Yes, Universal Studios bought me dinner tonight. Me, and about 300 of my closest fangeek acquaintances.  Simply put, this was the best special screening I've been to in recent or distant memory.  I even got my very first autographs. All for Hellboy II:  The Golden Army.

Ask anyone who knows me, I love Guillermo del Toro's work, ever since I was first turned on to The Devil's Backbone, and I think Pan's Labyrinth, is not only a master work, but one of the top 10 films of all time.  I crush on his work.  And he's a nice, guy, too. 

I happened to be on my way back from the bathrooms, about 20 minutes before the film was supposed to start. I know now that they sat us so early because they planned an autograph session before hand, with GdT, Mick Mignola, and Doug Jones.  I was impressed with Doug Jones in Hellboy, which I also saw at a special screening with GdT doing a Q&A. I fell in love with his work in Pan's Labyrinth, which was breathlessly beautiful (and creepy).  But he's such a nice guy. I went to thank him for showing up and doing autographs, and he was thanking me for showing up. Doh!  And it turns out he has Austin connections, with Esther's Follies no less!  GdT and I talked for a bit, you know he's a nice guy that as you're walking away, he's still talking Culver's, butter burgers, and Elaine with you.  (Mike Mignola was nice too, but not being a bonafide fangrrl, I wasn't as familiar with his work as other people).

During the introduction, Tim League informed us that Universal was buying us dinner, which most of us had already ordered. No, people didn't go crazy after that, although I think they probably ran out of milkshake fixins.  Here we were all thinking we were getting a free popcorn and soda.  The swag was nice, too, a button, a tshirt, and the autographed poster.  Seeing Doug Jones show us his favorite character to play was worth getting a badge for Fantastic Fest alone.  And the guy is a sweetheart. 

And the film?  It's very, very, pretty. It's a solid summer rollercoaster.  So go see it so they can make another one. Just for the Troll Market, this film needs support.  Just for the makeup and costuming of Nuada and Nuala, you need to see this movie. 

Seriously, people, GdT really needs to keep making movies.  Support him by going to see Hellboy II:  The Golden Army.

You'll never think of toothfairies the same way again.  And if you were at the screening tonight, you'll never hear the word "muppet" the same way again. 

So thank you, GdT. Thank you, Universal, for dinner and letting the Alamo Drafthouse do it's thing.  And thank you Tim League and everyone at the South Lamar Alamo Drafthouse and Fantastic Fest 2008 for making me a happy filmgeek. Me and those 299+ other Fantastic Filmgeeks.