Wednesday, July 11, 2007


Jul. 11, 2007 (McClatchy-Tribune Regional News delivered by Newstex) --
Many Odessans tapped their inner powers Tuesday night at Hollywood Theaters in hopes to get tickets to the the Permian Basin's first showing of 'Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.'

'I used my magic to get tickets,' Sara Lynn Headrich, 14, said. 'It's so crazy, but it's completely worth it.'

Shannon Hoffman, 36, said the movies are a way to get family time with her family.

'It's definitely a way for all of us to hang out,' she said. 'It appeals to everybody from old people to baby boomers -- moms and dads.'

Hoffman said this while standing next to her two sons, 14-year-old Michael and 8-year-old Blake, who were dressed up like characters from Harry Potter.

'The movies are just exciting,' Blake, who was also the first person to buy a ticket for the opening, said. 'I just like them.'

A representative with Hollywood Theaters said the movie sold out two theaters and was close to selling out a third.

While many were excited about the movie, a lot of the conversation was about the new book coming out and the appearance of Potter star Daniel Radcliffe in the play 'Equus.'

'I've heard people in line talk about the new book a lot,' Yuvia Hernandez, 27, said. 'Many people were talking about how he (Radcliffe) is nude in a play in England. These people are hardcore Harry Potter fans.'

Hernandez, who said she'd been to every midnight premiere, said she would not be too mad if the movie didn't live up to the book.

'I know that the book is almost always better than the movie,' she said. 'I'll be a little upset, but I'm old enough to know that usually happens.'

Newstex ID: KRTB-0145-18066182


Delivered by Newstex LLC
via theFinancials.com