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Returning to Toronto International Film Fest – 4 Years Later!

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Hello Dayton937!

It’s been 4 years since I’ve made the trip to Toronto for TIFF (The Toronto International Film Festival), and my soul has truly missed it.  I know that this year will be very different.  Not only has COVID changed how festivals work, the ongoing writer & actor strikes will also likely change the energy at this year’s festival.  Regardless, I’m anxious to go and submerge myself in multiple screenings of international cinema for 9 days.

The illuminated sign on King Street West indicates the start of the festival!

I’m feeling a little out of practice, but I hope to update you every day with details about the films I’m seeing, the Q&A’s I’m observing and the glitterati I’m spotting.  I’m not sure how many parties will be happening this year, but I hope to pop in on a couple.

For industry folks, the fest works a little different.  I will have an opportunity to see 10 films with the general public.  These are the screenings where directors, producers and stars might walk the Red Carpet and be interviewed for television.  When people think “glamorous film festivals,” these are the screenings that come to mind.  That said, the majority of the films I screen will be in multiplex settings with other press and industry folks.  I might get sandwiched between an international sales agent on one side and someone writing for HOLLYWOOD REPORTER on the other.  It’s fun to rub elbows with a variety of people who make this industry tick.

Maya Hawke as Flannery O’Connor in WILDCAT

I already have a handful of tickets to screenings and events.  In addition to the premiere of NORTH STAR on Opening Night (the directorial debut of Kristin Scott Thomas – starring Scarlett Johansson), Taika Waititi’s latest NEXT GOAL WINS and the anticipated feature WILDCAT (directed by Ethan Hawke and produced by Dayton’s own Karri O’Reilly), I’m so delighted that I scored a ticket to IN CONVERSATION WITH PEDRO ALMODOVAR – a sit down interview (Charlie Rose-style – but in front of an audience)  with my favorite filmmaker of all time!

I’ll try to stay on top of updating this blog on a daily basis after my first day of movie watching.  (Screenings start on Sept. 7 – and I’ll have a full day!)  I’ll screen films through the 15th and head back to Dayton on the 16th.

Thanks for reading.

More soon,

Jonathan

THE NEON Opens THE PERKS OF BEING A WALLFLOWER

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Hello Everyone,

I’m sad to report that we had a rather abysmal weekend at THE NEON. THE SESSIONS (which is such a wonderful film) performed well below what we had hoped. A LATE QUARTET (which audiences are loving) absolutely tanked. Because we’ve got a big film opening on Nov. 30 (Joe Wright’s ANNA KARENINA), we needed to add something to the mix for just on week in order to help this weekend’s numbers. It’s a rarity for us to open a film that has already played in our market, but THE PERKS OF BEING A WALLFLOWER is a film that I really loved at The Toronto International Film Festival – and I hope that there are several people who still need to see it. If you saw and loved SESSIONS or LATE QUARTET, please help us spread the word that they won’t be at THE NEON much longer.

Synopsis for THE PERKS OF BEING A WALLFLOWER: “Based on the best-selling novel by Stephen Chbosky, The Perks of Being a Wallflower is a modern classic that captures the dizzying highs and crushing lows of growing up. Starring Logan Lerman, Emma Watson and Ezra Miller, The Perks of Being a Wallflower is a moving tale of love, loss, fear and hope-and the unforgettable friends that help us through life.” (Summit Entertainment) Click HERE to visit the official site.

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aog8680PVmU’]

The first three Saturdays at Noon in December will mark the return of the Family Holiday Film Series – sponsored by The Dayton Holiday Festival, DP&L, Channel 99.9 and THE NEON. Here is this year’s line-up:
DEC. 1 at Noon – PRANCER
DEC. 8 at Noon – IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE
DEC. 15 at Noon – ARTHUR CHRISTMAS
These films are free for children 12 & under and only $2 for everyone else.

We’ve added some great titles to our line-up, so be sure to check out our list below.
And next time you’re in our lobby, make sure to take your picture in our HITCHCOCK Screaming Booth. We’ll soon have a contest on facebook where you’ll be able to post your picture and vote on your favorite scream! (HITCHCOCK – about the making of PSYCHO – is slated to start on December 14…and it’s lots of fun.)

Thanks so much for your ongoing support!
We hope to see you soon,
Jonathan

SHOWTIMES for Fri. Nov. 23 – Thur, Nov. 29:

THE SESSIONS (R) 1 Hr 35 Min
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 12:45, 3:00, 5:15, 7:30, 9:40
Monday – Thursday: 3:00, 5:30, 8:00

A LATE QUARTET (R) 1 Hr 45 Min
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 2:40, 7:20
Monday – Thursday: 2:50, 7:50

THE PERKS OF BEING A WALLFLOWER (PG-13) 1 Hr 42 Min
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 12:20, 5:00, 9:40
Monday – Thursday: 5:30

COMING SOON:
As always, all dates are tentative. Many of these dates will change.
In some rare cases, titles may disappear.
Nov. 30 – ANNA KARENINA
Nov. 30 or Dec. 7 – CHASING ICE
Dec. 14 – HITCHCOCK
Dec. ? – SMASHED
Dec. ? – A ROYAL AFFAIR
Jan. 4 – HYDE PARK ON HUDSON
Jan ? – RUST AND BONE
Jan ? – ON THE ROAD
Feb ? – WEST OF MEMPHIS
Feb. ? – AMOUR
TBD – DIANA VREELAND: THE EYE HAS TO TRAVEL