Dayton937

Things to do in Dayton | Restaurants, Theatre, Music and More

Ryan Gosling

McCoy on Movies: The Gray Man

By

Ryan Gosling, Chris Evans star in the Russo’ brothers shootout-heavy live-action video game that isn’t one

“Say something else about Drive and you’re gonna get it!” Six (Ryan Gosling) in a scene from Anthony and Joe Russo’s action thriller THE GRAY MAN. © 2022 Netflix. All rights reserved.
WATCH THE TRAILER HERE:

 

DIRECTOR: Anthony and Joe Russo

KEY CAST MEMBERS: Ryan Gosling, Chris Evans, Billy Bob Thornton, Regé-Jean Page, Ana de Armas, Dhanush, Jessica Henwick, Alfre Woodard and Julia Butters
 
THE BACK STORY: Based on the novel of the same name by Mark Greaney, THE GRAY MAN stars Ryan Gosling as Six. Serving time in a Florida prison, he is offered a chance to leave by the mysterious Donald Fitzroy (Billy Bob Thornton) … But there’s a catch: He must work for the FBI as an assassin called in to take out the worst of the worst – but as a shadow operative, working “in the gray” allows them to disavow any knowledge of his existence.
After a job goes sideways, however, Six learns that what he thought he knew to be true may not exactly be the truth – and now, his life may be in danger as a result. So once he starts digging for answers, CIA Director Carmichael (Regé-Jean Page) starts intensifying his efforts to stop him – which results in bringing in the loosest canon possible: Lloyd Hansen (Chris Evans), a washout of the same program that birthed Six. Lloyd is determined to bring down Six by any means necessary … And if that means involving Six’s former partner (Ana de Armas), Fitzroy or even Fitzroy’s niece Claire (Julia Butters) in his scheme, so be it.
But Six is going to do whatever he has to do to survive and protect those closest to him, no matter how high the body count may be.
THE REVIEW: Ever wonder what would happen if you could make a movie that was 1/2 standard spy thriller and 1/2 a live action video game with guns a’blazing? Well, if so, THE GRAY MAN – which by its end feels like an AR-15 lovers’ best dream – delivers on that premise exponentially.
Gosling does the thing you would expect him to do fairly well, mixing his “I’m good looking, but I can be serious and brooding” thing well against Evans’ absolute playful yet psychopathic Lloyd. If there was ever a role to make people not just think of him as Steve Rogers’ alter-ego, this would be it as Captain America would likely vomit in disgust at what Lloyd does from the moment he gets on screen to the final credits. The ladies of THE GRAY MAN get in their fair share of moments as well, be it de Armas in the standard sexy-yet-serious-and-troubled foreign spy operative you’re not supposed to be sure of who’s side she’s on or young Butters in the too smart for her own age until gunplay starts Dakota Fanning/Man on Fire role.

Seriously though: THE GRAY MAN‘s tonal shift from worldwide spy thriller to live-action video game is so dramatic that it almost – almost – becomes comically enjoyable. Then again, in a country where 330-plus mass shootings have occurred this year, it might be either the best-or-worst timed release this summer. Having not read the source material, I cannot speak to whether or not the novel on which THE GRAY MAN is as standard issue as it is on film, but once the bullets start flying and body count piles up sky-high, it really doesn’t matter.

What will matter is how much you enjoy watching good-looking people in wild, crazy shootouts (replace the cars in the Fast & Furious franchise with bullets) … And given its mix of humor and gunplay coupled with our current national vibe, THE GRAY MAN will likely add up to plenty of views in theaters and streaming smart devices nationwide.

