Hello Everyone!

Our ship has changed course for this weekend, and I'm delighted to announce that we are able to open SINNERS this Friday - the new film directed by Ryan Coogler with production design from Oscar-winning Wright State grad Hannah Beachler!  In addition, we're opening a film I really liked from last year's Toronto International Film Fest - THE LUCKIEST MAN IN AMERICA.

This weekend, we're also bringing back CONCLAVE for three screenings, and THE BALLAD OF WALLIS ISLAND will stick around for one show per day for one more week.  If you still need to see ON SWIFT HORSES,  this Thursday (May 1) will be your last chance.

Last week, I mentioned that we had hoped to open CHEECH AND CHONG'S LAST MOVIE this weekend.  Unfortunately, that's not possible now.  If this is a movie that you'd really like to see, please reach out and let me know.  We may be able to squeeze in a special screening before the end of the month.

"Open Caption Mondays" are a hit and much appreciated by many of our regulars.  On Monday, May 5, our screenings of THE BALLAD OF WALLIS ISLAND, THE LUCKIEST MAN IN AMERICA & SINNERS will be presented with Open Captions (aka - captions presented on the screen).

Synopsis for SINNERS: Featuring production design from Hannah Beachler - our Oscar-winning friend who graduated from Wright State - we're delighted that we can bring this new film from Ryan Coolger to THE NEON.
"Trying to leave their troubled lives behind, twin brothers return to their hometown to start again, only to discover that an even greater evil is waiting to welcome them back." (Warner Brothers)

Synopsis for THE LUCKIEST MAN IN AMERICA: "1984, Michael Larson, an unemployed ice-cream truck driver from Ohio, steps onto the game show "Press Your Luck" harboring a secret: the key to endless amounts of money. But his winning streak gets threatened when the executives in the control room start to uncover his real motivations." (IFC Films)

WSU BIG LENS
STUDENT FILM SHOWCASE

THIS SCREENING HAS SOLD OUT! The BIG LENS Student Showcase celebrates the fearless creativity of student dramatic, comedic, and genre-bending experimental short films made by emerging filmmakers at the Tom Hanks Center for Motion Pictures at Wright State University. BIG LENS is your front-row seat to the next wave of cinematic voices redefining the art of storytelling. Note: some films contain adult content.  Tickets are $12.50 each.

THU, MAY 1 | 7:30

OREGON STORIES

THIS SCREENING HAS SOLD OUT! Join the Oregon Historic District Society & filmmaker John Bognar and John Mayes for a special screening of OREGON STORIES - a documentary created in 2007 chronicling the rollicking history of Dayton’s Historic Oregon District...focuses on the period of renewal in the 1970’s when urban pioneers saved one of Dayton’s most unique neighborhoods. Full of great tales of people who lived it, OREGON STORIES brings history to life with a rich cast of characters and raises important contemporary questions about the nature of community.

SUN, MAY 4 | 3:00

STIVERS SCHOOL FOR THE ARTS DIGITAL CINEMA: THE SHOWCASE

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

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.

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

NEON NOSTALGIA NIGHT:
O BROTHER, WHERE ART THOU?

TICKETS MOVING QUICKLY! Our Spring NEON Nostalgia Night is going to be a fun one with a Coen Brothers classic - O BROTHER, WHERE ART THOU? 
On Thursday, May 29, join us on our patio starting at 6:00 - with live Bluegrass music, á la carte Moonshine cocktails & savory eats from our friends at Salt Block Biscuit.  Then at 7:30, the movie starts! "Ulysses Everett McGill (George Clooney) is having difficulty adjusting to his hard-labor sentence in Mississippi. He scams his way off the chain gang with simple Delmar (Tim Blake Nelson) and maladjusted Pete (John Turturro), then the trio sets out to pursue freedom and the promise of a fortune in buried treasure."  With a signature Coen Brothers screenplay and a brilliant soundtrack, you won't want to miss this film back on the big screen!
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, APRIL 30 – THURSDAY, MAY 8:

THE BALLAD OF WALLIS ISLAND (PG-13) 1 Hr 39 Min
Wednesday (Apr 30): 3:00, 5:10, 7:20
Thursday (May 1): 3:00, 5:10
Friday–Thursday (May 2-8): 5:10

ON SWIFT HORSES (R) 1 Hr 57 Min
Wednesday (Apr 30): 2:30, 5:00, 7:30
Thursday (May 1): 2:30, 5:00, 7:45
FINAL DAY - May 1!

WSU’S BIG LENS STUDENT SHOWCASE (NR) 2 Hrs
Thursday (May 1): 7:30 - SOLD OUT!

SINNERS (R) 2 Hrs 17 Min
Friday, Saturday, Sunday (May 2-4): 1:00, 4:00, 7:10
Monday-Thursday (May 5-8): 3:30, 7:10

THE LUCKIEST MAN IN AMERICA (R) 1 Hr 31 Min
Friday & Saturday (May 2 & 3): 3:00, 7:30
Sunday (May 4): 7:30
Monday-Wednesday (May 5-7): 3:00, 7:30
Thursday (May 8): 3:00

CONCLAVE (PG) 2 Hrs
Friday, Saturday, Sunday (May 2-4): Noon

OREGON STORIES (NR) 40 Min + 60 Min Discussion
Sunday (May 4): 3:00 – Sold Out!

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

THE  NEON |  @neonmovies