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Neon

TIFF Day #7 – 2024

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Hello NEON Community!

My first movie of today was from the director of our highest grossing documentary ever PIECE BY PIECE, dir Morgan Neville “The life of singer and producer Pharrell Williams is told through LEGO pieces in this animated feature debut from Morgan Neville, featuring the voices of Gwen Stefani, Kendrick Lamar, and Jay-Z.” Neville is responsible for WON’T YOU BE MY NEIGHBOR – so I trusted his instincts and went to see this animated doc about Pharrell.  This creative and thoughtful piece is meant for the whole family – and I hope cinemas and PR folks work with lots of school-aged kids to get them to see this movie so it can inspire them.  We were told that Morgan Neville would join us after the screening for a Q&A…but we were surprised by Pharrell also joining him.  Their talk of equating legos with creating art – assembling layers of existing pieces – was all very intriguing, and Pharrell seems to be in a very grounded place regarding the “grace [he’s] been shown despite years of arrogance.”

Next up was a narrative film about the creation of the first episode of the groundbreaking sketch comedy show – SATURDAY NIGHT, dir Jason Reitman (USA) “Director Jason Reitman captures the frenzied lead-up to the very first episode of Saturday Night Live as a motley bunch of then-unknown and untrained young comedians prepare to step into a revolutionary spotlight that will change history and make them all stars.” (taken from TIFF catalog) This frenetic film is so much fun and full of iconic characters, and it was nice that we got it introduced by Jason Reitman – who was both charming and funny.  I know our audience would love it!

My last film of the day was determined by one of the leads – Tilda Swinton. THE END, dir Joshua Oppenheimer (Denmark, Germany, Ireland, Italy, United Kingdom, Sweden) “Joshua Oppenheimer, known for his groundbreaking documentary The Act of Killing (TIFF ’12), makes his fiction debut with this sombre musical about a family in denial at the end of the world, starring Tilda Swinton, Michael Shannon, George MacKay, and Moses Ingram.” This ambitious movie has a lot to say about our ability to lie to ourselves.  And though I understand this is really just an allegory, I found myself questioning so many details about the film. Though there were many details I admired, I was ultimately not fond of this very long film.

Thanks for checking in again!
I’ve got three films set for tomorrow!

Jonathan

Neon Introduces Cult Movie Mondays

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Downtown Dayton’s only movie theater will be starting a new film series featuring cult movies.  The Neon will kick this off on Monday, September 25th at 7:30pm with the cult classic and locally filmed DEADBEAT AT DAWN, written and directed by Jim Van Bebber.

Synopsis: One last job separates the leader of the Ravens gang from an early retirement. When he finds his girlfriend beaten to death by members of a rival gang, he seeks revenge, knowing that he may be dead by dawn. Will more blood bring her back?

In addition to the film, they will host a Q & A with Jim Van Bebber before the film along with screenings of some of his early short films.
Everything starts with special programming at 7:30pm and the film starting promptly at 8:00pm.
Tickets are $11 in advance, $14 at the door, and $53 for a 6 pack of tickets in advance (only available at cultmoviemonday.com or in-person 30 min. before the screening).

HERSELF, SLUMDOG & Year-End Update from The Neon

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This week’s newsletter is coming a little early because I want to make sure you get reminded that AMELIE is only here through tonight. Tomorrow, we open a marvelous and empowering film – HERSELF. In addition to HERSELF, we’re adding a “NEON Classic” to the mix. Originally destined for “direct-to-video” in 2008, this gem ended up getting a theatrical release and went on to win 8 Oscars including “Best Picture.” Though it was dethroned as our highest grossing film in 2017, it still holds the record as our longest-running film of all time – the much-loved SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE. It will start Friday for one week. Come back and see this heart-racing & triumphant film on the big screen. The new “landmark adaptation” of PINOCCHIO will stick around for another week.
We aren’t opening anything new in our Virtual Cinema this week…but there are plenty of great films to rent. In fact, if you count all the films in the Wong Kar Wai Retrospective, we currently have 18 films available. As a reminder, THE LIBRARY THAT DOLLY BUILT and ENDING DISEASE are only available through Dec. 31. MODERN PERSUASION, WBNC AND THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION, and ZAPPA will all disappear on January 7.
A few of you have asked about PROMISING YOUNG WOMAN. Though we don’t have firm plans, we hope to squeeze in a one-week engagement very soon.
NEW IN-PERSON ENGAGEMENT:
Synopsis for HERSELF – Opening January 30!: “HERSELF tells the story of Sandra, a young mother who seeks to rebuild her life from scratch, and provide a safe home for her two young daughters. In order to do so, she must escape the grip of a possessive ex-partner, circumnavigate a broken housing system, and bring together a community of friends who can support her and lend a helping hand.” (Amazon) During our run of HERSELF, we will have literature in our lobby about the services provided by an organization we care so much about – Artemis Center. You can find out all about how you can help (financially or by volunteering) on their website. Click the image below to watch the trailer for this powerful and empowering film.
Synopsis for SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE: I saw this film at a press/industry screening at The Toronto International Film Festival in September 2008. Such an audience can usually be quite jaded and cynical…but this screening was different. The crowd erupted into applause and cheers at the end — we knew we had just seen something special. This record-breaker opened in early December 2008 at THE NEON and played for 16 weeks. It held the title of our “highest grossing film” for almost a decade, and we’ve seen Dev Patel back on our screens numerous times over the years. Come celebrate it’s return to the big screen this weekend! “As 18-year-old Jamal Malik (Patel) answers questions on the Indian version of ‘Who Wants to Be a Millionaire,’ flashbacks show how he got there. Part of a stable of young thieves after their mother dies, Jamal and his brother, Salim, survive on the streets of Mumbai. Salim finds the life of crime agreeable, but Jamal scrapes by with small jobs until landing a spot on the game show.” (Searchlight Pictures) Click the image below to watch the film’s original trailer.
CONTINUING IN OUR VIRTUAL CINEMA:
Synopsis for LOVE SARAH: A sweet British film is just what so many of us need for the holidays. “Determined to fulfill her late mother’s dream of opening a bakery in charming Notting Hill, 19-year-old Clarissa enlists the help of her mother’s best friend Isabella and her eccentric estranged grandmother Mimi(played by Celia Imrie from THE BEST EXOTIC MARIGOLD HOTEL). These three generations of women will need to overcome grief, doubts and differences to honour the memory of their beloved Sarah while embarking on a journey to establish a London store filled with love, hope and colourful pastries from all over the world.” (Samuel Goldwyn Films) This film can be watched on your computer or mobile device as well as via Chromecast or via an HDMI cable attached to your television. For additional notes regarding connectivity, you can visit the film’s HELP PAGE. Click the picture below to watch the trailer and purchase 72 hour access to this film for $12.
Synopsis for DEEP IN VOGUE: The Dayton LGBT Film Festival is helping us present DEEP IN VOGUE – complete with a virtual after-party and Q&A. “DEEP IN VOGUE celebrates the colorful, queer, emotional and political stories of Northern Vogue in Manchester, UK and the black, gay ballrooms of 1980s New York City. The documentary had its UK premiere at BFI Flare and its US premiere at NewFest NYC. Over the course of a year, film makers Dennis Keighron-Foster and Amy Watson charted the buildup to the Manchester ICONS Vogue Ball and explore universal themes and the unique styles from both sides of the Atlantic including the sometimes dramatic internal politics of Vogue to external politics including the disenfranchisement of black youth, LGBT issues, the dearth of art spaces and modes of expression, the over-commercialized gay scene, and the lack of safe spaces for the truly different. DEEP IN VOGUE is an electric, informative, and entertaining celebration of people coming to love and accept themselves, finding a new family through Vogue.” (FilmRise) This movie can be watched on your computer or mobile device. Click on the image below to watch the trailer and gain access to the film for $12.
To read more about all the films that are still available in our Virtual Cinema, please visit our WEBSITE. Here’s a LINK with a video I made about how Virtual Cinema works.
Would you like to know what titles we’re planning in our virtual cinema? (Click any title to watch that film’s trailer.) In January, we’ve got several fantastic docs…the first two are big the Sundance winners – ACASA MY HOME (about a family who are forced to live in the big city after living in harmony with nature for 20 years) and THE REASON I JUMP (a cinematic exploration of the experiences of nonspeaking autistic people from around the world). On January 15, we’ll have a really fun doc called ROCK CAMP (a doc featuring some big rock’n’rollers). On January 22, art lovers will delight with MY REMBRANDT. In early February, we’ll have a new doc about a brilliant artist (though he preferred the term “mathematician”) – M.C. ESCHER: JOURNEY TO INFINITY. More titles are on the way…stay tuned!
2020 has been quite a challenge, and I want to thank all of you for your continued support of THE NEON. Your donations and words of encouragement have meant the world to us. Though we’ll still have bumps in the road, new trends in the market to learn, and the need for fundraisers, THE NEON is here to stay. A few weeks ago, we got a sizable grant from The City of Dayton CARES Act – this grant helped to fill several holes in our 2020 budget, and it also allowed us to purchase 3 new Aerobiotix HEPA-Ultraviolet air recirculating units (the same devices used by The Cleveland Clinic). Each auditorium and the lobby now have one of these state-of-the art units which helps to make our space even safer. That said, I know some folks still aren’t ready to come out for in-person screenings…but I’m happy to share that we’ll be here when everyone is ready (and we have a lot of Virtual options in the interim).

