ELKHART — “The Hunger Games” will open at midnight tonight in sold-out theaters across the world, including in Elkhart, but there are still chances to go.

Encore Park 14 has already sold out several midnight showings, but as the entire theater will be devoted to tonight’s premiere, some tickets are available. From Friday through March 29, “The Hunger Games” will be shown in two houses of the theater.

“We’re preparing as if this is a ‘Twilight’ movie,” said assistant manager Carl Hall, referring to the vampire series authored by Stephenie Meyer.

While Hall said he expects 300 to 400 people to show up at the last minute tonight, those who want tickets in advance can go to the theater or order tickets online at fandango.com ($1.25 extra fee will apply).

Leah Schroeder, who works as the young adult services coordinator for Goshen Public Library, held weekly drawings reminiscent of the reapings in the book so readers could win merchandise related to the book and movie adaptation.

A fan of the trilogy, Schroeder said they have five copies of each book in the series and that they have about 20 holds on the first copy.

“I can’t remember the last time I’ve seen ‘The Hunger Games’ on the shelf,” she said.

Elkhart Memorial High School teachers Eileen Corson and Kaytee Byrns, who have tickets to the midnight showing, have taught “The Hunger Games” to their freshman English classes.

Corson said she partly picked the book because it would get students reading who normally don’t. She said they get emotionally involved with the characters, and both teachers said many students picked up the second and third books of the trilogy after they finished the first.

“(The students) get very upset if they were absent a day and someone had died,” she said. “Girls like the romance aspect.”

Corson said her class discusses the symbolism in the book, while Byrns said they talk about revolutions in history similar to the one in Panem, the country where “The Hunger Games” is set.

The teachers have not faced any backlash for violence in the books. In fact, it’s the violence that many teenagers are anxious to see played out onscreen.

“They’re just really bloody and gorey,” said Concord freshman Megan LaLone, who has read all three books and will be going to the movie.

Even sophomore Mike Rodriguez, who hasn’t read the books, said he’ll be seeing the movie for the action and violence. Freshman Jacque Stutsman said she’s seen lots of her friends reading the book around the school.

Although Hall said the presale has been comparable to “Twilight” movies, he won’t know until later if “The Hunger Games” will break any records.

“Just my outside information, from looking at box office information, this is the biggest movie so far this year,” Hall said, “and it hasn’t even opened yet.”



“Hunger Games” movie times

Encore Park 14

Box office opens at 12:30 p.m. today and noon Friday through Sunday.

Tickets for tonight’s midnight show are $12.

Tickets are $7 for adults and $6.50 for children and senior citizens for Friday and Saturday showings before 4 p.m. After 5:30 p.m., tickets for adults are $8.50, students are $7.50, and children and senior citizens are $6.50. For Sunday, tickets purchased before 4 p.m. are $6.50; after 5:30 p.m., tickets are $8 for adults and $6 for children and senior citizens. Tickets are $5.50 for everyone between 4 and 5:30 p.m.

Midnight showings

12:01 a.m., 12:02 a.m., 12:03 a.m., 12:04 a.m., 12:05 a.m.

Friday and Saturday showings

12:30 p.m., 1:30 p.m., 3:40 p.m., 4:40 p.m., 6:50 p.m., 7:50 p.m., 10 p.m., 11 p.m.

Sunday showings

12:30 p.m., 1:30 p.m., 3:40 p.m., 4:40 p.m., 6:50 p.m., 7:50 and 10 p.m.

The theater is at 2701 Cassopolis St., Elkhart. For more information call 262-0698 or go to carmike.com.



Linway Cinema

Only same-day tickets will be sold.

Box office will open at noon today and Friday so people can purchase tickets.

Tickets for the midnight show are $8; after that, regular prices apply.

Shows before 5:30 p.m. are $6.

Evening shows are $8 for 12 and older and $6 for seniors citizens and 11 and younger

Friday showings:

5 p.m., 5:40 p.m., 6:30 p.m., 7:15 p.m., 8:30 p.m., 9 p.m.

Saturday and Sunday showings: (box office opens at 11:45 a.m.)

12:15 p.m., 12:45 p.m., 1:30 p.m., 2 p.m., 3 p.m., 3:45 p.m., 4:15 p.m., 5 p.m., 5:40 p.m., 6:30 p.m., 7:15 p.m., 8:30 p.m., 9 p.m.

The theater is at 514 W. Lincoln Ave., Goshen. For more information call 534-8728, email Linway14@gmail.com or go to www.linwaycinema.com.