Mick Christiansen (front) and William Mcllravy (back) check out a display of Twilight-related books in the Nebraska Union Bookstore.Photo: Kris Knowlton, NewsNetNebraska
It used to be that vampire movies left us quivering in our seats. But Stephanie Meyer, author of the Twilight series, has brought a whole new appeal to the table, one far from the bloodsucking Dracula of old.
By replacing coffins and crypts with romance, hot cars and flawless actors, it's no wonder that readers of the novels and movie-goers alike have been counting down to the New Moon premier, which will hit the box office this Friday.
The downside: midnight showing tickets have been sold out for over a week.
"One girl almost cried, one did cry and a lot of people were just upset," said Jasmine Smith, ticket seller at the Lincoln Grand Cinema.
The Twilight: New Moon sequel has sold more tickets in advance than any film ever, according to Fandango, the cinema booking website. More fans have pre-booked tickets to New Moon than earlier sequels, including Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, and The Dark Knight.
"I was kind of sad the midnight showing has been sold out for a week, I just didn't know," said Yasmine Khachab leaving Lincoln Grand ticket booth today. "But I did just buy tickets for four o'clock on Friday so right after class I'll be there."
Signs were taped up on the entrance of Lincoln's Grand movie theater, bringing the bad news to Twilight fans on Wednesday who did not order tickets far enough in advance. Photo: Kris Knowlton, NewsNetNebraska
Smith says that many of the customers who came in to buy tickets before they were sold out were mothers going to buy them for their teenage daughters or college girls. This craze, however, has been stirring the blood of many generations.
Thirty-four-year-old Cassie Taggart, for instance, will leave her son at home to attend the midnight premier.
"Because of my busy schedule, it's like the only time I can see it," said Taggart. "But I'm really excited to see the different types of people that will be there. Since there is such a wide age gap, there are bound to be different reactions to the movie."
Though she is not planning on dressing up, Taggart says a few of her friends plan on buying fangs to wear to the film which "might be dangerous!" said Taggart.
Due to its popularity, Marcus theatres across town are hosting various activities leading up to the midnight showing of the film. The Grand will be asking "Twilight" trivia (Twivia?) all night. East Park will also host a 7 p.m. character lookalike contest and will display a "Twilight" backdrop so people can take pictures in front of it. All four theatres, Lincoln Grand, East Park, Edgewood and South Pointe Cinema will hold a 9 p.m. screening of the first "Twilight" film that was released last fall.
Nebraska Bookstore manager Terri Dreier said a lot fans came in to buy the original Twilight book before and after the release of the first movie.but that it will be hard to tell if their will be a similar result this year. Photo: Kris Knowlton, NewsNetNebraska
The movie is hugely popular among women, but may not play as well to guys. "I have no interest in it whatsoever," said junior Kriston Burroughs, "although... the New Moon preview did look kind of interesting just because of the fight scenes."
Burroughs says that many men like him feel the same way. "I can deal without the romantic aspect just because I don't really care who Bella (main character) ends up with," said Burroughs.
Besides the movie phenomenon, Twilight has taken over many spots across UNL campus. For example, the University Bookstore has set up a special sales display devoted to Twilight, complete with the book series, soundtrack, 2-disc DVD, calendar and even books about lead actor Robert Pattinson.
So what is it that makes Twilight alluring enough to be chosen as one of the top staff picks at the University bookstore? Just read the display:
"Twilight - by Stephanie Meyer. A great book if you love romance and mystical creatures. Meyer is a fantastic writer that makes you feel like you are Bella."
"Twilight - by Stephanie Meyer. Fun interesting read that makes the supernatural seem possible, even likely. You'll fall in love with the series."
Maria Walker, avid Twilight fan, was also "devastated" that she was not able to get tickets to the New Moon premiere before they sold out. Walker described the Twilight actors as being people everyone can relate to. Everyone wants to be loved, whether you are watching the relationship between Edward and Bella, Jacob, Alice, or whomever.
"A lot of people love vampires," said Walker. "I love vampire books, movies, everything about them. I think I should be one but hey, it's whatever."
Walker, who has read the series once already and has just begun reading it again, will also be attending on Friday.However, New Moon is only the second of four books to hit the big-screen, which may leave fans thirsting for more.
Subscribe to this comment's feed
