Hello Everyone!

Wow!  Those nominations!!  There were certainly some disappointments in yesterday's Academy Award nominations (like the absence of Gerwig for "Best Director"), but there was a lot of love for films that have played at THE NEON.  In fact, of the 10 "Best Picture" nominees, THE NEON has played 9...and the 10th - THE ZONE OF INTEREST - is slated to open Feb. 2.  In addition to the OSCAR NOMINATED SHORTS (slated to start Feb. 16), we also hope to get to a couple more "Best International Film" nominees before the big day on March 10.  Stay tuned!

This Friday, we're opening one of my favorite films of 2023 - ALL OF US STRANGERS - directed by Andrew Haigh.  This achingly lovely film features incredible performances from people you've seen numerous times before...from Andrew Scott in PRIDE and FLEABAG to Paul Mescal in AFTERSUN and NORMAL PEOPLE to Jamie Bell in BILLY ELLIOT and Claire Foy in THE CROWN.  And we've screened powerful work from Haigh before - his incredible film WEEKEND in 2011 and the film that earned Charlotte Rampling an Oscar nomination - 45 YEARS.  Don't miss this film on the big screen...it won't be here too long.

AMERICAN FICTION (which was nominated for 5 Oscars including "Best Picture") had a spectacular opening weekend, and it will be sticking around.  POOR THINGS (which was nominated for 11 Oscars including "Best Picture") is heading out after Thursday...hurry down if you still need to see it!

"Open Caption Mondays" continue to create more traction. On Monday, Jan. 29, ALL OF US STRANGERS and AMERICAN FICTION will be presented with captions on the screen.  Additionally, 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 ALL OF US STRANGERS: "One night, screenwriter Adam, in his near-empty tower block in contemporary London, has a chance encounter with his mysterious neighbor Harry that punctures the rhythm of his everyday life. As Adam and Harry get closer, Adam is pulled back to his childhood home where he discovers that his long-dead parents are both living and look the same age as the day they died over 30 years ago." (Searchlight Pictures) Starring an incredible and intimate cast - Andrew Scott , Paul Mescal, Jamie Bell and Claire Foy.  This film deserved some Oscar attention for its screenplay and performances...let me know if you agree.

ONE NIGHT ONLY!  (There was a typo in last week's newsletter...the date for this event is Tuesday, Feb. 6.) "In this silent supernatural winter epic, a drunken applejack salesman must go from zero to hero and become North America’s greatest fur trapper to defeat hundreds of beavers." SCREEN-SPACE writes, "Cheslik and writer/leading man Tews craft a monochromatic masterwork ripe with the DNA of the silent film classics of Buster Keaton and Harold Lloyd." Joining us for this special screening on Tuesday, Feb. 6 at 7:30 will be the director, star and some of the beavers. The film is almost indescribable but it is a genuine hit at festivals (over 50 and mostly sold out shows from WI & Austin to Italy & Australia) with 100% reviews on RottenTomatoes!  Tickets are $12.50 - Available Now! Click the button below to watch the trailer and book your ticket!

Join us for another magical Valentine's Movie Date Night at THE NEON! ❤️ Last year was a sell-out success, and this year promises even more romance. Par Excellence! Our marketing team has curated a special evening with not one, but TWO films to choose from - the Oscar-winning 2001 classic MOULIN ROUGE (7pm) and the new French romance starring Juliette Binoch - THE TASTE OF THINGS (7:30pm) - complete with a cocktail hour including French wines from Joui and a délicieux Pâtisserie Bar with sweet treats from Dorothy Lane Market. Special thanks to our sponsor, Brian Sharp, of SharpGroup - Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Professional Realty!  Tickets are $30 each and include a ticket to the movie of your choice, wine, dessert and great company!

Written by Cincinnati native & Wright State grad Nick Pinkerton! "From acclaimed cinematographer-turned-director Sean Price Williams alongside stars Talia Ryder, Simon Rex, Ayo Edibiri, Jacob Elordi & more, comes THE SWEET EAST: A picaresque journey through contemporary America, undertaken by Lillian, a high schooler fleeing her senior class trip - granted access to the strange sects and cults that proliferate this country by gatekeepers eager to win her over."   Pinkerton will join us for this special one-time screening - Thursday, Feb. 15 at 7:30.  Tickets are $12.50 each.

