The Twilight Saga: New Moon

It was speculated something such and the makers of the vampire saga were not let down. “The Twilight Saga: New Moon” wolfed $140.7 million in its opening weekend. On the first three days the movie minted total $258.8 million worldwide as per reports of studio estimates on Sunday.

A year back “Twilight”, the first installment of Stephenie Meyer’s popular vampire series, grossed $69.6 million haul over the same weekend. A year after the picture was completely changed. The No. 1 domestic debut for Summit Entertainment’s “New Moon” was more than twice.

“Obviously, with the success of ‘Twilight’ itself, sequels being what they are will generate X-number of dollars more, particularly if it’s a satisfying sequel”, Richie Fay, head of distribution for Summit, was quoted as saying.

“New Moon” ranked third on the all-time domestic chart, with Batman blockbuster “The Dark Knight” ranking 1st with a gross of $158.4 million opening weekend and “Spider-Man 3″ ranking 2nd with a gross of $151.1 million. On the opening day itself, “New Moon” earned $72.7 million, which is an all time domestic high for opening day. This surpassed the previous record of $67.2 million by last year’s “The Dark Knight”. “New Moon” is also the second-biggest non-holiday weekend ever in Hollywood, the top being none other than the July 18, 2008 release of “The Dark Knight”.

Outside “New Moon” debuted in 25 countries and took in $118.1 million over the first weekend. There was no doubt that “New Moon” would emerge this big.

The third installment of Meyer’s next “Twilight” chapter, “Eclipse,” arrives in the heart of summer, next June 30 and is expected to do as big as this.

Twilight had showcased the supernatural teen romance between a school girl and a vampire (Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson) and New Moon adds a love triangle with a werewolf (Taylor Lautner) to the plot. Both the films have been hot favorite among female fans resulting to around 80% of the audience for “New Moon” being female. The “Twilight” franchise “taps into something primal and visceral that drives women crazy, and they’re willing to pay for the privilege” commented Dergarabedian. The viewers for the film were mostly young who apparently left to chance to fall in love with vampire and werewolf heartthrobs.

The five films that grossed highest during last weekend are:

1. “The Twilight Saga: New Moon” ($140.7 million)
2. “The Blind Side” ($34.5 million)
3. “2012″ ($26.5 million)
4. “Planet 51″ ($12.6 million)
5. “A Christmas Carol” ($12.2 million)

Taylor Swift at American Music Award

Kanye West might just have a major problem and several other issues with Taylor Swift’s growing popularity, but who really cares? West like it or not this is definitely Swift’s year.

The country crooner Taylor Swift overshadowed the late Michael Jackson by picking up 5 leading awards as the King of Pop pocketed 4 nods at the American Music Awards. Swift’s 5 nods included the prestigious artist of the year award at the AMA held on Sunday.

The 19 year old country singer proved all MJ fans wrong who expected the Pop King to get a clean sweep. Swift have him a head to head competition in the ceremony’s final prize, the artist of the year category. Besides winning the favorite female artist in the pop/rock and country categories Swift also won favorite adult-contemporary artist award. “Feerless”, the 2008 release of Swift, was named favorite country album. Feerless became the best-selling release in the United States this year.

Among the other multiple winners hip-hop singer Jay-Z and the Black Eyed Peas won two each.

While accepting her award for the artist of the year, live via satellite from backstage at London’s Wembley Arena, Swift said, “Music has never been ultimately about competition”. Swift also added she feels its an “unimaginable honor” for her to be nominated in the same category as Jackson. The country crooner will be performing at a concert in Wembley Arena on Monday.

“I just want to say that music has never been ultimately about competition and to even be mentioned in a category with Michael Jackson who we’ll miss and love forever is an unimaginable honor”, she added. “And I just want to say I’m sending my love to the Jackson family and Janet”.

Michael Jackson at American Music Award

Jackson won four posthumous including favorite male artist in the pop/rock and soul/R&B categories. “Number Ones”, a hits collection of the Pop Star, was named favorite album in both those categories too. Jermaine, MJ’s brother, accepted the awards on the Late singer’s behalf.  “We love you, Michael. It’s not just about the winnings, the awards, it’s mainly the message. The message that Michael had will live on forever…and he saw good in everyone and he wanted them to do good.  To start with love and let’s love each other”, said Jermaine Jackson.

