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Archives for September 2015

TIFF 2015 – Day #5

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Freeheld-posterHello Again.  Thanks for coming back!

Half way through today marked the half way point of the festival.  And by the end of the day, I had seen 20 films in all…but there’s lots more to go.

My first film of the day was the thriller COLONIA, directed by Florian Gallenberger.  Starring Daniel Bruhl and Emma Watson, this film started out like a conventional political thriller about civil unrest in Chile in 1973.  But then it became an over-the-top cult escape thriller.  This is the story of Colonia Dignidad – a hideous compound in Chile that housed a religious cult and also served as a military torture prison.  Though entirely engaging, I found some of the characters to be of the Disney villain sort – thus making it seem like it couldn’t be based in reality.  That said, the story is based on fact, and seeing the actual photos at the end was a nice pay-off.  There were moments that seemed a little too much HUNGER GAMES driven – so I’m not sure who the intended audience is…serious subject but a little too young adult driven to rise to the top for me.

Next up was FREEHELD, directed by Peter Sollett and starring Julianne Moore and Ellen Page.  This was a film I was looking forward to seeing, and I was a little disappointed at first.  Though the performances are certainly quite good, the film seemed a bit flat at first.  This film is based on the short documentary of the same name.  We played it at the Dayton LGBT Film Fest several years ago, and it went on to win the Academy Award.  It’s the story of Laurel Hester and her attempt to get her police pension left to her domestic partner in New Jersey.  Though perhaps a little “one-note” in this role, it takes Steve Carell to inject some energy into the film.  The original documentary covered the material that picks up in the second half of the film, and that’s where I became most engaged.  This story was groundbreaking in its role to bring marriage equality to New Jersey…and now that marriage equality is nationwide, it serves as an important reminder of why LGBT people have been fighting so hard.

Next up was THE FAMILY FANG, directed by Jason Bateman.  This film is based on a beloved novel, adapted for the screen by David Lindsay-Abbaire (playwright of RABBIT HOLE).  Starring Bateman, Nicole Kidman and Christopher Walken, this is the story of a family who are reunited after an unlikely accident.  The parents are long-time, well-known performance artists who stage very public pieces that often come off as practical jokes.  Though certainly a very touching film, it is also terribly funny. Somewhere between FLIRTING WITH DISASTER and SAVAGES and even a little ROYAL TENENBAUMS (though more for its elements of family dynamics), this film became my biggest surprise for the festival.  I was intrigued enough to go…but was so delighted that I had.  It’s a wonderful film.  Bateman and Walken were there for a Q&A, and it was delightful.  It was clear that Bateman loved having Walken in the role, and he said “Everything Chris did was fantastic.  It was like killin’ babies in the editing room.” This film has yet to be picked up for distribution…but I bet it will be soon.

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I had about half an hour to spare this evening, so I poked into JANIS: LITTLE GIRL BLUE, directed by Amy Berg – it was not my intention to stay for the entire film (and I didn’t).  I was quick to learn that this documentary about Janis Joplin was made for PBS (I believe it will play on American Masters series).  Though intriguing subject material and certain to find a big fan base, this film wasn’t working so well for me on the big screen.  Much of the archival footage was so grainy and distorted via large format projecting…I think it will play much better on televisions.

THE ONES BELOW, directed by David Farr was my last film of the night.  “Eagerly awaiting their first child, a young couple in a tiny London suburb become involved in a psychological battle of wills with the tenants in the apartment downstairs…” (taken from the TIFF program).  Unfortunately, this film also looked like it would play much better on television – but not due to pixilation or grainy footage.  This thriller had some unintended laugh-out-loud moments…and in most other circumstances I would have left after 20 minutes.  But for some reason, I felt compelled to stay and so I could shake me head and roll my eyes at some very strange decisions in what had hoped to be a bit more of a nod to Roman Polanski.  Though there were a couple gripping moments, I ultimately found this film to be the biggest turkey of my TIFF experience so far.

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And now it’s off to bed.  Thanks for checking in.

More tomorrow,

Jonathan

‘The Full Monty’ Review – Human Race Theatre Company – Measure of a Man

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Pictured (left to right): Richard E. Waits, Matt Welsh, Josh Kenney, Christopher deProphetis, Matt Kopec and Jamie Cordes.

Skin is in at the Loft Theatre. But if seeing a bunch of guys in their undies is the only reason you’re tempted to check out the Human Race Theatre Company’s delightful production of composer David Yazbek and librettist Terrence McNally’s outstanding Tony Award-nominated 2000 musical comedy “The Full Monty” you’ll miss out on the compelling facets that propelled it as one of the finest, relevant and heartwarming musicals of the last decade.
Set in blue-collar Buffalo and based on the 1997 Academy Award-winning British film of the same name, “The Full Monty,” unlike any contemporary musical, skillfully addresses the agony, worry, shame, and disappointment men face when stripped of their livelihoods. Without a job, without a sense of purpose to provide for themselves and their families, what are men to do? Should they pound the pavement hoping something better comes along all the while knowing hope doesn’t equal money? Should they take a job they view as menial just to please their spouse? Should they simply give up? And greater still, what do men become when they’re perceived as lesser? The six insecure, unemployed men at the center of this relatable tale truly bare all for a quick buck a la the Chippendales, but in doing so, and whether it’s the right or wrong decision, they ultimately regain their self-confidence and a clearer understanding of the value of teamwork, which, in this case, helps repair marriages and fuels newfound love.

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(left to right): Matt Welsh, Matt Kopec, Josh Kenney, Christopher deProphetis, Jamie Cordes and Richard E. Waits.


This season opener entertains under the crisp, character-conscious direction of Joe Deer, recently inducted into the Dayton Theatre Hall of Fame. Making good use of the Loft’s immersive capabilities and the sizable space in front of the turntable, Deer delicately balances the humor and seriousness of the material but doesn’t forget the show is a comedy at its core even when it stings. He also coaxes solid performances from a uniquely diverse and funny sextet. In the lead role of divorced dad Jerry Lukowski, Christopher DeProphetis dives admirably into Jerry’s desperation and determination to fight for custody of his son no matter the cost, particularly in the rousing anthem “Man.” As Jerry’s chunky best friend Dave Bukatinsky, the very natural, grounded Matt Welsh is a terrific sidekick prone for comic relief but also strong introspectively. As Jerry’s former boss Harold Nichols, Jamie Cordes humorously conveys an uptight persona in a gutsy departure from past roles. Muse Machine alum Matt Kopec, excellently sensitive as suicidal loner Malcolm MacGregor, supplies a beautiful rendition of the poignant ballad “You Walk With Me” ably assisted by Josh Kenney, a lighthearted bundle of excitable, goofy energy as oddball Ethan Girard. As the elderly, colorful Noah “Horse” T. Simmons, crowd-pleaser Richard E. Waits nearly steals the show proclaiming the joys of being a “Big Black Man.”

 

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Pictured (left to right): Christopher deProphetis, Jamie Cordes, Matt Welsh, Josh Kenney, Richard E. Waits, Matt Kopec and Deb Colvin-Tener.