At the Neon: Ethan Hawke in TESLA and Jacki Weaver in STAGE MOTHER

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Hello NEON Fans!
We’re bringing new films in across the board this week – both in-person and virtually.  That said, we’re keeping a couple too.  We thought we were done with MADE IN ITALY…but it performed better than anticipated and merits a few more screenings – so we’re bringing it back for the weekend.  If you haven’t had a chance to see HOW TO BUILD A GIRL, FARGO or THE BIG LEBOWSKI, Thursday will be your last chance.  On Friday, we’ll start a period drama about the scientist Nikola Tesla starring Ethan Hawke – TESLA.  We will also open a funny and touching film about a deeply religious woman who inherits her son’s gay bar – STAGE MOTHER – starring the incredible, Oscar-nominated Jacki Weaver.  And BURNT ORANGE HERESY will stick around for one show per day for one more week.
In our virtual cinema, today marks the start of a new documentary that uncovers some dark secrets in American history – COUP 53.  On Friday, we’ll virtually start Barbara Kopple’s thrilling new doc DESERT ONE.
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New In-Person Screenings:
Synopsis for TESLA – In-Person Engagement: “”Brilliant, visionary Nikola Tesla (Ethan Hawke) fights an uphill battle to bring his revolutionary electrical system to fruition, then faces thornier challenges with his new system for worldwide wireless energy. The film tracks Tesla’s uneasy interactions with his fellow inventor Thomas Edison (Kyle MacLachlan) and his patron George Westinghouse (Jim Gaffigan).  Another thread traces Tesla’s sidewinding courtship of financial titan J.P. Morgan (Donnie Keshawarz), whose daughter Anne (Eve Hewson) takes a more than casual interest in the inventor.  Anne analyzes and presents the story as it unfolds, offering a distinctly modern voice to this scientific period drama which, like its subject, defies convention.” (IFC Films) Click the image below to watch the trailer.
Synopsis for STAGE MOTHER – In-Person Engagement:  “When conservative, Texas church-choir director Maybelline inherits her recently deceased son’s drag club, she surprises her closed-minded husband and everyone else she knows by moving alone to San Francisco to save the club from bankruptcy. In this raucous, racy new environment, she begins to open up and find new meaning for her life, even becoming a mother-figure to the club’s flamboyant performers… until a surprise visit threatens to upend her new life.” (Momentum Pictures) Click the image below to watch the trailer.
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New to our Virtual Cinema:
Synopsis for COUP 53: Allen Hunter of SCREEN DAILY says the film is “as compelling as a John Le Carre novel or a Costa-Gavras classic.” THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER raves, “Passionate, Fearless and Jaw-Dropping.” And VARIETY says this doc is full of “Spine-Tingling Revelations.” And in addition to the documentary, you’ll get bonus footage starting tomorrow, August 20 – an exclusive live Q&A with Ralph Feines, the editor Walter Murch and director Taghi Amirani! “The story of the 1953 Anglo – American coup in Iran that overthrew the democratically elected Prime Minister Mossadegh and reinstalled the Shah. Featuring never seen before archive which had been hidden for decades. While making a documentary about the Anglo – American coup in Iran in 1953, Iranian director Taghi Amirani and editor Walter Murch (Apocalypse Now, The Conversation, The English Patient) discover extraordinary never seen before archive material hidden for decades. The 16mm footage and documents not only allow the filmmakers to tell the story of the overthrow of the Iranian government in unprecedented detail, but also lead to explosive revelations about dark secrets buried for 67 years. What begins as a history documentary about 4 days in August 1953 turns into a live investigation, taking the filmmakers into uncharted cinematic waters. The roots of Iran’s volatile relationship with Britain and America has never been so forensically and dramatically exposed.”  Click the picture below to gain access to the film for $12.  (Once you start watching, you’ll have 24 hours to complete watching.)
Synopsis for DESERT ONE: Opens Virtually Aug.21! Master filmmaker Barbara Kopple has crafted a new documentary that plays like a thriller. “Using new archival sources and unprecedented access to key players on both sides, master documentarian Barbara Kopple (Harlan County, USA) reveals the true story behind one of the most daring rescues in modern US history: a secret mission to free hostages captured during the 1979 Iranian revolution.” Click the image below to watch the trailer and pre-order access to the film for $12.
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Continuing in our Virtual Cinema:

Synopsis for CREEM – Virtual Cinema:  “Capturing the messy upheaval of the ’70s just as rock was re-inventing itself, CREEM: AMERICA’S ONLY ROCK ‘N’ ROLL MAGAZINE explores CREEM Magazine’s humble beginnings in post-riot Detroit, follows its upward trajectory from underground paper to national powerhouse…” Click the image below to watch the trailer and gain 72 hour access to the film for $9.99.
Synopsis for JAZZ ON A SUMMER’S DAY – Virtual Cinema:  “Filmed at the 1958 Newport Jazz Festival in Rhode Island and directed by world-renowned photographer, Bert Stern. JAZZ ON A SUMMER’S DAY features intimate performances by an all-star line-up of musical legends including Louis Armstrong, Thelonius Monk, Gerry Mulligan…This 1959 classic is considered one of the most extraordinary and possibly the first concert film ever made.” (Kino Lorber) Click on the image below to visit the site where you can watch the trailer and gain 5 day access to the film for $10.

Synopsis for REPRESENT – Virtual Cinema:  “Equal parts personal and political, REPRESENT follows three women on both sides of the aisle who share the singular goal of improving their community through public service.” (Music Box Films) Click the image below to watch the trailer and pre-order 72 hour access to the film for $12.  (This film will be available starting Friday.)

Check out all the titles we’re currently offering in our Virtual Cinema HERE.
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Wanna know what’s coming down the road in our virtual cinema? (Click any title to watch that film’s trailer.)  On Aug 28, we’ll open an award-winning, crowd-favorite narrative MADE IN BANGLADESH as well as an award-winning, fascinating doc MR. SOUL!  Also on Aug. 28, we’ll open a fascinating fashion doc – HOUSE OF CARDIN. On Sept 4, we’ll open a doc about the growing love of records – VINYL NATION as well as an inspiring film about underprivileged students learning chess starring John Leguizamo – CRITICAL THINKING. On September 11, we’ll open a lovely film about a family dealing with Alzheimer’s and a autobiographical stage play they produce before memories are lost forever – OUR TIME MACHINE. More to come!
We hope to see you soon!
Be safe & well.
My best,
Jonathan

NEON Newsletter: Ella Fitzgerald, Bill Nighy & ReOpening News!

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Hello NEON Fans.
Once again, we’re moving right along in our Virtual Cinema.  Today marks the start of a new, charming & stylized dramedy starring Bill Nighy – SOMETIMES ALWAYS NEVER.  On Friday, we will open a fantastic new documentary about the “First Lady of Song” – ELLA FITZGERALD: JUST ONE OF THOSE THINGS.
Also this Friday, we’re doing a very soft, quiet reopening.  Just 2 shows per day for one week so we can get our feet wet again and introduce some new mechanics of our operations. (Below, I have outlined some of our new procedures.)  For one week only, starting this Friday, you can come see MISS JUNETEENTH or WON’T YOU BE MY NEIGHBOR on the big screen for just $5.

 

On July 3, we’ll open two brand new films in person. First off is the inspiring documentary JOHN LEWIS: GOOD TROUBLE.  We’ll also open THE TRUTH – starring the powerhouse talents of Catherine Deneuve, Juliette Binoche, and Ethan Hawke – directed by Hirokazu Koreeda (director of SHOPLIFTERS).

 

