will be presented via digital video projection.

For remaining showtimes for this week, visit www.neonmovies.com.

Wishing you a wonderful Thanksgiving.

Hope to see you very soon,

Jonathan

SHOWTIMES forWed. November 23 – Thur. December 1:

THE DESCENDANTS (R) 1 Hrs 55 Min

Wednesday & Thursday: 2:40, 5:00, 7:20, 9:45

Friday,Saturday, Sunday: 12:15, 2:40, 5:00, 7:20, 9:45

Monday – Thursday: 2:40, 5:00, 7:20, 9:45

MARTHA MARCY MAY MARLENE (R) 1 Hr 42 Min

Wednesday & Thursday: 3:00, 5:15, 7:30, 9:50

Friday,Saturday, Sunday: 12:45, 3:00, 5:15, 7:30, 9:50

Monday – Thursday: 3:00, 5:15, 7:30, 9:50

COMING SOON:

As always, all dates are tentative. Some of these dates will change.

In some cases, titles may disappear.

Dec. 2 (?) MY WEEK WITH MARILYN

TBD THE SKIN I LIVE IN

TBD MELANCHOLIA

TBD WEEKEND

Dec. 25 THE ARTIST

TBD THE HEDGEHOG

Jan. 20 SHAME

Jan. 20 CARNAGE

Jan. 27 A DANGEROUS METHOD

The Future, Restless & Big NEON News!

October 13, 2011 By Jonathan McNeal Leave a Comment

Hello Everyone,

If you still need to see LIFE, ABOVE ALL or HIGHER GROUND, you only have today (Thursday, October 13) to see them at THE NEON. On Friday, we open two new films. First is the new film from Miranda July – THE FUTURE. The second is the new film from Gus Van Sant – RESTLESS. Of course there’s lots more to announce…but I’ll get to that in a minute. As a warning, it’s quite possible that both of our new films will only play for a week. So hurry down if you want to see them!

Synopsis for THE FUTURE: “When Sophie and Jason decide to adopt a stray cat, their perspective on life changes radically, literally altering the course of time and space and testing their faith in each other and themselves.” (Roadside Attractions) From visual artist and filmmaker Miranda July comes the follow-up film to her incredible first feature ME AND YOU AND EVERYONE WE KNOW. Visit the film’s official site.

Synopsis for RESTLESS: “Eccentric funeral crasher Enoch (Henry Hopper) finds his ideal soul mate in beautiful but mysterious Annabelle (Mia Wasikowska), who claims to work in a hospital but harbors a sensitive secret. Later, after Enoch opens up to Annabelle about his only friend, an outspoken ghost named Hiroshi, their fledgling romance is put to the ultimate test. Director Gus Van Sant teams with playwright Jason Lew to adapt Lew’s play of the same name.” (All Movie Guide) Visit the film’s official site .

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Monday will kick off Living City’s VAMPIRE retrospective. First off is a classic with David Bowie, Catherine Deneuve and Susan Sarandon – THE HUNGER. The series will include 5 Films over the course of 5 Mondays at 7:30. Single tickets will be available at the door before each screening for $8 each. Festival passes – good for all 5 screnings – are already available at our box office for just $30 (members of FilmDayton will receive $5 off the festival pass price). Here are the dates and films:

October 17 – THE HUNGER (digital video projection)

October 24 – DRACULA (1931, starring Bela Lugosi – 35mm)

October 31 – THE LOST BOYS (digital video projection)

November 7 – INTERVIEW WITH THE VAMPIRE (35mm)

November 14 – BRAM STOKER’S DRACULA (1992 – 35mm).

Within the past 24 hours, we finally received confirmation that we can open THE WAY on October 21 (“the Martin Sheen film” as so many people has referred to it). You more than likely saw or read details about Sheen and his son Emilio Estevez (who directed the film) visiting Dayton (their hometown) as they toured the country with this film. Since then, we’ve received numerous calls about the film having a traditional engagement – but we could never get the distributor to commit to opening with us. Alas it’s now set – so please help us spread the word. THE WAY will open next Friday!

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In the next few days, I hope to also have some good news regarding TAKE SHELTER. This film, one of my absolute favorites from this year’s Toronto Film Festival, was shot in Ohio and has been garnering awards and kudos around the world. Once Sony Classics confirms our opening date, I’ll get busy trying to secure some special details for audiences at THE NEON. I’ll keep you posted!

For remaining showtimes for this week visit THE NEON’s site.

Hope to see you this weekend,

Jonathan

SHOWTIMES for October 14 – October 20:

SENNA (PG-13) 1 Hr 46 Min

Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 1:00, 5:15

Monday – Thursday: 5:30

RESTLESS (PG-13) 1 Hr 31 Min

Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 1:00, 3:00, 5:15, 7:20, 9:30

Monday: 3:15, 5:20

Tuesday – Thursday: 3:15, 5:20, 7:45

THE FUTURE (R) 1 Hr 31 Min