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.

Oprah Winfrey

According to recent reports by reliable sources, Oprah Winfrey will end her talk show in 2011. The queen of the television had to take such a decision to bring an end to the most popular talk show on television, the Oprah Winfrey Show, since her current contract with the channel is running out.

The Oprah Winfrey Show, which is now on its 25th year featuring Winfrey as host of the talk show, is scheduled to end on September 9th, 2011. Running since 1984, the format of the show was changed a number of times only to increase its popularity and viewers. Its a dream for every celebrity to appear at least once in their lifetime on the Oprah Winfrey Show.

After the current contract runs out, the age old popular talk show will come to end. The official announcement by the television queen will be made on her show on Friday and will be telecast on every television channel that carry her the Oprah Winfrey Show. Although her show does not need an added attraction to pull the audience, yet it seems the Friday episode will bump ratings once again with such an announcement to be made. It is also expected that after this the show will get an ultimate opportunity remain at the top till its last episode.

According to reports, even after the ratings went down this year, the Oprah Winfrey Show is still continues to be the most watched talk show on television. The report also suggest that over seven million people watch her show every day. Such a huge number of audience has helped her to secure the #1 spot for quite some time.

After Winfrey takes a retirement, Rachael Ray and Ellen DeGeneres seems to be the most appropriate successors on television. Although nothing has been decided as yet.

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.

Britney Spears

Britney Spears is back to news and this time with a new controversy. The singer fumes a message for the critics who blasted her performance while she was on her first tour of Australia. Britney stated that it’s all for the fans.

It is reported that her her first Australian performance last weekend was boring, stiff, mimed and lacking interaction with the audience. Spears’ manager along with the tour promoter hurried to support the U.S. pop singer after much of those present took a leave from the show due to the same.

The 27 year old pop diva was back to rebuild her career after much of a roller-coaster personal life that created controversial headlines, has responded to the outburst.

“I hear there is a lot of controversy in the media about my show. Some reporters have said they love it and some don’t. I came to Australia for my fans”, said Spears that has been widely criticized by the Australian media.

Paul Dainty, the promoter of Spears’ Australian tour, have been quoted as saying earlier this week that the criticism roused by the media about Spears’ lip-synching and a lackluster performance had left her “extremely upset”. He also claimed that it was a total fabrication to suggest that fans stormed out. The debate over lip-synching has been surrounding Spears since she arrived in Australia last week.

Spears’ personal website and Twitter account was flooded with personal messages from her thousands of Australian fans, who stated the her comeback as “amazing,” “awesome” and “brilliant”.

Beyonce at MTV Europe Music Awards

Thousands went bonkers after Beyonce appeared at the MTV Europe Music Awards in a racy red costume.

In the memory of the fall of the Berlin Wall the MTV Europe Music Awards was held in Berlin on Monday November 9. This was the 16th annual MTV Europe Music Awards held in the honor of the 20th anniversary of the fall of Berlin Wall. Beyonce in her saucy red dress have been enough to make any wall go tumbling.

After performing the hit “Sweet Dreams” in red garters and a plunging neck-lined body suit, Beyonce undoubtedly became the star of the show. Besides giving a rocking performance the singer also swept the awards winning three major categories: best female artist, best song for “Halo,” and best video for “Single Ladies”.

While giving the acceptance speech for the best video, the singer thanked Jay-Z, her hubby. Jay-Z was also present in the audience and bagged an award as well, for Best Urban Act.

Other winners included Lady Gaga for best new act; Green Day, for best rock act; Eminem, for best male artist; German pop group Tokio Hotel for best group; and U2, for best live act. Lady Gaga was not present for the show.

Besides Beyonce’s heart stealing performance, the Irish rockers too stole the heart of many with a free 6-song concert in front of Germany’s Brandenburg Gate earlier Thursday. The band had earlier recorded “Achtung Baby” in Berlin.

Angelina Jolie in Salt

The trailer of upcoming film “Salt” simply floored millions across the globe. A look at the very hot and sizzling Angelina Jolie stole the mind and hearts of all her fans.

The Oscar nominated actress is back and she looks as sexy as ever. Trailers of Angelina Jolie’s forthcoming film, “Salt” was posted on the internet this week. The mother of 6 looks as appealing as ever. Jolie and Brad Pitt parents three adopted children and three biological. Right before the filing of Salt began Jolie gave birth to twins.

Salt, which stars Jolie as Evelyn Salt, who is a CIA officer accused of being a Russian sleeper spy out to prove her innocence, is directed by Phillip Noyce. Fans are critics are still wondering how Jolie got back in shape in such a short period of time right after giving birth to twins.

Well, if you watch the trailer thoroghly your doubts will be cleared. In a particular scene, featuring Jolie in her underwear, her taut stomach is clearly displayed.

Intially the lead role for Salt was offered to Tom Cruise. But when the actor turned it down the role was rewritten for Jolie. The movie will hit the theaters on July 23rd, 2010.

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.