"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.

Local filmmaker Joshua Matthieu has rented our space to premiere his new film. "Four teens go camping at an abandoned scout camp for some late summer camping. Come nightfall, they start getting picked off one by one by the Rake. Andy (JM Ward) and Lauren (Corinne Tiernan) have to fight to stay alive and make their way out of the woods before it’s too late. THE RAKE was produced by Alpha-Marshall Productions and directed by Joshua Matthieu. Join us at THE NEON on February 29th at 7:30pm for the premiere of THE RAKE. Then, stick around until after the showing for a meet and greet with the cast and crew. Tickets are $10 each and available now. Proceeds will go into making more fun films in the future." (taken from press notes)

Victor Bonacore is bringing back "Cult Movie Night" and proud to present the local classic, Kung-Fu epic TREASURE OF THE NINJA from Dayton filmmaker William X. Lee.  "Throughout the 1980s, black filmmaker and martial artist William X. Lee wrote, produced, directed, and starred in dozens of D.I.Y. action epics, all shot on Super 8 here in Ohio.  TREASURE OF THE NINJA, Lee’s most ambitious and beloved movie, follows Magneta Faze (Lee) who defends Ohio against the evil El Kazi and his ninja army.  The film has garnered a strong cult following, featuring strong women characters and a killer synth-based soundtrack, this explosive movie is an inspiration to anyone with a dream, pulse, or appreciation for spinning kicks!  William grew up in Dayton and still makes films here today, continuing to add to his impressive and extensive career in low budget cult action films.   William is also the author of the book  SERIOUSLY BRO, IDGAF: THE JOURNEY OF THE WORLD’S ANGRIEST INDEPENDENT BLACK FILMMAKER.
Local organization “Scripted in Black” will be hosting and conducting a live Q & A with the director after the film!  Presented by Cult Movie Night and local comic book publication Blood Scream Comics!" (taken from press notes)  Thursday, Feb. 22 at 7:30.  Tickets are $13 each - available now!

We're delighted to bring back the "Exhibition On Screen" series, in partnership with The Dayton Art Institute.  And as we start to think of Spring, we have the perfect documentary for the first Sunday in March - PAINTING THE MODERN GARDEN: MONET TO MATISSE.  Join us for this one time event with a post-screening discussion from our friends at DAI on Sunday, March 3 at 5:00. Tickets will be $12.50 (going on sale Jan. 19). "Claude Monet was an avid horticulturist and arguably the most important painter of gardens in the history of art, but he was not alone. Great artists like Van Gogh, Bonnard, Sorolla, Sargent, Pissarro and Matisse all saw the garden as a powerful subject for their art. These great artists, along with many other famous names, feature in an innovative and extensive exhibition from The Royal Academy of Arts, London." (Exhibition On Screen)

The cult classic THE ROOM and special guest Greg Sestero (actor from THE ROOM and author of THE DISASTER ARTIST) are heading back to THE NEON. For the past two years, this event has sold out very quickly!  It will screen Thursday, March 14 at 7:30, and tickets are $22 - on sale now! Grab your friends (and your spoons), it's gonna be another fun-filled night! 

Thank you for all of your support!

Hope to see you soon,

Jonathan

POOR THINGS (R) 2 hrs 21 Min

Wednesday & Thursday (Jan 24 & 25): 3:30, 7:15

FINAL DAY - Jan. 25!

AMERICAN FICTION (R) 1 Hr 57 Min

Wednesday & Thursday (Jan 24 & 25): 2:40, 5:10, 7:40

Friday & Saturday (Jan 26 & 27): 12:00, 2:30, 5:00, 7:30

Sunday (Jan 28): 12:00, 2:30, 7:45

Monday (Jan 29): 2:40, 5:10, 7:40

Tuesday (Jan 30): 2:40, 5:10

Wednesday & Thursday  (Jan 31 & Feb 1): 2:40, 5:10, 7:40

ALL OF US STRANGERS (R) 1 Hr 45 Min

Fri, Sat, Sun (Jan 26-28): 12:10, 2:40, 5:10, 7:40

Monday (Jan 29): 3:00, 5:15, 7:30

Tuesday (Jan 30): 3:00, 7:45

Wed & Thur (Jan 31 & Feb 1): 3:00, 5:15, 7:30