 

OVERALL RATING (OUT OF FOUR POSSIBLE BUCKETS OF POPCORN):
 

 

 

TIFF 2018 – Day #7

By

Hello NEON Fans,

Thanks for checking in again…it’s been another busy day.  I attended a little queer party for TIFF attendees last night, so it was a bit of a struggle to get up this morning.  But I made it to my first screening – FIRST MAN, directed by Damien Chazelle.  Almost every year, I go ahead and see one big film that is too big (too Hollywood) to make it to THE NEON.  This year, I chose Chazelle’s follow-up to LA LA LAND (which is still THE NEON’s highest grossing film).  “The Academy Award–winning team of director Damien Chazelle and star Ryan Gosling reunites for this biopic on the adventures and life of Neil Armstrong, from his entry into NASA’s astronaut program in 1961 to his epoch-making walk on the moon eight years later.”  This film is beautifully done and best seen via IMAX (ALERT:  If you don’t want a fun aspect of the film ruined, don’t read this parenthetical.  SPOILER: The film plays with aspect ratio that can only be accomplished to full effect on an IMAX screen…this happens upon landing on the moon – and it’s magical.)  The film feels more indie than Hollywood in its use of close-ups and medium shots and its overall quiet approach to its lead character.  It will certainly be a big player in this year’s Award Season.

GIANT LITTLE ONES, a Canadian feature directed by Keith Behrman, was my next film of the day.  “In the latest from Canadian director Keith Behrman, Kyle MacLachlan and Maria Bello star as divorced parents whose teenage son (Josh Wiggins) faces seismic personal upheaval after an unexpected incident at a party.”  This touching (and scary and frustrating and exhilarating) coming-of-age story is truly intended for a teenage audience.  Though not without storytelling flaws (including some major tonal shifts), it’s a good film.  That said, I couldn’t help but think “Who is the intended audience for this film?” during the entire screening.  It wouldn’t work for a theatrical release…thus I think it will mostly find a home on the festival circuit and as a popular streaming film.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3hfVG2u5Icw

VITA & VIRGINIA, directed by Chanya Button, was my next film.  Here’s the brief TIFF synopsis: “Gemma Arterton and Elizabeth Debicki shine as socialite and author Vita Sackville-West and literary icon Virginia Woolf, respectively, in director Chanya Button’s sumptuous double portrait of two uncompromising women and the unconventional affair behind one of Woolf’s greatest novels.”  This film has a lot of merits…but it ultimately turned me off.  There is a lot of attention to period detail, but the contemporary score pulled me out of the movie at every turn.  It’s not like a stylized use of contemporary music (ala MARIE ANTOINETTE), it’s almost a dance club beat that interrupts the drama.  (There are also a couple moments of strange, fanciful special effects that didn’t work for me…is this a trend – period films with overdone special effects?  They didn’t work in TELL IT TO THE BEES for me either.)  The best thing about this film for me is that it makes me want to pick up and re-read my copy of ORLANDO when I get home.  (there’s no trailer for this film – just the clip below)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zfwQG7T9X6E

Up next was PAPI CHULO, directed by John Butler (Butler directed HANDSOME DEVIL, the awesome little film we screened last summer for our special PRIDE selection).  “A solitary and alienated television weatherman ‘hires’ a middle-aged Latino migrant worker to be his friend, in this darkly comedic reflection on class, ethnicity, and companionship in contemporary Los Angeles.”  This modest little film is funny/sad and really kind of charming…but takes a darker, sadder, scarier and then pathetic turn in act 3.  Matt Bomer lets loose in this performance, and Alejandro Patiño is hysterically dry.  It’s a sweet little matinee film, but I don’t see much of a life for it theatrically.  (there’s no trailer for this film – just the clip below)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cr3bSXRnRMI

My final film for the day was EVERYBODY KNOWS, directed by 2-time Oscar winner Asghar Farhadi…but this time he’s moved landscapes from the Middle East to Spain.  “Academy Award winner Asghar Farhadi (A Separation, The Salesman) directs Penélope Cruz and Javier Bardem in this layered, psychological drama about a family wedding interrupted by a shocking crime and some long-buried secrets.”  The performances in this film are spectacular, and I could have watched scenes from the wedding for hours – so jovial, so vibrant, so steeped in tradition.  Penelope is radiant in the opening scenes of this film (think VOLVER or BROKEN EMBRACES).  There’s so much to like.  It’s naturalistic, something terrible happens and the stakes are high…but it never seems phony.  Ultimately, I really liked this film – but it lacks the wallop of other Farhadi films.  I wanted more…but I’d also want to trim it down a bit.

