demolition

Sally Field’s DORIS Soars! Hank Williams Biopic Opens Friday at THE NEON!

March 30, 2016 By Jonathan McNeal

Hello Everyone,

Many thanks to everyone who came out to see HELLO, MY NAME IS DORIS this weekend. The response was terrific, and DORIS will certainly stick around. If you’re a Terrence Malick fan (or a fan of Christian Bale, Cate Blanchett or Natalie Portman) and you still need to see KNIGHT OF CUPS, Thursday will be your last chance to see it at THE NEON. On Friday, we will open the new Hank Williams biopic – I SAW THE LIGHT – featuring an incredible central performance by Tom Hiddleston.

Synopsis for I SAW THE LIGHT: “I SAW THE LIGHT tells the story of the iconic, tormented singer-songwriter Hank Williams who revolutionized country music with his raw charisma, haunting voice and original songs, most of which are considered American standards today and have been recorded many times over by pop, rock and country artists alike. Hank Williams (Tom Hiddleston) emerged from the local Alabama music scene after World War II. Wife Audrey (Elizabeth Olsen) was desperate to sing by his side despite being of lesser talent, which fueled an extremely turbulent home life.” (Sony Classics) Stephen Hubbard of ABC-Nashville wrote, “Not since Sissy Spacek portrayed Loretta Lynn as an actor inhabited a legend like Tom Hiddleston playing Hank Williams.” Click this LINK to visit the film’s official site.

We’re only a week away from THE DAYTON JEWISH FILM FESTIVAL, and this year’s selections look like a winning line-up! The fest begins in early April with screenings and speakers all around town. Here’s a list of films that will screen at THE NEON:
Thursday, April 7 – 7:15pm – ATOMIC FALAFEL
Sunday, April 10 – 7:15pm – THE LAST MENTSCH
Tuesday, April 12 – 9:30am – GETT: THE TRIAL OF VIVIANE AMSALEM
Tuesday, April 12 – 7:15pm – BORROWED IDENTITY
Thursday, April 14 – 7:15pm – APPLES FROM THE DESERT
Sunday, April 17 – 5:20pm – MAKING MORNING STAR
Sunday, April 17 – 7:15pm – DOUGH
Advanced tickets are available on the festival’s official site.

On Wednesday, April 20 at 7:30, “Go Wild for Earth Month at the WILD AND SCENIC FILM FESTIVAL presented by Aveda and the SierraClub. The evening will be a celebration of wilderness and waterways as we take a cinematic tour of rivers, lakes, oceans and the individuals exploring, enjoying, and protecting them. Over 15 films spanning the globe highlight why our waterways should be wild.” (taken from press notes) Tickets are $10 each in advance, and they can be purchased via this LINK. If tickets remain, they will be sold one hour before the event at our box office for $12 each. All proceeds benefit the Sierra Club.

On Monday, April 25 at 7:30, Gathr Films along with Tricia Rau-Hammond will present a one-time screening of the new documentary MILK. “Through an intimate and artistic lens, MILK brings a universal perspective on the politics, commercialization and controversies surrounding birth and infant feeding over the canvas of stunningly beautiful visuals and poignant voices from around the globe. Inspiring, informative, provocative and sensitive, MILK celebrates bringing a new life into this world with a strong call to action and reflection.” (taken from Press Notes) In addition to the screening, the evening will feature a raffle of prizes from Luna Blue’s Boutique. Advanced tickets must be purchased on the Gathr site by following this LINK. If tickets remain, they will be available at our box office one hour before the screening.

Next Friday (April 8), we’re slated to open DEMOLITION – the new film from Jean Marc Vallee (director of WILD and DALLAS BUYERS CLUB). It stars Jake Gyllenhaal & Naomi Watts, and it was the Opening Night Film at last year’s Toronto International Film Festival. I think many of you will love it!

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

SHOWTIMES for Monday, March 28 – Thursday, April 7:

KNIGHT OF CUPS (R) 1 Hr 58 Min
Monday – Thursday (March 28-31): 3:00, 5:30, 8:00
FINAL DAY – March 31!

HELLO, MY NAME IS DORIS (R) 1 Hr 35 Min
Monday – Thursday (March 28-31): 3:00, 5:15, 7:30
Friday & Saturday (April 1 & 2): 12:20, 2:40, 5:00, 7:20, 9:30
Sunday (April 3): 12:20, 2:40, 5:00, 7:20
Monday – Wednesday (April 4-6): 3:00, 5:15, 7:30
Thursday (April 7): 3:00, 5:15

I SAW THE LIGHT (R) 2 Hrs 3 Min
Friday & Saturday (April 1 & 2): 1:00, 4:00, 7:00, 9:30
Sunday (April 3): 1:00, 4:00, 7:00
Monday – Thursday (April 4-7): 3:00, 5:30, 8:00

DAYTON JEWISH FILM FESTIVAL
Thursday (April 7): ATOMIC FALAFEL (NR) – 7:15

COMING SOON:
(All Dates Are Tentative. Dates Often Move And Sometimes Disappear.)
April 8 – DEMOLITION (Opening Night film from TIFF)
April ? – REMEMBER
April 22 – MILES AHEAD (shot in Cincinnati & Dayton)
April ? – THE DARK HORSE
April ? – KRISHA
May 6 – SING STREET
May 13 – LOVE AND FRIENDSHIP
May 27 – THE MEDDLER
June 10 – MAGGIE’S PLAN
June 17 – DARK HORSE

Sally Field’s DORIS & Star-Studded Malick Film Open Friday at THE NEON!

