“This is a unique situation. I get to play her for a really long time, and that also is a serious indulgence and something that’s really lucky because I feel really sad when I lose a character at the end of a short shoot, which typically is six weeks on a small movie, which is what I’m used to,” she said at a press conference for Eclipse. “It definitely is obviously the one role that has put me in this sort of epic position, but it’s just another movie, and I think it doesn’t matter if you’re doing a studio movie or if you’re doing an independent movie, when you get to the set and you’re doing a scene, it’s always going to be the same job. I really don’t think about my career in terms of planning it out and what this does for me. This was a part I really wanted to play, and luckily I got to do it for a long time.”

At this point, after playing her for three films, few people know the character of Bella Swan better than Kristen Stewart. She seems to understand Bella’s faults and applauds her ability to recognize her mistakes.

“All of the things that sort of annoy me about her are things that I like about her because she always sort of comes around and realizes that she can be a little selfish. She’s definitely not naggy, but because she tries so hard not to be, sometimes I feel like, ‘Why don’t you just let yourself be.’ Sometimes she picks on herself too much. But I completely relate to that,” Stewart said. “I always say my favorite thing about her is that she screws up a lot and doesn’t care. It’s just like, ‘This is the way life is, and I’m young, and I’m growing up.’”

In Eclipse, in particular, Bella makes important decisions about her life, and Stewart gladly took on that challenge.

“She’s pushed to the point where the decision needs to be made in this one, but she does that in each movie. And what’s cool is that things change, and as certain as she is sometimes and as absolutely gung-ho and young and courageous and brave, she’s also willing to take a step back and go, ‘OK, I’m going to reconsider my options and reconsider how I’m treating everybody’ because she acknowledges that she’s being a little bit selfish. She makes the choice, but I feel like the choice has been made as soon as she sees him in the first one. It’s done. But it’s hard for her to get to the point where everyone is going to accept that, and this the one that it sort of happens in.”

Fans of Meyer’s books want to see every aspect of the stories on the big screen. But that’s difficult with books that are, in the case of Eclipse, 600-plus pages. Aspects of the plot are cut out or shifted for the sake of telling the story in movie form. Like those fans, there are things in the books Stewart wishes had made it to the screen.

“There are a million things,” she said. “Every single time we watch one the movies, especially if some of the cast watches it together, it’s always an incredibly frustrating experience. That’s why I’m glad Breaking Dawn is going to be two movies. So there’s going to be less of that. There’s going to be less of having to lose stuff.”

Now that Eclipse is in theaters, Stewart is looking forward to what’s next for her character in the upcoming films of Breaking Dawn.

“I can’t wait to see Renesmee. I can’t wait to have a kid and get married. All of it. It’s going to be crazy,” she said. “She’s going to be the coolest vampire out of all of them. I mean, she’s got the greatest power. Nothing can touch her, and she can literally protect the whole clan. I think it will be awesome to see how much she’s changed from Twilight. She’s a 17-year-old kid who really doesn’t care about a whole lot other than herself and to see her become this sort of matriarch will just be really cool.”

To me, The Twilight Saga: Eclipse feels like blend of the best of the first two movies. It captures the sexiness and energy of Twilight, even returning to the more blue tones of the first movie. It also pays the same respect to the novel that The Twilight Saga: New Moon did. But while New Moon was very much a visual representation of the words Meyer wrote, Eclipse takes her plot and rearranges them a bit, which keeps even the most loyal fans interested. Everything is there, it just might not be in the order you expect it. Screenwriter Melissa Rosenburg also added some backstory in places, particularly with the characters of Riley and Bree, that actually adds to the storyline. With that said, there are, of course, some things that are missing. It would be rather difficult to turn a 600-plus page book into a movie and still include everything. But the things fans most want to see – the tent scene and the leg hitch – are still there.

Much of that plot centers on the idea of two. Kristen Stewart’s Bella makes her choice between Robert Pattinson’s Edward and Taylor Lautner’s Jacob. Two sides – the Cullens and the Quileute wolfpack – come together to fight one common enemy. There are even two ideas of marriage discussed as Bella considers Edward’s proposal. Bella feels that at 18, she’s much too young and people will assume they’re getting married for the wrong reasons. Edward, on the other hand, explains that in culture he grew up in during the 1910s, people courted and did marry at that age.

Another predominant theme in Eclipse is family. The Cullens, a group of vampires who have chosen not to drink human blood, rally to protect Bella simply because Edward loves her. In addition, audiences get to see how two members of the family came to join them. The backstories of Nikki Reed’s Rosalie and Jackson Rathbone’s Jasper are explained, and it’s nice to see those actors get a few well-deserved minutes in the spotlight.

