Cult Movie Night returns to the NEON, Dayton’s premiere indie theatre with there 11th screening, of the 1997 indie hit GUMMO. GUMMO is a very strange film that takes place in Xenia, OH and chronicles the oddball inhabitants of small town Ohio after the devastation of a tornado. This is a very rare screening of the very controversial film with local ties. The film was directed by Harmony Korine who wrote the film KIDS and also directed Spring Breakers. It stars star Chloe Sevigny in her breakout role. Not streaming anywhere and not on Blu Ray, this film is not be missed with an audience!
The Neon
TIFF 2023 – Day #1
Hello Everyone,
Off to the races. I had five screenings on the agenda for today – 3 with industry folks and 2 with the general public. Of the five, one was a real winner…and one had a lot of merit but could have been trimmed by 30 minutes (I know some critics will greatly disagree with me on that).
LAST SUMMER, dir Catherine Breillat (France). My first film of the day was from a director who is quite used to working with taboo subject matter…and this was no exception. “In the latest film by French provocateur Catherine Breillat, a prominent lawyer’s passionate affair with her 17-year-old stepson threatens both her career and family.” (TIFF Catalog) In the opening scene of this (intentionally) cringe-inducing film, the protagonist is dealing with an underage client who is preparing for court. She tells the girl, “in court, the victims often become the accused” – which sets a certain tone for the rest of the film. Though the film certainly has some memorable moments and worked on some levels, there were multiple decisions for a lingering camera which became frustrating and laborious. And in the end, I ultimately didn’t buy the attraction and thus the affair – so the film really didn’t work for me.
THE CRITIC, dir Anand Tucker (United Kingdom). Next up was a rather handsomely designed period film with Ian McKellan chewing up the dimly lit scenery. “Gemma Arterton and Ian McKellen star as adversaries forced to take desperate measures to save their careers, in this scintillating tale of ambition and deceit in the theatre world.” (TIFF Catalog). Though lovely to look at, I found some of the story a bit hard to follow initially…this was due in part to tiredness and the fact that all interior scenes at night appeared to be lit with a 20 watt bulb…which had me a little confused keeping track of characters who mostly appeared in shadows. Though McKellan is having a ball, he is sadly better than the material. It’s a noir-ish story which doesn’t quite commit to the genre.
FLORA AND SON, dir John Carney (US & Ireland). My winner for the day was this little gem! “The latest from writer-director John Carney (ONCE, SING STREET) features a revelatory performance from Eve Hewson as a young mother trying to connect with her teenage son through a shared love of music.” (TIFF Catalog) The rough-around-the-edges characters are so wonderful in this heartwarming (and occasionally crass) story about an Irish woman who ends up taking on-line guitar lessons from a guy in California (played by Joseph Gordon Levitt) while trying to build a relationship with her son. Lots of laughs and several tears…it really works. (NOTE: We may bring this to THE NEON at the end of the month.)
ANATOMY OF A FALL, dir. Justine Triet (France). “Winner of this year’s Palme d’Or, and starring German actress Sandra Hüller, Justine Triet’s Anatomy of a Fall is a riveting portrait of a complex woman put on trial for the murder of her spouse.” (TIFF Catalog) (One big detail of the short synopsis from the catalog is the fact that the only potential witness of what transpired is the woman’s visually impaired son.) I’ve heard a lot of great things about this (mostly) courtroom drama, and it works on a lot of levels…but boy, oh boy – it’s longer than it needs to be. (And this was the 2nd film today which thematically explored a victim being put on trial during court proceedings.) One of the strongest moments of the film is a tennis-match-like argument that is fascinating for its character development. A solid film with an outstanding lead performance (but don’t go in the slightest bit tired).
NORTH STAR, dir. Kristin Scott Thomas (United Kingdom). This is Kristin Scott Thomas’s directorial debut, and I was sadly a bit disappointed. I considered leaving early and just going to bed…but I’m glad I didn’t. There’s a 10-minute scene in a cemetery that’s worth the whole film (and I’d bet my next paycheck it’s the scene that was the genesis for the entire movie). Some funny moments. Some touching moments. But I could have easily seen this as a short film.
