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THE NEON Opens THE PERKS OF BEING A WALLFLOWER

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Hello Everyone,

I’m sad to report that we had a rather abysmal weekend at THE NEON. THE SESSIONS (which is such a wonderful film) performed well below what we had hoped. A LATE QUARTET (which audiences are loving) absolutely tanked. Because we’ve got a big film opening on Nov. 30 (Joe Wright’s ANNA KARENINA), we needed to add something to the mix for just on week in order to help this weekend’s numbers. It’s a rarity for us to open a film that has already played in our market, but THE PERKS OF BEING A WALLFLOWER is a film that I really loved at The Toronto International Film Festival – and I hope that there are several people who still need to see it. If you saw and loved SESSIONS or LATE QUARTET, please help us spread the word that they won’t be at THE NEON much longer.

Synopsis for THE PERKS OF BEING A WALLFLOWER: “Based on the best-selling novel by Stephen Chbosky, The Perks of Being a Wallflower is a modern classic that captures the dizzying highs and crushing lows of growing up. Starring Logan Lerman, Emma Watson and Ezra Miller, The Perks of Being a Wallflower is a moving tale of love, loss, fear and hope-and the unforgettable friends that help us through life.” (Summit Entertainment) Click HERE to visit the official site.

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The first three Saturdays at Noon in December will mark the return of the Family Holiday Film Series – sponsored by The Dayton Holiday Festival, DP&L, Channel 99.9 and THE NEON. Here is this year’s line-up:
DEC. 1 at Noon – PRANCER
DEC. 8 at Noon – IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE
DEC. 15 at Noon – ARTHUR CHRISTMAS
These films are free for children 12 & under and only $2 for everyone else.

We’ve added some great titles to our line-up, so be sure to check out our list below.
And next time you’re in our lobby, make sure to take your picture in our HITCHCOCK Screaming Booth. We’ll soon have a contest on facebook where you’ll be able to post your picture and vote on your favorite scream! (HITCHCOCK – about the making of PSYCHO – is slated to start on December 14…and it’s lots of fun.)

Thanks so much for your ongoing support!
We hope to see you soon,
Jonathan

SHOWTIMES for Fri. Nov. 23 – Thur, Nov. 29:

THE SESSIONS (R) 1 Hr 35 Min
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 12:45, 3:00, 5:15, 7:30, 9:40
Monday – Thursday: 3:00, 5:30, 8:00

A LATE QUARTET (R) 1 Hr 45 Min
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 2:40, 7:20
Monday – Thursday: 2:50, 7:50

THE PERKS OF BEING A WALLFLOWER (PG-13) 1 Hr 42 Min
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 12:20, 5:00, 9:40
Monday – Thursday: 5:30

COMING SOON:
As always, all dates are tentative. Many of these dates will change.
In some rare cases, titles may disappear.
Nov. 30 – ANNA KARENINA
Nov. 30 or Dec. 7 – CHASING ICE
Dec. 14 – HITCHCOCK
Dec. ? – SMASHED
Dec. ? – A ROYAL AFFAIR
Jan. 4 – HYDE PARK ON HUDSON
Jan ? – RUST AND BONE
Jan ? – ON THE ROAD
Feb ? – WEST OF MEMPHIS
Feb. ? – AMOUR
TBD – DIANA VREELAND: THE EYE HAS TO TRAVEL

THE SESSIONS + A LATE QUARTET Opening at THE NEON

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Hello Everyone,

We’re opening 2 new films at this weekend, and we hope they’ll attract big crowds. This is a lucrative weekend/week at THE NEON. Thanksgiving business can often set the tone for the remaining weeks of the year…and we’re really hoping to end 2012 with a bang! Like many of the films we’ve played at this time, we think some Oscar nominations could arise from our selections. (Here are some films that we’ve played during Thanksgiving in past years: AMELIE, CAPOTE, THE QUEEN, BOY IN THE STRIPED PAJAMAS, 127 HOURS and THE DESCENDANTS.) If you need to see any of our current attractions, Thursday will be your last chance to see them at THE NEON (visit our website for current showtimes). On Friday, we will open THE SESSIONS and A LATE QUARTET.

Synopsis for THE SESSIONS: “The Sessions tells the story of a man confined to an iron lung who is determined at age 38 to lose his virginity. With the help of his therapists and the guidance of his priest, he sets out to make his dream a reality.” (from Fox Searchlight) Starring the amazing John Hawkes and a fearless Helen Hunt, this film is certain to get Oscar attention this year! Click this link to visit the official site. I LOVE THIS FILM!

Synopsis for A LATE QUARTET: “When the beloved cellist of a world-renowned string quartet receives a life changing diagnosis, the group’s future suddenly hangs in the balance: suppressed emotions, competing egos, and uncontrollable passions threaten to derail years of friendship and collaboration. As they are about to play their 25th anniversary concert, quite possibly their last, only their intimate bond and the power of music can preserve their legacy. Inspired by and structured around Beethoven’s Opus 131 String Quartet in C-sharp minor, A LATE QUARTET pays homage to chamber music and the cultural world of New York.” (taken from rottentomatoes.com) Starring Catherine Keener, Christopher Walken, Mark Ivanir, and Philip Seymour Hoffman Click this link to visit the official site.

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On Sunday, November 18 at 3:00, The Dayton International Peace Museum, Wright State Peace Lecture Committee, Pi Beta Phi at the University of Dayton and The Dayton Council on World Affairs will present a special, free screening of IN THE LAND OF BLOOD AND HONEY.
“Dayton has made its place in history as the host city for the Dayton Peace Accords. A historic achievement in 1995, the Accords helped bring an end to the tragic civil war of the Former Yugoslavia. With the end in fighting, a horrific reality of ethnic cleaning and genocide was revealed, especially after the international community had pledged ‘No More’ after the end of the Holocaust in 1945. The Angelina Jolie-directed movie, IN THE LAND OF BLOOD AND HONEY portrays a bittersweet love story during the war. It brings to light the tragic reality of war and its impact on our humanity. In the aftermath of the conflict in the former Yugoslavia, a major trial at the International Criminal Court at The Hague took place that led to
international recognition of rape as a weapon of war. At this screening, we will be commemorating the historic Dayton Peace Accords and how Dayton was instrumental in the process. There will also be a Q&A panel after the movie to discuss ongoing violence issues against women that sadly continue domestically and internationally. Please join us for this important movie and stimulating discussion on how we can contribute to peace and humanity in our world today.” (taken from press notes) Visit the film’s official site.

The first three Saturdays at Noon in December will mark the return of the Family Holiday Film Series – sponsored by The Dayton Holiday Festival, DP&L, Channel 99.9 and THE NEON. Here is this year’s line-up:
DEC. 1 at Noon – PRANCER
DEC. 8 at Noon – IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE
DEC. 15 at Noon – ARTHUR CHRISTMAS
These films are free for children 12 & under and only $2 for everyone else.

Next time you’re in our lobby, make sure to take your picture in our HITCHCOCK Screaming Booth. We’ll soon have a contest on facebook where you’ll be able to post your picture and vote on your favorite scream! (HITCHCOCK – about the making of PSYCHO – is slated to start in December…and it’s lots of fun.)

Thanks so much for your ongoing support!
We hope to see you soon,
Jonathan

SHOWTIMES for Fri. Nov. 16 – Thur, Nov. 22:

THE SESSIONS (R) 1 Hr 35 Min
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 12:45, 3:00, 5:15, 7:30, 9:45
Monday – Thursday: 3:00, 5:15, 7:30, 9:45

A LATE QUARTET (R) 1 Hr 45 Min
Friday & Saturday: 12:20, 2:40, 5:00, 7:20, 9:40
Sunday: 12:20, 5:50, 8:00
Monday – Thursday: 2:40, 5:00, 7:20, 9:40

IN THE LAND OF BLOOD AND HONEY (R) 2 Hr 7 Min
Sunday: 3:00

COMING SOON:
As always, all dates are tentative. Many of these dates will change.
In some rare cases, titles may disappear.
Nov. 30 ANNA KARENINA
Dec. TBD – HITCHCOCK
Dec. ? – SMASHED
Dec. ? – A ROYAL AFFAIR
Jan. 4 – HYDE PARK ON HUDSON
Jan ? – RUST AND BONE
Jan ? – ON THE ROAD
Feb ? – WEST OF MEMPHIS
Feb. ? – AMOUR
TBD – DIANA VREELAND: THE EYE HAS TO TRAVEL

SEARCHING FOR SUGAR MAN & Digital News at THE NEON

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Hello Everyone,

All of us at THE NEON have been working long hours the past several days, and I hope you’re able to discern this newsletter – my eyelids are quite heavy as I type this note. As soon as the benefit was over on Sunday night, we began prepping our projection booth, auditoriums and lobby for some major changes and improvements. On Monday morning, the 35mm projection gear was removed, and new digital projectors (and servers and cases and lenses and cables and monitors and…) began to arrive that afternoon. While technicians have been preparing our new system, the staff has been busy painting, cleaning and painting some more. Our old carpet is being torn up right now, and the new carpet will be laid this afternoon.

Sunday’s benefit was a big success! Thanks so much to all of you who attended. We set our limit to 120 tickets…and we sold the 120th ticket just as the party was getting started. Additional thanks to everyone who made a donation to our cause! Our goal for fundraising was set at $25,000, and we’re currently at $22,160. That’s really wonderful!

On Friday, we will open with all new digital projection. While we will hold onto our last two titles – SLEEPWALK WITH ME and ARBITRAGE – we’ll also open a new documentary that has been a huge hit on the festival circuit. SEARCHING FOR SUGAR MAN is part mystery part historical document, and music lovers can’t get enough.

Synopsis for SEARCHING FOR SUGAR MAN: “Searching for Sugar Man tells the incredible true story of Rodriguez, the greatest ’70s rock icon who never was. Discovered in a Detroit bar in the late ’60s by two celebrated producers struck by his soulful melodies and prophetic lyrics, they recorded an album which they believed would secure his reputation as the greatest recording artist of his generation. In fact, the album bombed and the singer disappeared into obscurity amid rumors of a gruesome on-stage suicide. But a bootleg recording found its way into apartheid South Africa and, over the next two decades, he became a phenomenon. The film follows the story of two South African fans who set out to find out what really happened to their hero. Their investigation leads them to a story more extraordinary than any of the existing myths about the artist known as Rodriguez.” (Sony Pictures Classics) Click this link to visit the official site.

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“Help support DATV and be inspired by short films that aim to make a difference in our lives. DATV presents the MEDIA THAT MATTERS SHORT FILM FESTIVAL on Thursday, November 8th at 7:30pm, at THE NEON in Downtown Dayton. The MEDIA THAT MATTERS SHORT FILM FESTIVAL is the premier national showcase for short films on the most important topics of the day. The films engagediverse audiences and inspires them to take action. The festival features 12 jury selected short films that tackle a broad range of social issues with humor, humanity and honesty in 12 minutes or less.” (provided by DATV) Tickets are $10 each, and we have a few available at our box office and on DATV’s site. For more details about the event and the films, visit the official site.

Though we’ve got lots to still learn (training on the new projection equipment will begin this afternoon), this weekend marks the start of a new era for THE NEON – the culmination of months worth or research and preparation. We hope to see you soon.

Thanks so much for your ongoing support!
All the best,
Jonathan

SHOWTIMES for Fri. Oct. 19 – Sun. Oct. 25:

ARBITRAGE (R) 1 Hr 47 Min
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 5:15, 9:30
Monday – Thursday: 5:15

SLEEPWALK WITH ME (NR) 1 Hrs 30 Min
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 1:00, 3:10, 7:30
Monday – Thursday: 3:10, 7:30

SEARCHING FOR SUGAR MAN (PG-13) 1 Hr 26 Min
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 1:00, 3:00, 5:10, 7:20, 9:30
Monday – Thursday: 3:00, 5:30, 8:00

COMING SOON:
As always, all dates are tentative. Many of these dates will change.
In some rare cases, titles may disappear
very soon – KILLER JOE
very soon – LIBERAL ARTS
Nov. ? SAMSARA
Nov. 16 (2 weeks only) – A LATE QUARTET
Nov. 21 – THE SESSIONS
Nov. 30 – ANNA KARENINA