BNAT 5

My wife was the one that actually 'got it' about what BNAT was when she was reading AICN a couple of years ago. That was 2001. That was the year that there was a drawing. We entered and Jenn got drawn. I remember that night Harry called about 11pm Pacific time and asked to speak to Jenn. Then, like now, a whirlwind of activity ensues. Plane tickets. Hotel room. Shuttle to the airport. Requesting days off work. And then the trip down there. We stayed at the Omni Hotel just a few blocks from the Drafthouse (and we are again this year). It's a little expensive ($100 a night), but it's worth it both to have a place to totally relax before you go and to really decompress after. BNAT3 itself was really something. I honestly think from what I've heard of the others that BNAT3 had one of the most spectacular lineups of the four that have happened. I now own a Criterion editon of Fiend Without A Face, and how many other chances do you get to see a pristine copy of the original King Kong. Oh, and did I mention Blood Feast 2? :)

I made it to BNAT2 -- that year, Harry said the first X people to email him after a specific time would get in, so I used cron to automatically fire off the email on time. Cheating, but well worth it. We got to see Snatch, which was huge, and Robocop was a blast. No complaints.

I stopped in Austin on my way back from LISA (the big system administrators conference), which was in New Orleans that year. Total blast of a week, capped off by BNAT. What could have been better?

BNAT3 I missed out on, and BNAT4 I wasn't convincing enough to get in. This time, I did the trick.

I've been to every BNAT since 2. It's just the best time of the year for me, the last blow out that makes drudging through the rest of the year worthwhile. It's an emotional rollercoaster ride of a night, and my opinion, the best BNAT of all was in 2001, when all the movies just synched up and by the time it was over, you really felt like you'd run the emotional equivalent of a triathalon. I can't wait for this year. This will be the second year I'm bringing my wife, and I can't wait to see what Harry has in store. I think people who give Harry a hard time just don't know the man. That's a shame, because he really is - gasp - a nice guy. He's a mensch.

I've been to all 4 previous. 1st 2, I was able to get in on friends who got a block of tickets, 3 the line was fun, 4 I froze my ass off in a schoolgirl costume.
I can't wait to see what new wierdness is in store provided Tim never shows a Scat film between movies ever again.

BNAT virgin here. I've been trying to go every year since the creation of BNAT but with no luck. This year I was shocked to see my name on the list. I think this year worked because it's be worst possible year for me to go, but by god I'll be there!!!

Last year was my first time. Went to the all night horror fest solo and won tickets for myself and the hubby (which he's still eternally grateful for). My cookie monster costume was a big hit, and I had fun walking through the crowd with everyone grumbling "cookie..." at me. Harry even chimed in when I won tickets, saying "I hoped that you'd win, cookie monster." Which was too cool for words, really.

I've been to the last two BNATs and they've been a complete and total blast. I've got a friend from college in Austin and the first time I went I got two tickets and we went together. Last year I didn't get any tickets but one of his friends who won tix cancelled and so myself and my girlfriend got to go. This year I won again. Can't wait. Seeing as Harry said that he'll be busy next year and there might not be one, I hope to actually meet some cool people this year [I tend to be a bit shy around strangers :( ].

Flying in from Phoenix, AZ.

I've gone to the last three, and I agree, 2001 was the best. We stay at the Austin Motel - any BNATter that doesn't is a fool. It is the perfect vibe, it fits in so well with the rest of the weekend.

Been to two, four and now five. The first one I got tickets for myself and loved every millisecound, especially The Alamo. (tip well and lots, by the way) . Four I had to travel to an insane assylum all the way from Seattle to get tickets but I got them (I was the gloater who screamed "Fuck Yeah!" when my number was called. I still feel bad for doing that). I drag my girlfriend (who also went to the Dusk to Dawn with me) to the show and she feel deeply in love with it. I had picked the right women for me. She is coming to the 5th with me. Look for me. I plan to introduce myself to at least everyone in my row. Hell, I am making a mix CD of.. well, lets leave it at that.

As is probably everyone who got in, I am currently in high obsession mode on BNAT. So, I have been doing some searches and found this story from last year's BNAT. It's pretty damn good too!