Elsewhere, Deb Colvin-Tener is a feisty, feel-good support system as rehearsal pianist Jeanette Burmeister, an old-timer who helps Jerry and his cohorts (dubbed Hot Metal) with their clunky routines. Jillian Jarrett is a sensible, tender presence as Pam, Jerry’s ex-wife. Leslie Goddard, a fabulous Agnes Gooch in the Race’s production of “Mame” last season, winningly returns as Dave’s rowdy wife Georgie particularly leading the spirited “It’s a Woman’s World.” Sonia Perez, as Harold’s materialistic wife Vicki, brings spice and energy to “Life With Harold,” and joins forces with Goddard for a lovely reprise of “You Rule My World.” A fearless Richard Jarrett opens the show with sexual gusto as professional stripper Keno. The fine cast also features Peanut Edmonson as Jerry’s son Nathan, Scott Hunt as Pam’s boyfriend Teddy, Scott Stoney as Reg, Andréa Morales as Estelle/Molly MacGregor, Gina Handy as Joanie, Tracey L. Bonner as Susan, Adam Soniak as Marty, and Cassi Mikat as the swing.

 


Choreographer Dionysia Williams, a Wright State University graduate and BalletMet Dance Academy faculty member, offers flavorful, character-specific movement, especially in “Big Black Man,” “Michael Jordan’s Ball,” “The Goods,” and exuberant finale “Let It Go.” Scenic designer Dick Block’s terrifically multipurpose set convincingly establishes a variety of locales. Costumer Janet G. Powell’s choices suitably reflect casual, everyday attire. John Rensel’s expert lighting is heightened to good use in the enticing, teasing final seconds. Musical director Sean Michael Flowers’ offstage, seven-member orchestra makes Yazbek’s sublime music sizzle but is unbalanced and occasionally overpowers the cast, perhaps a reflection of Jay Brunner’s surprisingly iffy sound design.


“The Full Monty” spotlights the camaraderie of a distinct group of men uniting for a common goal but their life-changing journey will have you feeling just as liberated and uplifted.

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HRTC-MONTY-prod-5.jpg Pictured (left to right): Tracey L. Bonner, Gina Handy, Leslie Goddard and Andréa Morales.

“The Full Monty” continues through Oct. 4 at the Human Race Theatre Company’s Loft Theatre inside the Metropolitan Arts Center, 126 N. Main St., Dayton. Performances are Tuesdays at 7 p.m., Wednesdays-Saturdays at 8 p.m., and Sundays at 2 and 7 p.m. Act One: 85 minutes; Act Two: 65 minutes. Tickets are $20-$40 but discounts are available. Patrons are advised the show, intended for mature audiences, contains adult language and themes as well as a bit of full frontal male nudity. For tickets or more information, call Ticket Center Stage at (937) 228-3630 or visit www.humanracetheatre.org

TIFF 2015 – Day #4

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brooklynHi Again!

My first film today was TRUMBO, directed by Jay Roach.  For the first few minutes, I had to get over its visual style.  It seemed a little cartoony, and the cinematography seemed more like television than film…but then it took its hold on me with a sharp screenplay and terrific performances.  This is the story of Dalton Trumbo, one of the “Hollywood 10” who was Blacklisted during America’s fear of people affiliated with the Communist Party. The script is terrific, and the story is playful but serious – and Brian Cranston is wonderful in his Big performance (during the Q&A, the director noted that “Trumbo didn’t just talk, he performed.”).  This is a film that had the packed house bursting into applause during certain key moments, and I think it’s a film that would certainly go over well with NEON audiences.  We’ll see what the distributor has in mind (not to mention the crowded marketplace this fall)! (NEON favorite Helen Mirren plays Hedda Hopper – and she chews up the scenery with her wickedly upsetting material.  One other supporting role that stood out was John Goodman’s.  You’ll love him.)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R2AaNh4FSig

DISORDER, directed by Alice Winocour, was the next film of the day.  Starring Matthias Schoenaerts (a regular face at THE NEON – RUST AND BONE, THE DROP, and FAR FROM THE MADDING CROWD…and possibly THE DANISH GIRL this Fall), this is the story of a man with PTSD who is hired to work security for a wealthy family while the husband is away on business.  This psychologic turned invasion thriller is marked with great performances, edge of your seat tension and incredible sound design.

Up next was MAGGIE’S PLAN, directed by Rebecca Miller.  This seemed like new territory for a Rebecca Miller film to me.  It might be in large part to Greta Gerwig’s presence, but it felt more like a Noah Baumbach/Woody Allen comedy.  That said, this love triangle comedy starring Gerwig, Ethan Hawke and Julianne Moore certainly has some wonderful moments (and Julianne Moore steals every scene she’s in as a Danish professor).  The story is about a single woman (Gerwig) who is determined to have a baby and finds herself in a relationship with a married professor.

Maggie's Plan

Lastly, I saw my favorite film of the festival so far – BROOKLYN, directed by John Crowley.  In this lovely 1950’s period film, Saoirse Ronan plays a girls who moves from Ireland to Brooklyn in order to have a better life.  We witness a wonderful transformation from reserved wallflower to a more confident, stunning woman.  With a screenplay by Nick Hornby, this film works on all levels.  The screenplay is great, the performances are wonderful, and the cinematography will make you swoon.  Saoirse Ronan, Domhnall Gleeson (seen earlier this year in EX MACHINA),  Emory Cohen (who you might recognize from THE PLACE BEYOND THE PINES) and director John Crowley were in attendance for an insightful Q&A.

After all my screenings, I met different people at a couple different locations for cocktails.  It was a nice mix of business & pleasure to cap off the day.

More tomorrow.  Thanks for reading!

Jonathan

TIFF 2015 – Day #3

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a5e418c00d1f88a05b2165e602f9f7f0_originalHello Again,

After my successful turn in line this morning, I was off to my first screening – MISS YOU ALREADY, directed by Catherine Hardwicke.  Many people refer to this type of a film as a “chick flick.”  Though there are many films that get this label, there are a handful of these guilty pleasures that I have absolutely adored over the years…and I was hoping to find a new BEACHES today.  Hardwicke takes the story of two best friends since childhood (Toni Collette and Drew Barrymore) and gives it the energy and style of her film THIRTEEN.  There’s lots of crazy camera moves and a series of montages in an attempt to keep it fresh, but I feel that style detracts from this already overlong story.  Though there are certain elements of this film that work (namely Collette), I was mostly disappointed.  However, I was still moved by the ending – so I still had some sort of emotional attachment.

I had only planned on 4 films today, but when I had a window of time, I snuck in another film instead of a nap.  SLEEPING GIANT, by first-time Canadian director Andrew Cividino, is a lakeside summertime coming-of-age story about a teenage boy of privilege and his friendship with two much rougher boys living with their grandmother for the season.  It’s pretty early on in the film that we feel the powder keg sensibility of what’s in store, and the story becomes a little predictable.  But the cadence of the contemporary youthful dialog is just right and the boys’  performances are all strong.   What’s especially lovely about this film is the subtext.  This is one of the stronger films I’ve seen so far…but a hard sell – teen dramas that aren’t really meant for teens are always tricky (even when they’re as wonderful as ME AND EARL AND THE DYING GIRL).

