Hello Everyone!

At this point, it's tradition...for well over a decade, we've been bringing ALL the OSCAR NOMINATED SHORTS to THE NEON before the Academy Awards...and we're doing it again.  This weekend, we'll start with the ANIMATION and LIVE ACTION programs, then we'll pepper in some screenings of the DOCUMENTARIES next week.

In addition to the OSCAR SHORTS, we're finally able to open a film that many of you have been asking about - Mike Leigh's HARD TRUTHS (starring the incredible Marianne Jean-Baptiste - who should have gotten an Oscar nomination for her brilliant performance). 

I'M STILL HERE will play through this weekend, and NICKEL BOYS will stick around for one more week.  If you still need to see THE BRUTALIST, Thursday will be your last chance to catch it at THE NEON.

Don't forget to mark your calendars for Hollywood's Big Night as we watch the ceremony on the Big Screen.  It's FREE, and ballots to play along (and win great prizes) are now available in our lobby.  You can start reserving your seats for the Party by turning in your ballots on Saturday, Feb. 22!  The awards take place Sunday, March 2 at 7PM.

We've officially bookedMOSES - 13 STEPS for 2 special screenings on March 29 and 30.  This new documentary about Daytonian athlete Edwin C. Moses has been winning awards on the festival circuit since it premiered at Morehouse College Human Rights Film Festival back in September. Moses will be in attendance, and tickets will go on sale this Friday. More details below!

"Open Caption Mondays" are a hit and much appreciated by many of our regulars.  On Monday, Feb. 17, all screenings of NICKEL BOYS and HARD TRUTHS will be presented with Open Captions (aka - captions presented on the screen). 

Synopsis for OSCAR NOMINATED SHORTS: ANIMATION: We're excited to once again present the nominees for this year's Academy Awards for "Best Animated Short."
This year's nominees are:
MAGIC CANDIES– Daisuke Nishio, 21 min., Japan (in Japanese)
IN THE SHADOW OF CYPRESS – Hossein Molayemi and Shirin Sohani, 20 min., Iran (no dialogue)
YUCK! – Loïc Espuche, 13 min., France (in French)
The final two nominees include nudity and may not be appropriate for audiences under 14:
BEAUTIFUL MEN– Nicolas Keppens, 18 min., Belgium/France/Netherlands (in Flemish, Dutch, Turkish, and English)
WANDER TO WONDER – Nina Gantz, 14 min., Netherlands/Belgium/France/UK (in English)

Synopsis for OSCAR NOMINATED SHORTS: LIVE ACTION: We're excited to once again present the nominees for this year's Academy Awards for "Best Live Action Short."
This year's nominees are:
THE MAN WHO COULDN'T REMAIN SILENT – Nebojsa Slijepcevic, 13 min., Croatia (in Croatian)
ANUJA – Adam J. Graves, 22 min., USA (in Hindi)
I’M NOT A ROBOT – Victoria Warmerdam, 22 min., Belgium/Netherlands (in Dutch)
A LIEN – Sam Cutler-Kreutz and David Cutler-Kreutz, 15 min., USA (in English)
THE LAST RANGER – Cindy Lee, 28 min., South Africa (in Xhosa)
This collection of films is Not Rated...though they may not be appropriate for audiences under the age of 14 due to gun violence, shootings, language.

Synopsis for HARD TRUTHS: "Pansy is a woman tormented by anger and depression, hypersensitive to the slightest possible offense and ever ready to fly off the handle. She criticizes her husband and their adult son so relentlessly that neither bothers to argue with her. She picks fights with strangers and sales clerks and enumerates the world's countless flaws to anyone who will listen, especially her cheerful sister Chantelle, who, despite their clashing temperaments, might be the only person still capable of sympathizing with her." From Mike Leigh, director of SECRETS & LIES, MR. TURNER, VERA DRAKE, and many other incredible films.

