Neon
HERSELF, SLUMDOG & Year-End Update from The Neon
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At the Neon: Ethan Hawke in TESLA and Jacki Weaver in STAGE MOTHER
Continuing in our Virtual Cinema:
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.)
NEON Newsletter: Ella Fitzgerald, Bill Nighy & ReOpening News!
- 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.
The Latest From The Neon: Peter Sellers, Diana Kennedy, Killer Whales & Gift Cards!
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.
My Favorite Films of 2019
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)
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
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.
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
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
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
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.
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!
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
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!
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
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
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
Kristen Stewart’s Thriller & Oscar Nom Coming to THE NEON This Weekend
Hello Everyone!
Once again, we’re moving right along at THE NEON this weekend. If you still need to see Shirley MacLaine in THE LAST WORD or Woody Harrelson in WILSON, Thursday will be your last chance to catch these films at THE NEON. The gorgeous & masterful film FRANTZ (by one of my favorite directors) will stick around for one more week, and we’ll add two new films to the mix. PERSONAL SHOPPER, the new film by Olivier Assayas starring Kristen Stewart, will open Friday for one week. We’ll also open a film that was nominated for “Best Foreign Film” at this year’s Academy Awards – LAND OF MINE – for just three days beginning this Friday. For more details about our current films, please visit www.neonmovies.com
Synopsis for PERSONAL SHOPPER: “Olivier Assayas, the internationally-acclaimed director of CLOUDS OF SILS MARIA and SUMMER HOURS, returns with this ethereal and mysterious ghost story starring Kristen Stewart as a high-fashion personal shopper to the stars who is also a spiritual medium. Grieving the recent death of her twin brother, she haunts his Paris home, determined to make contact with him.” (IFC Films) Richard Roeper of CHICAGO-SUN TIMES wrote, “I can’t explain everything I saw in this film, but I was entertained and enthralled by every second of it.” This film is only scheduled to play for one week!
Synopsis for LAND OF MINE: Nominated for “Best Foreign Film” at this year’s Academy Awards, this powerful film is only scheduled to play for three days this weekend. “As World War Two comes to an end, a group of German POWs, boys rather than men, are captured by the Danish army and forced to engage in a deadly task – to defuse and clear land mines from the Danish coastline. With little or no training, the boys soon discover that the war is far from over. Inspired by real events, LAND OF MINE exposes the untold story of one tragic moment in post-war history.” (Sony Classics) Click HERE to visit the film’s official site.
Vu-Do Swing is now set to bring ALIVE AND KICKING to town on April 26 at 7:30. “ALIVE AND KICKING is a feature-length documentary that takes an inside look into the culture of swing dancing and the characters who make it special. We explore the culture surrounding Swing dance from the emergence of the Lindy Hop to the modern day international phenomenon. The film follows the growth of Swing dance from its purely American roots as an art form, to countries all over the world. Alive and Kicking looks at the lives of the Swing dancers themselves to find their personal stories and why this dance fills them with joy.” Click this LINK to watch a trailer and reserve your ticket.
The 2017 DAYTON JEWISH FILM FESTIVAL has announced their line-up, and it’s terrific. To read all about the numerous films, to watch trailers, to see the schedule of screenings and to purchase advance tickets, please visit the festival’s official website by clicking this LINK. The following list only reflects films that will be screening at THE NEON:
Apr 27 at 7:15pm – ON THE MAP
May 1 at 7:15pm – IN SEARCH OF ISRAELI CUISINE
May 4 at 7:15pm – THE KIND WORDS
May 9 at 7:15pm – KEEP QUIET
May 11 at 7:15pm – SABENA HIJACKING
May 15 at 7:15pm – PERSONA NON GRATA
May 16 at 10am – THE PEOPLE VS. FRITZ BAUER
May 18 at 7:15pm – WOMEN’S BALCONY
On Friday, April 21, we plan to clear the decks and bring two new films to town…and we’ve decided to start them both a little early. COLOSSAL (starring Anne Hathaway) and LOST CITY OF Z (based on the beloved non-fiction book and starring Tom Holland & Robert Pattinson) will both have preview screenings on Thursday, April 20.
Thanks so much for your continued support.
See you soon,
Jonathan
SHOWTIMES for Tuesday, April 11 – Thursday, April 20:
THE LAST WORD (R) 1 Hr 48 Min
Wednesday-Thursday (Apr 12-13): 5:10
FINAL DAY – Apr 13!
WILSON (R) 1 Hr 34 Min
Wednesday-Thursday (Apr 12-13): 3:10, 7:30
FINAL DAY – Apr 13!
FRANTZ (PG-13) 1 Hr 53 Min
Wednesday-Thursday (Apr 12-13): 2:45, 5:15, 7:40
Friday & Saturday (Apr 14 & 15): 3:00, 7:30, 9:45
Sunday (Apr 16): 3:00, 7:30
Monday – Wednesday (Apr 17-19): 2:50, 5:10, 7:30
Thursday (Apr 20): 2:50, 5:10
PERSONAL SHOPPER (R) 1 Hr 45 Min
Friday & Saturday (Apr 14 & 15): 12:15, 2:30, 4:50, 7:15, 9:30
Sunday (Apr 16): 12:15, 2:30, 4:50, 7:15
Monday – Wednesday (Apr 17-19): 3:00, 5:20, 7:40
Thursday (Apr 20): 3:00, 5:20
LAND OF MINE (R) 1 Hr 40 Min
Friday, Saturday, Sunday (Apr 14-16): 12:45, 5:20
THE LOST CITY OF Z (PG-13) 2 Hrs 21 Min
Preview Screening – Thursday (Apr 20): 7:30
COLOSSAL (R) 1 Hr 50 Min
Preview Screening – Thursday (Apr 20): 7:40
COMING SOON:
(All Dates Are Tentative. Dates Often Move And Sometimes Disappear)
April 21 – COLOSSAL
April 21 – LOST CITY OF Z
May 5 – THEIR FINEST
May 26 – THE LOVERS
TBD – CEZANNE ET MOI
TBD – MAUDIE
TBD – NORMAN