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TIFF 2018 – Day #9

September 15, 2018 By Jonathan McNeal

Hello!

Things are certainly winding down here at TIFF. I screened 3 movies today (which means I have now seen 38 films at the festival) and then I did a little shopping and eventually met some friends out for drinks.

My first film of the day was JEREMIAH TERMINATOR LEROY, directed by Justin Kelly. First off, I think this is Kelly’s best work to date. Many critics and industry folks I’ve talked to mention the fact that several projects have been done on this very same subject…and thus they aren’t necessarily interested in seeing the story again. That said, I haven’t seen any of them, so I was interested. “In this captivating true story, a young woman (Kristen Stewart) spends years playing the public role of Jeremiah “Terminator” LeRoy, an enigmatic and celebrated literary persona created by her sister-in-law (Laura Dern).” This story is too bizarre to be true – but it is (and with MILLION LITTLE PIECES screening at this year’s festival, I guess it’s an interesting recurring theme – books that are later discovered to be untrue). Laura Dern is maniacal and fun to watch, and I ultimately think this is a solid film that could easily find an audience.

THE DEATH AND LIFE OF JOHN F DONOVAN, directed by Xavier Dolan, was next on my list. Critics have been savage regarding this next film from Dolan (the young director who has won awards at Cannes, made several films and still is in his 20s). This film is Dolan’s first English-language effort, and it has quite a cast. Here’s the mini TIFF synopsis: “Xavier Dolan’s highly anticipated drama about a young man’s calculated reassessment of his infamous, and ultimately disastrous, childhood correspondence with an American television star features an all-star cast, including Kit Harington, Natalie Portman, Susan Sarandon, Kathy Bates, Thandie Newton, Jacob Tremblay, and Ben Schnetzer.” This film was hung up in editing for a couple years, and I think I can see why. It has all the signature Dolan traits – and I have to admit I was entertained – I liked the story. That said, it seems like some of the actors are in different movies. Sarandon’s performance is so big and crazy that it doesn’t seem at all like the rest of the film…though Natalie Portman is a bit over-the-top, too. Kathy Bates is superb, and Michael Gambon’s short scene is lovely. The movie is currently too long, but I think it will eventually find distribution (at least via a streaming service).

COLD WAR, directed by Pawel Pawlikowski, is the follow-up to Pawlikowski’s Oscar-winning film IDA (one of my favorites the year it played TIFF). “Pawel Pawlikowski’s formidable romantic drama features two musical performers in postwar Eastern Europe whose discontinuous love story is hindered by obstacles of time, space, and politics.” This film is full of absolutely gorgeous black and white cinematography (like IDA, the camera placement is brilliant), and the music (as well as overall sound design) is incredible. This was a great film to wind up my last full day of the festival.

I have one more film tomorrow morning before I pack my bags and head to the airport.

Thanks for reading,

Jonathan

Oscar Winner A FANTASTIC WOMAN Opens Friday at THE NEON!

March 13, 2018 By Jonathan McNeal

Hello Everyone!

I’m very excited that we’re opening one of my absolute favorite films of 2017 this Friday – A FANTASTIC WOMAN. This beautiful film just won the Oscar for “Best Foreign Film,” and A.O. Scott of THE NEW YORK TIMES wrote, “The title of Sebastián Lelio’s new film might seem a bit on the nose. It’s a fantastic movie. Daniela Vega, the star, is fantastic in it…” If you still need to see Sally Potter’s new film THE PARTY, you’ll need to hurry. Thursday will be the last day for it at THE NEON. That said, I, TONYA just keeps on performing well. Though we thought Sunday would be its last day, we will bring it back for one show a day starting this Friday. The darkly funny and chilling THOROUGHBREDS will stick around for one more week.

