Hello Everyone!

We need to keep moving!  This Thursday marks the start of the new, gripping film that's based on a true story - DEAD MAN'S WIRE.  Directed by master filmmaker Gus Van Sant (responsible for GOOD WILL HUNTING, MILK, and many more), this film stars Bill Skarsgård and Colman Domingo.  IS THIS THING ON? will stick around for another week, but MARTY SUPREME will have its last day tomorrow (Jan 15).

Next Friday (Jan. 23), we will open the new film with Claire Foy based on the beloved memoir - H IS FOR HAWK.  We're delighted to present this lovely film in partnership with Glen Helen Raptor Center.  Mark your calendars - you can meet live birds from The Raptor Center in our lobby on Saturday, Jan. 24, 4:00-7:30!Tickets for opening weekend go on sale tomorrow (Jan. 15).

In last week's newsletter, I posed a question regarding international films.  We received numerous responses (Thank You!), and the top contenders were clear.  Many of you want to see THE SECRET AGENT (which just won 2 Golden Globes on Sunday) and NO OTHER CHOICE.  We plan to bring both of these films to THE NEON in the coming weeks.  There were also several people who expressed great interest in seeing THE VOICE OF HIND RAJAB, and we hope to bring that for a special event down the road.

"Open Caption Mondays" are much appreciated by many of our regulars.  On Monday, January 19, our screenings of DEAD MAN'S WIRE and IS THIS THING ON? will be presented with Open Captions (aka - captions presented on the screen). 

Synopsis for DEAD MAN'S WIRE: "Set in 1977 and based on a true story, Tony Kiritsis, a former real estate developer puts a dead man's switch on himself and the mortgage banker who did him wrong, demanding $5 million and a personal apology." THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER writes, "Scripted with fat-free economy by Austin Kolodney and made in the gritty, realistic style of Sidney Lumet’s ‘70s thrillers, the film pays tribute to DOG DAY AFTERNOON while carving its own identity."

NO SLEEP TIL KYIV

TOMORROW! This new documentary is about regular people who risk their lives to build a pipeline of badly needed trucks and aid to front-line Ukrainian troops.  Jon Gudorf, one of the people in this film, is bringing the doc to THE NEON for a special, one-night-only screening on Thursday, January 15 at 7:30.  Tickets are $15 each. Gudorf writes, "Thanksgiving was approaching. Instead of a dinner table, I was approaching a military checkpoint deep within Ukraine on the outskirts of Kyiv in an old pickup truck. Part of an eclectic group of veterans, bankers, lawyers, tech start up owners who decided to drive into a country millions have fled..." This special screening will be followed by a Q&A with Gudorf.

THU, JAN 15 | 7:30

MLK DAY Special Screening
THE FIRE INSIDE

Save the date (please note the time change )!  On Monday, January 19 at 11:30am, we will continue our tradition of offering a FREE screening geared toward teens on Martin Luther King Day.  This year's selection is THE FIRE INSIDE, and the screening will be followed by a discussion in our large auditorium led by newly elected Dayton City Commissioner Darius Beckham. Tickets will be given on a first-come, first-serve basis - with doors opening at 10:45am.  
This event is presented in partnership with MLK Dayton, Inc, and complimentary popcorn & soda will be sponsored by Dayton's own RubiGirls with complimentary McDonald's breakfast sandwiches courtesy of Godlove Family Restaurants.
"THE FIRE INSIDE is the inspirational true story of Claressa Shields, arguably the greatest female boxer of all time - a high school Junior from Flint, Michigan, aided by her tough-love coach. Shields pushes past all limitations to become the first American woman to win an Olympic gold medal in boxing. But even at the pinnacle of success, Claressa has to reckon with the fact that not all dreams are created equal, and the real fight has only just begun."

REALLY BIG TROUBLE

Local comedian/actor Mike Canestaro is proud to present his first feature-length comedy at THE NEON on January 22 at 7:30. REALLY BIG TROUBLE is a western comedy filmed exclusively in Ohio, and it features a great deal of talent from the region. "A bored cowboy leaves his hometown seeking an adventurous reconnection with an old friend. In doing so, he soon finds himself way over his head as he ends up in a tussle with a posse of insane clowns and a corrupt mayor."

Mike's team is handling all tickets for this event through Eventbrite.  A link for $10 tickets is below.

THU, JAN. 22 | 7:30

YOU GOT GOLD:
A CELEBRATION OF JOHN PRINE

Ticket sales for this documentary have been so swift that we had to add a 2nd encore...but due to the volume of special events on our calendar, we don't have room until late February.
Join us for this special concert documentary - celebrating John Prine - featuring Lyle Lovett, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Brandi Carlile, Bonnie Raitt and many more! "This concert film was shot in October, 2022, over two nights at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, TN. More than 70 artists gathered with family, the Nashville community, and music fans to remember and pay tribute to the life and songs of John Prine.
Prine, widely celebrated as one of history's greatest songwriters, captivated millions of fans and earned the admiration of icons such as Bonnie Raitt, Brandi Carlile, Tyler Childers, Lucinda Williams, Dwight Yoakam, Jason Isbell, and Bob Weir, amongst many others."
Tickets are $12.50 each.

SUN, JAN 25 | 5:00 -  SOLD OUT!
SUN, FEB 1 | 5:00 -  FEW REMAIN!
WED, FEB 25 | 7:30 - NEW DATE!

IRON LUNG

A few weeks ago, we had at least 50 emails, phone calls and social media requests for IRON LUNG - a new horror film made by Markiplier - a famous YouTube creator with a very loyal following. The requests kept coming, so we went ahead and booked the film to open with 3 shows starting on Jan. 29...then we booked 3 more. In just a few weeks, we've sold over 500 tickets!

