Twilight Eclipse Midnight Matinées Sold...

The Twilight: Eclipse phenomenon has finally been unleashed with a signature midnightÂ matinÃ©eÂ opening (it's vampires - get it?) But according to ClevverTV that may not be enough to stem the tide of Twi-Hards who are willing to camp outside theaters for days to get tickets to the next available showing. What to do?

Add a 3 AM show! That's right. Many major movie chains have decided to capitalize on the craze by adding unprecedented overnight screenings. If this works, a 24/7 Twilight: Eclipse is the next logical step.

MTV was on the scene at an undisclosed NYC theater tonight as the lucky few were admitted to the official opening which marks the East Coast version of New Year's Day over the New Zealand landscape, traditionally the first planetary watchers to ring in the celebrations. Bragging rights alone are enough to make any of the fortunate first viewers likely to recount the event to future grandchildren propped up on the knee before bedtime.

"Grandpa, did you see the first showing of Twilight: Eclipse?" Such a question may one day be Generation Next's battle cry.

If Twilight turns the tide for a new business model for urban movie theaters (presumably such activity may have to be monitored for security purposes) the franchise may well be remembered for a cultural shift that hasn't occurred since Rocky Horror went underground viral. That was in the days before the Internet was a way for nuclear scientists to laugh at the rest of the planet being destroyed as they IMed from inside their secure bunkers.

It's a Brave New World.

Here's how ClevverTV is reporting the event: