dangerous method

THE ARTIST – Now Playing at THE NEON!

January 20, 2012 By Jonathan McNeal Leave a Comment

Hello Everyone,

I’m going to keep this update short and sweet. I’ve been running around Park City, and I’ve returned to the hotel where the internet connection is terribly slow.

As of today (Jan. 20), THE NEON is now playing one of the best reviewed films of 2011…and in my opinion, it’s fantastic! Do not miss THE ARTIST – winner of the Golden Globe for “Best Picture – Musical or Comedy.” For showtimes, please visit www.neonmovies.com.

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Thanks much…and see you soon!

Jonathan

Holding Steady and New News at THE NEON

January 11, 2012 By Jonathan McNeal Leave a Comment

Hello Everyone,

We had a very solid opening for TINKER TAILOR SOLDIER SPY, and I want to thank all of you who came out to support opening weekend at The Neon! TTSS will stick around, and we are going to hold MY WEEK WITH MARILYN for one more week (Jan. 19 will be MARILYN’s final day). Unfortunately, I have to report that we needed to move the opening date of CARNAGE, but the distributor didn’t want to wait for us…so we have to pass on playing it. That said, the road will be clear for us to open THE ARTIST on January 20 as planned.

Click HERE for TINKER TAILOR’s official site.

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On Saturday, January 28 at 3:00, our large auditorium has been rented to screen CALL OF THE SCENIC RIVER: AN OHIO JOURNEY. “This film is the story of Ohio’s most natural waterways. Although few people realize that Ohio was the first state to declare a Scenic Rivers Program in March of 1968, Ohio’s program continues to lead river conservation because of it’s respect of private property, it’s commitment to designating the most ecologically intact systems, and it’s popular volunteer opportunities. Filmed by Ohio cinematographers, Mike King and Adam White, with underwater footage by Tom Mayor, – alumni of Wright State University’s Motion Picture Program – the film captures the stunning and natural beauty of these watershed eco-systems. A portion of the proceeds will benefit Rivers Unlimited, the nation’s oldest river conservation organization. RSVP and tickets ($10/ticket) may be purchased from the film’s website – CLICK LINK.” (taken from press notes)

On Saturday, February 25 at noon, The Junior Leaguers Club, Inc. will host a benefit screening of THUNDER SOUL. “THUNDER SOUL follows the extraordinary alumni from Houston’s storied Kashmere High School Stage Band, who return home after 35 years to play a tribute concert for the 92-year-old “Prof,” their beloved band leader who broke the color barrier and transformed the school’s struggling jazz band into a world-class funk powerhouse in the early 1970s.” (taken from press notes) Adult tickets (which include a glass of wine as well as soda & popcorn) are $30 each. Student tickets (which include soda and popcorn) are $15 each. For more information, please call (937)219-7501. Proceeds from this event will go to The Junior Leaguers Scholarship Fund. To check out more about THUNDER SOUL, visit the official site.

On Sunday morning, I’ll be heading to a conference for operators and owners of arthouse cinemas from across the country. The conference is in Utah, so I’ll stick around for the first couple days of the Sundance Film Festival, too. Please keep the staff nice and busy while I’m gone.

See you soon,

Jonathan

SHOWTIMES for

Fri. January 13 – Thur. January 19:

TINKER TAILOR SOLDIER SPY (R) 2 Hrs 07 Min

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

Monday: 3:30, 5:45, 8:15

Tuesday – Thursday: 2:30, 5:15, 8:00

MY WEEK WITH MARILYN (R) 1 Hr 39 Min

Friday: 12:50, 3:00, 5:10, 7:20, 9:30

Saturday: 12:50, 5:10, 7:20, 9:30

Sunday: 12:50, 3:00, 5:10, 7:20, 9:30

Monday: 3:30, 5:45, 8:00

Tuesday – Thursday: 3:00, 5:10, 7:20

COMING SOON:

As always, all dates are tentative.

Many of these dates will change.

In some cases, titles may disappear.

Jan. 20 THE ARTIST

TBD THE HEDGEHOG

TBD SHAME

TBD A DANGEROUS METHOD

TBD A SEPARATION

TINKER TAILOR SOLDIER SPY Opens Friday at THE NEON!

January 3, 2012 By Jonathan McNeal Leave a Comment

Hello Everyone,

It’s time to say farewell to THE DESCENDANTS – one of our big hits from 2011. If you haven’t seen the film yet (or need to see it again), you only have through Thursday to see it at THE NEON. On Friday, we will open a film that has been long-awaited by several of you and a “Top 10” for numerous critics – TINKER TAILOR SOLDIER SPY. For our other screen, MY WEEK WITH MARILYN will hold for another week.

