At San Diego Comic-Con this year, one of the films I was fortunate enough to get a very early look at was director John (THE PROPOSITION; THE ROAD) Hillcoat's LAWLESS, starring Shia LaBeouf, Tom Hardy, Gary Oldman, Guy Pearce, Jason Clarke, Jessica Chastain, Mia Wasikowska, and newcomer Dane DeHaan (CHRONICLE).
LAWLESS tells the story of the Bondurant brothers, who ran an impressive and seemingly unstoppable bootlegging business in Virginia during the Depression; the film also tells the story of the lawmen (led by a terrifying Pearce) who made it their mission to shut down the brothers. It's an impressive and violent exercise, featuring great performances by all. The screenplay by musician Nick Cave is based on the novel "The Wettest County in the World" by Matt Bondurant, the grandson of one of the original bootlegging gang members, and not only do I have 100 seats to an advance screening of LAWLESS, but we'll be joined after the film by Matt for a Q&A. Here's how to win tickets…
The screening takes place on Tuesday, August 14 at 7:00pm at a theater in Chicago (the exact location will only be given to the winners). To win, send me an email at LawlessChicago@aintitcoolmail.com (please note the new email address) with the subject line "Bootleggers Unite!" (exactly like that). In the body of the email, I need your full Name, whether or not you're bringing a Guest (each winner may bring ONE confirmed guest), and the answer to the following question: "What's your favorite movie featuring Tommy guns being shot by men in hats, and why?" If you don't understand the question, you probably shouldn't see this movie. Look it up! I need a film title and a reason for your choice. Keep your responses BRIEF--no more than 75 words (no matter how tempted you are to go over the limit). Best answers win, and you'll hear from me over the weekend if you won.
Although this is not an exclusive Ain't It Cool News event, winners' seats will be held until 15 minutes before showtime (6:45pm), at which time any empty seats in our rows will be given away. 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 or arrive late 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. And the 24-hour-notice-to-cancel rule is done. If you win and don't show up, the Black List is your new best friend.
Good luck, everyone! And thanks to the Weinstein Company for giving us this very cool screening and bringing this guest to Chicago.
