Hello Everyone!

THE NEON has so much going on in the next several weeks, and this is the best place to read about all of it. We're moving forward this Friday with THE ZONE OF INTEREST - the new film from Jonathan Glazer which has been nominated for 5 Academy Awards including "Best Picture."  Next Wednesday, we'll open the romantic new period film starring Juliette Binoche - THE TASTE OF THINGS (which is also featured as one of our Valentine's Date Night selections).  If you still need to see ALL OF US STRANGERS or POOR THINGS, Thursday will be your last chance to catch them at THE NEON.  AMERICAN FICTION will stick around for another weekend...but Tuesday, Feb. 13 will be its last day!

"Open Caption Mondays" continue to create more traction. On Monday, Feb. 12, AMERICAN FICTION will be presented with captions on the screen (as a reminder, THE ZONE OF INTEREST is subtitled for all screenings).  Additionally, THE NEON does offer closed caption devices, audio assistance headphones, and narrative description headphones when films have these features available.  

Synopsis for THE ZONE OF INTEREST: In the history of the Academy Awards, it's not terribly often that a film gets nominated for "Best International Film" as well as "Best Picture," but it's been happening with greater frequency over the past several years, and it happened this year with THE ZONE OF INTEREST (I believe it has only happened a dozen times before). Directed by Jonathan Glazer (known for UNDER THE SKIN with Scarlett Johansson, SEXY BEAST with Ben Kingsley, and BIRTH with Nicole Kidman), this family drama becomes so much more intense and horrifying if you know your history. "The commandant of Auschwitz, Rudolf Höss, and his wife Hedwig, strive to build a dream life for their family in a house and garden next to the camp." (A24)

OPENING FEB. 14! Synopsis for THE TASTE OF THINGS: Every country has an opportunity to submit a film for "Best International Film" consideration for the Academy Awards.  This year, France chose THE TASTE OF THINGS over ANATOMY OF A FALL.  We hope you'll come and see if you agree with France or the Academy! "Set in France in 1889, the film follows the life of Dodin Bouffant as a chef living with his personal cook and lover Eugénie. They share a long history of gastronomy and love but Eugénie refuses to marry Dodin, so the food lover decides to do something he has never done before: cook for her." IFC Films 

Join us for another magical Valentine's Movie Date Night at THE NEON! ❤️ Last year was a sell-out success, and this year promises even more romance. Par Excellence! Our marketing team has curated a special evening with not one, but TWO films to choose from - the Oscar-winning 2001 classic MOULIN ROUGE (7pm) and the new French romance starring Juliette Binoch - THE TASTE OF THINGS (7:30pm) - complete with a cocktail hour including French wines from Joui and a délicieux Pâtisserie Bar with sweet treats from Dorothy Lane Market. Special thanks to our sponsor, Brian Sharp, of SharpGroup - Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Professional Realty!  Tickets are $30 each and include a ticket to the movie of your choice, wine, dessert and great company!

As of clicking "send" on this newsletter, THE TASTE OF THINGS is nearly sold out...but fear not - there will be other opportunities to see this lovely film througout the week.  There are still tickets in our large house for MOULIN ROUGE - but they're going quickly...especially since our Board Member Megan Smith has said she'll be doing some baking for our event.  (Megan used to own the Dayton favorite St. Anne the Tart in St. Anne's Hill.). Get your tickets...it's gonna be a great night!

TICKETS STILL AVAILABLE! Written by Cincinnati native & Wright State grad Nick Pinkerton! "From acclaimed cinematographer-turned-director Sean Price Williams alongside stars Talia Ryder, Simon Rex, Ayo Edibiri, Jacob Elordi & more, comes THE SWEET EAST: A picaresque journey through contemporary America, undertaken by Lillian, a high schooler fleeing her senior class trip - granted access to the strange sects and cults that proliferate this country by gatekeepers eager to win her over."   Pinkerton will join us for this special one-time screening - Thursday, Feb. 15 at 7:30.  Tickets are $12.50 each.

"The Junior Leaguers Club of Dayton's 11th annual movie theater scholarship fundraiser is scheduled for February 17, 2024 at Noon. The documentary BLACK POWER MIXTAPE 1965-1975 will view history during the 60’s -70’s anti war and black power movements.  The filmmaker Gorman Hugo found the film canisters in a cellar beneath the Swedish National Broadcasting Co.  He accepted the responsibility to share this spectacular find with the world.  This documentary looks at society, culture, and  style of the cinematic and musical journey of the Black community.  The Swedish took an interest in the civil rights movement which was ignored by the US media and portrayed as a violent terrorist movement.  Their point of view is from an outsider but a committed group of  Swedish filmmakers.  The discussion following the movie will be facilitated by Larry and Osebesi Crowe." (taken from press. notes) The cost of this screening is $25. for adults and $10. for students.  This cost includes popcorn, soda, and wine for the adults. Tickets can be purchased from any Junior Leaguers Club of Dayton member or in person at THE NEON.

