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BEFORE MIDNIGHT – Best Reviewed Film of the Year – Opens at THE NEON!

June 13, 2013 By Jonathan McNeal Leave a Comment

Hello Everyone,

For those of you who haven’t seen RENOIR yet (or those of you who need to see it again), we’re going to hold the film for one screening per day on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Sunday will be its last day…so hurry down. On Friday, we will open the best reviewed film of the year…and in my opinion, the best film I’ve seen all year – BEFORE MIDNIGHT. In addition, we will hold the new Noah Baumbach comedy FRANCES HA. For this week’s remaining showtimes, visit our website at www.neonmovies.com.

Synopsis for BEFORE MIDNIGHT: BEFORE MIDNIGHT is the best reviewed film of the year – with current scores of 98% on Rottentomatoes.com and 96% on Metascritic.com (check out all the 100% reviews by clicking this LINK). Don’t miss this honest, relatable, and touching film on the big screen. “In this follow-up to Before Sunrise and Before Sunset, we meet Jesse and Celine nine years later in Greece. Almost two decades have passed since their first meeting on that train bound for Vienna.” (taken from Sony Classics) Click this LINK to visit the film’s official site. This film is rich with intelligent dialog and great performances, and it works whether you’ve seen the 2 previous films or not.

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There are still tickets available for our special screening of I DO – taking place on Thursday, June 20 at 7:30. As the Supreme Court decides on civil rights issues that will effect thousands of US Citizens, this film couldn’t come at a more important time. (I saw this film at The Cleveland International Film Festival, and the audience adored it!) “A gay Brit living in New York is deprived of his immigration status, and risks losing his family and life in the U.S. He marries his lesbian best friend to remain in the country and stay with his family, but things get complicated when he meets the love of his life and is forced to make an impossible choice.” This one night only screening is part of Dayton’s PRIDE festivities. Tickets are $9 for General Admission. Members of The Greater Dayton LGBT Center get in for $7 (with valid membership card). Tickets are on sale now at THE NEON’s box office.

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“Start Freedom Dayton is at it again – this time with a screening BORN INTO BROTHELS, the 77th Oscar winner for Best Feature Documentary. Come see the movie and stay for the post-screening discussion led by Melinda Haggerty, Ohio’s Director of Children’s Initiatives, the juvenile justice arm of the Office of Mike DeWine. Advance tickets are available at Peace on Fifth for $7.50 (located at 508 E. Fifth Street). Tickets on the day of the show will cost $10 at THE NEON.” (Peace on Fifth press notes.) Born into Brothels is the chronicle [of two documentary filmmakers and] their time in Sonagchi, Calcutta and the relationships they developed with children of prostitutes who work the city’s notorious red light district.

On Saturday, July 6, THE NEON will host the premiere of Meladi McNair’s new film THE OMISSION. “Marissa tries to hide from her friends that she is in an unfortunate, yet common situation that afflicts many young adults. A violent, controlling relationship. Three flashbacks paint her birthday bash as the platform for a series of unfortunate events in which five long-time friends learn of her situation, and turn on each other… THE OMISSION, a dark, abuse awareness film debuts at 3 pm on July 6. The film was written and directed by Dayton’s own Meladi McNair; a Journalist and social-conscious author, artist and film maker. She is also the author of the anti-bullying book, ‘The Vexing.’ Tickets are $5 each.” (taken from press notes)

See you soon!

