Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson in "New Moon"
courtesy of Summit Home Entertainment
“Bella and Edward Are Back and They Brought A Friend”

Bella and Edward are the two main characters in the “Twilight” series of movies. The latest chapter is titled “New Moon” and it is the perfect fantasy film for pre-teen and early teen girls. In this film which is now on DVD, an ordinary looking girl is pursued by two boys – one an effete, pale vampire and the other a buff, macho werewolf. Neither can get too passionate with her because in the vampire’s case he might get carried away and bite her neck, while the werewolf guy might get angry and tear her to shreds. So in the meantime they just cast longing glances each other’s way and let that be enough.

Bella (Kristen Stewart) is the girl in the middle of this love triangle. She is in love with Edward Cullen (Robert Pattinson), a vampire whose family lives in her town. Bella wants Edward to change her into a vampire but he is resisting. Finally he says they must part so that she can lead a normal life.

Standing by to pick up the pieces of Bella’s broken heart is the new guy Jacob (Taylor Lautner). Actually Lautner was in the first film but he didn’t make much of an impression. This time he does. Jacob has loved Bella from afar but now is ready to move into the vacancy created by Edward’s departure. But Jacob has a secret too. He is becoming a werewolf and that puts Bella in danger.

All of this is played out with a maximum of drama and a minimum of tension. Bella and Edward appear to be living a modern day version of the Romeo and Juliet story and it takes ages to get to the climactic final scene. There are just too many professions of love and longing and too little vampire chasing, werewolf battling sequences.

Stewart and Pattinson are the major focus of the film with Lautner only getting a few scenes to establish his character. The three are competent actors but it is up to Lautner to perk things up each and every time he appears. He has a natural way with his lines of dialogue and is a comfortable presence on the screen.

Towards the end of the film Michael Sheen and Dakota Fanning make appearances but neither makes much of an impression. Maybe they will get more to do in the next episode. 

“The Twilight Saga” has fans by the bucketsful and there was a huge audience for this film. Perhaps if you have read the books, which I haven’t, the story has more impact. When you come to it cold, without the literary buildup, it all seems a little silly.

From my perspective I wish Bella didn’t whine so much, Edward didn’t glisten so much, and Jacob had a bigger role in the proceedings. I would also like the next director to streamline the proceedings so that everything about the story isn’t so laborious.

Also available on DVD is “Twilight In Forks: The Saga of the Real Town.” This is a documentary that takes a look at the real city where the “Twilight” story takes place. Forks, Washington is recognized in both the film and books, and the real town has embraced the fame.

In this film you get to meet the townspeople of Forks and nearby La Push and get their reactions to their new found fame. They are ordinary people but this film has given them an excessive amount of publicity. Some have become minor celebrities and all seem to be loving the fame.

For a look at how the “reel” world can collide with the real world pick up “Twilight In Forks: The Saga of the Real Town.”

Also new on DVD is “The Boondock Saints II: All Saints Day.” The original in this series was a violent, action packed movie that drew a cult crowd of adoring fans. In the second episode of their adventures Sean Patrick Flanery, Norman Reedus, David Della Rocco and Billy Connolly all come back for more fun and mayhem.

This is a tale of vengeance that has the gang coming back to Boston to make those who framed them for a crime, pay. They want their pound of flesh and they aren’t going to take no for an answer.

The fans of the first film are going to eat this one up as the story continues seamlessly. “The Boondock Saints II: All Saints Day” does not disappoint.

Rain, Naomie Harris and Rick Yune star in the also action packed DVD “Ninja Assassin.” This film is fast and furious and keeps the viewer glued to the TV set as the action unfolds. The plot concerns a trained killer who saves the life of a woman and then the two fight together to stay alive. Interspersing the plot moments are the action sequences that are just amazing.

There is nothing better than a good Ninja movie and this is a great ninja movie. The actors, the action and the small plot all come together to make this a film that is exciting to watch. It is “Ninja Assassin.”

Writer/Director Pedro Almodovar has his favorite actress back with him one more time in “Broken Embraces.” Penelope Cruz has been working with Almodovar for years in some of his best movies and “Broken Embraces” is another good one and showcases her talent and her beauty.

Cruz plays Lena, the woman who was loved by Mateo Blanco (Lluis Homar), a writer and director who became blind after a car accident. He now lives and works as a writer and has put the man who was Blanco behind him. He goes by the name Harry Caine and relies on a woman named Judit (Blanco Portillo) and her son Diego (Tamar Novas).

As the story of Mateo is revealed it becomes a story of love and tragedy. This is the core of the film. Almodovar brings it all alive on the screen and Cruz highlights the film with her beauty and talent. It is “Broken Embraces.”
 

 

 

 

 

©2010 Jackie K. Cooper

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