moonlight

MAN CALLED OVE Returns and LOVING & MOONLIGHT Stay at THE NEON!

December 1, 2016 By Jonathan McNeal

Hello Everyone!

Thanksgiving weekend was bustling at THE NEON. Many thanks to everyone who came out to support our two award-winning films. Speaking of awards, we were very happy to read about MOONLIGHT cleaning up at the Gotham Awards this week (the first big awards of the season). Over the past two years, the Gotham Awards have predicted the Oscar for “Best Picture” (SPOTLIGHT and BIRDMAN)…thus we think MOONLIGHT will continue to be a major player this year.

We will hold both LOVING and MOONLIGHT for another week. In addition, we have one more treat to rotate back into the mix – A MAN CALLED OVE. We had to let go of OVE last week because we had other commitments…but now, due to popular demand and the fact that we have space, we’re bringing OVE back for a handful of screenings. Don’t let it slip by!

This Saturday will mark the beginning of the Family Holiday Film Series . On Saturdays in December, we’ll present films that are suitable for the entire family – sponsored by The Dayton Holiday Festival, Channel 99.9 and THE NEON. These films are FREE for children 12 and under and only $2 for general admission. On December 3 at Noon, we’ll screen ARTHUR CHRISTMAS . On December 10, we’ll screen HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS – starring Jim Carrey. And lastly, on December 17, we’ll screen the holiday classic IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE (the big screen is the best way to see it). Please spread the word with your friends and neighbors…we’d like to see packed auditoriums each week.

Our friends at 4Mary.org have two more screenings of APPARITION HILL on the books. “Join 4Mary.Org for a night at the movies! A few years ago, 4Mary.Org organized screenings of the independent film THE TRIUMPH, and it was a terrific success. Now, from the same director, comes the new feature film APPARITION HILL about an unlikely group of pilgrims who journey to the same little-known village of Medjugorje. Two screenings remain: Thurs Dec 8 at 7:30pm and Mon Dec 12 at 7:30pm. Tickets are $10 each and are only available online via this LINK. All proceeds benefit the 4Mary Youth Pilgrimage to Fatima in 2017. For more info, contact [email protected]” (taken from press notes) To watch a trailer for this film, click this LINK.

We just received permission to have a preview screening of NOCTURNAL ANIMALS on Thursday, December 8 at 7:30. This was one of my “Top 3” films at this year’s Toronto International Film Festival. It’s a stylish and dark thriller from famous fashion designer Tom Ford, and I’m so glad we’re able to bring it to town. (My other 2 favorites from the festival were MOONLIGHT and LA LA LAND.) I’ll provide more details about this film in next week’s newsletter.

Don’t forget that we offer NEON Gift Certificates in $5 and $10 denominations – perfect for all of the film lovers in your life! Gift certificates are available in our lobby during traditional hours of operation.

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

SHOWTIMES for Tuesday, Nov. 29 – Thursday, Dec. 8:

MOONLIGHT (R) 1 Hr 50 Min
Tues day – Thursday (Nov 29-Dec 1): 2:45, 5:15, 7:45
Friday & Saturday (Dec 2 & 3): 2:30, 7:30, 9:50
Sunday (Dec 4): 2:30, 7:30
Monday – Wednesday (Dec 5-7): 5:15, 7:45
Thursday (Dec 8): 5:15

LOVING (PG-13) 2 Hrs 3 Min
Tuesday – Thursday (Nov 29-Dec 1): 2:30, 5:10, 7:40
Friday & Saturday (Dec 2 & 3): 11:40, 2:10, 4:45, 7:20, 9:45
Sunday (Dec 4): 11:40, 2:10, 4:45, 7:20
Monday – Wednesday (Dec 5-7): 2:30, 5:10, 7:40
Thursday (Dec 8): 2:30, 5:10

A MAN CALLED OVE (PG-13) 1 Hr 56 Min
Friday (Dec 2): 12:00, 5:00
Saturday (Dec 3): 5:00
Sunday (Dec 4): 12:00, 5:00
Monday – Thursday (Dec 5-8): 2:45

ARTHUR CHRISTMAS (PG) 1 Hr 37 Min
Saturday: Noon

APPARITION HILL (PG-13) 1 Hr 55 Min
Thursday: 7:30

NOCTURNAL ANIMALS (R) 1 Hr 56 Min
Thursday: 7:30

COMING SOON:
(All Dates Are Tentative. Dates Often Move And Sometimes Disappear.)
Dec 8 – NOCTURNAL ANIMALS
TBD – MANCHESTER BY THE SEA
TBD – LA LA LAND
TBD – LION
TBD – EAGLE HUNTRESS
TBD – ELLE
Jan 27 – JACKIE

Cleaning House – 2 New Films & MOONLIGHT (aka Oscar Season) News at THE NEON!

