Hello Everyone!

We're clearing the decks for the beginning of a very full Fall slate!  Starting today, we open Oscar-winner Edward Berger's BALLAD OF A SMALL PLAYER - starring Colin Farrell, Fala Chen and Tilda Swinton. Berger directed CONCLAVE as well as the award-winning ALL QUIET ON THE WESTERN FRONT.  You don't want to miss this spectacle on the big screen. 

If you still need to see KISS OF THE SPIDER WOMAN, you'll need to hurry - Thursday will be its last day...which will make way for a one-week engagement of the new film from Oscar-winner Kathryn Bigelow - A HOUSE OF DYNAMITE. Bigelow made THE HURT LOCKER and ZERO DARK THIRTY, and this new political thriller will put you right back on the edge of your seat.

Both of these new films are only here until Thursday, Oct. 23...and that's because we'll be opening Guillermo del Toro's FRANKENSTEIN (which I saw and loved at TIFF)  on the 23rd and Richard Linklater's BLUE MOON (which just played to great response at the OUT HERE DAYTON FILM FEST...where Ethan Hawke made a special video introduction just for us) on the 24th.  Tickets for opening weekend for these films are already on sale. (Opening weekend tickets are also on sale for the new Yorgos Lanthimos film BUGONIA - starring Emma Stone and Jesse Plemons - opening Oct. 30!)

Speaking of the festival, many thanks to everyone who supported the 20th edition of our OUT HERE DAYTON FILM FEST.  We had a fantastic weekend - with 24 films, 7 guest artists and terrific attendance (4 of the 9 screenings were sold out).  The Audience Award Winner for "Best Short" was a terrific documentary called THANKS, BABS! - about an "optimistic octogenarian speed-racing through life," and our Audience Award Winner for "Best Feature" was the powerful documentary THE LIBRARIANS. Due to popular demand, we have scheduled an encore screening of THE LIBRARIANS...details below.

"Open Caption Mondays" are much appreciated by many of our regulars.  On Monday, Oct. 20, our screenings of BALLAD OF A SMALL PLAYER and A HOUSE OF DYNAMITE will be presented with Open Captions (aka - captions presented on the screen). 

Synopsis for BALLAD OF A SMALL PLAYER: At first glance, it's hard to believe this film is from the director of CONCLAVE...but once it flows over you, there are some similar themes at play.  Macau is visually so exciting, and the performances are excellent, and this film is truly meant for the big screen. "A high-stakes gambler decides to lay low in Macau after his past and debts catch up with him. Along the way he encounters a kindred spirit who might just hold the key to his salvation."

Synopsis for A HOUSE OF DYNAMITE: Last week's "Critic's Pick" from NYTimes! Kathryn Bigelow - Oscar-winner director of THE HURT LOCKER - has an explosive new film that we're able to bring for just one week! "When a single, unattributed missile is launched at the United States, a race begins to determine who is responsible and how to respond."

Crafty Cinema Presents PRACTICAL MAGIC

THIS SUNDAY! Get ready for an afternoon of creativity, entertainment, and social activism at Crafty Cinema for a Cause at THE NEON hosted by the Savage Stitcher (Angie). This unique charity event brings together the joy of crafting with the magic of film, all while supporting Planned Parenthood of SW Ohio. Bring your own craft project that you can work on in your seat, such as crochet, knitting, embroidery, cross stitch, etc. and we will all enjoy an afternoon showing of PRACTICAL MAGIC with the lights up so you can work on a project you’ve been putting off, or start something new. This is a free event with a suggested donation of $20 that will be collected at the door and all proceeds will go to our local Planned Parenthood. There are a limited number of seats available for reservation on Eventbrite, and the rest will be offered as first-come-first-serve at the door.

SUN, OCT 19  | 12:30

HORROR MOVIE TRIVIA

Friend of THE NEON, Tracey Obenour, is bringing some fun, horror movie trivia to our patio on Monday, Oct. 20.

"Come for a Horror/Halloween trivia night you’ll wish you could forget! We’re not just digging up useless film facts, we’ll gently haunt the realms of tv, music, books, local lore... and get a little interactive.
What to know:
• Free to play
• Teams up to 6 people, watch for table reservation sign ups
• Costumes encouraged! Prize for best solo or group
• Prizes for each round and overall winner (plus a glowing trophy)
• Arrive early to get settled with drinks and snax, questions START at 7p

MON, OCT 20 | 7:00

Free Flo Box presents CARRIE

This one-night-only screening of Brian De Palma’s  CARRIE (1976) is presented by  The Free Flo Box, a Dayton nonprofit dedicated to fighting period poverty and ending the stigma surrounding menstruation. Chosen for its deep resonance with themes of shame, bodily autonomy, and the policing of young women’s bodies, CARRIE remains one of cinema’s most haunting explorations of the consequences of fear and repression. Adapted from Stephen King’s debut novel, the film follows Carrie White, a shy and ostracized teenager whose telekinetic powers erupt after years of bullying and cruelty—culminating in one of horror’s most iconic climaxes.
Join us at  THE NEON for an unforgettable evening where the horror of stigma—on screen and off—takes center stage. Proceeds from this screening will go directly toward The Free Flo Box, ensuring access to essential products and fighting period poverty in our community.
Tickets $12.50 each.

THU, OCT 23  | 7:30

WELCOME TO RAP CAMPP

"What happens when you throw some of the region’s most hungry emcees and producers into a camp-style grind session for one weekend with one goal: make something dope and do it together? RAP CAMPP is a love letter to hip-hop, community, and the Dayton scene that raised us. This ain’t just about bars. It’s about building something out of nothing, holding the mic for the next voice, and doing it with people who care about the culture. Come see the highs, the laughs, the freestyles, and the real moments that made this weekend unforgettable. Shot by City of Gems. Made by and for the city."
Tickets are $10 each.

