Lets get this out of the way right now — fans should SEE IT – you may only be a little disappointed.  MY WIFE LOVED IT but she had a few minor issues with this movie.  Non-fans should wait for the excitement to die down or WAIT TO  RENT…. or you may be doubly disappointed with fighting the crowds and seeing a less than stellar offering.   Let me tell you why, without spoilers….

  (My spoiler-free review)

By now, most of us know the story: teen girl (Bella) crushes on teen-looking vampire (Edward, who is actually 100+ years old).  Now with “New Moon”, this “Twilight” love gets the third leg in its triangle… as good friend Jacob (West Michigan native Taylor Lautner) starts to become more than just a good pal due to the circumstances of this chapter.

This growing love interest with Jacob adds to the themes of Love, Forbidden Love, Love Lost, Sacrifice, Tough Choices and more Forbidden Love…. and then more Tough Choices.

I guess Bella can’t catch a break.  First its Forbidden Love with a vampire and the whole teen anxst thing… now its on to another Forbidden/awkward level… why can’t she just date a normal guy… with no superpowers or immortality?  Because that would be boring.  And the references to Romeo and Juliet laid out early in this one wouldn’t make sense now would they?

But as this new chapter’s pieces all begin to unfold (and there are a lot of storylines to keep track of)…. its clear that not all is good for the happy couple… including Bella now worried about growing old like normal people.

The movie makes a clear distinction between Bella’s two love interests both in personality and physique… but its a labor going through the two hours she takes to come to a decision.   The visual journey isn’t easy either – with one close-up after another and tracking camera moves around Bella … its like a director with a budget and tools he never had before.

Most of those storylines do make sense in the end… but the journey through this love story/fantasy adventure is a lot of mushy, over-the-top moments that we know these good young actors can do better at… we saw it in some scenes here… but not in others. 

There’s more effects and long exhaustive camera movements with blaring music than actual character development.   More time is spent in the second half of the movie with the male leads removing their shirts and being objectified by Bella… than actually digging deeper into their characters… they are just moved along a storyline… in the same fashion and mostly the same acting as the first.  We expect more from a sequel since the main characters are established, we should be getting more into who they are and why.

Its good that all the effects support the story, and are not just done because the fillmakers have a bigger budget.    There are also nice little moments of humor – some only fans will get – that break up a lot of the tension and overall gloominess of the film.

West Michigan can be proud of Hudsonville native Taylor Lautner who does a good job with what he has to work with and succesfully pulls off the change in his character… Jacob is the only character that really gets much development this time around.   In “New Moon”, Lautner begins to seperate himself as a strong character and actor apart from his mopey screen companions that mostly do the same thing they did in “Twilight” – look young and inexperienced and unpolished… acceptable in the first movie… not this time around.

The supporting cast gets a little to work with including more for Ashley Greene’s “Alice” character… and respectable fare from Michael Sheen who plays a powerful vampire with limited screen time.

THE BOTTOM LINE:

Most fans will love this movie, others may become confused and point at this chapter as the not-so-good one – perhaps this generation’s “Return of the Jedi”… I give it 6.9 out of 10.

If you are one of the fans who are let down by this chapter in the “Twilight” saga – lets hope for better things in “Eclipse”.  And remember Twi-hards, don’t feel too bad if your dreams of “New Moon” aren’t fully realized – waiting a year for this disappointment is nothing like  waiting 3 years for “Phantom Menace” – only to be mostly let down…  I’ll always have Jar Jar to trump you… and don’t forget Greedo shooting first.

 “New Moon”

(2009) (rated: PG-13 for some violence and action)
(2 hr, 10 min)

Starring: Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson, Taylor Lautner, Billy Burke, Anna Kendrick, Michael Welch, Justin Chon, Christian Serratos, Ashley Greene, Jackson Rathbone, Russell Roberts,  Michael Sheen, Peter Facinelli, Rachelle Lefevre, Elizabeth Reaser, Kellan Lutz, Tyson Houseman, Alex Meraz, Bronson Pelletier, Edi Gathegi, Dakota Fanning, Christina Jastrzembska, Cam Gigandet

Director: Chris Weitz  (”The Golden Compass” (2007), “Down to Earth” (2001))

Genre: Romance/Fantasy/Drama/Horror/Thriller

The Plot: After Bella recovers from the vampire attack that almost claimed her life, she looks to celebrate her birthday with Edward and his family. 

