woody allen

Amazingly Reviewed BEASTS OF THE SOUTHERN WILD Opens Friday at THE NEON!

July 25, 2012 By Jonathan McNeal Leave a Comment

Hello Everyone,

It’s time for a new film, and it happens to be one of the most critically-acclaimed films of the year. BEASTS OF THE SOUTHERN WILD has garnered 100% reviews from The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, The Chicago Sun-Times, The Wall Street Journal, Entertainment Weekly, Time, Variety, and many, many more…and it will be playing exclusively at THE NEON!

Synopsis for BEASTS OF THE SOUTHERN WILD: “In a forgotten but defiant bayou community cut off from the rest of the world by a sprawling levee, a six-year-old girl exists on the brink of orphanhood. Buoyed by her childish optimism and extraordinary imagination, she believes that the natural world is in balance with the universe until a fierce storm changes her reality. Desperate to repair the structure of her world in order to save her ailing father and sinking home, this tiny hero must learn to survive unstoppable catastrophes of epic proportions.” (taken from Fox Searchlight) Visit the official site.

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f0ZAcmIIfZE’]

Air Force Veteran Jachlin Williams will be hosting two screenings of the new, award-winning documentary THE INVISIBLE WAR at THE NEON on August 5 and August 16. “A groundbreaking investigative documentary about one of our country’s most shameful and best-kept secrets, THE INVISIBLE WAR reveals the epidemic of rape within the U.S. Military. Today, a female soldier in Iraq or Afghanistan is more likely to be raped by a fellow soldier than killed by enemy fire. Tracing the powerfully emotional stories of several young veterans, the film reveals the systemic cover-up of the crimes they have suffered and follows their struggles to rebuild their lives and careers. These screenings are part of a campaign to tell survivors of sexual military trauma that they are not invisible.” These screenings are free. Tickets will be given on a first-come, first-serve basis – one ticket per person on the day of each screening.

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ifc_ongQFQ’]

Very soon, I’ll be able to give you details about our benefit on October 14. Slowly but surely, we’re getting details in place so we can make a big announcement (here are a few wonderful details – Meadowlark, Coco’s Bistro & Roost have already confirmed to provide appetizers). This benefit will help us as we transition from 35mm to digital projection – a costly but necessary endeavor.

Did you see that FilmDayton revealed their line-up for their 4th Annual Festival? Check out their site to see the latest. This fest is set for August 24-26, and I can’t wait to see COMPLIANCE.

And speaking of festivals, The Downtown Dayton LGBT Film Festival is putting the finishing touches on this year’s line-up. The 7th Annual Fest is set for Sept. 28-30, and the films are spectacular! (Please contact me if you or your business might be interested in sponsoring this annual event.)

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

SHOWTIMES for
Fri. July 27 – Thur. August 2:

BEASTS OF THE SOUTHERN WILD (PG-13) 1 Hr 33 Min
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 12:45, 3:00, 5:10, 7:20, 9:30
Monday – Thursday: 3:00, 5:10, 7:20, 9:30

TO ROME WITH LOVE (R) 1 Hr 42 Min
Friday – Thursday: 2:50, 7:30

MOONRISE KINGDOM (PG-13) 1 Hr 34 Min
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 12:40, 5:20, 9:40
Monday – Thursday: 5:20, 9:40

COMING SOON:
As always, all dates are tentative. Many of these dates will change.
In some rare cases, titles may disappear.
August 10 THE INTOUCHABLES
TBD YOUR SISTER’S SISTER
late Aug FAREWELL, MY QUEEN
TBD WHERE DO WE GO NOW?
Sept. 14 ROBOT AND FRANK
TBD THE QUEEN OF VERSAILLES
TBD 2 DAYS IN NEW YORK
TBD TAKE THIS WALTZ

July Has Been Spectacular at THE NEON + More Great News!

July 19, 2012 By Jonathan McNeal Leave a Comment

Hello Everyone,

This is another short & easy newsletter. We had great attendance again over the weekend. TO ROME WITH LOVE and MOONRISE KINGDOM continue to draw crowds. Thank you so much for your support of these films. (You can visit either official site by clicking the titles above.)

We are holding steady for another week!

We go on a week-to-week basis with all of our films. These current hits (along with our recent engagement of BEST EXOTIC MARIGOLD HOTEL) have performed better than any other films for quite some time…so we’re holding them over. As soon as possible, we’ll get to BEASTS OF THE SOUTHERN WILD and THE INTOUCHABLES. (Sometimes dates move at our request…and sometimes distributors move dates around.)

Check out the MAKING OF Featurette for MOONRISE KINGDOM:

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Nx7kbjqbJY’]

Next week, I will have firm details regarding the August 5 screening of THE INVISIBLE WAR.

Very soon, I’ll be able to give you details about our benefit on October 14…slowly but surely, we’re getting details in place so we can make a big announcement (here are a couple wonderful details – Meadowlark and Coco’s Bistro have already confirmed to provide appetizers). This benefit will help us as we transition from 35mm to digital projection. (The picture at the top of this newsletter is a big hint as to what we’ll be screening.)