It’s also nice to see Pattinson and Stewart become even more comfortable in their roles, as well as with each other. The chemistry between the two of them, which was electric in Twilight, felt somewhat stilted in New Moon. But it’s back in a more grown-up, seemingly self-assured way. Their Bella and Edward feel like an actual couple in love rather than a schoolgirl with a crush and vampire who may or may not be slightly obsessive. Whatever the reason, their on-screen relationship seems much more authentic.

Individually, Pattinson and Stewart have improved as well. Edward is not nearly as overly-serious and brooding as he was in New Moon, and is, at times, playful, romantic and even funny, which Pattinson certainly takes to well. Pattinson seems to breathe a bit of life back into Edward in this film and makes it easy to forget that he’s not just a teenager in love. It is in those quiet moments between Edward and Bella where Pattinson really shines, making the audience feel Edward’s struggle between wanting to protect Bella and allowing her to stand on her own. Stewart does a fantastic job of capturing that awkward transition from teenager to adult. Bella is at an age when she is making decisions about what she wants from life, and Stewart nails that combination of innocence and self-assuredness with an understated grace.

It’s also nice to see Lautner’s Jacob grow as well. He’s gone from sidekick (OK, best friend) to a true leader among his pack. And not matter what team you’re on, you can’t help but feel for the guy when Bella makes her decision.

But once again, it’s the humans who steal the show. Anna Kendrick takes the spotlight in each scene she’s in as Bella’s friend and classmate Jessica Stanley. And Billy Burke (and his incredible comedic timing) again stands out as Bella’s father, police chief Charlie Swan. One of the truly hilarious moments of the movie comes when Charlie attempts to have “the talk” with Bella. It’s uncomfortable. It’s cringeworthy. And it will have you in hysterics.

The new cast members deserve some credit, too. Bryce Dallas Howard turns in a commendable performance after replacing Rachelle LeFevre as Victoria. Julia Jones added an interesting dynamic as the only female member of the wolfpack. And keep your eyes on Xavier Samuel. His performance as Riley is a good introduction to American film audiences.

Director David Slade does an excellent job with this material, particularly in the balance of action and romance. The pacing is good, taking the audience from one scene to another without rushing. The effects also seem to get better as this series continues. The wolves look more realistic, and the vampire sparkles are less, well, cheesy.

Fans of this series undoubtedly will love this third installment. But Eclipse, in particular, will interest those who aren’t fans as well. It’s exciting, it’s romantic, and it is the best of the series so far.

Now, the wait begins for the first part of Breaking Dawn on Nov. 18, 2011.

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

Those days are a thing of the past, and I can tell you exactly when the winds of change started. It was with one movie. A box-office smash from a famous director known for making horror films, starring a cast of attractive twenty-somethings. The flick is Scream, a reinvention of the slasher wheel that was marketed toward the fangirls as much as it was for the fanboys. Gone were the days when a genre-type film was advertised with daring artwork. Now it was about the poster having more of a Vanity Fair look, a more glamorous touch to them. There is no arguing that this strategy worked in spades, as Hollywood struck oil with a old selling point for a new generation. Today’s advertising is about grappling your attention with a hot young actor who is going to be starring in the film.

Money talks, as the Kevin Williamson penned project made well over one hundred million dollars in domestic ticket sales. The floodgates opened and every young star wanted to be in the next big thing. Jennifer Love Hewitt in I Know What You Did Last Summer, Josh Hartnett in The Faculty, and Katie Holmes in Disturbing Behavior are prime examples.

Incredible things can happen when you find that magic in a bottle that is a great story with an attractive cast. The new millennium has found this potent formula again in the film versions of Stephanie Meyer’s best selling novels that have touched the pop culture zeitgeist like nothing I have seen before. Was this what it was like when The Beatles invaded America in the 1960′s?

Summit Entertainment and Creation Entertainment came to Los Angeles, California for three days of all things Twilight. I’ve have been to many of these kinds of events, and aside from Comic-Con, I have never seen such a huge auditorium full of hardcore fans. The room was wide open and from left to right; it looked like the setting for a small concert. It was appropriate because the stars of this series are like rock gods to these girls.

I will be the first to admit that I am not the demographic for the Twilight films, but I can really appreciate the magnitude of what the franchise has accomplished, especially in the economic times that we live in.

Keep your eyes peeled for our coverage of the Los Angeles Premiere of Eclipse and interviews with its stars in the coming weeks.