November 8, 2016 By Jonathan McNeal

Hello Everyone!

We’re going completely international this weekend with two exciting, new films – both of which we didn’t think we’d be able to accommodate but many of you have been asking about. At last we’re able to move forward with a film based on the beloved, international bestseller A MAN CALLED OVE as well as the new film from Park Chan-wook – THE HANDMAIDEN (based on the British novel FINGERSMITH). If you still need to see CHRISTINE, CERTAIN WOMEN or KING COBRA, Thursday will be your last chance to see them at THE NEON.

Synopsis for A MAN CALLED OVE: “Stepping from the pages of Fredrik Backman’s international best-selling novel, Ove is the quintessential angry old man next door. An isolated retiree with strict principles and a short fuse, who spends his days enforcing block association rules that only he cares about, and visiting his wife’s grave, Ove has given up on life. Enter a boisterous young family next door who accidentally flattens Ove’s mailbox while moving in and earning his special brand of ire. Yet from this inauspicious beginning an unlikely friendship forms and we come to understand Ove’s past happiness and heartbreaks. What emerges is a heartwarming tale of unreliable first impressions and the gentle reminder that life is sweeter when it’s shared. One of Sweden’s biggest locally-produced box office hits ever, director Hannes Holm finds the beating heart of his source material and Swedish star Rolf Lassgard, whose performance won him the Best Actor award at the 2016 Seattle International Film Festival, affectingly embodies the lovable curmudgeon Ove.” (Music Box Films) THE NEW YORK TIMES called this film “cinematic comfort food,” and I think our audiences are going to love it!

Synopsis for THE HANDMAIDEN: “From PARK Chan-wook, the celebrated director of OLDBOY, LADY VENGEANCE and STOKER, comes a ravishing new crime drama. PARK presents a gripping and sensual tale of two women – a young Japanese Lady living on a secluded estate, and a Korean woman who is hired to serve as her new handmaiden, but is secretly plotting with a conman to defraud her of a large inheritance. Inspired by the novel Fingersmith by British author Sarah Waters, THE HANDMAIDEN borrows the most dynamic elements of its source material and combines it with PARK Chan-wook’s singular vision to create an unforgettable viewing experience.” (Magnolia Pictures) Click this LINK to visit the film’s official site.

For descriptions and showtimes of any current attractions, please visit our website at www.neonmovies.com

The past 30 days have seen whirlwinds of visiting artists and amazing screenings. From The Dayton LGBT Film Fest to TORREY PINES and this Saturday’s incredible screening of SHORTBUS, I couldn’t be more happy with what we’ve been able to achieve right here in Dayton, Ohio. Many thanks to everyone who has supported these incredible events!

Don’t forget about this Thursday’s special screening. Dayton Tech Guide & Launch Runner are joining forces to bring GENERATION STARTUP to town for a one-time screening on Thursday, Nov. 10 at 5:30. “GENERATION STARTUP takes us to the front lines of entrepreneurship in America, capturing the struggles and triumphs of six recent college graduates who put everything on the line to build startups in Detroit…” Click this LINK to reserve your ticket on the official tugg website. If tickets remain on the day of the screening, we will be able to sell them at our box office starting one hour before the show.

Our friends at 4Mary.org are bringing APPARITION HILL to Dayton. “Join 4Mary.Org for a night at the movies! A few years ago, 4Mary.Org organized screenings of the independent film THE TRIUMPH, and it was a terrific success. Now, from the same director, comes the new feature film APPARITION HILL about an unlikely group of pilgrims who journey to the same little-known village of Medjugorje. Three screenings have been scheduled at THE NEON: Mon Nov 21 at 7:30pm, Thurs Dec 8 at 7:30pm, and Mon Dec 12 at 7:30pm. Tickets are $10 each and are only available online via this LINK. All proceeds benefit the 4Mary Youth Pilgrimage to Fatima in 2017. For more info, contact [email protected]” (taken from press notes) To watch a trailer for this film, click this LINK.

And now for some great news! MOONLIGHT is set to open on Nov. 18. This incredible film was one of my “Top 3” films at this year’s Toronto International Film Festival…and it is one of the absolute best reviewed films of the year. I think this film clearly marks the beginning of Oscar Season, and we’ve been able to secure a preview screening on Thursday, Nov. 17 at 7:40. Tickets will be on sale this weekend. Visit the film’s OFFICIAL WEBSITE to learn all about it.

It’s almost time for the Family Holiday Film Series. On Saturdays in December, we’ll present films that are suitable for the entire family…for only $2 a ticket (and FREE for children 12 and under). I’ll provide more details in next week’s newsletter.

Thanks so much for your continued support!