Synopsis for SOMETIMES ALWAYS NEVER in our VIRTUAL CINEMA: “Alan (Bill Nighy) is a stylish tailor with moves as sharp as his suits. However, he’s spent years searching for his missing son Michael, who stormed out over a game of Scrabble and hasn’t been seen since. With a body to identify and his family torn apart, Alan must repair his relationship with his youngest son. Worst of all, he must solve the mystery of an online player who might just be Michael–and find the right words before it’s too late.” You can watch this film on your computer or mobile device as well as some smart TVs.  For more details about available devices, please visit the Eventive’s HELP page. Click the image below to watch the trailer and gain 72 hour access for $12.
Synopsis for ELLA FITZGERALD: JUST ONE OF THOSE THINGS in our Virtual Cinema: “Ella Fitzgerald was a 15 year-old street kid when she won a talent contest in 1934 at the Apollo Theatre in Harlem. Within months she was a star. ELLA FITZGERALD: JUST ONE OF THOSE THINGS follows her extraordinary journey over six decades as her sublime voice transforms the tragedies of her own life and the troubles of her times into joy. The film uses never-before-seen images and unheard interviews to bring Ella Fitzgerald to life and to tell the story of her music – a black woman who makes her career in the face of horrifying racism. Here is an Ella the world never knew – tough, thoughtful, funny, a dazzling musical innovator. The film also uncovers Ella’s commitment to the battle for Civil Rights; and it explores the conflicts that always haunted this intensely private woman: the struggle to reconcile her hunger for adoring audiences with her longing for a domestic life with her husband and son. At a time when she was the biggest singing star in the world, her pianist and friend Oscar Peterson said Ella was ‘the loneliest woman in the world.’ But as Jamie Cullum says ‘her music is one of the reasons it’s worth being on this planet.’ Featuring interviews with: Tony Bennett, Jamie Cullum, Laura Mvula, Johnny Mathis, Smokey Robinson, Cleo Laine, Andre Previn, Norma Miller, Patti Austin, Izsak Perlman, Margo Jefferson, Will Friedwald and a rare interview with Ella’s son, Ray Brown Jr.” (Eagle Rock Entertainment) Here’s a bonus for our virtual fans: Join us for a live video conversation on Sunday, June 28 at 7PM with author & music critic WIll Friedwald, the film’s producer Reggie Nadelson, Pulitzer Prize-winning author/journalist Margo Jefferson and composer, multi-instrumentalist & vocalist Camille Thurman.  Click this LINK to sign up for this special Q&A.  You can watch this film on your computer or mobile device as well as some smart TVs.  For more details about available devices, please visit the Eventive’s HELP page. This film will be available starting this Friday, June 26 in our Virtual Cinema.  Click the image below to watch the trailer and pre-order 72 hour access to the film for $12.
Synopsis for MISS JUNETEENTH – In-Person Screenings: “Turquoise Jones is a single mom who holds down a household, a rebellious teenager, and pretty much everything that goes down at Wayman’s BBQ & Lounge. Turquoise is also a bona fide beauty queen — she was once crowned Miss Juneteenth, a title commemorating the day slaves in Texas were freed – two years after the Emancipation Proclamation. Life didn’t turn out as beautifully as the title promised, but Turquoise, determined to right her wrongs, is cultivating her daughter, Kai, to become Miss Juneteenth, even if Kai wants something else.” (Vertical Entertainment) Click the image below to watch the trailer!
Synopsis for WON’T YOU BE MY NEIGHBOR? – In-Person Screenings: In the summer of 2018, we opened this quiet and lovely film…and it quickly skyrocketed to becoming our biggest hit of the year and our highest grossing documentary of all time at THE NEON.  We’re bringing it back…because we need Mr. Roger’s wisdom and compassion more than ever. “For over thirty years, Fred Rogers, an unassuming minister, puppeteer, writer and producer was beamed daily into homes across America. In his beloved television program, MISTER ROGER’S NEIGHBORHOOD, Fred and his cast of puppets and friends spoke directly to young children about some of life’s weightiest issues, in a simple, direct fashion. There hadn’t been anything like Mr. Rogers on television before and there hasn’t been since. Though he may be best known today as a soft-spoken, cardigan-wearing children’s television host, in reality, Fred Rogers’ career represents a sustained attempt to present a coherent, beneficent view about how we should best speak to children about important matters and how television could be used as a positive force in our society.” (Focus Features) Click the image below to watch the film’s trailer.
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We are delighted to keep the following films available in our Virtual Cinema for another week (they will only be available until June 30):
 
Don’t Miss This Film starring WSU grad Jasmine Batchelor!  Local critic Russell Florence calls this film the “First best film of 2020.” THE SURROGATE: “Jess is thrilled to be the surrogate for her best friend and his husband, but when a prenatal test comes back positive, it creates a moral dilemma that threatens their friendship.” (Monument Releasing)  You can watch the film on your computer or mobile device as well as AppleTV, Roku and Chromecast. Click the image below to gain 72 hour access to this film for $12.
Synopsis for MISS JUNETEENTH: You can watch the film on your computer or mobile device as well as AppleTV, Roku and Chromecast. Click the image below to gain 72 hour access to this film for $6.99.
Synopsis for QUARANTINE CAT FILM FEST: “QUARANTINE CAT FILM FESTIVAL is a compilation reel that brings together the cutest, funniest, bravest, and most loving cat videos from more than 1,200 submissions filmed during the COVID-19 Quarantine.” This collection is available to watch on your computer or mobile device.  It is also available for your SmartTV via mirroring or via an HDMI hookup.  Click the image below to watch the trailer and gain 72 hour access for $12.
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The DAYTON JEWISH FILM FESTIVAL has already nearing an end…how is that possible?  That said, there are still a few films for you to see, and you can gain FREE access to their virtual selections and on-line events! Though we certainly miss hosting this fantastic festival at THE NEON, we think they’ve made a wise decision to move forward virtually this year!! Check out their awesome line-up by clicking the image below!  It’s their 20th anniversary, and they’re making all the screenings and on-line discussions FREE (including talk-backs & comedians)…and it’s very easy to sign up!
Wanna know what’s coming down the road in our virtual cinema? (Click any title to watch that film’s trailer.)  On July 1, we will open a powerful Sundance film about a young Black man exploring his roots and struggling with what it all means – THE LAST TREE.  On July 8, we plan to open ONE SMALL STEP – a collection of animated short films that are family-friendly!  On July 17, we hope to open THE TOBACCONIST – both virtually and in-person – a film I saw and loved at The Cleveland International Film Festival last year. And sometime later in July, we will open a film called CREATING A CHARACTER – a film about a famous Julliard acting instructor who has helped many incredible performers reach greatness.  We’re also hoping to pair this with a community discussion from a handful of directors & performing artists with local ties.

 

Due to new guidelines for keeping staff and customers healthy during the current crisis, we are in the process of “figuring out” reserved seating.  If you want to sit next to someone, you’ll need to purchase tickets in the same transaction.  The software we are using will automatically block off three seats between parties – so if you buy a single ticket, there’s no chance for someone to sit next to you. If you’re the first person to reserve a seat in a row (on-line or in-person), we ask that you choose a seat that’s on the aisle or along the wall…this will allow us to maximize our capacity.  This is going to be a big learning curve for us – a full house will now be approximately 35% of our actual capacity.

 

Here is some of what we’re initially doing TO ENSURE THAT STAFF AND GUESTS STAY HEALTHY:
  • Masks are required for all staff and guests except when eating in an auditorium.
  • Our entrance to the building has moved to THE NEON’s patio doors.  This will streamline transactions and separate ticketing from food purchases.  Additional time between screenings will also minimize lobby traffic.
  • Commonly touched surfaces (door handles, will be sanitized every 30 minutes.
  • Floor markers will assist with social distancing, and hand sanitizers are located throughout the lobby.
  • Please arrive before the scheduled showtime.  Seating will begin approximately 40 minutes before each show.
  • In the auditoriums, every other row will be unavailable. Groups may sit together, but 3 seats will be required between parties in each row.
  • We have increased the time between screenings to allow us sufficient time to sanitize the auditoriums.  For additional assurance, seat wipes will also be available for customer use.
  • Please stay home if you have any of the following symptoms: cough, shortness of breath, fever, chills, sore throat or new loss of taste/smell.
After all these weeks and hurdles, we finally have a DONATE button on our website.  If you would like to make a tax-deductible donation to our non-profit, please visit this LINK.
We hope to see you soon!
Be safe & well.
My best,
Jonathan

The Latest From The Neon: Peter Sellers, Diana Kennedy, Killer Whales & Gift Cards!