Did you see that FilmDayton revealed their line-up for their 4th Annual Festival? Check out their site to see the latest. This fest is set for August 24-26, and I can’t wait to see COMPLIANCE.

And speaking of festivals, The Downtown Dayton LGBT Film Festival committee last night in order to solidify this year’s line-up. The 7th Annual Fest is set for Sept. 28-30, and the films are spectacular! Once everything is confirmed, we’ll release the line-up. (Please contact me if you or your business might be interested in sponsoring this annual event.)

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

SHOWTIMES for
Fri. July 20 – Thur. July 26:

TO ROME WITH LOVE (R) 1 Hr 42 Min
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 12:20, 2:50, 5:10, 7:30, 9:45
Monday – Thursday: 2:50, 5:10, 7:30

MOONRISE KINGDOM (PG-13) 1 Hr 34 Min
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 12:30, 2:45, 5:00, 7:20, 9:30
Monday – Thursday: 2:45, 5:00, 7:20

COMING SOON:
As always, all dates are tentative.
Many of these dates will change.
In some rare cases, titles may disappear.
July 27 THE INTOUCHABLES
July 27 BEASTS OF THE SOUTHERN WILD
TBD YOUR SISTER’S SISTER
TBD WHERE DO WE GO NOW?
LOLA VERSUS

2 Great Films, Another Great Weekend at THE NEON!

July 12, 2012 By Jonathan McNeal Leave a Comment

Hello Everyone,

This is a short & easy newsletter this week. We had another incredible weekend at THE NEON. People are really liking Woody Allen’s latest film – TO ROME WITH LOVE (some people have been quite vocal about their disgust for the review that appeared in Dayton Daily…and some have said they like the film as much as MIDNIGHT IN PARIS). In addition, MOONRISE KINGDOM continues to draw big crowds. Thank you so much for your support of these films. (You can visit either official site by clicking the titles above.)

Check out this fun “Behind the Scenes Clip.”

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5M_ySP5M1F0′]

We are holding steady this week! That said, we do have a special event on Saturday.

“Allow yourself to be immersed in a world where perception is redefined by a mysterious drug called I Razor. Dr. Gregory Fleer, a once brilliant scientist and the creator of I Razor, is transformed by his own experiment, along with a portion of the male population, into a band of telekinetic freaks who must negotiate their way through a world twisted beyond all recognition by their altered perceptions… Circus Devils (Robert Pollard of GUIDED BY VOICES and Todd Tobias) present: I RAZOR a New Film directed by Todd Tobias, starring Steve Five, Cory Race, and Brad Visker – with music by Circus Devils. Saturday July 14th at 12:30pm. Tickets are $5 each, and there are only a few left! Buying a ticket will enter you into a raffle to win cool I Razor/Circus Devils stuff (I Razor Movie T Shirts, posters) before the movie…” (taken from press release) Word has it that Guided By Voices will be in attendance.

In the coming weeks, I’ll have news about a special event surrounding the film THE INVISIBLE WAR (August 5) and news about a NEON Benefit (Save the date – October 14) to assist with our upcoming digital conversion.

And don’t forget that your movie ticket gets you 15% off your food order at Sa-Bai…located directly behind THE NEON.

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

SHOWTIMES for
Fri. July 13 – Thur. July 19:

TO ROME WITH LOVE (R) 1 Hr 42 Min
Friday: 12:20, 2:50, 5:10, 7:30, 9:45
Saturday: 3:00, 5:10, 7:30, 9:45
Sunday: 12:20, 2:50, 5:10, 7:30, 9:45
Monday – Thursday: 2:50, 5:10, 7:30, 9:45

MOONRISE KINGDOM (PG-13) 1 Hr 34 Min
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 12:30, 2:45, 5:00, 7:20, 9:30
Monday – Thursday: 2:45, 5:00, 7:20, 9:30

I RAZOR (NR)
Saturday: 12:30

COMING SOON:
As always, all dates are tentative.
Many of these dates will change.
In some rare cases, titles may disappear.
July 20 YOUR SISTER’S SISTER
July 27 THE INTOUCHABLES
July 27 BEASTS OF THE SOUTHERN WILD
TBD WHERE DO WE GO NOW?
LOLA VERSUS

Best Week Ever + TO ROME WITH LOVE at THE NEON!

July 5, 2012 By Jonathan McNeal 2 Comments

Hello Everyone,

Wow! What a fantastic week!! Thank you to everyone who has come out and supported us over the hot, stormy week and weekend. It has been our absolute best ever!! (2nd place now goes to our opening of MILK while SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE was playing in our other auditorium.)

I’m sad to say it, but THE BEST EXOTIC MARIGOLD HOTEL and HYSTERIA are on their way out. On Friday, we will open the latest from Woody Allen – TO ROME WITH LOVE. Allen’s last film – MIDNIGHT IN PARIS – was our longest running film last year (13 weeks)…we’re anxious to see how this new film performs.
And it goes without saying that we will hold the delightful and crowd-pleasing MOONRISE KINGDOM.