All the best,
Jonathan

SHOWTIMES for Fri. June 14 – Thur. June 20:

BEFORE MIDNIGHT (R) 1 Hr 48 Min
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 12:20, 2:40, 5:00, 7:20, 9:40
Monday – Thursday: 3:00, 5:20, 7:45

RENOIR (R) 1 Hr 51 Min
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 12:40

FRANCES HA (R) 1 Hr 26 Min
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 3:00, 5:15, 7:30, 9:40
Monday – Wednesday: 3:00, 5:15, 7:30
Thursday: 3:00, 5:15

I DO (NR) 1 Hr 31 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.
June 21 – THE EAST
June 28 – LOVE IS ALL YOU NEED
July 12 – 20 FEET FROM STARDOM
July 26 – THE WAY WAY BACK
Aug 2 – I’M SO EXCITED
Aug 23 – BLUE JASMINE
TBD – GINGER AND ROSA
TBD – KON TIKI
TBD – FROM UP ON POPPY HILL
TBD – IN THE HOUSE

THE NEON Opens FRANCES HA – Best Reviewed Comedy of the Year!

June 5, 2013 By Jonathan McNeal Leave a Comment

Hello Everyone,

If you still need to see MUD or TO THE WONDER, you’ll only have until Thursday (June 6) to see them at THE NEON. On Friday (June 7), we will open the new comedy FRANCES HA – directed by Noah Baumbach (director of THE SQUID AND THE WHALE). This new comedy has been receiving fantastic reviews (100% reviews from The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times and The Washington Post to name a few), and I think it is equal parts early Woody Allen and Francois Truffaut. In addition to this new movie, the beautiful film RENOIR will stick around for another week. For this week’s remaining showtimes, visit our website at www.neonmovies.com.

Synopsis for FRANCES HA: “Frances (Greta Gerwig) lives in New York, but she doesn’t really have an apartment. Frances is an apprentice for a dance company, but shes not really a dancer. Frances has a best friend named Sophie, but they aren’t really speaking anymore. Frances throws herself headlong into her dreams, even as their possible reality dwindles. Frances wants so much more than she has but lives her life with unaccountable joy and lightness. FRANCES HA is a modern comic fable that explores New York, friendship, class, ambition, failure, and redemption.” (taken from IFC Films) Click this LINK to visit the film’s fun, official site.

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Our special screening of GIRL RISING sold out…and many people were disappointed that they didn’t get tickets. Don’t let that happen to you for our upcoming screening of I DO. There are still tickets available for Thursday, June 20 at 7:30. (I saw this film at The Cleveland International Film Festival, and the audience adored it!) “A gay Brit living in New York is deprived of his immigration status, and risks losing his family and life in the U.S. He marries his lesbian best friend to remain in the country and stay with his family, but things get complicated when he meets the love of his life and is forced to make an impossible choice.” This one night only screening is part of Dayton’s PRIDE festivities. Tickets are $9 for General Admission. Members of The Greater Dayton LGBT Center get in for $7 (with valid membership card). Tickets are on sale now at THE NEON’s box office. Check out this trailer…if it intrigues you in the slightest, then I think you’ll love the film (as the trailer doesn’t really do the film justice).

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All the best,
Jonathan

SHOWTIMES for Fri. June 7 – Thur. June 13:

RENOIR (R) 1 Hr 51 Min
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 12:20, 2:45, 5:10, 7:30, 9:45
Monday – Thursday: 2:45, 5:10, 7:30

FRANCES HA (R) 1 Hr 26 Min
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 12:50, 3:00, 5:10, 7:20, 9:30
Monday – Thursday: 3:00, 5:10, 7:20

COMING SOON:
As always, all dates are tentative. Many of these dates will change.
In some rare cases, titles may disappear.
June 14 – BEFORE MIDNIGHT

AT ANY PRICE and STARBUCK + 2 Hold-Overs…And Please Vote NEON.

May 23, 2013 By Jonathan McNeal Leave a Comment

Hello Everyone,

2 new films are heading to THE NEON for the holiday weekend – AT ANY PRICE and STARBUCK. That said, we’ll hold onto THE SAPPHIRES and MUD for another week. (NO screened for the last time on Thursday (May 23).) Please pay close attention to showtimes for the upcoming week (which are listed below). Due to the holiday, they change around a little more than usual.