I’m now at 31 films in 7 days, and I still have 2.3 days left.  I’m trending for a personal best.

Thanks for stopping by.

More tomorrow,

Jonathan

LA LA LAND is Huge Hit at THE NEON!

By

Hello MostMetro,

We’re very excited at THE NEON.  In less than two weeks, LA LA LAND has become our #5 highest grossing film of all time.  To put that in perspective, every other film in our Top 10 played at THE NEON for at least six weeks…so LA LA LAND has performed exceptionally well.  Many thanks to everyone who has helped to make the end of 2016 and the beginning of 2017 such a success.

This weekend, we are holding both LA LA LAND and MANCHESTER BY THE SEA – both of which are certain to be “Best Picture” contenders during this year’s Oscar Race.

To read about everything that’s happening at THE NEON in the next few weeks (as well as to find showtimes for this weekend), please check out our weekly newsletter by following this LINK.

Many thanks for your support!

Jonathan

 

McCoy on Movies: The Nice Guys

By

 

“What do we have here … It looks like … A script!” Holland March (Ryan Gosling, left), Jessica (Daisy Tahan, next to Gosling), Holly (Angourie Rice) and Jackson Healey (Russell Crowe, far right) take a gander in a scene from co-writer/director Shane Black’s action-comedy THE NICE GUYS. Credit: Courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures. © 2016 Nice Guys, LLC.

WATCH THE TRAILER HERE:


 

 


KEY CAST MEMBERS: Ryan Gosling, Russell Crowe, Angourie Rice, Margaret Qualley, Keith David, Beau Knapp, Matt Bomer, Yaya DaCosta, Daisy Tahan, Jack Kilmer and Kim Basinger
WRITER(S): Anthony Bagarozzi and Shane Black
DIRECTOR(S): Shane Black
THE STORY AS BEST WE KNOW IT: Set in the sleaziest of times of 1977 Los Angeles, The Nice Guys stars Ryan Gosling as Holland March, a private investigator who is more apt at taking gullible clients’ money than he is at actually solving cases. Raising his precocious daughter Holly (Angourie Rice) by himself after the death of his wife, Holland stumbles upon the wrong case when Mrs. Glenn (Lois Smith) asks him to find her niece, adult film star Misty Mountains (Murielle Tielo). 
Unfortunately, Misty died in a massive car crash a few days ago. And the girl that might know something, Amelia (Margaret Qualley), does not want to be found – which is why she has hired Jackson Healy (Russell Crowe) – to do what he does best: Send a “message” (via a physical assault) to stop Holland from checking up on her. 
What Holland and Jackson both don’t know, however, is why Amelia is trying to make herself so scarce. But once two thugs (Keith David and Beau Knapp) start showing up and the head of the Justice Department (Kim Basinger) gets thrown into the mix, one thing becomes clear: Amelia’s life is clearly in danger and our unlikely tandem is about to get involved WAY over their head.
WHO WILL LIKE THIS MOVIE THE MOST? Ryan Gosling fans; people who love the 1970s and all its over-the-top (or at least as depicted in movies) excess; people who can appreciate when a child actress steps up in a big way to not only add to a story, but be an integral part of it; people who like it when characters in films meet ends that seem fitting 
WHO WILL HATE THIS MOVIE THE MOST? People who hate the 1970s and all its over-the-top (or at least as depicted in movies) excess; people who hate when a child actor is an integral part of a story no child should be mixed up in; those who hate watching a lighthearted character in fatal situations; those who can’t buy in to the film’s premise
SO IS IT GOOD, GREAT, JUST ALL RIGHT OR DOWNRIGHT AWFUL? For a film that on the surface looks like it could be just another mismatched homage to a bygone era, The Nice Guys is actually a very entertaining adventure that allows its cast to use their collective range to the audience’s enjoyment. 
Co-writer and director Shane Black’s 1970s send up is equal parts comical and dramatic while making sure to never let one extreme become too extreme for the film’s own good. While the premise of the film seems a bit outlandish to say the least once you’ve figured out how all the moving parts work together, Black does a stellar job of making sure you understand why they fit within the world he’s created. Never trying to emulate too much a Boogie Nights vibe or imitate other ‘70s crime stories, he keeps The Nice Guys balanced but making sure each scene fits in the overall mix to add as things go back and forth from comical to (somewhat) dramatic. You get your laughs, you get some unexpected surprises and – while he never leans in on making the film have a truly serious tone – you get enough of a semblance of reason to keep you involved in watching his characters progress.
Speaking of the characters, Ryan Gosling is hilarious as the sleazy-yet-sensitive Holland March, proving himself proficient at being both the comical butt of the joke time and time again whilst others get to deliver the (in many cases) literal punchline. His take on the role of the private investigator never falls into the stereotypically stupid department, instead teetering on the line between clever and corny quite well throughout the film’s near 2 hour run time. Likewise, Crowe plays the straight man with artistic ease, using all his off-screen bravado to channel a very simple character into one you enjoy rooting for thoroughly. 
The biggest scene-stealer, however, is by far any of those that happen to feature Angourie Rice as Holly. A classic WAY-too-beyond-her-13-years-of-age character, Rice accomplishes the rare feat of not only making her character essential to the story, but also so likable you nearly forget she shouldn’t be so good – both as a character and an actress. Black gets the most out of his cast by continually placing them into wacky scenarios, but be it one where she needs to help out her dad or provide a sensitive moment, Rice comes out as the biggest winner. While Black and his fellow co-writer Anthony Bagarozzi deliver enough of a story to keep you intrigued with its various twists and not-so-predictable turns, the cast’s ability to run with it is what ultimately makes The Nice Guys as enjoyable as it is. 
And what it is is a pretty nice way to enjoy something different at the movies. 
 
