Hello Everyone!

It's been a long, long time since we've had 2 movies performing so well for an extended period of time!  THE COLOR PURPLEand POOR THINGS will stick around for another week.

On January 12, we plan to begin a one-week engagement of FALLEN LEAVES - a film that has made many critics' "Top 10" lists for 2023.  On January 19, we plan to open both AMERICAN FICTION and ALL OF US STRANGERS.  Click any of these titles to read more and watch trailers for these films...we're excited about all of them!

"Open Caption Mondays" are back. On Monday, Jan. 8, both films - THE COLOR PURPLE and POOR THINGS - will be presented with captions on the screen.  In addition, THE NEON does offer closed caption devices, audio assistance headphones, and narrative description headphones when films have these features available.  As a reminder, seating is only "reserved" for traditional engagements on weekends and during select special events.

Synopsis for POOR THINGS: "Brought back to life by an unorthodox scientist, a young woman runs off with a lawyer on a whirlwind adventure across the continents. Free from the prejudices of her times, she grows steadfast in her purpose to stand for equality and liberation." From visionary director Yorgos Lanthimos - director of THE LOBSTER and THE FAVOURITE - this is a feast of a film...and one that we'll be talking about for a while!

Synopsis for THE COLOR PURPLE: Experience the extraordinary sisterhood of three women who share one unbreakable bond in THE COLOR PURPLE. This bold new take on the beloved classic is directed by a multi-medium artist Blitz Bazawule. The film’s all-star producers are Oprah Winfrey, Steven Spielberg, Scott Sanders and Quincy Jones. THE COLOR PURPLE stars Oscar nominee Taraji P. Henson, SAG Award winner and Tony Award nominee Danielle Brooks, Tony nominee and Emmy Award winner Colman Domingo, Tony Award nominee Corey Hawkins, Oscar- and Grammy-winning artist H.E.R., Grammy nominee Halle Bailey, Oscar nominee Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, and Grammy-winning artist Fantasia Barrino in her major motion picture debut.

On Thursday January 11th 2023 at 7:30 PM, join us for DOC NIGHT, the annual showcase of non-fiction films by Wright State Motion Picture students.  "These eclectic shorts explore young entrepreneurs, the world of industrial marijuana farming, Ohio roadside attractions and a Veteran Army Trumpeter’s experiences  in Vietnam. Provocative, heartfelt and humorous, this evening of short films will be followed by a Q&A with the filmmakers. Tickets are $10, and additional donations are welcome and encouraged to support the Motion Picture Program." (taken from press notes)

TICKETS ARE FREE, BUT REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED!  "Presented in partnership with generous sponsors and expert panelists, Ohio Ecological Food & Farm Association Policy's Film Screening Series features four films in four Ohio cities.  Join OEFFA as they explore the many facets of our food and farming systems and highlight films that will raise awareness, inspire dialogue, and empower positive change. All screenings are free and open to the public.  On Sunday, January 14, 2024, at 3 p.m., the series will start with a screening of FOOD CHAINS at THE NEON. FOOD CHAINS takes a deep look at the living and working conditions of agricultural laborers in Immokalee, Florida—one of the nation's top tomato-producing regions and the epicenter of one of the most important fights for food workers' rights. Following the film, panelists will shed light on migrant labor and farmworker justice, sparking conservation and inspiring policy change." (taken from press notes)

TICKETS ONLY AVAILABLE IN-PERSON ON DAY OF SCREENING! Our special screening for Martin Luther King Day will be THE HATE U GIVE.  Our doors will open on Monday, Jan. 15 at 10:30am, and the screening will start at 11:00am.  The screening is FREE and targeted at engaging young people in thoughtfully watching a film and participating in a discussion following the movie.  "Starr Carter is constantly switching between two worlds -- the poor, mostly black neighborhood where she lives and the wealthy, mostly white prep school that she attends. The uneasy balance between these worlds is soon shattered when she witnesses the fatal shooting of her childhood best friend at the hands of a police officer." Sponsored by MLK Dayton, Inc. and THE NEON.  Tickets will only be available at the door starting at 10:30am on Monday, Jan. 15.  1 ticket per person - seats can not be held for patrons who have not yet arrived.

“Join Ohio Innocence Project (“OIP”) Director and UC Law Professor Mark Godsey,  Exoneree Dean Gillispie, and filmmaker Barry Rowen for discussion regarding Pulitzer Prize Winner Gilbert King’s BONE VALLEY regarding Leo Schofield, Jr.’s ongoing 34-year battle for exoneration from his wrongful conviction for his wife’s murder, and a short film chronicling Dean Gillispie's wrongful conviction in Montgomery County, Ohio, and the OIP’s relentless battle successfully securing Dean’s exoneration and freedom after more than 20 years of wrongful imprisonment." One Time Only - Thursday, January 18 at 7:30.  Tickets are $12.50 each and available now.

A special screening of #BLACKSKIN, presented by Recovery Media, Inc., is set for Sunday, January 21 at 5:00. "A riveting narrative surrounding Minneapolis, a powder keg of police violence against Black men in America.  Multiple Black men's deaths are in the hands of the Minneapolis police. Produced by: Carole Copeland; Directed by: Marc Cayce; Starring Duane Finley, Cocoa Brown, Miguel Nunez, Bre'ana Simone & Sheldon Biley. Presented by Recovery Media, Inc. - a 501(C)(3) non-profit that provides survivors of trauma with healing and transformative experiences through learning the art and skill of filmmaking and storytelling. We are pleased to partner with Felons With A Future, Inc. to bring film and television media to formerly incarcerated persons here in Dayton and across the country.  We are excited about opening up the film and media industry here in this great city! This film premiere will serve as our introductory fundraiser to begin the process of helping this region to become a hub for the film, television and media industry." (taken from press notes)

"The Junior Leaguers Club of Dayton's 11th annual movie theater scholarship fundraiser is scheduled for February 17, 2024 at Noon. The documentary BLACK POWER MIXTAPE 1965-1975 will view history during the 60’s -70’s anti war and black power movements.  The filmmaker Gorman Hugo found the film canisters in a cellar beneath the Swedish National Broadcasting Co.  He accepted the responsibility to share this spectacular find with the world.  This documentary looks at society, culture, and  style of the cinematic and musical journey of the Black community.  The Swedish took an interest in the civil rights movement which was ignored by the US media and portrayed as a violent terrorist movement.  Their point of view is from an outsider but a committed group of  Swedish filmmakers.  The discussion following the movie will be facilitated by Larry and Osebesi Crowe." (taken from press. notes) The cost of this screening is $25. for adults and $10. for students.  This cost includes popcorn, soda, and wine for the adults. Tickets can be purchased from any Junior Leaguers Club of Dayton member or in person at THE NEON.

2024 is starting strong with lots of special events! In next week's newsletter, I will provide details for HUNDREDS OF BEAVERS on Feb. 6, our Valentine's event (featuring a personal favorite of mine on the big screen), and visiting filmmaker/screenwriter Nick Pinkerton (a graduate of Wright State's film program) with his new film THE SWEET EAST on Feb. 15. Stay tuned!

Thank you for all of your support!

Hope to see you soon,

Jonathan