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Archives for September 2018

McCoy on Movies: White Boy Rick

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True crime + a teenager = a stylish if somewhat
familiar 80s tale of crime and punishment

“You listen here, Richie, Jr. – you stay away from that Marshall Mathers, kid, ya hear me?!” Rick Wershe, Jr. (Richie Merritt, left) hands off as his father (Matthew McConaughey) prepares to roll out in a scene from WHITE BOY RICK. Credit: Scott Garfield. © 2018 CTMG, Inc. All rights reserved.
 


WATCH THE TRAILER(S) HERE:




KEY CAST MEMBERS: Matthew McConaughey, Richie Merritt, Bel Powley, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Brian Tyree Henry, Rory Cochrane, RJ Cyler, Jonathan Majors, Taylour Paige, Eddie Marsan with Bruce Dern and Piper Laurie

WRITER(S): Andy Weiss and Logan & Noah Miller

(Editors Note: Dayton Connection- Donald W. White Jr., a 17-year veteran with the Riverside police department, spent 10 days in Cleveland and Miami filming, playing the role of Detroit Police Sgt. Jimmy Harris and Alan Bomar Jones, a professional actor from Dayton  is also in this movie as a crooked copWillie Volson.)


DIRECTOR(S): Yann Demange

WEB SITE: https://www.whiteboyrick.movie/HERE’S THE STORY: It’s the mid-1980s. In Detroit. And Rick Wershe, Jr. (Richie Merritt) isn’t exactly living the American dream. His father (Matthew McConaughey) is a low-level gun dealers who makes modified weapons he sells to less-than-upstanding clientele. His sister Dawn (Bel Powley) is a drug addict in a bad relationship and Rick Jr. himself? Well, he’s currently not enrolled in school and spending his time between helping his dad with the family business and … Just living. 


But things are about to change for Rick in a major way.


He’s about to start spending time with Lil Man (Jonathan Majors) and his posse … Which will attract the attention of FBI Agent Alex Snyder (Jennifer Jason Leigh) and FBI Agent Frank Byrd (Rory Cochrane) as well as Detroit PD’s own Detective Jackson (Brian Tyree Henry). Which, given his dad’s work, means he’s going to need to cooperate with them … Or else. 


So … What happens when a 15 year-old kid gets involved with dope boys, the FBI and a desire to break free of his urban prison? An unbelievable story inspired by true events in the life of the kid who would come to be known as White Boy Rick. 

WHO WILL LIKE THIS FILM THE MOST? Rappers; people who find true crime stories with outrageous details fascinating; people interesting the American legal system; Matthew McConaughey fans; 80s urban culture afficionados; fans of crime and punishment tales 

WHO WON’T (OR SHOULDN’T) LIKE THIS MOVIE? Anyone who believes certain types of entertainment promote criminal activities; those who would like the film to go deeper into certain aspects of Wershe, Jr.’s story (substance over style)

SO IS IT GOOD, BAD OR JUST AWFUL? A movie that looks good, has solid performances and yet at the same time, manages not to add anything terribly new to the crime and punishment genre, White Boy Rick is not quite Scarface for millennials … But I’m sure it will serve many of them well in the meantime. 

Based on the it-used-to-be-unbelievable-but-now-seems-quite-conceivable-given-today’s-headlines-with-teenagers, White Boy Rick features a strong performance by newcomer Richie Merritt, who’s street smart cool fits his character perfectly to be able to make the story real. Exhibiting a screen presence that is everything it needs to be, Merritt slides into his character’s world with a magnetism and charisma that is impossible to deny, more than holding his own alongside McConaughey, who delivers one of those performances award season voters tend to love. Director Yann Demerage makes the grit of Detroit’s 80s despair come fully alive on screen, making it quite viable to understand how it could produce a kid like Rick, Eminem or any number of impoverished youth who’s entire reality is guns, drugs and despair. At the same time, he is able to create moments that show the fragile hope of Richie’s youth – if you own a pair of roller skates, this movie is going to make you want to practice going backwards after you dig for your old mixtapes – and how he tries to do the right thing despite the worst possible means.What audiences will either be most enthralled or appalled by isn’t the film’s language, sex or drug use. Those things are now as common in American culture/entertainment; no, it will be with the film’s ending and whether or not the true facts of Wershe, Jr’s fate were justifiable. That’s what a logical movie watcher would expect, anyway – his choices were his own, but it’s the age-old question of does the time fit the crime(s) and what do the events of this (then) young man’s life say about life in America and the subcultures we like to act don’t exist in our happy, 22-minute sitcom with commercials world?

That is a question I cannot answer for you; I can only answer whether or not you should give White Boy Rick a watch or not. And that answer – for anyone who wants to watch an inherently compelling American story from one of its favorite decades – is “yes.”

OVERALL RATING (OUT OF FOUR POSSIBLE BUCKETS OF POPCORN):

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Tickets on Sale for DLM Food & Wine Show

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It’s without a doubt the best evening  you’ll ever spend in a grocery store!  For one night each year Dorothy Lane Market brings in local chefs and purveyors to set up tasting tables all throughout the store, set up wine and beer tasting tables at the ends of many of the aisles and serve up some of the best samples you’ve ever tasted.

This year’s Food & Wine Show will be on Thursday,  November 1st from 7:30-9:30 at  DLM Springboro. Not only is it Dorothy Lane Market’s 70th anniversary year, but it’s the 20th anniversary of the Food & Wine Show. So take a trip back to 1948 at this year’s Food & Wine Show and pull out your fancy hat or fedora, satin gloves and double breasted suits (yes, come dressed in your 1948 best if you wish).  