TUE, OCT 28 | 8:00

UD SLASHER NIGHT 2025

Slasher Night 4 at THE NEON—hosted by Bryan Bardine and Chris Burnside from the UD English Department returns on Thursday, Oct. 30 at 7:30. This year we open with TUCKER AND DALE VS. EVIL, directed by Eli Craig, starring Alan Tudyk and Tyler Labine. The evening will conclude after a short break with John Carpenter’s classic HALLOWEEN, starring Jamie Lee Curtis in her first major role.  The festivities begin at 7:30 and the cost is $20 for both films, so you get two for the price of one.  This is the first time we have had a horror comedy for Slasher Night, and while it is certainly comedic, Tucker and Dale doesn’t skimp on the gore. It should be a scary good night!

THU, OCT 30 | 7:30

QUO VADIS AIDA?

QUO VADIS, AIDA? is being shown as part of a series of events in advance of the 30th Anniversary of the Dayton Peace Accords, initialed in Dayton in 1995.
Bosnia, July 1995 - Aida is a translator for the UN in the small town of Srebrenica. When the Serbian army takes over the town, her family is among the thousands of citizens looking for shelter in the UN camp. As an insider to the negotiations Aida has access to crucial information that she needs to interpret. What is on the horizon for her family and people - rescue or death? Which move should she take?
A one time screening of this Oscar nominated movie will be will be introduced by a member of the Dayton Peace Accords Anniversary Committee. Tickets are FREE  but must be reserved through the link below.

THU, NOV 6 | 7:30

THE LIBRARIANS

Winner of OUT HERE DAYTON FILM FEST's "Audience Award: Best Feature" (as well as numerous awards across the country), THE. LIBRARIANS is coming back for an encore screening on Saturday, Nov. 8 at Noon.  Tickets are $12.50 each. 
"Librarians emerge as first responders in the fight for democracy and our First Amendment Rights...In Texas, the Krause List targets 850 books focused on race and LGBTQIA+ stories – triggering sweeping book bans across the U.S. at an unprecedented rate. As tensions escalate, librarians connect the dots from heated school and library board meetings nationwide to lay bare the underpinnings of extremism fueling the censorship efforts. Despite facing harassment, threats, and laws aimed at criminalizing their work – the librarians’ rallying cry for freedom to read is a chilling cautionary tale."

SAT, NOV. 8 | Noon

Neon Nostalgia Night presents CASABLANCA

As an avid reader of our newsletter, you're the first to know that our Fall NEON Nostalgia Night selection will be CASABLANCA...and tickets will go on sale this Friday!

More details about the pre-screening cocktail hour will be coming soon.  We're excited to Megan and her team to bring this film to bring this event to life.  Tickets will be $12.50 each.

THU, NOV 13 | 7:30

Exhibition On Screen: CARAVAGGIO

We're so delighted to once again partner with Dayton Art Institute for another Exhibition On Screen presentation.
"Five years in production, this is the most extensive film ever made about one of the greatest artists of all time – Caravaggio. Featuring masterpiece after masterpiece and with first-hand testimony from the artist himself on the eve of his mysterious disappearance, this beautiful new film reveals Caravaggio as never before. Multi-award-winning filmmakers David Bickerstaff and Phil Grabsky delve into the hidden narratives of Caravaggio’s life, piecing together clues embedded within his incredible art."
This screening will be followed by a presentation from Dr. Jerry Smith from Dayton Art Institute. Sunday, Nov. 16 at 5:00. Tickets are $12.50 each.
Anyone with a DAI membership card gets FREE POPCORN at this screening!

SUN, NOV 16 | 5:00

Thank you for all of your support,
Jonathan

WEDNESDAY, OCT 15 – THURSDAY, OCT 23:

KISS OF THE SPIDER WOMAN (R) 2 Hrs 8 Min
Wednesday (Oct 15): 2:00, 4:40, 7:20
Thursday (Oct 16): 2:00, 4:40
FINAL DAY - Oct. 16!

BALLAD OF A SMALL PLAYER (R) 1 Hr 41 Min
Wednesday (Oct 15): 3:00, 5:15, 7:30
Thursday (Oct 16): 3:00, 5:15, 7:45
Friday & Saturday (Oct 17 & 18): 12:45, 3:00, 5:15, 7:30
Sunday (Oct 19): 12:30, 3:00, 5:15, 7:30
Monday-Wednesday (Oct 20-22): 3:00, 5:15, 7:30
Thursday (Oct 23): 2:40, 5:00

CULT MOVIE NIGHT DOUBLE FEATURE:
IDLE HANDS(R) 1 Hr 32 Min & GINGER SNAPS (NR) 1 Hr 48 Min
Thursday (Oct 16): 7:30

A HOUSE OF DYNAMITE (R) 1 Hr 52 Min
Friday, Saturday (Oct 17 & 18): 12:20, 2:40, 5:00, 7:20
Sunday - Wednesday (Oct 19-22): 2:40, 5:00, 7:20
Thursday (Oct 23): 2:15, 4:40

Crafty Cinema presents PRACTICAL MAGIC (PG-13) 1 Hr 44 Min
Sunday (Oct 19): 12:30

FRANKENSTEIN (R) 2 Hrs 29 Min
Thursday (Oct 23): 7:10

Free Flo Box presents CARRIE (R) 1 Hr 38 Min
Thursday (Oct 23): 7:30