I'm going to go out on a limb and say that the almost across-the-board early reviews that have been released of X-MEN: FIRST CLASS didn't have any influence over whether you wanted to see the film or not. I've been an enormous admirer of director Matthew Vaughn's work since LAYER CAKE. And KICK-ASS was one of my favorite and most-watched films from last year. Hell, I even liked most of STARDUST. But it sounds like Vaughn has outdone himself with his look back at the earliest adventures of the X-Men. I'm especially impressed with the cast here. Many filmmakers who make action films don't seem to get that if you hire the best actors you can, they can add a depth and humanity to a film that could easily be nothing but special effects and action set pieces.
So here's the deal. I've got 50 seats (or 25 admit-two passes) for an early Chicago screening of X-MEN: FIRST CLASS on Thursday, June 2 at 9:00pm (please note the late start time) at a theater in downtown Chicago (the exact location will only be given to those who win). I'm just going to say it so there's no confusion: if you can't get in line at least an hour before showtime, don't even enter this contest. And you may even want to get in line earlier than that. Here's how you win tickets:
Send me an email at FirstClassChicago@aintitcoolmail.com (please note the new email address) with the subject line "FIRST CLASS". In the body of the email, I need your Name, whether or not you're bringing a Guest (guests' names are not required), and the answer to the following question (read carefully): "If you could be a mutant superhero, what would your superhero name and powers be?" I'm not looking for funny answers; I'm looking for answer that actually make me think, "Wow, that's a cool name/power." Keep your responses BRIEF--limit it to 75 words (no matter how tempted you are to go over the limit). People with the most interesting and original answers win, and will hear from me very soon. These tickets will go fast, so I'm only keeping it open 24 hours from the time/date of the posting.
Since this is not an exclusive AICN event, it will be slightly overbooked to make sure there is a full house. So you should arrive early to make sure you get in and get a good seat. If you can't arrive early, don't enter this contest. If there's even the slightest chance you or your guest will have to back out of attending if you do win, don't enter. If you have a job that might make you late or unable to attend, or an ill/pregnant relative, or a temperamental significant other, or a scratchy throat, do not enter.
Anyone not showing up without informing me 24 hours ahead of time so I can fill their seats runs the risk of being no longer eligible for future screening contests.
Good luck, everyone! And thanks to Twentieth Century Fox Film for letting us have these seats.
