Graphic Content, The Metro Cinema at the Garneau Theatre and Comics! The Blog present:

You guys, the official announcement is finally here! We’re proud and excited to let you all know that on Tuesday, February 14th, 2012, aka Valentine’s Day, we are co-presenting a special screening of Scott Pilgrim vs. the World at the Metro Cinema at the Garneau Theatre!

The screening is part of an incredible series called Graphic Content that the Metro Cinema puts on with Warp One Comics and Games to encourage cross-media literacy to promote and explore the relationship between film and sequential art. Each month, they present a movie adapted from, inspired by or otherwise related to comics and curate a list of thematically-relevant comic books. They won our hearts early by presenting Batman 1966 (the greatest Batman movie) in 35mm on the big screen and have continued their mission with Superman: The Motion Picture, V for Vendetta, Akira and The Rocketeer! When they approached us about co-presenting Scott Pilgrim vs. the World this month, we jumped at the chance because it’s one of our favourite movies and sharing our love with the public seemed like something that was right up our alley.

THE MOVIE:

Based on the incredible series of graphic novels by Bryan Lee O’Malley, Scott Pilgrim vs. the World is about a Canadian slacker named Scott Pilgrim (Michael Cera) who meets the girl of his dreams, Ramona Flowers (Mary Elizabeth Winstead). Unfortunately, in order to date Ramona, Scott will have to defeat her Seven Evil Ex-Boyfriends! And maybe grow a little as a person. The rest is 112 minutes of action, adventure and romance! Can Scott earn his shot at dating Ramona? Show up and find out! Adapted and directed by Edgar Wright (Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz) and also starring Kieran Culkin, Chris Evans, Anna Kendrick, Alison Pill, Brandon Routh and Jason Schwartzman, Scott Pilgrim vs. the World is a fast-paced and poignant story that blends comics, music and video games in a film The Hollywood Reporter didn’t enjoy, saying, “Nothing makes any real sense,” but which you will love like mad because you’re young and you’re awesome. 1990s forever!

THE DETAILS:

As seen on the gorgeous poster by Andrea Brown above, the movie screening is on Valentine’s Day at the Metro Cinema at the Garneau Theatre. The movie starts at 9:30pm, a time specifically chosen so that couples can maximize the romantic intake of vittles earlier in the evening and then canoodle in a dark theatre while watching a movie that’s all about romance (and maybe punching). Tickets are $10 for adults and $8 for students/seniors, and Metro Passes will be accepted!

But wait, there’s more!

Anybody can just put a movie on a screen. But an event? That requires more, and we and our partners are dedicated to giving that to you. Before the movie, starting at 9:00pm, there will be some time for schmoozing, featuring fun atmosphere, a table with all the selections from the reading list we’re co-curating available for purchase and drinks provided by the inestimable Alley Kat Brewing Company at $4 a bottle. We can’t speak highly enough of the fine people at Alley Kat - we love their product and we love the people who make it. They’re local business at its finest and we’re excited to say you can have your drink - in a fancy red party cup, just like in the movie! - inside the theatre itself!

Before the movie starts, we and our co-presenters will introduce the movie and talk about what it and the comic mean to us on-stage, which means not only will you get to see Brandon and James being nervous in front of a large crowd, but you’ll get to see them be nervous while funded by taxpayer dollars! It’s the democratic socialist dream!

THE PRIZES:

That’s right, we’re giving stuff away, and you can get in on it right now! First up is a lovely Scott Pilgrim poster that’s a loving homage to the classic and beloved Pocket Fighter video game, designed and signed by Bryan Lee O’Malley himself!

To enter to win the poster, all you have to do is invent a new Evil Ex for Scott or Ramona, complete with their superpower, and tweet it with the hashtag #yegpilgrim. Entries will be welcome until the day before the screening (Monday, February 13th), when we’ll contact a winner and give them free passes to the screening!

We’ll have a surprise prize at the event itself, so if you don’t win the poster, you still have a shot at going home with something absolutely excellent!

THE BONUS LEVELS:

Starting on Monday, February 6th, we will be unveiling the reading list for the screening here and on the Graphic Content website. Every day, we will publish one book from the reading list, with an explanation of why it was chosen by one of us, Erin Fraser (the Metro Cinema’s Front of House Manager and Graphic Content co-curator) or Matt Bowes (Warp One’s Comics Manager, Graphic Content co-curator and James’ old university classmate, we discovered!). On February 13th and 14th, we’ll have some extra special Graphic Content-themed articles. Remember to check both here and on the Graphic Content website!

THE FINE PRINT:

Metro Cinema Society

Metro Cinema is a community-based non-profit cinema in Edmonton, Alberta, devoted to the exhibition and promotion of Canadian, international and independent film and video. To this end, they exhibit an eclectic blend of film, video and media arts, that are not screened anywhere else in the city. Their focus is on presenting a broad selection of educational, cultural and innovative works. They screen films 7 days a week in the historic Garneau Theatre on 109th street.

Twitter: @themetrocinema

Facebook: facebook.com/metro.cinema

Warp One Comics and Games

Warp One Comics and Games has been providing Edmonton with its geek fix for the past 25 years. A one hundred percent home-grown business, Warp prides itself not only on having a large selection of comics and merchandise, but also on their knowledge of the comics field. The store is a landmark in the popular Old Strathcona area and a mainstay in the local comics community. They are located on Whyte Avenue and 99th street and operate two other satellite stores in the north and south ends of town.

Facebook: facebook.com/warp.one.comics

See you there, chochachos!