We hope to see you soon,
Jonathan

SHOWTIMES for Tuesday, Nov. 8 – Thursday, Nov. 17:

CERTAIN WOMEN (R) 1 Hr 47 Min
Monday-Thursday (Nov 8-10): 2:50, 7:30
FINAL DAY – Nov. 10!

CHRISTINE (R) 1 Hr 55 Min
Tuesday, Wednesday (Nov 8 & 9): 2:45, 5:20, 7:50
Thursday (Nov 10): 2:45, 7:50
FINAL DAY – Nov. 10!

KING COBRA (NR) 1 Hr 31 Min
Tuesday-Thursday (Nov 8-10): 5:20
FINAL DAY – Nov. 10!

GENERATION STARTUP (NR) 1 Hr 33 Min
Thursday (Nov 10): 5:30
One Screening Only!

A MAN CALLED OVE (PG-13) 1 Hr 56 Min
Friday, Saturday, Sunday (Nov 11-13): 12:00, 2:30, 5:00, 7:30
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday (Nov 14-16): 2:45, 5:15, 7:40
Thursday (Nov 17): 2:45, 5:15

THE HANDMAIDEN (NR) 2 Hrs 25 Min
Friday, Saturday, Sunday (Nov 11-13): 1:00, 4:00, 7:00
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday (Nov 14-16): 3:30, 7:15
Thursday (Nov 17): 3:30

MOONLIGHT (R) 1 Hr 50 Min
Thursday (Nov 17) – Preview Screening – 7:40

COMING SOON:
(All Dates Are Tentative. Dates Often Move And Sometimes Disappear.)
Nov. 23 – LOVING
Dec. 21 – LION
TBD – EAGLE HUNTRESS
TBD – NOCTURNAL ANIMALS
TBD – LA LA LAND
TBD – MANCHESTER BY THE SEA
TBD – JACKIE

TIFF 2016 – Day #3

September 12, 2016 By Jonathan McNeal

Hello Everyone,

I got the tickets I needed this morning (for Monday), so the day was off to a great start. I hightailed it to the Scotiabank multiplex for my first screening of the day – a movie I know we won’t play (but I felt like I wanted something ridiculous) – Christopher Guest’s MASCOTS (which will soon make its debut on Netflix). It’s been a long time since we saw Guest and his crew, and I was delighted by the opening scenes. I thought “he’s back!” The set-up is an competition for mascots from around the world – and it lends itself to some really fun material. Unfortunately, the material lost some steam…and though the movie is sprinkled with a few gems, I felt like it didn’t quite live up to previous films (though the return of one of Guest’s most famous characters was a moment that made me feel like applauding).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C6hqYhcPFvw

ALL I SEE IS YOU, the new film by Marc Forster (FINDING NEVERLAND, MONSTER’S BALL) starring Blake Lively, was next on my list. This is a dramatic film with Lively playing a woman who lost her sight in an accident when she was a child. The first 20 minutes of the film has a certain experimental tone – as Forster has us experiencing many moments as the lead character “sees” them. It’s a lovely, interesting approach, and the film works in setting a tone (though I never understood why it was set in Thailand). An operation is available for Lively’s character to have her vision restored, and everything changes. With sight, she is surprised by how the world around her looks…and her husband quickly becomes disappointed in how their lives are changing. The movie then shifts tone and becomes more of a quiet thriller. I won’t give away more of the story, but I did feel like the tonal shift was surprising and the final 6 minutes of the film wrapped things up in a very frantic pace from what started as a slow and methodical first 90 minutes. The sound design is incredible, and the photography is lovely. I think this film will find an audience, but it’s not incredible.

After a short nap and a bite to eat, I went to an event – IN CONVERSATION WITH ISABELLE HUPPERT. This 80 minute curated Q&A was incredible. Accented with clips of Huppert’s body of work (she’s made over 100 films/television appearances), she sat with Piers Handling and talked about her craft. From insight to how she doesn’t feel like she truly “prepare” for roles to inside stories about movies like HEAVEN’S GATE to the fact that sometimes she takes a role because she reads the script and falls in love with one line, it’s a wonderful inside look at one of the greatest actresses working today. Here’s a treat…you can watch the taped event by visiting this LINK and clicking the image of Huppert.

My final film of the day was also the highlight of the festival so far – Barry Jenkins’ MOONLIGHT. This gorgeous, poetic look at the life of a black man growing up in Miami, is based on the play IN MOONLIGHT, BLACK BOYS LOOK BLUE. The film is told in three chapters – with the protagonist played by three different actors (each giving incredible performances). We see him grow from a bullied, guarded young boy to a hyper masculine drug dealer. This examination of masculinity is one of the most thoughtful and beautifully told stories I’ve seen in recent years. Performances are incredible across the board, the photography is lovely, and the screenplay is touching and heartbreaking and honest. I think this film will see a lot of love this award season. (Janelle Monae, one of my favorite music artists, has a small role in this film…and seeing her on screen seemed like a natural extension of her talents. She sat across the aisle from me at the screening, and though I contained myself, I was a giddy schoolgirl inside.) The cast, director and playwright had a Q&A after the screening, and it was also incredible.

