Hello Everyone!

The year is wrapping up quickly.  It's hard to believe that one week from today is Dec. 24!

This Friday, for 5 days only, we will play a film by the brilliant Kelly Reichardt - THE MASTERMIND - starring Josh O'Connor (who is also in WAKE UP DEAD MAN...which we're bringing back for a handful of shows this Friday).  THE MASTERMIND, which also stars Hope Davis, was shot in Cincinnati and has landed on several critics' "Top 10" list this year (including SIGHT & SOUND and FILM COMMENT).  If you still need to see our current two films that will absolutely be part of the Oscar line-up this year, you have until Tuesday, Dec. 23 to see HAMNET and SENTIMENTAL VALUE - 2 powerful and beautifully made films that should be seen on the big screen. 

A week from today, we will end all current engagements to open two highly anticipated films - MARTY SUPREME and SONG SUNG BLUE (more about those below).  We're open every day this holiday season, so we hope THE NEON will be part of your plans when friends and relatives are in town (or if you need a moment of escape).

"Open Caption Mondays" are much appreciated by many of our regulars.  On Monday, Dec. 22, our screenings of HAMNET, WAKE UP DEAD MAN, SENTIMENTAL VALUE and THE MASTERMIND will be presented with Open Captions (aka - captions presented on the screen). 

Synopsis for THE MASTERMIND: Did you know that renowned filmmaker Kelly Reichardt (director of WENDY & LUCY, MEEK'S CUTOFF, CERTAIN WOMEN and more) shot a film in Ohio last year...and that it stars Josh O'Connor & Hope Davis? We're delighted that we can fit some screenings into our schedule. "In a sedate corner of Massachusetts circa 1970, an unemployed carpenter turned amateur art thief plans his first big heist. When things go haywire, his life unravels."

Synopsis for MARTY SUPREME: From Josh Safdie, director of UNCUT GEMS, comes MARTY SUPREME - a film that will be a big contender this Oscar Season! "Marty Mauser, a young man with a dream no one respects, goes to hell and back in pursuit of greatness." Starring Timothée Chalamet, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Odessa A'zion Rolling Stone  writes, "You have to be a hustler to make movies like this in the age of AI and IP, even ones with genuine movie stars in them. It’s in Safdie’s DNA as much as Marty’s. Both end up champions in their own way, and we’re the ones who end up winning."

Synopsis for SONG SUNG BLUE: "Based on a true story, two down-on-their-luck musicians form a joyous Neil Diamond tribute band, proving it's never too late to find love and follow your dreams." Starring Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson. The Hollywood Reporter  writes, "Brewer’s direction is polished and fuss-free, trusting in the strength of the characters and their stranger-than-fiction story to do the work, always anchored in bittersweet real-life experience."

HUNDREDS OF BEAVERS

TONIGHT - Only A Couple Tickets Remain! Could this become our new holiday tradition? We're bringing back HUNDREDS OF BEAVERS for ONE NIGHT ONLY! Wednesday, Dec. 17 at 7:30! "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."

WED, DEC 17 | 7:30

FAMILY HOLIDAY FILM SERIES

ONLY ONE MOVIE LEFT...this one is from a production company I adore! We're delighted to bring back an annual tradition this year - a budget-friendly movie series for the entire family.  This Saturday at 11:00am, we'll host a movie that is free for kids 12 and under and only $2 for anyone else.  Tickets are only available in-person starting 45 minutes before showtime. This week is a Rankin & Bass holiday classic (the folks who brought us RUDOLPH & FROSTY) - THE YEAR WITHOUT A SANTA CLAUS.
More details are available by clicking the link below.

Crafty Cinema presents YOU'VE GOT MAIL

"Get ready for an afternoon of creativity, entertainment, and social activism at Crafty Cinema for a Cause at THE NEON hosted by the Savage Stitcher (Angie). This unique charity event brings together the joy of crafting with the magic of film, all while supporting WYSO. Bring your own craft project that you can work on in your seat, such as crochet, knitting, embroidery, cross stitch, etc. and we will all enjoy an afternoon showing of YOU'VE GOT MAIL with the lights up so you can work on a project. This is a free event with a suggested donation of $20 that will be collected at the door and all proceeds will go to our local NPR station - WYSO. There are a limited number of seats available for reservation on the link below (donation will still be collected at the event) and the rest will be offered as first-come-first-serve at the door."

