Hello Everyone!

Wow!  What a weekend!  Between the stellar response to SINNERS, really nice attendance for our CONCLAVE return engagement, a sold-out screening of OREGON STORIES, and steady business for LUCKIEST MAN IN AMERICA as well as BALLAD OF WALLIS ISLAND, we had our best weekend so far for 2025!  Many thanks to everyone who came out to help make it happen!

If you still need to see LUCKIEST MAN IN AMERICA or BALLAD OF WALLIS ISLAND, Thursday will be your last chance.  On Friday, we will open the fantastic new documentary SECRET MALL APARTMENT (currently rated "100% Fresh" on rottentomatoes).  In addition, we're going to bring back CONCLAVE for three more screening this weekend, and SINNERS will stick around for another week!  In addition, we've got a one-time screening of JANIS IAN: BREAKING SILENCE on Saturday at Noon.

We've had several of you ask about THE WEDDING BANQUET - starring Bowen Yang and Lily Gladstone.  We didn't have room for it a few weeks ago, but we do have space to add it for some shows starting on May 16.  Stay tuned!  You can watch the trailer and read more HERE. 

And speaking of additions, FRIENDSHIP is now on the books to open May 22.  Starring Tim Robinson and Paul Rudd, tickets for this latest comedy from A24 will go on sale this Friday!

Last week, several of you responded when I asked if you wanted to see CHEECH AND CHONG'S LAST MOVIE...so we've set a date - Monday, May 19 at 7:30.  Tickets are available HERE.

"Open Caption Mondays" are a hit and much appreciated by many of our regulars.  On Monday, May 12, our screenings of  SINNERS will be presented with Open Captions (aka - captions presented on the screen).

Synopsis for SECRET MALL APARTMENT: "In 2003, eight Rhode Islanders created a secret apartment inside a busy mall and lived there for four years, filming everything along the way. Far more than a prank, the secret apartment became a deeply meaningful place for all involved." (press notes)

STIVERS SCHOOL FOR THE ARTS DIGITAL CINEMA: THE SHOWCASE

Tomorrow! Get ready for an evening of cinematic creativity from Stivers School for the Arts! On May 8th, 2025, at 7:30pm, join us for a one-night-only special event showcasing short films from our talented Digital Cinema students. These aspiring filmmakers will entertain you with their unique stories and stunning visuals. After the screening, stick around to meet the creative minds behind the magic—our passionate student directors, writers, and cinematographers. This is your chance to support the next generation of auteurs while enjoying a night of fresh, original entertainment. Don’t miss out—grab your tickets now for this exclusive peek into the future of film! Tickets are $5 each.

THU, MAY 8 | 7:30

JANIS IAN: BREAKING SILENCE

THIS SATURDAY AT NOON! Join us for a special, one-time screening of this wonderful new documentary.
"In 1965, Janis Ian, a 14-year-old singer-songwriter from New Jersey, wrote “Society’s Child” about an interracial relationship. Recorded and released a year later, the song launched Ian's career, but its subject matter ignited controversy, even resulting in death threats. The fallout plunged Ian into an emotional tailspin–and yet a few years later she emerged from the ashes with an even bigger hit, “At Seventeen.”  Over six decades, Janis Ian gained ten Grammy nominations in eight different categories, saw her song “Stars” recorded by such luminaries as Nina Simone and Cher, and overcame homophobia, misogyny, and a life-threatening illness to produce an indelible body of work that continues to draw audiences around the globe. Featuring Janis Ian, Joan Baez, Jean Smart, Arlo Guthrie, Lily Tomlin, and Tom Paxton, among other icons."
Tickets are $12.50 each.

SAT, MAY 10 | NOON

DAYTON BLACK WOMEN'S FILM FESTIVAL 2025

TICKETS MOVING QUICKLY! Celebrating films made by Black women from Dayton and around the world, this is the 2nd year for DAYTON BLACK WOMEN'S FILM FESTIVAL...and it is growing quickly!

Three ticketed events will be hosted at THE NEON and are already on sale!  (The festival's official website is coming soon!)

OPENING NIGHT - Thursday, May 15 at 7:30 - Dayton's premiere of Brittany Shyne's SEEDS.  Click HERE to learn more and buy tickets.

SATURDAY SHORTS - Saturday, May 17 at Noon - a curated collection of short films including the Dayton premiere of Aisha Ford's BROWNIES. Click HERE to learn more and buy tickets.

AWARDS + LOVE & BASKETBALL - Sunday, May 18 at 5:00.  2 special presentations, 2 Awards and a 25th anniversary screening of LOVE & BASKETBALL. Click HERE to learn more and buy tickets.

CHEECH & CHONG'S LAST MOVIE

"Exploring their 5-decade career performing stand-up, making records, and starring in hit films. It covers their lives, comedy partnership, and lasting influence on pop culture."

Join us on Monday, May 19 for this one-time screening!

MON, MAY 19 | 7:30

NE ZHE 2

3 Special Screening! We've had a few requests to play this Chinese animated film that has been breaking records all over the world. NE ZHA 2 is currently #5 of the highest grossing films of all time (and the #1 highest grossing animated film of all time)...and it's still going.  "Following the Tribulation, although the souls of Ne Zha and Ao Bing were preserved, their physical bodies will soon be destroyed. Tai Yi Zhen Ren plans to use the Seven Colored Lotus to reshape their physical forms, but encounters numerous difficulties. What will become of Ne Zha and Ao Bing?" Join us for special screenings of this record-breaking film in late May!
Tickets are $12.50 each.

