martin sheen

Coming up in Dayton Theatre 2/8 – 2/17

February 7, 2013 By Sarah Caplan Leave a Comment

Hello again, fellow theatre-lover! Love, it seems, is in the air. ‘Tis the season, after all. We’re nigh onto everyone’s favorite holiday for the expression of love, as well as the simultaneous day of eye-rolling by all the people who “like, totally do not accept the validity of this commercially-mandated Hallmark holiday.” Regardless of on which side of the rose (petal or thorn) you find yourself, the fact is that theatre makes a great date. Even if you only take yourself. So, what kind of theatre do we have to offer in the next 2 weeks? I thought you’d never ask!

One Night Only!

Joel Sartore: Grizzlies, Piranhas & Man-Eating Pigs

The Victoria Theatre

The Skinny: Ok, so maybe not the most gooshy-romantic pre-Valentine’s date idea, but! it will probably be incredibly entertaining and completely fascinating. Joel Sartore is a wildlife photographer, author and regular contributor to National Geographic magazine, as well as an environmentalist and conservationist who champions endangered species and landscapes, documenting a world worth saving. In this hour-long lecture Sartore will recount stories of assignments that have taken him to some of the world’s most beautiful and challenging environments, from the Arctic to the Antarctic, and he has photographed everything from the remote Amazon to beer-drinking, mountain-racing firefighters in the United Kingdom.

Date: Monday, February 11th.

DMM Links: On Stage Dayton Preview | DMM Event Calendar

Tickets: For all ticketing information, please visit Ticket Center Stage online.

Closing This Weekend!

Cyndii Johnson and Donnella Barbour (center) and the cast of 1913: The Great Dayton Flood

1913: The Great Dayton Flood

Wright State Theatre Department

The Skinny: If you know anything about Dayton, you’ve probably learned that it was devastated by a terrible flood in 1913. In March, of 1913, to be more specific. Coming up, as we are, on the centennial anniversary of this formative moment in Dayton’s history, Wright State’s staging of this “epic parable with gospel blues” is appropriate and effective. Staged with a cast and crew of over 40 students from the department, this piece tells several different stories of those nights of terror. Helping to bring this to life are voice-overs from beloved native son Martin Sheen, Ruby Dee and the late Ossie Davis.

Dates: This production will close Sunday, February 10th.

DMM Links: On Stage Dayton Review | DMM Event Calendar

Tickets: To reserve tickets, please call (937) 775-2500

Opening This Week!

Edward Furs as Coach Vince Lombardi in Lombardi (photo by Scott J. Kimmins)

Lombardi

The Human Race Theatre Company

The Skinny: Feeling post-Superbowl pigskin withdrawal? Or, shamelessly playing into gender stereotypes, want to get your sports-oriented guy to go see a play with you? Hie thee to the Loft Theatre, then! Based on the novel When Pride Still Mattered: A Life of Vince Lombardi by Pulitzer-Prize winning author David Maraniss, The Human Race Theatre Company presents Eric Simonson’s bio-play about beloved national icon Vince Lombardi. Football fans and novices alike will discover a new side of the grid-iron legend.

Dates: Lombardi opens February 7th and runs through February 24th.

DMM Links: On Stage Dayton Preview | DMM Event Calendar

Tickets: Tickets are available online at Ticket Center Stage. This production has many special dates, such as “Team Jersey Tuesday,” when tickets are available for a discounted price to persons wearing, you guessed it!, team jerseys. All information is available on their website.

Intimate Apparel

Sinclair Theatre Department

The Skinny: The story of an African-American woman living in Lower Manhattan in 1905 as she strives to become an independent woman as a seamstress. It was an era when the cut and color of one’s dress – and of course, skin – determined your profession, friends and lifestyle options.

Dates: One weekend only! Opening this Thursday, 2/7 and closing Sunday 2/10.

Tickets: Tickets are available online at the Sinclair Theatre Department website.

Auditions!

The Retreat from Moscow by William Nicholson

The Dayton Playhouse

Directed by Dodie Lockwood

Times: Saturday, February 16, and Sunday, February 17 at 2:00 p .m. both days.