During the Food & Wine Show, DLM Springboro transforms into the stage of a spectacular gustatory experience, featuring nearly 200 wines from around the world from some of the best producers as well as beers. They also feature a robust sampling of exquisite chef-driven hors d’oeuvres and food stations prepared by DLM’s best (we promise you won’t go hungry!).

 

Tickets are $100 and this show always sells out, so act fast to secure your tickets.  You can reserve online or at the customer service counter at any of the three DLM locations.

 

Dayton at Work and Play: Partial To Pie

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I met the father / daughter team of Mike and Marie some time ago as they worked to get their building at 200 Shroyer Road ready for Partial to Pie Bakery. They’ve been open for a while and I’ve been meaning to stop in. Then a friend told me she had become a regular customer so I finally visited

As the name suggests, they have all kinds of pies, plus other sweets like brownies and baklava. You can take it with you or sit at one of their tables and have your sweet snack with coffee or tea.

On my first visit, I opted for the savory instead of the sweet. I bought their classic meat and potatoes quiche, which will make a few meals for us. It was great

Pies,Quiche and other Sweet Treats!


200 Shroyer Rd.
Dayton, Ohio 45419

HOURS:

Tuesday-Friday 7am-5pm

Saturday 7am-2pm

CLOSED Sunday and Monday

TIFF 2018 – Day #8

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Hello!

Day #8 had me seeing 4 more films.

ROMA, directed by Alfonso Cuarón, was my first film of the day. “Alfonso Cuarón’s cogent and nuanced semi-autobiographical feature chronicles one year in the life of a middle-class family in 1970s Mexico City.”  This black-and-white feature film is simply sublime.  With themes of class and position in society as well as government/societal upheaval, this film is full of visual metaphors and is incredibly sophisticated.  One might think “not much happens in this film”…but ultimately – EVERYTHING happens.  This film should 100% be viewed on a big screen.  Though Netflix has it set to premiere on their channel, this film deserves a theatrical release.  In a word, it’s Incredible!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fp_i7cnOgbQ

HIGH LIFE, directed by Claire Denis, was up next. “Master French filmmaker Claire Denis’s long-anticipated English-language debut and provocative sci-fi drama stars Robert Pattinson, Juliette Binoche, Mia Goth, and André Benjamin as a group of criminals sent into deep space.”  This is perhaps one of Denis’ most accessible films (as far as “I’m following what’s happening”) – but it’s also still quite avant garde…and I can imagine customers saying “what the hell?” for most of the film.  The mini description fails to explain that the spaceship (which looks somewhat like a floating hard drive) is essentially being used as a laboratory in which Binoche’s character does sexual experiments on its “recycled scum” inhabitants.  Complete with rape scenes and other bloody violence, this film is a challenging film that will likely have many searching for its rosetta stone.

I attended the next film based on its description.  I had no idea that it was a big studio picture.  THE HATE U GIVE, directed by George Tillman, Jr, simply sounded like an important film that I wanted to support. “A timely commentary in the Black Lives Matter era, George Tillman, Jr.’s adaptation of the novel by Angie Thomas follows Starr, a promising student and cherished daughter whose life is upended, then galvanized, when a friend is senselessly shot dead by police.”  This film is targeted at a young adult audience, and it’s so refreshing that it’s not about vampires or a fish-out-of-water comedy.  This is an urgent tale about a young black student who consciously alters her persona between her school self (which is in a private school full of affluent white kids) and her at home self.  I hope this film finds a wide, diverse audience – but I’m afraid it might only end up preaching to the choir.  The plot takes some unexpected turns and covers a lot of bases, but it’s ultimately a strong film that needs to be seen by a lot of people.

RED JOAN, directed by Trevor Nunn, was my last film before an incredible dinner of Japanese tapas (but that’s a different story).  “Academy Award winner Judi Dench and Sophie Cookson take on the complex persona and legacy of Joan Stanley, the seemingly demure physicist who was also a long-serving British spy for the KGB.”  This film is based on a novel…that is very loosely based on a real woman named Melita Norwood.  The film uses the framing device of Dench’s character being arrested and interrogated while flashing back to WWII era material where she may have been conspiring with the Russians.  Handsomely shot with strong performances, this film will certainly go over well at THE NEON if it finds a US distributor. It contains both great dramatic moments and sequences with wonderful, thrilling tension.  The fact that “nuclear bombs and who has them” continues to be a fear in today’s climate shows how little things have changed.

Things are winding down here at the festival.  Many big players have gone home, and the lines for movies are easier to navigate.  I have one more full day of films and then one Saturday morning screening before flying home.

Thanks for checking in.

Jonathan

TEDxDayton Speakers Revealed

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 The TEDxDayton  lineup of speakers for this year’s event was announced last night. All are from or connected to the Dayton area and were selected from a rigorous application and audition process. They’re coming to the stage in the TED spirit of ideas worth spreading and sharing. “We’re really happy about this year’s lineup, and are proud of the hard work our speakers have put into getting ready for the talk of their lives,” said John Owen, co-chair of this year’s event. “Nearly 200 people applied to give talks this year. We’re working with an outstanding group.”

