I guess I can say this now, since nearly a year has passed, but I actually saw a work-in-progress print of Guillermo del Toro’s CRIMSON PEAK last October during a test screening of the film that Del Toro attended. We spend a couple hours the following morning discussing every scene, every plot point and character; it was something of a master class in how a great filmmaker gauges audience reaction and either incorporates their notes into the final product or doesn’t. But whatever changes Del Toro may or may not have made to CRIMSON PEAK in the last year, there’s no taking away from just how purely exquisite, beautiful, eerie, atmospheric, and occasionally terrifying the film is.
Anchored by supreme performances from Mia Wasikowska, Jessica Chastain, and Tom Hiddleston, CRIMSON PEAK is not simply a ghost story. It’s an emotionally driven Gothic love story, which also heaps on the supernatural as as part of its tale. It’s the complete package, and it’s a very different approach to ghosts than Del Toro has attempted in the past. This is his JANE EYRE (which also starred Wasikowska in its most recent screen version); it’s his REBECCA. Naturally, he finds plenty of ways of twisting his story that don’t involve ghosts as well. You need to see this for the costumes and set designs alone, but there’s plenty to freak you out as well. And if you live in the Chicago area, I have a chance for you to see CRIMSON PEAK before it’s released in theaters. Here’s how…
The early Chicago screening of CRIMSON PEAK will take place Tuesday, October 13 at 7:00 pm at a theater in Chicago (the exact location will only be given to the winners). To win a pair of tickets (or just one, if that's all you want), send me an email at CrimsonChicago@aintitcoolmail.com (please note the new email address) with the subject line “Spook House” (exactly like that). In the body of the email, I need your full Name, whether or not you're bringing a Guest (each winner may bring ONE confirmed guest--if I think you gave your +1 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 ghost story film, and why?" I need a film title and a detailed reason for your choice. I'm giving you guys a lot of leeway with this, but keep your responses BRIEF--no more than 100 words (no matter how tempted you are to go over the limit). Best answers win, and you'll hear from me VERY SOON if you won, so check your email!
Because this is not an exclusive Ain't It Cool News event, it is overbooked to guarantee a full house. Winners' seats will be held until 15 minutes before showtime (meaning 6:45pm), at which time any empty seats in our rows will be given away. So you should arrive early to make sure you get in and get a good seat. If you can't arrive early, don't enter this contest. If there's even the slightest chance you or your guest 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 Universal Picture and Legendary Pictures for giving us this very cool screening.
