Live in Chicago? Capone has seats for an early screening of MIDNIGHT SPECIAL, with writer-director Jeff Nichols Q&A!!!

Hey everyone. Capone in Chicago here.

Writer-director Jeff Nichols has slowly but surely built up as impressive a filmography as any young American filmmaker working today, beginning in 2007 with SHOTGUN STORIES, starring a up-and-coming actor named Michael Shannon, known best for his theater work and hadn’t truly been seen as more than a character actor in supporting roles Nichols cast him. A few years later, Nichols tapped Shannon again for the haunting TAKE SHELTER, a movie that clearly indicated that the filmmaker was interested in telling complex, layered stories that had roots in many genres (and even made up a few along the way). A year later came MUD, featuring one of Matthew McConaughey’s most impressive performances to date (but also featuring Shannon, by now Nichols’s designated good-luck charm).

Now Nichols returns to his genre-busting ways with MIDNIGHT SPECIAL, starring the likes of Adam Driver, Kirsten Dunst, Joel Edgerton, Jaeden Lieberher, Sam Shepard, and, you guessed it, Michael Shannon, in a story that I will in no way reveal the plot. In an embarrassment of riches, Nichols has already shot his next film, LOVING; I wonder if Michael Shannon will be in that as well (Hint: he is). And, big surprise, I have seats for an early Chicago screening of MIDNIGHT SPECIAL. As an added bonus, Jeff Nichols will be on hand for a post-screening Q&A. Here’s how to win…

I have a limited number of seats to an early Chicago screening of MIDNIGHT SPECIAL for Ain’t It Cool News readers on Wednesday, March 9 at 7:00pm at a theater in Chicago (the exact location will only be given to the winners). Here’s how to win…

To win, send me an email at MidnightChicago@aintitcoolmail.com (please note the new email address) with the subject line “He’s Not Like Us” (exactly like that). In the body of the email, I need your full Name, if you are bringing a 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 Michael Shannon role/film, and why?” I need a film title and a detailed reason for your choice. 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 weekend.

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 for our guest. 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 the Warner Bros. for giving us this very cool screening and bringing this awesome guest to Chicago.

-- Steve Prokopy
"Capone"
capone@aintitcool.com
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