‘Twilight: Eclipse’ is going to make a lot of young fans very happy. Easily the most well made and thematically satisfying of the three adaptations of Meyer’s popular books, Eclipse boasts better effects, better acting and better direction either Twilight or New Moon. The three leads, Lautner, Pattinson and Stewart, like the leads in the Potter films, have grown as actors and do what they can to give the triangle between Bella, Ed and Jake some kind of weight and pathos. With Bryce Dallas Howard creepily smirking her way through the role of Victoria this time out, there’s plenty in this blockbuster to satiate the raving legions who worship at the altar of all things Ed and Bella.

For everyone else, this one is still a giant bust.

Bella Swan has been back and forth over the issue of whether or not Ed Cullen, the pasty vampire with the hair that won’t quit, is her destiny. At the opening of this film, which includes poetry in a field of wild flowers, Bella longs to be ‘changed’ by Ed, and Ed wants her hand in marriage in exchange for this. Although she’s quite clearly ready to give up her human life and trade it in for an unnatural one (one even Ed seems loathe to give her), she actually recoils at the thought of marriage. Strange that she would find that marriage has a permanence that being undead doesn’t.

On the Edward/Bella front, that’s the film’s main dilemma. Bella, who doesn’t seem to mind leading on two supernatural creatures at the same time, also has to deal with Jacob Black, the Native American werewolf who thankfully traded up his fright wig for toned pectorals. So excessive is her shirtless prancing in this film that even Ed has to ask ‘Don’t you ever wear a shirt?’ Easy for Ed to say. If the series ever saw him without a shirt, audiences would need special order sunglasses just to cut the glare.

Jake believes that he and Bella should be together and he does everything he can to ensure that she won’t be turned at the end of the month, after graduation, where she’s ready to leave everything and everyone she knows behind. Strangely, it’s Jacob in this film who comes off more than a little possessive and creepy. Bella never really calls him on it, but he simply won’t relent. While she does slap him for forward intimate advances, in the end Bella justifies his irrational pursuance by reciprocating feelings. Of course, by this time, she’s already more serious with Ed than she’s ever been.

For those who thought they were showing up to a fantasy adventure and not just the detailed fever dream of a teenage girl, there’s a subplot involving a roaming pack of vampires in Seattle who seem to be amassing an army for the purposes of tracking down Bella. It is suspected by Ed and the rest of his clan that the vampire Victoria, whose mate Ed killed, is behind this army.  As they approach the final showdown, Ed and Jacob, and the vampires and the werewolves, must join forces to protect Bella.

David Slade is a welcome change as a director, and he brings a darker sensibility to the evil vampires that is welcome for a series that has mostly been milquetoast to this point. For the most part, he also gets some mileage from the beautiful wilderness scenery and under his watch, the special effects look markedly better, although those wolves still seem a bit ‘plush’ for my taste. Where he gets hung up is on the romantic relationship which still demands to be taken seriously even though it exists on such a level of imaginary feeling that it could be a satire of itself. Take, for example, the scene in a tent between Ed, Bella and Jake. Bella is freezing and she needs the shirtless Jake to warm her up. So that’s what he does, cuddling and cradling Bella, while sitting there talking with Ed. The scene is ridiculous for any number of reasons and it has no purpose for existing other than to set up a scene where Bella gets to have both men fawning over her.

At the end of the day, that’s where I get off the bus regarding the Twilight saga. It’s poorly constructed as a story, albeit well made as a movie. For its target audience, who made the decision long ago on whether or not to join this world of chaste vampires and amorous werewolves, it might just be the movie event of the season.

Rating: ★★☆☆☆ 

Hollywood is where I’ve had most of my werewolf encounters but enough about Robin Williams. Let’s explore this particular pack of Tinseltown werewolf as I wanna hear your pick for the alpha male to lead the pack.

Benicio Del Toro has his The Wolfman set for a very romantic Valentine’s Day weekend theatrical release (February 12, 2010) while you’ll have to wait a little longer to see Taylor Lautner’s abs and werewolf if you didn’t see the Twilight Saga’s New Moon in theater as the DVD and Blu-ray are due out late this March.

If you’re really hurtin’ for some lycanthrope cinema I’m sure you can find one of the Underworld films on cable television (if you’re an HBO subscriber then you’re probably watching Michael J. Fox in Teen Wolf as I type) or Hugh Jackman’s Van Helsing in Walmart’s $5 DVD bin. John Landis the very same director of such classic comedies as Animal House, The Blues Brothers, Spies Like Us and ¡Three Amigos! also had a soft spot for the hairy and scary when he first gave us An American Werewolf in London followed by An American Werewolf in Paris (flag his passport already!).

Maybe the most famous actor to howl at the moon was Jack Nicholson in 1994′s Wolf but it was Lon Chaney Jr. that introduced most of us to the werewolf in 1941′s The Wolf Man. Now I know I haven’t mentioned every barking big screen portrayal and personally I’m more of a Cat People type of guy myself (I carry a dog whistle for protection) but who is your favorite big screen werewolf?

