'New Moon' pits vampire vs. werewolf, sells out local theater

Sara Roghair pre-purchasing her ticket for tonight's 9:40 p.m. showing of "The Twilight Saga: New Moon" from Jerrad Black, manager of Southpark 7. (Photo by Randy Cauthron) [Order this photo]

Tickets for "New Moon," the second book-turned-movie of her four-part "Twilight" series, began selling a month ago locally.

"We sold out on Monday for the midnight show and we've already sold tickets for Friday, Saturday and for the rest of the week," reported Spencer 7 Manager Jerrad Black, who screened the movie Wednesday night. "It's a pretty good movie. If they liked the first movie, they'll definitely like this one. I'm not so much a follower; I haven't read the books, but being such the big blockbuster it is, it does grab my attention and make me want to see what everybody's coming out for and flocking to these theaters for."

The "Twilight" series' vampire Edward Cullen (Robert Pattinson), werewolf Jacob Black (Taylor Lautner) and girlfriend/friend Bella Swan (Kristen Stewart) are the latest phenomenon sweeping movie theaters across the nation.

"A lot of people are calling and asking for these tickets," he added. "They want to find out when the show times are and when they can buy tickets for them. It's pandemonium pretty much for anybody who's trying to come to this because it's so popular. Even the people who think they're trying to get tickets in advance aren't getting tickets in advance early enough."

The movie theater manager, who's approaching 12 years of employment with Fridley Theatres, said the "Twilight" saga's popularity is surpassing that of "Lord of the Rings," "Star Wars" and "Harry Potter."

"I would say to grab your tickets early and be prepared for lines," Black advised. "It's going to be very, very busy, but we will have plenty of show times for everybody. Just make sure you get out here, get your tickets early and be ready for a crowd -- but be ready for a fun night."

As witnessed by those waiting in line to secure a seat early this morning at the local theater, the series is attracting both young and young-at-heart. It's also dividing fans into camps who are proclaiming their allegiance to Team Edward or Team Jacob -- the handsome vampire played by Robert Pattinson and his werewolf rival portrayed by actor Taylor Lautner.

Nichelle Mackey purchased her ticket to the midnight showing last week. The Spencer High School senior read the entire "Twilight" series before attending "Twilight," the saga's first movie, last November. The teen revealed there are three copies of that movie in her home.

"I liked the first one a lot. Even though they didn't get all aspects of the book, they did get a lot of them. And in this book," Mackey said Thursday afternoon before viewing the series' second movie, "I'm actually very excited to see Taylor Lautner without the wig because I'm what you would call Team Jacob."

"Edward just seems too perfect for me," she continued. "Jacob has actual problems and seems a little different because he's not completely perfect. And, I don't like perfect."

Megan Hoy, however, is a Team Edward fan. The SHS junior said Meyer's series caught her attention and kept it. Hoy is also planning to watch "The Twilight Saga: New Moon" with friends.

Although she doesn't view herself as being a "Twi-hard," as avid fans of the "Twilight" series call themselves, Sarah Dirks has recruited her sister and sister-in-law into reading the books. The 31-year-old "Twi-mom" is also a self-described fan who intends to view the saga's second book-turned-movie this weekend.

"While the first book is about love and falling in love, 'New Moon,' its second installment, is about breaking up, or breaking of the heart," the SHS guidance secretary explained of the romance-vampire-action series which is encouraging many local youth to read. " ... I'm so supportive of these books coming out. Because the more kids you can reach with books, the better off we're going to be. And, if they find that book they're really interested in -- even if they're reading it for the third time -- at least they're reading."

"I would encourage anyone to try the 'Twilight' series," Dirks continued, "because I think it does reach out to a different group, and it really does speak to a large audience."