Hello Everyone!

This Friday marks the start of 2 new films.  The first is a touching and funny movie about a father doing what he thinks is best for his autistic son - EZRA. Additionally, we'll open the new film from director Ryûsuke Hamaguchi - EVIL DOES NOT EXIST (he directed the Oscar-winner DRIVE MY CAR).  If you still need to see the Amy Winehouse biopic BACK TO BLACK, Thursday will be your last chance.  WILDCAT, the film based on the life and short stories of Flannery O'Connor that audiences are loving, will stick around for a second week.

We're using our engagement of EZRA to help build awareness about autism and a variety of services available in our community.  Be sure to check out our resource table in the lobby this weekend.

This Saturday afternoon, I'll be at THE NEON's table at Dayton PRIDE on St. Clair St.  If you're out and about, stop and say hello.  Diana & Lauren will be on our patio from 10am-Noon with cold brew and some DORA drinks if you're looking for refreshments before the parade!

THE BIKERIDERS, starring Austin Butler, Tom Hardy and Jodie Comer, was shot in SouthWest Ohio and directed by Jeff Nichols (director of the brilliant films TAKE SHELTER, LOVING and MUD).  The film officially opens June 21...but we've been granted permission to open it on June 19 since several of the featured extras want to attend a special screening together at THE NEON.  Click the film's title to read more, watch the trailer and get your tickets!

I'm so delighted that we've added a couple special screenings of Don Hertzfeld's animated gem IT'S SUCH A BEAUTIFUL DAY to our line-up on June 15 and 17.  (More details about that below.)

"Open Caption Mondays" are back!  On Monday, June 3, all screenings of EZRA will be presented with Open Captions (aka - captions presented on the screen).  (EVIL DOES NOT EXIST is subtitled for all shows.)

Synopsis for EZRA: "Max Bernal is a stand-up comedian living with his father while struggling to co-parent his autistic son Ezra with his ex-wife. When forced to confront difficult decisions about their son's future, Max and Ezra embark on a cross-country road trip that has a transcendent impact on both their lives." (Bleecker Street press notes) Starring Bobby Cannavale, William A. Fitzgerald, Robert De Niro, Rose Byrne, Vera Farmiga, Whoopi Goldberg, Rainn Wilson, and Tony Goldwyn. This film handles autism in a wonderful way.  I found interesting details about the making of the film in an article on thinkingautismguide.com.  "Director Tony Goldwyn insisted that an autistic actor play Ezra. The associate producer of the film, Alex Plank, is autistic as well. The goal was not only to have an authentic film, but to create a film set that was accessible for neurodivergent actors and/or crew. Everyone took part in an autism education session, led by Plank, who was on-set throughout the production. The team took the time to fully explore the unfamiliar terrain of a film set with Fitzgerald, as it is the young actor’s first film."

Synopsis for EVIL DOES NOT EXIST: "Takumi and his daughter Hana live in Mizubiki Village, close to Tokyo. One day, the village inhabitants become aware of a plan to build a camping site near Takumi's house offering city residents a comfortable 'escape' to nature." (Janus Films press notes) The Daily Beast writes, "A masterful film that invites contemplation and, in return, delivers lyrical beauty, haunting mystery, and more than a bit of unexpected terror."

DATE NIGHT: MOONSTRUCK

MOONSTRUCK is getting "The Date Night treatment" tomorrow, May 30 at 7:30.  This will be an experience to remember!Even if you can't stay for the movie, join us for our Patio Party around 6:15 for music from Jimmy Leach, a la carte Italian desserts from Mamma Disalvo's, food from The Spicy Sicilian food truck and a glass of "Cosmo's Champagne." Tickets are on sale now for this one-night showing!  "No sooner does Italian-American widow Loretta (Cher - this won her an Oscar) accept a marriage proposal from her doltish boyfriend, Johnny (Danny Aiello), than she finds herself falling for his younger brother, Ronny (Nicolas Cage)..." Special thanks to our sponsor, Brian Sharp, of SharpGroup - Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Professional Realty! Tickets to the movie are $12.50 each!

Thu, May 30 |  7:30PM

THE 24th ANNUAL DAYTON JEWISH INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

"The Dayton Jewish International Film Festival offers outstanding world cinema that promotes awareness, appreciation and pride to the diversity of the Jewish people and to the community at large. Our goal is to educate and entertain through evocative, narrative and documentary films that portray the Jewish experience from historic to current global perspectives." (from official site) Click the link to see all of this year's selections. All tickets/passes must be purchased through the festival's official site.