So what did you think?  Please post a comment!

.
“New Moon” poster courtesy Summit Entertainment

 ** CLICK HERE TO CHECK OUT MY OTHER MOVIE REVIEWS **

Follow my updates on twitter: http://twitter.com/aaronlafferty

Add me to your RSS feed: http://feeds2.feedburner.com/woodtv8-blogs-laff-at-the-movies?format=html

On Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Laff-at-the-Movies/166412513994

My votes on IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/mymovies/list?l=43558226

YouTube Highlights: http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=WOODTV8&view=videos&query=laff+at+the+movies

 36 “New Moon” (Twilight Saga) shows are now sold out at Celebration! Cinemas… the movie opens November 20th, to keep up with demand… new shows have been added at Celebration! North and Celebration RiverTown !! 

To check how the shows are selling, click over to the Celebration New Moon page.

ORIGINALLY POSTED 10/29/09:

Celebration! Cinema selling tickets for “Twilight” and “New Moon” on same night

Forget how the first one ended?  Just want to see it again?  Never saw it?!!?  Here’s your chance to see “Twilight” and the sequel “New Moon” on the same trip to the theater!!

Tickets are already selling at many Celebration! Cinema locations for Thursday, November 19th when “Twilight”, the first film in the series, will be shown at 9:00pm and then ”New Moon” premieres at midnight Friday, November 20th.

Here’s a look at how tickets are sellling at Celebration locations (as of 8am 10/29/09):

Celebration! Cinema Benton Harbor – 1 “New Moon” show sold out

Celebration! Cinema Crossroads

Celebration! Cinema Grand Rapids North – 3 “New Moon” shows sold out

Celebration! Cinema Grand Rapids South – 2 “Twilight” shows sold out, 1 “New Moon” show sold out

Celebration! Cinema Lansing – 1 “Twilight” show sold out, 1 “New Moon” show sold out

Celebration! Cinema Rivertown – 3 “Twilight” shows sold out, 4 ”New Moon” shows sold out

Cinema Carousel Muskegon – 1 “New Moon” show sold out

Celebration! Cinema Mt. Pleasant – “Twilight” tickets only available at box office, 7 ”New Moon” shows sold out

 Click on this link for more info on buying tickets!

“New Moon” poster courtesy Summit Entertainment

  Follow my updates on twitter: http://twitter.com/aaronlafferty

Add to your RSS feed: http://feeds2.feedburner.com/woodtv8-blogs-laff-at-the-movies?format=html

YouTube Highlights: http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=WOODTV8&view=videos&query=laff+at+the+movies

“Twilight Saga: New Moon”’s  Alex Meraz is scheduled to make an appearance at a Grand Rapids Griffins hockey game three weeks after the new movie is released.

Meraz will take part in the Griffins’ Twilight Night” at Van Andel Arena for the Grand Rapids on Saturday, December 12th at 8:00 pm.

24 year old Meraz plays “Paul” (one of the Quileute teens – the werewolves) in the second installment of the Twilight series based on the books by Stephanie Meyer.

Meraz is scheduled to sign free autographs for ticketed Griffins fans from 7:00-8:00 pm and drop the ceremonial puck prior to the game against the Milwaukee Admirals.  Group tickets include an exclusive meet-and-greet opportunity with Meraz.

For more info: Grand Rapids Griffins

 Follow my updates on twitter: http://twitter.com/aaronlafferty

Add to your RSS feed: http://feeds2.feedburner.com/woodtv8-blogs-laff-at-the-movies?format=html

YouTube Highlights: http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=WOODTV8&view=videos&query=laff+at+the+movies

New at Theaters (Friday): “Duplicity”, “I Love You, Man”, “Knowing”, “Super Capers” (limited, playing in several theaters in Grand Rapids market)

 Watch the trailer for “Duplicity”

Watch the trailer for “I Love You, Man”

Watch the trailer for “Knowing”

Watch the trailer for “Super Capers”

BEST BET: “I Love You, Man” is a funny R-rated buddy comedy that is a good man-date movie choice and could be a date night movie with wife or girlfriend… “Duplicity” is a crime/thriller with Julia Roberts and Clive Owen that looks pretty good, but have not seen yet …. and “Knowing” is a sci-fi/thriller that is good, but might be a better rental because you could be disappointed after paying full price for your movie ticket and concessions.