 

Here are the people who will appear on this year’s TEDxDayton stage:

 

  • Amateur photographer Adam Alonzo will talk about how to see and appreciate the beauty all around us.
  • Performer Montrea Blackshear will lead Dayton’s own TRSS Drum Corps in a show-stopping blizzard of percussion.
  • Tiffany Clark, a painter and mural artist, will talk about how creating public art helped her beat drug addiction.
  • Educator Kevin “Mister C” Cornell will show how to get kids excited about learning science.
  • Radio personality Faith Daniels will talk about the dangers of depression within the broadcast industry.
  • Attorney Barbara Duncombe will talk about her career journey from typist to rainmaker, fighting gender bias along the way.
  • Mark Fogel, a former Air Force pilot, will talk about how trust is built between a jet-fighter pilot and his wingman.
  • Student and TEDxYouth@Dayton performer Shawn Gardner will perform one of his own original spoken-word compositions.
  • Student and TEDxYouth@Dayton performer Yash Gupta will perform his special brand of beatbox.
  • Physician Andre Harris will talk about how hormones can affect our health, happiness – and sex life.
  • Elizabeth Horner will talk about the journey a family takes when a child tells their parents they’re transgender.
  • Survivor John-Michael Lander will talk about the hidden world of sexual abuse of elite male athletes.
  • Organizer Rose Lounsbury will talk about how to strip away all the clutter that surrounds you and live a minimalist lifestyle.
  • Journalist Ray Marcano will talk about the two things that are the greatest threats to American democracy.
  • Engineer Dennis Ong will unlock the mysterious workings of the next great change in cybersecurity – blockchain.
  • Tony Award-winning actor Alice Ripley will talk about how she transforms into a character, and how to apply those skills to your own life.
  • Michael Roush will talk about all the things he’s learned about life, family and love from his autistic daughter.
  • Programmer Adam Sobol will talk about how technology can help people with dementia continue to lead fulfilling lives.
  • Veterinarian Julie Servaites will talk about what doctors who treat animals can teach us about how to have a good death.
  • Flight enthusiast Andrew Shepherd will talk about how to get Americans excited again about the wonders of flight.
  • Teacher Stephanie VanHouten will talk about better, more creative ways to educate kindergartners and help make them valuable future citizens.

 

TEDxDayton is 1-6 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 12, 2018, at the Victoria Theatre in downtown Dayton. According to event organizers there are about 300 tickets left for the event.  To buy tickets, go to http://www.tedxdayton.com and follow the link to Ticket Center Stage.

 

Once A Year Art Sale

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Vicki Rulli and Tom Heaphey met in 1998 while working together in Columbus, Ohio, and started their business in 2004 primarily as a photographic studio. Their business evolved focusing on their artwork, as well as some amazing collaborations with other artists, designers, non-profits, and small creative companies.

When Vicki and Tom moved to Springfield, Ohio in 2006 they knew it was the place to headquarter their business and raise their family. According to their website, “with a diverse economy and population, as well as more museums than McDonalds, a Frank Lloyd Wright house (Westcott House), a symphony, bike trails and kayak runs, an active group of working artists, and countless other cultural and outdoor activities, Springfield fostered the type of working and living space they wanted to be a part of.”

 

Together they created Itinerant Studio – a production art studio creating original and limited edition mixed media works using a variety of techniques and materials that serves the design and wholesale trade.  They create everything in house, with their own wood shop, print shop and framing operation in their 100 year old 35,000 warehouse. Usually they  sells art to designers, hotels and boutiques all over the world, but once a year they open up their studio to the public to purchase artwork at up to a 90% discount on discontinued collections and studio seconds.

The auction will feature over 100 original and limited edition mixed media works in a variety of sizes, techniques and materials, including recycled aluminum, sustainably harvested birch wood, acrylic and Italian fresco.  Proceeds from the auction will benefit  the Wescott House in Springfield.

Itinerant Studio

149 West Jefferson, Springfield, OH 45506

Sale & Auction:  Thursday, Sept 13th 6 -9pm

Free admission. Wine & beer served.

Food trucks: Thai1On and Raging Bull Wood Fired Pizza. Live

Music: Django Hatch.

 

 

TIFF 2018 – Day #7

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Hello NEON Fans,

Thanks for checking in again…it’s been another busy day.  I attended a little queer party for TIFF attendees last night, so it was a bit of a struggle to get up this morning.  But I made it to my first screening – FIRST MAN, directed by Damien Chazelle.  Almost every year, I go ahead and see one big film that is too big (too Hollywood) to make it to THE NEON.  This year, I chose Chazelle’s follow-up to LA LA LAND (which is still THE NEON’s highest grossing film).  “The Academy Award–winning team of director Damien Chazelle and star Ryan Gosling reunites for this biopic on the adventures and life of Neil Armstrong, from his entry into NASA’s astronaut program in 1961 to his epoch-making walk on the moon eight years later.”  This film is beautifully done and best seen via IMAX (ALERT:  If you don’t want a fun aspect of the film ruined, don’t read this parenthetical.  SPOILER: The film plays with aspect ratio that can only be accomplished to full effect on an IMAX screen…this happens upon landing on the moon – and it’s magical.)  The film feels more indie than Hollywood in its use of close-ups and medium shots and its overall quiet approach to its lead character.  It will certainly be a big player in this year’s Award Season.

