Hello Everyone!

This Friday, we've got 2 new selections for you.  First is the lovely and special film from the UK rated "100% Fresh" on rottentomatoes - NOWHERE SPECIAL.  And with last-minute availability, we've added the French/English Sci-Fi film THE BEAST to our line-up.

If you still need to see CHALLENGERS or WE GROWN NOW, Thursday will be your last chance to see them at THE NEON. We're going to keep WICKED LITTLE LETTERS through Mother's Day weekend...it will stick around until May 14!

Tickets are on sale now for opening weekend of both BACK TO BLACK - the Amy Winehouse biopic (opening May 16) and WILDCAT - the film based on the life and short stories of Flannery O'Connor (set top open May 24).  If you're interested in learning more about the filmmaking process, you'll want to join us on Saturday, May 25 at 7:30...we'll have actress Christine Dye (who plays Duchess in WILDCAT) in for a special Q&A, and she'll be joined by producer Karri O'Reilly!

"Open Caption Mondays" are back!  On Monday, May 13, all screenings of NOWHERE SPECIAL and WICKED LITTLE LETTERS will be presented with Open Captions (aka - captions presented on the screen).

Synopsis for NOWHERE SPECIAL: "John, a 35-year-old window cleaner, has dedicated his life to bringing up his 4-year-old son, Michael, after the child's mother left them soon after giving birth. When John is given only a few months left to live, he attempts to find a new, perfect family for Michael, determined to shield him from the terrible reality of the situation." (Cohen Media) Rex Reed writes, "For a film about loneliness and death, it’s tender, intelligent and life-affirming without ever being maudlin and mawkish. A rare and distinguished film indeed," and Nadine Whitney writes, "NOWHERE SPECIAL is a masterpiece. Pasolini along with his cast and crew earn every moment of investment in John and Michael’s story. A profoundly compassionate film which is both heartbreaking and hopeful."

Synopsis for THE BEAST: "The year is 2044: artificial intelligence controls all facets of a stoic society as humans routinely “erase” their feelings. Hoping to eliminate pain caused by their past-life romances, Gabrielle (Léa Seydoux) continually falls in love with different incarnations of Louis (George MacKay). Set first in Belle Époque-era Paris, Louis is a British man who woos her away from a cold husband, then in early 21st Century Los Angeles, he is a disturbed American bent on delivering violent 'retribution.' Will the process allow Gabrielle to fully connect with Louis in the present, or are the two doomed to repeat their previous fates? Visually audacious director Bertrand Bonello (Saint Laurent, Nocturama) fashions his most accomplished film to date: a sci-fi epic, inspired by Henry James’ turn-of-the-century novella, suffused with mounting dread and a haunting sense of mystery. Punctuated by a career-defining, three-role performance by Seydoux, THE BEAST poignantly conveys humanity’s struggle against dissociative identity and emotionless existence." (Janus Films)

THE SHOWCASE - STIVERS SCHOOL FOR THE ARTS

TONIGHT! On May the 8th at 7:30 pm, we will present THE SHOWCASE, a collection of short films from high school students enrolled in C.T.E  Digital Cinema, at Stivers School for the Arts.   There will be almost two dozen short films and one sound project that cover several genres. These films will run just under an hour and include a Q&A with the filmmakers to follow. 
Viewer discretion is advised, as films' topics include death, suicide, self harm, drug abuse and/or graphic imagery.  Tickets are $5.00, and can be purchased via the link below or at the door. 

Wed, May 8 | 7:30PM

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

JOHN SINGER SARGENT:
FASHION & SWAGGER

ENCORE ADDED for 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." An encore of this documentary (screening only) is now set for Wednesday, May 15 at 7:30.

Wed, May 15 | 7:30

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. Did you know that this festival was conceived & curated by NEON team member Ange Mitchell?  We're proud of her hard work and commitment in making this festival come to light!

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, are just $12.50 each, - available now!

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

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

SAVE THESE DATES - Six  consecutive Saturdays at 11:00am - starting Saturday, June 8!  We're at it again with our terrific partners - ThinkTV & Dayton Metro Library - for our focus on preventing the "summer slide" for kids.  Stay tuned for more details...coming very, very soon! This is FREE programming.  Special thanks to this year's sponsors - Dyer, Garofalo, Mann & Schultz and FLOC (For Love Of Children). 

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

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

WICKED LITTLE LETTERS (R) 1 Hr 40 Min
Wed & Thu (May 8 & 9): 5:10
Fri, Sat, Sun (May 10-12): 4:30
Mon & Tue (May 13 & 14): 3:30
Wed & Thu (May 15 & 16): No Screenings

CHALLENGERS (R) 2 Hrs 11 Min
Wed & Thu (May 8 & 9): 3:30, 7:15
FINAL DAY - May 9!

WE GROWN NOW (PG) 1 Hr 33 Min
Wed & Thu (May 8 & 9): 3:00
FINAL DAY - May 9!

THE SHOWCASE - Stivers School for the Arts (NR) 45 Min + Q&A
Wed (May 8): 7:30

Cult Movie Night - GUMMO (R) 1 Hr 29 Min
Thu (May 9): 7:30

NOWHERE SPECIAL (NR) 1 Hr 36 Min
Fri, Sat, Sun (May 10-12): 1:00, 3:10, 5:20, 7:30
Mon, Tue, Wed (May 13-15): 3:10, 5:20, 7:30
Thu (May 16): 3:10, 5:20

THE BEAST (NR) 2 Hrs 26 Min
Fri, Sat, Sun (May 10-12): 1:15, 7:10
Mon & Tue (May 13 & 14): 7:00
Wed & Thu (May 15 & 16): 3:30

JOHN SINGER SARGENT (NR) 1 Hr 33 Min + Discussion
Wed (May 15): 7:30

DAYTON BLACK WOMEN'S FILM FEST (NR) 2 Hrs+
Thursday (May 16): 7:30

BACK TO BLACK (R) 2 Hrs 2 Min
Thursday (May 16): 7:45