Hello Everyone!

On Thursday night, we open the latest festival darling/award-winner from Yorgos Lanthimos - POOR THINGS. (Lanthimos has directed such NEON hits as THE LOBSTER and THE FAVOURITE, but this is by far his biggest project.)  This new film stars Emma Stone, Mark Ruffalo, Willem Dafoe, and Ramy Youssef...and it has been nominated for 13 Critics Choice Awards and 7 Golden Globes (including "Best Picture"), and it will certainly be a giant Oscar contender.  If you like seeing the big contenders before the Oscar nominations, hurry down!  On Monday, Dec. 25, we open the incredible new adaptation of THE COLOR PURPLE starring Fantasia Barrino, Taraji P. Henson, Danielle Brooks, Colman Domingo, Halle Bailey, and many more.  Audiences who have attended advance screenings of this film have been very enthusiastic - calling it one of the very best films of the year!

If you still need to see TRIANGLE PARK, there's not much time - Thursday will be its last day.  THE HOLDOVERS and MAESTRO will stick around for shows over the weekend...but Sunday will be the final day for both of these titles. 

Our Annual Fund Campaign is in place to ensure we can continue to grow in 2024.  If you haven't read our 2023 wrap-up letter, please click HERE to check it out. As a reminder, THE NEON is a registered 501(c)(3), and charitable donations are tax deductible. 

On Monday, December 25, none of our selections will have "Open Captions" available.  "Open Caption Monday" will return on Monday, January 1.  As a reminder, THE NEON does offer closed caption devices, audio assistance headphones, and narrative description headphones when films have these features available.

THE NEON's Merch Shop

When shopping for the holidays, don't forget that we've got what you need for the movie lovers in your life - from hoodies and t-shirts to tote bags, posters and gift cards!  Be sure to check out our Merch Shop next time you're here!

Synopsis for POOR THINGS: "Brought back to life by an unorthodox scientist, a young woman runs off with a lawyer on a whirlwind adventure across the continents. Free from the prejudices of her times, she grows steadfast in her purpose to stand for equality and liberation." From visionary director Yorgos Lanthimos - director of THE LOBSTER and THE FAVOURITE - this is a feast of a film...and one that we'll be talking about for a while!  ("Bargain Tuesday" pricing will not be available on Tuesday, Dec. 26. Open Captions will be available on January 1, 2024.)

Synopsis for THE COLOR PURPLE: Experience the extraordinary sisterhood of three women who share one unbreakable bond in THE COLOR PURPLE. This bold new take on the beloved classic is directed by a multi-medium artist Blitz Bazawule. The film’s all-star producers are Oprah Winfrey, Steven Spielberg, Scott Sanders and Quincy Jones. THE COLOR PURPLE stars Oscar nominee Taraji P. Henson, SAG Award winner and Tony Award nominee Danielle Brooks, Tony nominee and Emmy Award winner Colman Domingo, Tony Award nominee Corey Hawkins, Oscar- and Grammy-winning artist H.E.R., Grammy nominee Halle Bailey, Oscar nominee Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, and Grammy-winning artist Fantasia Barrino in her major motion picture debut. ("Bargain Tuesday" pricing will not be available on Tuesday, Dec. 26. Open Captions will be available on January 1, 2024.)

On Thursday January 11th 2023 at 7:30 PM, join us for DOC NIGHT, the annual showcase of non-fiction films by Wright State Motion Picture students.  "These eclectic shorts explore young entrepreneurs, the world of industrial marijuana farming, Ohio roadside attractions and a Veteran Army Trumpeter’s experiences  in Vietnam. Provocative, heartfelt and humorous, this evening of short films will be followed by a Q&A with the filmmakers. Tickets are $10, and additional donations are welcome and encouraged to support the Motion Picture Program." (taken from press notes)

TICKETS ARE FREE, BUT REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED!  "Presented in partnership with generous sponsors and expert panelists, Ohio Ecological Food & Farm Association Policy's Film Screening Series features four films in four Ohio cities.  Join OEFFA as they explore the many facets of our food and farming systems and highlight films that will raise awareness, inspire dialogue, and empower positive change. All screenings are free and open to the public.  On Sunday, January 14, 2024, at 3 p.m., the series will start with a screening of FOOD CHAINS at THE NEON. FOOD CHAINS takes a deep look at the living and working conditions of agricultural laborers in Immokalee, Florida—one of the nation's top tomato-producing regions and the epicenter of one of the most important fights for food workers' rights. Following the film, panelists will shed light on migrant labor and farmworker justice, sparking conservation and inspiring policy change." (taken from press notes)

“Join Ohio Innocence Project (“OIP”) Director and UC Law Professor Mark Godsey,  Exoneree Dean Gillispie, and filmmaker Barry Rowen for presentations from Pulitzer Prize Winner Gilbert King’s BONE VALLEY regarding Leo Schofield, Jr.’s ongoing 34-year battle for exoneration from his wrongful conviction for his wife’s murder, and a short film chronicling Dean's wrongful conviction in Montgomery County, Ohio, and the OIP’s relentless battle successfully securing Dean’s exoneration and freedom after more than 20 years of wrongful imprisonment." One Time Only - Thursday, January 18 at 7:30.  Tickets are $12.50 each and available now.

A special screening of #BLACKSKIN, presented by Recovery Media, Inc., is set for Sunday, January 21 at 5:00. "A riveting narrative surrounding Minneapolis, a powder keg of police violence against Black men in America.  Multiple Black men's deaths are in the hands of the Minneapolis police. Produced by: Carole Copeland; Directed by: Marc Cayce; Starring Duane Finley, Cocoa Brown, Miguel Nunez, Bre'ana Simone & Sheldon Biley. Presented by Recovery Media, Inc. - a 501(C)(3) non-profit that provides survivors of trauma with healing and transformative experiences through learning the art and skill of filmmaking and storytelling. We are pleased to partner with Felons With A Future, Inc. to bring film and television media to formerly incarcerated persons here in Dayton and across the country.  We are excited about opening up the film and media industry here in this great city! This film premiere will serve as our introductory fundraiser to begin the process of helping this region to become a hub for the film, television and media industry." (taken from press notes)

As you can tell, the early months of 2024 are already filling up our schedules with special events.  In the next couple newsletters, I'll have details about our annual MLK Day event (featuring THE HATE U GIVE), visiting filmmakers with HUNDREDS OF BEAVERS on Feb. 6, our Valentine's event (featuring a personal favorite of mine on the big screen), visiting filmmaker/screenwriter Nick Pinkerton (a graduate of Wright State's film program) with his new film THE SWEET EAST on Feb. 16, and many more.  Stay tuned!

Thank you for all of your support!

Hope to see you soon,

Jonathan