GIANT LITTLE ONES, a Canadian feature directed by Keith Behrman, was my next film of the day.  “In the latest from Canadian director Keith Behrman, Kyle MacLachlan and Maria Bello star as divorced parents whose teenage son (Josh Wiggins) faces seismic personal upheaval after an unexpected incident at a party.”  This touching (and scary and frustrating and exhilarating) coming-of-age story is truly intended for a teenage audience.  Though not without storytelling flaws (including some major tonal shifts), it’s a good film.  That said, I couldn’t help but think “Who is the intended audience for this film?” during the entire screening.  It wouldn’t work for a theatrical release…thus I think it will mostly find a home on the festival circuit and as a popular streaming film.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3hfVG2u5Icw

VITA & VIRGINIA, directed by Chanya Button, was my next film.  Here’s the brief TIFF synopsis: “Gemma Arterton and Elizabeth Debicki shine as socialite and author Vita Sackville-West and literary icon Virginia Woolf, respectively, in director Chanya Button’s sumptuous double portrait of two uncompromising women and the unconventional affair behind one of Woolf’s greatest novels.”  This film has a lot of merits…but it ultimately turned me off.  There is a lot of attention to period detail, but the contemporary score pulled me out of the movie at every turn.  It’s not like a stylized use of contemporary music (ala MARIE ANTOINETTE), it’s almost a dance club beat that interrupts the drama.  (There are also a couple moments of strange, fanciful special effects that didn’t work for me…is this a trend – period films with overdone special effects?  They didn’t work in TELL IT TO THE BEES for me either.)  The best thing about this film for me is that it makes me want to pick up and re-read my copy of ORLANDO when I get home.  (there’s no trailer for this film – just the clip below)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zfwQG7T9X6E

Up next was PAPI CHULO, directed by John Butler (Butler directed HANDSOME DEVIL, the awesome little film we screened last summer for our special PRIDE selection).  “A solitary and alienated television weatherman ‘hires’ a middle-aged Latino migrant worker to be his friend, in this darkly comedic reflection on class, ethnicity, and companionship in contemporary Los Angeles.”  This modest little film is funny/sad and really kind of charming…but takes a darker, sadder, scarier and then pathetic turn in act 3.  Matt Bomer lets loose in this performance, and Alejandro Patiño is hysterically dry.  It’s a sweet little matinee film, but I don’t see much of a life for it theatrically.  (there’s no trailer for this film – just the clip below)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cr3bSXRnRMI

My final film for the day was EVERYBODY KNOWS, directed by 2-time Oscar winner Asghar Farhadi…but this time he’s moved landscapes from the Middle East to Spain.  “Academy Award winner Asghar Farhadi (A Separation, The Salesman) directs Penélope Cruz and Javier Bardem in this layered, psychological drama about a family wedding interrupted by a shocking crime and some long-buried secrets.”  The performances in this film are spectacular, and I could have watched scenes from the wedding for hours – so jovial, so vibrant, so steeped in tradition.  Penelope is radiant in the opening scenes of this film (think VOLVER or BROKEN EMBRACES).  There’s so much to like.  It’s naturalistic, something terrible happens and the stakes are high…but it never seems phony.  Ultimately, I really liked this film – but it lacks the wallop of other Farhadi films.  I wanted more…but I’d also want to trim it down a bit.

I’m now at 31 films in 7 days, and I still have 2.3 days left.  I’m trending for a personal best.

Thanks for stopping by.

More tomorrow,

Jonathan

Spicy Food Makes for A Hell Night Dinner

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What do you get when you pair a powerhouse event host, a celebrity chef, and a state of the art culinary venue over Halloween weekend?  HELL NIGHT.  The setting of Fairborn, Ohio was chosen for its history of celebrating Halloween in a big way. Spark Fairborn is a newly built, lavish co-working space and kitchen incubator nestled in the heart of Main Street.

 

This is more than a food event.  This will be a food experience.  If you like spicy food, celebrity Chef Anthony Head, also known as “The People’s Chef” is about to make your nightmares come true.   Based off of Dante’s Inferno, the menu will consist of nine “Levels of Hell”, tapas which will leave you in tears from pleasure and pain. The event will also feature dance music, lights, ghoulish entertainment, and contests throughout the evening.

“We didn’t want to just have a food event”, said Charlynda Scales, co-owner of OH Taste Marketing, which helps grow local food businesses as well as hosts themed food experiences like Hell Night. “Matt Dunn (co-owner) and I want to host events people won’t stop talking about for months on end. It’s about pairing the best chefs in the area with local food products and experts in marketing.”

 

Hell Night will also be a chance to crown a winner of the Hot as Hell Spicy Food eating contest. Anyone can join (age 21+), but only the first ten entries online will be accepted. Safety waivers will need to be signed the day of the contest. An award (to be determined) will also be given for Best Costume if patrons choose to participate.

Tickets are $45 per person or $65 for VIP tickets that include one free drink ticket and a swag bag as your momento of the hellish night of gluttony.

Tickets or entry into the Spicy food eating contest can be reserved online.

TIFF 2018 – Day #6

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Hi there, Folks!

I saw five films today, and I’m slated for five tomorrow.   (We’ll see if that happens.)

THE LIE, directed by Veena Sud, was my first film of the day.  The premise intrigued me, and then I heard a few people talk it up at a party a couple nights ago.  Here’s the brief TIFF synopsis: “In this thriller from Toronto-born writer-director Veena Sud, two parents wrestle with the consequences of their teenage daughter’s lethal mistake, proving just how far any parent would go to protect their child.”  This film has won my “most eye rolls per scene” award.  Idiot dialog.  Over-the-top moments complete with lots of furrowed brows and indicating.  It’s a turkey.  This film (ultimately about white privilege) had me wanting to leave within the first half hour.  But because all other screenings were in progress, I decided to stick it out.  I also stayed for smug reasons.  20 minutes into the film, I wrote down my suspicion as to how the film would end.  I wanted to know if I was right…and I hit the nail on the head 100%.  I really hate it when a bad film happens to an actor I like (Peter Sarsgaard).

