HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: 50 ‘Pirate Radio’ Chicago Screening Passes With Philip Seymour Hoffman

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CHICAGO – In our latest comedy edition of HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: Film, we have 50 admit-two passes up for grabs to the advance Chicago screening of “Pirate Radio”! The film was formerly titled “The Boat That Rocked”.

“Pirate Radio” from writer and director Richard Curtis (“Love Actually,” “Four Weddings and a Funeral,” “Notting Hill”) stars Philip Seymour Hoffman, Bill Nighy, Rhys Ifans, Nick Frost, Kenneth Branagh, Tom Sturridge, Rhys Darby, Talulah Riley and January Jones. The film opens everywhere on Nov. 13, 2009.

To win your free pass to the advance Chicago screening of “Pirate Radio” courtesy of HollywoodChicago.com, all you need to do is answer our question below. That’s it! This screening will be held on Thursday, Nov. 12, 2009 at 7:30 p.m. in downtown Chicago. Directions to enter this Hookup and immediately win can be found beneath the graphic below.

“Pirate Radio” stars Philip Seymour Hoffman.
Image credit: Universal Pictures

Here is the “Pirate Radio” plot description:

Rock and roll will live forever, but can it float? The newest ensemble comedy from filmmaker Richard Curtis (screenwriter of “Four Weddings and a Funeral” and “Notting Hill” and writer and director of “Love Actually”) spins the irreverent yet fact-based tale of a seafaring band of rogue rock-and-roll deejays whose “pirate radio” captivated and inspired 1960s Britain.

Playing the music that rocked a nation and a decade, the group boldly and hilariously defies the government that tries to shut them down.

Broadcasting live 24/7 from an old tanker anchored in the middle of the North Sea (just beyond British jurisdiction), Radio Rock sends out a vibrant and unifying signal to millions of people across the nation who range in age from wide-eyed pre-teens secretly tuning in long past their bedtimes to everyday people in need of a musical pick me up.

The Radio Rock roster – overseen by unflappable station owner (and ship’s captain) Quentin (Bill Nighy) – includes a risk-prone American known only as The Count (Philip Seymour Hoffman); mystic deejay royalty Gavin (Rhys Ifans); slyly amorous Dave (Nick Frost); idiosyncratic New Zealander Angus (Rhys Darby); the rarely seen Bob (Ralph Brown); the aptly named Thick Kevin (Tom Brooke); lovelorn Simon (Chris O’Dowd); ladies’ magnet Mark (Tom Wisdom); shy Harold (Ike Hamilton); reporter News John (Will Adamsdale); and lesbian ship’s cook Felicity (Katherine Parkinson).

One night in 1966, Quentin’s teenaged godson, Carl (Tom Sturridge), comes aboard. While Carl harbors romantic aspirations that he hopes will be fulfilled during one of the biweekly visits by Radio Rock’s prettiest fans, he also hopes to find out more about his long-absent father.

As the ship sails on and rocks out, what Carl and the free-wheeling, free-loving Radio Rock gang don’t know is that back in London landlocked government minister Dormandy (Kenneth Branagh) has embarked on a vehement crusade to permanently silence their signal. To stay afloat and keep their devoted audience plugged in, the crew will have to band together and trust in the power of music like never before.

The “Pirate Radio” trailer can be watched now below.

To secure your free tickets now, make sure you’re logged into your HollywoodChicago.com account. If you don’t yet have one, you can quickly register here. Having an account with a valid e-mail address is required. Then, simply add a new comment in the form below. In your comment, include an answer to this question:

Like all Hookups here, this HollywoodChicago.com Hookup is simple: Just submit your comment below and we will award 50 people randomly via e-mail for our “Pirate Radio” Hookup. Winners need to arrive early as seats are consumed on a first-come, first-served basis. Good luck!

By ADAM FENDELMAN Editor-in-Chief/Publisher HollywoodChicago.com adam@hollywoodchicago.com