THE LADY IN THE VAN, directed by Nicholas Hytner, was next on my list.  Hytner was in attendance for this film, and the Q&A was fantastic.  Based on the memoir and subsequent play by Alan Bennett, the films stars Maggie Smith (who originated the role in the play in 1999).  As this was the world premiere, it was Hytner’s first time seeing the finished film with an audience, and he had such eloquent things to say.  Maggie Smith is divine, and I must say that it’s smarter, funnier and significantly more touching than the trailer alludes. (Sony Classics has picked this up, so it’s pretty certain it will get a NEON run.)

Then I got to see the North American premiere of THE DANISH GIRL, directed by Tom Hooper (KINGS SPEECH).  This lovely film isn’t without a couple problematic moments, and it will certainly have its LGBT detractors – harping that it’s too “easy.”  That said, I think it works.  With lovely art direction, exquisite costumes and incredible performances across the board, this is a love story about artists Lili Elbe and Gerda Wegener (Eddie Redmayne & Alicia Vikander).   Lili, first introduced to us as Einar Wegener, is known to be the first recorded person to receive sexual reassignment surgery in the 1930’s.  Her diaries, posthumously used as the basis for the book MAN INTO WOMAN, remain highly regarded work for the transgender community.  There will certainly be a lot of award season buzz for this film. (In addition to a fantastic Q&A with Tom, Eddie and Alicia, the audience at this screening included many stars from other films at the festival – including Johnny Depp (his wife Amber Heard plays a wonderful role in the film, and she was stunning tonight).)

TE PROMETO ANARQUIA, directed by Julio Hernández Cordón, was my last film for the night.  This gritty film set in Mexico City is about two skateboarder boyfriends and their attempt to make some cash.  It feels a bit like some of Gus Van Sant’s indie work (less GOOD WILL HUNTING and MILK, more PARANOID PARK and ELEPHANT).  There are a lot of scenes where we simply see people traveling through the landscapes of the town with a loud, music-driven soundtrack.  And there a handful of scenes with dudes showing off their machismo – which I understood their intent but felt were some of the weaker moments.  The storytelling was uneven and overly long, and I think some of the plot points were haphazardly executed. About 25 minutes in, I considered leaving…but I’m glad I stuck it out.

I finished up the night with cocktails and catching up with some friends from NYC.  Some high profiles films are on the docket for tomorrow – looking forward to them.

Thanks for reading!

Jonathan

TIFF 2015 – Day #2

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KillYourFriends2-600x400Hello Again!

Today started off much the way they’ll all start.  I pulled myself out of bed after 4.5 hours sleep and scurried into the industry ticket line.  (Not having to run across town each morning is really fantastic.)

The first film I saw today was from one of Canada’s most beloved filmmakers – Atom Egoyan (THE SWEET HEREAFTER, CHLOE, and many more).  REMEMBER stars Christopher Plummer as a Holocaust survivor with dementia who escapes from his nursing home to seek revenge on the Auschwitz commander who killed his family.  Though a serious and intriguing subject, with moments of great tension, the film sometimes comes off as a bit twee when dealing with Plummer’s age and condition.  There’s a good story here, but I just didn’t completely buy it.  That said, I know many people will love this film.

Next up was IN CONVERSATION WITH JULIANNE MOORE.  Clips from Moore’s career (BOOGIE NIGHTS, BIG LEBOWSKI, FAR FROM HEAVEN, THE HOURS, STILL ALICE, and more) played before she took the stage for a hour-long interview with Cameron Baily (and eventually a handful of audience questions).  As I already knew, this woman is a class act.  It was exciting to hear her insights on acting and her eloquence and command of language is so refreshing.  She mostly spoke of her career in indie films, but she still referenced all the Hollywood material (JURASSIC, HUNGER GAMES, etc) she’s done…and she attributes her years on soap opera for giving her an opportunity to really learn to work.  When asked by a young, college bound actress about seeking a career and having a “plan B” (referencing STILL ALICE), Julianne suggested always getting a college degree (even if it is in acting) and “do everything that interests you.”  I love her! (The Star covered this event.  For their story, visit this LINK…though the link might not work outside of Canada.)

After lunch and a 30 minute nap, I scurried to THE LOBSTER, directed by Yorgos Lanthimos.  This is a film set in a parallel universe – but it’s not really science fiction.  It’s the story of a man who goes to a hotel where people go to find partners.  After 45 days, if they haven’t found a partner, they get turned into an animal of their choice (OK, so maybe a hint of science fiction).  This quirky allegory is from the man who brought us DOGTOOTH – one of my favorite challenging films of the past decade.  THE LOBSTER is the director’s first English language film, and though I certainly like some of its themes and some of its moral and societal questions, I felt it was a little more disjointed than I’d prefer.  I felt like the film began to lose steam in its second and third act.  That said, I’d certainly watch it again…so there’s a testament to its strengths.

My last film for the day was KILL YOUR FRIENDS, directed by Owen Harris.  This is a super-polished and scathing look at the music industry – starring Nicholas Hoult and based on a best-selling novel.  The portrait of how things get done for record labels (though I’m sure you could substitute any number of high profile “glamorous” jobs) is relentless, and the drug use, the disregard for women (and in this over-the-top case, even violence) was terribly off-putting.  Now here’s the question.  Will some audiences simply revel in it?  Will the drug use and hookers with bare breasts seem the ultimate goal to some…or will audiences really read it as a cautionary tale?  I’m hoping for the latter. Nicholas Hoult plays the adorable maniac very well, and the movie recalls the tone and message of films like THE PLAYER and AMERICAN PSYCHO.

That’s it for today.  I’m off for a beer with some friends.  Hoping to be in bed by midnightish….we’ll see.

Thanks for reading,

Jonathan

P.S.  You can quickly look at all my Toronto posts by going to www.mostmetro.com/tag/tiff  Thank you!

Introducing Ohio Beer Counsel

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BeerCounsel

Left to right: Kevin Connell and Adam Armstrong

Greetings Dayton, we are Kevin Connell and Adam Armstrong. We are lawyers from the Dayton-based law firm of Freund, Freeze and Arnold. We co-founded a practice group within the firm which we call “Ohio Beer Counsel.” We represent start-up and established breweries and distilleries in all manners of the brewery and distillery business. Dayton Most Metro asked that we help inform the Miami Valley and answer the curious questions orbiting around the burgeoning craft been scene. The first question is obvious: why does the world need beer lawyers? As lawyers, we learned the Socratic Method in law school, so we tend to answer questions with more questions. So, the answer to the obvious question posed above is: why doesn’t the world need beer lawyers?!?

 

The slightly more serious answer is that brewers and distillers encounter an arcane set of laws which often require our assistance with navigating the regulations and permitting requirements of the Federal Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) and the Ohio Department of Liquor Control. Ohio brewers and distillers are also small businesses and we offer guidance and advice on legal issues which affect any small business or entrepreneur.