Eminem, who was nominated in 4 categories, went home empty handed. While Jay-Z won the favorite male artist and favorite album in the rap/hip-hop categories, Black Eyed Peas were named favorite group in both the pop/rock and soul/R&B categories.

Green Day, the punk rock trio, bagged the favorite alternative artist title. The favorite country group went to Rascal Flatts for the fourth year in a row.

Thanks to Adam Lambert, Lady Gaga, Rihanna and Whitney Houston who gave some of the most outrageous performances at the event. Janet with her medleys put the stage of fire.

Victoria's Secret Fashion Show

Are you still holding on to your seats tightly?  You might just have got bowled over by Heidi Klum comeback cat walk, who stole the show with her sex appeal once again. Klum simply put the ramp on fire at the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show – A show where angels dare to bare!

Its been 5 weeks the supermodel gave birth to her forth child, and she made all her fans awestruck by making a comeback to the runway at the Victoria’s Secret lingerie fashion show Thursday night at the 69th Regiment Armory.

A reliable source mentioned Klum said at the backstage before the show began that she preferred to play a host instead of modeling because she “wasn’t quite ready yet. This kind of takes a lot of planning. When you have a baby, you can’t really know if in five weeks’ time you’re like everyone else over here”.

When the mother model was asked about her newest addition, daughter Lou, she said, “She’s great. We’re so excited that we had a little girl. Especially (older daughter) Leni is super-excited. (Lou’s) in our room at night. Leni is waiting for her to go into her room. Her brothers share a room and she doesn’t have anyone in her room”.

The 36 year old German Model, Klum, earlier was scheduled to host the desired fashion show on November 18. But she walked down the runway on November 19 simply enthralling the crowd. Klum wore a corset and full skirt instead of a bikini. But who cares to choose!

“You have less pressure. You definitely have less pressure when you don’t shake your booty in front of millions around the world”, Klum was quoted by the People magazine as saying about only hosting the show.

During the show, the models flashing in two part under wears, walked down a jet-black, diamond-dusted V-shaped runway while the Black Eyed Peas performed. The show began with Ambrosio walking first in neon wings, with Miranda Kerr following in over sized space-like armored wings along with Peas’ Boom Boom Pow.

Ambrosio, who was lounged on a sofa before the show, said, “I have three houses and they are packed with lingerie. I don’t even try to count”. Girl, this proves you simply love your job.

The Victoria’s Secret fashion show will be aired on December 1st on CBS at 10 p.m.

Johnny Depp: the "Sexiest Man Alive"

Johnny Depp has been irresistible, not only for his fans but also for the People Magazine, it seems. The 46 year old actor is People Magazine’s “Sexiest Man Alive” for the second time.

Upsetting quite a large number of teenage beauties, Depp overtook the Twilight hunk Rob Pattinson to win the People magazine’s sought after title. Like Brad Pitt, George Clooney and Richard Gere, the other double winners of the coveted endorsement, Depp had bagged the title earlier in 2003.

The senior editor at People, Kate Coyne, explained the reason behind choosing Depp for the title on CBS’ Early Show Wednesday by adding, “Johnny Depp was someone who was sexy 10 years ago. He’ll be sexy 10 years from now. He appeals to multiple generations of women — and for many different reasons to different kinds of women”.

People magazine also described the flamboyantly adventurous “Pirates of the Caribbean” star as “the king of cool with the killer cheekbones”. The 46 year old Depp, succeeded the 2008 winner Hugh Jackman this year.

Depp was seen ruling the screen with roles like 1930s gangster John Dillinger in “Public Enemies” and the murderous London barber “Sweeney Todd” in the recent past. In his forthcoming film, “Alice in Wonderland”, the actor will be seen in the role of the Mad Hatter. The film, directed by Tim Burton, is due for release in March 2010.

An overwhelmed Coyne said, “He’s sort of everything. He’s a guy’s guy, kind of a bad boy, he’s a respected artist and actor. You know, he’s got a little bit of everything”.