March 23, 2016 By Jonathan McNeal

Hello Everyone,

We’re cleaning house this week! If you need to see HITCHCOCK/TRUFFAUT, MUSTANG, SON OF SAUL or LADY IN THE VAN, Thursday will be your last chance to catch them at THE NEON. On Friday, we’ll begin a film that many of you have expressed excitement about – HELLO, MY NAME IS DORIS – starring Sally Field. In addition, we’ll begin a film by master filmmaker Terrence Malick with a star-studded cast – KNIGHT OF CUPS.

Synopsis for HELLO, MY NAME IS DORIS: “When Doris Miller meets John Fremont, her company’s hip new art director, sparks fly-at least for Doris. In the cluttered house she shared with her late mother, Doris mines the Internet for information on her one-and-only, guided by the 13-year-old granddaughter of her best pal Roz. When Doris begins showing up at John’s regular haunts, she wins over his Williamsburg friends. Her new life brings Doris a thrilling perspective, but also creates a rift between her and her longtime friends and family, who believe she’s making a fool of herself over a guy half her age. Eager for all the experiences she has missed out on, Doris throws caution to the wind and follows her heart for the very first time.” VARIETY wrote, “A showstopper. Sally Field shines.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pdn-CcRypo8

Synopsis for KNIGHT OF CUPS: “Knight of Cups follows writer Rick (Christian Bale) on an odyssey through the playgrounds of Los Angeles and Las Vegas as he undertakes a search for love and self. Even as he moves through a desire-laden landscape of mansions, resorts, beaches and clubs, Rick grapples over complicated relationships with his brother (Wes Bentley) and father (Brian Dennehy). His quest to break the spell of his disenchantment takes him on a series of adventures with six alluring women: rebellious Della (Imogen Poots); his physician ex-wife, Nancy (Cate Blanchett); a serene model Helen (Freida Pinto); a woman he wronged in the past Elizabeth (Natalie Portman); a spirited, playful stripper Karen (Teresa Palmer); and an innocent Isabel (Isabel Lucas), who helps him see a way forward. Rick moves in a daze through a strange and overwhelming dreamscape — but can he wake up to the beauty, humanity and rhythms of life around him? The deeper he searches, the more the journey becomes his destination.” THE VILLAGE VOICE wrote, “KNIGHT OF CUPS might be both the most intoxicating film [Malik] has ever made-a deluge of gorgeous, kinetic images and sounds-and, in some ways, the most perplexing.” Click this LINK to visit the film’s official site.

It’s almost time for THE DAYTON JEWISH FILM FESTIVAL, and this year’s selections look like a winning line-up! The fest begins in early April with screenings and speakers all around town. Here’s a list of films that will screen at THE NEON:
Thursday, April 7 – 7:15pm – ATOMIC FALAFEL
Sunday, April 10 – 7:15pm – THE LAST MENTSCH
Tuesday, April 12 – 9:30am – GETT: THE TRIAL OF VIVIANE AMSALEM
Tuesday, April 12 – 7:15pm – BORROWED IDENTITY
Thursday, April 14 – 7:15pm – APPLES FROM THE DESERT
Sunday, April 17 – 5:20pm – MAKING MORNING STAR
Sunday, April 17 – 7:15pm – DOUGH
Advanced tickets are available on the festival’s official site.

On Wednesday, April 20 at 7:30, “Go Wild for Earth Month at the WILD AND SCENIC FILM FESTIVAL presented by Aveda and the SierraClub. The evening will be a celebration of wilderness and waterways as we take a cinematic tour of rivers, lakes, oceans and the individuals exploring, enjoying, and protecting them. Over 15 films spanning the globe highlight why our waterways should be wild.” (taken from press notes) Tickets are $10 each and can be purchased in advance via this LINK. If tickets remain, they will be sold one hour before the event at our box office. All proceeds benefit the Sierra Club.

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

SHOWTIMES for Tuesday, March 22 – Thursday, March 31:

THE LADY IN THE VAN (PG-13) 1 Hr 44 Min
Tuesday – Thursday (March 22-24): 3:00, 7:30
FINAL DAY – March 24!

SON OF SAUL (R) 1 Hr 47 Min
Tuesday-Thursday (March 22-24): 5:10
FINAL DAY – March 24!

HITCHCOCK/TRUFFAUT (PG-13) 1 Hr 19 Min
Tuesday-Thursday (March 22-24): 5:15
FINAL DAY – March 24!