Synopsis for A FANTASTIC WOMAN: “Marina and Orlando are in love and planning for the future. Marina is a young waitress and aspiring singer. Orlando is 20 years older than her, and owns a printing company. After celebrating Marina’s birthday one evening, Orlando falls seriously ill. Marina rushes him to the emergency room, but he passes away just after arriving at the hospital. Instead of being able to mourn her lover, suddenly Marina is treated with suspicion. The doctors and Orlando’s family don’t trust her. Orlando’s ex-wife forbids her from attending the funeral. And to make matters worse, Orlando’s son threatens to throw Marina out of the flat she shared with Orlando. Marina is a trans woman and for most of Orlando’s family, her sexual identity is an aberration, a perversion.
So Marina struggles for the right to be herself. She battles the very same forces that she has spent a lifetime fighting just to become the woman she is now – a complex, strong, forthright and fantastic woman.” Click this LINK to visit the film’s official site.

“Massie Creek Paddlers and Tomfoolery Outdoors present the 13th annual PADDLING FILM FESTIVAL on Thursday, March 22 at 7:30. Since 2006, The Paddling Film Festival has been showcasing the very best paddling films. The World Tour screens in more than 120 cities around the world. Join us for this year’s best paddling films. You’ll be inspired to explore rivers, lakes and oceans, push extremes, embrace the paddling lifestyle and appreciate the wild places.” Tickets are $11 each and are available via this LINK.

On Thursday, March 29 at 7:30, LeKeisha Nicole of Ambition Magazine is hosting a fun, special event at THE NEON. “Ambition Magazine is bringing Welcome Week vibes to Dayton for its 6th anniversary with a screening of Spike Lee’s SCHOOL DAZE in celebration of the 30th anniversary of the movie’s premiere. We’re just going to kick back and enjoy one another as we celebrate both anniversaries with food, friends and even a few vendors with some great products.” (from press release) Tickets are $8 each and available at THE NEON’s box office. You can also get tickets online via this LINK.

On Tuesday, April 3 at 7:30, there will be a one-time special screening of a film from Bosnia. “OUR EVERYDAY LIFE dramatizes the day to day lives of one family in Sarajevo the unsolved political situation and the economic hardships of postwar Bosnia. An entire generation of people in Bosnia, who are now in their forties, lost their youth in war, but today they are offered neither freedom, successful jobs, nor hope in their society. Their lives are stagnant. Appearing in numerous film festivals throughout Europe and North America and winner of many film awards, OUR EVERYDAY LIFE is a must see for people in the Dayton area who seek a clear and authentic understanding of the lives of people today in their sister city, Sarajevo, after the signing of the Dayton Peace Accords in 1995. The highly acclaimed director, Ines Tanovic, who is from Sarajevo, will attend the screening to discuss the film and answer questions. This screening is made possible with a grant from the Faculty Endowment Board at Wittenberg University and is sponsored by Duh Bosne, a non-profit organization which publishes the bilingual online journal “Spirit of Bosnia / Duh Bosne.” Its mission is to preserve and honor the long-standing traditions of social and civil order that created Bosnia’s noble heritage.” (Keith Doubt) Tickets are $5.50 each and are available at THE NEON’s Box Office.

Dayton & Montgomery Public Health will kick off Minority Health Month at THE NEON on Saturday, April 7 from 10am until 1pm. In addition to providing Free Health Screenings, they will have a FREE screening of THE IMMORTAL LIFE OF HENRIETTA LACKS – starring Oprah Winfrey. Special guest Marsha Bonhart will host a post-screening dialogue about great minority pioneers in the health industry and how we can self-advocate for quality health care. Tickets for the screening will be first come, first served on the morning of the event.

Steve Heman has rented our space to premiere his new work on Sunday, April 8 at 5:00. “The 4th work by local experimental film-maker Steve Heman, WANT YES, NEED NO, is presented as a trailer to a non-existent film. In it, contemporary culture is reimagined in order to provoke an array of questions about our values, our sexual mores, and the nature of evil in our society. His work is best described as contemporary video art with roots in the non-narrative, avant-garde film tradition, combining in equal parts his background in music with his passion for words and imagery both poetic and theatrical. The effect his work produces is a kind of compartmentalization of words, music, and distinct images that willfully defies the conventional subservience of these elements in the narrative film tradition. Admission is free and seating is limited. Please arrive at THE NEON as early as 3:00 to reserve a seat. Also, please be advised this movie contains nudity and aberrant language. Attendees under 17 will be admitted with adult supervision. A Question and Answer Session will follow.” (Steve Heman)