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NORTH STAR – directed by Kristin Scott Thomas
And now it’s time for bed! Bright and early tomorrow!
Thanks for reading!!
Jonathan
P.S. Here’s a little picture of me and Jake just before heading into the NORTH STAR screening.
Returning to Toronto International Film Fest – 4 Years Later!
Hello Dayton937!
It’s been 4 years since I’ve made the trip to Toronto for TIFF (The Toronto International Film Festival), and my soul has truly missed it. I know that this year will be very different. Not only has COVID changed how festivals work, the ongoing writer & actor strikes will also likely change the energy at this year’s festival. Regardless, I’m anxious to go and submerge myself in multiple screenings of international cinema for 9 days.
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The illuminated sign on King Street West indicates the start of the festival!
I’m feeling a little out of practice, but I hope to update you every day with details about the films I’m seeing, the Q&A’s I’m observing and the glitterati I’m spotting. I’m not sure how many parties will be happening this year, but I hope to pop in on a couple.
For industry folks, the fest works a little different. I will have an opportunity to see 10 films with the general public. These are the screenings where directors, producers and stars might walk the Red Carpet and be interviewed for television. When people think “glamorous film festivals,” these are the screenings that come to mind. That said, the majority of the films I screen will be in multiplex settings with other press and industry folks. I might get sandwiched between an international sales agent on one side and someone writing for HOLLYWOOD REPORTER on the other. It’s fun to rub elbows with a variety of people who make this industry tick.
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Maya Hawke as Flannery O’Connor in WILDCAT
I already have a handful of tickets to screenings and events. In addition to the premiere of NORTH STAR on Opening Night (the directorial debut of Kristin Scott Thomas – starring Scarlett Johansson), Taika Waititi’s latest NEXT GOAL WINS and the anticipated feature WILDCAT (directed by Ethan Hawke and produced by Dayton’s own Karri O’Reilly), I’m so delighted that I scored a ticket to IN CONVERSATION WITH PEDRO ALMODOVAR – a sit down interview (Charlie Rose-style – but in front of an audience) with my favorite filmmaker of all time!
I’ll try to stay on top of updating this blog on a daily basis after my first day of movie watching. (Screenings start on Sept. 7 – and I’ll have a full day!) I’ll screen films through the 15th and head back to Dayton on the 16th.
Thanks for reading.
More soon,
Jonathan
POWER OF THE DOG, LOST DAUGHTER, BELFAST & More at The Neon
On Monday, while making predictions and confirming our engagements of THE POWER OF THE DOG and THE LOST DAUGHTER, we decided to throw in a handful of screenings of BELFAST. I’m glad we did. Our slate for this weekend is golden. (I’ll go into more details with each synopsis.) In addition to those 3 films arriving on Friday, you’ll still have chances to see LICORICE PIZZA (nominated for 3 Academy Awards including “Best Picture”) and PARALLEL MOTHERS (nominated for 2 Oscars including “Best Actress”). If you still need to see WHO WE ARE: A CHRONICLE OF RACISM IN AMERICA, Thursday will be your last chance to see it at THE NEON.
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Almodovar’s PARALLEL MOTHERS and Stunning Refugee Doc FLEE at The Neon
Two films are rolling in and two films are rolling out! If you still need to see THE VELVET QUEEN or RED ROCKET, Thursday will be your last chance to catch them at THE NEON. On Friday, we will open Almodóvar’s new film with Penelope Cruz – PARALLEL MOTHERS (one of my absolute favorites of 2021). In addition, we’ll bring the very special animated doc FLEE for three screenings this weekend! LICORICE PIZZA is sticking around for another week, and because DRIVE MY CAR saw a nice uptick over the weekend, we’ll bring it back for three more shows starting Friday.
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Neon Newsflash: RED ROCKET and THE VELVET QUEEN!
This Friday, we’re bringing two new films to town. The mesmerizing documentary THE VELVET QUEEN and the boisterous and critically acclaimed RED ROCKET. Both of these films might only play for a week…so hurry down. LICORICE PIZZA will stick around for another week, and DRIVE MY CAR will stick around for one show per day over the weekend. If you still need to see THE TRAGEDY OF MACBETH on the big screen, Thursday will be your last chance at THE NEON.