Synopsis for TO ROME WITH LOVE: “To Rome with Love is a kaleidoscopic comedy movie set in one of the world’s most enchanting cities. The film brings us into contact with a well-known American architect reliving his youth; an average middle-class Roman who suddenly finds himself Rome’s biggest celebrity; a young provincial couple drawn into separate romantic encounters; and an American opera director endeavoring to put a singing mortician on stage.” Starring Alec Baldwin, Penelope Cruz, Jesse Eisenberg, Ellen Page, Roberto Benigni, Judy Davis and more! Visit the OFFICIAL SITE.

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uhBs9-G6sms’]

Additional thanks go out to everyone who came and supported our one-night-only screening of VITO last week. The introduction by Professor Charles Derry was extra special…and the film was incredible. It was nice to see such a well-attended screening of a documentary!

“Allow yourself to be immersed in a world where perception is redefined by a mysterious drug called I Razor. Dr. Gregory Fleer, a once brilliant scientist and the creator of I Razor, is transformed by his own experiment, along with a portion of the male population, into a band of telekinetic freaks who must negotiate their way through a world twisted beyond all recognition by their altered perceptions… Circus Devils (Robert Pollard of GUIDED BY VOICES and Todd Tobias) present: I RAZOR a New Film directed by Todd Tobias, starring Steve Five, Cory Race, and Brad Visker – with music by Circus Devils. Saturday July 14th at 12:30pm. Tickets are $5 each, and there aren’t many left! Buying a ticket will enter you into a raffle to win cool I Razor/Circus Devils stuff (I Razor Movie T Shirts, posters) before the movie…” (taken from press release)

And don’t forget that your movie ticket gets you 15% off your food order at Sa-Bai…located directly behind THE NEON.

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

SHOWTIMES for
Fri. July 6 – Thur. July 12:

TO ROME WITH LOVE (R) 1 Hr 42 Min
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 12:20, 2:50, 5:10, 7:30, 9:45
Monday – Thursday: 2:50, 5:10, 7:30, 9:45

MOONRISE KINGDOM (PG-13) 1 Hr 34 Min
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 12:30, 2:45, 5:00, 7:20, 9:30
Monday – Thursday: 2:45, 5:00, 7:20, 9:30

COMING SOON:
As always, all dates are tentative.
Many of these dates will change.
In some rare cases, titles may disappear.
July 20 YOUR SISTER’S SISTER
July 27 THE INTOUCHABLES
July 27 BEASTS OF THE SOUTHERN WILD
TBD WHERE DO WE GO NOW?, LOLA VERSUS

Magical MOONRISE KINGDOM Starts Friday at THE NEON!

June 27, 2012 By Jonathan McNeal Leave a Comment

Hello Everyone,

Our plans have changed for this weekend. In an unusual turn of events, THE BEST EXOTIC MARIGOLD HOTEL experienced a major upswing in attendance this past weekend…so we’re going to hold it (along with one daily screening of HYSTERIA) for one more week. That said, on our other screen, we will still open my favorite film of the year – the charming, magical, and beautiful MOONRISE KINGDOM.
(Woody Allen’s latest – TO ROME WITH LOVE – is slated to open July 6.)

Synopsis for MOONRISE KINGDOM: “Set on an island off the coast of New England in the 1960s, the film follows a young boy and girl falling in love. When they are moved to run away together, various factions of the town mobilize to search for them and the town is turned upside down – which might not be such a bad thing.” (taken from Focus Features) This new film from Wes Anderson has an incredible cast including Bill Murray, Bruce Willis, Frances McDormand, Edward Norton, Tilda Swinton and more. Visit the official site – it’s a really fun!

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_eOI3AamSm8′]

Don’t forget about our special screening of VITO on Thursday evening. The local press has been great, and the movie screens Thursday, June 28 at 7:30. Tickets are still available for $8 each. Professor Charles Derry will introduce VITO on Thursday evening. It was in his class at WSU where I was first introduced to Russo’s pinnacle book THE CELLULOID CLOSET. Don’t miss this chance to see a great film introduced by my favorite professor.

“Allow yourself to be immersed in a world where perception is redefined by a mysterious drug called I Razor. Dr. Gregory Fleer, a once brilliant scientist and the creator of I Razor, is transformed by his own experiment, along with a portion of the male population, into a band of telekinetic freaks who must negotiate their way through a world twisted beyond all recognition by their altered perceptions… Circus Devils (Robert Pollard of GUIDED BY VOICES and Todd Tobias) present: I RAZOR a New Film directed by Todd Tobias, starring Steve Five, Cory Race, and Brad Visker – with music by Circus Devils. Saturday July 14th at 12:30pm. Tickets are $5 each, and there aren’t many left! Buying a ticket will enter you into a raffle to win cool I Razor/Circus Devils stuff (I Razor Movie T Shirts, posters) before the movie…” (taken from press release)

And don’t forget that your movie ticket gets you 15% off your food order at Sa-Bai…located directly behind THE NEON.