Local filmmaker Joshua Matthieu has rented our space to premiere his new film. "Four teens go camping at an abandoned scout camp for some late summer camping. Come nightfall, they start getting picked off one by one by the Rake. Andy (JM Ward) and Lauren (Corinne Tiernan) have to fight to stay alive and make their way out of the woods before it’s too late. THE RAKE was produced by Alpha-Marshall Productions and directed by Joshua Matthieu. Join us at THE NEON on February 29th at 7:30pm for the premiere of THE RAKE. Then, stick around until after the showing for a meet and greet with the cast and crew. Tickets are $10 each and available now. Proceeds will go into making more fun films in the future." (taken from press notes)

Victor Bonacore is bringing back "Cult Movie Night" and proud to present the local classic, Kung-Fu epic TREASURE OF THE NINJA from Dayton filmmaker William X. Lee.  "Throughout the 1980s, black filmmaker and martial artist William X. Lee wrote, produced, directed, and starred in dozens of D.I.Y. action epics, all shot on Super 8 here in Ohio.  TREASURE OF THE NINJA, Lee’s most ambitious and beloved movie, follows Magneta Faze (Lee) who defends Ohio against the evil El Kazi and his ninja army.  The film has garnered a strong cult following, featuring strong women characters and a killer synth-based soundtrack, this explosive movie is an inspiration to anyone with a dream, pulse, or appreciation for spinning kicks!  William grew up in Dayton and still makes films here today, continuing to add to his impressive and extensive career in low budget cult action films.   William is also the author of the book  SERIOUSLY BRO, IDGAF: THE JOURNEY OF THE WORLD’S ANGRIEST INDEPENDENT BLACK FILMMAKER.
Local organization “Scripted in Black” will be hosting and conducting a live Q & A with the director after the film!  Presented by Cult Movie Night and local comic book publication Blood Scream Comics!" (taken from press notes)  Thursday, Feb. 22 at 7:30.  Tickets are $13 each - available now!

We're delighted to bring back the "Exhibition On Screen" series, in partnership with The Dayton Art Institute.  And as we start to think of Spring, we have the perfect documentary for the first Sunday in March - PAINTING THE MODERN GARDEN: MONET TO MATISSE.  Join us for this one time event with a post-screening discussion from our friends at DAI on Sunday, March 3 at 5:00. Tickets will be $12.50 (going on sale Jan. 19). "Claude Monet was an avid horticulturist and arguably the most important painter of gardens in the history of art, but he was not alone. Great artists like Van Gogh, Bonnard, Sorolla, Sargent, Pissarro and Matisse all saw the garden as a powerful subject for their art. These great artists, along with many other famous names, feature in an innovative and extensive exhibition from The Royal Academy of Arts, London." (Exhibition On Screen)

The cult classic THE ROOM and special guest Greg Sestero (actor from THE ROOM and author of THE DISASTER ARTIST) are heading back to THE NEON. For the past two years, this event has sold out very quickly!  It will screen Thursday, March 14 at 7:30, and tickets are $22 - on sale now! Grab your friends (and your spoons), it's gonna be another fun-filled night! 

THIS JUST IN!!!  Tommy Wiseau is so glad that THE ROOM is coming back to Dayton that he's decided to hold the Ohio Premiere of his new film BIG SHARK directly following our screening of THE ROOM!  Tickets for the 10pm screening on March 14 will be $20 each and will go on sale very soon.  Click the image above to watch the teaser!  I have a feeling we're gonna be in for a wild ride!

Thank you for all of your support!

Hope to see you soon,

Jonathan

ALL OF US STRANGERS (R) 1 Hr 45 Min
Wed & Thu (Feb 7 & 8): 5:15, 7:30
FINAL DAY - Feb. 8!

POOR THINGS (R) 2 Hrs 21 Min
Wed & Thu (Feb 7 & 8): 2:15
FINAL DAY - Feb. 8!

AMERICAN FICTION (R) 1 Hr 57 Min
Wed & Thursday (Feb 7 & 8): 2:40, 5:10, 7:40
Fri, Sat, Sun (Feb 9-11): 1:15, 4:15, 7:15
Monday & Tuesday (Feb. 12 & 13): 2:40, 5:10, 7:40
FINAL DAY - Feb. 13!

THE ZONE OF INTEREST (PG-13) 1 Hr 45 Min
Fri, Sat, Sun (Feb 9-11): 12:00, 2:30, 5:00, 7:30
Mon & Tue (Feb 12 & 13): 2:50, 5:15, 7:30
Wednesday (Feb 14): 2:50
Thursday (Feb 15): 2:50, 5:15, 7:40

THE TASTE OF THINGS (PG-13) 2 Hrs 15 Min
Wed & Thu (Feb 14 & 15): 3:00
More dates & times next weekend! 

VALENTINE'S DATE NIGHT
Doors Open at 6:00!
MOULIN ROUGE - Feb. 14 - 7:00
THE TASTE OF THINGS - Feb. 14 - 7:30

THE SWEET EAST (NR) 1 Hr 44 Min + Q&A
Thursday (Feb. 15): 7:30