The Force is strong with this Star Wars fan.
[dropcap size=small]E[/dropcap]very one has something that they are deeply passionate about. Whether it be their favorite sports team, a favorite television show, a favorite video game series, or a movie franchise. In this case Jim Braden is a 40-year old content strategist for Dell who is a major fan of Star Wars, if not the biggest fan of the famous television series and because of this he decided to test his physical and mental limits (and his strength in the Force) by participating in a Star Wars: The Force Awakens screening marathon.
The marathon was introduced by Alamo Drafthouse to the public and if those who were able to stay awake through all six previous Star Wars movies and a continuous showing of Star Wars: The Force Awakens they would win seven years of free movies. The winner would also receive several collector’s items based on Star Wars: The Force Awakens that John Smith, creative manager at the Austin-based Alamo Drafthouse that held the contest said is worth “tens of thousands of dollars”
“I wanted to demonstrate my passion. I grew up with ‘Star Wars.’ As a kid, the simple morality just appealed to me. Everybody likes a white hat hero they can get behind.” Jim Braden said. “We put ourselves through hell mentally and physically. Watching it became almost a hallucinatory experience… one other guy complained of having chest pains and dropped out. I came out of it saying that I still enjoyed the movie. That’s how you know it’s good.”
Jim Braden came to the contest prepared by researching breathing exercise tips from retired Navy SEALS and spacing out all of his caffeine consumption. He also wore shorts and sandals so that he would be cold in the movie theater and would have trouble getting comfortable. This way he could avoid falling asleep and stay awake for the next forty five-plus hours. But the biggest achievement that Jim Braden won wasn’t the chance to see movies for free for the next seven years or priceless collector items, he won the chance to see Star Wars: The Force Awakens with his son for the very first time. Some times the best prizes can’t be bought.