So many of you have asked about Djuna Wahlrab’s film that was shot in Dayton…and we’re happy to announce that it will finally have a public screening on our big screen on Thursday, April 12 at 7:30. “WE’RE DOING FINE, a feature film written and directed by Dayton native and Stivers grad Djuna Wahlrab, is a story about an unlikely friendship between two people from Dayton, OH: one who left and one who stayed. When they first meet, their hometown seems to be all that Gertie and John share. But as each faces the loss of a single parent, they connect, gaining just enough confidence to hear, ‘Just keep going. You’ve got this. You’re doing fine.’ Shot entirely in the Dayton area by fellow Stivers grad Adam Miller and scored by R. Ring’s Kelley Deal and Mike Montgomery, WE’RE DOING FINE also features songs by Dayton-origin bands such as Motel Beds, Heartless Bastards, Buffalo Killers, Lou Barlow, Real Lulu, Me Time and The Judy Blooms. Q & A to follow with the filmmakers.” Tickets, just $10 each, are now available at THE NEON’s Box Office. Click the image below to visit the film’s official site.

Thank you for your continued support!
We hope to see you this weekend,
Jonathan

SHOWTIMES for Tuesday, Mar 13 – Thursday, Mar 22:

THOROUGHBREDS (R) 1 Hr 32 Min
Tuesday-Thursday (Mar 13-15): 3:15, 5:30, 7:40
Friday & Saturday (March 16 & 17): 12:30, 5:10, 7:20, 9:30
Sunday (March 18): 12:30, 5:10, 7:20
Monday-Wednesday (March 19-21): 5:20, 7:30
Thursday (March 22): 5:20

THE PARTY (R) 1 Hr 11 Min
Tuesday-Thursday (Mar 13-15): 3:30, 5:15, 7:30
FINAL DAY – March 15!

A FANTASTIC WOMAN (R) 1 Hr 44 Min
Friday & Saturday (March 16 & 17): 12:20, 2:40, 5:00, 7:20, 9:40
Sunday (March 18): 12:20, 2:40, 5:00, 7:20
Monday-Thursday (March 19-22): 3:00, 5:20, 7:40

I, TONYA (R) 2 Hrs
Friday, Saturday, Sunday (March 16-18): 2:30
Monday-Thursday (March 19-22): 2:50

PADDLING FILM FESTIVAL (NR) 2 Hrs
Thursday (March 22): 7:30

COMING SOON:
(All Dates Are Tentative. Dates Often Move And Sometimes Disappear)
March 30 – THE DEATH OF STALIN
April 6 – ISLE OF DOGS
April 6 – LOVELESS
April 20 – FOXTROT
April 27 – YOU WERE NEVER REALLY HERE
May 18 – RBG
TBD – LEISURE SEEKER

TIFF 2014 – Day #4

September 8, 2014 By Jonathan McNeal

Sunday, September 7, 2014

Hello Again.

Last night was a late night again…so this morning started with a drag…but I don’t regret staying out until 2:00. I had dinner with an old friend (I met Bill in line for Almodovar’s TALK TO HER back in 2002) and then met a couple other friends for cocktails. It was a great night.

This morning started in line like all the other mornings. I managed to get the tickets I want for Tuesday public screenings (including WILD – the buzz for Reese Witherspoon is quite big), and I was then off to my first P&I screening.

TOUR DE FORCE was first. It’s a German film about a group of friends getting together for their annual bike ride. This year, the protagonist has chose Belgium as the destination – much to his friends’ consternation. Within the first act, it is revealed that he has chosen Belgium because physician assisted suicide is an option there. He has ALS, and his body is reacting worse and worse each day. The chemistry of the friends is quite good, and I liked a lot of the film, but I think it lost its way a couple times. Ultimately, I think there’s a really strong 80 minute film here. Unfortunately, the 95 minute version isn’t the best.