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“Julia Reichert: 50 Years in Film” Retrospective Coming to Neon
Traveling film exhibit which debuted at the Museum of Modern Art finally premiering in Dayton
The Neon, Dayton’s downtown art house cinema, will host “Julia Reichert: 50 Years in Film,” a traveling celebration of the Oscar winning filmmaker’s decades of documentaries. The screenings begin on Sunday afternoon, November 21, 2021. The retrospective, which was curated and organized by the Wexner Center for the Arts, premiered at the Museum of Modern Art in May 2019. The film series then traveled to Los Angeles, Houston, Minneapolis, Portland, Cleveland, Louisville and Madison before the pandemic shut everything down.
“I’m deeply grateful to the Neon’s manager Jonathan McNeal for bringing this retrospective home,” said Julia Reichert. “It means so much to me to share these films again with Dayton audiences, many who weren’t even born yet when these films came out. New and beautiful 4K restorations of the four films I made with Jim Klein will play on the Neon’s screens, and they look amazing.”
“For 50 years, my professor, mentor and dear friend Julia Reichert has been telling powerful and engaging cinematic stories,” said McNeal. “These important films still resonate, and we’re thrilled to finally be able to present this incredible collection of work back on the big screen.”
The retrospective will begin on Nov 21 with Reichert, who taught film at Wright State for 28 years, giving a live, intimate, illustrated talk about her origins. How did she go from a working-class small-town girl, told she could only be a secretary, teacher or nurse, to being a pioneering filmmaker? The first event will also include a screening of Julia Reichert & Jim Klein’s first film, GROWING UP FEMALE, their groundbreaking 1971 documentary exploring how girls and women are socialized. This film, Julia’s senior project at Antioch College, was selected in 2011 by the Library of Congress for the prestigious National Film Registry of historically significant films.
The 2021 events in the retrospective are:
- Sun, Nov 21 at 4:00: Julia Reichert Artist Talk and GROWING UP FEMALE (1971)
- Wednesday, Dec. 1 at 7:00: UNION MAIDS (1976) and THE LAST TRUCK: CLOSING OF A GM PLANT (2009).
- Wednesday, Dec. 8 at 7:00: SEEING RED: STORIES OF AMERICAN COMMUNISTS (1984)
- Wednesday, Dec. 15 at 7:00: Julia’s Hidden Gems & Deep Cuts: Four shorter documentaries from Reichert’s body of work: METHADONE – AN AMERICAN WAY OF DEALING (1974), SPARKLE (2012), MAKING MORNING STAR (2014) & NO GUNS FOR CHRISTMAS (2014).
Reichert’s retrospective will continue in 2022 with films and dates to be announced.
Tickets are $10 for each screening and available on THE NEON’s website www.neonmovies.com or at THE NEON’s Box Office. For additional information, please contact Jonathan McNeal at [email protected]
SIB Celebrates Black Storytelling in Film
A new movie series is kicking off tonight at The Neon, curated by Dana Graham, Founder and Creative Director of Scripted in Black (SIB). “This movie night series is a chance for the community to celebrate the importance of Black storytelling and the way it honors the multi-dimensional layers of our culture, experience, and perspective,” explained Graham. Tickets for tonights event may be purchased on The Neon’s online ticket site.
Each of the evenings events will begin with a mixer featuring a locally owned black businesses before the showing of a film they’ve had a hand in selecting . “The Scripted in Black Team is excited to provide and enjoy this experience with our community because it creates an opportunity to be lifted through fellowship and supporting local Black businesses and Black films together,” said Graham. “Storytelling has always been a rich tradition and necessity in Black culture. The films chosen by each featured business express an aspect of our culture that makes us resilient, determined, creative, lit, hopeful, strong, and beautiful.”