 

Some of the questions we get all the time are: why the craft boom in Ohio and why now?   There are several factors which created one of the fastest growing craft beer industries in America. According to recent data from the Brewers Association, the craft beer industry had a $1.3 billion economic impact on Ohio in 2012. With the number of new breweries opening every month in Ohio, that number will continue to grow. Here are some of the reasons:

 

  1. Changes in Ohio law – In March 2012, the Ohio General Assembly changed Ohio law permitting the holder of a brewers permit (A-1) to sell their beer in a taproom at the brewery. Less than a year later in July 2013, Ohio law again changed creating a new brewers permit (A-1c) for small brewers (those producing less than 31 million gallons per year) and set the permit fee at $1,000 (as compared to $3,906 for A-1 permit). This finally allowed home brewers and small brewers to showcase their beverages in a more consumer friendly environment. Wineries had enjoyed that privilege in Ohio for years, and took advantage, marketing themselves to tourists.

 

The new permit also allowed these “smaller” brewers to sell beer to retail and wholesale permit holders directly. Before this, smaller brewers were required to sell their products through distributors. While brewers can still sell through a distributorship, they can now self-distribute. Some brewers have embraced this concept which they believe gives them more control over their product, and gives them the ability to cut costs to the ultimate consumer. The removal of these barriers to market incentivized smaller brewers, especially because distribution or “franchise” agreements are notoriously hard to break. In Ohio, once the brewer signs with a distributor, the agreement can only be terminated with just cause. “Just cause” is hard to prove. Therefore, signing with a distributor is risky in Ohio. By allowing self-distribution, a “small” brewery can now control its own destiny.

 

  1. Change in tastes – The statistics don’t lie. The Brewers Association notes in its market research that Millennials spend more than 15 % of their “off-premise” beer spending on craft beer. Generation X and Boomers are also shifting toward craft beer, although the percentage is less. Supermarkets and other retailers have noticed the trend and have given more shelf space to craft beers over more traditional brands. From 2010 to 2014, craft beer and cider market share increased by a total of 6.1%. Premium light, premium, and economy brands’ market share shrank by 7.6%. The proliferation of breweries, styles and brands can at least partially explain the shift.

 

Breweries are opening nationwide at a rate of 1.5 per day. As of 2014, there were 3,464 breweries nationwide and another 2,000 in planning. (Fun fact, there were 4,131 breweries in 1873). Given the choices, it would seem beer drinkers are opting for variety, different tastes, and bigger, bolder varieties of beer. Ohio beer drinkers are no exception. In 2014, Ohio ranked 4th in craft beer production. With over 120 breweries in operation, Ohio was in the top 10 nationally for the number of breweries overall.

 

  1. Love of local – Although there are no statistics to support this, there is anecdotal evidence that Ohioans are driven to craft beer because it is locally made. Just like the local food movement, craft beer consumers seem to be drawn to the idea that they can be connected to the product they drink. The fact that brewers have tasting rooms where consumers can drink the beer, see it being made, and talk to the brewer only enhances the connection. The Ohio Craft Brewers Association has a great slogan, framed by an outline of the State of Ohio: “Drink Beer, Made Here.” The marketing folks get this local connection and market it directly to the consumer.

 

We view these as some of the biggest reasons behind the craft beer boom in Ohio. As brewery lawyers, we are enthusiasts as well. We love to help brewers fulfill their dreams to open breweries and help them thrive. We’re glad you can join us for the ride.

 

You can reach us at our Dayton office at (937) 222-2424 or visit our blog at www.OhioBeerCounsel.com

 

Cheers!

 

Kevin and Adam

TIFF 2015 – Day 1

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MV5BMTU1MDcxODk2OV5BMl5BanBnXkFtZTgwNzA5Nzc2NTE@._V1_SY317_CR2,0,214,317_AL_Hello Daytonians & Film Lovers!

Thanks for checking in to see how everything went with my first day of screenings.  I got up early and was in the Industry Box Office line by 6:55…and there were still several people ahead of me.  This line starts a little earlier each year, and some folks have joked about possibly camping out.  I’m glad to report that I did get the tickets I desired for Saturday – including the premiere of THE DANISH GIRL.

After grabbing tickets, I went to my first screening – HITCHCOCK/TRUFFAUT, directed by Kent Jones.  This is wonderful, and film lovers will delight.  Using the famous book written by French New Wave darling Francois Truffaut as a launching pad, this film explores that famous interview and is such the careers of both Hitch and Truffaut.  We get interviews from contemporary directors who have great relationships with the book (Wes Anderson, Martin Scorsese, David Fincher, Oliver Assayas and more), and numerous sound bites from the week-long interview back in the 60’s.  Hearing Hitchcock talk about his work will delight cinema theorists…especially when he talks about what’s really happening during a certain scene in VERTIGO.  (There is no trailer available for this film yet…just one of these famous stills.)

Truffaut.Hitchcock_Photo.by.Philippe.Halsman.Courtesyof.CohenMediaGroup.3_{26725b4d-9af9-e411-8342-d4ae527c3b65}_lg

Next up, I saw 45 YEARS, directed by Andrew Haigh.  Starring Charlotte Rampling and Tom Courtenay, this is a film about a couple preparing for their 45th Wedding Anniversary party.  Early in the film, Courtenay’s character receives a letter that the body of a former girlfriend has been found in the ice (she died in an accident while hiking by a glacier decades before).  The news shakes him to his core, and his wife begins to take offense that he still seems to care so deeply about someone else.  Full of some wonderful performances and always aware of the passing of time, this film makes you realize how quickly the foundation can be shaken from below your feet.  The sound design (and lack of score except for incidental music) was particularly interesting.  Though still a little “flummoxed” with the ending, I ultimately like this quiet, slow-paced film.

Before going back the apartment to get ready for Opening Night, I saw one more film – EVERYTHING WILL BE FINE, directed by Wim Wenders.  After Wenders made PINA (one of my favorite documentaries ever) in 3D, he decided that he would continue using that format for narrative film.  It’s certainly interesting to see a film where 3D is used as an artistic tool instead of an effect-driven gimmick.  That said, this film was all over the map.  Meandering, overscored, and  dotted with some bombastic moments and a weak screenplay, I found it difficult to care too much about the characters.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L7N8ZZ7Q8Os

Last up, I went the official Opening Night film – DEMOLITION, directed by Jean-Marc Vallee (director of DALLAS BUYERS CLUB and WILD).  TIFF has a reputation for programming “not-so-great” films for Opening Night (THE JUDGE, SCORE: A HOCKEY MUSICAL, etc.).  But tonight’s film was quite good…perhaps the best they’ve programmed over the past decade.  This is the a about a man who seems to be unable to feel anything after the death of his wife (she dies in a car accident that leaves her husband unharmed).  Jake Gyllenhaal gives a wonderful performance as a man who is incapable of feeling emotions.  Driven by work, he is otherwise disconnected with the life he’s living.  Though there are moments written into the script that seem more driven by potential audience pleasure than character development, I rather liked this film.

