NEON NEWSFLASH: Award Winning DRIVE MY CAR Opens Friday!

NEW IN-PERSON ENGAGEMENT:

Synopsis for DRIVE MY CAR: Winner of multiple awards around the world including the National Society of Film Critics’ “Best Picture” and “Best Director” prizes. “Two years after his wife’s unexpected death, Yusuke Kafuku (Hidetoshi Nishijima), a renowned stage actor and director, receives an offer to direct a production of Uncle Vanya at a theater festival in Hiroshima. There, he meets Misaki Watari (Toko Miura), a taciturn young woman assigned by the festival to chauffeur him in his beloved red Saab 900. As the production’s premiere approaches, tensions mount amongst the cast and crew, not least between Yusuke and Koji Takatsuki, a handsome TV star who shares an unwelcome connection to Yusuke’s late wife. Forced to confront painful truths raised from his past, Yusuke begins – with the help of his driver – to face the haunting mysteries his wife left behind. Adapted from Haruki Murakami’s short story, Ryusuke Hamaguchi’s DRIVE MY CAR is a haunting road movie traveling a path of love, loss, acceptance, and peace.” (Janus Films) Click the image below to watch the film’s trailer.

We added two classics to our Virtual Cinema over the weekend (available until Jan. 31), and we still have a handful of contemporary titles available. To read more about all the films that are still available, please visit our WEBSITE. Here’s a LINK with a video I made about how Virtual Cinema works. Our Virtual Cinema is slowing down, but we still want to bring new films now and again that deserve to be seen that you can enjoy from home! More titles are on the way…stay tuned!

In memory of the late, great Peter Bogdanovich – who passed away last week – we have secured the rights to his classic American film THE LAST PICTURE SHOW. Also known for directing other great films such as PAPER MOON, WHAT’S UP DOC? and MASK, THE LAST PICTURE SHOW was the movie that put Bogdanovich on the map. “Released in 1971 to critical acclaim and public controversy, THE LAST PICTURE SHOW garnered eight Academy Award nominations and was hailed as the most important work by a young American director since CITIZEN KANE. A surprisingly frank, bittersweet drama of social and sexual mores in small-town Texas, the film features a talent-laden cast led by Jeff Bridges (THE BIG LEBOWSKI), Cybill Sheperd (TV’s MOONLIGHTING) and Timothy Bottoms (THE PAPER CHASE). Cloris Leachman (TV’s THE MARY TYLER MOORE SHOW) and Ben Johnson (THE WILD BUNCH) each won Oscars for their work in supporting roles.” (Sony) Click on the image below to watch the trailer and rent the film. This film can be viewed on your computer or mobile device or via your TV with Apple TV or Roku (via the Eventive app). Once you unlock the film for $10, you’ll have 24 hours to finish watching it. Additional instructions can be found on Eventive’s Help Page.

In memory of the incomparable Sidney Poitier – who passed away last week – we have secured the rights to A RAISIN IN THE SUN – the screen adaptation of the award-winning play. Also known for great performances in films like IN THE HEAT OF THE NIGHT, THEY CALL ME MR. TIBBS!, GUESS WHO’S COMING TO DINNER?, LILLIES OF THE FIELD (for which he won an Oscar) and so many more, A RAISIN IN THE SUN saw him performing alongside Ruby Dee and Claudia McNeil. “A RAISIN IN THE SUN is a groundbreaking drama celebrating the human spirit, featuring an electrifying performance by Sidney Poitier. The Younger family, frustrated with living in their crowded Chicago apartment, sees the arrival of a $10,000 insurance check as the answer to their prayers. Matriarch Lena Younger promptly puts a down payment on a house in an all-white suburban neighborhood. But the family is divided when Lena entrusts the balance of the money to her mercurial son Walter Lee, against the wishes of her daughter and daughter-in-law. It takes the strength and integrity of this African-American family to battle against generations of prejudice to try to achieve their piece of the American Dream.” (Sony) Click on the image below to watch the trailer and rent the film. This film can be viewed on your computer or mobile device or via your TV with Apple TV or Roku (via the Eventive app). Once you unlock the film for $10, you’ll have 24 hours to finish watching it. Additional instructions can be found on Eventive’s Help Page.

A DREAM TO SERVE THROUGH EDUCATION is a new short documentary that is being presented by the founder of The Dayton School. “The Dayton School (TDS) is an up and coming revolutionary educational experience for students, families, and the surrounding community. The school will specifically service Dayton students, however, through after school programming and community partners we plan to offer educational experiences for TDS families and the community. This documentary outlines a story of a young woman’s journey of resilience through poverty to educational success. Follow her on this voyage as she transforms humbling life lessons and early teaching experiences into passion and commitment to create rewarding education environments for all Dayton families. Witness her unflagging support for the Dayton community as a dedicated educator inside and outside of the classroom. It is the belief of The Dayton School that every child, regardless of zip code, economic status, or culture, deserves a free holistic project based style education that transcends beyond high school. The Dayton School has a mission to improve access, opportunity, and resources for students through multiple exemplary education pathways. This short 30 minute documentary can be viewed for $10 on Thursday January 20th at 7:30pm at THE NEON. After viewing the film The Dayton School’s board, and/or film participants will be available for questions, comments, and discussion. Tickets are available at THE NEON’s Box Office or via this LINK. For more information regarding The Dayton School, including ways in which you can support prior to viewing, please visit Daytonschoolohio.org.” (taken from press notes)

THE NEON wants to keep our Staff and Patrons safe! Our Board of Directors has sought advisement from Combined Health Dayton & Montgomery County and the Center for Disease Control…we’re also looking at other arthouse cinemas in major markets across the country. We have recently made one minor change to our policy. Masks are now required for all guests age 2 and higher until further notice.  All patrons aged 12 and over will be required to present proof of vaccination with a photo ID or a negative COVID-19 test from the last 72 hours. (Self-reported vaccination records not verified by a third party health care provider are not acceptable. Test results must include name, test result, and a timestamp within the past 72 hours.) We will continue to monitor the community’s health data and amend our policies based on guidance. Please stay tuned to THE NEON’s website for the latest updates. A couple helpful hints!! Take a single picture of your photo ID and your vaccination card in the same shot. You’ll be able to flash this photo at our box office, and that will work as proof enough for us. If you have a smart phone, you could also download the app that most folks in NYC are using to get into movies, Broadway shows and restaurants – NYCCOVIDSAFE. This app will have you take a photo of your ID and your vaccine card – and it saves you from having to hunt for a photo on your phone. I downloaded it, and it’s very easy to use.

Please remember – We ask that you arrive before showtime to allow for checking everyone in before the auditorium gets dark!

Thank you for all of your continued support through these challenging times!

We hope to see you soon,

Jonathan