TELL IT TO THE BEES, directed by Annabel Jankel, was my next film of the day.  “Academy Award winner Anna Paquin and Holliday Grainger star in this wrenching drama of a shunned small-town doctor and beekeeper in postwar Britain who befriends a struggling mother and son, helping them discover that love can be found in many forms.” This film is full of lovely period details and lush cinematography, but it’s the central performances that shine (while many other characters aren’t fleshed out).  It’s a slower-paced film that works on some levels, but there are plot points and character attitudes that shift and change without much notice.  In addition, there are special effects regarding swarming bees that are too over-the-top.  There’s a line that comes toward the end of the film via voiceover that says “what I saw and what I thought I saw” – and that would have been helpful at the beginning (but maybe it was there and I really didn’t contextualize it). Ultimately, the message is great – but it’s not a film that will find great commercial success.

THE PUBLIC, directed by Emilio Estevez, was shot and set in downtown Cincinnati.  “A sit-in by patrons at a public library escalates into a police standoff and a media sideshow, in Emilio Estevez’s arresting drama that explores issues surrounding homelessness, mental health, and community. Featuring Estevez, Alec Baldwin, Taylor Schilling, Jeffrey Wright, Jena Malone, Gabrielle Union, Christian Slater, and Michael K. Williams.”  This film has some powerful moments and great messages (regarding homelessness, mental health, substance abuse and public libraries as a democratic pillar), but it attempts to tackle too many storylines in a short amount of time.  The film has clearly been condensed for time, and though the narrative holes can easily be filled in by savvy viewers – it seems too choppy.  This film has a lot of heart, but it still needs some editing help to truly make it sing.

COLETTE, directed by Wash Westmoreland, was my next film.  Here’s the brief TIFF synopsis: “Keira Knightley stars in this historical drama about the eponymous French novelist, whose provocative debut — falsely credited to her husband — becomes the toast of Paris, triggering a battle for identity, equality, and self-determination at the dawn of the feminist age.”  Here’s my brief response: LOVED IT.  From the performances to the production design to the smart dialog, I really loved this film.  I’m happy to report that we have it booked to open at THE NEON on Oct. 19.  The heartfelt Q&A with this screening was spectacular…particularly Wash Westmoreland (STILL ALICE) talking about dedicating the film to his recently deceased co-director and husband.  Knightley is superb, and the history lesson has me wanting to read even more of Colette’s work (I have only read some short stories and CHERI – now I want more). From the tone and look of the trailer, I suspected I would like this film…but it delivered so much more.

BOY ERASED, directed by Joel Edgerton, was my last film of the day.  “The teenaged son of a Baptist pastor is forced into a gay-conversion program by his parents, in actor-director Joel Edgerton’s emotive drama starring Nicole Kidman, Russell Crowe, and Lucas Hedges.”  This film is meant for mass consumption – and for that reason, I give it a bit of a pass.  The cast does a fine job with the material, and certain scenes even elicited rounds of applause from the audience…but there’s something a little too sterile for me to put the film on the top of the list.  It’s as though the filmmaker was scared to get too close.  And I get it on some level.  At some point, a filmmaker (or distributor) has to ask “who do we want to see this movie?”  If the film pushed the envelope too much, then it would only preach to the choir.  In this instance, perhaps the film can actually be seen by more than the queer community…and possibly save some lives – and for that, I give it my blessing (plus the fact that Kidman is pretty awesome here).  The Q&A with Kidman, Edgerton, and the author of the source material (as well as his mother) was pretty spectacular.

Thanks for checking in,

Jonathan

Ladyfest Dayton

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Ladyfest Dayton hopes to bring together and inspire people through music, art, and education. While the festival itself is a celebration of women in the arts, we hope to provide a safe and welcoming environment for everyone, regardless of gender identity.

Submarine House Poll: Cheese Whiz or Cheese? + Win a Super Duper Cheesesteak !

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WHIZ or WHIZ-OUT ?

“To Whiz or not to Whiz, that is the question….”

Dayton has it’s share of good places to grab a Philly Cheesesteak.   The Submarine House is at the top of this list and are one of the few spots that offer their cheesesteaks with a choice of Nacho Cheese Whiz sauce or Sliced Cheese.

Foodies have battled back and forth on which is the best way to eat a Philly cheesesteak.  So we look to you, our fellow, hungry Daytonians to solve this with a foodie poll.

Today we ask an age-old question that Cheesesteak lovers have been gnashing teach over for decades…. on your Philly Cheesesteak, do you prefer..

CHEESE WHIZ or CHEESE ?

Comment below, and one winner will be selected at random and win a Super Duper Cheesesteak from Submarine House, compliments of The Food Adventure Crew !  You can get your cheesesteak how you like it .. with the WHIZ or CHEESE !

Before you answer — what is a Philly Cheesesteak ?

