In 2009, I discovered a really great filmmaker. I was on the Fantastic Fest jury that selected Ben Wheatley’s first feature, DOWN TERRACE, as the best debut film of the film’s in competition (basically the festival’s top prize), and there wasn’t even much debate. The film was clearly a confident, beautifully written (by Wheatley and Robin Hill), and twisted bit of drama, who went on to must such works as KILL LIST, SIGHTSEERS, A FIELD IN ENGLAND, and HIGH-RISE, as well as a segment in THE ABCs OF DEATH horror anthology and a couple choice episodes of “Doctor Who.”
His latest work, FREE FIRE, is a high-energy, all-out-nasty piece of gun porn set in late-’70s Boston and featuring the likes of Armie Hammer, Brie Larson, Sharlto Copley, Cillian Murphy, Noah Taylor, Sam Riley, Jack Reynor, Wheatley favorite Michael Smiley, and so many more. It’s about two gangs meeting in seemingly abandoned warehouse to do a deal, and it all falls apart quickly and violently. And should be all you need to know to excited about this self-contained, wonderfully bloody mess.
And it just so happens that I have seats to an special early screening of FREE FIRE for Ain’t It Cool News readers in the Chicago area. The screening will take place Monday, April 17, 2017, at 7:00pm at a theater in Chicago (the exact location will only be given to the winners). And as an added bonus, the great writer-director Ben Wheatley will be on hand for a post-screening Q&A. Here’s how to win seats…
To win, send me an email at caponeaicn@gmail.com (please note the new email address) with the subject line “All Guns. No Control” (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 with a classic gun fight, and why?” So I need a film title and a well-reasoned explanation for your decision. 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 win, so keep checking 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 A24 for giving us this screening opportunity with this very cool guest.