Every year, The Dayton Daily News holds a contest for “Best Movie Theater.” Last year, we forgot to remind you, but we still ended up with quite a few votes. This year, I put it on the calendar. Please visit the site below to enter you vote. You can only vote once from each computer…and we won’t bribe you or bother you again for votes (unless of course you’re on facebook…where we’ll put a couple reminders throughout the week). Here’s the LINK. Thank you!

Synopsis for STARBUCK: “At 42, David lives the life of an irresponsible adolescent. He coasts through life with minimal effort and maintains a complicated relationship with Valerie, a young policewoman. Just as she tells him she’s pregnant, David’s past resurfaces. Twenty years earlier, he began providing sperm to a fertility clinic in exchange for money. He discovers he’s the father of 533 children, 142 of whom have filed a class action lawsuit to determine the identity of their biological father, known only by the pseudonym Starbuck.” (taken from EOne) Click this LINK to visit the film’s official site. I think the trailer will make you want to see this film!

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Synopsis for AT ANY PRICE: “In the competitive world of modern agriculture, ambitious HENRY WHIPPLE (Dennis Quaid) wants his rebellious son DEAN (Zac Efron) to help expand his family’s farming empire. However, Dean has his sights set on becoming a professional race car driver. When a high-stakes investigation into their business is exposed, father and son are pushed into an unexpected crisis that threatens the family’s entire livelihood.” (taken from Sony Pictures Classics) Click this LINK to visit the film’s official site. This film was directed by one of America’s most well-received, young directors.

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Film #4 in Start Freedom Dayton’s film series – CALL + RESPONSE – is scheduled for next Thursday, May 30 at 7:30. “Organized by Justin Dillon, an artist, public speaker, abolitionist, founder and CEO of Slavery Footprint, CALL + RESPONSE is a documentary about human trafficking that combines musicians, celebrities, national abolitionists and political figures to shine a light on human trafficking concerns in the US and abroad. Tickets are $10 day of show at THE NEON or advance tickets are $8 (available exclusively at Peace on Fifth – 508 E. 5th – 937.367-7215). For information about Peace on Fifth or Start Freedom Dayton visit the official site. CALL + RESPONSE is sponsored by Fairly Simple.” (taken from the press release)

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Only 50 seats remain for our upcoming special screening of 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 is set to take place on Wednesday, June 5 at 7:30. Advanced tickets are only available on the website listed above. If tickets remain, we will be able to sell them at the door on the night of the show. Watch the trailer…this film looks terrific!

On Thursday, June 20 at 7:30, we will host a special screening of the new film I DO. (I saw this film at The Cleveland International Film Festival, and the audience adored it!) “A gay Brit living in New York is deprived of his immigration status, and risks losing his family and life in the U.S. He marries his lesbian best friend to remain in the country and stay with his family, but things get complicated when he meets the love of his life and is forced to make an impossible choice.” This one night only screening is part of Dayton’s PRIDE festivities. Tickets are $9 for General Admission. Members of The Greater Dayton LGBT Center get in for $7 (with valid membership card). Tickets are on sale now at THE NEON’s box office.

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=92tXGsF6s4Q’]

Thanks for your many well-wishes during my European holiday. I had a magnificent time in Germany (visiting old friends & “family” from my time as an exchange student) and Spain (visiting one of my dearest friends in Barcelona). As I anticipated, Diana and Mike did a great job holding down the fort at THE NEON. Many thanks to them…their work makes it possible for me to escape now and then.

See you soon!

All the best,
Jonathan

SHOWTIMES for Fri. May 24 – Thur, May 30:

MUD (PG-13) 2 Hr 10 Min
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 1:30, 7:10, 9:45
Monday: 1:30, 7:10
Tuesday & Wednesday: 2:30, 7:45
Thursday: 2:30

THE SAPPHIRES (PG-13) 1 Hr 43 Min
Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday: 4:30
Tuesday – Thursday: 5:10

STARBUCK (R) 1 Hr 49 Min
Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday: 12:30, 5:15
Tuesday – Thursday: 5:15

AT ANY PRICE (R) 1 Hr 45 Min
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 2:50, 7:30, 9:45
Monday – Thursday: 2:50, 7:30

CALL + RESPONSE (PG-13) 1 hr 26 Min + 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.

May 31 – RENOIR
June 7 – LOVE IS ALL YOU NEED
June 14 – BEFORE MIDNIGHT
June 28 – THE EAST
July 26 – THE WAY WAY BACK
TBD – GINGER AND ROSA
TBD – KON TIKI
TBD – FROM UP ON POPPY HILL
TBD – FRANCES HA
TBD – IN THE HOUSE
TBD – TO THE WONDER

Oscar Nominated NO Starts Friday at THE NEON

May 15, 2013 By Jonathan McNeal Leave a Comment

Hello Everyone,

We’re adding something to the mix this weekend, but you’ll only have one week to catch NO – the feature film from Chile starring Gael Garcia Bernal. NO was nominated for “Best Foreign Film” at this year’s Oscars, and it won an award at last year’s Cannes Film Festival. It also received 100% reviews from Entertainment Weekly, The Chicago Sun-Times, and Time Out New York. We will hold MUD and THE SAPPHIRES (though showtimes are changing). For this week’s remaining showtimes, visit our website at www.neonmovies.com.

Synopsis for NO: “In 1988, Chilean military dictator Augusto Pinochet, due to international pressure, is forced to call a referendum on his presidency. The country will vote YES or NO to Pinochet extending his rule for another eight years. Opposition leaders for the NO persuade a brash young advertising executive, Rene Saavedra (Gael Garcia Bernal), to spearhead their campaign. With scant resources and under scrutiny by the despot’s minions, Saavedra and his team devise an audacious plan to win the election and set Chile free.” (taken from The Weinstein Company) Click this LINK to visit the film’s official site.

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In the 13 years of The Dayton Jewish International Film Festival, this year was the best ever. Many thanks to all of you who supported this great fest. MELTING AWAY and MY BEST ENEMY tied for the audience favorite of “Best Feature.”

Film #4 in Start Freedom Dayton’s film series – CALL + RESPONSE – is scheduled for May 30 at 7:30. “Organized by Justin Dillon, an artist, public speaker, abolitionist, founder and CEO of Slavery Footprint, CALL + RESPONSE is a documentary about human trafficking that combines musicians, celebrities, national abolitionists and political figures to shine a light on human trafficking concerns in the US and abroad. Tickets are $10 day of show at THE NEON or advance tickets are $8 (available exclusively at Peace on Fifth – 508 E. 5th – 937.367-7215). For information about Peace on Fifth or Start Freedom Dayton visit the official site. CALL + RESPONSE is sponsored by Fairly Simple.” (taken from the press release)

I’m happy to announce that the we’re good to go with the screening of 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 is set to take place on Wednesday, June 5 at 7:30. Advanced tickets are only available on the website listed above. If tickets remain, we will be able to sell them at the door on the night of the show. Watch the trailer…this film looks terrific!

On Thursday, June 20 at 7:30, we will host a special screening of the new film I DO. (I just saw this film at The Cleveland International Film Festival, and the audience adored it!) “A gay Brit living in New York is deprived of his immigration status, and risks losing his family and life in the U.S. He marries his lesbian best friend to remain in the country and stay with his family, but things get complicated when he meets the love of his life and is forced to make an impossible choice.” This one night only screening is part of Dayton’s PRIDE festivities. Tickets are $9 for General Admission. Members of The Greater Dayton LGBT Center get in for $7 (with valid membership card). Tickets are on sale now at THE NEON’s box office.

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=92tXGsF6s4Q’]

I am currently on vacation in Europe. I’ve been saying that I would take this trip for the past 8-9 years. I’m finally doing it. Thanks for keeping THE NEON staff company in my absence.

See you soon!

