As a filmmaker, I’m always curious about the making of the sausage.  But as a film fan, I’m more interested in how that sausage tastes. 

So, rather than asking, “how did the director come up with that shot,” I like to ask, “how did that shot make the audience feel?”  After all, the ultimate goal of storytelling is to elicit an emotional response.

It’s rare to watch your film with an audience and then get to ask them about it after – and on camera no less – but on Thursday, March 1, 2018, that’s exactly what Legion M did as we co-hosted an early, first-ever public screening of our new film BAD SAMARITAN.

Written by Brandon Boyce (Apt Pupil), directed by Dean Devlin (co-creator of Stargate, producer/co-writer of Independence Day, and Godzilla and Executive Producer of "Leverage" and “The Librarians”) starring David Tennant (“Dr. Who,” “Jessica Jones”), Robert Sheehan (“The Misfits”) and Carlito Olivero (“Step Up: High Water,” “The X Factor”), Kerry Condon (“Rome,” Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri) and Jaqueline Byers (“Salvation”), BAD SAMARITAN is an intense thriller that explores what happens when a poor restaurant valet uses the cars entrusted to him by the restaurant clientele to break into their homes. At one home, he finds more than he bargained for, and his decisions lead to a game of cat-and-mouse with the psychotic home owner.

The screening was held in Long Beach, California, and some Legion M members came from as far away as San Jose and Austin, Texas.  As is typical fashion, the screening was overbooked--they don't know how many people will show up, and they need to make sure the theater is filled. As a co-host of the screening, all Legion M members were on the VIP list with guaranteed admittance, and we were very pleased to have about 50 Legion M members/investors in attendance, which was almost half the theater!

After a fantastic meet-and-greet at the local SoCal tiki bar chain Islands for sodas and fries, we packed into a  theatre at the Cinemark to hear Dean and Carlito introduce the film while writer and actor Brandon Boyce and actor Delpaneaux Wills looked on. As the lights dimmed, Dean’s company Electric Entertainment filmed the audience’s reactions in night vision, and it was amazing to watch them all jumping and gasping the entire time!

After the screening, film crews (including Legion M’s own Damian Beurer) filmed fan reactions as audience members streamed out of the theatre.

“What did you think about the movie?” we asked.

Attendee Claire Rodgers said, “I loved every minute of it. It was one of the best movies I’ve seen in a long time.” 

Another audience member gushed, “It’s very intense… you don’t know what’s going to happen next. They did such an amazing job,” while her friend echoed, “It’s very suspenseful and… an amazing film… you have to see it.” 

Audience member Joyce McCarthy particularly enjoyed that the movie had a strong female character, and pointed out that the film kept you on the edge of your seat without having any gore, while viewer Anthony Perez thought that David Tennant did an amazing job as a creepy bad guy.

After signing some mini-posters for the audience, Dean Devlin reacted to the turnout and positive vibe, “Tonight was a blast.  The Legion showed up, we showed a final version of the movie for the first time.  Got some amazing reactions from people. It was supposed to be a screening and it turned into a party, but I think it’s always a party when you get The Legion involved! I’m grateful that everybody showed up and everybody supported us.”

The buzz was positive as people left the theatre smiling.  We loved these quotes from the audience:

“Must see”

“Thumbs up”

“Action-packed”

“Blows your mind”

“Real nail-biter”

“Heart-pounding”

“Tense and Scary”

“Phenomenal”

The verdict?  Going back to the sausage metaphor, I think the audience agreed it tasted great!

After we wrapped filming fan reactions, Legion M members and executives (Jeff, Paul, Damian and I) got together for drinks at Rock Bottom Brewery down the street.  We always enjoy post-movie get-togethers because it gives us a chance to hear what types of entertainment gets our members going, and we were gratified to hear the positive thoughts on Bad Samaritan.  We were lucky to be joined by a wonderful group of interesting people and can't wait to see everyone again!  The night concluded with hugs and promise to keep in touch. 

To those who came to the screening, thank you! 

For those who couldn’t make this one, please keep checking the Legion M website for advance screenings in your local market, as well as opportunities to join opening weekend meet-ups with free Bad Samaritan gift bag (while supplies last) when the film is released all over the country!

Remember that as one, we are individual film fans, but together, we can change the world.  Onward and upward!