The Skinny: The Retreat from Moscow is the story of a thirty-three year marriage at the breaking point. How well do we know the people we marry? Is it wrong to decide it’s time to be honest? Is love enough to save a family? This celebrated author of Shadowlands tells the powerful story of a husband who decides to be truthful in his marriage, and the wife and son whose lives will never be the same. With coiled intensity and embracing empathy this drama shines a breathtakingly natural light on the fallout of a shattered marriage.
Characters:
Edward – A history teacher in his late 50’s. Edward is easy-going, logical and has been happy to accept the status quo in the marriage as much as possible.
Alice – A housewife in her late 50’s who is passionate about poetry. She is frustrated, combative and capable of any action to incite an emotional response from Edward.
Jamie – A bachelor in his mid-30’s. He is rational and is the family’s emotional center. Jamie is torn by his love and respect for both parents, while he himself has been unsuccessful in love.
All characters will have a slight British accent. Accents are encouraged at auditions, but not required.
Requirements: Auditions will consist of readings from the script; no monologues or memorized auditions are required. Resumes are encouraged for actors new to Dayton Playhouse, but not required. Please bring a list of all schedule conflicts between February 17 and April 21.
Performance dates: Performances of The Retreat from Moscow will be April 12-21. If you have questions, or need additional information, please email the director at [email protected].

Ok, so, where else but Dayton can you, in the span of a single fortnight, see a lecture about man-eating pigs, a play about a football legend, a play about women’s clothing and a piece about a transformative moment in local history? Seriously! If there’s not something here to fit your particular theatre-going palate, well, wait a couple weeks and I’ll be back with a fresh batch of temptations!

ON STAGE DAYTON REVIEW – 1913: The Great Dayton Flood (Wright State University) – Harrowing History

February 7, 2013 By Russell Florence, Jr. 2 Comments

Cyndii Johnson and Donnella Barbour (center) and the cast of 1913: The Great Dayton Flood

As images of Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Sandy linger in the recesses of the mind, Wright State University remounts its acclaimed 1996 production of “1913: The Great Dayton Flood” with compelling performances, soul-stirring music and outstanding atmospherics.

Inspired by Allan W. Eckert’s Pulitzer Prize-nominated novel “A Time of Terror: The Great Dayton Flood” and adapted by W. Stuart McDowell and Timothy J. Nevits, “1913” skillfully and seamlessly chronicles the catastrophic storm which changed the Miami Valley forever in March of that year. In order to gain a deeper understanding of the defining account, which affected a population of 116,000 and killed over 350, McDowell and Nevits interviewed numerous survivors whose captivating stories of heroism, resilience and tragedy terrifically propel the emotional potency within the insightful, moving play, which migrates all the way to the White House and particularly offers an eye-opening, unified portrait of Dayton’s diversity and spirituality at the time. The sheer connection to familiar individuals (John H. Patterson of the National Cash Register Company) and landmarks (the Rike’s building, the Victoria Theatre) are added benefits inherent to the episodic framework, heightened by Michael and Sandy Bashaw’s evocative new music and the colorful, commanding recorded narration of Ossie Davis, Ruby Dee and Dayton native Martin Sheen.

Returning to direct and aided by the cinematic appeal of Danielle Ferguson’s splendid lighting and projection design as well as scenic designer Pam Knauert-Lavarnway’s efficiently shifting platforms, McDowell provides sleek, sweeping staging for over 20 actors portraying over 150 characters. The excellently authoritative Sean Jones shines as the concerned Patterson, who kept NCR at the forefront of relief efforts and helped implement the Miami Conservancy District. Lawrence Dunford, genuine and humorous, absolutely charms as Negro League pitcher W.G. Sloan, a disinclined churchgoer who saved more than 300 people in his rowboat. Caroline Gruber relishes her saucy role as Pearl Street madame Lib Hedges. Cyndii Johnson brings Act 1 to a dynamic close as the staunchly determined Mrs. Stanton, who breaks through the roof of her house alongside her daughter (Donnella Barbour) to escape the rising waters. Tyrell Reggins as Rev. Primus Alston, Jim Miller as George McClintock, Samuel Blackburn and President Woodrow Wilson, Kelsey Pohl as Minnie Althoff, William Mendelson as Ray Stansbury, Ben Tracy as Charles Hopkins, Tyler Simms as Edward Hanley, and Samantha Kerger as Mildred Young are also notable among the endearing cast, tackling multiple roles with interchangeable ease and attractively costumed in period attire by Mary Beth McLaughlin. In addition, Nikki Wetter’s wonderfully choreographed depiction of the fateful weather pattern is vigorously executed at the outset.

As Dayton prepares to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the flood, “1913” remains a crowning achievement not to be missed.

“1913: The Great Dayton Flood” continues through Feb. 10 in the Festival Playhouse of the Creative Arts Center at Wright State University, 3640 Col. Glenn Hwy., Fairborn. Performances are Thursday at 7 p.m., Friday at 8 p.m., Saturday at 2 and 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. (view performance calendar here). Act One: 70 minutes; Act Two: 50 minutes. Tickets are $20 for adults and $18 for students and seniors. For more information, call the WSU box office at (937) 775-2500.

SLEEPWALK WITH ME at THE NEON + Big Benefit News!

October 9, 2012 By Jonathan McNeal Leave a Comment

Hello Everyone,

Huge changes are just around the corner for THE NEON. Before I get to the source of my anxiety, let’s talk movies. If you still want to see THE MASTER, Thursday will be your last chance to see it with us. On Friday, we will open a film that has had the most requests this year – SLEEPWALK WITH ME. ARBITRAGE had a solid opening weekend…so it will stick around.

Synopsis for SLEEPWALK WITH ME: From the producers of THIS AMERICAN LIFE, this is the film that Ira Glass has been talking about! “When an aspiring stand-up fails to express his true feelings about his girlfriend and his stalled career, his anxiety comes out in increasingly funny and dangerous sleepwalking incidents.” (IFC Films)

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This weekend is the last chance to see movies via 35mm film at THE NEON. On Sunday evening, we will close our doors for 4 days as we make the transition to digital projection (the new industry standard). Our “Things To Do” list is jam-packed. Over the past 11 years, we’ve opened our doors for business every single day…while we’re closed, we’re going to take advantage of the opportunity and do some major cleaning, lay some new carpet and add some fresh paint to floors and walls.

And speaking of this weekend, Sunday marks the day for our big Digital Conversion Benefit featuring AMELIE. (If you missed Sunday’s nice article from Dayton Daily News, you can check it out here.) The festivities will start at 4:00 with delicious appetizers provided by Meadowlark, Roost and Coco’s Bistro. Around 5:00, everyone will head to the large auditorium for our “Dayton Meets Hollywood” auction (more details below) We’ll plan to begin our 35mm presentation of AMELIE by 5:30. Tickets are still available! 100% of the proceeds will go toward helping us make the switch to digital. They can be purchased at our box office or by visiting this link.

To check out all the items in our auction, we’ve listed each item (along with a picture below). Here’s the skinny:

If you’re unable to attend the benefit but would like to place a bid on one of the auction items, you can send me an email with your name, phone number, and your highest bid. I will need this e-mail by Saturday at noon. send to: [email protected] (If you’d like to see one of the items in person, you can schedule an appointment with me for this Saturday.)

We hope to see you this weekend.

Thanks so much for your ongoing support!

All the best,
Jonathan

SHOWTIMES for Fri. Oct. 12 – Sun. Oct. 14:
(We will be closed Mon, Oct 15 – Thu, Oct 18)

ARBITRAGE (R) 1 Hr 47 Min
Friday, Saturday: 12:30, 2:50, 5:10, 7:30, 9:45
Sunday: 12:30, 8:30

SLEEPWALK WITH ME (NR) 1 Hrs 30 Min
Friday, Saturday: 1:00, 3:10, 5:10, 7:20, 9:30
Sunday: 1:00, 8:30

COMING SOON:

As always, all dates are tentative. Many of these dates will change.
In some rare cases, titles may disappear
Oct. 19 SEARCHING FOR SUGAR MAN
Nov. ? SAMSARA
TBD LIBERAL ARTS
TBD THE SESSIONS
TBD KILLER JOE
TBD NEIL YOUNG JOURNEYS
TBD ANNA KARENINA
TBD HYDE PARK ON HUDSON

AUCTION ITEMS:

Screenplay from the Pilot episode of THE WEST WING – Signed by Martin Sheen & Allison Janney. Includes signed Martin Sheen Photograph. Starting Bid: $75

Screenplay for THE WEST WING, Season 1, Finale – Signed by Martin Sheen + Signed Photograph. Starting Bid: $50

THE WEST WING Lot of Call Sheets and Script Changes with Signed Martin Sheen Photograph. Starting Bid: $50.

THE BIG LEBOWSKI Storyboard Print. Hand-signed by The Coen Brothers’ storyboard artist and Oakwood resident J. Todd Anderson. Includes $25 gift certificate from Patterson Chase – perfect to use toward framing your storyboard. Starting Bid: $50.

3 DVDs from local filmmakers Julia Reichert, Steve Bognar & Jim Klein. Emmy-Winning A LION IN THE HOUSE, Oscar-Nominated THE LAST TRUCK and recently inducted into The National Film Registry – GROWING UP FEMAL. It’s incredible that all these award-winning films were born right here in the Miami Valley. These films will be personalized by the filmmakers for your collection. Starting Bid: $75.

THE RUBI GIRLS documentary on DVD & Poster (which will be kissed and signed by The Rubi Girls before THE NEON’s benefit). This award-winning documentary has played at numerous film festivals around the world…but has not yet been released on DVD. Starting Bid: $50.

2 Original Chairs from THE NEON. These chairs, with their original upholstery, are 27 years old. Though they have slight imperfections, they still are quite cozy and would make a perfect addition to you screening room. (As a note of caution, these chairs require being bolted to the ground.) Starting Bid: $50.

Naming Rights to our Small Auditorium. Our small auditorium seats 74 people. The name you chose (perhaps your name, your company name or the name of your favorite director) will be placed on a plaque above the door to the auditorium. (The name is subject to approval from THE NEON’s Board…vulgarity or insensitive language will not be permitted.) Starting Bid: $100.

MARGIN CALL Opens Friday at THE NEON!

November 9, 2011 By Jonathan McNeal Leave a Comment

Hello Everyone,

Opening weekend of TAKE SHELTER was perfect. We had a couple full houses, and folks have really been liking the film. Many thanks to all of you who attended our special Q&As with Tyler Davidson – having the chance to pose questions and gain further insight into the film was a great opportunity, and I’m so glad many of you were able to come out.

TAKE SHELTER will hold over for another week, and we’ll open a new film about the 2008 Wall Street collapse – MARGIN CALL – on Friday (the cast of this film is enough reason to see it…but the reviews are great, too). If you still need to see THE WAY, Thursday will be your last chance to see it at THE NEON.

Synopsis for MARGIN CALL: “This tense Wall Street thriller follows the staff of a high-powered brokerage firm in the 24 hours before the stock market crash of 2008. Featuring an all-star cast, Margin Call was one of the most talked about films of the Sundance Film Festival and was also the Opening Night selection of New Directors/New Films.” (Roadside Attractions) Click this LINK to visit the film’s official website.

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The Ohio Liberty Film Festival is gearing up for its third year this November. With numerous presenters and sponsors, the festival is able to make admission free to all of their screenings. Click this LINK to see the entire line-up for various venues around town. The following are movies that will play at THE NEON: Friday, Nov. 11 at 3:00 – THE GREAT DICTATOR (The Charlie Chaplin classic). Saturday, Nov. 12 at 1:30 – AS FAR AS MY FEET WILL CARRY ME. Sunday, Nov. 13 at 1:30 – PATTON.

There is only 1 film left for Living City’s VAMPIRE retrospective. Single tickets will be available at the door before the screening for $8 each. BRAM STOKER’S DRACULA (1992 – 35mm) will play November 14 at 7:30.

“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 SHOWCASE on Thursday, November 17th at 7:30pm…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. Special thanks to our sponsor Merrill Lynch Global Wealth Management OGDM Group – Centerville, Ohio…Proceeds from the event will benefit DATV. DATV’s mission is to be a community forum that empowers all citizens to learn, create and express their ideas through electronic media…” (taken from press notes) Visit the official site for this event. Tickets are already available at our box office for $10 each.

The rest of November is great! With MARGIN CALL, MARTHA MARCY MAY MARLENE (the huge Sundance hit – being called “this year’s WINTER’S BONE”) and THE DESCENDANTS (an incredible film directed by Alexander Payne & starring George Clooney), I think we’ll be seeing a lot of you over the coming weeks!

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And don’t forget that we’ll be hosting holiday films on Saturdays in December…flyers are in our lobby now, and I’ll give you a full update next week.

For remaining showtimes for this week visit our site.

Hope to see you very soon,

Jonathan

SHOWTIMES for Nov 11 – Nov 17:

MARGIN CALL (R) 1 Hrs 47 Min

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

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

Monday – Wednesday: 2:45, 5:00, 7:20

Thursday: 2:45, 5:00

TAKE SHELTER (R) 2 Hrs

Friday – Sunday: 12:30, 5:10, 7:30, 9:50

Monday: 2:50, 5:10

Tuesday – Thursday: 2:50, 5:10, 7:30

OHIO LIBERTY FILM FEST

The Great Dictoator (125 minutes) – Fri. at 3:00

As Far As My Feet Will Carry Me (158 min) – Sat. at 1:30

Patton (172 min) – Sun. at 1:30

BRAM STOKER’S DRACULA (R) 2 Hrs 8 Min

Monday: 7:30

MEDIA THAT MATTERS (NR)

Thursday: 7:30

COMING SOON:

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

In some cases, titles may disappear.

Nov. 18 MARTHA MARCY MAY MARLENE

Nov. 23 THE DESCENDANTS

Dec. 16 WEEKEND

TBD THE ARTIST

TBD THE SKIN I LIVE IN

TBD MELANCHOLIA

TBD THE HEDGEHOG

TAKE SHELTER – One of the Best of the Year – Opens Friday!

November 1, 2011 By Jonathan McNeal 1 Comment

Hello Everyone,

I hope you’re making plans to see TAKE SHELTER this weekend (read the DMM Film Review here). This Ohio-made film was one of my absolute favorites from this year’s Toronto International Film Festival (I screened 34 films over the course of 9 days), and it has been garnering awards and great reviews around the world. As a special treat, producer Tyler Davidson will be joining us for Q&As following a few screenings…and there’s no additional charge for these tickets (which are on sale now at our box office). Showtimes with Q&As are noted below.

Thursday will be your last chance to see the charming French film with Gerard Depardieu and Gisele Casadesus – MY AFTERNOONS WITH MARGUERITTE. Hurry down if you still need to see it. Though audiences are loving this film, it hasn’t done well enough to stick around.

Synopsis for TAKE SHELTER: “Curtis LaForche lives in a small town in Ohio with his wife, Samantha, and daughter, Hannah, a six-year-old deaf girl. When Curtis begins to have terrifying dreams, he keeps the visions to himself, channeling his anxiety into obsessively building a storm shelter in his backyard. His seemingly inexplicable behavior concerns and confounds those closest to him, but the resulting strain on his marriage and tension within his community can’t compare with Curtis’s privately held fear of what his dreams may truly signify.” (Sony Pictures Classics) Visit the film’s official website.

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There are only 2 films left for Living City’s VAMPIRE retrospective…and both will be presented via 35mm. Single tickets will be available at the door before each screening for $8 each. Here are the remaining dates and films:

November 7 at 7:30 – INTERVIEW WITH THE VAMPIRE (35mm)

November 14 at 7:30 – BRAM STOKER’S DRACULA (1992 – 35mm).

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The following are movies that will play at THE NEON:

Friday, Nov. 11 at 3:00 – THE GREAT DICTATOR (The Charlie Chaplin classic)

Saturday, Nov. 12 at 1:30 – AS FAR AS MY FEET WILL CARRY ME

Sunday, Nov. 13 at 1:30 – PATTON

We’ve already booked the perfect film for Thanksgiving weekend. Alexander Payne’s new film THE DESCENDANTS (starring George Clooney) is fantastic! In fact, I think it’s Payne’s best film yet. Thanksgiving weekend is a crucial movie-going weekend for cinemas…and we hope you’ll make plans to see this great film with us! To find out more about the film, visit the official site.

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For remaining showtimes for this week visit our site.

Hope to see you this weekend,

Jonathan

SHOWTIMES for Nov 4 – Nov 10:

THE WAY (PG-13) 2 Hrs 1 Min

Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 12:15, 2:40, 5:00, 7:30, 9:50

Monday: 2:45, 5:10

Tuesday – Thursday: 2:45, 5:10, 7:40

TAKE SHELTER (R) 2 Hrs

* – indicates a screening with special Q&A

Friday: 1:30, 4:15, 7:00*, 9:40

Saturday: 1:30, 4:15*, 7:00*, 9:40

Sunday: 1:30, 4:15, 7:00, 9:40

Monday – Thursday: 3:00, 5:30, 8:00

INTERVIEW WITH THE VAMPIRE (R) 2 Hrs 3 Min

Monday: 7:30

COMING SOON:

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

In some cases, titles may disappear.

Nov. 11 MARGIN CALL

Nov. 18 MARTHA MARCY MAY MARLENE

Nov. 23 THE DESCENDANTS

Dec. 16 WEEKEND

TBD THE SKIN I LIVE IN

TBD MELANCHOLIA

TBD THE HEDGEHOG

MY AFTERNOONS WITH MARGUERITTE & Hot November Plans for THE NEON

October 26, 2011 By Jonathan McNeal Leave a Comment

Hello Everyone,

Professor Charles Derry told me that THE DEVIL’S DOUBLE is a combination of SCARFACE and a Bette David melodrama (FYI – that’s a compliment)…and my friend Maddi Breslin said that it was outstanding…and that she “could see it again.” Unfortunately, the film did not perform well. Thursday will be your last chance to see THE DEVIL’S DOUBLE at THE NEON.

Conversely, Martin Sheen’s THE WAY (directed by son Emilio Estevez) had a great weekend! We were way above the national average for the film, and audiences are loving it. THE WAY is set to stick around for another week.

On Friday, we will open a charming French film with Gerard Depardieu and Gisele Casadesus – MY AFTERNOONS WITH MARGUERITTE. If you saw THE WAY this weekend, you saw a trailer for this film. It is only slated to play for one week, so hurry down!

Synopsis for MY AFTERNOONS WITH MARGUERITTE: “My Afternoon with Margueritte is the story of life’s random encounters. In a small French town, Germain, a nearly illiterate man in his 50’s and considered to be the village idiot by his friends at the local bistro, takes a walk to the park one day and happens to sit beside Margueritte, a little old lady who is reading excerpts from her novel aloud. She’s articulate, highly intelligent and frail…Afternoons spent reading aloud on their favorite bench transform their lives and start them both on a new journey — to literacy and respect for Germain, and to the deepest friendship for Margueritte.” (Cohen Media Group)

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Next Monday will be the 3rd film in Living City’s VAMPIRE retrospective. (If you missed Monday’s screening of DRACULA, you missed an absolutely gorgeous 35mm print!) Single tickets will be available at the door before each screening for $8 each. Here are the remaining dates and films:

October 31 – THE LOST BOYS (digital video projection)

November 7 – INTERVIEW WITH THE VAMPIRE (35mm)

November 14 – BRAM STOKER’S DRACULA (1992 – 35mm).

Here’s the latest regarding our special opening of TAKE SHELTER! TAKE SHELTER was one of my favorite films from this year’s Toronto International Film Festival. It has been receiving much-deserved international acclaim, and I hope we hear a lot more about it come Oscar time. The performances are incredible, the story is great, and the photography is wonderful. On top of all that, the film was made in Ohio! We’re so glad to announce that we will bring producer Tyler Davidson to town during opening weekend. Mr. Davidson will do a Q&A after the following screenings:

Friday, Nov. 4 at 7:00

Saturday, Nov. 5 at 4:15

Saturday, Nov. 5 at 7:00

Advanced tickets (which are regular price!!) are available now at our box office. To read more about the film, visit the film’s official site.

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Friday, Nov. 11 at 3:00 – THE GREAT DICTATOR (The Charlie Chaplin classic)

Saturday, Nov. 12 at 1:30 – AS FAR AS MY FEET WILL CARRY ME

Sunday, Nov. 13 at 1:30 – PATTON

“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 SHOWCASE on Thursday, November 17th at 7:30pm…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. Special thanks to our sponsor Merrill Lynch Global Wealth Management OGDM Group – Centerville, Ohio…Proceeds from the event will benefit DATV. DATV’s mission is to be a community forum that empowers all citizens to learn, create and express their ideas through electronic media…” (taken from press notes) Visit the official site for this event . Tickets are already available at our box office for $10 each.

I’m very excited to announce that we have booked an incredible film to open in time for Thanksgiving. Alexander Payne’s new film THE DESCENDANTS (starring George Clooney) is fantastic! SIDEWAYS (also directed by Payne) was a huge hit for us, and I think THE DESCENDANTS is his best film yet. (Payne also directed the final short film in PARIS, JE T’AIME – which was also fantastic!) Thanksgiving weekend is a crucial movie-going weekend for cinemas…and we hope you’ll make plans to see this great film with us! To find out more about the film, visit the official site.

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CWHNXJ1K4yA’]

For remaining showtimes for this week visit our official site.

Hope to see you very soon,

Jonathan

SHOWTIMES for October 28 – November 3:

THE WAY (PG-13) 2 Hrs 1 Min

Friday, Saturday: 12:15, 2:40, 5:00, 7:30, 9:50

Sunday: 12:15, 2:40, 5:00, 7:30

Monday: 2:45, 5:10

Tuesday – Thursday: 2:45, 5:10, 7:40

MY AFTERNOONS WITH MARGUERITTE (NR) 1 Hr 22 Min

Friday, Saturday: 1:00, 3:00, 5:15, 7:15, 9:15

Sunday: 1:00, 3:00, 5:15, 7:15

Monday – Wednesday: 3:00, 5:30, 7:30

Thursday: 3:00, 5:30

THE LOST BOYS (R) 1 Hr 37 Min

Monday: 7:30

COMING SOON:

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

In some cases, titles may disappear.

Nov. 4 TAKE SHELTER

Nov. 4 MARGIN CALL

Nov. 18 MARTHA MARCY MAY MARLENE

Nov. 23 THE DESCENDANTS

TBD THE SKIN I LIVE IN

TBD MELANCHOLIA

TBD WEEKENDTBD

THE HEDGEHOG

THE WAY, THE DEVIL’S DOUBLE & Big NEON News!

October 19, 2011 By Jonathan McNeal Leave a Comment

Hello Everyone,

We’re cleaning house this week. If you still need to see THE FUTURE, RESTLESS or SENNA, you only have through tomorrow (October 20) to see them at THE NEON. On Friday, we open two new films. First is a film from Emilio Estevez – starring his father Martin Sheen – THE WAY. On our other screen, we’ll open a film based on a true story about the body double for Saddam Hussein’s son – THE DEVIL’S DOUBLE.

Synopsis for THE WAY: “THE WAY is a powerful and inspirational story about family, friends, and the challenges we face while navigating this ever-changing and complicated world. Martin Sheen plays Tom, an American doctor who comes to St. Jean Pied de Port, France to collect the remains of his adult son (played by Emilio Estevez), killed in the Pyrenees in a storm while walking the Camino de Santiago, also known as The Way of Saint James. Rather than return home, Tom decides to embark on the historical pilgrimage to honor his son’s desire to finish the journey. What Tom doesn’t plan on is the profound impact the journey will have on him and his ‘California Bubble Life.'” (taken from the official site) Many of you have heard about this film because Sheen & Estevez recently came through Dayton promoting it. We hope you’ll help us make this film a success in their hometown!

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Synopsis for THE DEVIL’S DOUBLE: “Summoned from the frontline to Saddam Hussein’s palace, Iraqi army lieutenant Latif Yahia is thrust into the highest echelons of the ‘royal family’ when he’s ordered to become the body double to Saddam’s son – a reckless, sadistic party-boy with a rabid hunger for sex and brutality. With his and his family’s lives at stake, Latif must surrender his former self forever as he learns to walk, talk and act. But nothing could have prepared him for the horror of the Black Prince’s psychotic, drug-addled life of fast cars, easy women and impulsive violence…” (Herrick Entertainment) Click the link to visit the film’s official site.

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Next Monday will be the 2nd of Living City’s VAMPIRE retrospective. Single tickets will be available at the door before each screening for $8 each. Here are the remaining dates and films:

October 24 – DRACULA (1931, starring Bela Lugosi – 35mm)

October 31 – THE LOST BOYS (digital video projection)

November 7 – INTERVIEW WITH THE VAMPIRE (35mm)

November 14 – BRAM STOKER’S DRACULA (1992 – 35mm).

Here’s some great news! TAKE SHELTER was one of my favorite films from this year’s Toronto International Film Festival. It has been receiving much-deserved international acclaim, and I hope we hear a lot more about it come Oscar time. The performances are incredible, the story is great, and the photography is wonderful. On top of all that, the film was made in Ohio! We’re so glad to announce that we will bring producer Tyler Davidson to town during opening weekend. Mr. Davidson will be able to introduce the film and conduct Q&As following select screenings. Stay tuned to my updates for the latest details as they develop. Meanwhile, visit the film’s official site .

On November 17, DATV has rented our space to host their annual MEDIA THAT MATTERS event. Tickets are already available at our box office for $10 each. Mark your calendars now, and I’ll include more details in next week’s update…but if you want to read more, visit their official site.

For remaining showtimes for this week visit THE NEON’s site.

Hope to see you very soon,

Jonathan

SHOWTIMES for October 21 – October 27:

THE WAY (PG-13) 2 Hrs 1 Min

Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 12:15, 2:40, 5:00, 7:30, 9:50

Monday – Thursday: 3:00, 5:30, 8:00

THE DEVIL’S DOUBLE (R) 1 Hr 49 Min

Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 12:30, 2:45, 5:00, 7:20, 9:40

Monday: 3:00, 5:15

Tuesday – Thursday: 3:00, 5:15, 7:30

DRACULA (NR) 1 Hr 15 Min

Monday: 7:30

COMING SOON:

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

In some cases, titles may disappear.

Nov. 4 TAKE SHELTER

Nov. ? MARGIN CALL

Nov. 18 MARTHA MARCY MAY MARLENE

Nov. 25 THE SKIN I LIVE IN

Dec. 2 MELANCHOLIA

TBD WEEKEND

TBD THE HEDGEHOG

TBD MY AFTERNOONS WITH MARGUERITTE

The Future, Restless & Big NEON News!

October 13, 2011 By Jonathan McNeal Leave a Comment

Hello Everyone,

If you still need to see LIFE, ABOVE ALL or HIGHER GROUND, you only have today (Thursday, October 13) to see them at THE NEON. On Friday, we open two new films. First is the new film from Miranda July – THE FUTURE. The second is the new film from Gus Van Sant – RESTLESS. Of course there’s lots more to announce…but I’ll get to that in a minute. As a warning, it’s quite possible that both of our new films will only play for a week. So hurry down if you want to see them!

Synopsis for THE FUTURE: “When Sophie and Jason decide to adopt a stray cat, their perspective on life changes radically, literally altering the course of time and space and testing their faith in each other and themselves.” (Roadside Attractions) From visual artist and filmmaker Miranda July comes the follow-up film to her incredible first feature ME AND YOU AND EVERYONE WE KNOW. Visit the film’s official site.

Synopsis for RESTLESS: “Eccentric funeral crasher Enoch (Henry Hopper) finds his ideal soul mate in beautiful but mysterious Annabelle (Mia Wasikowska), who claims to work in a hospital but harbors a sensitive secret. Later, after Enoch opens up to Annabelle about his only friend, an outspoken ghost named Hiroshi, their fledgling romance is put to the ultimate test. Director Gus Van Sant teams with playwright Jason Lew to adapt Lew’s play of the same name.” (All Movie Guide) Visit the film’s official site .

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Monday will kick off Living City’s VAMPIRE retrospective. First off is a classic with David Bowie, Catherine Deneuve and Susan Sarandon – THE HUNGER. The series will include 5 Films over the course of 5 Mondays at 7:30. Single tickets will be available at the door before each screening for $8 each. Festival passes – good for all 5 screnings – are already available at our box office for just $30 (members of FilmDayton will receive $5 off the festival pass price). Here are the dates and films:

October 17 – THE HUNGER (digital video projection)

October 24 – DRACULA (1931, starring Bela Lugosi – 35mm)

October 31 – THE LOST BOYS (digital video projection)

November 7 – INTERVIEW WITH THE VAMPIRE (35mm)

November 14 – BRAM STOKER’S DRACULA (1992 – 35mm).

Within the past 24 hours, we finally received confirmation that we can open THE WAY on October 21 (“the Martin Sheen film” as so many people has referred to it). You more than likely saw or read details about Sheen and his son Emilio Estevez (who directed the film) visiting Dayton (their hometown) as they toured the country with this film. Since then, we’ve received numerous calls about the film having a traditional engagement – but we could never get the distributor to commit to opening with us. Alas it’s now set – so please help us spread the word. THE WAY will open next Friday!

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In the next few days, I hope to also have some good news regarding TAKE SHELTER. This film, one of my absolute favorites from this year’s Toronto Film Festival, was shot in Ohio and has been garnering awards and kudos around the world. Once Sony Classics confirms our opening date, I’ll get busy trying to secure some special details for audiences at THE NEON. I’ll keep you posted!

For remaining showtimes for this week visit THE NEON’s site.

Hope to see you this weekend,

Jonathan

SHOWTIMES for October 14 – October 20:

SENNA (PG-13) 1 Hr 46 Min

Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 1:00, 5:15

Monday – Thursday: 5:30

RESTLESS (PG-13) 1 Hr 31 Min

Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 1:00, 3:00, 5:15, 7:20, 9:30

Monday: 3:15, 5:20

Tuesday – Thursday: 3:15, 5:20, 7:45

THE FUTURE (R) 1 Hr 31 Min