RATING OUT OF FOUR BUCKETS OF POPCORN:
<

TRANCE & PLACE BEYOND THE PINES + Special Events at THE NEON!

By Leave a Comment

MELTING2Hello Everyone,

I just got back from The Cleveland International Film Festival, and I had a magnificent time. Over the course of 5 days, I saw 15 films and met a couple filmmakers I greatly admire. Several of you have asked how one goes about visiting the Toronto Film Fest. Though I wouldn’t dissuade you from attending that fest, I’d be remiss if I didn’t encourage you to attend this great festival which is just a few hours away. This year, there were 180 features and 165 shorts to chose from, and this incredible fest just keeps growing. Keep your eye on it next spring!

THE PLACE BEYOND THE PINES had a terrific weekend at THE NEON, but TRANCE fell short of our expectations. That said, we’ll hold both films…but TRANCE will more than likely only play for one more week.  For this week’s remaining showtimes, visit our official site: www.neonmovies.com.

Check out this featurette from PLACE BEYOND THE PINES:

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x8X1WSiedaI’]

And check out this featurette from TRANCE:

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-5e1yaIXYg4′]

The 13th Dayton Jewish International Film Festival is here, and you can visit our lobby to pick up a brochure for this year’s festival . To visit the website and purchase advanced tickets, click this LINK. 8 films from this festival will screen at THE NEON, and the line-up looks terrific! Here are the dates and times:
Thu, Apr 18 at 7:30 – THE OTHER SON (preceded by Opening Reception at 7pm)
Sun, Apr 21 at 3:00 – MY BEST ENEMY
Tue, Apr 23 at 7:15 – MELTING AWAY
Thu, Apr 25 at 7:15 – NICKY’S FAMILY
Tue, Apr 30 at 7:15 – NAOMI
Thu, May 2 at 7:15 – LEA & DARIA
Tue, May 7 at 10am – TORN
Thu, May 9 at 7:15 – A BOTTLE IN THE GAZA SEA

“In celebration of National Record Store Day, GHETTOBLASTER MAGAZINE in partnership with DAYTON MUSIC FEST have organized a free screening of Brendan Toller’s I NEED THAT RECORD! THE DEATH (OR POSSIBLE SURVIVAL) OF THE INDEPENDENT RECORD STORE on Saturday, April 20 at 10:15 pm. “Greedy record labels, media consolidation, homogenized radio, big box stores, Ecommerce and the digital revolution all pose threats on the very well being of our favorite record stores and the music industry at large. Will these stores die? Will they survive? Featuring interviews with THURSTON MOORE of Sonic Youth, Ian MacKaye of Fugazi/Minor Threat, activist/author NOAM CHOMSKY, MIKE WATT of the Minutemen, PAT CARNEY of the Black Keys and many indie record stores across the U.S. of A!” Bring your receipts from earlier that day from the many local businesses participating with special Record Store Day discounts and get entered to win one of two DAYTON INDIE BUSINESSES SHOPPING SPREES! This screening is FREE…first come, first serve. Sponsored by BLIND BOB’S, OMEGA MUSIC, THAI9, AND 5TH STREET WINE & DELI.” (taken from press notes)

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OePVFP7NJrQ’]

“The India Foundation celebrates One Hundred Years of Indian Cinema: 1913 – 2013 with a Tribute to Dada Saheb Phalke – Father of the Indian Cinema. The first Indian silent film produced, written and directed by Mr. Phalke was released in Bombay on May 3, 1913. A screening of selected clips entitled Silent Movies – Early Years will be presented on Saturday, May 4th at Noon (the collection includes digitized clips from Phalke’s RAJA HARISHCHANDRA and KALIYA MARDAN (1919) and clips from the only surviving Bengali silent film JAMAI BABU (Son-in-Law) by Kalipada Das). A reception preceding the screening will begin at 11:30a.m. Admission is only $5. The National Film Archives of India has graciously made the present collection possible.” (taken from press notes)

We’ve got a gathr screening on the horizon. This time, it’s for a film called GIRL RISING. For more about this film, click this LINK. This is the site where you can watch the trailer, read about the film and reserve your ticket. The screening will only take place if 50 people reserve a ticket by May 26 (the screening is tentatively scheduled to take place on Wednesday, June 5 at 7:30). Watch the trailer…this film looks terrific!

In next week’s newsletter, I’ll tell let you know about film #4 in Start Freedom Dayton’s film series – scheduled for May 30.

Check out our COMING SOON list below. THE SAPPHIRES had to be pushed back (we’re hoping you’ll help make that film a Dayton success when it opens), and I’m sure many of you will be happy to see that RENOIR will open in late May!

All the best,
Jonathan

SHOWTIMES for Fri. April 19 – Thur, April 25:

THE PLACE BEYOND THE PINES (R) 2 Hr 20 Min
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 1:00, 4:00, 7:00, 9:45
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday: 1:45, 4:40, 7:45
Thursday: 1:45, 4:30

TRANCE (R) 1 Hr 41 Min
Friday: 12:50, 3:00, 5:10, 7:20, 9:30
Saturday: 12:50, 3:00, 5:10, 7:20
Sunday: 12:50, 5:10, 7:20, 9:30
Monday: 3:00, 5:10, 7:20
Tuesday: 3:00, 5:10
Wednesday & Thursday: 3:00, 5:10, 7:20

I NEED THAT RECORD! (NR) 1 Hr 17 Min
Saturday: 10:15

DAYTON JEWISH INTERNATIONAL FILM FEST
Sunday at 3:00 – MY BEST ENEMY
Tuesday at 7:15 – MELTING AWAY
Thursday at 7:15 – NICKY’S FAMILY

COMING SOON:

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

In some rare cases, titles may disappear.

April 26 – THE COMPANY YOU KEEP
April 26 – MUD
May 10 – THE SAPPHIRES
May ? – STARBUCK
May ? – TO THE WONDER
May 24 – AT ANY PRICE
May 31 – RENOIR
June 7 – LOVE IS ALL YOU NEED
TBD – GINGER AND ROSA
TBD – KON TIKI
TBD – FROM UP ON POPPY HILL
TBD – FRANCES HA
TBD – IN THE HOUSE
TBD – NO

THE PLACE BEYOND THE PINES and TRANCE at THE NEON!