SUN, JAN 11 | 12:30

NO SLEEP TIL KYIV

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!  On Monday, January 19 at 11:00am, we will continue our tradition of offering a free screening of a film focused on 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 10:15am.  
We're still figuring out how complimentary food/snacks will work this year...but I can assure you we'll have something for everyone who attends.
More details coming soon!

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

Join us for a one-time screening of 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."
Sunday, Jan. 25 at 5:00.  Tickets are $12.50 each.

SUN, JAN 25 | 7:30

IRON LUNG

Last week, 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 less than a few days, we sold over 450 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

SILVER STREAK

Many thanks to Russell Florence and Dayton Daily News for helping us spread the word about our Silver Streak Campaign!  We never anticipated front page coverage, so it was a big surprise.  If you missed the story, you can check it outHERE.

Click the link below to read more about our "Silver Streak."  There's even a sweet video that our board member Megan made that honors the time and passion that Diana and I have invested into THE NEON over these years.  We appreciate you considering a donation toward keeping our mission alive. 

UPCYCLED SCREEN COLLECTION

Fashioned from our old screens and stitched by our friends atDayton Sewing Collaborative -  these totes, pouches & card holders helped us present 66,000 screenings during their 23+ years in our auditoriums.

At this time, we only have a couple tote bags left and card holders are sold out.  The folks at Dayton Sewing Collaborative still have more of our fabric to make a handful more of each...but we're not sure when they'll be ready.  Stay tuned!

GIFT CARDS & NEON MERCH

We still have some great official NEON merch (like knit caps, t-shirts and mugs) for the movie lover in your life, but some items (like hoodies) won't be stocked until after the holidays...so you can't go wrong with NEON Gift Cards.  Gift cards come in any denomination, and they can be used toward movies, concessions, and even NEON merch...you can even buy a gift card and insist that someone buy themselves a NEON membership ($60 a year for one person or $100 for a couple).

Onlyl 2 more newsletters in 2025!
Thank you for all of your support,
Jonathan

WEDNESDAY, DEC. 17 – THURSDAY, DEC. 25:

HAMNET (PG-13) 2 Hrs 5 Min
Wednesday (Dec 17): 2:10, 4:50
Thursday (Dec 18): 2:10, 4:50, 7:30
Fri, Sat, Sun (Dec. 19-21): 1:15, 7:20
Mon & Tue (Dec 22 & 23): 2:00, 7:20
FINAL DAY - Dec. 23!

SENTIMENTAL VALUE (R) 2 Hrs 13 Min
Wed & Thu (Dec 17 &18): 1:50, 4:30, 7:20
Fri, Sat, Sun (Dec. 19-21): 1:00, 7:10
Mon & Tue (Dec 22 & 23): 1:50, 7:30
FINAL DAY - Dec. 23!

HUNDREDS OF BEAVERS (NR) 1 Hr 48 Min
Wednesday (Dec 17): 7:30

THE MASTERMIND (R) 1 Hr 50 Min
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 4:15
Monday & Tuesday: 4:50
FINAL DAY - Dec. 23!

WAKE UP DEAD MAN: A KNIVES OUT MYSTERY (R) 2 Hrs 20 Min
Fri, Sat, Sun (Dec. 19-21): 4:00
Mon & Tue (Dec 22 & 23): 4:30
FINAL DAY - Dec. 23!

Holiday Series: THE YEAR WITHOUT A SANTA CLAUS - 52 Min
Saturday (Dec 13): 11:00am

MARTY SUPREME (R) 2 Hrs 30 Min
Wednesday & Thursday: 1:00, 4:10, 7:20

SONG SUNG BLUE (PG-13) 2 hrs 13 Min
Wednesday & Thursday: 1:30, 4:30, 7:30