After the screening, I met up with a friend from NYC for a couple beers and a bite to eat. I returned to my apartment at 2:00…so my alarm going off at 5:50 will not be a welcome sound.

Thanks for reading,

Jonathan

TIFF 2016 – Day #1

September 9, 2016 By Jonathan McNeal

Hello Everyone.

With the pass that I have, I can screen as many “press/industry screenings” that I’d like during the festival. That said, those screenings are just screenings. It’s awesome to have the opportunity to see so many films with an audience, but part of the reason I come to a festival (people come for a variety of reasons) is to hear filmmakers talk about their craft. Thus I have the opportunity to obtain two “public screening” tickets per day. Public screenings are the fun, glamorous screenings where they roll out the red carpet and hold Q&A’s with directors, producers, screenwriters and actors. These tickets are only available two days in advance of each screening, so I find myself in line every day during the festival…usually before 7am.

This morning, I was out to obtain tickets for Barry Jenkins’ MOONLIGHT and a curated interview with Isabelle Huppert. Both take place on Saturday…and I got both!

Then I was off to my first screening at 9:00am – Kenneth Lonergan’s MANCHESTER BY THE SEA. This film had a lot of tonal qualities of Lonergan’s first feature – YOU CAN COUNT ON ME. With a wonderful central performance by Casey Affleck (and a spectacularly touching small role by Michelle Williams), the story is about a man who seems to lead a rather thankless life of mundane routines (he’s a janitorial handy man for an apartment complex). When he gets a call that his brother has passed away, he is forced to confront lingering pain from his past – told through a series of flashbacks. Though I thought the film was a bit overscored, the drama really works and the story unfolds in a lovely way. There were a couple moments of schtick that I thought seemed a bit out of place – but so is life. I think this film will go far.

Olivier Assayas’ PERSONAL SHOPPER was next on my list. This non-traditional ghost story had me teetering back and forth throughout…I was invested, I was raising my eyebrows, I was intrigued, I was disappointed…and then I ultimately was sold by the final 10 minutes. Kristen Stewart gives a great performance as a woman who shops for high-end designer clothing and jewelry for a wealthy client who is always on the go. She’s also a medium. While trying to connect to the spirit world for a client, she’s also hoping to catch a sign from her recently deceased brother. Assayas’ previous work included THE CLOUDS OF SILS MARIA (with Juliette Binoche as well as Stewart) and of my favorites from TIFF in 2008 – SUMMER HOURS. This film won’t go down as one of my favorites, and I know many people will be quite disappointed, but I was a fan by the end.

The third film of the day for me was Terence Davies’ A QUIET PASSION – a film about Emily Dickinson starring Cynthia Nixon. The film opens in a sort of parochial school. A teacher asks students who have given themselves to Christ to go to one side and for students who are still working toward giving themselves to Christ to the other. Left in the middle is one student – a young Emily Dickinson (at this point played by Emma Bell). The dialog is sharp and thoughtful (one of the best strengths throughout the film), and the teacher eventually tell Dickinson, “You stand alone in your rebellion.” This telling line haunts the remainder of the film. Though I found some filmmaking devices to be odd choices (one superimposed was particularly weird), it’s ultimately a thoughtful and visually stunning film with wonderful performances and some very funny moments due to razor sharp dialog.

The official “Opening Night Film” was a big Hollywood remake – THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN, directed by Antoine Fuqua (SOUTHPAW, BROOKLYN’S FINEST) and starring Denzel Washington, Chris Pratt, Ethan Hawke and many more. Here’s the point that some of you might find disappointing…I left 20 minutes into the film. (I almost never write about films that I don’t finish.) I went to the Opening night with my friend Glenn Kiser – a great filmmaker who attended The Dayton LGBT Film Festival with his short film SABBATICAL. We had “great” seats – very close to the stage…only paces from all of the stars and director. The movie started an hour late and the speakers were above us – thus pushing the sound far behind us and bouncing off the back walls. Having difficulty understanding any of the dialog, we decided to leave. Not being a film I would seek out under any other circumstances, I wasn’t disappointed…it gave me a great opportunity to catch up with Glenn and finally grab dinner.

At the end of the day, I’ll simply say I’ve seen 3 films (and a dozen stars) so far.

Thanks for reading!

More soon,

Jonathan