One of the year’s biggest movies, The Twilight Saga: New Moon just got a DVD release date. Summit Entertainment confirms everyone’s favorite Girl-Meets-Vampire-Meets-Werewolf story is set to start flying off shelves starting March 20th.

The Two-Disc Special Edition will include audio commentary from director Chris Weitz and editor Peter Lambert, and features a six-part behind-the-scenes documentary.

Here is a bit about the DVD itself

Already a worldwide literary phenomenon, The Twilight Saga: New Moon, a post modern Romeo and Juliet story filled with action, suspense and the supernatural, took in an estimated $300 million domestic at the theatrical box office and had the third largest opening weekend box office in movie history at $142 million.

The Twilight Saga: New Moon Two-Disc Special Edition DVD has a suggested retail price of $32.99, while the Special Edition Blu-ray is set at $34.99. Both are packed with bonus features that are sure to please even the most-hard core fans, including a revealing Audio Commentary with Director Chris Weitz and editor Peter Lambert; a riveting 6-part documentary that takes you behind the scenes; exclusive band rehearsal footage with Muse; and music videos from Death Cab for Cutie, Anya Marina and Mute Math.

The Twilight Saga: New Moon stars Robert Pattinson, Kristen Stewart, Taylor Lautner, Dakota Fanning, Michael Sheen and Anna Kendrick. Peter Facinelli, Elizabeth Reaser, Nikki Reed, Ashley Greene, Jackson Rathbone and Kellan Lutz return to their roles in the Cullen family.

SYNOPSIS

In the second chapter of Stephenie Meyer’s best-selling Twilight series, the romance between mortal Bella Swan (Kristen Stewart) and vampire Edward Cullen (Robert Pattinson) grows more intense as ancient secrets threaten to destroy them. When Edward leaves in order to keep Bella safe, she tests fate in increasingly reckless ways in order to glimpse her love once more. But when she’s saved from the brink by her friend, Jacob Black (Taylor Lautner), Bella will uncover mysteries of the supernatural world that will put her in more peril than ever before.

SPECIAL FEATURES

• Audio Commentary by director Chris Weitz and editor Peter Lambert
• Six-Part Documentary takes you behind the scenes of the film
• Rehearsal Footage with Muse, who is featured on the hit soundtrack
• Three Music Videos from Death Cab for Cutie, Anya Marina and Mute Math
• And more!

Street Date:                             March 20, 2010

Order Due Date: January 19, 2010

Pre-sell Date: January 26, 2010

Feature Run Time: 130 minutes

MPAA Rating (USA): PG-13

Genre: Vampire/Romance

DVD SRP:                                 $32.99

DVD Cat # / UPC: 66113353 / 025192058158

Blu-Ray SRP:                           $34.99

Blu-Ray Cat # / UPC: 66113354 / 025192058165

DVD Audio: English Dolby Digital 5.1; English Dolby Surround 2.0; Español Dolby Digital 5.1

Blu-Ray Audio: English DTS -HD Master Audio / English Dolby Surround 2.0 / Español Dolby Digital 5

DVD/BD Subtitles: English SDH & Español Subtitles

DVD/BD Aspect Ratio: 16×9 (2:40) Letterbox

I am putting it out there right now. New Moon looks freaking terrible. This movie should of been straight to DVD from day one. The shear crappiness seen in the trailers has pushed me to believe that this is some kind of huge elaborate joke on the American public.

Why on earth would anyone want to see this stuff? Honestly, I sit here entranced with the public opinion and the mindset that New Moon was good. Did you think it was good? Critics, movie goers and more have complained at the awfulness that is New Moon. The internet is abuzz in two polar opposing factions: The first being the I am so hot for Edward and the other being this movie should of never been made.

The coverage of this movie is making folks mad. Since Comic Con earlier this year, real folks, whom see the sun on a daily basis have complained about the fan base, the writing of the freaking author and the acting put in by the ever so beautiful Robert Pattison.

What the HELL!?!?!?! Why would this movie beat out The Dark Knight, a real accomplishment in film making as the top spot for a one day total?

I cannot believe that such crap can make teenage children, drunk college girls and even parents who are too old to admit that they read/watch complete and utter crap. This movie should be locked in a tin and put up there with the likes of Troll 2. Which I must say was better looking than this movie.

Watch what should of happened at theaters around the world. A vampire intervention is the least of what needs to happen. Wake up America! Why are you paying to see such tremendous junk?

Enjoy the video below:

The above rant was my attempt at humor and nothing more. I have no ill will toward any fan of any movie. I have no ill will towards Twilight and it’s creator. My opinion will be set straight that the movie should of gone straight to DVD and nothing more.

The sequel to 2008′s Twilight proves that there’s something to be said for having a strong fan base.

Despite receiving reviews that range from lukewarm to downright cold, New Moon‘s midnight release showed that a solid — and large — fan following can trump quality of movie as being the main factor in earning box office success.

New Moon‘s first midnight showing earned the film the distinction of being the highest grossing midnight run in box office history. The film was shown at 3,514 theaters, and brought in $26.3 million.

This amount surpassed previous recordholder Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince‘s midnight earnings by more than $4 million.

