JJ Abrams Screens STAR TREK INTO DARKNESS For Terminally Ill Fan
With all the horrible things going on in the world, it’s stories like this one that makes you realize there is still some goodness left among people.
Grady Hendrix is a writer and founder of the New York Asian Film Festival. Recently, a friend of his, Dan, was diagnosed with a terminal illness that left him unable to even head to a movie theater to see the 9-minute preview of STAR TREK INTO DARKNESS in front of IMAX screenings of THE HOBBIT. Dan is a huge Star Trek lover and fan.
Knowing that Dan’s time was limited, Grady took to Reddit on Christmas Day to ask for help: would there by anyone who could get to JJ Abrams and make a dream come true for his friend:
“I just wanted to say that I know and work with Dan (the guy who’s dying) but I don’t know the OP. Dan’s been running the New York Asian Film Festival with me and a few other guys for years. If you have any doubts about the legitimacy of all of this, I use my actual name as my Reddit name, and you can visit the NYAFF (New York Asian Film Festival) page on Facebook. If you still have doubts that are keeping you from helping, feel free to email me:[email protected]”
Only two days later, an answer came. Grady posted again on the feed:
“Thanks everyone, and a huge thanks to OP ideeyut for posting this. JJ Abrams just called Dan’s wife and left a message. He’s going to try to arrange a screening for Dan, either of the film or at least of the 9 minute promo reel. I’ll never say anything bad about JJ Abrams again. Seriously. He is now beyond reproach as far as I’m concerned.”
And finally, on December 29th, a mere four days after the original post, Grady updated everyone with the best news possible:
“He got to see it a couple of hours ago and loved it. JJ Abrams is the man. I’m going to buy an extra ticket for Dan when it comes out.”
So within four days, what could be one man’s final wish came true, all thanks to JJ Abrams and a determined community of people who kept the story going.
And while it’s easy to look at the world through jaded eyes and think of all the horrible and awful things out there, remember that every little good deed you do makes the world just a little bit better for all of us, and just a little bit easier to live in.
Happy New Year to all.
STAR TREK INTO DARKNESS opens in IMAX and 3D on May 17, 2013.