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

SHOWTIMES for
Fri. June 29 – Thur. July 5:

HYSTERIA (R) 1 Hr 40 Min
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 9:30
Monday – Thursday: 9:40

THE BEST EXOTIC MARIGOLD HOTEL (PG-13) 2 Hr 4 Min
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 1:30, 4:15, 7:00
Monday – Thursday: 2:30, 4:50, 7:15

MOONRISE KINGDOM (PG-13) 1 Hr 34 Min
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 12:30, 2:45, 5:00, 7:20, 9:30
Monday – Thursday: 2:45, 5:00, 7:20, 9:30

COMING SOON:
As always, all dates are tentative.
Many of these dates will change.
In some rare cases, titles may disappear.
July 6 TO ROME WITH LOVE
July ?? THE INTOUCHABLES
July 13 YOUR SISTER’S SISTER
July 27 BEASTS OF THE SOUTHERN WILD
TBD WHERE DO WE GO NOW?, LOLA VERSUS

This Norman Rockwell-like image from MOONRISE KINGDOM is brilliant!

SOUND OF MY VOICE Opens Friday + Great NEON News

May 30, 2012 By Jonathan McNeal Leave a Comment

Hello Everyone,

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you! Opening weekend of THE BEST EXOTIC MARIGOLD HOTEL was terrific…thanks to everyone who came out to see it. Memorial Day weekend is traditionally quite good for us…but this was our best ever! Audiences are loving the film, and there have been several rounds of applause after screenings over the past few days. In addition, I appreciate the fact that many of you voted for THE NEON as “Best Movie Theater.” Though we didn’t end up in first place, I’m not distraught. We only do about 5% of the business of the multiplexes, and I’m terribly grateful that so many of you jumped at the chance to vote for us.

If you still need to see MARLEY or DARLING COMPANION, tomorrow will be your last chance to see either film at THE NEON. On Friday, we will open a new thriller – SOUND OF MY VOICE.

Synopsis for SOUND OF MY VOICE: ” Peter and Lorna, a couple and documentary filmmaking team, infiltrate a mysterious group led by an enigmatic young woman named Maggie. Intent on exposing her as a charlatan and freeing the followers from her grip, Peter and Lorna start to question their objective and each other as they unravel the secrets of Maggie’s underworld.” (Fox Searchlight)

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U8xElfWyexo’]

WSU’s BIG LENS – a showcase of the latest films from WSU’s Motion Picture Department – is set for next Thursday, and tickets are available at our box office for just $7 each. See the latest works from the award-winning Motion Pictures Program at WSU. This show will include premiers of 5 entirely new films as well as a Q&A session with the young filmmakers. Like its predecessors, Big Lens 2012 will no doubt entertain, educate, enlighten, and excite. Check out the roster: IN WITH THE NEW – Alex Taylor & Eric Risher; PROFILE – Jon Swansiger, Colin Brooks, & Chris Flannery; NO NAME #3 – Joe Asta, Cole Pisano, Colin Brooks, & Alex Taylor; WOMEN WHO YELL – Megan Hague & Kyle Wilkinson; ANY OTHER DAY – Rick Moosbrugger & Andrew Grigiss.

On June 28 at 7:30, The Greater Dayton LGBT Center and The Miami Valley Pride Partnership will present a screening of the new documentary VITO. This wonderful new film is about the life of Vito Russo – author, film lover, leader and activist. In addition to being educational and enlightening, I found the movie to be utterly inspiring. I’m anxious to see it again. Tickets, just $8 each, are available at our box office.

And don’t forget that your movie ticket gets you 15% off your food order at Sa-Bai…located directly behind THE NEON.

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

SHOWTIMES for
Fri. June 1 – Thur. June 7:

SOUND OF MY VOICE (R) 1 Hr 25 Min
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 1:00, 3:10, 5:20, 7:30, 9:40
Monday – Wednesday: 3:10, 5:20, 7:30
Thursday: 3:10, 5:20

THE BEST EXOTIC MARIGOLD HOTEL (PG-13) 2 Hr 4 Min
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 1:30, 4:15, 7:00, 9:30
Monday – Thursday: 2:30, 5:00, 7:30

WSU’S BIG LENS FILM FESTIVAL (NR) 5 shorts + discussion
Thursday: 7:30

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

In some rare cases, titles may disappear.
June 15 THE INTOUCHABLES
June 29 MOONRISE KINGDOM
July 6 TO ROME WITH LOVE
July 13 YOUR SISTER’S SISTER
July 27 BEASTS OF THE SOUTHERN WILD
TBD WHERE DO WE GO NOW?
LOLA VERSUS

THE NEON Gets To PAGE ONE

August 10, 2011 By Jonathan McNeal 3 Comments

Hello Everyone.

We’ve had a great summer so far…and you certainly helped to keep the ball rollin’ with BUCK. Our weekend was fantastic, and positive word-of-mouth should keep this film going for a little while. In addition to BUCK, we’re going to bring you another documentary which also has some great buzz – PAGE ONE: INSIDE THE NEW YORK TIMES. In addition, we’re going to keep MIDNIGHT IN PARIS for yet another week. Crowds keep coming to this little gem, and it’s quickly becoming one of our longest running and highest grossing summer films.