By Leave a Comment

TRANCE newsletterHello Everyone,

Everything Must Go! If you still need to see ON THE ROAD, THE GATEKEEPERS or 56 UP, Thursday will be your last chance to see them at THE NEON. On Friday, we will open 2 new films…both from directors who have had successful films at THE NEON in the past. For this week’s remaining showtimes, visit our official site: www.neonmovies.com.

On Friday, we will open Danny Boyle’s TRANCE (Boyle directed SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE (our biggest hit ever), MILLIONS and 127 HOURS) and Derek Cianfrance’s THE PLACE BEYOND THE PINES (Cianfrance directed BLUE VALENTINE – which also starred Ryan Gosling).

Synopsis for TRANCE: “Simon (James McAvoy), a fine art auctioneer, teams up with a criminal gang to steal a Goya painting worth millions of dollars, but after suffering a blow to the head during the heist he awakens to discover he has no memory of where he hid the painting. When physical threats and torture fail to produce answers, the gang’s leader Frank (Vincent Cassel) hires hypnotherapist Elizabeth Lamb (Rosario Dawson) to delve into the darkest recesses of Simon’s psyche. As Elizabeth begins to unravel Simon’s broken subconscious, the lines between truth, suggestion, and deceit begin to blur.” (taken from Fox Searchlight) Click this LINK to watch the official trailer.

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=976y9Xm6BkY’]

Synopsis for THE PLACE BEYOND THE PINES: “The highly anticipated new drama from director Derek Cianfrance powerfully explores the consequences of motorcycle rider Luke’s (Academy Award nominee Ryan Gosling) fateful decision to commit a crime to support his child. The incident renders him targeted by policeman Avery (Academy Award nominee Bradley Cooper), and the two men become locked on a tense collision course which will have a devastating impact on both of their families in the years following.” (taken from Focus Features) Click this LINK to visit the official site.

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ew4j9xxupI’]

On Tuesday, April 16 at 7:30, Five River Metroparks will host a screening of WHERE THE YELLOWSTONE GOES. The film “follows a 30-day drift boat journey down the longest ‘undammed’ river in the lower 48. Intimate portraits of locals in both booming cities and dusty, dwindling towns along the Yellowstone River illustrate the history and controversies surrounding this enigmatic watershed leading to questions about its future. Connect with colorful characters, get lost in the hypnotic cast of a fly rod, and experience silhouetted moments of fireside stories on this heartfelt river adventure.” (taken from press notes) Tickets will be $11 in advance ($10 plus $1 service fee) or $15 the day of the screening at the door (cash only). We will not be selling advanced tickets to this screening at THE NEON. Click this LINK to purchase advanced tickets. Visit the official site to learn more about the film.

Also on the horizon is The 13th Dayton Jewish International Film Festival. You can now visit our lobby to pick up a brochure for this year’s festival . To visit the website and purchase advanced tickets, click this LINK. 8 films from this festival will screen at THE NEON, and the line-up looks terrific! Here are the dates and times:
Thu, Apr 18 at 7:30 – THE OTHER SON (preceded by Opening Reception at 7pm)
Sun, Apr 21 at 3:00 – MY BEST ENEMY
Tue, Apr 23 at 7:15 – MELTING AWAY
Thu, Apr 25 at 7:15 – NICKY’S FAMILY
Tue, Apr 30 at 7:15 – NAOMI
Thu, May 2 at 7:15 – LEA & DARIA
Tue, May 7 at 10am – TORN
Thu, May 9 at 7:15 – A BOTTLE IN THE GAZA SEA