SAT, MAY 24 | NOON
SUN, MAY 25 | NOON
TUE, MAY 27 | 7:30

GOODBYE HORSES:
THE MANY LIVES OF
Q LAZZARUS

"An intimate journey through the life of singer Diane Luckey aka Q Lazzarus, narrated through her own words, lyrics and music. The exceptionally talented but vastly underappreciated Q, who sang the cult hit song “Goodbye Horses” (which appeared in the Jonathan Demme films MARRIED TO THE MOB and SILENCE OF THE LAMBS), reveals the reason behind her mysterious 25-year long disappearance and paves the way towards her re-emergence, with stories sad, funny and moving."
This special, one-time screening will take place Wednesday, May 28 at 7:30.  Tickets are $12.50 each.

Many thanks to our friends Josh Egeland & Skeleton Dust Records for helping to make this screening possible!

WED, MAY 28 | 7:30

NEON NOSTALGIA NIGHT:
O BROTHER, WHERE ART THOU?

THIS SCREENING HAS SOLD OUT! 
Many thanks to our sponsor - Brian Sharp, of SharpGroup - Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Professional Realty!
Tickets are $12.50 each!

THU, MAY 29 | 7:30

Exhibition On Screen: MICHELANGELO LOVE AND DEATH

TICKETS ARE ALREADY MOVING! Our third and final Exhibition On Screen event for this 2024/2025 season, in partnership with our friends from Dayton Art Institute, is MICHELANGELO: LOVE AND DEATH. "The spectacular sculptures and paintings of Michelangelo seem so familiar to us, but what do we really know about this renaissance genius? Who was this ambitious and passionate man? Michelangelo’s genius is evident in everything he touched. Beautiful and diverse works such as the towering statue of David, the moving Pietà in the Papal Basilica of St. Peter and his tour-de-force, the Sistine Chapel ceiling, still leave us breathless today...Sculptor, painter, architect, poet, genius - discover why Michelangelo is without a doubt one of the greatest artists of all time."

Dayton Art Institute members get FREE popcorn when they show their membership cards at this screening.

SUN, JUNE 1 | 5:00

Cult Movie Night
BUT I'M A CHEERLEADER

Victor Bonacore's Cult Movie Night returns - this time celebrating Pride Month with this Queer cult classic comedy celebrating its 25th anniversary.  "Starring indie darlings Natasha Lyonne (Orange is the New Black) ) and Clea Duval (The Faculty, Girl Interrupted).  Also featuring Ru Paul and Cathy Moriarity.  Lyonne plays Megan, a typical American girl who loved school, cheerleading and girls. Her parents suspect that she’s gay, and decide to send her to a boot camp intended to alter her sexual orientation...
The feature length directorial debut of Jamie Babbit deals with themes of sexuality, gender and social conformity and provides a  positive representation of LGBTQ community by casting a diverse range of characters.
And before the film will be an exclusive, sneak peak at the new Ohio made film MEAT - described as 'A violently queer new vision of fear!'
Plus trailers & More! 

THU, JUNE 5 | 7:30

THE FAMILY SUMMER FILM FESTIVAL

We're delighted to announce that we're able to once again offer FREE programming for kids and their families this summer. For six weeks starting on Saturday, June 14 at 11am, join us for screenings of PBS Kids favorites with free books and activities after each screening on our patio.

To get a better understanding of each week's programming, click on the button below to visit the line-up on our website.

Many thanks to our partners ThinkTV & Dayton Metro Library as well as our sponsors - Dyer, Garofalo, Mann & Schultz and FLOC - For Love of Children!

Thank you for all of your support,
Jonathan

WEDNESDAY, MAY 7 – THURSDAY, MAY 15:

THE BALLAD OF WALLIS ISLAND (PG-13) 1 Hr 39 Min
Wednesday & Thursday (May 7 & 8): 5:10
FINAL DAY - May 8!

SINNERS (R) 2 Hrs 17 Min
Wednesday & Thursday (May 7 & 8): 3:30, 7:10
Friday, Saturday, Sunday (May 9-11): 1:00, 4:00, 7:10
Monday-Thursday (May 12-15): 3:30, 7:10

THE LUCKIEST MAN IN AMERICA (R) 1 Hr 31 Min
Wednesday (May 5-7): 3:00, 7:30
Thursday (May 8): 3:00
FINAL DAY - May 8!

CONCLAVE (PG) 2 Hrs
Friday (May 9): Noon
Saturday (May 10): 5:00
Sunday (May 11): Noon

STIVERS: THE SHOWCASE (NR) 1 Hr
Thursday (May 8): 7:30

SECRET MALL APARTMENT (NR) 1 Hr 31 Min
Friday (May 9): 3:00, 5:10, 7:30
Saturday (May 10): 3:00, 7:30
Sunday -Wednesday (May 11-14): 3:00, 5:10, 7:30
Thursday (May 15): 3:00, 5:10

JANIS IAN: BREAKING SILENCE (NR) 1 Hr 54 Min
Saturday (May 10): Noon

DBWFF Opening Night – SEEDS (NR) 2 Hrs+
Film Screening - Thursday (May 15): 7:30