Capone has the rundown for this year's Chicago horror event Flashback Weekend, including tickets to an early screening of YOU'RE NEXT!!!

Hey everyone. Capone in Chicago here.

I'm exceptionally proud of the 11 years I've been a part of Chicago largest and longest-running horror convention, Flashback Weekend, which is happening again this coming weekend, August 9-11 at the Crowne Plaza Chicago O'Hare in Rosemont, with several screening events happening at the nearby Muvico Theaters Rosemont 18. The full schedule of guests, Q&A, film screenings and other special events can be found at Flashback Weekend's web site, but I wanted to single out a few key events, including a chance for Ain't It Cool News readers to see an advance screening of the major horror release, director Adam Wingard's YOU'RE NEXT.

The early screening of YOU'RE NEXT is happening at midnight Saturday night, August 10, at the Muvico Theaters Rosemont 18, and it's free for all Flashback Weekend attendees (subject to theater capacity), but Ain't It Cool readers will have 20 reserved seats set aside just for you until 11:30pm, at which time they will be given away to anyone still left in line. I'm going to make this real easy for readers, but the same rules apply: if you win, and you don't show up, an animal-masked home invader will teach you a lesson. Here's how to win a pair of tickets for each winner (or just one, if that's all you want):

Send me an email at YoureNextChicago@aintitcoolmail.com (please note the new email address) with the subject line "Perfect Day" (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: "How would you best defend yourself against a home invasion?" Be creative, but 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 VERY SOON if you won, so check your email! Thanks to the Lionsgate, Flashback Weekend, and the Muvico Theaters for giving us this very cool screening.

So who exactly will be at this year's Flashback Weekend and what other films will be showing? The list is impressive:

-- George A. Romero, the legendary director, making what he is touting as one of his last convention appearances. On Friday, August 9, at 9:00pm, Romero will introduce a 35mm screening of the original NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD, celebrating its 45th anniversary this year. There's a separate admission for this screening, so buy your tickets now.

-- At 11:00pm that same night Charles Band will introduce the world premiere of TRANCERS 1.5: CITY OF ANGELS, the long-lost 1988 "Pulsepounder" anthology sequel to TRANCERS, starring Tim Thomerson and Helen Hunt. This one is free for Flashback Weekend attendees.

-- Capping that night at midnight, also free for attendees, will be what I believe is the Chicago-area theatrical premiere of HATCHET III, introduced by star Kane Hodder. The film is directed by BJ McDonnell and written by series creator Adam Green.

-- On Saturday, August 10, prior to the midnight YOU'RE NEXT preview, will be a 35mm screening of PET SEMATARY (which celebrates its 25th anniversary next year), introduced by director Mary Lambert, and cast members Dale Midkiff, Denise Crosby, Miko Hughes, and Brad Greenquist. A separate admission is required for this film as well.

-- Other guests at this year's Flashback Weekend Chicago Horror Convention, include Danny Glover (LETHAL WEAPON, SAW, PREDATOR 2); a DAWN OF THE DEAD cast reunion with David Emge, Ken Foree, Scott H. Reiniger, and Gaylen Ross; THE LORDS OF SALEM cast members Meg Foster (THEY LIVE), Patricia Quinn (THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW), Judy Geeson (FEAR IN THE NIGHT), and Bruce Davison (WILLARD, X-MEN); Tom Atkins (THE FOG, HALLOWEEN, MY BLOODY VALENTINE 3D); Nancy Loomis (HALLOWEEN, THE FOG); William Forsythe (THE DEVIL'S REJECTS); Betsy Russell (SAW 3-7, CHEERLEADER CAMP); Lisa Marie (ED WOOD, MARS ATTACKS); Kim Darby (DON'T BE AFRAID OF THE DARK, TRUE GRIT); Eileen Dietz (THE EXORCIST); and Kevin J. O'Connor (THE MUMMY, THERE WILL BE BLOOD).

All of these folks will be available for autographs, photos, and most are doing Q&As on Saturday and/or Sunday. Again, the full schedule of events is on the Flashback Weekend site, where there are details on costume contests, a pin-up pageant, and additional screenings of films like ADJUST YOUR TRACKING, REEL ZOMBIES, THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW (with Patricia Quinn hosting), a remastered print of the 1966 Hammer classic DRACULA PRINCE OF DARKNESS, the serial killer doc CARL PANZRAM, and the great DOCUMENT OF THE DEAD doc, about the making of DAWN OF THE DEAD.

It's so much greatness, that it's literally more than I can wrap my head around. Hope to see everyone there!

-- Steve Prokopy
"Capone"
capone@aintitcool.com
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