THE BODYGUARD - 
NEON Nostalgia Night: Valentine's Edition

TICKETS STILL AVAILABLE!
✨  The countdown is on for the 3rd Annual Valentine’s Nostalgia Nights at THE NEON! ✨
This beloved tradition has brought our community together for two sold-out years, and this year promises to be even more magical. 💕 
Join us on February 13th for a special screening of THE BODYGUARD — a timeless tale of love and music.
We’re excited to partner with Swoon Wine + Books and Winans Coffee + Chocolate for a lobby happy hour to sweeten the night (starting at 6:30). We'll have a string quartet from Miami Valley Symphony Orchestra & extra treats and surprises to make this a truly unforgettable celebration of love, music, and romance. 💃🍷🍫
Plan your red carpet look and grab your tickets today.
Tickets are $30 each and include a drink of choice, chocolates, the movie and more.
Many thanks to our sponsor - Brian Sharp, of SharpGroup - Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Professional Realty!

THU, FEB. 13 | 7:30

BOX BROWN

The Junior Leaguers Club of Dayton are preparing for their 14th annual fundraiser with BOX BROWN: A BOX MARKED FREEDOM. This film has won many accolades and awards - which is amazing since it was a 10 year project with a zero dollar budget. Everything was donated so the independent filmmaker could tell the true story of an enslaved man who mailed himself to freedom in 1849.  Scholarship applications will be available for graduating seniors, and the screening will be followed by a discussion.
Organizer Jackie Colvard writes, "I remember seeing the one-man play and reading the children’s book to my children, so I was excited when I heard about the film...In such a time as this, let us not forget any of our history."
Tickets for adults are $25. (Includes film, popcorn, wine, and a soda)
Tickets for students $10. (Includes film, popcorn, and a soda)
TICKETS ONLY AVAILABLE FROM JACKIE COLVARD OR IN-PERSON AT THE NEON!

SAT, FEB 15 | Noon

CULT MOVIE NIGHT - CANDYMAN

Cult Movie Night is excited to celebrate the late, great Tony Todd with the 1992 cult classic CANDYMAN!
CANDYMAN follows Helen, played by Virginia Madsen, a skeptical college student researching a popular urban legend in the Chicago housing projects known as Cabrini-Green.  After learning of a recent murder there, the local residents describe seeing a tall man with a hook for a hand linking him to the murder.  Helen gets deeper and more obsessed with the lore when a man resembling the legend starts to stalk her, sending her into the realization that this legend may be all too real.  
Based on a story by Clive Barker and featuring a beautifully haunting score by Philip Glass while exploring themes of racism and injustice through black history, CANDYMAN remains a nearly perfect film and needs to be seen theatrically...just don’t say his name 5 times.   
Also featuring trailers, A tribute to Tony Todd, a short film and other surprises.  
Tickets $13 each

THU, FEB 20 | 7:30

TWIN PEAKS: FIRE WALK WITH ME

Join us as we honor the life of the filmmaking legend David Lynch by celebrating "Twin Peaks Day" with a special screening of TWIN PEAKS: FIRE WALK WITH ME. "In the questionable town of Deer Meadow, Washington, FBI Agent Desmond inexplicably disappears while hunting for the man who murdered a teen girl. The killer is never apprehended, and, after experiencing dark visions and supernatural encounters, Agent Dale Cooper chillingly predicts that the culprit will claim another life. Meanwhile, in the more cozy town of Twin Peaks, hedonistic beauty Laura Palmer hangs with lowlifes and seems destined for a grisly fate."  Tickets are $10 each, and a fun-filled night is in the works.

MON, FEB 24 | 7:30

LIZA: A TRULY TERRIFIC ABSOLUTELY TRUE STORY

Rich with archival gems and Liza Minnelli’s own point of view, Bruce David Klein's luminous documentary celebrates a young entertainer full of boundless raw talent and the deep, creative relationships with her mentors and influences.
Special One-Time-Only Screening! Tickets $12.50

SUN, MAR 9 | 3:00

HIPPO

Join us for a special, one-night-only screening of HIPPO - with visiting lead actor Kimball Farley! "HIPPO examines the coming-of-age of two step-siblings: Hippo, a video-game addicted teenager and Buttercup, a Hungarian Catholic immigrant with a love of classical music and Jesus. Like the Ancient Greek Aphrodite, Buttercup’s love is unrequited by a brother who prefers to indulge the art of war and chaos. The result is a hormone-fueled, tragicomic waking nightmare that must be seen to be believed."  David Gordon Green said, "HIPPO’s’ strange and dark humor is quintessential viewing and a wonderful reminder of why we all got into indie filmmaking in the first place…a brilliant feature debut." Nick Allen of RogerEbert.com wrote, "the work of a budding provocateur and American satirist...an unholy fusion of A CLOCKWORK ORANGE and NAPOLEON DYNAMITE.” Tickets are $12.50.