 CLICK HERE TO FIND A MOVIE SHOWTIME

New on DVD (Tuesday): “Elegy”, “Punisher: War Zone”, “Twilight” (Saturday 3/21) 

BEST BET: “Twilight” was the big event movie for fans of the book, it won’t be available to rent/buy until Saturday, while “Elegy” had some early Oscar buzz for the acting performances of Penelope Cruz and Ben Kingsley, if you like superhero movies and waited to see “Punisher: War Zone”… and you’ve seen everything else (10 new movies on DVD last week), now may be the time to see it.

MY REVIEWS OF OTHER MOVIES CURRENTLY PLAYING IN THEATERS OR AVAILABLE TO RENT: 

Playing at West Michigan movie theaters:
“Slumdog Millionaire” (9.5/ 10)
“The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” (9.5 / 10)
“The Wrestler” (8.9 / 10)
“Defiance” (8.0 / 10)
“I Love You, Man” (8.0/ 10)
“Revolutionary Road” (7.9 / 10)
“New in Town” (7.9 / 10)
“Taken” (7.5 / 10)
“Fanboys” (8.5 for me, adjusted to 7.5 for most)
“Quantum of Solace”  (7.5 / 10)
“He’s Just Not That Into You” (7.5 / 10)
“Bride Wars” (7.5 / 10)
“Marley & Me” (7.5 / 10)
“Four Christmases”  (7.5 / 10)
“Paul Blart: Mall Cop” (7.0 / 10)
“Knowing” (7.0 / 10)
“Watchmen” (7.0 / 10)
“Bedtime Stories” (7.0 / 10)
“Hotel for Dogs” (7.0 / 10)
“The Day the Earth Stood Still” (6.5 / 10)
“Confessions of A Shopaholic” (5.5 / 10)

- – -

Available to rent or buy:
“The Dark Knight” (9.5 / 10)
“Changeling”  (9.5 / 10)
“WALL-E” (9.0)
“Pride and Glory” (9.0 / 10)
“Righteous Kill” (8.9 / 10)
“Eagle Eye” (8.5 / 10)
“Burn After Reading” (8.5 / 10)
“Wanted” (8.0 / 10)
“The Visitor” (8.0 / 10)
“Australia”  (7.9 / 10)
“Frozen River” (7.9 / 10)
“Traitor” (7.5 / 10)
“The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian”
“Get Smart” (7.0 / 10)
“Twilight”  (7.0 / 10)
“Appaloosa” (6.9 / 10)
“Lakeview Terrace” (6.5 / 10)
“Hellboy II: Golden Army” (6.5 / 10)
“Noise” (6.0 / 10)

- – - 

Next Week at Theaters: “12 Rounds”, “The Haunting in Connecticut”, “Monsters Vs. Aliens”

Next Week on DVD: “Big Stan”, “Bolt”, “Quantum of Solace”,

—

Follow my updates on twitter: http://twitter.com/aaronlafferty

Add to your RSS feed: http://feeds2.feedburner.com/woodtv8-blogs-laff-at-the-movies?format=html

Attention “Twilight” fans!!  

While the DVD isn’t available until Saturday (3/21), Summit Entertainment wants to create a fun event out of the release with organized “Twilight at Midnight” DVD release parties at area stores on Friday from 10pm until midnight, much like book releases as stores are allowed to start selling the special edition DVDs just afer midnight on Saturday. 

There are more than a dozen “Twilight at Midnight” DVD release events across West Michigan, including the Walmart on Alpine, Hot Topic on 28th Street, FYE and Hot Topic at River Town Crossings Mall in Grandville, and the Walmart in Greenville, just enter your zip code through this link to the “Twilight at Midnight” store locator to find out which stores near you are staying open late to sell the DVD!!