FACE OF AN ANGEL was my next selection. It’s the new Michael Winterbottom film that uses the murder of an American student traveling in Italy (the Meredith Kercher case is clearly the inspiration) as the jumping point for the film. This movie is about a filmmaker who has been offered the chance to write a screenplay and direct the film version of the murder and court proceedings. As he gets deeper into understanding the dynamics, he decides he’d rather create a film that speaks to the murder but isn’t actually traditional telling of the story. Daniel Bruhl, who I first fell in love with in GOODBYE, LENIN, plays the director, and Kate Beckinsale plays the journalist who has written extensively about the case. Sadly, I think the film becomes a self-reflexive jumble – with dream sequences and drug-induced hallucinations that create a frenzy of a film that ultimately doesn’t work. Though I like that the film makes us question the idea of “truth,” I wasn’t up for all the antics of this story.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4zbWCcSBva4

I was quite excited to see MISS JULIE – the new Liv Ullmann adaptation of the classic play by Strindberg, starring Jessica Chastain and Collin Farrell. This is the story of a daughter of a count who is enamored by a well-spoken valet. What initially seems like flirting becomes a cat and mouse game for control of affections and desire – and certainly an examination of class. The production elements are divine, and Chastain’s performance is absolutely incredible, but I ultimately felt that the adaptation was rather arduous. There’s something to be said for honoring the text of a classic play, but I think this film needs tightening.

And then I saw the world premiere of THE THEORY OF EVERYTHING – the story of Stephen Hawking, his relationship with his wife and his battle with ALS. I love this film! The photography is lovely, the evolving period aspects are perfect, and the performances are out of this world. I didn’t sense a false note in any moment, and I think numerous awards will follow. Eddie Redmayne was in attendance and spoke quite eloquently of the process of creating his body movements – which involved doctors and a choreographer. In addition to all the folks from the film (many of whom participated in the Q&A), there were several stars in attendance for the screening – including Andrew Garfield, Jon Stewart and Julie Taymor. THE NEON has tentatively put this film on the schedule right around Thanksgiving! (Look at this photo comparison…I’ve only just seen it, and it makes the film all the more impressive.)

Thanks again for checking in!

Jonathan

SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK at THE NEON Plus New Special Events

January 15, 2013 By Jonathan McNeal Leave a Comment

Hello Everyone,

We had another solid weekend…due especially to HYDE PARK ON HUDSON. Though that film will hold for another week, our other two films are in their last days. If you still need to see DIANA VREELAND: THE EYE HAS TO TRAVEL or PROMISED LAND, Thursday will be your last chance to see them at THE NEON. On Friday, we will open a film that is up for 8 Academy Awards including “Best Picture” – SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK. For this week’s remaining showtimes, visit our website at www.neonmovies.com

Synopsis for SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK: “Life doesn’t always go according to plan…Pat Solitanohas lost everything — his house, his job, and his wife. He now finds himself living back with his mother and father after spending eight months in a state institution on a plea bargain. Pat is determined to rebuild his life, remain positive and reunite with his wife, despite the challenging circumstances of their separation. All Pat’s parents want is for him to get back on his feet – and to share their family’s obsession with the Philadelphia Eagles football team. When Pat meets Tiffany, a mysterious girl with problems of her own, things get complicated. Tiffany offers to help Pat reconnect with his wife, but only if he’ll do something very important for her in return…” (The Weinstein Company) Click this LINK to visit the official site.

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Have you heard of the new documentary directed by Ken Burns, Sarah Burns, and David McMahon – THE CENTRAL PARK FIVE. We’re gonna play it thanks to your support of a new distribution model called GATHR. Here’s the synopsis of the film – “In 1989, five black and Latino teenagers were arrested and charged with brutally attacking and raping a white female jogger in Central Park. News media swarmed the case, calling them a ‘wolfpack.’ The five would spend years in prison for a crime they didn’t commit before the truth about what really happened became clear…this incendiary film tells the riveting tale of innocent young men scapegoated for a heinous crime, and serves as a mirror for our times.” This documentary was not slated to play in town…so we tried Gathr – which is an “on-demand” distribution model. Because 25 people have already purchased tickets to the screening…we can proceed. We’ll play the film on Thursday, February. 7 at 7:30. Tickets are $9 each. Visit the Gathr site to purchase your advanced tickets by clicking this LINK (enter “45402” for the zip code, and the information for THE CENTRAL PARK FIVE will appear). Please help us spread the word…we would love to bring even more smaller films to town, but we have to make certain there’s support for these titles.

