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Arts & Entertainment

The Twilight Saga: Eclipse Draws in Late Night Fans

Pop culture phenomenon Twilight has midnight show in Port Washington.

A throng of Twilight fans from neighboring towns gathered outside of Clearview Soundview Cinema in Port Washington Tuesday night, eagerly awaiting the midnight premiere of The Twilight Saga: Eclipse.

Glen Cove resident Heather Arena, 14, a self-proclaimed Twilight fanatic, made it a point to see the midnight showing. This was a moment she had anticipated ever since the 2009 release of the last Twilight film, New Moon.

"Waiting until tomorrow would not have been the same," Arena said. "My mom has read the books, so she knows the plot. But I haven't, so I want to find out what happens next."

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Apart from seeing the previous two films, and for some, reading four hefty novels, the most devoted fans have split into two "teams," one of which aligns with vampire Edward Cullen, and the other, werewolf Jacob Black, the leading male characters. Arena, who has followed Twilight since its first release in 2008, does not stand alone in choosing a side.

"I'm on Team Jacob because I really like him, he's cute," said Arena, sporting a Twilight T-shirt with the chosen object of her affection. "Plus, he's got good abs," her mother, Cindy, pointed out.

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However, Caroline Kinney, 14, of East Williston, begged to differ.

"I'm Team Edward all the way. He's so much cooler," Kinney said.

The film, which boasts the kind of popularity to drive its followers to wait in line for more than two hours, has induced a vampire craze among teenagers and parents alike.  Many fans made the short trip from surrounding towns in order to obtain the best possible seating. 

Julia Vollmer, 14, an avid fan from Sea Cliff, gathered her seven friends and arrived two-and-a-half hours early to make sure they were first on line.

"We left my house at 9:15 just so we would be able to get good seats," Vollmer said of the midnight showing. "We are all so excited."

Yet, teenage girls are not the only ones dying to see their favorite vampires on the big screen. 

Adeala Adegbite, a Westbury resident, was enthusiastic about the premiere, as well.

"Yup, I'm a guy wearing a Twilight T-shirt," said Adegbite, as he laughed over his Jacob t-shirt while his friends sported Edward shirts.

Anticipating big crowds, the Clearview Soundview employees were prepared for the crowds. Faviola Quezada, a concession stand worker at the movie theatre, stood ready to take on the masses.

"Of course, it's going to be packed," Quezada said. "It's Twilight!"

For a complete list of movie times, visit www.moviefone.com.

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