I just found out that we will not be exclusive on TINKER TAILOR. Though this is a big disappointment, I hope you’ll help us by telling your friends & family to please support this film at THE NEON. Having a great opening weekend will help send the message to distributors that THE NEON is where people want to see smart, thought-provoking cinema.

Synopsis for TINKER TAILOR SOLDIER SPY: “The time is 1973. The Cold War of the mid-20th Century continues to damage international relations. Britain’s Secret Intelligence Service (SIS), a.k.a. MI6 and code-named the Circus, is striving to keep pace with other countries’ espionage efforts and to keep the U.K. secure. When things go awry, it’s up to top lieutenant, George Smiley, a career spy with razor-sharp senses, to get things back on track.” (Taken from Focus Features) Based on the 1974 novel by John le Carre that “redefined the spy thriller,” the new film stars Gary Oldman, John Hurt, Toby Jones, Colin Firth, Tom Hardy and Mark Strong.

Click this link to visit the film’s official site.

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We have several organizations renting our space for special events in the coming weeks…so I’ll hopefully have more details for you by next week’s newsletter.

We hope to see you this weekend at THE NEON,

Jonathan

SHOWTIMES for Friday Jan 6 – Thursday Jan 12:

TINKER TAILOR SOLDIER SPY (R) 2 Hrs 07 Min

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

Monday – Thursday: 2:30, 5:15, 8:00

MY WEEK WITH MARILYN (R) 1 Hr 39 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 cases, titles may disappear.

Jan. 13 CARNAGE

Jan. 20 THE ARTIST

TBD THE HEDGEHOG

TBD SHAME

TBD A DANGEROUS METHOD

MY WEEK WITH MARILYN at THE NEON!

December 22, 2011 By Jonathan McNeal Leave a Comment

Hello Everyone,

If you still need to see WEEKEND or MELANCHOLIA, you only have today (Dec. 22) to see them at THE NEON. Even though I was a bit disappointed at the turn-out for WEEKEND, I’m so glad we brought it to THE NEON for a week. It helps us maintain our status as a true arthouse cinema when we can bring films of this caliber that don’t have much of a marketing budget (meaning it’s a hard-to-find gem that didn’t get much play in the Midwest). Just after I sent out last week’s newsletter, A.O. Scott of The New York Times listed WEEKEND as one of the best films of the year…and I’m in agreement. For remaining showtimes for this week, please visit our official NEON site – www.neonmovies.com

Tomorrow (Dec. 23), we will open MY WEEK WITH MARILYN. This is a film that was supposed to open several weeks ago…but the distributor decided to delay rolling it out into smaller markets in hopes of garnering award season buzz. And that’s what has happened. The movie has been nominated for 3 Golden Globes – “Best Picture: Comedy or Musical,” “Best Actress – Michelle Williams,” and “Best Supporting Actor – Kenneth Branagh.” And don’t forget that the cast also includes Judi Dench (a favorite of NEON regulars) and Emma Watson (from the Harry Potter franchise).

Synopsis for MY WEEK WITH MARILYN: ” In the early summer of 1956, 23 year-old Colin Clark, just down from Oxford and determined to make his way in the film business, worked as a lowly assistant on the set of ‘The Prince and the Showgirl’. The film that famously united Sir Laurence Olivier and Marilyn Monroe, who was also on honeymoon with her new husband, the playwright Aurthur Miller. Nearly 40 years on, his diary account The Prince, the Showgirl and Me was published, but one week was missing and this was published some years later as My Week with Marilyn – this is the story of that week. When Arthur Miller leaves England, the coast is clear for Colin to introduce Marilyn to some of the pleasures of British life; an idyllic week in which he escorted a Monroe desperate to get away from her retinue of Hollywood hangers-on and the pressures of work.” (The Weinstein Company) This film received an “R” rating due only to adult language…so we’re hoping the rating doesn’t hold back families with teens from coming over the holidays. Visit the Official Website.

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Have you tried one of our new wines? In addition to the Woodbridge Merlot and Chardonnay, we are trying Carernet Sauvignon and Moscato. If you want to make certain that we keep these two wines in the mix, please order a glass during your next visit.

