One of the last films I saw at Fantastic Fest this year was the long-delayed remake of RED DAWN (delayed because of MGM's financial woes, and not because of any reworking of the faithfully redone and updated film). Along with CABIN IN THE WOODS, RED DAWN would have marked the splashy one-two, lead-role debut of Chris Hemsworth (these film would have been released pre-THOR), and even more so than CABIN, RED DAWN really shows us the potential Hemworth has for leading-man status. The guy radiates charisma in both film, but here, he's also a natural leader, a skill he passes on to his younger brother (played by Josh Peck, from THE WACKNESS and the recent thriller ATM) when an invading army from North Korea takes over the West Coast of the United States.
The remake makes impressive updates to the 1984 original, but is largely a faithful and action-packed reworking that also stars Josh Hutcherson, Adrianne Palicki, and Jeffrey Dean Morgan. And I've got some seats for a screening happening later this week. Here are the details…
I have 50 reserved seats to fill for the an advance Chicago screening of RED DAWN, featuring a post-screening Q&A with star Josh Peck, on Friday, November 2 at 7:00pm at a theater in downtown Chicago (the exact location will only be given to those who win tickets). Here's how you win tickets:
Send me an email at RedDawnChicago@aintitcoolmail.com (please note the new email address) with the subject line "WOLVERINES!!!". In the body of the email, I need your Name, whether or not you're bringing a Guest (winners may bring ONE GUEST; guests' names are not required), and the answer to the following question (read carefully): "What would be your fearful rally cry when fighting an army invading the United States, and Why?" Keep your responses BRIEF--limit it to 75 words for each answer (no matter how tempted you are to go over the limit). People with the most interesting, amusing and original answers win, and will hear from me very soon.
Although this is not an exclusive AICN event, I'm told our seats will be reserved until 15 minutes before showtime (meaning 6:45pm). So you should still arrive early to make sure you get in and get a good seat. If you can't arrive at least 15 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 runs the risk of being no longer eligible for future screening contests. The Black List will be your new home.
Good luck, everyone! And thanks to FilmDistrict for letting us have these seats and bringing Josh to Chicago.