Last year’s release of Twilight saw $36 million in its first day, and if the midnight turnout for New Moon is any indicator, the follow up is already well on its way to trouncing the number.

According to box office observers, the biggest obstacle New Moon may face in achieving its anticipated success will be the film’s ability to appeal to audiences beyond the die-hard fans — or how successful those fans are at dragging their friends and boyfriends to the theater with them.

Looking for a wider scope than its own franchise, the next box office goal for New Moon is to break the record for best opening day. Currently, 2008′s The Dark Knight holds the record, having brought in $67.2 million in its first day.

We’ll see if vampires can beat out superheroes for first-day draw.

New Moon: Introducing Team Jacob

For fans, the Twilight saga has become a sort of sporting event pitting one team against another. Team Edward was crazed upon the release of last year’s Twilight, and while New Moon is definitely geared toward “the other team,” there is more than adequate sexual tension and angst to satisfy both.

New Moon, the second movie/book in the series, centers on what happens when Edward Cullen (Robert Pattinson) leaves Bella Swan (Kristen Stewart) after an event with his family threatens her safety. While the character tells Bella “You will never see me again,” Edward appears frequently through out the movie as a sort of ghostly consciousness trying to keep her from harm. Of course when she makes this connection, Bella goes looking for harm in order to see him.

While on her adrenalin search Bella rekindles an old friendship with Jacob Black (Taylor Lautner), the rallying cry for Team Two. She brings him bikes to fix up so she can drive fast and loose enough to see Edward. However, on the way she develops a deepening connection to her friend and team Jacob holds its collective breath. Maybe this time she will get their man.

While Edward and Bella were the driving force in the first movie his disappearance for the greater part of New Moon does not kill this sequel. Instead we are given a new brooding monster (and his family) to love.

Originally, rumors circulated that Taylor Lautner would not be returning as Jacob in the second film. The producers feared he could not bulk up enough to visually play the part of the werewolf he becomes. However, Lautner was able to put on some very pleasing muscular weight. He worked hard for the part and his dedication shows in his acting. Viewers are not only rewarded by having the same actor back in character, but also by having one who could still be younger than Bella. New Moon gives a book-perfect Jacob.

While most film series have weak second installments I found New Moon to be better than the original. However, in the end, New Moon is still the sequel to Twilight. So don’t go to the theatre expecting some great dramatic work or art house film. That is never what these movies will be, but if you are going for a few laughs and some guilty pleasure, you just might enjoy yourself.

Rating: ★★★☆☆ 

I’m convinced that the Twilight franchise really is aiming to take over the world.

First the book series took off in a way that, aside from Harry Potter or Lord of the Rings, few book series see. Teenage girls immediately fell in love with Edward Cullen, and we soon saw shirts saying “My boyfriend is a vampire” and “I only date  guys that sparkle” come into stores.

Next came the first movie, which gave to fans of the book physical representations of their favorite characters to drool over. In a very short time, Robert Pattinson became one of the most obsessed over guys in Hollywood (personally, I don’t see it).

Now the Twilight fever just continues to spread.

Summit Entertainment recently announced a Twilight cast member tour that will be taking place in November, and the second film in the series, New Moon, will be released on November 20th.

But that’s not all.

Last week, the trailer for New Moon got over 25 million views, making it the number one most viewed trailer on Visible Measures’s top 10 online film trailers chart. The trailer has been in the top 10 for eight weeks, and this past week’s 25 million views crushed its previous record of 21 million views. The soundtrack for the second film has also done well already.

To add fuel to the fire that is Twilight, Summit will be re-releasing the first film in the series on November 19th, just in time to make sure that fans are fully pumped up for the release of New Moon the following day.

Finally, just in case fans aren’t fully satisfied getting their Twilight fix just from the page or the screen, they’ll soon be able to trek out to Washington state to dine at a new Twilight themed restaurant.

The Twilight books and films have already jump-started tourism to Forks, Washington, where the series takes place, and fans who go to Forks can visit the Twilight Lounge to see concerts and events planned for fans.

Forks residents Anne and Tom Root have announced that they’ll be adding to the tourist draw of the city by opening a family friendly restaurant named “Volterra,” after a city featured in the Twilight series.

What will be the next industry that’ll be able to capitalize on Twilight‘s success?

Full moon

The upcoming trailer for The Twilight Saga: New Moon will be attached to the tween flick Bandslam, opening everywhere on 8/14. I’m assuming that the same people who are into Twilighty goodness are also into Bandslam. On second thought, I don’t think anybody is “into” Bandslam. Hell, it’s my JOB to know about Bandslam and I still don’t know what the hell it is. I just know it has the Disney chick that keeps taking naughty pictures of herself.

Well, if you can’t wait until Friday for the New Moon trailer, Summit will be releasing the trailer to online audiences sometime today.

Here’s a listing of other trailer attachments comin’ at cha later this month:

Avatar Day: Avatar trailer and 15 minutes of footage from Avatar.
The Wolfman w/ Inglourious Basterds
Inception w/ Inglourious Basterds

You can see the New Moon Teaser Trailer now right here at Atomic Popcorn.