Hello Everyone!

This Thursday night, we're opening the new film by Luca Guadagnino - CHALLENGERS.  Starring Zendaya, Josh O'Connor and Mike Faist, this film is getting terrific reviews.  Guadagnino is responsible for a couple of my favorite contemporary films - I AM LOVE and CALL MY BY YOUR NAME.

WICKED LITTLE LETTERS is still pulling in enthusiastic crowds, so it will stick around...and REMEMBERING GENE WILDER will stick around for 3 more screenings over the weekend.  If you still need to see LA CHIMERA, this afternoon (Wednesday) will be your last chance.

We need your help spreading the word about this Sunday's special screening of BUTTERFLY IN THE SKY - the fantastic new doc about READING RAINBOW and LeVar Burton.  If you know educators or people interested in literacy/libraries/early childhood education...please tell them to head to THE NEON for a 5:00 screening on Sunday, April 28!

We've added a terrific little film to our line-up to open May 3 - WE GROWN NOW.  This award-winning coming-of-age film is set in 1992 in the Cabrini-Green public housing complex in Chicago.  It's a gem.  Read more about it and check out the trailer HERE.

"Open Caption Mondays" are back!  On Monday, April 29, all screenings of WICKED LITTLE LETTERS and CHALLENGERS will be presented with Open Captions (aka - captions presented on the screen).

Synopsis for CHALLENGERS: "Tennis player turned coach Tashi has taken her husband, Art, and transformed him into a world-famous Grand Slam champion. To jolt him out of his recent losing streak, she signs him up for a "Challenger" event — close to the lowest level of pro tournament — where he finds himself standing across the net from his former best friend and Tashi's former boyfriend." (MGM) The Hollywood Reporter writes, "Smart, seductive and bristling with sexual tension, CHALLENGERS is arguably Luca Guadagnino’s most purely pleasurable film to date; it’s certainly his lightest and most playful."  Screen International writes, "A scintillating romantic triangle paired with a gripping sports drama, CHALLENGERS finds Luca Guadagnino in crowd-pleasing mode, delivering his most purely entertaining film." And Entertainment Weekly writes, "Anchored by three arresting performances and playfully experimental direction, CHALLENGERS is fresh, exhilarating, and energetic."

BUTTERFLY IN THE SKY

"Two seconds into the bubbling synth sounds of its theme song will have a child of the 1980s or ‘90s exclaiming 'Reading Rainbow!' Such is the beloved and ubiquitous nature of the classic children’s literary television show. Thanks to LeVar Burton's direct, non-patronizing and, most importantly, kind delivery, Burton became a conduit to learning for children of every background—an entrancing guide to subjects unknown." Join us on Sunday, April 28 at 5:00 for this special one-time screening - followed by a discussion regarding childhood literacy with professionals from the region. Tickets are $12.50 each and available now.

Sun, Apr 28 | 5:00PM

GOD & COUNTRY

LIMITED TICKETS REMAIN! This special one-time screening of GOD & COUNTRY, hosted by Grace United Methodist Church, is set for Tuesday, April 30 at 7:30.  Tickets are $12.50 each. "Christian nationalism is the belief that America should be defined as a Christian nation, with government adherence to this ideology. This documentary explores how a base of Christians has radically stoked a movement erasing the line between Church and State.  It speaks directly to the almost 200,000,000 Americans who identify as Christians - Christians who fear their faith is being hijacked by an extreme right wing political movement. GOD & COUNTRY features many of the most prominent and well respected voices of Christianity - a powerful tool in  persuading Christians to watch." 

Tue, Apr 30 | 7:30PM

BIG LENS WSU STUDENT SHOWCASE

ENCORE ADDED! "The 36th annual student showcase of the award-winning Wright State University's Motion Picture Department sold out very quickly, and an encore has been added! Featuring nine diverse and multi-genre student films! From comedies to thrillers, to even a documentary, we have it all at this year's Big Lens! Encore screening will take place Thursday, May 2 at 7:30. Tickets are $10 each."

