Cinemas Expect Crowds For Midnight Showing Of 'The Hunger Games'

You'd think with all the hype surrounding the opening of The Hunger Games this weekend, in West Orange would be sold out of tickets.

But, that's not the case. On Thursday afternoon, employees there assured West Orange Patch that — although they expect a huge crowd to turn out for the midnight showing tonight — there are still tickets available.

"We have a few tickets left but they are mostly front row," said Breanna Scott-Bey, a guest service representative at the theater.

She said three theaters will be showing the film at midnight tonight and that employees expect the franchise to be as big the Harry Potter series.

For the uninitiated, The Hunger Games film is based on the bestselling book by American author Suzanne Collins. The film stars Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss Everdeen, a 16-year-old girl who resides in District 12 of Panem, a new totalitarian state created after a widespread rebellion destroyed the America we all know and love.

Every year, one boy and one girl from each of the 12 districts are chosen via a lottery to be among the 24 contestants to enter an arena for a battle to the death — The Hunger Games.

What's worse is that they fight for their very survival as a national audience watches it all on TV.

Sound intriguing? To countless fans, there's nothing better, especially the strong female heroine.

To read just one of many glowing reviews of the movie, check out this one from the "New York Daily News," which gave the film five stars.

To find out showtimes for the IMAX version of "The Hunger Games" at AMC Clifton Commons go here. For showtimes at Essex Green Cinema go here.

What did you think of the "Hunger Games" and will you go see the movie? Let us know in the comments section below.