Glenn Kiser, a director & friend who visited Dayton for The Dayton LGBT Film Festival a few years ago, invited me to the Opening Night screening and Party.  We had a great time catching up and the party was quite a sight (“people watching” is quite fun in this scenario, and complimentary booze certainly helps to make things merrier).

It’s 1:30am, and I need to be up in 5 hours.

All the best,

Jonathan

Chris Knight Live in Concert

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sde62lv8uofd3tkimbyj5f3s91le3ol1I don’t ever get in a big rush about things,” Knight says. “I can tour pretty good on what I got. I took my time, like I always do. Write a song every now and then. I don’t like to talk about politics, but I do write what I’m thinking about.” And if many of the songs on Little Victories seem to take a hard-eyed look at the current socio-economic climate, Knight – the former strip-mine inspector who still lives in the backcountry coal town of Slaughters, Kentucky (population 200) where he was raised – is upfront about their origins.

Get Your Dia de los Muertos Dayton T-shirt NOW!

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10620156_1415870351885641_4126187803385473605_oDia de los Muertos Dayton was born in 2012.  The goal of creating the event was to give the whole community an opportunity to celebrate the lives of their loved ones passed.  Assured that the dead would be insulted by mourning or sadness, traditionaly Dia de los Muertos celebrates the lives of the deceased with food, drink, parties, and activities the dead enjoyed in life. Dia de los Muertos recognizes death as a natural part of the human experience, a continuum with birth, childhood, and growing up to become a contributing member of the community.

In the first year Missing Peace Art Space, part of the Unitarian Fellowship for World Peace, worked with program partners to make the event happen. Program funding allowed them to build community for the event through school residencies, local art exhibition and a parade through the center of Dayton’s historic Oregon District. They captured the attention of a cross-section of our beautifully diverse community with nearly 350 participants. Over the years the parade through the Oregon District has continued to grow.  The parade is designed to bring neighbors together, celebrating those lives that have touched ours.original

This year, Missing Peace Art Space, led by a dedicated group of community artists, are ready to roll out an even bigger celebration for our Dayton family. But in order to do that the must first raise funds. To help support the Dia de los Muertos Dayton  pre-order a fabulous t-shirt designed by local artist Susan Alden! This years shirt features the most familiar symbol of Dia de los Muertos – the calacas and calaveras (skeletons and skulls), which appear everywhere during the holiday: in candied sweets, as parade masks, as dolls. Calacas and calaveras are almost always portrayed as enjoying life, often in fancy clothes and entertaining situations.

DEADLINE IS TUESDAY 15 SEPTEMBER! Shirts will be available for pick up starting a few days prior to the event…

The actual free and family-friendly event celebration on Sunday, Nov 1st and will kick things off at 200 S. Jefferson Street at 2:15pm. The parade leaves a little after 2:30pm marching from Jefferson through the Oregon District and ends at Missing Peace Art Space at 3:30pm where you can experience the community ofrendas (altars), art exhibition, performances and much more!

Sports Galore This Weekend!

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Daytonians this weekend is full of sports oriented events! Saturday is a big day for active life this weekend. On tap is a 5/10K run/walk to benefit people with disabilities, a free youth rowing seminar, and a tennis mixer open to everyone. Great variety of activities, definitely something for everyone!

 

Abilities Dash 5k

The Abilities Dash 5/10K run/walk will be held on Saturday, September 12 at Eastwood MetroPark. The event supports children and adults with developmental disabilities. Registration is from 7:45 am until 8:45 am, the cost ranges from $20-$25. The event will officially begin at 9:00 a.m. and there will be plenty of prizes for the top finishers in each age category. This is an absolutely wonderful cause to support, let’s help  make a difference in all people’s lives! Extra bonus: running/walking are two forms of weight bearing exercise that can help to keep your body strong through your entire life.

 

Also on Saturday, September 12 is a free Learn-To-Row class for students in grades 6-8. The class is from 9:00 am until 12:00 pm at The Dayton Boat Club boat house on East River Road south of Kaplan College. The free class for adults is next weekend. The Dayton Boat Club is home to a competitive Juniors and Masters Rowing programs.

 

The club competes at regattas across the Midwest and regularly has entries in the US Junior National Rowing Championships.  Over the past 10 years, their teams have placed in the Top 10 nationally nine times! The Dayton Boat Club is part of the first Community Olympic Development Program sponsored by The United States Olympic Committee and US rowing. This is going to be a very educational and fun event, best of all it is free. See you out on the water!

 

This Saturday also marks the day for The Sets in the City Tennis Mixer at The Five Seasons Family Sports Club. The event will be held from 7:30pm until 9:30 pm. The cost is $15 and includes the tennis mixer as well as your first beverage. All skill levels are welcome and you don’t need a partner or membership. There will also be plenty of food and beverage options available at the mixer, and of course prizes! You can even watch some of The US Open tennis tournament as you fine tune your own skills on the court. Sounds like a fun evening!

 

Run, row, and swing your way to a very active day this Saturday for the whole family! Enjoy the weather this weekend with a nice variety of sporting events. Let’s get out and get moving Dayton!

 

 

 

 

Who’s Food is Better? Italian Fest or Greek Fest?

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The Greek Fest Gyro – one of the joys of festival weekend

Two heavy hitters in the Dayton festival world go head to head every year for attendance the weekend after Labor Day.  These 2 festivals are the Greek Festival and the Italian Festival.  Why do they both hold their big events on the same weekend?  We don’t know, but we do know that when asked if they would move the festival to another weekend, both sides aren’t budging.

We decided to compare the festivals under our favorite topic.. FOOD.  What happens when these two ancient nations and cultures collide in a battle of the culinary worlds?  The food Adventures Crew asks you, Dayton…

Which festival has better food, GREEK FEST or ITALIAN FEST ?

Chef House, Hungry Jax and The Big Ragu have decided to put decades of eating experience at each festival to the test, with the most definitive and exhaustive comparison to date.   Most of these foods only come around once a year, so our mouths have been watering for months.

Which festival is the better Food Adventure?

 

HERE’S THE SKINNY:

The Cannoli from Italian Festival

— Dayton’s Italian Festival, called the “Fall Festa” by the people at the Sons of Italy is held at Bella Villa Hall at 2625 County Line Road.

     Hours are:
     Friday, Sept. 11 – 6pm to 11pm
     Saturday, Sept. 12 – Noon to 11pm
     Sunday, Sept. 13 – Noon to 8pm
***Admission and Parking are free.  Shuttle service available for parking from Reynolds & Reynolds lot.

 

— Dayton’s Greek Festival is held at the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church at 500 Belmonte Park, North (next to Dayton Art Institute)

     Hours are:
     Friday, Sept. 11 – 11am to 11pm
     Saturday, Sept. 12 – 11am to 11pm
     Sunday, Sept. 13 – 11am to 6pm

***Admission: Friday from 11 am to 5 pm admission is FREE (come for lunch). The rest of the weekend, admission is  $2 per person, children 12 years and under are free,  Parking is free on streets surrounding the church.  Shuttle service available from Grandview Hospital, Shaw Avenue.  Grafton Medical Center Parking Lot on Forest Avenue and  Eye Clinic Parking Lot,Grand Avenue.

Time to lace up the gloves and put the napkins in your collar.. let’s find out who has the best food !

Loukoumades (honey puffs)

The Battle of the MUST EATS at the ITALIAN FEST vs. GREEK FEST HAS BEGUN !

 

*** ICONIC MAINSTAYS ***:

GREEK GYRO vs THE ITALIAN SAUSAGE SANDWICH
GREEK PASTITSIO vs ITALIAN CALZONES
GREEK MOUSSAKA vs ITALIAN MEATBALL SUB
GREEK PIZZAS vs ITALIAN PIZZAS

Chef House: Greece wins battle of the mainstays –
Big Ragu: Greece wins – The Gyro takes the cake and outshines them all
Hungry Jax: Italy wins battle of the mainstays – Meatball sub, please !

 

*** FULL BLOWN DINNERS*** :

ITALIAN STUFFED SHELLS DINNER vs GREEK LAMB SHANK DINNER
ITALIAN SPAGHETTI & MEATBALLS vs GREEK CHICKEN DINNER

Chef House: Greece wins battle of the dinners with the Lamb Shank choice
Big Ragu: Italy wins with Stuffed Shells all day long
Hungry Jax: Greece wins the dinner battle in a close one

 

Cavatelli – a simple pasta dish at the Italian Fall Festa

***OFF THE BEATEN FOOD PATH***:

GREEK DOLMADES (STUFFED GRAPE LEAVES) vs ITALIAN WEDDING SOUP
GREEK TRIGONAS (SPINAKOPITA) vs ITALIAN CAVATELLI

Chef House: Greece wins, I love the Spinakopita the Dolmades are wonderful !
Big Ragu: Italy wins as Cavatelli has my heart !
Hungry Jax: Italy wins the off the beaten path battle. I want some wedding soup !

 

*** WINES,  BEERS & MORE ***:

ITALIAN PERONI BEER vs GREEK MARATHON BEER
ITALIAN RED MORETTI BEER and GREEK ALFA BEER
ITALIAN WINES vs GREEK WINES
ITALIAN RASPBERRY SPARKLETINI vs OUZO

Chef House: Greece wins, fuller tasting beer, Ouzo and I love their wines
Big Ragu: Italy wins because of the Sparkletini but tell the boss that the Moretti regular lager is sorely missing
Hungry Jax: Italy wins the battle of the wines, beers and more…

 

A Spinach Pie (Spinakopita) and a Cheese Pie (Trigona) from the Greek Festival

*** DESSERTS AND PASTRIES ***:
GREEK BAKLAVA vs ITALIAN CANNOLI
GREEK LOUKOUMADES (HONEY PUFFS) vs ITALIAN TIRAMISU
GREEK PASTRY BOOTH vs ITALIAN COOKIE BOOTH

Chef House: Greece wins the dessert battle – the baklava and pastry booth is amazing.
Big Ragu: Italy wins – lock me in a room with Tiramisu and Cannoli
Hungry Jax: Italy all the way in the desserts and pastry battle

 

What is your take on who has the better food? Tell us with your comments below.

In the meantime here are 3 little known eats from each festival that are some of our favorites:

GREEK FEST  –
BAKLAVA SUNDAE – Maybe the best thing at Greek Fest
GREEK FRIES – lemon juice drizzled with seasonings make this a nice treat
GREEK LEMONADE – Refreshing on a festival day – add a little alcohol to boot 

 

ITALIAN FEST –
RASPBERRY SPARKLETINI CHAMPAGNE – this stuff is the most addicting thing at the festivals

Stuffed Shell dinner

PASTA FAGIOLI SOUP – Dark horse of good eats
SFINGI – Italian funnel cake – see if they will deep fry a cannoli for ya too !

 

On a non-food note, Chef House wants to make sure that the Greek Fest gets a shout out for the incredible dancers.  The Big Ragu loves the band led by George Karras.  Hungry Jax has been known to cut a rug at the Italian Festival to some traditional Italian American classic songs as well.

 

We learned one thing today – YOU CANT LOSE WITH A FOOD ADVENTURE TO EITHER FESTIVAL.. YOU JUST HAVE TO KNOW WHAT TO EAT !!

 

For more scoop on Dayton’s best foodie spots, “Like” Food Adventures on Facebook by clicking HERE

Browse the photos below for a full view of the festival foods !

Greek Beer

Lamb Shank Dinner

Pastitio at Greek fest

Greek Pizza

Italian Fest Raspberry Sparkletini chug

Italian cookies

Greek Baklava

Greek Fries

Italian Pizza

Greek Beers and Gyros

Ahh zoop , zoopa doop.. Italian soups 1

Italian sausages

Greek Pastries

Calzone Guy

Italian Fest Pizza

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Toronto 2015 – Day 0.5 (Pre-Festival)

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Hello Readers.

Thanks for checking out the blog where I’ll cover my adventures during the Toronto International Film Festival!

After almost 12 hours of travel (a cancelled flight, a delayed flight, an extra flight, etc.), I finally made it to Toronto.  Luckily, I never really let it get me down.  And upon arriving at the apartment I rented, any possible negative vibes were wiped clean.  The view is amazing, the apartment is adorable, and I’m less than 1/2 block from where I need to go every morning (instead of several blocks and 7 subway stops).

TIFF apt

Films don’t start until tomorrow. Arriving a day early lets me get my bearings and truly begin to figure out what my screening schedule will be.  For the general public, screenings kick off tomorrow evening…but for press and industry folks, there are a number of screenings beginning first thing tomorrow morning.

Each day, I’ll get in line around 7am.  This allows me to pick 2 public screenings per day (but with 2 days advance notice).  Tomorrow morning (Thursday), I’ll get 2 tickets for Saturday (which I hope will include the premiere of THE DANISH GIRL…more about that in a moment).  In addition to those 2 public screenings, my pass allows me to watch as many P&I (“press & industry”) screenings as I’d like (but those can get a little stuffy with just industry folks – I like to hear and see true film lover responses…thus I upgraded my P&I pass to include the 2 public screenings per day).

I already picked up a couple tickets for Friday.  One ticket isn’t a movie at all – it’s a Charlie Rose-style Discussion in an intimate-ish auditorium with Julianne Moore.  Doesn’t that sound exciting?

Tomorrow’s first film will likely be HITCHCOCK/TRUFFAUT…and in the evening, I’ll head to the Opening Night Film & Party (courtesy of an invitation from Glenn Kiser – a director who visited Dayton for the LGBT Film Fest a few years ago).