Executives at Summit Entertainment are working with retailers to make this special edition DVD something that would not disappoint fans.   President of Home Entertainment, Steve Nickerson said “We wanted to say thank you to all of those who came out in droves last year and helped make Stephenie Meyer’s characters and story a truly successful movie.”   “What better way to celebrate than a weekend party with your fellow Twilight fans”, Nickerson added.

West Michigan native Taylor Lautner will officially be back for “Twilight” sequel: “New Moon”

That news being reported by entertainment news outlets all across the country today, the news is also on the home page of ”Twilight” author Stephenie Meyer’s website.

Lautner plays Jacob Black, a werewolf competing for the affections of main character Bella.

The movie is set for release November 20, 2009.

Read more about Taylor in my previous post (from, ironically Nov. 20, 2008)…

West Michigan Native in “Twilight”

(posted Nov. 20, 2008)

Taylor Lautner as Jacob in Twilight

West Michigan native in “Twilight”

Taylor Lautner was born in Grand Rapids and grew up in Hudsonville, and now his career is set to take-off after his role in Twilight.

Back in July, I posted a blog about Taylor, but with the switch to the new website, I have had to re-post and re-write what I posted then.

Taylor Lautner and Kristen Stewart in Twilight

Taylor plays Jacob Black, a werewolf and possible love interest of Bella, the main character in Twilight, a teen vampire/romance movie.

Taylor’s filmography includes: Cheaper by the Dozen 2 (2005), The Adventures of Sharkboy and Lavagirl 3-D (2005), Shadow Fury (2001)

From his bio on IMDB.com – Taylor began studying karate at the age of six, training at Fabiano’s Karate School (340 E Lakewood Blvd, Holland, MI or Fabiano’s Karate School website).

“Twilight” poster courtesy Summit Entertainment

“The Spirit” followed up its poor opening weekend by dropping to 13th (losing 49% of its audience) during a weekend with no wide releases (that’s a red flag movie go-ers !!!).

There were 27% fewer people ($130 million) at the movies over the New Year’s weekend compared to the big Christmas weekend ($179 million).

TOP MOVIES AT WEEKEND BOX OFFICE (estimated): 
1. “Marley & Me” – $24.05 million
(2nd week at #1, lost 34% of audience from last week)

2. “Bedtime Stories” – $20.32 million
(2nd week, was #2 last week, lost 26% of audience from last week)

3. “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” - $18.40 million
(2nd week, was #3 last week, lost 32% of audience from last week)

4. “Valkyrie” – $14.04 million
(2nd week, was #4 last week, lost 33% of audience from last week)

5. “Yes Man” – $13.85 million  
(3rd week, was #5 last week, lost 17% of audience from last week)

6. “Seven Pounds” – $10.00 million 
(3rd week, was #6 last week, lost 24% of audience from last week)

7. “The Tale of Desperaux” – $7.02 million 
(3rd week, was #7 last week, lost 21% of audience from last week)

8. ”Doubt″ – $5.03 million
(4th week, was #10 last week, lost 6% from last week)

9. “The Day the Earth Stood Still” – $4.85 million
(4th week, was #8 last week, lost 37% of audience from last week)

10. “Slumdog Millionaire” - $4.77 million (limited release: just 612 theaters)
(8th week, was #13 last week, 11% more audience than last week)

- – -

11. “Twilight”  – $4.53 million
(7th week, was #12 last week, lost 5% from last week)

13. “The Spirit” – $3.27 million
(2nd week, was #9 last week, lost 49% from last week)

15. ”Gran Torino″ – $2.82 million (limited release: just 84 theaters)
(4th week, was #15 last week, 21% more audience than last week)

Box Office numbers courtesy Box Office Mojo

The life story of a dog “Marley & Me” and the life story of a man who ages backwards “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” take first and third place, while Adam Sandler’s family movie was second and Tom Cruise’s nazi-era drama was fourth.