“In celebration of National Record Store Day, GHETTOBLASTER MAGAZINE in partnership with DAYTON MUSIC FEST have organized a free screening of Brendan Toller’s I NEED THAT RECORD! THE DEATH (OR POSSIBLE SURVIVAL) OF THE INDEPENDENT RECORD STORE on Saturday, April 20 at 10:15 pm. “Greedy record labels, media consolidation, homogenized radio, big box stores, Ecommerce and the digital revolution all pose threats on the very well being of our favorite record stores and the music industry at large. Will these stores die? Will they survive? Featuring interviews with THURSTON MOORE of Sonic Youth, Ian MacKaye of Fugazi/Minor Threat, activist/author NOAM CHOMSKY, MIKE WATT of the Minutemen, PAT CARNEY of the Black Keys and many indie record stores across the U.S. of A!” Bring your receipts from earlier that day from the many local businesses participating with special Record Store Day discounts and get entered to win one of two DAYTON INDIE BUSINESSES SHOPPING SPREES! This screening is FREE…first come, first serve. Sponsored by BLIND BOB’S, OMEGA MUSIC, THAI9, AND 5TH STREET WINE & DELI.” (taken from press notes) Watch the trailer HERE.

“The India Foundation celebrates One Hundred Years of Indian Cinema: 1913 – 2013 with a Tribute to Dada Saheb Phalke – Father of the Indian Cinema. The first Indian silent film produced, written and directed by Mr. Phalke was released in Bombay on May 3, 1913. A screening of selected clips entitled Silent Movies – Early Years will be presented on Saturday, May 4th at Noon (the collection includes digitized clips from Phalke’s RAJA HARISHCHANDRA and KALIYA MARDAN (1919) and clips from the only surviving Bengali silent film JAMAI BABU (Son-in-Law) by Kalipada Das). A reception preceding the screening will begin at 11:30a.m. Admission is only $5. The National Film Archives of India has graciously made the present collection possible.” (taken from press notes)

All the best,
Jonathan

SHOWTIMES for Fri. April 12 – Thur, April 18:

THE PLACE BEYOND THE PINES
(R) 2 Hr 20 Min
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 1:00, 4:00, 7:00, 9:45
Monday: 1:45, 4:40, 7:45
Tuesday: 1:45, 4:40
Wednesday: 1:45, 4:40, 7:45
Thursday: 1:45, 4:40

TRANCE (R) 1 Hr 41 Min
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 12:50, 3:00, 5:10, 7:20, 9:30
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday: 3:00, 5:10, 7:20
Thursday: 3:00, 5:10

WHERE THE YELLOWSTONE GOES (NR) 1 Hr 28 Min
Tuesday: 7:30

THE OTHER SON (PG-13) 1 Hr 45 Min
Thursday: 7:30

COMING SOON:
As always, all dates are tentative. Many of these dates will change.
In some rare cases, titles may disappear.

April 19 – THE SAPPHIRES
April 26 – MUD
April 26 – THE COMPANY YOU KEEP
April 26 – STARBUCK
May ? – TO THE WONDER
May 24 – AT ANY PRICE
June 7 – LOVE IS ALL YOU NEED
TBD – GINGER AND ROSA
TBD – KON TIKI
TBD – FROM UP ON POPPY HILL
TBD – FRANCES HA
TBD – IN THE HOUSE
TBD – NO

Toronto Film Fest – Day #3

By Leave a Comment

Hello Again,

I started off this morning with Derek Cianfrance’s follow-up to BLUE VALENTINE.  This film is called A PLACE BEYOND THE PINES, and it’s well shot, edited, etc…but I really disliked it.  The film is about a motorcycle trick rider with a traveling carnival who finds out that he an old fling ended up pregnant during his last stop through town.  He decides to stick around when the fair leaves…and will do anything to make things “right.”  There are three chapters to this film – each with its own set of acts.  Ryan Gosling, Bradley Cooper, Eva Mendes, Dean DeHaan are the leads.  The story seemed overly contrived to me, and I thought the score had elements of western/thriller hybrid – which somehow appropriate didn’t seem right at the time (only after seeing the whole film did it make sense…but doesn’t work as far as I’m concerned).  I shook my head and snickered at several moments…that wasn’t the response the director was hoping for.