AIDS Resource Center Ohio has asked us to help them sell raffle tickets for their upcoming RED event (Reach, Empower & Dream of a world without HIV/AIDS) in the Spring. First place is a trip to Paris. Second place is a trip to stay in the Paris Hotel in Las Vegas. Tickets are $25 each or $100 for six. We currently have these for sale at our box office…and they make a nice, last-minute gift. I plan to buy a handful and tell people, “I’ve made a donation to ARC Ohio, and you might win a trip to Paris.”

Opening dates for our upcoming titles continue to move around. As of right now, our next big film will be TINKER TAILOR SOLDIER SPY starring Gary Oldman on Jan. 6.

We hope to see you soon at THE NEON,

Jonathan

SHOWTIMES for

Fri. December 23 – Thur. December 29:

THE DESCENDANTS (R) 1 Hrs 55 Min

Friday: 12:15, 2:40, 5:00, 7:20, 9:45

Saturday: 12:15, 2:40, 5:00, 7:20

Sunday: 12:15, 2:40, 5:00, 7:20, 9:45

Monday – Thursday: 2:40, 5:00, 7:20, 9:45

MY WEEK WITH MARILYN (R) 1 Hr 39 Min

Friday: 12:50, 3:00, 5:10, 7:20, 9:30

Saturday: 12:50, 3:00, 5:10, 7:20

Sunday: 12:50, 3:00, 5:10, 7:20, 9:30

Monday – Thursday: 3:00, 5:10, 7:20, 9:30

COMING SOON:

As always, all dates are tentative.

Many of these dates will change.

In some cases, titles may disappear.

TBD THE HEDGEHOG

Jan. 6 TINKER TAILOR SOLDIER SPY

Jan. 13 CARNAGE

Jan. 20 THE ARTIST

Jan. 20 SHAME

Jan. 20 A DANGEROUS METHOD

WEEKEND This Weekend at THE NEON

December 13, 2011 By Jonathan McNeal Leave a Comment

Hello Everyone,

Even though we’re going to hold both of our current attractions – THE DESCENDANTS and MELANCHOLIA – we are going to open a new film on Friday. WEEKEND – which was the sold-out, closing film of this year’s Downtown Dayton LGBT Film Festival – has been winning awards around the world. In addition, it’s one of my favorite films of the year. Eric Hynes of the The Village Voice wrote, “Naturalistic without being ineloquent, heartfelt yet unsentimental, WEEKEND is the rarest of birds: a movie romance that rings true.” David Edelstein of New York Magazine wrote, “I hate to damage so fragile a work with overpraise, but, gay or straight, if you don’t see yourself in this movie, you need to get a life.” This film has not screened much in Ohio…we’re hoping you’ll help support one of the small, true indie gems of the year.

Synopsis for WEEKEND: “After meeting one lonely Friday night at a bar, Russell and Glen find themselves caught up in an lost weekend full of sex, drugs, and intimate conversation. Although they have conflicting ideas of what it is they want from life and certainly how to get it, they form a startling emotional connection that will resonate throughout their lives.” (Sundance Selects)

Click this link to visit the film’s official website.

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I’m delighted to announce that MY WEEK WITH MARILYN has now been set to open on December 23. It seems like the date might really stick this time (but I’ll keep you posted regardless). Just remember that we’re open 365 days a year…so we hope to be part of your plans during the holidays.

This Saturday marks the last of The Holiday Family Movie Series…sponsored by The Downtown Dayton Partnership, DP&L and THE NEON. The film begins at noon and is free for children 12 and under; other tickets are only $2 each. This Saturday’s movie is A CHRISTMAS STORY. Last week’s screening was a huge success…so come early for a good seat (doors open at 11:30). (presented via digital video projection)

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When shopping for the holidays, don’t forget that NEON Gift Certificates are a perfect gift for film lovers…and for people who still need to be introduced to us. For every $50 worth of gift certificates you purchase, we’ll give you a hearty-sized bag of Candy Cane Granola…making your gift all the sweeter.

NYC was a blast. Thanks to all of you who sent well-wishes!

See you soon at THE NEON,

Jonathan

SHOWTIMES for Fri. December 16 – Thur. December 22:

THE DESCENDANTS (R) 1 Hrs 55 Min

Friday,Saturday, Sunday: 12:15, 2:40, 5:00, 7:20, 9:45

Monday – Thursday: 2:40, 5:00, 7:20

MELANCHOLIA (R) 2 Hr 16 Min

Friday: 1:00, 4:00, 9:30

Saturday: 4:00, 9:30

Sunday: 1:00, 4:00, 9:30

Monday – Thursday: 2:30, 5:15

WEEKEND (NR) 1 Hr 37 Min

Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 7:15

Mon-Thur: 8:00

A CHRISTMAS STORY (PG) 1 Hr 40 Min

Saturday: 12:00 (Noon)

COMING SOON:

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

In some cases, titles may disappear.

