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New Moon Mania Hits Berkshire MallBy Melanie Rancourt
Special to iBerkshires
03:51PM / Friday, November 20, 2009
Photos by Melanie Rancourt
Fans were psyched for 'New Moon' at the Berkshire Mall. Top, posing with my friends (I'm second from left) and Edward Cullen. |
LANESBOROUGH, Mass. — After months of anticipation, fanpires and twihards alike around Berkshire County did not need to wait any longer for the second installment of the Twilight saga "New Moon" to hit theaters just after midnight at the Regal Cinemas in the Berkshire Mall.
The cinema had been preparing opening-night activities for a month knowing that loyal fans of the Stephanie Meyer's best-selling novel would want the full "New Moon" big-screen experience. (The movie also screened at midnight at the newly reopened North Adams Movieplex 8 and the brand-new Beacon Cinema in Pittsfield.)
People young and old, male and female alike sported their Twilight and New Moon gear and accessories showing their support of the movie and stating what team they were on: Edward's or Jacob's. (For the non-twihards, Edward the vampire and Jacob the werewolf are vying the heart of human Bella.) Some fans even wore their Burger King New Moon crowns to the event. A cardboard cutout of the infamous Edward Cullen was on hand so that true fans could snap a picture with their favorite vampire.
Mary Tierney, a Regal Cinema employee, was instrumental in organizing the pre-"New Moon" events.
"The first 'Twilight' movie did very well so we were expecting good crowds not only tonight but all weekend," Tierney said. "You have those people that come and see a move once, and then you have others that see the same movie 15 times."
The Regal Cinemas decided to open up a third theater this week, which sold out before the night's end. It also ran "New Moon" again at 2:45 a.m. for those shut out of the midnight show. WUPE Live 95.9 was on hand playing both the "Twilight" and "New Moon" soundtracks for the listening pleasure of those standing in line.
| Samantha Howe, left, Makayla Skubel, Emily Rodowicz, CJ Garnner and Amy Dubec. |
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Heather Benlien of Dalton and Laura Baran of North Adams.
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A fundraiser was held by the Defenders of Wildlife group at the cinemas to help save wolves. It was a perfect tie-in to "New Moon," with prizes being merchandise from the movie. Anyone who donated got a chance to spin the prize wheel. Those who landed on a "New Moon" space answered a trivia question for a chance to win gift certificates from Old Country Buffet, Applebee's or Panera Bread.
For $5, moviegoers could opt to see the first movie, "Twilight," before the showing of "New Moon." The benefit was that the seats you chose for the first movie, you kept for the second. This was an opportunity that this Twilight fan could not pass up. I had not seen the first movie on the big screen, only at home on DVD, so when friends of mine heard we had the chance, we pre-bought tickets right way.
Makayla Shubel, 16, from Cheshire and her friends Sam Howe, CJ Garner, Emily Rodowicz and Amy Dubuc were first in line for the midnight showing.
"We have been standing here since 7 p.m.," Skubel said. "We have kept ourselves busy by playing 'Apples to Apples [card game].'"
All five friends have read the books, some numerous times. Makayla said she has read them four times, however, CJ felt that she was rounding down. They all said she was the biggest fan.
When asked how long the group has been looking forward to the "New Moon" premier, they all said in unison, "We have been counting down since the last movie!"
The true Twilight fan will not be disappointed with "New Moon." The running time of 2 hours and 10 minutes may seem long and or slow to some, however, the contents of a novel that is 608 pages long takes time. The movie is a very good adaptation of the book, with only a few differences, the biggest one being the camera time of character Edward Cullen.
When a depressed Bella Swan becomes an adrenalin junkie, she hears Edward's voice in her head when fans read the book. A treat for all moviegoers is seeing Edward more on the big screen when Bella sees visions of her true love when she acts reckless. Even though I have to admit that I am on Team Edward all the way, props have to go out to Jacob Black. During the movie I was almost considering joining Team Jacob but I just couldn't switch sides.
The ending of "New Moon" kept me wanting more. It was a bit abrupt, the screen went black and everyone in the theater let out a sigh. The countdown to movie No. 3 has begun.
The next movie, which is in postproduction, is set to be released by July 2010. Fans will only need to wait seven months to see how "Eclipse," being filmed in Vancouver, lives up to its hype. I for one will be at that midnight showing if they have one. |
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