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Our selections have been really well received over the last few weeks.  DRIVEWAYS continues to get great responses, our followers have told us that FRENCH SHORTS 2020 are wonderful, and Sherry told us that MILITARY WIVES“was the perfect Memorial Day film, or any day film. It is a film that reminds me that being human is a complex, painful, joyful journey.  I feel more human for watching.” That’s quite an endorsement!  All of these films will stick around for another week!  But we’re also going to keep moving.  Today, we’re bringing two new documentaries, and both are rated “100% Fresh” on rottentomatoes.  THE GHOST OF PETER SELLERS is about the disastrous making of the film GHOST OF THE NOONDAY SUN, and DIANA KENNEDY: NOTHING FANCY will be a delight for foodies and lovers of travel alike.  Lastly, on Friday, we’ll virtually open the fantastic documentary BLACKFISH – where you’ll be able to write in questions for a live Q&A next week.
(Don’t forget – Tonight, Wednesday, May 27 at 8pm, is the Q&A for the Roger Ebert documentary LIFE ITSELF!)
Synopsis for THE GHOST OF PETER SELLERS: “In September 1973 Peter  Sellers  embarked on the production of a 17th Century pirate comedy in Cyprus  for Columbia Pictures (GHOST OF THE NOONDAY SUN). Sellers  lost  confidence  with the film as soon as it began and desperately tried to sabotage it, firing the producers in the first week and then setting his sights on his friend the director, Peter Medak. At its core lies the story of an unraveling  production but also the tale of a young director firmly on a path to greatness. Medak had made 3 back-to-back successes; most notably THE RULING CLASS in 1972 with Peter O’Toole (nominated for the Palm D’Or). This film changed his career forever. After 43 years the wounds have barely healed for Medak and this is his opportunity to tell the story and finally release the weight associated with its failure. THE GHOST OF PETER SELLERS is a comic-tragic feature doc about what it takes to be a film director and survive your biggest disaster.” This film will be available on computers and mobile devices as well as Android, Apple TV, Roku, and Chromecast.  Here’s a LINK to a help page where you can learn more. Click on the image below to watch the trailer and gain 72 hour access to this film for $10.
Synopsis for DIANA KENNEDY: NOTHING FANCY: “An intimate, candid perspective into the curious world of 95-year-old cookbook author and British ex-patriot Diana Kennedy, widely regarded as the world’s academic expert on
Mexican cuisine. Standing barely five feet tall with a thick English accent, Diana is a formidable critic of anyone who doesn’t agree with her views on Mexican culinary traditions, or, God forbid, doesn’t recycle. The author of nine acclaimed cookbooks, Diana has spent nearly seventy years exploring Mexico (typically solo in her truck), and researching the country’s varied and complex cuisines. A two-time James Beard Award winner, Diana was decorated with an Order of the Aztec Eagle from the Mexican government in 1982 and became a Member of the Order of
the British Empire from the UK in 2002. Despite her notable achievements, Diana is difficult to categorize; often referred to as the ‘Julia Child of Mexico.’ Given her edgier style, however, Diana prefers a different title: ‘The Mick Jagger of
Mexican Cuisine.'” This film is available to watch on your computer or mobile devices and via and app with supported Apple and android TVs. More technicals details can be found on this LINK. You can watch the trailer and gain 72 hour access to this film will for $9.99 by clicking the image below.
These selections are sticking around:
NEW FRENCH SHORTS 2020 Click the image below to watch the trailer and gain 5 day access to this collection of films for $12.
MILITARY WIVES Click the image below to watch the trailer and gain 72 hour access for $4.99.
DRIVEWAYS Click the image below to watch the trailer and gain 72 hour access for $12.  This will be the final week for DRIVEWAYS!
MAGNOLIA PICTURES: A FEW OF OUR FAVORITE DOCS is already underway, and you’ve been invited to ask questions to the directors.  Each Friday, we start a virtual engagement of a great documentary for just $5.00 each.  On the following Wednesday, you can attend a live virtual Q&A with the film’s director – and you can submit your own questions in advance. (You can either submit them over email to submityourquestion@magpictures.com, or they can tweet at Magnolia by using the hashtag #magnoliadocseries.)  This Friday marks the third film in the series, BLACKFISH…and you can still rent the first two:
RBG started on May 15.
LIFE ITSELF started May 22. (Q&A tonight, 5/27, with Chaz Ebert in conversation with director Steve James)
BLACKFISH starts May 29. (Q&A on 6/3 with director Gabriela Cowperthwaite)
HAIL SATAN? starts June 5. (Q&A on 6/10 with director Penny Lane in conversation with Lucien Greaves, head of The Satanic Temple.)
When you purchase access to each film for $5, you will also get invited to that film’s Q&A event and 10% of all the national sales will go to a charity of the filmmaker’s choice.
Due to the uncertainty of the coming weeks/months, the DAYTON JEWISH FILM FESTIVAL has decided to go mostly virtual this June instead of postponing or canceling…and the preview event on June 2 is right around the corner. Though we’ll certainly miss hosting this fantastic festival at THE NEON, we think they’ve made a wise decision!! Check out their awesome line-up by clicking the image below!  It’s their 20th anniversary, and they’re making all the screenings and on-line discussions FREE!!
Wanna know what’s coming down the road? (Click any title to watch that film’s trailer.) On June 3, we will virtually open the Oscar nominated film CORPUS CHRISTI. Also on June 3, we’ll start the beautiful political thriller from a director I greatly admire – Agnieszka Holand. MR. JONES is set during the early 1930’s and stars James Norton, Vanessa Kirby and Peter Sarsgaard. On June 12, we will open the documentary FOR THEY KNOW NOT WHAT THEY DO – Daniel Karslake’s follow-up to his film FOR THE BIBLE TELLS ME SO. And sometime in late June, we hope to open THE TOBACCONIST – a film I saw and loved at The Cleveland International Film Festival last year.  We’re working to make this a sidebar or encore to the Dayton Jewish Film Festival…and you’ll be invited to participate in a post-screening discussion with yours truly.
Last week, we participated in a gift card program with The Downtown Dayton Partnership…you could buy $25 gift cards for a number of businesses downtown and they would send you a bonus $15 gift card for a mystery business.  I wanted to let you know all about it, but the program was so successful that they sold out of $15,000 of free $15 gift cards in one day.  Due to some generous folks in the region, it looks like they may be announcing “Round 2” pretty soon.  Stay tuned to their Facebook Page for the latest details.

My Favorite Films of 2019

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Hello Dayton MostMetro!

When asked to write a “Best of ” list about movies, it’s hard to decide what to write.  First off, it’s so subjective…do people really want to read about my personal tastes or should I look at films scholastically and determine what is the “best” in regards to craft?  In addition, what should I include – only films that got picked up for distribution? only films that screened in this market?  only films that got a release this year?

Here’s what I’ve decided.  The following list is a collection of films that I saw and loved this year.  (Though some films didn’t play until 2019 in Dayton, movies like CAPERNAUM and IF BEALE STREET COULD TALK and THE FAVOURITE are not on the list because I saw them in 2018.)  And contrary to popular belief, not all the films on the list screened at THE NEON!

I should make it known that I have not seen every film that got a release this year…once in a while, a film even plays at THE NEON that I can’t fit into my schedule.  I tend to shy away from science fiction (though not always), most horror movies and films with gratuitous violence and/or machismo-driven male plot lines (a la Tarantino).  (I have not yet seen THE IRISHMAN – as I intend to see it on our big screen on NYE.)

Here they are. 15 Favorite Films of 2019 (in alphabetical order):

AMERICAN FACTORY – Julia Reichert & Steve Bognar’s masterful documentary is stunningly heartfelt and equally scary.  It’s a call to action from and regarding America’s workforce (which also happens to be filmed in our own backyard).  I’m so happy for Julia & Steve’s success with this film!

BELLE EPOQUE – This little French gem with Daniel Auteuil and Fanny Ardant has not yet found a distributor in the US, but its existential ETERNAL SUNSHINE vibe is so much fun…I hope it makes its way to the States soon.  Here’s a trailer:

THE BLONDE ONE – I love a good, slow-paced, foreign film that’s beautifully shot and fraught with honest sexual tension…especially when I can empathize on some level.  This film is a slow burn, and I love it.  (It played at The Dayton LGBT Film Festival.)

BOOKSMART – This generation’s CLUELESS is smart, fresh and so endearing…the best teen comedy in years!  I watched this film on a flight to Germany…and again on the flight back. Beanie is a treasure! (trailer is for mature audiences)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uhd3lo_IWJc

CIRCUS OF BOOKS – This endearing doc about a straight Jewish couple who ran one of the most famous gay adult bookstores in the US while raising three children is poignant, personal and a great history lesson.  (This film screened as part of The Dayton LGBT Film Festival – there is no trailer yet.)


THE FAREWELL – This runaway hit is billed as a comedy, but it’s so much more.

JOJO RABBIT – My feelings about this film ebb and flow…today it happened to make the list. The child performances are extraordinary, and the production design is flawless.  This film has a lot to say about how our children are often taught to hate – and how easy it is to spread misinformation.

THE LAST BLACK MAN IN SAN FRANCISCO – This poetic film isn’t getting much year-end discussion, but I absolutely loved it – from the performances to the score to the cinematography.

LITTLE WOMEN – Thoughtful and exquisite! I complain about movie runtimes a lot.  (I wish MARRIAGE STORY and WAVES were both 15-20 minutes shorter.)  But this film seemed rushed at times…I think it would be stronger with a slightly slower pace and perhaps a runtime of 20 minutes more. Regardless, this is a gorgeous film with a beautiful structure.

PAIN & GLORY – Almodovar’s best film in over a decade…and that’s quite a feat (JULIETA and THE SKIN I LIVE IN are also quite strong from the last several years). This quiet film is full of rich performances, inventive storytelling and fantastic production design.

PARASITE – Must be seen.  This film changes genres on a dime and has so much to say about class.  Full of surprises and beautiful to look at – even when dark and disturbing.

PORTRAIT OF A LADY ON FIRE – This film will get a release in early 2020, and it is sublime.  I can’t wait to see it again.

ROCKS – This film has not yet been picked up for distribution.  It’s a gorgeous and heartbreaking story about a young girl trying to take care of her younger brother and herself after her mother has disappeared (again). There is sadly no trailer for this – just a clip.

THE TWO POPES – This film isn’t just a chamber piece – though simple moments between these two brilliant actors are certainly worth studying.

UNSETTLED – Winner of this year’s Audience Award at The Dayton LGBT Film Festival, this story about LGBT refugees in America is touching, timely, thought-provoking and powerful.

Don’t get me wrong.  There are many more solid films from this year.  There are movies with standout performances (like HARRIET) or incredible cinematography (like HONEYLAND) or great messages (like BIGGEST LITTLE FARM) or fascinating central subjects (like SOUND OF MY VOICE or PAVAROTTI) – but it’s the “Top 15” that really spoke to me in their entirety.  That said, these other films are certainly worth mentioning (also in alphabetical order): A BEAUTIFUL DAY IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD, BOMBSHELL, CLEMENCY, DARK WATERS, GLORIA BELL, HONEY BOY, HOPE GAP, HOW TO BUILD A GIRL (here’s Beanie again!!),  THE KINGMAKER, MARRIAGE STORY (sometimes I want to switch this with JOJO RABBIT), STRAIGHT UP, VARDA BY AGNES, and WAVES.