TUE, MAR 18 | 7:30

DAWN OF IMPRESSIONISM: PARIS 1874

Join us with our friends from Dayton Art Institute for our next edition of Exhibition on Screen. "The Impressionists are the most popular group in art history - millions flock every year to marvel at their masterpieces. But, to begin with, they were scorned, penniless outsiders. 1874 was the year that changed everything; the first Impressionists, “hungry for independence”, broke the mould by holding their own exhibition outside official channels. Impressionism was born and the art world was changed forever.
The screening will be followed by a presentation from Dr. Jerry Smith, chief curator at Dayton Art Institute.
Tickets are $12.50 each, and your DAI membership card gets you a FREE small popcorn at this event!

SUN, MAR 23 | 5:00

MOSES - 13 STEPS

"MOSES - 13 STEPS tells the life story of one of the greatest track and field athletes of all times. Edwin Moses grows up in a segregated America. As an African-American athlete he overcomes the obstacles life throws at him. Without a coach and without support he teaches himself the toughest discipline in track and field, the 400-meter hurdles – depicted as a “man-eater” by athletes and runners alike – and creates a historic winning streak that leaves his competitors, fans and journalists puzzled. 9 years, 9 months, and 9 days.
Sporting success is one part of his story. The other is Edwin Moses’ fight for equal rights and equal treatment of people regardless of skin color and gender, and for adequate payment of athletes." (taken press notes)
Join us for 2 special screenings of this award-winning documentary...with Edwin C. Moses in attendance  Tickets will be $12.50 each - available starting Feb. 14.

MAR 29 & 30 | 12:30

Thank you for all of your support,
Jonathan

THE BRUTALIST (R) 3 Hrs 35 Min
Wed & Thur (Feb 12 & 13): 3:10
FINAL DAY – Feb. 13!

NICKEL BOYS (PG-13) 2 Hr 20 Min
Wednesday (Feb 12): 7:20
Thursday (Feb 13): No Screening
Friday, Saturday, Sunday (Feb 14-16): 2:00
Monday-Thursday (Feb 17-20): 4:40

I’M STILL HERE (PG-13) 2 Hrs 17 Min
Wednesday (Feb 12): 3:30, 7:10
Thursday (Feb 13): 3:30, 7:45
Friday, Saturday, Sunday (Feb 14-16): 4:50
FINAL DAY – Feb. 16!

NEON Nostalgia Night: THE BODYGUARD (R) 2 Hrs 9 Min
Thursday (Feb 13): 7:30 (cocktail hour starts at 6:30)

OSCAR SHORTS: ANIMATION (NR) 1 Hr 30 Min
Friday (Feb 14): 1:00, 5:20
Saturday (Feb 15): 12:00, 5:20
Sunday (Feb 16): 1:00, 5:20
Monday & Tuesday (Feb 17 & 18): 3:00, 7:20
Wednesday & Thursday (Feb 19 & 20): 5:15

OSCAR SHORTS: LIVE ACTION (NR) 1 Hr 44 Min
Friday, Saturday, Sunday (Feb 21-23): 3:00, 7:20
Monday & Tuesday (Feb 24 & 25): 5:10
Wednesday (Feb 26): 3:00, 7:20
Thursday (Feb 27): 3:00, 7:45

HARD TRUTHS (R) 1 Hr 37 Min
Friday (Feb 14): 12:00, 7:30
Saturday (Feb 15): 7:30
Sunday (Feb 16): 12:00, 7:30
Monday-Wednesday (Feb 17-19): 2:30, 7:30
Thursday (Feb 20): 2:30

Dayton Junior Leaguers present:
BOX BROWN: A BOX MARKED FREEDOM (NR) 1 Hr 30 Min + 
Saturday (Feb 15): Noon

Cult Movie Night: CANDYMAN (R) 2 Hrs
Thursday (Feb 20): 7:30