MUSTANG (PG-13) 1 Hr 37 Min
Tuesday-Thursday (March 22-24): 3:15, 7:30
FINAL DAY – March 24!

HELLO, MY NAME IS DORIS (R) 1 Hr 35 Min
Friday & Saturday (March 25 & 26): 12:20, 2:40, 5:00, 7:20, 9:30
Sunday (March 27): 12:20, 2:40, 5:00, 7:20
Monday – Thursday (March 28-31): 3:00, 5:15, 7:30

KNIGHT OF CUPS (R) 1 Hr 58 Min
Friday, Saturday, Sunday (March 25-27): 12:30, 3:00, 5:30, 8:00
Monday – Thursday (March 28-31): 3:00, 5:30, 8:00

COMING SOON:
(All Dates Are Tentative. Dates Often Move And Sometimes Disappear.)
April 1 – I SAW THE LIGHT
April 8 – DEMOLITION
April ? – REMEMBER
April 22 – MILES AHEAD (shot in Cincinnati & Dayton)
April ? – THE DARK HORSE
April ? – KRISHA
May 6 – SING STREET
May 13 – LOVE AND FRIENDSHIP
May 27 – THE MEDDLER
June 10 – MAGGIE’S PLAN
June 17 – DARK HORSE

TIFF 2015 – Day 1

September 11, 2015 By Jonathan McNeal

Hello Daytonians & Film Lovers!

Thanks for checking in to see how everything went with my first day of screenings. I got up early and was in the Industry Box Office line by 6:55…and there were still several people ahead of me. This line starts a little earlier each year, and some folks have joked about possibly camping out. I’m glad to report that I did get the tickets I desired for Saturday – including the premiere of THE DANISH GIRL.

After grabbing tickets, I went to my first screening – HITCHCOCK/TRUFFAUT, directed by Kent Jones. This is wonderful, and film lovers will delight. Using the famous book written by French New Wave darling Francois Truffaut as a launching pad, this film explores that famous interview and is such the careers of both Hitch and Truffaut. We get interviews from contemporary directors who have great relationships with the book (Wes Anderson, Martin Scorsese, David Fincher, Oliver Assayas and more), and numerous sound bites from the week-long interview back in the 60’s. Hearing Hitchcock talk about his work will delight cinema theorists…especially when he talks about what’s really happening during a certain scene in VERTIGO. (There is no trailer available for this film yet…just one of these famous stills.)

$Truffaut.Hitchcock_Photo.by.Philippe.Halsman.Courtesyof.CohenMediaGroup.3_{26725b4d-9af9-e411-8342-d4ae527c3b65}_lg$

Next up, I saw 45 YEARS, directed by Andrew Haigh. Starring Charlotte Rampling and Tom Courtenay, this is a film about a couple preparing for their 45th Wedding Anniversary party. Early in the film, Courtenay’s character receives a letter that the body of a former girlfriend has been found in the ice (she died in an accident while hiking by a glacier decades before). The news shakes him to his core, and his wife begins to take offense that he still seems to care so deeply about someone else. Full of some wonderful performances and always aware of the passing of time, this film makes you realize how quickly the foundation can be shaken from below your feet. The sound design (and lack of score except for incidental music) was particularly interesting. Though still a little “flummoxed” with the ending, I ultimately like this quiet, slow-paced film.

Before going back the apartment to get ready for Opening Night, I saw one more film – EVERYTHING WILL BE FINE, directed by Wim Wenders. After Wenders made PINA (one of my favorite documentaries ever) in 3D, he decided that he would continue using that format for narrative film. It’s certainly interesting to see a film where 3D is used as an artistic tool instead of an effect-driven gimmick. That said, this film was all over the map. Meandering, overscored, and dotted with some bombastic moments and a weak screenplay, I found it difficult to care too much about the characters.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L7N8ZZ7Q8Os

Last up, I went the official Opening Night film – DEMOLITION, directed by Jean-Marc Vallee (director of DALLAS BUYERS CLUB and WILD). TIFF has a reputation for programming “not-so-great” films for Opening Night (THE JUDGE, SCORE: A HOCKEY MUSICAL, etc.). But tonight’s film was quite good…perhaps the best they’ve programmed over the past decade. This is the a about a man who seems to be unable to feel anything after the death of his wife (she dies in a car accident that leaves her husband unharmed). Jake Gyllenhaal gives a wonderful performance as a man who is incapable of feeling emotions. Driven by work, he is otherwise disconnected with the life he’s living. Though there are moments written into the script that seem more driven by potential audience pleasure than character development, I rather liked this film.

Glenn Kiser, a director & friend who visited Dayton for The Dayton LGBT Film Festival a few years ago, invited me to the Opening Night screening and Party. We had a great time catching up and the party was quite a sight (“people watching” is quite fun in this scenario, and complimentary booze certainly helps to make things merrier).

It’s 1:30am, and I need to be up in 5 hours.

All the best,

Jonathan