What it boils down to is that I trust director Adam Wingard and writer Simon Barrett, and I have been since I saw their early collaboration A HORRIBLE WAY TO DIE. Since then they’ve worked on YOU’RE NEXT and THE GUEST as a team, and from what I hear they’re gearing up to do a remake of the South Korean revenge thriller I SAW THE DEVIL. But what had the world and the internet doing back flips back in July was when it was revealed at San Diego Comic-Con that their upcoming film THE WOODS (which had a trailer, poster, all that) was actually a follow-up to the legendary 1999 found-footage hit THE BLAIR WITCH PROJECT, simply titled BLAIR WITCH.
Wingard and Barrett are the greatest kind of film geeks. They not only watch movies all the time, but they analyze and dissect what makes them work and apply that knowledge toward making something new, sometimes by combining genres or just capturing the feel of a period in film that they particularly love. I, for one, cannot wait to see BLAIR WITCH with an audience, ready to be scared to death. If I’m not mistaken, the set up for the new film is that the brother of “Heather” from the original film gets a copy of what happened to her in the woods and sets out to find her with a group of friends…and some cameras, of course.
And I just happen to have a whole bunch of seats for an advance Chicago screening for Ain’t It Cool News readers of BLAIR WITCH, on Wednesday, September 14 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 BWChicago@aintitcoolmail.com (please note the new email address) with the subject line “Into the Woods” (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 found-footage film, and why?” I need the film title and a detailed reason for your choice. 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 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. 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 Lionsgate for giving us this very cool screening.
