'The Hunger Games' Movie Tickets, Books are Hot Items

I don't know anything about "The Hunger Games" -- the movie or the books, and I probably should. But, I do know that the movie debuts in theaters at midnight tonight.

And, no surprise here, tickets are a hot item, and theaters are playing to the masses with enough showings for everyone.

It's at 4,137 locations across the nation, according to Box Office Mojo. And, Fandango puts the movie as its top-selling franchise opener ever, with more than 2,000 showings already sold-out, according to media reports.

Locally, the film is also doing well.

In Snellville, Ga., the has "The Hunger Games" showing at 12:01 a.m. (that would be officially Friday) on four screens. Two of the four shows are sold out, as of 10 a.m. on Thursday.

I know a couple of people who are going to those showings. More power to 'em. Never fear, there are 18 showings on Friday during the day, and none of them are sold out yet.

At both of the AMC theaters in nearby Lawrenceville, Ga., there are plenty of screens for fans. At , there are five after-midnight shows, with tickets still available. At , Hunger Games is on five screens just after midnight.

Down the way in Lithonia, Ga., there's lots of tickets on sale for "The Hunger Games." So far, the AMC Stonecrest 16 is showing it on five screens at 12:01 a.m., and then during the day on Friday, there are a number of shows to choose from.

At the popular Regal 24 (intersection of Interstates 85 and 285 in Atlanta), the movie will be on eight screens with starting times from 12:01 a.m. to 1 a.m. One of the 12:01 a.m. showings is sold out.

So, what about the books? How are they doing? (It's a trilogy of books: "The Hunger Games," "Catching Fire," and "Mockingjay." All are by Suzanne Collins.)

Amazon has book one listed as the No. 1 seller right now. And, for 551 days it's been in the top 100. (You can get the hardcover book for around $10.) The trilogy set is listed as the No. 2 best-seller. And, what made the No. 3 and 4 spots? Books two and three, of course. 

On Kindle, "The Hunger Games" is No. 1, and "Catching Fire" (the second book) is No. 2. They are $5 and $7.70, respectively.

Currently, Barnes & Noble lists the trilogy set as its No. 1 best-seller on its website BN.com. The set costs about $32.

So, what does all this tell me? Maybe, just, maybe I should at least read one of the three books on my Kindle. I obviously cannot see the movie without having read the book!