Thu, May 2 | 7:30PM

JOHN SINGER SARGENT:
FASHION & SWAGGER

Our next Exhibition On Screen event with our friends from Dayton Art Institute is set for Sunday, May 5 at 5pm - JOHN SINGER SARGENT: FASHION & SWAGGER. "John Singer Sargent is known as the greatest portrait artist of his era. What made his ‘swagger’ portraits remarkable was his power over his sitters, what they wore and how they were presented to the audience. Through interviews with curators, contemporary fashionistas and style influencers, Exhibition on Screen’s film will examine how Sargent’s unique practice has influenced modern art, culture and fashion."

Sun, May 5 | 5:00PM

GUMMO

Victor Bonacore's CULT MOVIE NIGHT returns! "From Director Harmony Korine (KIDS, SPRING BREAKERS) comes a haunting portrait of life in the small-town of Xenia, Ohio existing in the aftermath of a devastating tornado - GUMMO. We follow teens Solomon, Tummler and Bunny Boy as they navigate the ruins of the tiny, tornado-ravaged town populated by the deformed, disturbed and perverted. 
Starring Chloe Sevigny in her break-out role, and featuring Linda Manz return to the screen. GUMMO is incredibly realistic, hauntingly dreamlike, and one of the most disturbing films of the 90’s.  Cult Movie Night is proud to present this American original, in a very rare screening." 

Thu, May 9 | 7:30PM

DAYTON BLACK WOMEN'S FILM FESTIVAL

“The inaugural DAYTON BLACK WOMEN'S FILM FESTIVAL promises to be a groundbreaking showcase celebrating the creative talents of Black women in the film industry. Featuring films written, directed, and produced by Black women, the festival aims to provide a platform for diverse voices and perspectives. With submissions from Dayton, across the United States, and internationally, attendees can expect a rich tapestry of storytelling that reflects the multifaceted experiences of Black women. The festival not only celebrates artistic achievement but also fosters community and dialogue around issues of race, gender, and representation in cinema.”  Tickets are $10 each - available now!

Thu, May 16 | 7:30PM

WESTERMANN

Join us for a special one-time screening of the documentary that chronicles the story of H.C. Westermann - a marine veteran who navigated the profound traumas of war by making art, becoming a hero to generations of artists, including his friends Ed Ruscha and Frank Gehry, among others interviewed in this immersive film. Tickets are $12.50 each.

Sun, May 26 | 5:00PM

DATE NIGHT: MOONSTRUCK

"Snap out of it!" The next in our popular "Date Night Series" is the 1987 comedy which landed Cher an Oscar - MOONSTRUCK.  Save the date for Thursday, May 30 at 7:30...more details are still in the works.  Tickets, just $12.50 each, will go on sale April 30th!

Our Date Night Series is sponsored by Brian Sharp of SharpGroup - Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Professional Realty.  Many thanks to Brian!

Thu, May 30 |  7:30PM

Thank you for all of your support!
Hope to see you soon,
Jonathan

WICKED LITTLE LETTERS (R) 1 Hr 40 Min
Wed (Apr 24): 3:00, 5:10, 7:20
Thu (Apr 25): 3:00, 5:10
Fri & Sat (Apr 26 & 27): 12:30, 5:00, 7:10
Sun (Apr 28): 12:30, 7:30
Mon (Apr 29): 2:50, 5:10, 7:30
Tue (Apr 30): 2:50, 5:10
Wed (May 1): 2:50, 5:10, 7:30
Thu (May 2): 2:50, 5:10

LA CHIMERA (NR) 2 Hrs 12 Min
Wed (Apr 24): 4:50
FINAL DAY - April 24!

REMEMBERING GENE WILDER (NR) 1 Hr 32 Min
Wed (Apr 24): 2:50, 7:30
Thu (Apr 25): 2:50, 5:15
Fri, Sat, Sun (Apr 26-28): 2:50
FINAL DAY - April 28!

CHALLENGERS (R) 2 Hrs 11 Min
Thu (Apr 25): 7:15
Fri, Sat, Sun (Apr 26-28): 1:15, 4:15, 7:15
Mon-Thu (Apr 29-May 2): 3:30, 7:15

BUTTERFLY IN THE SKY (NR) 1 Hr 27 Min + Discussion
Sun (Apr 28): 5:00

GOD & COUNTRY (PG-13) 1 Hr 30 Min + Discussion
Tue (Apr 30): 7:30

WSU BIG LENS FILM FEST- Encore! (NR) 3 Hrs
Thu (May 2): 7:30