Hey everyone. Capone in Chicago here. Are you Chicago folks ready to have your collective asses blown out of your seats this summer? I’ve gone through the complete 2009 list of potential summer blockbusters, smaller films that I’d hate to see slip through the cracks, and other fun stuff that I’d just really love to show those of you in and around the Windy City. I’ve identified 15 pretty strong candidates for screenings this summer--not all of them are going to pan out and we may get a few things dropped on us that aren’t on my radar yet--but we had such good luck last summer and throughout the last year with AICN screenings (including a few great guests), that I figured it was time to kick things into overdrive and do my best to bring you the best films of the summer.

Almost exactly one year ago, Paramount was kind and brave enough to do something few other studios would at that point--they gave Chicago AICN readers an entire theater to ourselves to watch what turned out to be one of the biggest films of 2008, IRON MAN. This year, Paramount is leading the charge again and letting me invite 250 or so of my closest friends to see one of the most-anticipated films of the summer and the year. I’m talking STAR TREK, as directed by J.J. Abrams. Now, I can’t promise you that Leonard Nimoy will show up unannounced like he did in Austin (in fact, I can pretty much guarantee you he won’t), but you’ll be the first public audience to see this film in Chicago, and that’s pretty damn special.

The Chicago STAR TREK screening will take place Thursday, April 30 at 7:30 pm at a theater downtown. Only contest winners will get the location details. There are some slight changes in the rules for this ticket giveaway regarding bringing a guest, so READ THIS CAREFULLY. If you screw up your entry, I’ll throw it away without reading it.

Like I said, we've got about 250 seats to fill, so here's how to secure a pass good for You and One Guest. If you stray from these instructions even a little bit, you're out of the running! Send me an email at capone@aintitcoolmail.com with the subject line "BEAM ME UP, CAPONE!" In the body of the email, I need YOUR FULL NAME and the FULL NAME OF YOUR GUEST. Normally, I don’t ask for guests’ names, but for this screening, security will be extra tight. I’m trying to avoid freeloaders sneaking in by finding someone in line whose guest didn’t show. If you don’t include your guest’s name, your entry goes in the garbage; if you aren’t bringing a guest, it would be good to say so in your entry. Both you and your guest have to have IDs and check in separately. If you win, and your guest’s name changes, let me know ASAP so I can change the guest list. YOU WILL NOT GET IN UNLESS YOUR NAME IS ON THE LIST. PERIOD. END OF STORY.

So what question must you answer to get into the STAR TREK screening? Why, it’s the same question I made you answer to get into the IRON MAN screening: “Why do you deserve to see STAR TREK before anybody else in Chicago?” Now I hate to make people beg--I truly do--but that’s kind of what you have to do. Bribes will not be accepted, but flattery might work, you never know. I want an audience filled with respectful STAR TREK geeks, and your only job is to convince me that you belong in that audience. I’m cutting off the contest at noon CST on Sunday, which gives you a little less than 48 hours to get me your entries.

Winners will receive an email from me Sunday night and have your names will be posted on the site, so send in your entries soon. Winners and guests must bring a photo ID to the screening to get in--no exceptions. Good luck, everyone! I can’t wait to see this with you.

-- Capone
capone@aintitcoolmail.com