For the sake of trivia, here are the top 3 highest grossing films of 2019 at THE NEON:

#1 – JOJO RABBIT.  #2 – DOWNTON ABBEY.  #3 – HARRIET.   (LITTLE WOMEN could possibly join the list, but it will be split between 2019 and 2020.)

Wishing everyone a happy and prosperous New Year.

See you at the movies,

Jonathan

TIFF 2019 – Day #6

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Hi Everyone!

I’m now well beyond the half-way mark, and today’s 4 screenings took my grand total to 22 films so far…this means I’ll certainly hit the 30+ mark for this year’s TIFF.

AERONAUTS was my first movie of the day. “The Theory of Everything costars Eddie Redmayne and Felicity Jones reunite for Tom Harper’s high-flying tale about a 19th-century scientist and hot-air balloonist making altitudinal and meteorological history.” (taken from TIFF catalog)  This thrilling adventure is a little too “easy,” but it is also rather fun.  That said, I can’t imagine watching it on a television screen at home – the thrills are best felt on a big screen with a great sound system.  Redmayne and Jones are charming as can be, and though the costumes are sometimes a little “too much,” I felt like there’s certainly an audience who will revel in this tale – and cheer for the bold and brave female character in the central role.

Though it’s getting a wide release that won’t include us at THE NEON, I had to go see THE GOLDFINCH – based on one of my favorite novels of the past several years. “Theo Decker (Ansel Elgort) was only 13 when his mother died in a museum bombing, sending him on an odyssey of grief and guilt, reinvention and redemption. Through it all, he holds on to one tangible piece of hope from that terrible day: a priceless painting of a bird chained to its perch, The Goldfinch. The latest from John Crowley (Brooklyn) is based on Donna Tartt’s bestselling novel.” (taken from TIFF catalog)  Though I felt like the film was off to a great start – making a lot of great decisions, this movie is one that actually needs more time.  We meet too many characters and never get to know them…which in turn makes the material lose its heart.  We never get too attached.  The source material is more intended for a mini-series than a 140 minute feature film, and I’m sad to say that I don’t think this film will go too far.

The new documentary THE CAPOTE TAPES was my third screening of the day. “Newly discovered interviews with friends of Truman Capote made by Paris Review co-founder George Plimpton invigorate this fascinating documentary on the author (and socialite) behind Breakfast at Tiffany’s and In Cold Blood, while situating Capote in the 20th-century American literary canon.” (taken from TIFF catalog)  There is so much to love about this film – because at its center is the brilliant, hysterical, and tormented Truman Capote.  The interviews are divine, but the piece starts to lose steam in the last 30 minutes.  Though there’s not much room in the “marketplace” for an hour-long documentary (too long for a short and too short for a feature), it would be a much stronger piece at 1 hour.  That said, there’s so much good material here…but unfortunately, the director had to use cutaways because evidently there aren’t enough photos to put on screen during the tape recorded interviews…so he resorts to tracking shots of dinner plates, silverware and crystal goblets – thus so many visuals are uninteresting and do nothing for the story.  Luckily, interviews are great – so I stuck with it…and feel I know Truman a bit better.

USA. New York City. 1966. Truman CAPOTE at his “Black and White Ball” at the Plaza Hotel.

The premiere of HARRIET, the very first feature film ever made about Harriet Tubman, was my last film of the night.  “Tony-winning Broadway actor Cynthia Erivo stars in Kasi Lemmons’ inspiring biopic about renowned abolitionist Harriet Tubman, who escaped slavery and risked her life to lead others to freedom through the network of safehouses known as the Underground Railroad.” (taken from TIFF catalog)  From seeing the trailer, I was a little fearful that this film was going to be too polished and not raw enough.  And though I think it could still use a little more indie grit, the story did indeed envelop me.  Kasi Lemmons explained that they decided not to use the often seen violent tropes of other slavery stories, they wanted to focus on this movie being about freedom.  Though we know some of what characters have suffered, we aren’t forced to watch it as with other recent films about slavery like 12 YEARS A SLAVE or BIRTH OF A NATION.  Instead, we get an adventure film with a true woman – a human being, not a super hero – who saves lives and should inform us all.  Though there were some devices that I thought wore a little thin, I still was completely invested in the story and loved learning more about this American Hero…and having many from the cast do a Q&A was incredibly insightful and all the more powerful.  This film really got the crowd going, and I think it will be well received in Dayton, too.

I’m getting this done a bit earlier than usual…and heading out to a party or two tonight.  My first screening isn’t until Noon tomorrow, so sleeping in is a possibility.

Thanks for checking in!

Jonathan

TIFF 2019 – Day #4

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Hello NEON Fans,

A lot came together today.  Tickets for tomorrow fell into line and I squeezed in a film that I wasn’t anticipating.

My first film of day #4 was A BEAUTIFUL DAY IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD. “A jaded journalist (Matthew Rhys) reluctantly accepts an Esquire assignment to profile the children’s television host Fred Rogers (Tom Hanks), and encounters a profoundly empathetic world view that changes his life forever.” (taken from TIFF catalog) This film, though a little uneven, works in mysterious ways.   I found the opening to be rather upsetting – as though there was a tongue-in-cheek approach to the reverence of Mister Rogers.  Were they praising him while slightly mocking him?  My initial thought was “this isn’t working”…and then the film strikes.  I saw this film with a jaded press/industry audience, and there were numerous signs of sniffles and crying…and even a splattering of applause at the end (something that almost never happens at industry screenings).  Tom Hanks is wonderful, and Heller (DIARY OF A TEENAGE GIRL and CAN YOU EVER FORGIVE ME? both played at THE NEON) works some magic (though it certainly lacks some of the edginess that her earlier indies displayed).  One really nice touch was a cameo (blink and you might miss it) of Fred’s wife in a restaurant scene…she arrives at just the right moment.  Even though the Focus documentary about Rogers was our highest grossing film last year, being a big studio film, this one likely won’t make it to THE NEON.

Next up, I managed to wiggle in a screening of GREED.  “Festival favourite Michael Winterbottom skewers the fast-fashion industry in this scathing farce about the grotesque inequality between a retail billionaire (Steve Coogan) and the female garment workers who toil on his trendy clothing line.” (taken from TIFF catalog)  This film is problematic.  It’s a farce.  The set-up is comedy, and the writing is scathingly good…perhaps too good.  Instead of laughs, I found most of it cringe-worthy. The main character’s true lack of compassion seemed a little too probable – and thus quite hard to laugh at.  That said, the film supplied a great deal of education as to how someone in this particular industry can make money – all legally (though drenched with moral irresponsibility).  Title cards at the end of the film provided statistics as to how much money people in the textile industry make…and how the rich keep getting richer.  It’s such an interesting piece on so many levels – and perhaps the only way to get people to see the statistics is to lure them with a comedy…but I was hardly laughing.  (That said, there are some really great moments and material here.)  There’s no trailer yet, but here’s a clip.

1982 “During the 1982 invasion of Lebanon at a private school on the outskirts of Beirut, 11-year-old Wissam tries to tell a classmate about his crush on her, while his teachers — on different sides of the political divide — try to mask their fears, in this poignant debut feature from Oualid Mouaness.” (taken from TIFF catalog)  I went to this film namely because it stars Nadine Labaki – a director and actress I greatly admire.  (We’ve shown three films she has directed, including last year’s Oscar nominee CAPERNAUM.)  This film is a slow burn, but when the war keeps creeping closer and closer, it becomes rather terrifying.  There’s a strange device regarding Wissam and his drawings that I didn’t really feel was needed, but the performances and tone are strong.

Before my last film, I came back to the apartment and caught up on some NEON-related items and then I stopped by a gathering for The Art House Convergence.  I ran into a couple friends there, but I had to quickly scurry to the Princess of Wales Theatre.

JOJO RABBIT was my last film of the day.  This was the world premiere, and many people from the cast and crew were there. “Taika Waititi (WHAT WE DO IN THE SHADOWS) directs a riotous cast — including Sam Rockwell, Scarlett Johansson, Rebel Wilson, Thomasin McKenzie, and newcomer Roman Griffin Davis — in this daring, touching, and comedic satire about a young German boy who discovers a Jewish girl hiding in his home and consults with his imaginary best friend, Adolf Hitler (Waititi).” (taken from TIFF catalog) This film has raised a lot of eyebrows.  I’ve heard numerous people chatting about how this film shouldn’t be working…it’s irresponsible…with sentiments the likes of “How can we have a comedy about Hitler Youth?”  “How can Hitler be funny?” “This is sacred ground and we shouldn’t be laughing.”  But satire about Hitler has been around for decades – from Chaplin’s GREAT DICTATOR to Mel Brooks’ THE PRODUCERS.  And one interesting fact is that Waititi (the director) is Jewish, and he’s the one playing the absurd imaginary Hitler. This film does tread a very risky line, and some may find it in poor taste.  But ultimately, it’s a film about family and realizing that hate is a learned behavior. Waititi talked about how in 1933, Hitler came to power and little by little, he made changes.  People realized the changes weren’t good…but they didn’t seem “that bad.”  But he continued to make more and more changes…and citizens never revolted – they allowed the changes to happen until it was too late.  Waititi believes that we have to find different ways to tell these cautionary tales – because we need to learn from mistakes.  The production design, costumes, photography and performances are all fantastic, and this little film is an off-color gem.