"An ocean of blood. The only hope left after The Quiet Rapture. In the rusting halls of crumbling space stations, the last remnants of humanity craft a submarine to explore the bleeding depths... and weld one soul inside to pilot it. But hope in this void is as illusionary as the starlight. This is not an expedition. It's an execution."

THU, JAN 29 | 7:30 & 10:00
FRI, JAN 30 | 10:00 & 10:15
SAT, JAN 31 | 10:00 & 10:15

GROUNDHOG DAY

We're celebrating Groundhog Day on Groundhog Day with a special screening of GROUNDHOG DAY in 2026! "A narcissistic TV weatherman, along with his attractive-but-distant producer, and his mawkish cameraman, is sent to report on Groundhog Day in the small town of Punxsutawney, where he finds himself repeating the same day over and over."
Tickets are $10 each.

MON, FEB 2 | 7:30

MT. ZION RAISED ME: I'M A PK

Local comedian Michael Jackson is bringing his new comedy special to THE NEON for its world premiere!
"Preacher’s Kids have a story to tell, but they are not always allowed to share it, or the secrets. Well this Preacher Kid, Comedian Michael Jackson is going to spill the beans on the secrets of being a PK in Mt. Zion Church of God Holiness, Dayton Ohio. So come along and take a journey through the life and times of a born preacher’s kid, with one of the craziest PK’s that Dayton, Ohio has to offer. Comedian Michael Jackson definitely has a story to tell in this new video special, and he will keep you laughing with his hilarious real life stories from his mischievous childhood growing up in church."
Sunday, Feb. 8 at 5:00 - tickets are $10 each.

SUN, FEB 8 | 5:00

NEON Nostalgia Night - Valentine's Edition

You were the first to know about this...and you responded quickly! THANK YOU!  Only a few tickets remain! This year's "NEON Nostalgia Night - Valentine's Edition" will be in honor of the late, great Rob Reiner - featuring the classic film WHEN HARRY MET SALLY. Mark your calendars for Thursday, Feb. 12 at 7:30. Tickets, just $25 each, include live jazz in our lobby beginning at 6:30, dessert, wine curated from our friends at Swoon Books & Wine (or a signature cocktail from our bar), retro trailers, fun trivia and the classic film on the big screen.

Special thanks to our sponsor - Brian Sharp of SharpGroup Berkshire Hathaway Professional Home Realty.

THU, FEB 12 | 7:30

CULT MOVIE NIGHT:
BRIDE OF CHUCKY

"Cult Movie Night returns in 2026 with an Anti-Valentines Day edition with a screening of the classic romance BRIDE OF CHUCKY.  Jennifer Tilly steals the show as the equally insane wife of Chucky who then gets reincarnated as a doll herself, creating the iconic & beloved Tiffany Valentine character.   A late 90’s metal soundtrack, inventive kills, tons of great one liners, and an outlaw love story with even a little doll nudity makes this movie a 90’s time-capsule and very fun on the big screen.  
Also having its world premiere will be the short film LOVE, MIKE from Dayton filmmaker Issac Ingle.  A night of Chuckies, Tiffanies, & retro trailers for the hater in you this holiday season.  Plus a sneak peak at our next Cult Movie Night. 
Rated R. Thursday, February 19th at 7:30 PM - Tickets are $13

THU, FEB 19 | 7:30

The Junior Leaguers Club of Dayton presents HOLLYWOOD BLACK

Junior Leaguers Club of Dayton will present their 15th Annual Scholarship Fundraiser with the first 2 episodes of the docuseries HOLLYWOOD BLACK - directed by Justin Simien and based on the book by African American film historian Donald Bogle - author of six books on Black History in film and television.  This documentary will give attendees an historical perspective of Black cinema, the journey told in a structured timeline helping each attendee connect the dots from the silent era to current movies and artists struggle.  A discussion will follow the screening.

Ticket prices are $25 for adults (which includes the price of admission, popcorn, soda, and wine) and $10 for students (which includes the price of admission, popcorn, and soda).  Tickets can be purchased in-person at THE NEON or from any JLC member.

SAT, FEB 21 | Noon

Thank you for all of your support!
Jonathan

WEDNESDAY, JAN. 14 – THURSDAY, JAN. 22:

MARTY SUPREME (R) 2 Hrs 30 Min
Wednesday (Jan 14): 3:15, 7:00
Thursday (Jan 15): 3:15
FINAL DAY - Jan 15!

IS THIS THING ON? (R) 2 Hrs
Wednesday (Jan 12-14): 2:10, 4:50, 7:30
Thursday (Jan 15): 2:10, 4:40
Friday & Saturday (Jan 16 & 17): 11:50, 2:30, 5:00, 7:30
Sunday (Jan 18): 1:00, 4:00, 7:00
Monday (Jan 19): 3:15, 7:00
Tuesday & Wednesday (Jan 20 & 21): 2:30, 5:00, 7:30
Thursday (Jan 22): 2:20, 4:50

NO SLEEP TIL KYIV (NR) 1 Hr 31 Min
Thursday (Jan 15): 7:30

DEAD MAN’S WIRE (R) 1 Hr 45 Min
Thursdayn(Jan 15): 7:20
Fri, Sat, Sun (Jan 16-18): 12:00, 2:20, 4:50, 7:20
Monday (Jan 19): 3:30, 7:20
Tuesday-Thursday (Jan 20-22): 2:40, 5:00, 7:20

MLK Day Event: THE FIRE INSIDE (PG-13) 1 Hr 49 Min
Monday (Jan 19): 11:30

REALLY BIG TROUBLE (NR) 1 Hr 42 Min + Q&A
Thursday (Jan 22): 7:30