Dec. 23 MY WEEK WITH MARILYN

TBD THE HEDGEHOG

TBD THE ARTIST

Jan. 13 TINKER TAILOR SOLDIER SPY

Jan. 20 SHAME

Jan. 20 CARNAGE

Jan. 27 A DANGEROUS METHOD

WEEKEND – One week only! Starts Friday!

MY WEEK WITH MARILYN…Opening Next week!

New Almodovar Film at THE NEON!

November 29, 2011 By Jonathan McNeal Leave a Comment

Hello Everyone,

Special thanks to all of you who came out over the weekend. This was our best Thanksgiving Weekend ever, and THE DESCENDANTS is certainly a hit!! (Interesting to note, 2nd place goes to the Thanksgiving weekend we opened AMELIE in 2001…3rd place to our Thanksgiving opening of SIDEWAYS – also Alexander Payne – back in 2004.)

If you haven’t had a chance to see MARTHA MARCY MAY MARLENE, Thursday will be your last chance to see it at THE NEON. On Friday, we will open the latest film by my favorite filmmaker of all time – Pedro Almodovar. THE SKIN I LIVE IN is a melodramatic thriller that reveals itself in a brilliant way. I sat in the front row during its screening at the Toronto International Film Festival – when the film was introduced by its stars Antonio Banderas and Elena Anaya. The film has stuck with me ever since – and I’ve grown to like it even more. That said, I wish I hadn’t read much about it before seeing it on the big screen. (Due to that reason, the description below will be relatively vague by comparison to the content of the film.)

Synopsis for THE SKIN I LIVE IN: “Ever since his wife was burned in a car crash, Dr. Robert Ledgard, an eminent plastic surgeon, has been interested in creating a new skin with which he could have saved her. After twelve years, he manages to cultivate a skin that is a real shield against every assault. In addition to years of study and experimentation, Robert needed three things: no scruples, an accomplice and a human guinea pig. Scruples were never a problem. Marilia, the woman who looked after him from the day he was born, is his most faithful accomplice. And as for the human guinea pig…” (Sony Classics) Visit the film’s official website.

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As you can tell by now, the Weinstein Co. decided not to open MY WEEK WITH MARILYN in Dayton on December 2. Right now, we don’t know their intentions for the film in this market. Though we would certainly love to play the film, it will all be a matter of screen availability when they decide to move forward.

Starting this Saturday, we’ll be hosting The Holiday Family Movie Series…sponsored by The Downtown Dayton Partnership, DP&L and THE NEON. The movies begin at noon and are free for children 12 and under; other tickets are only $2 each. On December 3, we will play MIRACLE ON 34th STREET (original 1947 version). On December 10 – POLAR EXPRESS. And lastly, on December 17, we will play A CHRISTMAS STORY. All of these movies will be presented via digital video projection.

For remaining showtimes for this week, visit our site.

Special thanks to our new friends at Ghostlight Coffee for letting us hang posters in their new, adorable coffeeshop. If you haven’t had a chance to check them out, click on the link – they’re a great addition to Dayton. Of course we appreciate all of our friends and partners – Meadowlark, Boston Stoker, Ohio Coffee Company, Olive, A Urban Dive, Blind Bob’s, Square One Salon & Spa, 5th Street Wine & Deli, Gem City Records, and all of you…and of course DAYTON MOST METRO. Without grassroots marketing and positive word-of-mouth, we wouldn’t still be here. Thank you!

We hope to see you very soon,

Jonathan

SHOWTIMES for Fri. December 2 – Thur. December 8:

THE DESCENDANTS (R) 1 Hrs 55 Min

Friday,Saturday, Sunday: 12:15, 2:40, 5:00, 7:20, 9:45

Monday – Thursday: 2:40, 5:00, 7:20, 9:45

THE SKIN I LIVE IN (R) 1 Hr 57 Min

Friday: 12:20, 2:50, 5:10, 7:30, 9:50

Saturday: 2:50, 5:10, 7:30, 9:50

Sunday: 12:20, 2:50, 5:10, 7:30, 9:50

Monday – Thursday: 2:50, 5:10, 7:30, 9:50

MIRACLE ON 34th STREET 1947 version (G) 1 Hr 36 Min