At Rochester HIlls Emagine, Some Midnight 'Hunger Games' Shows Already Sellouts

Let The Hunger Games begin.

At in Rochester Hills, the first two midnight Thursday showings of the bestselling thriller are sold out; there are tickets still available for shows at 12:03 a.m., 12:04 a.m. and 12:05 a.m.

The first installment of the Suzanne Collins' young adult trilogy opens nationally just after midnight in 4,000 theaters nationwide.

In Rochester Hills, there are 29 showings planned for Friday, from 10:10 a.m. to 11:45 p.m. So far, only the 7:45 p.m. show is a sellout on Friday night.

For showtimes and to purchase tickets, visit the Emagine Rochester Hills website.

Though the 2008 best-seller's gory violence has been notched back enough to snare a PG-13 rating, the film spurs discussion about age-appropriateness – just as Collins' provocative books do when they're in school libraries or classrooms. The first volume depicts a totalitarian nation, Panem, where a girl and boy from each of 12 state-like districts are chosen by government lottery to fight for food and survival in a televised annual spectacle.  

"While emotional maturity is relative, I would rate The Hunger Games at 12 and up," posts a blogger at mamapop.com, anticipating a decision parents face this week. 

Across the Atlantic, Britain's film review board required removal of seven seconds featuring bloody wounds and weapons, as well as darkening or blurring of five other scenes, to qualify for a rating that lets children younger than 12 into theaters with a parent.    

This sets the stage for family choices, moms' group debates and "let's talk" experiences across generations. Share your views in our comments, and tell us if you're planning to see it in our poll.

And may the odds be ever in your favor.