The previous winners of People’s sexiest man alive title include Matt Damon (2007), Matthew McConaughey (2005), Jude Law (2004) and Ben Affleck (2002).

People’s sexiest men alive issue featuring the 2009 winner, Johnny Depp, hits newsstands on Friday.

Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson

Its a one year anniversary of the most popular vampire movie “Twilight” and Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson remembers how they were simply floored by the welcome they received from thousands of eager fans of the the Stephenie Meyer’s book. Throngs of fans had gathered to greet the stars at the premiere of the big-screen adaptation.

At the same location the stars were caught unveiling the sequel “The Twilight Saga: New Moon” amid thousands of eager fans. Monday night in the Westwood neighborhood of Los Angeles Kristen Stewart and the hottest vampire on screen, Robert Pattinson arrived for the premiere of their forthcoming film. The stars, surrounded by fans waiting for them impatiently, quite knew what was coming their way this time.

“I’m not as scared as I was last year. At some point, the security guy said, ‘This is very unsafe.’ And I was like, ‘Uh.’ Other than that, everything was cool”, Stewart said while she signed autographs finding moments out of her very short visit.

The biggest heartthrob and “The Sexiest Man Alive”, Robert Pattinson, said the crowed was much larger than the previous year’s and this they had expected. “And it seems different to me because we have done this world tour in the last week and it has just been unbelievable in every single city. It is about 10 times bigger than any other city in the world”, the star, who plays Edward Cullen in the movie, added.

A group of fans who called themselves as “Twi-Hards” reached the venue on early Thursday afternoon to secure a place in the line for get the tickets to watch their favorite stars’ arrivals on the red carpet from close.

Taylor Launter, Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson

The “Twilight: New Moon” stars, Robert Pattinson, Kristen Stewart and Taylor Launter finally landed in Tokyo for the promotion of the film. New Moon will hit the theaters on November 20th. The stars have been recently all over from Vancouver to Los Angeles to Sao Paulo, Brazil and finally to Tokyo promoting their film. And all these in less than a week’s time. Well, it almost requires a vampires sleeping habit to carry on with such a routine.

Rob, Stewart and Launter arrived in Japan early Tuesday morning. The photographs of the stars soon were all over the internet. The most handsome vampire on screen arrived at the press conference in a sharp dark suit. The 23 year old actor spoke about their forthcoming release, New Moon, at the event sponsored by Volvo. Rob was later joined by Kristen Stewart and Taylor Lautner, who arrived straight from Brazil.

All the three tried too look less tired but it seems that they only get to sleep once in a “New Moon”. Rob, Stewart and Launter have been really busy with their last minute promotion of Twilight’s first sequel to be released on 20th November.

Pattinson, the heartthrob of millions across the globe, wore a charcoal suit, a deep chocolate shirt, brown striped skinny tie and fit brown shoes. Ahem! Rob is a perfect Englishman, no doubt about that! Kristen Stewart flaunted a short black leather-esque number with a fitted bodice, barely-there straps and a jagged ivory hem. Bella surely looked romantic and sensuous! Taylor Lautner simply stole the hearts of all those present all in black.

Homecoming Queen Dakota Fanning posing with the Homecoming King

At the age of 15, Dakota Fanning is a normal kid. This Charlotte’s Web actress works in movies and when her shooting is over, she’s goes back home to Los Angeles and lives an absolutely ordinary life. While actors at and around her age study at home with tutors coming to them, Fanning prefers going to school. And that is not all. She is also part of the cheer-leading team.

She studies in the Campbell Hall Episcopal High School which is situated in North Hollywood. This high school student is pretty popular in the school too, naturally. So, it might not be surprising for all, that she was named the “Homecoming Queen” this year on friday, the 30th Oct ‘09.

The Viking cheer leader seemed to have a great time performing the cheerleading routine, sources say. When she won the Homecoming award she was elated. It’s really amazing to see someone as famous as she is is having a normal and great teenage life like this.

Dakota is not only in the Pom-Pom brigade, she is active in many other extracurricular activities like horse riding and playing the piano. She started her career in acting from the age of 5 with a Tide commercial. 10 years of a successful career which includes working with some of the greats in the film industry like Mike Myers and Julia Roberts and also leading a normal life, this is extraordinary and also, many might agree, the most coveted life any celeb would love to have. What do you say?