Click on the pictures for a larger image.

The next chapter began in November 2009 with the theatrical release of The Twilight Saga: New Moon. And now that it is out on DVD and Blu-ray, there is one question on the mind of all Twi-hards – which version should I buy?

The Film:

New Moon is the second installment of Stephenie Meyer’s saga. And it is significantly more serious than Twilight. If the first movie (and book) in the series is about the wonder, elation, tumult, giddiness and head-in-the-clouds feeling of first love, then New Moon brings it crashing back down to earth as that first love finds its basis in reality and figures out how to sustain itself when circumstances seem to want to tear it apart.

In New Moon, Bella Swan is injured at her birthday party, which leads her boyfriend, vampire Edward Cullen, to decide to leave her – for her own good. Bella goes into a deep depression but finds that things start to improve as her friendship with Jacob Black (who turns out to be a werewolf) deepens. Then, after a misunderstanding, Bella travels to Italy to stop Edward from making the ultimate sacrifice. While there, it is decided that she, too, must become one of “the cold ones.”

Overall, this film is fairly true to the book, which I appreciate. The deviations made from the text make sense when it is translated on screen. However, there are some important details left out – in particular, some pretty significant conversations between Edward and Bella as they return from Italy.

The performances reflect the emotional intensity of the novel. Kristen Stewart makes you feel Bella’s heartbreak. Robert Pattinson captures Edward’s anguish as he struggles to do what he thinks is the right thing. And Taylor Lautner literally warms the screen with a big smile as Bella’s best friend and would-be suitor.

The cinematography, too, is good. The warm earth tones are pleasant, and the transitions from shot to shot have a nice flow.

The DVD:

Audio/Video: The audio and video are comparable to the theatrical release. The colors and visuals are crisp and clear as is the sound.

Commentaries: An audio commentary with director Chris Weitz and editor Peter Lamber is included.

This is the one area where the DVD is truly lacking. One of the best parts of the Twilight DVD is the commentary with director Catherine Hardwicke as well as Stewart and Pattinson. It is both hilarious and insightful. Of course, Weitz and Lambert’s commentary on New Moon is just as insightful, but it’s missing the actors’ perspectives. Commentary with Stewart, Pattinson and Lautner would have added greatly to this DVD.

Special Features: This is where things get interesting. It seems there are approximately 927 different versions of the DVD and Blu-ray, all with their own special features. (OK, I exaggerate. There aren’t quite than many, but you get my point. There are several to choose from.) All versions include the commentary, a six-part behind-the-scenes documentary, band rehearsal footage with Muse and music videos from Death Cab for Cutie, Anya Marina and Mutemath. But here’s a look at what’s included with three other popular versions.

Target version: Here is the PSA where I mention that, for the sake of this study, this is the version I looked at. Target has a three-disc deluxe edition. On that third disc are exclusive deleted scenes (and some of them are quite good), “Interview with the Volturi”, a feature on the film’s music, feature on how the film was made from storyboards to screen, and a feature on the fans, aptly titled “Fandimonium”.

Wal-Mart version: The big draw here is a seven-minute look at Eclipse (coming June 30 to a theater near you). Other features include “Team Edward vs. Team Jacob: The Ultimate Love Triangle”, “Edward Fast Forward”, “Jacob Fast Forward”, “Becoming Jacob”, “Introducing the Wolfpack”, and a feature on shooting in Italy.

Borders version: Special features include a medallion necklace, unreleased extended scenes, interviews with Weitz and cast members (including Stewart, Pattinson and Lautner), red carpet footage from the movie’s premiere, and front row seats to The Twilight Saga: New Moon webcast.

Conclusion: Most Twilight fans are going to buy more than one version of this DVD based on the special features and packaging they want. But it’s a should-buy (or should-rent) for everyone else, too. Give this saga a try.

The Film: Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

The DVD: Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

With all of the hype and hate, negative reviews and big bucks made, for some reason The Vatican has stepped in and offered up what the Church feels about this phenomenon of a franchise:

“This theme of vampires in Twilight combines a mixture of excesses that, as ever is aimed at young people and gives a heavy esoteric element…This film is nothing more than a moral vacuum with a deviant message and as such should be of concern.”

The Vatican has always stepped in and offered thoughts on various films from time to time, usually to condemn something, much like now. We can look at it two ways: One, the Vatican is stepping on Mormons toes here, since the film made serious Passion of the Christ numbers, because it is well-known that the book’s author and a fellow Mormon, Stephanie Meyers used these books to preach the themes of pro-abstinence. Two, religion is a business, and piggy-backing on a popular cultural phenom like Twilight is easy marketing.

Maybe I said too much, say what you will in our comments section below!

Source: Celeb Buzz

Radiohead frontman Thom Yorke recorded a new song called Hearing Damage for the film. The Killers also contributed a new track called A White Demon Love Song and Muse remixed I Belong to You (from their new album The Resistance) for the soundtrack. New Moon also features new music from Lykke Li, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Band of Skulls,  Anya Marina, Editors and more.

According to Meyer’s site, all music is exclusive to the soundtrack, which will be released on October 20th, one month before New Moon is released in theaters.

Here is the full tracklist:

1. Death Cab For Cutie – “Meet Me On The Equinox”
2. Band Of Skulls – “Friends”
3. Thom Yorke – “Hearing Damage”
4. Lykke Li – “Possibility”
5. The Killers – “A White Demon Love Song”
6. Anya Marina – “Satellite Heart”
7. Muse – “I Belong To You (New Moon)”
8. Bon Iver and St. Vincent – “Roslyn”
9. Black Rebel Motorcycle Club – “Done All Wrong”
10. Hurricane Bells – “Monsters”
11. Sea Wolf – “The Violet Hour”
12. OK Go – “Shooting The Moon”
13. Grizzly Bear – “Slow Life”
14. Editors – “No Sound But The Wind”
15. Alexandre Desplat – “New Moon (The Meadow)”

SOURCE: Rolling Stone

SOURCE: MTV

Source: Collider

Source: TheBigPicture

Today though brings us The Vampire’s Assistant, that was originally titled Cirque Du Freak, but was changed to further emphasize the fact that vampires appear in the film. Freak so far seems to be a lot of fun, and a bit refreshing in comparison to a lot of what’s out in the market currently.

The film opens in theaters October 23rd and is directed by Paul Weitz (brother to New Moon‘s director Chris Weitz), whose previous credits include About A Boy and In Good Company.

The Vampire’s Assistant contains Salma Hayek as the bearded lady, John C. Reilly as the lead vampire, Patrick Fugit as the snake boy, Willem Dafoe as another vampire and Ken Wattanabe.

Source: Cinematical

The film is directed by Joe Johnston, future First Avenger: Captain America, and stars Benicio del Toro and Anthony Hopskins.

Source: LA Times

Source: You Tube

Source: Shocktillyoudrop

So far what we know is:

All memberships have already been sold out for only the second time in the Con’s history.

Though no official word has come there may be a massive push for James Cameron’s Avatar as well as the man himself making an appearance  (and hopefully showcasing the first footage from the film).

Sherlock Holmes and Jonah Hex are set to make an appearance at the Warner Bros. exhibit.

Disney will showcase Jerry Bruckheimer’s Prince of Persia which may include the films first trailer.

Richard Kelly‘s followup to his divise Southland Tales, The Box will be showcased along with the films main stars Cameron Diaz and James Marsden. MYSPACE

No date given but Zack Snyder will be in attendance to showcase a Blu Ray Live screening of Watchmen.

The upcoming apocalyptic thriller from the guys behind Godzilla and The Day After Tomorrow will show 2012 for Sony Pictures.

Peter Jackson will be in attendance to help promote District 9, the alien invasion film he helped produce. NY TIMES

Television shows in attendance for the con: Dollhouse,Mythbusters,Chuck,Fringe,Caprica,Flash Forward, V remake,Eastwick, Past Life, and Human Target ZAP2IT

The complete series of G.I Joe and Transformers will be available for sale at the con. TVONDVD

While this is a RUMOUR a this point but word is that James McTeigue’s Ninja Assasin will have its first screening at the fest.

While Heroes is an annual mainstay at the con since 2006 this year the popular television show will NOT appear.  CHICAGO TRIBUNE

THe CW will showcase The Vampire Diaries, Supernatural and Smallville at this years fest. WPIX

Clive Barker will be in attendance for a screening of A Book Of Blood. EXAMINER

The entire cast of the fantastic series True Blood will be in attendance along with series creator Alan Ball for recap of Season one and to promote the Season 2 which debuted last week. EXAMINER

The first real footage from Kate Beckinsale‘s anticipated horror film Whiteout will showcase during the fest as well. LA TIMES

And last but not least for the ladies out there the cast of New Moon is also scheduled to appear, though main star Robert Pattinson is still debatable as he is currently filming another film at the day of the fest. LA TIMES

Source: ShockYa