Hey everyone. Capone in Chicago here, with the fourth of four early screenings in the two weeks prior to me jumping on that big old jet plane bound for Austin to cover the SXSW Film Festival. And I wanted to make this last screening for a while something special, and really what's more special than hideous creatures in 3-D? We've got the exclusive Ain't It Cool Chicago screening of MONSTERS VS. ALIENS in 3-D on the evening of Monday, March 9 at a theater in downtown Chicago (the time and location will only be given to winners). For those of you counting, this screening is almost three weeks before the film actually opens.

The clips that DreamWorks Animation showed the group at BNAT X in December were pretty spectacular, especially a big fight sequence set on what I assume was the Golden Gate Bridge. The 3-D in that sequence might be the best I've ever seen. And with vocal talents from the likes of Seth Rogen, Reese Witherspoon, Hugh Laurie, Kiefer Sutherland, Rainn Wilson, Will Arnett, Paul Rudd, and Stephen Colbert as the President, I'm truly excited to see this movie.

We've got 240 seats to fill, so here's how to secure a pass good for you and one guest. If you stray from these instructions even a little bit, you're out of the running. Send me an email at capone@aintitcoolmail.com with the subject line "TERROR LEVEL: CODE BROWN" (watch the trailer if you don't understand the reference). In the body of the email, I need your full name, whether or not your are bringing a guest (guests' names are not required), and, the answer to this question: "What Monster vs. Alien throwdown would you most like to see?" When I say "Monster," I'm thinking earthborn creature, and obviously "Alien" means something not of this earth. These aren't difficult concepts, folks. Provide whatever supporting evidence you'd like for your choice, but keep your answer to UNDER 75 WORDS. And it should go without saying that your pairing should be one that hasn't been covered in filmdom already--so no "Santa Claus vs. The Martians" answer, cuz let's face it: Santa would totally qualify as a monster.

MONSTERS VS. ALIENS is rated PG, so I'm really hoping some parents will bring their kids to this one.

Winners will receive an email from me and have your names will be posted on the site, so send in your entries soon. Winners must bring an ID to the screening to get in--no exceptions. I'm only leaving the contest open a day or two, because this thing is going to fill up fast. Good luck, everyone!

-- Capone
capone@aintitcoolmail.com