I first discovered DADDY LONGLEGS, the feature debut of co-directors and brothers Ben Safdie and Joshua Safdie, from a 2010 review by Roger Ebert. There is something so naturalistic—sometimes disturbingly so—about their works that it borders on feeling like a documentary, a peek into the lives of characters seldom seen on the big screen. They ramped up the authenticity and the tension in the 2014 heroin-addict’s tale HEAVEN KNOWS WHAT, which was a festival prize winner and was even nominated for a couple Film Independent Spirit Awards. With just a handful of features and shorts, the Safdie’s have made a name for themselves as some of the boldest, most daring filmmakers working today.
With their latest work, GOOD TIME, starring Robert Pattinson in a career-best performance, along with Jennifer Jason Leigh, Taliah Webster, Souleymane Sy Savane, Barkhad Abdi, and Ben Safdie as Pattinson’s brother, the brothers have molded their stark and genuine storytelling into a man on the run from the law after the brothers’ botched bank robbery attempt. GOOD TIME takes Pattinson’s Connie Nikas through the underbelly of city that has no use for him, and the results are tense, edgy and, above all else, entertaining.
And I just happen to have seats to an early screening of GOOD TIME for Ain’t It Cool News readers in the Chicago area, which will include a special Q&A with co-directors Ben Safdie and Joshua Safdie . The screening takes place Sunday, August 13, 2017, 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 caponeaicn@gmail.com (please note the new email address) with the subject line “Good Time” (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 that's it. No essay question this time; I want as many of you to see this as possible so I'm making it easy to get in. Winners will be selected at random, and you'll hear from me very soon if you win, so keep checking 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 6:30pm). The venue is deliberately overbooked to guarantee a full house. If you can't arrive by 6:30pm, 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 very cool screening opportunity and bringing in these fantastic guests.
