When Phantasm II was released in theaters back in 1988, I was in high school in Joplin Missouri. The theater that would be showing it was massively promoting it the entire week before it opened. They promised a big surprise for everyone there on opening night. My friends and I were already excited to see it, so this got us even more amped up for it.
The theater showing it was on the mall, but it only had two screens. There was no stadium seating, and it was very cramped. This theater usually only got the worst movies, only occasionally did it get something good.
They were hoping that this would be a big draw, it was summer and it was the only horror movie coming out that month. We arrived for the first showing that night and were shocked at the turnout. Other than me and my friends there was only a handful of people in the theater. The theater was obviously expecting a bigger turnout.
Suspended above the seats was a huge net full of balloons. They were all silver balloons, blown up to about the size of "The Ball". The theater manager came out and explained that hidden inside one of the balloons was a ticket. Whoever got the balloon with the ticket would get a t-shirt, poster, and a press kit from the movie.
The theater manager, complete with looked like a "Mr. Microphone" then said "Ladies, release the balloons". Two young ladies pulled on different corners of the net and down they came. Chaos ensued as everyone scrambled to sort through the balloons. This went on for longer than expected, seeing as the theater was less than a 1/3 full.
Sadly, I didn't find a special balloon. I have however, never forgotten that night at the theater..
I always thought it was weird in the first "Phantasm" that that guy has sex with the girl on the gravesite and later we find out it was actually the Tall Man. WTF. I have yet to see "Phantasm II", but it's on my list!
ReplyDeleteThe crazy weapon building scene alone is worth watching the movie for.
DeleteI have actually never seen Phantasm II! I don't know why those little hooded guys scuttling around the tombstones in the first one freaked me out so bad, but they REALLY did. D:
ReplyDeleteI love the second one, much more than the first or any of the others. They did a good job of setting it up so you didn't have to see the first one.
DeleteAlso -- in the first one, when the guy and girl are making out/screwing at the beginning, and then the girl (if I remember correctly) turns into the Tall Man... was he the girl the whole time?? Cause that's kinda kinky.
ReplyDeleteWell, you know the Tall Man has been around those dwarves for a long time.
DeleteI love experiences like that -- sounds really awesome!
ReplyDeleteThat sounds like an awesome experience -- I love stuff like that! (sorry if this comment is doubled - it wouldn't log me in)
ReplyDeleteNo problem, the more the merrier! It was pretty cool, sadly the poor turnout ensured they didn't do another balloon promotion.
DeleteTo the anonymous pirate, support the movies you love and actually buy them. I know finding the money can be hard for some people, but it's better for everyone if you buy them legitimately.
ReplyDeleteI had a similar experience seeing "Phantasm II".
ReplyDeleteColumbus: Are you one of those guys who has to constantly 'one-up' everyone else?
DeleteTallahassee: Hell, no! I knew a guy once who was a lot worse at that than me.
I downloaded this and love it long time.... only suckas pay...
ReplyDeleteNo, people who pay are not "suckas"
DeleteThey are people who:
1. Can afford it
2. Know that stealing is wrong
3. Respect the artists involved enough not to steal from them
People who download illegally come up with a million arguments as to why they are justified. Honestly though, it all comes down to they fact they can't afford it legitimately. This makes them angry and so they feel entitled to steal it.
Work to better your situation and then you won't have to download illegally.
it has nothing to do with affording anything- it's about not wasting money on every damn thing that comes down the pike. Most of the movies rented are shit. Netflix makes things easier for that... but Netflix doesn't have all the new releases. So I have to download and see. Plus, I'm not buying anything without knowing how it is.
ReplyDeletePeople survived without illegal downloads before the internet. If it's not on Netflix go to your local video store and rent it. You can also rent from Vudu, Amazon, VOD from your cable provider there are many outlets. Again, NO reason to download illegally.
DeleteI'm putting a stake through the illegal download debate. It's grown tiresome and no more comments will be published on it.
ReplyDelete