Next up, I saw a film from the Netherlands called THE DEFLOWERING OF EVA VON END.  When a handsome German exchange student arrives at the home of the von End family, their backwards, slightly wacky lives are turned upside down as almost everyone (except one jealous son) tries to win the attention of the new arrival.  This film started off quirky & hysterical…became a little twisted…and then took some completely zany turns.  Whereas I liked 80% of this movie, the ending dragged on and I wasn’t completely sold on the entire third act.  (That said, I did laugh quite a bit for the first hour.)

 

Lastly, I saw the world premiere of CLOUD ATLAS.  This epic film from the directors of THE MATRIX and Tom Tykwer  (PERFUME and RUN, LOLA RUN) covers numerous characters, numerous plotlines and numerous time periods.  Whereas I’m rarely a fan of science fiction (GATTACA is the only sci-fi film from the last 20 years that I consider a favorite), this film had me intrigued from the opening sequence.  Though it’s a big Hollywood film (Warner Brother is distributing), it’s thoughtful, complicated and quite topical.  It’s funny, it’s gory, it’s rough, it’s tender…and the crowd gave the film a standing ovation for more than 6 minutes.  So many were there – the directors, Susan Sarandon, Ben Whishaw, Jim Broadbent,  Halle Berry, Tom Hanks, and more!  Overall, I think this is an ambitious piece – and for the most part, sucessful.  Check out the long, special trailer below!

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hWnAqFyaQ5s’]

After the film, I met up with an old friend who I haven’t seen since last year’s fest.  I figured out that we met exactly 10 years ago to this very weekend.  Bill and I met in line for Pedro Almodovar’s TALK TO HER – one of my favorite films of all time.  And we’ve stayed in touch for a decade.  That’s pretty special.

Time for bed.  More tomorrow.

Jonathan

Farragut North Becomes Ides of March

By 1 Comment

Beau Willimon - Playwright

In a surprising turn of events, the eagerly anticipated film adaptation of Brooklyn playwright Beau Willimon’s riveting political drama “Farragut North,” the winner of the 2005 Dayton Playhouse FutureFest, has a new name: “The Ides of March.”

Despite the darker yet catchier revamping, Willimon’s engrossing material, which brilliantly contains shades of David Mamet, still chronicles the downfall of an arrogant press secretary of a governor-turned-Democratic presidential candidate during the frenzied Iowa Caucus. According to Deadline.com, Oscar nominee Ryan Gosling (“Half Nelson”) will star as brazen hotshot Stephen Bellamy, a juicy role previously linked to such Hollywood heavyweights as Leonardo DiCaprio and Jake Gyllenhaal.

Joining Gosling, who appeared in “The Notebook,” “Lars and the Real Girl” and is currently garnering Oscar buzz for his performance in the indie hit “Blue Valentine,” will be Academy Award winner Marisa Tomei (“My Cousin Vinny”) as a New York Times reporter, Emmy Award winner Paul Giamatti (“John Adams”) as a rival campaign manager, and indie darling Evan Rachel Wood (“Across the Universe,” “Once and Again,” “Thirteen,” “The Wrestler,” “True Blood”) as a campaign intern.

In addition to directing “The Ides of March,” Academy Award winner George Clooney (“Syriana”) will appear as the aforementioned candidate and co-write the script along with Willimon and Grant Heslov. Clooney and Heslov’s script for “Good Night, and Good Luck” received a 2005 Oscar nomination for Best Original Screenplay.

“The Ides of March,” which has the potential to be a major contender at the 2012 Golden Globe Awards and Academy Awards, is inspired by Willimon’s service as a staff member within Howard Dean’s 2004 presidential campaign. Production is reportedly scheduled to begin in February in Michigan and Ohio.

“There will indeed be some shooting of ‘Ides of March’ in Ohio,” said Willimon, 33. “I have no idea what the shooting schedule is, or where, but it would certainly be cool if Clooney shot some scenes in Dayton!”

Willimon’s credits include the Hurricane Katrina-themed drama “Lower Ninth” and the gripping character study “Spirit Control,” an incredibly authentic account of an air traffic controller haunted by a tragedy.