If you haven’t had a chance to see BEGINNERS, Thursday will be your last chance. For showtimes for this week and next, visit www.neonmovies.com.

Synopsis for PAGE ONE: “In the tradition of great fly-on-the-wall documentaries, Page One: A Year Inside the New York Times deftly gains unprecedented access to The New York Times newsroom and the inner workings of the Media Desk. With the Internet surpassing print as our main news source and newspapers all over the country going bankrupt, PAGE ONE chronicles the transformation of the media industry at its time of greatest turmoil. Writers like Brian Stelter, Tim Arango and the salty but brilliant David Carr track print journalism’s metamorphosis even as their own paper struggles to stay vital and solvent. Meanwhile, their editors and publishers grapple with existential challenges from players like WikiLeaks, new platforms ranging from Twitter to tablet computers, and readers’ expectations that news online should be free. But rigorous journalism is thriving. PAGE ONE gives us an up-close look at the vibrant cross-cubicle debates and collaborations, tenacious jockeying for on-the-record quotes, and skillful page-one pitching that produce the “daily miracle” of a great news organization. What emerges is a nuanced portrait of journalists continuing to produce extraordinary work-under increasingly difficult circumstances.” (Magnolia Picutures)

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rwTMFXgf95c’]

Click HERE to visit PAGE ONE’s Official site. Click HERE to visit BUCK’s Official site.

In the next few days, I will release the entire line-up for The 6th Annual Downtown Dayton LGBT Film Festival. The selection committee sorted through over a hundred hours of material in order to bring the best films to Dayton. For a sneak peek, check out a trailer for our opening night film – THE GREEN – sponsored by Square One Salon & Spa.

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t4fZqbMrd2E’]

Hope to see you soon.

Take care!

Jonathan

SHOWTIMES for August 12 – August 18:

MIDNIGHT IN PARIS (PG-13) 1 Hr 40 Min

Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 1:00, 5:10

Monday – Thursday: 6:00

PAGE ONE: INSIDE THE NEW YORK TIMES (R) 1 Hr 28 Min

Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 3:10, 7:30, 9:30

Monday – Thursday: 3:30, 8:15

BUCK (PG) 1 Hr 28 Min

Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 1:15, 3:15, 5:15, 7:20, 9:20

Monday – Thursday: 3:15, 5:30, 8:00

COMING SOON:

As always, all dates are tentative. Some of these dates will change.
In some cases, titles may disappear.

Aug 19 SNOW FLOWER AND THE SECRET FAN
Aug 26   ANOTHER EARTH
Aug 26   THE GUARD
Sept. 9   LIFE ABOVE ALL
Sept 9   THE WHISTLEBLOWER
Sept 9  BEATS AND RHYMES: A TRIBE CALLED QUEST
Sept 23   HIGHER GROUND
TBD DOUBLE HOUR
TBD   THE FUTURE

Don’t Miss BEGINNERS! Prize Details Inside!!

July 20, 2011 By Jonathan McNeal Leave a Comment

Hello Everyone.

If you still need to see THE TREE OF LIFE, Thursday (7/21) will be its last day at THE NEON (all showtimes are available at HERE). On Friday, we will open the new film from Mike Mills – BEGINNERS – starring Ewan McGregor and Christopher Plummer (Plummer’s performance is an Oscar shoe-in for “Best Supporting Actor”).

Synopsis for BEGINNERS: “From writer/director Mike Mills comes a comedy/drama about how deeply funny and transformative life can be, even at its most serious moments. BEGINNERS imaginatively explores the hilarity, confusion, and surprises of love through the evolving consciousness of Oliver (Golden Globe Award nominee Ewan McGregor). Oliver meets the irreverent and unpredictable Anna (Melanie Laurent of Inglourious Basterds) only months after his father Hal (Academy Award nominee Christopher Plummer) has passed away. This new love floods Oliver with memories of his father who – following 44 years of marriage – came out of the closet at age 75 to live a full, energized, and wonderfully tumultuous gay life. The upheavals of Hal’s new honesty, by turns funny and moving, brought father and son closer than they’d ever been able to be. Now Oliver endeavors to love Anna with all the bravery, humor, and hope that his father taught him.” (taken from filmjabber.com)

Click HERE to visit the official site. Below is a wonderful “Making Of” featurette.

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6dOYyCaH_t4′]

Before the 7:20 screenings of BEGINNERS on both Friday and Saturday night, I will be giving out a handful of T-Shirts and soundtracks. So brush up on your NEON trivia – I hope to see you here!

On Saturday night, our large auditorium has been rented for a special event. 2 MUCH FLAVOR is a rollerblading documentary (a follow-up to SAVOR THE FLAVOR from 2008) by local videomakers Ryan Benner and Andrew Thompson. A trailer is available HERE. The movie will play on Saturday night, July 23 at 10pm. Tickets will be $5 each.

