Roger and Me and Ang Lee

I have huge news: On Saturday, April 26, 2008 at 11 a.m., I will be attending a screening at Ebertfest, Roger Ebert's annual film festival, which features movies that he believes have been overlooked. I ordered the tickets two weeks ago, and I've been toying with whether or not I should mention it on here before I went or if I should just wait until it was over to discuss the experience. Well, I can't wait. I'm about to burst excitement, so I have to share. Guess what film I'm going to see. Guess! Oh, never mind, I'll just tell you. I'm attending a screening of Ang Lee's The Hulk. But here's the extra awesome part - Ang Lee is going to be there! There's going to be a Q&A and everything! ANG LEE! Ahhhhh!!!

I saw The Hulk when it came out, and I enjoyed it. I don't get why people hate it so much. It's very stylish, and it looks so much better than the crap being released this summer. Anyway, in about a week, I will be sitting in a theater, watching The Hulk, in the same room as Roger Ebert and Ang Lee. It must be a dream. But it's not! I have the tickets! I was on the phone the minute tickets went on sale, too. I revere Roger Ebert. He's my critical hero and one of my biggest writing inspirations. I've sadly never seen him in person before despite living in Chicago my whole life. My first time will definitely be one to remember. I think it's amazing that he's still going through with the festival even though he had surgery so recently. He may not be able to speak, but that doesn't matter to me. I'll just be honored to be in his presence.

And Ang Lee is going to be there! I'll be breathing the same air as ANG LEE and watching one of his own movies WITH him. How epic is that? Oh my god. It's so thrilling! He only changed my life with Brokeback Mountain, and he inspired a cinematic epiphany with Lust, Caution. I knew I had to see Ang Lee because of Brokeback Mountain. That was my selling point. I watched Lust, Caution AFTER getting the tickets, so it wasn't a factor in my decision at all. Now, the fact that I've since seen Lust, Caution and adore it - well, that's the sweetest icing on the most delicious cake in the world.

I figured this post was an appropriate follow-up to my Lust, Caution review. I had to say something about Ebertfest after all that. I'll definitely get back to you with a full event report.

Roger Ebert and Ang Lee. Two geniuses, one place. And I've got a ticket. I'm a lucky, lucky girl.