Allow me to introduce you to a wicked little bit of family fun called THE BOXTROLLS, a magnificent stop-motion animated work from co-directors Graham Annable (who worked on PARANORMAN and CORALINE) and Anthony Stacchi (co-director on OPEN SEASON and also worked on JAMES AND THE GIANT PEACH). The largely British cast of comprised of Simon Pegg, Nick Frost, Toni Collette (Australian), Ben Kingsley, Richard Ayoade, Jared Harris and a few non-Brits like Elle Fanning and Tracy Morgan does exceptional work in this tale of an underground civilization of trolls who count among their ranks an orphan boy and are hunted by cruel exterminators living on the surface.
Based on the children's novel “Here Be Monsters” by Alan Snow, THE BOXTROLLS is a dark fairy tale that is beautifully realized and expertly animated, while featuring a story about being afraid of something just because you don’t understand it. That seems rather timely, doesn’t it? And I just happen to have seats for an advance Chicago screening THE BOXTROLLS, featuring a special post-screening Q&A with co-directors Graham Annable and Anthony Stacchi.
This early screening is happening here in Chicago on Wedesday, August 20 at a theater in downtown Chicago (the exact location will only be given to winners), and I have reserved seats for a fortunate Ain’t It Cool News readers to attend. Here’s how to win…
To win a pair of tickets (or just one, if that's all you want), send me an email at BoxtrollsChicago@aintitcoolmail.com (please note the new email address) with the subject line “Dare to be Square” (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--if I think you gave your +1 to someone trolling for free tickets at the theater, you won't get in), and the answer to the following question: “What is your favorite dark children’s story/fairy tale, and why?” So I’m looking for the name of a book, short story, movie, etc., and a well-thought-out reason why you chose it. Keep your responses BRIEF--no more than 100 words (no matter how tempted you are to go over the limit). Best answers (as determined by me) win, and you'll hear from me VERY SOON if you won, so check your email frequently!
This is not an exclusive Ain't It Cool News event, but winners' tickets will be held until 15 minutes before showtime (meaning 6:45pm), at which time any unclaimed tickets will be given away; no exceptions. 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 Focus Features for giving us this screening and for bringing in these very cool guests.
