I have a soft spot for submarine-in-trouble movies. I mean, let’s face it: most submarine-based films are, at some point, submarine-in-trouble movies. There’s something about the claustrophobic setting, the sheer fragility of the vessel, or all of those sweaty, manly men packed tightly in a metal tube that just gets me going. The latest entry in the submarine genre is BLACK SEA, from director Kevin Macdonald (TOUCHING THE VOID, THE LAST KING OF SCOTLAND, STATE OF PLAY, THE EAGLE, HOW I LIVE NOW) and starring Jude Law as a recently fired marine salvage expert who is given the chance to locate and salvage a lost Nazi sub loaded with Russian gold that sank during World War II. His raggedly crew of Scottish and Russian men is about as greedy and untrustworthy as you could assemble, and it makes the journey that much more dangerous. It’s a tense, terrifying experience, and I think a few Chicago-area Ain’t It Cool News readers should join me in watching it.
As an added bonus, we’ll have director Kevin Macdonald on hand for a post-screening Q&A. I’ve got a pirate’s booty of seats for an early Chicago screening of BLACK SEA for Ain’t It Cool News readers and one guest on Tuesday, January 13 at 7:00pm at a theater in downtown Chicago (the exact location will only be given to the winners). Here’s how to win…
To win, send me an email at BlackSeaChicago@aintitcoolmail.com (please note the new email address) with the subject line “Down Periscope!” (exactly like that). In the body of the email, I need your full Name, if you are bringing a guest (each winner may bring ONE, confirmed guest--if I think you gave your extra ticket 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 submarine-set film, and why?” I need a film title and a detailed 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 (as judged by me) win, and you'll hear from me very soon if you won, so check your email over the weekend.
Although this is not an exclusive Ain't It Cool News event, winners’ seats will be reserved until 15 minutes before showtime (meaning 6:45pm). The venue is deliberately overbooked to guarantee a full house for our guest. If you can't arrive by 6:45pm, don't enter this contest. If you show up at the last minute, there is no guarantee that your seats will be good or together. If there's even the slightest chance you or your guests 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 very cool screening to Chicago and brining in our guest.
