The first film I saw at this year's Fantastic Fest was a little black-and-white, stop-motion piece of brilliance by a fledgling artist-turned-filmmaker named Tim Burton. The fact that this film even exists is something of a miracle since it's not specifically designed for kids, but I think if you raised your children right, the will be as inspired by FRANKENWEENIE as any Pixar film they've ever seen. Much like the recent PARANORMAN, this movie is about getting kids interested in horror movie, but FRANKENWEENIE wants them to start from the source. You see, Burton's return to form pays tribute to the Universal monsters of the '30s and '40s, with a little Godzilla and Hammer films thrown in for fun. Oh, yes, you need to see this and you need to drag your kids with you.
I have about 50 reserved seats for a screening of FRANKENWEENIE taking place on Monday, October 1 at 7:00pm at a theater in downtown Chicago (the exact location will only be given to the winners). Here's how to win…
Send me an email at FrankenweenieChicago@aintitcoolmail.com (please note the new email address) with the subject line "Bark at the Moon!" (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 TWO questions: 1) "What's your favorite movie pet, and why?" 2) "What is your favorite old-timey horror film monster, and why?" I need a pet/monster name, film title, and a reason for both of your choices. Keep your responses BRIEF--no more than 50 words per question (no matter how tempted you are to go over the limit). Best answers win, and you'll hear from me soon 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 Walt Disney Pictures for giving us this great screening!