Tomorrow is quite a full day.

Thanks for checking in,

Jonathan

TIFF 2019 – Day #1

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Hello Everyone.

Today was the first day!

Though screenings for the public didn’t start until this evening, there were several options for press and industry (aka P&I) starting at 9am.  I don’t review films that I don’t watch in their entirety, so I won’t write much about the first film I saw (a portion of) today.  I knew going in that I didn’t have 3 hours to spare, so I watched the first 2 hours.

Then I left that screening in order to attend my first full film – this year’s big winner at Cannes – PARASITE. “A family of cunning derelicts scheme to enter a wealthy household’s employ in this genre-bending, Palme d’Or–winning thriller of class struggle from South Korean master Bong Joon-ho.” (taken from TIFF catalog) Bong Joon-ho directed SNOWPIERCER, MOTHER, and THE HOST – which all played at THE NEON.  PARASITE is a terribly interesting film.  What first starts as almost a zany and fun “stick it to the rich” comedy, has a sudden tonal shift and becomes much more caustic. This film is a brilliant achievement with a lot to say about class, but I suspect the unsettling material in the third act might make it a hard sell to many of our regulars.

My next film of the day was PORTRAIT OF A LADY ON FIRE – “Hired to paint a portrait ahead of a prospective marriage, an artist in 18th-century Brittany finds herself falling for the reclusive would-be bride, in the Cannes Queer Palm–winning fourth feature from writer-director Céline Sciamma.” (taken from TIFF catalog)  Full of lovely photography and told at an elegant pace, this film is absolutely gorgeous.  There’s very little music in this film…in fact, there is no traditional score – just a couple moments of music used with great craft.  That said, the sound design is exquisite – crackling fire and creaking floorboards add their own rhythms.  And I’ve never watched brush strokes on canvas with such interest.  The script is marvelous (it won the screenplay award at Cannes – of which it clearly deserved), and I wrote down several lines I want to remember.  The chemistry between the two leads sets the screen ablaze, and the director makes so many compelling and wonderful choices.  A true gem.  There is no trailer yet for this film, just some clips.  Check this one out:

 

My last film of the evening was also my first public film of the day – THE PERSONAL HISTORY OF DAVID COPPERFIELD.  “Director Armando Iannucci (The Death of Stalin) brings his sardonic wit — and a stellar cast that includes Dev Patel, Tilda Swinton, Hugh Laurie, Gwendoline Christie, Peter Capaldi, and Ben Whishaw — to Charles Dickens’ classic autobiographical novel.” (taken from TIFF catalog).  Armando and Dev and several other cast members were part of a post-screening Q&A after this evening’s screening (but sadly no Tilda!), and their attendance certainly added to the glitz of opening night.  This re-telling of the beloved Dickens’ novel is told with a very contemporary visual style, and some bold choices are made – and many are well executed. There’s a lot of comedy in this adaptation (the screenplay is by VEEP’s Simon Blackwell), but I felt a certain mania in this version that led me to never really care about anyone.  I laughed numerous times and there are certainly some really terrific moments…but overall, it wasn’t as strong as I had hoped.  There is no trailer (and very few images yet) for this film.

Tomorrow has 2 of my highly anticipated films on the docket.  Can’t wait!

Thanks for reading,

Jonathan

A Look At This Year’s Oscar Nominees

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Hello Most Metro!

I love good cinema.  And for all of my college years and days in retail, Oscar season was a time for speculation and preparation for watching (and cheering and jeering) the event on the big night.  But for most of the last 18 years, I have been so consumed with preparing for THE NEON’s Annual Oscar Party, I’ve hardly stopped to think who would win and who would lose.  That is until Dayton Rotary stepped in.  For the last four years, I’ve been asked to give a short presentation regarding the upcoming Academy Awards.  This forces me to reflect on the year’s nominees and to think about who will take home Oscars.  Below are some of my thoughts regarding this year’s big contenders.

Amy Adams – 6th Oscar nomination (5 supporting, 1 lead).

Marina de Tavira – 1st Oscar nomination, lots of accolades in Mexico.

Regina King – 1st Oscar nomination…lots of TV accolades.

Emma Stone – 3rd Oscar nomination…won for LA LA LAND.

Rachel Weisz – 2nd Oscar nomination…it’s been 13 years since nomination for CONSTANT GARDNER.

WHO WILL WIN?  This year’s “Best Supporting Actress” Oscar will almost certainly go to Regina King.  Her performance in IF BEALE STREET COULD TALK is heartbreakingly wonderful.  I recently heard King speaking on NPR’s “On Point” about how she rarely watches her own work…but a friend convinced her she had to see this film on the big screen.  Within the first five minutes, she knew this Barry Jenkins film was something special…and it turns out that I was just a few rows behind her at The Toronto International Film Festival.  (If King doesn’t get it, Adams is a good second bet.)

 

 

Mahershala Ali – 2nd Oscar nomination…won for MOONLIGHT!

Adam Driver – 1st Oscar nomination…has won awards for GIRLS on TV.

Sam Elliot – 1st Oscar nomination EVER.  Hard to Believe!!

Richard E. Grant – 1 Oscar nomination (though years of brilliant work).

Sam Rockwell – 2nd Oscar nomination…won for THREE BILLBOARDS…

WHO WILL WIN?  Mahershala Ali appears to be the favorite at this time, but Sam Elliott could sneak in and get it.  (That said, I’m rooting for Richar E. Grant.)

 

Yalitza Aparicio – 1st Oscar nomination, 1st film role ever!

Glenn Close – 7th Oscar nomination (4 leads, 3 supporting)

Olivia Colman – 1st Oscar nomination (lots of TV accolades and will be the Queen in next season of THE CROWN)

Lady Gaga – 1st Oscar nomination

Melissa McCarthy – 2nd Oscar nomination (1st was for BRIDESMAIDS)

WHO WILL WIN?  It’s Glenn Close’s turn.  The nominations show a diverse canon of work (DANGEROUS LIAISONS, FATAL ATTRACTION, ALBERT NOBBS, WORLD ACCORDING TO GARP, THE BIG CHILL)…but the brilliance doesn’t stop there – what about 101 DALMATIANS, PARADISE ROAD and more!  The upset in this category would be Lady Gaga…who does have a lot of fans and support in the business (but I think it would be a posthumous “slap in the face” to Judy Garland – who did not win for her incredible work with this role).

Christian Bale – 4th Oscar nomination…won for THE FIGHTER

Bradley Cooper – 7th Oscar nomination (3 of these nominations are for this film)

Willem Dafoe – 4th Oscar nomination…recent nomination was for last year’s FLORIDA PROJECT, 1st nomination was in 1987 for PLATOON

Rami Malek – 1st Oscar nomination (lots of accolades for TV’s MR. ROBOT)

Viggo Mortensen – 3rd Oscar nomination

 

WHO WILL WIN?  This is a tough one.  Many folks are banking on Christian Bale (think of that range – from EMPIRE OF THE SUN as a kid to THE MACHINIST to BATMAN to Dick Cheney).  The other big contender is Rami Malek – who has garnered a lot of love this award season.  I’m going with Bale.

 

ROMA has one big thing going against it.  Netflix!  Will the Academy be kind to a film that has been released by a company that wants to completely change the way films are consumed by the public?  Netflix knew they had to get this film into cinemas in order for it to get serious Oscar consideration…and we played it at THE NEON because I consider it the best film of the year.  But Netflix rarely wants cinemas to play their films…they want consumers to subscribe to their service.  They are not team players and the integrity of how a film is viewed is low on their list of priorities.  Big corporate profits over artistic integrity seems to be the order of the day…even when filmmakers ask for their films to get more theatrical exposure.  So we’ll see what happens…do members of the Academy care about all of this…or will they base their votes on the power of this film?

THE FAVOURITE divided our audience at THE NEON like no other film this year.  We had people see it numerous times and we had people complain that the film was “pornographic” or “stupid” or “wasn’t funny at all.”  It’s my opinion that this very dark comedy has a lot to say about the lengths people will go to gain power…and it also speaks about the disconnect by many of those in power and the people they represent.  I think it’s a brilliant film (although one with a very grim worldview).

A STAR IS BORN – this is the 4th version of this story.  The 1937 version won a special award for its use of color and also won a “Best Screenplay” Oscar.  The 1954 Cukor version (with Garland) did not win any Oscars (and is the strongest version of this story).  The 1976 version with Streisand won “Best Song”…and this latest version will also win Gaga an Oscar for “Best Song.”

One special note about the other nominees is that Hannah Beachler, a woman who grew up in Centerville and attended Wright State University for Motion Picture Production, is the first ever African American to be nominated for “Best Production Design.”  BLACK PANTHER has broken a lot of barriers this season, and it’s exciting to see Beachler get such wonderful recognition (she’s had an incredible career – working on such wonderful films as FRUITVALE STATION, MOONLIGHT and many more…including Beyonce’s LEMONADE).

A couple quick notes:

It’s hard to believe that this is Spike Lee’s 1st Oscar nomination!

Alfonso Cuaron is nominated for 4 Oscars this year…not only did he write and direct ROMA, he also shot and produced it.  All four of these roles have received recognition.