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SIB Founder Dana Graham
Scripted in Black LLC is an exclusive multi-disciplinary arts collective currently serving the Dayton area. SIB centers the work + collaboration of unconventional Black and Brown creatives through the yearly curation of boutique to high scale experiential installments. Ms Graham and her team, Ashley Brooks, Installment Coordinator and Korey SmithVisuals Director to present diverse installments that focus on eclectic cultural storytelling through events and lifestyle merchandising, community engagement and education. The collective aims to address and alleviate the lack of minority representation in the local social arts + culture infrastructure. With a background in theatre arts coupled with a social-forward approach, Scripted in Black LLC will ensure that High-Vibe, Black & Brown identities have an intentional, vibrant, and affordable home in their creative landscape. You may support SIB by becoming a member, or just attending their events around the city.
Neon News: Martin Sheen in 12 MIGHTY ORPHANS
This week, we’re moving right along with another film that has a Dayton connection. 12 MIGHTY ORPHANS, the new film based on the beloved bestseller, stars Dayton’s own Martin Sheen! Though our much loved WSU grad combo of HOLLER and WE STILL MAKE THINGS will stick around for a second week, Thursday will be your last chance to catch SUBLET on the big screen. And don’t forget that we have 2 special in-person screenings of TRUMAN & TENNESSEE happening in this week’s schedule.
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NOMADLAND Returns + FOUR GOOD DAYS with Glenn Close
This week, we’re holding both TOGETHER TOGETHER and STREET GANG: HOW WE GOT TO SESAME STREET – both of which our audiences are loving. That said, we’re adding a couple titles to the mix. After its “Best Picture” win on Sunday (and because we agree with Frances McDormand that it should be seen on the big screen), we’re bringing back NOMADLAND for a handful of screenings. We’re also going to pepper in some shows of FOUR GOOD DAYS – a new drama about a family dealing with addiction starring Glenn Close & Mila Kunis.
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Cult Movie Night: CAROUSHELL
Toxic Brew Co. & Hole in the Wall are hosting their third “Cult Movie Night” this Sunday at 7:30…and they’ve chosen CAROUSHELL this time – a film featuring Hole in the Wall bartender Haley Madison. Tickets are $20 each, and those tickets come with 2 beers from Toxic Brew (this event is limited to folks 21 and up). This horror/comedy will be hosted by Madison with pre-screening drink specials at Hole in the Wall (just down the street).”Duke, a carousel unicorn, hates his job. He has to let kids climb on his back and ride him for hours every day. But one kid has finally pushed him too far. Duke breaks free of his carnival hell and embarks on a bloody rampage of revenge on humanity.” Click the image below to reserve a ticket.
LITTLE FISH, A GLITCH IN THE MATRIX and Next “Director Spotlight!”
We have two new films opening this week. The first is LITTLE FISH – a film currently rated “100% Fresh” that indieWire calls “a creative, inventive romance for a broken time.” In addition, we’ve booked a few screenings of a film that just premiered at the Sundance Film Festival last week – A GLITCH IN THE MATRIX.
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Colin Firth in SUPERNOVA and Stunning MALCOLM & MARIE at The Neon
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MLK/FBI and THE DIG at The Neon
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AMELIE & New PINOCCHIO and More at The Neon
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David Fincher’s Award Hopeful MANK & More NEON News!
We’re moving along with the highly anticipated film – MANK – David Fincher’s look at how Mankiewicz rushed to finish the screenplay for Orson Welles’ CITIZEN KANE. It opens tomorrow. If you still need to see THE CLIMB, Thursday will be your last chance. On Friday, we open the documentary ZAPPA for one week only. If you still need to see HILLBILLY ELEGY on the big screen, it will stick around for one more week.
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Synopsis for ZAPPA: “With unfettered access to the Zappa family trust and all archival footage, ZAPPA explores the private life behind the mammoth musical career that never shied away from the political turbulence of its time. Alex Winter’s assembly features appearances by Frank’s widow Gail Zappa and several of Frank’s musical collaborators including Mike Keneally, Ian Underwood, Steve Vai, Pamela Des Barres, Bunk Gardner, David Harrington, Scott Thunes, Ruth Underwood, Ray White and others.” (Magnolia Pictures) Click the image below to watch the trailer.
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