Michael Jackson Fans

Jackson fans showed off that they are true fans of the King of Pop. Over hundreds of fans gathered at the outdoor area of the Roanoke Civic Center on Saturday night to celebrate the Halloween in King of Pop style.

Frank Arnold of Roanoke said, “I was a big fan of Michael Jackson, so it definitely attracted me”.

An event was organized by Sponsor Hounds, which is an event marketing company, where the participants were called in to show off their skillful dance moves by performing Jackson’s “Thriller” dance simultaneously. In spite of being a huge fan of MJ, Arnold chose to dress up as Elvis in signature hair and dark shades.

“I was thinking when I came up with it that it’d be the King of Rock and Roll dancing like the King of Pop” he added.

All the participants at the event underwent six weeks of lessons and three weeks of rehearsals to get to the perfect moves said Elliot Broyles of Sponsor Hounds. Althtough most of the participants wore costumes like zombies, schoolgirls and doctors, some also dressed up like the legend himself.

One of the participants, Charisse Scott, dressed up like Jackson, said, “It wasn’t a hard decision. I am a crazy Michael Jackson fan; people think I’m insane”.

There were some 100 odd costumed people moved with the rythm on the concrete slowly in unison as the sound of creaking and werewolves filled the air. The neck jerks and mummy-like motions brought the spirit of Michael Jackson alive.

With “New Moon” all set to hit the theaters on 20th, Summit Entertainment has already decided to re-release “Twilight”. The first sequel of the vampire series, “The Twilight Saga: New Moon”, is highly anticipated to win the heart of millions again. Twilight will be re-released on 19th, a day before New Moon’s release.

Twilight and New Moon all set to release

Summit is right now negotiating with US Theater Operators about the number of screens they will allow or make available for a one night show for Twilight. The blockbuster vampire film will be screened for a single night. A reliable source reports that some of the theaters have also agreed upon selling tickets of Twilight as a discounted rate, while the other theaters might charge full rate. There is also news of Twilight being screened at the same venue where New Moon will open on November 20th.

Directed by Catherine Hardwicke, the modern vampire love tale “Twilight” is a film based on Stephenie Meyer’s bestselling teen book series. Starring Robert Pattinson as Edward Cullen and Kristen Stewart as Bella, the movie went on to become one of the biggest hits of the year generating a sum of $383.5 million in worldwide ticket sales. Twilight also sold about 8 million DVDs in US and Canada alone.

The decision of re-releasing Twilight has been souly taken to gratify the demands of the fans who wanted to see the film on the big screen again, reported the summit. Speculations are going on that double ticket sales from both “Twilight” and “New Moon” would be a highly beneficial to Summit. This will also benifit the Theater owners.

New Moon

The “Twilight” saga promises to keep its fans glued to their seats through every possible means. The music of New Moon has been released and the fans have already given it a green signal. In fact the music of New Moon fulfills the hype as the most awaited soundtrack of the year.

The sound track of Twilight’s forthcoming sequel, New Moon, brings in the alt/indie-rock genre. Well known names such as Death Cab For a Cutie, The Killers, Muse, Bon Iver and Black Rebel Motorcycle Club have come together to create this fascinating music. Following the innense success of Twilight’s music, the producers didn’t want to take any risk with the upcoming sequel.

The soundtrack of New Moon gives its audience a change to experience elements of the ridiculous and supernatural: vampires, werewolves and the rush of adrenaline. The producers promises to give the fans a chance to hear some of the music clubbing together the supernatural and depression.  There is a rare mix of songs that avoids the already familiar tunes. It would definitely be an unforgettable experience to hear those left-of-center rock right from the beginning till the end.

Groovy female voice and electronic fairy tale soaked melodies gives you the perfect paranormal feel while you watch Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart make romance. As a whole the music of New Moon will drive you through the rural and snowy countryside, sometimes giving you ample comfort and sometimes setting your spine on fire. A magical surrealism brings alive the melodrama between Bella, Edward and Jacob.