There are a great number of reasons to get excited about the new film SOUTHPAW. First and foremost is that it’s the first film starring Jake Gyllenhaal since his eerie, mind-blowing work in last year’s NIGHTCRAWLER (SOUTHPAW also stars Rachel McAdams, Forest Whitaker, and 50 Cent); it’s also the latest from director Antoine Fuqua (TRAINING DAY, KING ARTHUR, BROOKLYN’S FINEST, OLYMPUS HAS FALLEN, and THE EQUALIZER; he’s also currently shooting the all-star remake of THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN); and most interestingly for many, SOUTHPAW marks the feature film screenwriting debut from writer Kurt Sutter, the creator of “Sons of Anarchy” and the upcoming “The Bastard Executioner”; Sutter was also one of the more prolific writers on “The Shield.”
If you can read all of that and still not be sure if you want to see this film, feel free to stay home and sleep in. The chance to see Gyllenhaal transform himself once again is the only reason you really need to start buzzing about this one. And the early word is that, during the boxing scenes, the blood and sweat are practically dripping off of the screen, in this tale of a boxer trying to pick up the pieces of his life after a personal tragedy knocks him down hard. And if you’re an Ain’t It Cool News reader, the only thing you have to do to see this film early if you live in the Chicago area is get up a little early this Sunday morning (and win this contest, of course). The screening of SOUTHPAW takes place on Sunday, July 19, at 12pm (that’s high noon) 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 SouthpawChicago@aintitcoolmail.com (please note the new email address) with the subject line “I Am Phenomenal!” (exactly like that). In the body of the email, I need your full Name, if you are bringing a guest (write “Guest” or “No 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 film about a boxer or the sport of boxing, and why?” Keep your responses BRIEF--no more than 100 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 next few days.
Although this is not an exclusive Ain't It Cool News event, winners’ seats will be reserved until 30 minutes before showtime (meaning 11:30am). The venue is deliberately overbooked to guarantee a full house. If you can't get up early enough to arrive by 11:30am, 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 Weinstein Company for giving us this very cool screening opportunity.