Here are just a few films I’m really looking forward to over the next several days:

45 YEARS – directed by Andrew Haigh (we showed his incredible film WEEKEND at the Dayton LGBT Film Fest plus a traditional run at THE NEON, and I also adore his show LOOKING on HBO…and then there’s Charlotte Rampling to seal the deal)

THE DANISH GIRL (from the director of KING’S SPEECH comes a film that will likely have Eddie Redmayne back at the Oscars next year)

And of course a little something with Dame Maggie…

Stay tuned.

I’ll write each night/morning and review all the films I see each day (anywhere from 3 to 5 per day).

Thanks for stopping by,

Jonathan

Chuy’s Holding Photo Shoot For Dog Wall For Beavercreek Location

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Screen Shot 2015-09-09 at 1.02.39 PMThe popular Austin-based Tex-Mex restaurant that continues to wow customers at Austin Landing will be opening a Beavercreek location at 2717 Fairfield Commons in mid-November 2015. Chuy’s made from scratch Tex-Mex will add an eclectic and fun atmosphere to the new expansions to the mall area.

“We’re very excited to open at Fairfield Commons,” says local owner/operator Chad Pinkstaff. “We are looking forward to sharing the Chuy’s experience with Beavercreek and I’m positive this community will appreciate our passion for fresh, homemade Tex-Mex.”

Chuy’s began in 1982 in Austin, TX. The founders had a vision of a fun and funky Tex-Mex restaurant and it has gained popularity over the past 33 years through its commitment to fresh food made with only the highest quality ingredients. This food philosophy can be seen through Chuy’s tortillas, which are hand rolled on an authentic comal in the dining room, the Salsa Fresca that is made from scratch every hour and the freezer that holds only ice cream for the kids.

11942236_443451489199036_1106134337579145593_o“Made-from-scratch Tex-Mex is what we’re known for – which is what has gotten us our cult-like following. We like to say, ‘If you’ve seen one Chuy’s, you’ve seen one Chuy’s’ because our locations are all so different,” Pinkstaff said.

Chuy’s will hold their signature doggie photo shoot this  Saturday starting at 11am , at the PetSmart at 2500 Fairfield Road from 11AM-2PM to raise money for Luv4K9s pet rescue.

For a $5.00 donation, dog owners can get a framed photo of their pup hung in the famed La Chihuahua Bar, inside the new Beavercreek Chuy’s location, along with a free appetizer card. More details can be found at www.facebook.com/ChuysDayton.

On Matching Your Values To Your Time

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Lifelong fitness isn’t effort, it’s not willpower, and it’s definitely not innate ability. It’s the answer to the question: what do I value as demonstrated by how I spend my time?

Make a list of what you value and be completely honest with yourself. Include things like relationships, sex, family, professional status, and maybe something like volunteering. Make it your list. Rank the items on the list if you’d like.

Now, do an inventory of the most recent three days of your life and where you spent your time. Break it down hour-by-hour and put your activities into buckets (television, family, work, fitness, etc.)

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Did your values list match where you spent the preponderance of your time?

If you ranked family first on your list, for example, how much time and energy are you spending on them versus fantasy football, television, or going to happy hours?

Now before we go any further, let’s establish one thing: you are not to judge yourself for what’s on your list or if there’s a disconnect between your values and where you’re spending your time. This is an information-gathering exercise, not an inquisition.

So, if, say, you’re way into video games I don’t want you to feel sheepish about that. I want that on your values list. I want you to be open with yourself about video games being something that you love to play. I want you to be purposeful about playing video games. (Seriously.)

But if there’s something on the list of things to which you devote an inordinate amount of time that you don’t actually value—watching television is on this list for a lot of people—then be aware of that and work to curtail the amount of time you spend on it, replacing it with the things you do value.

I’ve found that a lot of people who are sitting on the sidelines of fitness actually value many aspects of it. They want to feel better. They want to look better. They want to be sick less often. They want to be able to move without pain. They value fitness, but there’s a disconnect between the value they place on it and the lives that they’re living. This disconnect is a recipe for sadness, anxiety, and discontent.

The reason people remain discontented with their lives isn’t laziness. Often they’ve never stopped to think about where they’re spending their precious time. Seasoned and respected professionals, they’ve never done an analysis of their lives the way they might for a customer’s issue, a patient’s illness, or a boss’s request. And sometimes the most pernicious of all reasons is shame. They’re ashamed they’ve never spent time on fitness and now they’re fat/injured/weak/deconditioned/unattractive/insert your own negative self-talk here. Finally, many people don’t believe that they have the self-efficacy to achieve lifelong fitness, so why invest the time to try?

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Discard what doesn’t align with your values.

For those folks who don’t value fitness and health, often the reason for the notable absence of things that a sustain quality of life is a lack of self-esteem. Yeah, yeah, I know. It sounds squishy and touchy feely. But stay with me for a second.

If self-efficacy is the belief that one can do something (I can learn how to squat and press a weight above my head), then self-esteem is the belief that one deserves to do something (like achieve a fit body). You already know what this negative self-talk sounds like. “I’m so fat and disgusting. I deserve this. I did this to myself.”

If you fall into the category of people who value fitness but aren’t currently making the time for it, I encourage you to inventory your values and your time without judgment. Eliminate the extraneous and emphasize that which will make you happier and healthier.

If you fall into the category of people who don’t value fitness, I hope you’ll ponder whether you’re lacking the requisite self-esteem to take care of the one body you’ll ever have. If you are, then there’s a strong chance that you won’t get to the gym without first working with a good psychologist, psychiatrist, or counselor to help you troubleshoot the way you think about yourself.

Sundance Winner MERU & Ken Loach’s JIMMY’S HALL Open Friday!

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MV5BMTQ4MDM3NjY2Nl5BMl5BanBnXkFtZTgwNjkyNTIzNjE@._V1_SY317_CR2,0,214,317_AL_Hello Everyone,

If you still need to see DIARY OF A TEENAGE GIRL or THE END OF TOUR, you’ll need to hurry. Thursday will be your last chance to catch them at THE NEON. On Friday, we will open the exhilarating new film that won the Audience Award for Best Documentary at this year’s Sundance Film Festival – MERU. We will also open Ken Loach’s new film JIMMY’S HALL. In addition, we hold MISTRESS AMERICA for another week. For this week’s remaining showtimes (which are different from the upcoming times listed below), please visit our website at www.neonmovies.com.

Synopsis for MERU: “In the high-stakes pursuit of big-wall climbing, the Shark’s Fin on Mount Meru may be the ultimate prize. Sitting 21,000 feet above the sacred Ganges River in Northern India, the mountain’s perversely stacked obstacles make it both a nightmare and an irresistible calling for some of the world’s toughest climbers. In October 2008, renowned alpinists Conrad Anker, Jimmy Chin and Renan Ozturk arrived in India to tackle Meru. Their planned seven-day trip quickly declined into a 20-day odyssey in sub-zero temperatures with depleting food rations. Despite making it to within 100 meters of the elusive summit, their journey, like everyone before them, was not a successful one. Heartbroken and defeated, the trio returned to their everyday lives, where the siren song of Meru continued to beckon. By September 2011, Anker had convinced his two lifelong friends to undertake the Shark’s Fin once more, under even more extraordinary circumstances than their first attempt. MERU is the story of that journey, an expedition through nature’s harshest elements and one’s complicated inner demons, and ultimately on to impossible new heights.” (taken from Music Box Films) Click this LINK to visit the official site.