Foreign films have received a lot more love than usual this year.  In addition to ROMA’s 10 nominations,  COLD WAR received 3 nominations (WARNING…BIG PLUG AHEAD…COLD WAR is currently playing at THE NEON), NEVER LOOK AWAY has two nominations, and BORDER is nominated for “Best Makeup.”  And speaking of foreign films (ANOTHER BIG PLUG), CAPERNAUM, one of my absolute favorites of 2018, opens this Friday at THE NEON.

WHO WILL WIN?  The only way ROMA won’t win this year would be for “political” (aka Netflix) reasons.  I feel pretty confident that it will win regardless.  But if it doesn’t, the Oscar could go to GREEN BOOK – a film that despite some controversy, has received a lot of awards and admiration this season.

Neon Movies on Fifth Street. Photo by Lew Hann

As for our Oscar Screening Party...as always, it’s FREE!  The Academy Awards will be screened in our large auditorium this Sunday, February 24 – and you could win awesome prizes throughout the night…including our grand prize from our friends at Square One Salon & Spa. Ballots are available in our lobby and must be turned in before the first award is presented.  We hope you’ll join us!  We’ll be seating as close as possible to 7:00pm for the pre-show.

Hope to see you soon at THE NEON,

Jonathan

Brilliant FACES PLACES Among Jonathan’s Favorites Coming to THE NEON!

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Hello Everyone!

We have had a terrific year with many big successes. Our two current attractions are garnering a lot of raves from critics and audiences alike, and I still hear people talking about other films from earlier this year like MAUDIE, THE BIG SICK, FLORIDA PROJECT, THEIR FINEST, I AM NOT YOUR NEGRO, and LOVING VINCENT (we still intent to bring this film back for a handful of shows when we can squeeze them in). Thus it might be hard to believe that the best films of the year are still on their way to THE NEON. Among them is a little gem called FACES PLACES. If you’ve been here in the past month, you’ve seen the trailer for this enchanting and uplifting documentary. It will open this Friday and play for just one week! Don’t miss it! On Thursday of next week, we will have preview screenings of THE SHAPE OF WATER (one of the absolute best films of the year – and certain to be a “Best Picture” contender) and DARKEST HOUR (almost certain to win an Oscar for Gary Oldman).

Many folks have been asking lately for my favorites of the year. 4 films immediately come to mind. Films that stood out that I can’t stop thinking about…and can’t wait to see again. FACES PLACES is one of them. The other three haven’t yet played anywhere around us but will soon be on their way – THE SHAPE OF WATER, CALL ME BY YOUR NAME and A FANTASTIC WOMAN. I’ll be sure to keep you in the loop.

Synopsis for FACES, PLACES: “89-year old Agnes Varda, one of the leading figures of the French New Wave, and acclaimed 33 year-old French photographer and muralist JR teamed up to co-direct this enchanting documentary/road movie. Kindred spirits, Varda and JR share a lifelong passion for images and how they are created, displayed and shared. Together they travel around the villages of France in JR’s photo truck meeting locals, learning their stories and producing epic-size portraits of them. The photos are prominently displayed on houses, barns, storefronts and trains revealing the humanity in their subjects, and themselves. FACES PLACES documents these heart-warming encounters as well as the unlikely, tender friendship they formed along the way.” Click this LINK to visit the film’s official site.

If you need gift-giving ideas for the film lover in your life, we’ve got you covered. NEON gift certificates are available at our box office in denominations of $5 and $10. We also just got in a new batch of NEON t-shirts with our slogan “Good To The Last Frame” on the back. Hurry in and get ’em while you can!

We also are helping The Rubi Girls by selling their annual wall calendar. The Rubi Girls are a charity-driven comedic drag troupe in town, and 100% of all calendar sales will go back to The Rubi Girls and the causes they champion. Calendars are $15 each or 2 for $20.

Our FAMILY HOLIDAY FILM SERIES has just one film left. Admission is free for children 12 and under, and general admission is just $2. This Saturday, December 16 at Noon, we’ll wrap up the series with HOME ALONE – can you believe this comedy classic starring Macaulay Culkin is already 27 years old?!? Tickets are first come, first serve – available 45 minutes before the screening.

Mark your calendars and please help spread the word. CHAVELA, a beautiful, award-winning documentary about Mexican singer Chavela Vargas, will have two special screenings in late January. On Saturday and Sunday, January 27 & 28 at Noon, director Daresha Kyi (who grew up in Dayton and graduated from The Miami Valley School) will present her documentary and participate in a Q&A. Ticketing details will be available soon. To learn more about the film, please click this LINK to visit the film’s official site.

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

SHOWTIMES for Tuesday, Dec. 12 – Thursday, Dec. 21:

LADY BIRD (R) 1 Hr 33 Min
Tuesday-Thursday (Dec 12-14): 3:00, 5:10, 7:20
Friday (Dec 15): 12:50, 3:00, 5:10, 7:20, 9:30
Saturday (Dec 16): 3:00, 5:10, 7:20, 9:30
Sunday (Dec 17): 12:50, 3:00, 5:10, 7:20
Monday-Wednesday (Dec 18-20): 3:00, 5:10, 7:20
Thursday (Dec 21): 3:00, 5:10
FINAL DAY – Dec. 21!

THREE BILLBOARDS OUTSIDE… (R) 1 Hr 55 Min
Tuesday-Thursday (Dec 12-14): 2:50, 5:15, 7:40
Friday & Saturday (Dec 15 & 16): 12:20, 5:00, 7:30, 9:55
Sunday (Dec 17): 2:20, 5:00, 7:30
Monday-Wednesday (Dec 18-20): 5:00, 7:30
Thursday (Dec 21): 5:00
FINAL DAY – Dec. 21!

FACES, PLACES (PG) 1 Hr 29 Min
Friday-Thursday (Dec 15-21): 3:00
Final Day – Dec. 21!

THE SHAPE OF WATER (R) 1 Hr 59 Min
Thursday (Dec 21): 7:30 – Preview Screening!

DARKEST HOUR (PG-13) 2 Hrs 5 Min
Thursday (Dec 21): 7:40 – Preview Screening!

HOME ALONE (PG) 1 Hr 43 Min
Saturday (Dec 16): Noon

COMING SOON:
(All Dates Are Tentative. Dates Often Move And Sometimes Disappear)
Dec. 21 – SHAPE OF WATER
Dec. 21 – DARKEST HOUR
TBD Possibilities – NOVITIATE, CALL ME BY YOUR NAME, PHANTOM THREAD,
FILM STARS DON’T DIE IN LIVERPOOL, A FANTASTIC WOMAN, 

 and the return of LOVING VINCENT

TIFF 2017 – Day #5

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Hello NEON Friends,

Today was a long one.  I saw 4 films that had me buzzing to three different venues around town – so there wasn’t much time for food and other such nonsense.

First off was DISOBEDIENCE by director Sebastian Lelio.  This quietly stirring film from the UK stars Rachel Weisz and Rachel McAdams, and the story centers around a woman who is returning to her Orthodox Jewish home after the death of her father.  It’s immediately clear that she is now an outsider, but even more tension seems to exist between her and two old friends.  The way in which this film reveals itself is quite lovely, but I feel like the pace might be a bit too slow for many who might initially be attracted to casting alone.

Next up was UNICORN STORE – the feature-length directorial debut from Brie Larson.  Larson introduced the film and she is one of the most gracious and sincere artists I’ve encountered (she thanked the projectionists, the sound people and everyone behind the scenes).  Because her mother couldn’t attend the screening, she took a picture of the audience (and I captured this sweet moment below).  The film is about a young woman who doesn’t make it at art school and moves back in with her parents.  She suffers from a certain woman-child issues…still wanting everything sprinkled with glitter and painted with rainbows.  When she finally lands a job, she receives an invitation to come to a secret store where a man offers her the ability to buy a unicorn.  This film certainly had fans in the audience…and it is very competently done (cinematography is nice, editing is solid, etc.) – but the story is relatively hokey and I couldn’t buy into it.  The sentiment of continuing to believe in magic and resisting to fit the mold is sweet, but I just couldn’t help but think “grow up.”

THREE BILLBOARDS OUTSIDE EBBING, MISSOURI, the new film from Martin McDonagh (IN BRUGES) was my next film.  Frances McDormand is incredible in the rather rough film about a woman who is trying to get the police to get more involved in finding the person(s) who raped and murdered her daughter.  With a tone not unlike some Coen Brothers material, this script is excellent (though many of these unlikable Southern characters use language that really makes me wince) and I think audiences will really embrace this film.  McDonagh, McDormand and Sam Rockwell were in attendance, and the Q&A was superb.

My final film for the day was one of the best films I’ve seen so far – THE SHAPE OF WATER from director Guillermo del Toro.  This fairy tale for adults will almost certainly receive a lot of Award Recognition this year.  Set in the 60’s, the story follows a mute cleaning lady who stumbles upon a government secret – an underwater creature with whom she begins to feel an attachment.  This really wonderful film is almost of hybrid of CREATURE FROM THE BLACK LAGOON and AMELIE…a fantastical romance that is very much for adults.  There are a couple scenes in the movie that are set in an old cinema…and the setting was actually the the old theatre where I saw the film.  The crowd went nuts – it was a magical moment. Del Toro, Sally Hawkins Octavia Spencer, Richard Jenkins and Michael Shannon were all there for a Q&A that was incredibly special. Hawkins is sheer magic – and should certainly be nominated for her performance.

