'New Moon' rises with a party in Derry

Derry

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November 19, 2009

Julie Huss

I've always been a sucker for a good vampire flick.

Some of my favorites ... the original Bela Lugosi offering in 1931, Frank Langella as Dracula in 1979, and my personal all-time favorite — Barnabas Collins in "Dark Shadows" played by the best blood-lover ever, Jonathan Frid.

But in this day and age, it's the "Twilight" saga of vampirish flicks that's getting fans' blood boiling. Fans have to look no further than their own backyard for movie fun and a special opening night celebration.

Flagship Cinema in Derry is teaming up with CineQuest.com, a collectible retailer in Salem, to host a welcoming party for the film, "New Moon," the next in a series of films telling the tale of love between vampire Edward Cullen (Robert Pattinsen) and human teenager Bella Swann, played by Kristen Stewart.

The popular "Twilight" film has caused young girls to swoon over leading man and bitingly handsome Edward, while his love interest Bella deals with her feelings for the dark, young vampire.

"We're huge fans of the 'Twilight' saga and wanted to turn the midnight 'New Moon' premiere into something special for the fans, something to remember and to share with their friends," said CineQuest president Mark Del Vecchio. "As we talked with Flagship Cinemas in Derry, the excitement grew and so did the event."

That event has turned into a weekend of fun with a party atmosphere helping to kick off the newest film in the "Twilight" series.

Flagship Cinema general manager Shaun Heavey said the local movie complex will offer fans a fun time as they follow Bella and Edward's story in the newest release.

"We felt we wanted to make it in to a party and keep the fans entertained as they waited for the next chapter of Edward and Bella's story," Heavey said.

The weekend "New Moon" premiere celebration includes trivia contests, costume contests, raffles, and a souvenir shop. Local fans can dress up as their favorite "Twilight" characters. The event is free and open to the general public.

The schedule for movie weekend events include the following: Nov. 19, 4 p.m. to midnight, film premiere begins at midnight; Nov. 20, 4 to 10 p.m., and Nov. 22, noon to 10 p.m.

"We'll be here all day and night for the entire weekend and we welcome anyone to stop in who has an interest in 'Twilight,'" Del Vecchio added. "We're hoping that even those fans who may see the premiere elsewhere the first night will stop in over the weekend to join the 'Twilight' celebration."

In addition, both 95.7 WZID and Hot Hits 94.1/103.1 radio stations will be on hand to offer music and contests to keep the movie celebration going.

All who love a good vampire flick are welcome to stop by Flagship and have some fun while waiting for the movie to start. And the long line of good-looking vampires continues with the "Twilight" series of flicks. But please, never forget those that bared their fangs and flew like a bat in generations past!

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Julie Huss is a staff reporter for the Derry News. Her entertainment/arts column appears weekly in the Derry News. To contact her, call 321-3847 or e-mail to jhuss@derrynews.com.