Philly with Provolone Cheese option at Sumbmarine House

WHAT IS A PHILLY CHEESESTEAK ?
It is a sub, served on long, crusty french or italian style roll filled with thinly sliced and possibly sauteed beef and melted cheese. In Philadelphia, the cheese preference is Cheez Whiz. In other parts of the country it seems that shredded or sliced American, sharp or provolone are the preference. Many foodies say that the essence of cheesesteak preparation lies in the balance of flavors, ingredients , texture and the messy goodness, or “drip” factor.  Other toppings may include grilled onions, green peppers, mayo, sautéed mushrooms, and hot or sweet banana peppers. Even ketchup and French fries have topped a sub, as well as lettuce and tomato. The ultimate street food, a Philly Cheeesteak is a portable, hunger killing beast.

PHILLY CHEESESTEAK BABYLON:
In 1930 the sandwich world was turned upside down when Philadelphia hot dog vendor Pat Olivieri decided to grill beef one day.  A taxicab driver noticed the incredible aroma and ordered a steak sandwich. The rumor of the delicious lunch spread across town in a week. People from all around the city came to try the steak sandwiches.  He decided to expand and Olivieri opened up a shop on 9th Street and Passyunk Avenue, and called it “Pat’s King of Steaks”. The sandwich morphed as he began adding cheese to the recipe. Today the grill is open 24/7 and has a legendary rival cheesesteak shop across the street called “Geno’s” who claims they are the ones who added the cheese idea. Geno’s is also open 24/7. For decades, the two family owned businesses have been the center of discussion of who has the best cheesesteak in town. Who cut the cheese first? We don’t know…

How do you like your Philly ?

Fast forward to 1973 and history of Dayton Cheeseteaks takes shape.

THE HISTORY OF DAYTON’S SUBMARINE HOUSE:

THE SUBMARINE HOUSE OPENS IN DAYTON, 1973
–1973: 
The very first Submarine House was opened on Brown Street near the University of Dayton by Doug Kidd.   It was the first in the area to introduce the east coast style Cheese steak Sub.   Many UD students and Dayton natives had their first Philly Cheesesteak here.   One customer from Dayton, Gary Danner would eat there often.   He loved the subs so much, that in 1978 he became the first franchisee.  His store is still located today at 7850 N. Main Street.

–1984:
Gary bought the entire franchise from Doug.   By this time they were cranking out hundreds of subs.  The Submarine House continued to grow and expand around the suburbs.   Gary’s sons, Jason, Brody, and Seth worked for Submarine House as kids, and after college 2 of them went to work full-time for the company.

–1997:
Jason Danner opened his first Submarine House

—1999:
Brody Danner opened his first Submarine House.

—2006, The first sports bar concept, Submarine House Bar and Grill opens in Vandalia.   Jason and Brody have since opened numerous Bar and Grill Submarine House franchises. But you can still find their dad Gary, and wife Susan, at the Submarine House on North Main Street.

Submarine House in Centerville

—2018, The Super Duper Cheesesteak Challeenges have raised nearly 100k for charities over the past few years

Now  its time for you to make your choice and comment below…
Do you prefer your Philly Cheese Steaks with CHEESE WHIZ or CHEESE ?

ONE WINNER CHOSEN AT RANDOM WILL WIN A SUPER DUPER CHEESESTEAK !

The Food Adventures Crew has a say ……..

Big Ragu says: Provolone Cheese !
Jackie says : Provolone Cheese
Jessie says: I rarely eat dairy, so no processed whiz, give me organic cheese !

We want to hear your vote and maybe you will be the one sharing free 16 inches of heaven with us at the SUBMARINE HOUSE !

LIKE FOOD ADVENTURES ON FACEBOOK BY CLICKING HERE

 

WITH WIZ

Gooey Provolone !

Heaven

Super Duper Cheesesteak at Submarine House

Look at that cheese pull !

WHIZ

NACHO CHEESE WAY

16 inches

Cheese Whiz Option

Sliced cheese inside

Provolone cheese option

Sliced Cheese Option – Super Duper Cheesesteak – 16 inches of Heaven

 

 

 

 

 

 

TIFF 2018 – Day #5

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Hello Everyone!

I only got to see three films today.  🙁

8 o’clock this morning was my on-line ticketing window to secure tickets for the second half of the festival.  I got up early (with very little sleep), showered and got ready for the day and logged on right at 8:00…and the system was down.  I stuck around for another 15-20 minutes, hoping it would be back up.  At about 8:30, I decided to pack everything and hustle to the physical box office (which means I missed my first screening of the day).  Luckily, I beat the crowds of people who were also experiencing technical difficulties and I secured all the other tickets I wanted for the next several days.

My first screening was instead at 10:45.  FREE SOLO, directed by E. Chai Vasarhelyi & Jimmy Chin, was another film that my PR friend highly recommended (I had more faith in this film than I did in CLIMAX as it comes from the directors of MERU – which was wonderful).  Here’s the brief description from TIFF: “The documentarian duo behind 2015’s acclaimed Meru return to high altitudes, this time as renowned rock climber Alex Honnold attempts to do what no climber has done before: ascend free solo — without safety ropes — up the 3,000-foot cliff of El Capitan in California’s Yosemite National Park.”  More than just an outdoor adventure documentary, this film is also a very interesting character study about a man who had to teach himself how to hug (because it’s something people do – but he never had).  I never knew or understood exactly how much planning would go into something like this, and it’s pretty spectacular.  The last 10 minutes become incredibly emotional – for Alex’s girlfriend, the entire camera crew and the viewer.