FAMILY SUMMER FILM FEST

Starting Saturday, June 8, at 11:00am, we'll have 6 consecutive Saturday mornings of free programming for young people!  We're at it again with our terrific partners - ThinkTV & Dayton Metro Library - for our focus on preventing the "summer slide."  Click on the "Line-Up" link below to see a bigger version of the poster...and please help us spread the word. Each week, doors will open at 10:30am, and tickets will be given on a first-come,  first-serve basis.  Events will start with Read-Along videos and continue  with programming from the PBS Kids library.  Children will leave each screening with  a free book and other materials to promote continued learning over the summer. Special thanks to this year's sponsors - Dyer, Garofalo, Mann & Schultz and FLOC (For Love Of Children). 

We asked for volunteers last week, and so many people jumped in right away... Thank you! We only have one week left to fill.  If you're interested to help on July 13, please reach out and let me know via email -  theneon@msn.com 

MY NATIONAL GALLERY LONDON

Our next Exhibition On Screen event, in partnership with Dayton Art Institute, is on the books! The National Gallery of London is one of the world’s greatest art galleries. It is full of masterpieces, an endless resource of history, an endless source of stories. The power of great art lies in its ability to communicate with anyone, no matter their art historical knowledge, their background, their beliefs.  This film gives voice to those who work at the gallery – from cleaner to curator, security guard to director – who identify the one artwork that means the most to them and why...and they make surprising choices of both well-known and lesser-known artworks. Finally, some well-known celebrities explain what they head for when they visit the gallery.  These stories are used as a lens through which to explore the 200-year history of the National Gallery.

Sun, June 9 | 5:00PM

PRIDE NIGHT AT THE NEON: THE PEOPLE'S JOKER

It's PRIDE NIGHT AT THE NEON!  Wednesday, June 12 at 7:30...and tickets are $10 each!
"A law-breaking comedian grappling with her gender identity forms a new anti-comedy troupe with a friend and finds herself battling a fascistic caped crusader."
This film was slated to screen at The Toronto International Film Fest under their "Midnight Madness" banner, but it was cancelled at the last minute due to "rights issues." Come see the film that one of our customers has called "a transcendent transgender coming-of-age story...One of my favorite recently released movies."

Wed, June 12 | 7:30PM

Don Hertzfeld's IT'S SUCH A BEAUTIFUL DAY + ME

Returning to theaters for the first time since 2012, Don Hertzfeld's  IT'S SUCH A BEAUTIFUL DAY (rated "100% Fresh" on rottentomatoes and hailed by critics and audiences alike as one of the best animated films of all time) is being paired with his new short film  ME.
You don't want to miss the opportunity to see this masterpiece on the big screen.  Click the link below to read more and watch the trailer.

Sat, June 15 | 5:00
Mon, June 17 | 7:30

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

BACK TO BLACK (R) 2 Hrs 2 Min
Wed (May 29): 2:40, 5:10, 7:40
Thur (May 30): 2:40, 5:10
FINAL DAY - May 30!

WILDCAT (NR) 1 Hr 43 Min
Wed & Thu (May 29 & 30): 3:00, 5:15, 7:30
Fri, Sat, Sun (May 31-June 2): 12:30, 5:00
Mon-Thu (June 3-6): 5:00

Date Night: MOONSTRUCK (PG) 1 Hr 42 Min
Thursday (May 30): 7:30
Party on the patio starts at 6:15!

EZRA (R) 1 Hr 40 Min
Fri, Sat, Sun (May 31-June 2): 12:45, 3:00, 5:15, 7:30
Mon-Wed (June 3-5): 3:00, 5:15, 7:30
Thu (June 6): 3:00, 5:00

EVIL DOES NOT EXIST (NR) 1 Hr 46 Min
Fri, Sat, Sun (May 31-June 2): 2:45, 7:20
Mon (June 3): 2:50, 7:20
Tue (June 4): 2:50
Wed & Thu (June 5 & 6): 2:50, 7:20

DAYTON JEWISH FILM FEST
HOME (NR) 1 Hr 51 Min - Tue (June 4): 7:15
NIGHT OF SHORT FILMS (NR) 1 Hr 30 Min - Thu (June 5): 7:15