Many of you have been asking and calling about BUCK. We appreciate your patience as our schedule continues to re-arrange. We will eventually play it!

Our new parking lot has new lines and is ready for parking! You can access this lot (which has 2 different sections) from St. Clair. One section exits onto 5th Street…the other exits back onto St. Clair. All the spots are visible from our front window, and new light bulbs have been installed to make certain it is well lit. As always, this lot if free to NEON customers. If it is full, we can validate your ticket for the parking garage any time after 6:00 on weekdays or all weekend long. If you have questions, please don’t hesitate to call or write.

Hope to see you soon.

Take care!

Jonathan

SHOWTIMES for July 22 – July 28:

MIDNIGHT IN PARIS (PG-13) 1 Hr 40 Min

Friday: 12:50, 3:00, 5:10, 7:30, 9:40

Saturday: 12:50, 3:00, 5:10, 7:30

Sunday: 12:50, 3:00, 5:10, 7:30, 9:40

Monday – Thursday: 3:30, 6:00, 8:30

BEGINNERS (R) 1 Hr 45 Min

Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 12:30, 2:45, 5:00, 7:20, 9:45

Monday – Thursday: 3:00, 5:30, 8:00

2 MUCH FLAVOR (NR)

Saturday: 10pm

COMING SOON:

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

In some cases, titles may disappear.

July 29 PAGE ONE: INSIDE THE NEW YORK TIMES

July 29 DOUBLE HOUR

Aug 5 BUCK

Aug 5 SNOW FLOWER AND THE SECRET FAN

Aug 12 BEATS AND RHYMES: A TRIBE CALLED QUEST

Aug 26 ANOTHER EARTH

Aug 26 THE GUARD

Sept. 9 LIFE ABOVE ALL

Sept 9 WHISTLEBLOWER

Sept 23 HIGHER GROUND

TBD THE FUTURE

THE TREE OF LIFE – The Most Talked About Indie of the Year at THE NEON!

June 25, 2011 By Jonathan McNeal 1 Comment

Hello Everyone.

As planned, the fantastically charming POTICHE was only here for a week. And just as we suspected, MIDNIGHT IN PARIS is still performing very well, and audiences are adoring it…so it will stick around for at least another week.

Today (6/24), we open the most talked about indie film of the year – Terrence Malick’s THE TREE OF LIFE. Starring Brad Pitt, Sean Penn and Jessica Chastain, TREE OF LIFE was the winner of the Palme d’Or at this year’s Cannes Film Festival. This film has been given a 100% review by The New York Times, The Chicago Sun-Times, NPR, USA Today, Variety, Time Out New York, The Village Voice, and many more. Roger Ebert wrote, “The only other film I’ve seen with this boldness of vision is Kubrick’s 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY, and it lacked Malick’s fierce evocation of human feeling.”

Synopsis for THE TREE OF LIFE: “The film follows the life journey of the eldest son, Jack, through the innocence of childhood to his disillusioned adult years as he tries to reconcile a complicated relationship with his father. Jack finds himself a lost soul in the modern world, seeking answers to the origins and meaning of life while questioning the existence of faith. Through Malick’s signature imagery, we see how both brute nature and spiritual grace shape not only our lives as individuals and families, but all life.” (Fox Searchlight Pictures) Check out the beautifully designed official site.

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WXRYA1dxP_0′]

Last week’s screening of WE WERE HERE was a marvelous, sold-out event – with a beautiful film and an insightful and brave panel discussion. Many thanks to all my friends and community partners who helped to make the evening such a success.

We will have a new neighbor in the next few days – Sabai: Asian Cuisine & Sushi Bar. What we have been using for our parking lot for the past several years will soon become theirs. Luckily, we will be able to utilize a new space that’s visible from our front windows. Please start getting in the habit of parking in our new lot…though there aren’t parking lines yet, there will be soon. We’ve painted a couple of the posts to make the lot quite easy to find.

Hope to see you this weekend.

Take care!

Jonathan

SHOWTIMES for June 24 – June 30:

MIDNIGHT IN PARIS (PG-13) 1 Hr 40 Min

Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 12:50, 3:00, 5:10, 7:30, 9:40

Monday – Thursday: 3:30, 6:00, 8:30

THE TREE OF LIFE (R) 2 Hr 18 Min

Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 1:00, 4:15, 7:00, 9:45

Monday – Thursday: 2:30, 5:15, 8:00

COMING SOON:

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

In some cases, titles may disappear.

July 1 DOUBLE HOUR

July 8 BUCK

July 15 PAGE ONE: INSIDE THE NEW YORK TIMES

July 15 BEGINNERS

Aug 5 SNOW FLOWER AND THE SECRET FAN

Aug 12 BEATS AND RHYMES: A TRIBE CALLED QUEST

Aug 26 ANOTHER EARTH

Aug 26 THE GUARD

Sept. 9 LIFE ABOVE ALL

Sept 23 HIGHER GROUND

Woody’s Latest – Midnight In Paris + Incendies!

June 8, 2011 By Jonathan McNeal Leave a Comment

Hello Everyone.

If you haven’t had a chance to see WINTER IN WARTIME, BILL CUNNINGHAM NEW YORK, and/or THE BEAVER, you only have through Thursday (6/9) to see them at THE NEON. On Friday, we will open the Oscar-nominated political thriller INCENDIES and Woody Allen’s latest film MIDNIGHT IN PARIS (check out the stellar cast in the description below). Both of these new films come with a great response from critics and audiences alike!

I’m delighted to announce a couple big changes to our calendar. 1) POTICHE has been dated for a one-week engagement. It will open on June 17. This was one of my favorites in Toronto last year (I generally don’t respond to comedies the way I do to serious films). It’s wonderfully charming, and Catherine Deneuve is superb! 2) Due to the success of THE TREE OF LIFE in larger markets, Fox Searchlight has bumped up our opening date. THE TREE OF LIFE will now open on June 24!

Synopsis for INCENDIES: “When notary Lebel sits down with Jeanne and Simon Marwan to read them their mother Nawal’s will, the twins are stunned to receive a pair of envelopes – one for the father they thought was dead and another for a brother they didn’t know existed. In this enigmatic inheritance, Jeanne sees the key to Nawal’s retreat into unexplained silence during the final weeks of her life. With Lebel’s help, the twins piece together the story of the woman who brought them into the world, discovering a tragic fate as well as the courage of an exceptional woman.” (Sony Pictures Classics) Click This Link to visit the film’s official site (the trailer will have your heading to THE NEON this weekend).

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YDf-XuYid1A’]

Synopsis for MIDNIGHT IN PARIS: “Owen Wilson, Marion Cotillard, Rachel McAdams, Kathy Bates, Michael Sheen, Adrien Brody and Carla Bruni star in Woody Allen’s romantic comedy about a family on a business trip in the City of Light. As a young couple engaged to be married experiences a profound transformation during their visit to Paris, an idealistic man with a romanticized view of the city finds that there’s plenty of truth to that old adage about the grass being greener on the other side.” (Jason Buchanon, All Movie Guide) Click This Link to be directed to the official site for MIDNIGHT IN PARIS.

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BYRWfS2s2v4′]

We’re all set for next week’s screening of WE WERE HERE. “WE WERE HERE is the first documentary to take a deep and reflective look back at the arrival and impact of AIDS in San Francisco. It explores how the City’s inhabitants were affected by, and how they responded to, that calamitous epidemic. Though a San Francisco-based story, We Were Here extends beyond San Francisco and beyond AIDS itself. It speaks to our capacity as individuals to rise to the occasion, and to the incredible power of a community coming together with love, compassion, and determination.” WE WERE HERE will screen on June 16 at 7PM. Tickets are $8 each and are currently available at THE NEON box office. This screening is sponsored by The Greater Dayton LGBT Center. Be sure to take a look at thetrailer, and get your tickets early. After the film, we will have a discussion with representatives from AIDS Resource Center Ohio, Miami Valley Poz 4 Poz, an early HIV/AIDS community educator, and more. Additionally, we will have the opportunity to see a series of incredible photographs in THE NEON’s lobby. Here’s the story:Approximately half way through WE WERE HERE, there are several beautiful and chilling photos of a man with AIDS. These photos were the final project of the late John Davis of Dayton. His sister contacted me a couple weeks ago and offered us the opportunity to display the entire series. THE NEON will hang all 17 photographs in our lobby before the screening.

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

THE NEON has been rented out for a special screening of BICYCLE DREAMS. Advance tickets ($10 each + $1 handling fee) must be purchased on-line (visit Link). Remaining tickets will be sold at the door the night of the event for $15 each. “BICYCLE DREAMS tells the true story of the Race Across America, a 3000-mile bicycle race that challenges riders to cross the country in just ten days. They must overcome searing desert hear, agonizing mountain climbs, and endless stretches of open road, all while battling extreme exhaustion and sleep deprivation. But when tragedy strikes the race, this simple test of human endurance is instantly transformed into something far more daunting. These voyageurs discover what is truly at stake as they pedal on, praying for the deliverance only the finish line can bring. By journey’s end, some are saved, others are lost, but all learn that the fuel that takes a soul toward its own true destiny is desire.” (taken from press notes)

Hope to see you soon,

Jonathan

SHOWTIMES for June 10 – June 16:

MIDNIGHT IN PARIS (PG-13) 1 Hr 40 Min

Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 12:50, 3:00, 5:10, 7:30, 9:45

Monday – Thursday: 3:00, 5:10, 7:30, 9:45

INCENDIES (R) 2 Hr 10 Min

Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 1:00, 4:15, 7:00, 9:30

Monday – Wednesday: 2:45, 5:15, 8:00

Thursday: 2:45, 9:45

WE WERE HERE (NR) 1 Hr 30 Min + Discussion

Thursday: 7:00

COMING SOON:

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

In some cases, titles may disappear.

June 17 POTICHE

June 24 TREE OF LIFE

July 1 DOUBLE HOUR

July 8 BUCK

July 15   PAGE ONE: INSIDE THE NEW YORK TIMES

July 15   BEGINNERS

Aug 5   SNOW FLOWER AND THE SECRET FAN

Aug 26 ANOTHER EARTH

Bill Cunningham & Winter in Wartime – This Week at THE NEON!

June 3, 2011 By Jonathan McNeal Leave a Comment

Hello Everyone.

Well…none of our films performed wonderfully last weekend (though THE BEAVER did well enough to stick around for a couple screenings a day for one more week). I AM and POM WONDERFUL PRESENTS: THE GREATEST MOVIE EVER SOLD have left.

Today (6/3), we open two new films – BILL CUNNINGHAM NEW YORK and WINTER IN WARTIME.

If you’re a regular reader of The New York Times, I’m certain you’re already familiar with Bill Cunningham. If not, I’m certain you’ll still be charmed by the story of this wonderful photographer. Synopsis for BILL CUNNINGHAM NEW YORK: “‘We all get dressed for Bill,’ says Vogue editrix Anna Wintour. The “Bill” in question is 80+ New York Times photographer Bill Cunningham. For decades, this Schwinn-riding cultural anthropologist has been obsessively and inventively chronicling fashion trends and high society charity soirees for the Times Style section in his columns “On the Street” and “Evening Hours.” Documenting uptown fixtures (Wintour, Tom Wolfe, Brooke Astor, David Rockefeller-who all appear in the film out of their love for Bill), downtown eccentrics and everyone in between, Cunningham’s enormous body of work is more reliable than any catwalk as an expression of time, place and individual flair. In turn, Bill Cunningham New York is a delicate, funny and often poignant portrait of a dedicated artist whose only wealth is his own humanity and unassuming grace.” (taken from Zeitgeist Films) Visit the OFFICIAL SITE.

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

If you’ve been to THE NEON in the past few months, I’m certain you’ve seen the trailer for our next new film, the official selection from the Netherlands for this year’s “Best Foreign Film” Oscar. Synopsis for WINTER IN WARTIME: “Near the end of World War II, 14-year-old Michiel becomes involved with the Resistance after coming to the aid of a wounded British soldier. With the conflict coming to an end, Michiel comes of age and learns of the stark difference between adventure fantasy and the ugly realities of war.” (taken from Sony Pictures Classics) If you haven’t seen the trailer, be certain to take a look. I don’t think this synopsis does the film justice. Visit the OFFICIAL SITE.

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YrtnYwQXr6Y’]

A panel is in place for our screening of a powerful and moving documentary called WE WERE HERE. “WE WERE HERE is the first documentary to take a deep and reflective look back at the arrival and impact of AIDS in San Francisco. It explores how the City’s inhabitants were affected by, and how they responded to, that calamitous epidemic. Though a San Francisco-based story, We Were Here extends beyond San Francisco and beyond AIDS itself. It speaks to our capacity as individuals to rise to the occasion, and to the incredible power of a community coming together with love, compassion, and determination.” WE WERE HERE will screen on June 16 at 7PM. Tickets are $8 each and are currently available at THE NEON box office. This screening is sponsored by The Greater Dayton LGBT Center. Be sure to take a look at the trailer, and get your tickets early. After the film, we will have a discussion with representatives from AIDS Resource Center Ohio, Miami Valley Poz 4 Poz, an early HIV/AIDS community educator, and more. Additionally, we will have the opportunity to see a series of incredible photographs in THE NEON’s lobby. Here’s the story: Approximately half way through WE WERE HERE, there are several beautiful and chilling photos of a man with AIDS. These photos were the final project of the late John Davis of Belmont, Ohio. His sister contacted me a couple weeks ago and offered us the opportunity to display the entire series. THE NEON will hang all 17 photographs in our lobby before the screening.

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

One last reminder regarding our price increase…If you’ve been to THE NEON lately, you’ve more than likely seen our note at the front counter about pricing. Here’s what it states: “Effective June 3, 2011. At THE NEON, we strive to have the best films, the best customer service and the best prices. While we don’t intend on changing these goals, we must unfortunately raise our admission prices. On June 3, all General Admission, Matinee and Senior Citizen tickets will increase by 50 cents. Our ticket prices have not increased since August of 2008…and our new ticket prices will still be at least $2 less expensive than all the first-run multiplexes in the region. Thanks for your understanding.” We hope this won’t deter you from coming to THE NEON…as we have dozens of great films coming our way in the weeks and months ahead.

Hope to see you soon,

Jonathan

SHOWTIMES for June 3 – June 9:

WINTER IN WARTIME (R) 1 Hr 43 Min

Friday – Thursday: 3:00, 7:15

THE BEAVER (PG-13) 1 Hr 31 Min

Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 1:00, 5:10, 9:30

Monday – Thursday: 5:10, 9:30

BILL CUNNINGHAM NEW YORK (NR) 1 Hr 24 Min

Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 1:10, 3:15, 5:15, 7:30, 9:30

Monday – Thursday: 3:15, 5:15, 7:30, 9:30

COMING SOON: