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New Moon: Better Than Twilight

BuzzSugar — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 05:45:00 -0800

Let's be honest: for most of you, it doesn't matter what I - or any critics for that matter - have to say about New Moon, the incredibly anticipated sequel to last year's Twilight. The film started breaking box office records before it was even released, and audiences will flock to the theaters for weeks to come. On the plus side, a ticket to New Moon is a win even if you're not a Twihard - provided that you know what you're getting into.

New Moon is not incredibly acted, and it doesn't boast impressive dialogue or larger-than-life special effects. But it's not trying to be the Best Picture of the Year, so I can only critique it for what it is: a fantasy movie about a love triangle between a werewolf, a vampire, and a teenage girl. To see what I mean, just read more.

The movie picks up a few months after where Twilight left off. Bella Swan (Kristen Stewart) is blissfully in love but she can't fight her insecurities about growing older than her perpetually seventeen vampire boyfriend Edward Cullen (Robert Pattinson). All Bella wants for her eighteenth birthday is for Edward to change her into a bloodsucker, but a close call with his brother drives Edward to break up with Bella and leave town instead.

The drama following Bella's abandonment is everything we remember from high school heartbreak, from Bella's night terrors to the glazed over look in her eye. The anguish and pain are easily seen on Stewart's face, and her innermost thoughts are revealed to the audience through letters to Edward's sister Alice that will never be sent. After months of moping, Bella finally starts to open up to Jacob Black (Taylor Lautner), a family friend. As Bella struggles to find hope in a life without Edward, her friendship is complicated by Jacob's romantic feelings for Bella and made worse when Jacob discovers that he's a werewolf (and an enemy to all vampires).

The surprise of the movie is Lautner's performance. We've seen and heard about those muscles countless times before, but he also packs enough charm and charisma into his Jacob that you truly see him as more than just Bella's unrelenting admirer / best friend. He presents himself as a viable suitor for Bella's heart, and it's hard not to root for him against Robert Pattinson's wooden (albeit handsome) Edward. Stewart and Pattinson have chemistry to spare in Twilight, but in New Moon, Bella's relationship with Jacob seems hopeful and comfortable while her scenes with Edward are mostly awkward and frankly not as much fun to watch.

The movie belongs to Stewart and Lautner, but their melodrama is balanced out by the characters who pad out the cast. Yes, we meet the wolf pack and the Volturi, but for the most part the Forks residents and beyond make for some much-needed comic relief. The downside is that while it's funnier than what you'd expect, not all of the laughs are intentional (a scene where Jacob's temper rivals that of The Incredible Hulk comes to mind).

It doesn't take more than a grain of salt to appreciate New Moon for what it is - a film that stays true to its origin and delivers the necessary elements to ensure that you'll be back when the next installment of the franchise comes our way.

Photos courtesy of Summit Entertainment

The Ladies of New Moon's Mystical Styles

FabSugar — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 17:30:11 -0800

So close, so exciting! New Moon's US release is Friday. The Sugar Network has been following every premiere and party. Fab's been voting on Kristen's red carpet looks, but all the other ladies of New Moon have some serious style going on too. I'm keeping my eye on bombshell Ashley Greene and cutie Dakota Fanning as well, but hear celebrity stylist Nikki Pennie break down each girl's style.

Like what you see? Stay tuned for more FABTV!

New Moon Watch '09: Top 10 New Moon Cast Moments

PopSugarTV — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 12:13:30 -0800

From the Cullen family's offscreen dynamic to Robert Pattinson's sexy smile, we count down our top 10 favorite moments from the New Moon promotional blitz!

New Moon Watch ’09: Robert, Kristen, Taylor, & More at LA Premiere!

PopSugarTV — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 17:06:42 -0800

Robert Pattinson, Kristen Stewart, and Taylor Lautner led the New Moon cast down the red carpet at the star-studded LA premiere! And our editors explain how you can make your New Moon movie night one to remember!

Trend Alert: Satin Party Platforms

FabSugar — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 16:00:22 -0800

It's almost party time people. Catch up on your sleep and get your party wardrobe in order now to avoid holiday burnout. While you could go the princess route, like Kristen Stewart did at the New Moon LA premiere, on the other side of the red carpet, was Dakota Fanning in a flirtatious lace Valentino frock and satin party platforms. I have a black lace-up Banana Republic pair I'm looking forward to dusting off, though fanciful colors like blood red, fuchsia, and navy have their own appeal.

Who Was the Best Dressed at the New Moon Premiere?

PopSugar — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 12:00:51 -0800

The red carpet at last night's New Moon premiere was a busy place, but the film's female stars stood out in their gorgeous dresses. Some went long while others chose short, but all the ladies looked fantastic with their array of beauty styles. So tell us - who do you think was the best dressed at last night's premiere?

Video of New Moon's Volturi on Filming Fun and Premiere Plans

PopSugarTV — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 12:00:00 -0800

Michael Sheen, Dakota Fanning, Jamie Campbell Bower, and Cameron Bright tell us in an exclusive sit-down interview that they had lots of fun amid all their serious scenes and Dakota reveals how she balances show business with teen life.

The Afterparties Don't Stop For the New Moon Crew and LL

PopSugar — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 10:30:00 -0800

The New Moon afterparty fun kicked off with a photo shoot and drinks for Robert Pattinson, Kristen Stewart, and Taylor Lautner, but the show soon moved over to Teddy's in Hollywood. It just so happened that Lindsay Lohan and Samantha Ronson met up at the club at the same time that Kellan Lutz hopped out of his limo to head inside. He stopped to say hi to Samantha before having a little trouble entering the private Twilight area. Dakota Fanning flashed her big smile as she headed toward the bash, while Ashley Greene showed off her second dress of the evening. Robert Pattinson, meanwhile, smiled as he talked to reporters and played with a Bella doll. Kristen wasn't out to join the fun, but she was on The Tonight Show yesterday - check out her lengthy interview below!

To see more from the bash and Kristen's interview with Conan, just read more.

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New Moon: Love Triangle and New Additions Live Up to Hype

PopSugarUK — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 08:00:00 -0800

The wait is almost over, as New Moon hits our cinemas on Friday! The huge anticipation for the second installment of the Twilight saga puts a great amount of pressure on it, but I'm pleased to report it lives up to the hype. The story starts with Bella Swan's (Kristen Stewart) 18th birthday, and the rivalry between Edward Cullen (Robert Pattinson) and Jacob Black (Taylor Lautner) is set up from the outset. The three leads all bring intensity and passion to their roles once again, and there are several stand-out performances from the supporting cast.

To find out more about the movie, and see tons of stills from the film, just read more.

An incident at Bella's party leads Edward and the Cullens to leave Forks and a heartbroken and hunted Bella behind. Jacob and Bella's friendship deepens as she becomes an adrenaline junkie and Jacob undergoes his own major changes. The ancient battle between vampires and werewolves is reignited, and we learn more about the hierarchy as the action moves to the Volturi in Italy. The film benefits from the change in location, and the additional characters raise the excitement levels and keep the saga moving forward.

The addition of the Wolf Pack and the Volturi bring depth and context to the battles between individuals. Jacob and his boys spend most of the second half of the movie shirtless, but it's not all bare torsos, as the back story of Sam (Chaske Spencer) adds another dimension to the dangers Bella faces. Dakota Fanning shines in her small part as subtly sinister Volturi guard Jane, and Michael Sheen is impressive as Aro. Michael Welch also deserves special mention for bringing some much need humour to the film as Mike, another of Bella's suitors who frankly doesn't stand a chance when faced with Edward and Jacob as competition.

New Moon definitely puts Jacob in the spotlight, and the lack of Cullens airtime will disappoint Team Edward fans. I found the first half of Twilight dragged a bit and the sequel follows the same formula of a slower beginning, but it has more action than the original and the running time of 130 minutes doesn't feel quite as long as the first film (although it could do with being tightened up). The deeper storyline of the love triangle and the new characters ensures the second film in the saga goes further than the first, and fans will find plenty to adore.

Get yourself in the mood for New Moon by checking out the first, second and third trailers, and by reading my interviews with the cast. Are you planning on seeing it on Friday?

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Robert, Taylor and Kristen Join New Moon Stars at LA Premiere

PopSugarUK — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 01:29:23 -0800

Robert Pattinson, Taylor Lautner and Kristen Stewart dazzled on the red carpet at the New Moon premiere in Los Angeles last night. They were joined by their costars, including Cullens Elizabeth Reaser, Peter Facinelli, Ashley Greene, Kellan Lutz and Jackson Rathbone. After all their promotional tours and interviews, the stars looked happy to finally premiere their film in front of their adoring fans: check out gossip straight from the red carpet via PopUS's twitter!

Our very own Brits Jamie Campbell Bower and Michael Sheen represented the Volturi, and were joined by fellow vampire Dakota Fanning, who posed with Kristen and Joan Jett for a reunion of The Runaways crew. While Kristen opted for a full-length Oscar de la Renta dress, Nikki Reed went short as did Dakota in her Valentino number: tell FabUK if you love it or hate it. Robert's Remember Me costar Emilie de Ravin also attended the premiere, as did the woman who began it all, author Stephenie Meyer. Stay tuned for pictures from the after party!

To see LOADS more pictures from the premiere, including 50 Cent, Emma Roberts, Jamie Kennedy, Jennie Garth, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Anna Kendrick, Elle Fanning, Cat Deeley, Jack Huston, Emma Roberts, Charlie Bewley, Chaske Spencer and Edi Gathegi, just read more.

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Images include: 50 Cent, Ashley Greene, Dakota Fanning, Elizabeth Reaser, Emma Roberts, Jamie Kennedy, Jennie Garth, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Kellan Lutz, Kristen Stewart, Nikki Reed, Peter Facinelli, Robert Pattinson, Taylor Lautner, Anna Kendrick, Elle Fanning, Emilie de Ravin, Jack Huston, Jackson Rathbone, Jamie Campbell Bower, Michael Sheen, Stephenie Meyer, Emma Roberts, Joan Jett, Charlie Bewley, Chaske Spencer, Cat Deeley, Edi Gathegi

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