Synopsis for JIMMY’S HALL: “In 1921 Jimmy Gralton’s sin was to build a dance hall on a rural crossroads in an Ireland on the brink of Civil War. The Pearse-Connolly Hall was a place where young people could come to learn, to argue, to dream…but above all to dance and have fun. As the hall grew in popularity its socialist and free-spirited reputation brought it to the attention of the church and politicians who forced Jimmy to flee and the hall to close.” (taken from Sony Classics) Ken Loach has been making beautiful films since the late 1960’s. From KES (1969) to SWEET SIXTEEN (2002) to THE WIND THAT SHAKES THE BARLEY (2006), his films are lovely pieces of work that showcase his naturalistic craftsmanship. Click on this LINK to visit the official site for JIMMY’S HALL.

Observe International Peace Day with family, friends and neighbors by meeting up at THE NEON for I AM BIG BIRD: THE CAROLL SPINNEY STORY – an engaging and heartwarming film brought to you by the Dayton International Peace Museum. The Peace Museum is celebrating 11 years of helping people throughout Miami Valley and beyond explore the question, “What does a more peaceful world look like for you?” “For 45 years, Caroll Spinney has been beloved by generations of children as the man behind Sesame Street’s Big Bird and Oscar the Grouch – and at 80 years old, he has no intention of stopping. A loving portrait of the man in the yellow suit, I AM BIG BIRD features extraordinary footage of Spinney’s earliest collaborations with Jim Henson as it traces his journey from bullied child to childhood icon. And as the yellow feathers give way to grey hair, it is the man, not the puppet, who will steal your heart.” Tickets are first come, first serve. Suggested donation – $10. I saw this film at the Cleveland International Film Festival – it’s a real treat. Don’t miss it! Sunday, Sept. 20 at 3:00.

The Deaf Community Resource Center is bringing a special, one-time screening of THE DEAF CLUB to town on Thursday, Sept. 24 at 7:30. This movie is completely done in sign language (though subtitles are available for those who don’t sign). “Deaf people have it all – friends, romance, fights, etc. – at their own club, where everyone uses sign language. Suddenly, the members face a situation where their precious club may have to close. Can they save the deaf club? Almost the entire production team is deaf or hard of hearing.” (taken from press notes) Tickets, just $10 each, will be available at THE NEON’s box office beginning Monday, Aug 24.

On Saturday, September 26 at Noon, Twentig, Inc. will host a special benefit screening and discussion of the film BELLE. “BELLE is a historical fictionalization of a true story about Dido Elizabeth Belle who was born of mixed race in the West Indies. She lived with her great uncle William Murray, the first Earl of Mansfield, Lord Chief Justice of England. Lord Mansfield’s decision on a case in 1786 in the English Courts led to the abolition of slavery in Britain. The film was inspired by the 1779 painting of Belle beside her cousin Lady Elizabeth Murray at Kenwood House.” (taken from press notes) Tickets are $30 each and come with admission to the film, the post-film discussion, a glass of wine and popcorn. They are now available at our box office.

“THE UNRULY MYSTIC is an inspirational documentary of how the filmmaker reaffirms his life’s work when he fell in love with a 12th century Saint. Saint Hildegard of Bingen evokes a calling, that sweet spot of creativity that we all yearn to play in, which is also spiritual in nature. She is venerated for her widely recognized impact on today’s theologians, artists, musicians, doctors and educators. She is indeed the unruly mystic. Her story, invites us all to embrace the connection between God, Nature and Art. This is the story of a powerful muse who invites us to create magic in our own lives by letting the ordinary touch the divine. Join us in connecting more deeply with your own spiritually and creativity.” The film will screen on Thursday, Sept. 30 at 7:30. There will be a Q/A after the screening with the Colorado-based Director Michael Conti and Dayton local Rev. Mary Reaman (who also participated in the film). Tickets are $12 each and are only available on-line at this LINK.

Filmmaker Tony West will bring his Award Winning Documentary, THE SAFE SIDE OF THE FENCE, to THE NEON on Sunday Oct 4 at 5:00. “World War II’s Manhattan Project required the refinement of massive amounts of uranium, and St. Louis-based Mallinckrodt Chemical Works took on the job. As a result, the chemical company’s employees would become some of the most contaminated nuclear workers in history. This documentary explores the legacy that St. Louis is still coping with, from workers who became ill – to the challenges of dealing with the fallout of creating some of the world’s first nuclear waste. The story is not unique to St. Louis, as more than 300 facilities across America would become part of the race to build the bomb, and be forced to deal with the same issues. A detailed look at worker safety and the handling of nuclear waste, from the past to present day.” Tickets are available at THE NEON’s Box Office or on-line by by visiting the official site.

It’s Year 10 for THE DAYTON LGBT FILM FESTIVAL, and we’re pulling out all the stops. In addition to the best LGBT Films touring the world on the festival circuit, we’ll have special guests, throw a great party and bring back a campy classic with a crazy, fun spin (HINT: You might want to bring a wire hanger). Some films have familiar faces (like SNL’s Kristen Wiig or GLEE’s Chord Overstreet), but many films might star people you’ve never seen before. Take a chance! We previewed over 100 films to curate this weekend…so it truly is a few days of nothing but great material. Click on this LINK to visit the official site – where you’ll find descriptions of the films, trailers and just a hint of what we’ve got up our sleeves! Festival passes go on sale this Saturday. Single Tickets go on sale Saturday, Sept. 19. Here’s a trailer for the Friday night film – GUIDANCE:

Early tomorrow morning, I will be heading to the Toronto International Film Festival. Over the course of 9 days, I plan to see more than 30 films. As usual, I’ll chronicle my adventures via a daily blog post. Here’s the LINK to follow my adventures (first post should be available by Thursday morning): http://www.mostmetro.com/tag/tiff

Please keep THE NEON busy while I’m gone.
See you soon,
Jonathan

SHOWTIMES for Friday, Sept. 11 – Thursday, Sept. 17:

JIMMY’S HALL (PG-13) 1 Hr 49 Min
Friday, Saturday, Sunday:12:40, 5:00
Monday – Thursday: 5:20

MISTRESS AMERICA (R) 1 Hr 24 Min
Friday, Saturday: 3:00, 7:30, 9:40
Sunday: 3:00, 7:30
Monday – Thursday: 3:20, 7:40

MERU (R) 1 Hr 27 Min
Friday, Saturday: 12:50, 3:00, 5:10, 7:20, 9:30
Sunday: 12:50, 3:00, 5:10, 7:20
Monday – Thursday: 3:15, 5:30, 7:45

COMING SOON:
(All Dates Are Tentative. Dates Often Move And Sometimes Disappear.)
Sept. 18 – LEARNING TO DRIVE
Sept. 25 – GRANDMA
Oct. 2 – PHOENIX