It ended up being a very late night, and I’ve got at least 5 films scheduled for tomorrow.

Thanks so much for reading,

Jonathan

DAYTON LGBT FILM FEST Heading Into 12th Year!

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What do Bette Midler, Danny Glover, Danny DeVito, Laura Linney, Ian McKellen and Laverne Cox all have in common? They all have films playing at The Dayton LGBT Film Festival this year!

Titles are locked down, marketing materials are ready to go, and visiting artists are securing their travel plans for The 12th Annual Dayton LGBT Film Fest – taking place next month at THE NEON in Downtown Dayton.

During the weekend of Oct. 13-15, the festival will screen 17 films (a combination of shorts and features) with ties to the LGBT community – ranging from American comedies to International dramas…from narratives to documentaries. Directors, stars and other creative individuals from a handful of the selections are slated to attend.

One special guest will be Jill Alexander, an accomplished actress and co-star of SENSITIVITY TRAINING (pictured above on the left). The committee selected the film from over 100 submissions this year and was unaware (until after booking the film) that Alexander grew up right here in the Miami Valley and attended Beavercreek High School. The festival is thrilled to bring Alexander back home to share her work with the community and her family.

On Friday, October 13, attendees of the Opening Night Film FREAK SHOW will be invited to the Opening Night Party at The Mudlick Tavern – just a few blocks from THE NEON. For $8, guests will see the movie and then enjoy a complimentary cocktail and appetizers – this is certain to be a very hot ticket.

Though festival passes sold out in record time this year, patrons will have a chance to get single tickets for each of the screenings beginning Friday, September 8. Details about the films and how to get tickets can be found on the official site – www.daytonlgbt.com

Sponsors for this year’s festival include PFLAG Dayton, The Dayton Gay Men’s Chorus, Sue Spiegel & Lisa Hanauer, The Human Race Theatre Company, Miami Valley Fair Housing, AARP Ohio, The Greater Dayton LGBT Center, MJ’s On Jefferson, Johnny Dangerously, Equitas Health, David Lauri, Square Once Salon & Spa, Marion’s Piazza, Ken Byers, Kurt Fleagel & Warren Riffle, and Westminster Financial.

THE NEON is located at 130 E. 5th St in downtown Dayton. For additional information, visit the official site – www.daytonlgbt.com – or call THE NEON at (937)222-8452.

NEON Manager Preparing For Toronto International Film Festival

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Hello Everyone,

My bags are mostly packed, a third draft of my “Must See” list has been deciphered from my scribbled notes, and I can hardly contain my excitement as I prepare to embark on my 13th Toronto International Film Festival.

Over the past several years of attending TIFF, I’ve seen almost everything I set out to see.  I had a rhythm (which involved very little sleep), and I knew how early I needed to wake every morning in order to be one of the first dozen people in line (which helped to secure the really hot tickets).  But this year, they’ve mixed it up.  Instead of waiting in queue every day, I’ll have two small windows of opportunity to get on-line and request the tickets I desire for the entire festival…thus luck will have more to do with it than gumption.  My fingers are crossed.

I’ll be keeping a daily log of all the films I see (and stars I encounter).  Though I wish I could do all the festivals – like Berlin and Cannes and Sundance and NYFF and  Telluride – I’m actually quite happy that TIFF is the one that fits so well with my schedule.  I’ve loved going to the festival over the years, and I love being able to report my findings to all of you.

Here are a few films that I’m quite anxious to see:

SHAPE OF WATER – Sally Hawkins is divine.  Here’s the trailer:

LEAN ON PETE – from the director of WEEKEND and 45 YEARS (and creator of HBO’s LOOKING).  Here’s a clip:

CALL ME BY YOUR NAME – from the director of I AM LOVE (one of my favorite films of the past decade).  Here’s a trailer:

FACES AND PLACES – from the incomparable Agnes Varda and JR.  (I’m pretty certain that JR. has been to Dayton!)

Stay tuned.  I start screening movies Thursday morning!

Thanks for reading,

Jonathan

2 Hot New Films at THE NEON – THE BIG SICK and THE HERO

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Hello Everyone!

We’re moving forward in a big way this weekend. If you still need to see THE BEGUILED or BEATRIZ AT DINNER, Thursday will be your last chance to catch them at THE NEON. You also have one last chance to catch Cate Blanchett in MANIFESTO on Wednesday evening. On Friday, we’ll officially begin two hot, new films – THE BIG SICK and THE HERO. (We’ll have a special preview screening of THE BIG SICK on Thursday evening with 10 extra bonus minutes of stand-up from cast members of the film.)

Synopsis for THE BIG SICK: This is the best reviewed romantic comedy in a long, long time. Critics and audiences alike are loving this film, and it’s currently rated “97% Fresh” on rottentomatoes.com! “Based on the real-life courtship between Kumail Nanjiani and Emily V. Gordon, THE BIG SICK tells the story of Pakistan-born aspiring comedian Kumail (Nanjiani), who connects with grad student Emily (Kazan) after one of his standup sets. However, what they thought would be just a one-night stand blossoms into the real thing, which complicates the life that is expected of Kumail by his traditional Muslim parents. When Emily is beset with a mystery illness, it forces Kumail to navigate the medical crisis with her parents, Beth and Terry (Holly Hunter and Ray Romano) who he’s never met, while dealing with the emotional tug-of-war between his family and his heart. THE BIG SICK is directed by Michael Showalter (HELLO MY NAME IS DORIS) and producer by Judd Apatow (TRAINWRECK, THIS IS 40) and Barry Mendel (TRAINWRECK, THE ROYAL TENENBAUMS).” (Lionsgate) Click HERE to visit the film’s official site.

Synopsis for THE HERO: Many of our regulars keep asking “When is that Sam Elliott movie coming?” Well it’s finally here! “Lee Hayden (Sam Elliott) is an aging Western icon with a golden voice, but his best performances are decades behind him. He spends his days reliving old glories and smoking too much weed with his former-co-star-turned-dealer, Jeremy (Nick Offerman), until a surprise cancer diagnosis brings his priorities into sharp focus. He soon strikes up an exciting, contentious relationship with stand-up comic Charlotte (Laura Prepon), and he attempts to reconnect with his estranged daughter, Lucy (Krysten Ritter), all while searching for one final role to cement his legacy.” (The Orchard)

 

Joseph Bargdill of Broken Lamp Productions has rented our space to premiere his new film INCRUENTUS on Thursday, July 27. “Zoe finds herself trapped in a web of lies while she turns into a Vampire. Will she die or be sucked into a web of trickery from her husband and friends or overcome the poison of her infection? INCRUENTUS will have its world premier on July 27th at 7:30pm. Tickets can be purchased now for $7 at THE NEON’s box office. The film will be introduced and followed by a Q&A with the director and producer.” (Broken Lamp Productions)

Dayton filmmaker Alfred Powell is premiering his new documentary with us on Sunday, August 6 at 5:30. “WE BELIEVE IN US is an intriguing true story of a once prominent inner city football power located on the southwest side of Dayton. In a breathtaking manner this raw documentary brilliantly transports you through the daily saga and life a young black coach and his staff and his players during their unpredictable 2015 season. This story simultaneously captures the realism of generational poverty, stigma, stereotypes, and promise while embracing the power of hope and survival. Dunbar High School – where disappointment is often undefeated – provoked this team to make a promise to themselves. When no one else in the world believes in us…We Believe In Us.” (press notes) Tickets are $5 each and are currently available at THE NEON’s Box Office.

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

SHOWTIMES for Tuesday, July 11 – Thursday, July 20:

THE BEGUILED (R) 1 Hr 33 Min
Tuesday & Wednesday (July 11 & 12): 3:00, 5:15, 7:30
Thursday (July 13): 3:00, 5:15
FINAL DAY – July 13!

BEATRIZ AT DINNER (R) 1 Hr 23 Min
Tuesday (July 11): 3:15, 5:20, 7:40
Wednesday (July 12): 3:15, 5:20
Thursday (July 13): 3:15, 5:20, 7:40
FINAL DAY – July 13!

MANIFESTO (NR) 1 Hr 35 Min
Wednesday (July 12): 7:30
FINAL SCREENING!

THE BIG SICK (R) 1 Hr 59 Min
Thursday (July 13): 7:30 Preview with Bonus – THE BIG(GER) SICK
Friday & Saturday (July 14 & 15): 11:50, 2:20, 4:50, 7:30, 9:55
Sunday (July 16): 11:50, 2:20, 4:50, 7:30
Monday – Thursday (July 17-20): 2:45, 5:10, 7:40

THE HERO (R) 1 Hr 33 Min
Friday & Saturday (July 14 & 15): 12:50, 3:00, 5:10, 7:20, 9:30
Sunday (July 16): 12:50, 5:30, 7:40
Monday – Thursday (July 17-20): 3:00, 5:15, 7:30

COMING SOON:
(All Dates Are Tentative. Dates Often Move And Sometimes Disappear)
TBD – MAUDIE
TBD – A GHOST STORY
TBD – LADY MACBETH
TBD – LANDLINE