WILDLIFE, directed by Paul Dano, was my second film of the day.  “In Paul Dano’s evocative and emotional directorial debut, a teenage boy (Ed Oxenbould) in 1960s Montana experiences the breakdown of his parents’ marriage and his mother’s (Carey Mulligan) struggle to keep their lives afloat after his father (Jake Gyllenhaal) leaves.”  This low-key and quietly observed film is about a boy who is caught in the middle of his parents’ discontent.  It’s a slow burn that actually packs quite a punch.  The production design is lovely, the performances are strong, and the “small town America” vibe seems just right.  One issue I had with the film was the teenage boy.  Though playing 14, at times it seemed like he’s pushing 25…he just has a certain look that is hard to nail down an age.  At the end of the day, it’s a really well-made film, and I think Dano will have quite a career as a director (and IFC is going to push for an Oscar nomination for Mulligan).

After the screening, I came back to my apartment and tended to some NEON business before heading to IFC’s WILDLIFE party.  I met a few new folks (cinema operators and a critic) and enjoyed some deliciously crafted cocktails.  Mulligan and Dano were at the party and seemed quite at ease…they know they have a great film on their hands.

THE OLD MAN & THE GUN, directed by David Lowery, was my last film of the day.  With scenes shot partially in Dayton, I was all the more interested to see this film.  And boy was I happily surprised.  Here’s the TIFF synopsis:  “Academy Award winners Robert Redford and Sissy Spacek lead an all-star cast, including Danny Glover, Tom Waits, Elisabeth Moss, and Casey Affleck, in director David Lowery’s true-life dramedy about an unrepentant bank robber and jail-breaker determined to live life by his own rules.”  This is one of the best films I’ve seen so far at TIFF 2018.  It’s tender and funny and laced with (non-sappy) cinematic nostalgia.  I think it’s a gem, and I’m delighted that we are set to open it on Oct. 12.  (Our FilmDayton preview on Oct. 11 has already sold out!)  Take a look at this new trailer.  Dayton (though playing the part of St. Louis in the film) is featured quite a bit!

And now I need to finish up my NEON weekly newsletter. If all goes as planned, I’ll be back to five films tomorrow.

Thanks for checking in!

Jonathan

 

‘Banned from Baseball’ Review – Human Race Theatre Company – Measure of a Man

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Induction into the Baseball of Hall of Fame meant everything to Pete Rose in 1989, but Major League Baseball Commissioner Bart Giamatti felt otherwise, choosing to ban him from baseball due to conclusive proof he bet on the game. The events surrounding this historic decision provides the fodder for Patricia O’Hara’s aptly titled drama Banned from Baseball, a nostalgically engaging new play with great potential terrifically presented in its world premiere at the Loft Theatre courtesy of the Human Race Theatre Company.

Brian Dykstra, smartly cast, superbly embodies Rose’s folksy, relatable charm and cool, lackadaisical swagger. He portrays the famed Hit King and manager of the Cincinnati Reds as a larger-than-life yet hopelessly aloof showman unable to own up to his shortcomings. In addition to the notion Rose had a gambling addiction, a theme in need of expansion to give the play more depth, O’Hara suggests he didn’t understand or grasp the ethics involved as if merely playing baseball with heart trumped playing with integrity. “I respect the game too much to bet on it,” he says. But in essence he was fooling himself, which makes his fall from grace and delusions of Hall of Fame grandeur a sad, cautionary tale. The final scene, centered on Rose happily signing baseballs in some non-specific memorabilia purgatory, is a striking example of resilience or misery depending on your perspective.

Brian Dykstra as Pete Rose and Marc Moritz as Reuven Katz in the Human Race Theatre Company’s production of Banned from Baseball (Photo by Scott J. Kimmins)

“I don’t like to see a hero fall,” says Giamatti, the former Yale University President and Comparative Literature professor who died of a heart attack at age 51 on Martha’s Vineyard eight days after banning Rose. As he battles with the idea of banishment, Giamatti, played with pleasant understatement by Human Race newcomer Doug MacKechnie, has an odd tendency to only come across as a wholesome philosophical guru. “We betray ourselves when we betray those we serve” is among the sage soundbites O’Hara provides, but perhaps she chose this route because she shares a kinship with his past. After all, she is a professor of English Literature at Franklin & Marshall College in Lancaster, Pennsylvania who specifically teaches Baseball in American Literature and Culture. She even goes so far as to give the level-headed Giamatti a lengthy lecture, addressing the audience straightforwardly with musings on Shakespeare and Machiavelli. However, less would be more, especially when we only receive a glimpse into Giamatti from the vantage point of academia and athletics. It’s possible to become as engrossed in his story as Rose, but as it stands, there aren’t enough complex layers. Perhaps it would be more refreshing if O’Hara dug deeper into his health issues or the few intriguing nuggets of backstory she offers, specifically his intriguing relationship with President George H.W. Bush and contemplation of running for Congress. It’s nice to hear Giamatti speak of “rising to one’s better self to achieve one’s destiny,” but O’Hara would be wise to find another distinct aim for the character other than Moral Compass and a more distinct voice other than campaign speechwriter.

(left to right) Scott Hunt as Fay Vincent, Doug MacKechnie as Bart Giamatti, Marc Moritz as Reuven Katz, and Brian Dykstra as Pete Rose in the Human Race Theatre Company’s production of Banned from Baseball (Photo by Scott J. Kimmins)

Nevertheless, director Margarett Perry, in her 10th production for the Human Race, skillfully keeps every character (costumed in stylish vintage suits by Janet G. Powell) impactful, amiable and conflicted. She primarily ensures Dykstra and MacKechnie are compatible without seeming combative, a tricky balance considering the high stakes involved for their characters. She also gives the supporting players ample room to shine. Scott Hunt (nearly unrecognizable as hardnosed Deputy Commissioner Fay Vincent vowing to keep baseball pure), Marc Moritz (Rose’s sophisticated lawyer Reuven Katz desperately trying to make him see reason on multiple issues), and K.L. Storer (John Dowd, Special Counsel to the Commissioner) are an excellent trio, injecting their performances with nuance, persistence and clear devotion to their respective sides. Longtime Cincinnati Reds sportscaster Marty Brennaman notably provides enjoyable voiceovers throughout the play, which features an eye-catching Riverfront Stadium backdrop from set designer Tamara L. Honesty as well as proficient lighting by John Rensel and first-rate sound design and original music by Jay Brunner.

One of the play’s best scenes belongs to Dykstra. With poignancy, Rose recounts, with awestruck wonder, the night he broke Ty Cobb’s record and received a call from President Ronald Reagan in the joyous aftermath. It’s a loving look at “Charlie Hustle” in all his humble glory. But the root of O’Hara’s astute fairness rests with the sheer reality of Rose’s legacy. If baseball is indeed part of the national character, as she suggests, it’s only proper to examine what Rose did and why he did it. Who he was and what he could be. Sometimes you must simply separate the man from the mystique. Well, that’s life at the old ball game.

Brian Dykstra as Pete Rose in the Human Race Theatre Company’s production of Banned from Baselball (Photo by Scott J. Kimmins)

Banned from Baseball continues through Sept. 23 at the Loft Theatre, 126 N. Main St., Dayton. The play is performed in 100 minutes without intermission. Performances are 8 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings; 7 p.m. Sunday, Tuesday and Wednesday evenings; and 2 p.m. Sunday matinees. Tickets are $37-$55 adults; $34-$48 for seniors; and $19.50-$27 for students. Prices vary depending on the day of the week and seating location. Group discounts available for parties of 10 or more – contact Betty Gould at (937) 461-8295 or [email protected].

“While We’re on the Subject” post-show talkback will be held following the Sunday, Sept. 16 2 pm performance; Prior to the Tuesday, Sept. 18 7 pm performance is “Beer, Here!,” which will begin at 5:30 pm. Additional information and details for “Beer, Here!” and a special Offstage Experience can be found online at humanracetheatre.org.

 

UpDayton Announces New Executive Director

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UpDayton is proud to announce its new Executive Director, Lauren White, who replaces former Director, AJ Ferguson. Lauren is a Dayton, Ohio native and the co-founder of Indigo Life Media, an entertainment network and media agency, and a founding member of Nucleus Co-share, a nonprofit co-working space located in the Oregon District.

 

“I’m excited to be part of awakening more people to their impact in the community. I believe when we create together we form a lasting bond that can withstand any challenge that may face our community.” – Lauren White

 

Lauren’s passion for giving back and her tiresome work creating video and film to share local stories of hope and recovery make her the perfect fit for UpDayton. “I am very excited to have Lauren on board as our new Executive Director” says Board Chair, Michelle Ton. “ We have full confidence in her ability to help drive our vision for UpDayton and to continue its growth into the next 10 years!”

 

Lauren hopes to see UpDayton become the go-to resource for unleashing young professional talent and continuing to be a network of support and excitement where former project leaders re-engage to support those up and coming.

 

Get to know Lauren and her passion for Dayton.

 

Tell us a little about yourself. How long have you lived in Dayton?

I grew up in the Dayton region and came back shortly after college. I live and breathe community and connection. I am also an entrepreneur.

 

Are you involved with other nonprofits or local organizations in Dayton?

 

I choose to be laser-focused in my commitments so I am effectively contributing. The main organization I give of my time and support is FOA Families of Addicts with marketing and occasional event planning.

 

What is it about Dayton that inspires you?

 

The people always make a place what it is. In Dayton the smallest idea is greeted with tons of enthusiastic energy. That to me is special. Everyone in Dayton can make a difference.

 

Why did you decide to take on this position?

 

I had recently moved back to Dayton and was the classic cynic who wanted to just leave for a big city that had more going on. Then I was invited to the 2013 summit. This guy kindly greeted me to ask what I wanted to be up to. After I told him my desire to move away from Dayton he kindly said, “Well we’re all here to create the Dayton we want. What would you change?” It was a pretty profound moment where I awoke to my potential in helping make the city what I wanted instead of thinking that was outside my control.

 

What support do you want to see from the community? How would you like to see them get involved?

 

Show up. Share your ideas, visions, needs. Support others in their endeavors with excitement. Embrace any risk or potential failure. Turn your complaint into solutions. Dare to try.

What are some of your favorite UpDayton projects? Present or past?

 

Dayton Inspires is my favorite because of how simple and effective it is. It’s a project that has an evergreen lifespan where people continuously feel part of it through the murals or hashtag. Even celebrities who visit take their photo at the mural!

 

What do you feel is the biggest misperception of Dayton and how would UpDayton change that perception?

 

People think Dayton doesn’t have anything going for itself. I hear people defend Dayton by talking about our rich history. While our history is great, I want to see us live into the future of Dayton through UpDayton projects. Dayton is a city where everyone can make a difference.

 

For more information on UpDayton and how you can get involved, visit our website at https://updayton.org/ and follow us on social media.