All the best,
Jonathan

SHOWTIMES for Fri. May 17 – Thur, May 23:

MUD (PG-13) 2 Hr 10 Min
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 1:00, 4:00, 7:10, 9:45
Monday – Thursday: 2:30, 5:15, 7:45

THE SAPPHIRES (PG-13) 1 Hr 43 Min
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 12:30, 5:10, 7:30
Monday – Thursday: 5:10, 7:30

NO (R) 1 Hr 58 Min
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 2:45, 9:45
Monday – Thursday: 2:45

COMING SOON:
As always, all dates are tentative. Many of these dates will change.
In some rare cases, titles may disappear.
May 24 – STARBUCK
May 24 – AT ANY PRICE
May 31 – RENOIR
June 7 – LOVE IS ALL YOU NEED
June 14 – BEFORE MIDNIGHT
June 28 – THE EAST
TBD – GINGER AND ROSA
TBD – KON TIKI
TBD – FROM UP ON POPPY HILL
TBD – FRANCES HA
TBD – IN THE HOUSE
TBD – TO THE WONDER

THE SAPPHIRES Opens Friday at THE NEON!

May 8, 2013 By Jonathan McNeal Leave a Comment

Hello Everyone,

We’re moving right along this weekend. If you still need to see THE COMPANY YOU KEEP, Thursday will be its last day at THE NEON. On Friday, we will open the crowd-pleasing, award-winning film that so many of you have been asking about – THE SAPPHIRES. We hope you’ll gather up your friends and make plans to see this fun film over the weekend! MUD was off to a great start…it will stick around. For this week’s remaining showtimes, visit our website at www.neonmovies.com.

Synopsis for THE SAPPHIRES: “Four smart, gutsy young Australian Aboriginal women become unlikely stars in the most unlikely of places, with the most unlikely of allies, in THE SAPPHIRES. Set in 1968, the film follows Gail (Deborah Mailman), Cynthia (Miranda Tapsell), Julie (Jessica Mauboy) and Kay (Shari Sebbens) as they seize a risky, but irresistible, chance to launch a professional career singing for U.S. troops in Vietnam. Under the tutelage of an R&B-loving Irish musician, Dave Lovelace (Chris O’Dowd), the girls transform themselves into a sizzling soul act and set out to make a name for themselves hundreds of miles from home. Inspired by a true story, THE SAPPHIRES is a celebration of music, family and self-discovery.” (taken from The Weinstein Company) Click this LINK to watch the trailer and visit the film’s official site.

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The ticket reservations for the screening of GIRL RISING have tipped the required amount…so the screening will move forward. 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. This site is the only place where you can get advanced tickets. If tickets remain on the night of the screening, they can be purchased at THE NEON. The screening is scheduled to take place on Wednesday, June 5 at 7:30. Watch the trailer…this film looks terrific!

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

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

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Be sure to check out our “Coming Soon” list below. I’m delighted that the new Linklater film BEFORE MIDNIGHT will make it to THE NEON…it’s wonderful.

We hope to see you soon!

All the best,
Jonathan

SHOWTIMES for Fri. May 10 – Thur, May 16:

MUD (PG-13) 2 Hr 10 Min
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 1:00, 4:00, 7:10, 9:45
Monday – Thursday: 2:30, 5:15, 7:45

THE SAPPHIRES (PG-13) 1 Hr 43 Min
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 12:30, 2:50, 5:10, 7:30, 9:45
Monday – Thursday: 2:50, 5:10, 7:30

COMING SOON:
As always, all dates are tentative. Many of these dates will change.
In some rare cases, titles may disappear.
May 17 – NO
May 24 – STARBUCK
May 24 – AT ANY PRICE
May 31 – RENOIR
June 7 – LOVE IS ALL YOU NEED
June 14 – BEFORE MIDNIGHT
June 28 – THE EAST
TBD – GINGER AND ROSA
TBD – KON TIKI
TBD – FROM UP ON POPPY HILL
TBD – FRANCES HA
TBD – IN THE HOUSE
TBD – TO THE WONDER