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AehmA3hTLmA’]

If you were a fan of the one-night only screening of RIDE THE DIVIDE, mark your calendars now for January 23. We will host a one-night only screening of the new film REVEAL THE PATH. “REVEAL THE PATH is a genre-defying adventure film that contemplates what it means to live an inspired life using the bicycle as a mechanism to explore, dream and discover. Regions explored include Scotland’s lush valleys, Europe’s snow capped mountains, Morocco’s high desert landscapes, Nepal’s rural countryside and Alaska’s rugged coastal beaches…Meet the locals living modest yet seemingly fulfilling lives, leading us to question what it means to live an inspired life – however humble or extravagant. Join in as the creators of RIDE THE DIVIDE take you on an adventure that will leave you with an eager desire to chart your own course to far away lands or simply to discover with eyes wide open what’s right around the bend.” (taken from press notes) Check out the official site to find out more about the film and to purchase advanced tickets – which are $11 each. (We will not be selling advanced tickets for this event at our box office…they will only be available on the official site. If tickets are still available on the night of the screening, they will be $15 each.)

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LnuW4gdtQxI’]

“January 1863 marked the first legal idea of freedom for slaves in the United States of America, but 150 years later there are more slaves and humans trafficked than ever before. Ohio is #5 in the nation for the most number of humans trafficked. Peace on Fifth presents a one-time movie screening of NOT MY LIFE in honor of Human Trafficking Prevention Month and as a part of Start Freedom Dayton, a local human trafficking awareness campaign. With a reported 27 million people enslaved in the world, many US Americans may think this is a global problem that does not touch the shores of the US. In fact, who would ever think that Dayton is at risk or involved? The film covers five continents and shows multiple forms of trafficking/slavery. You will hear from victims, advocates and abolitionists that are on the ground living and fighting for freedom every day. Come out and see about modern day slavery and learn how you can change the world…right now! Tickets at $10 at the door or $8.50 in advance at Peace on Fifth (located at 508 E Fifth Street).”

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WBlifdh911A’]

ThinkTV has once again offered to help us get a signal for our FREE Annual Oscar Party. Mark you calendars for Sunday, February 24. Ballots will soon be available in our lobby (but you must be present at the party in order to win prizes). More details will be available in next week’s newsletter…but we’re excited about seeing some of this year’s favorites on the ballot. 15 films that are nominated for Academy Awards have screened at (or are coming soon to) THE NEON. Between these 15 films, there are 34 nominations. We hope you’ll make plans to spend this fun night with us.

We hope to see you soon,
Jonathan

SHOWTIMES for Fri. Jan. 18 – Thur, Jan. 24:

HYDE PARK ON HUDSON (R) 1 Hr 34 Min
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 12:50, 3:00, 5:10, 7:20, 9:30
Monday: 3:15, 5:30, 7:50
Tuesday: 3:00, 5:15, 7:50
Wednesday: 3:00, 5:15
Thursday: 3:00, 5:15, 7:50

SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK (R) 2 Hr 02 Min
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 1:00, 4:00, 7:15, 9:45
Monday: 3:15, 5:45, 8:10
Tuesday – Thursday: 3:00, 5:30, 8:00

REVEAL THE PATH(NR) 1 Hr 14 min
Wednesday: 7:30

COMING SOON:
As always, all dates are tentative. Many of these dates will change.
In some rare cases, titles may disappear.
Jan 25 – RUST AND BONE
Soon – A ROYAL AFFAIR
Feb. 15 – AMOUR
Feb ? – WEST OF MEMPHIS
Late February – QUARTET
Late Winter/Spring – NO
Late Winter/Spring – THE GATEKEEPERS
Spring – ON THE ROAD

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.

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

Thanks much…and see you soon!

Jonathan