TOP MOVIES AT WEEKEND BOX OFFICE: 
1. “Marley & Me” – $37.00 million  (1st week)

2. “Bedtime Stories” – $28.07 million  (1st week)

3. “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” - $27.00 million  (1st week)

4. “Valkyrie” – $21.53 million  (1st week)

5. “Yes Man” – $16.45 million  
(2nd week, was #1 last week, lost 10% of audience from last week)

6. “Seven Pounds” – $13.40 million 
(2nd week, was #2 last week, lost 10% of audience from last week)

7. “The Tale of Desperaux” – $9.37 million 
(2nd week, was #3 last week, lost 7% of audience from last week)

8. “The Day the Earth Stood Still” – $7.90 million
(3rd week, was #4 last week, lost 20% of audience from last week)

9. “The Spirit” – $6.51 million (1st week)

10. ”Doubt″ – $5.68 million
(3rd week, was #15 last week, gained 733% more audience than last week, added 1,228 theaters)

- – -

11.  “Four Christmases”  – $5.05 million
(5th week, was #5 last week, lost 35% from last week)

12. “Twilight”  – $4.52 million
(6th week, was #6 last week, lost 13% from last week)

13. “Slumdog Millionaire” - $4.45 million (limited release: added 25 theaters)
(7th week, was #8 last week, 45% more audience than last week)

15. ”Gran Torino″ – $2.44 million (limited release: added 65 theaters)
(3rd week, was #18 last week, 421% more audience than last week)

Box Office numbers courtesy Box Office Mojo

Either way, the weekend’s three new releases came out on top, with Jim Carrey’s comedy Yes Man edging out Will Smith’s latest drama Seven Pounds for first place while the family movie The Tale of Desperaux barely beat last weekend’s number one The Day the Earth Stood Still for third place.

TOP MOVIES AT WEEKEND BOX OFFICE: 
1. “Yes Man” – $18.16 million  (1st week)

2. “Seven Pounds” – $16.00 million  (1st week)

3. “The Tale of Desperaux” – $10.51 million  (1st week)

4. “The Day the Earth Stood Still” – $10.15 million
(2nd week, was #1 last week, lost 66% of audience from last week)

5. “Four Christmases”  – $7.75 million
(4th week, was #2 last week, lost 40% from last week)

6. “Twilight”  – $5.22 million
(5th week, was #3 last week, lost 34% from last week)

7. ”Bolt”  – $4.26 million
(5th week, was #4 last week, lost 43% from last week)

8. “Slumdog Millionaire” - $3.15 million (limited release: added 420 theaters – now playing in Grand Rapids)
(6th week, was #11 last week, 44% more audience than last week)

9. “Australia”  – $2.33 million
(4th week, was #5 last week, lost 44% from last week)

10. “Quantum of Solace” - $2.15 million
(6th week, was #6 last week, lost 42% from last week)

- – -

11. ”Milk” – $1.64 million   (limited release: added 28 theaters)
(4th week, was #9 last week, lost 36% from last week)

14. ”Doubt″ – $0.73 million (limited release: added 24 theaters)
(2nd week, was #19 last week, 43% more than last week)

18. ”Gran Torino″ – $0.47 million (limited release: added 13 theaters)
(2nd week, was #20 last week, 72% more than last week)

Box Office numbers courtesy Box Office Mojo

TOP MOVIES AT WEEKEND BOX OFFICE: 
1. “The Day the Earth Stood Still” – $31.00 million  (1st week)

2. “Four Christmases”  – $13.27 million
(3rd week, was #1 last week, lost 22% from last week)

3. “Twilight”  – $8.01 million
(4th week, was #2 last week, lost 39% from last week)

4. ”Bolt”  – $7.46 million
(4th week, was #3 last week, lost 24% from last week)

5. “Australia”  – $4.17 million
(3rd week, was #4 last week, lost 41% from last week)

6. “Quantum of Solace” - $3.72 million
(5th week, was #5 last week, lost 45% from last week)

7. ”Nothing Like the Holidays” - $3.53 million  (1st week)

8. “Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa” – $3.18 million
(6th week, was #8 last week, lost 37% from last week)

9. ”Milk” – $2.60 million   (limited release: added 229 theaters)
(3rd week, was #11 last week, 42% more than last week)

10. ”Transporter 3″ – $2.35 million
(3rd week, was #7 last week, lost 50% from last week)

—

11. “Slumdog Millionaire” - $2.18 million +55.2%   (limted release: added 91 theaters)
(5th week, was #12 last week, 55% more than last week)