American Idol 9: First Set of Girls, Guys Booted Out

The drama that is elimination night has started again this season, and an unexpected set of guys and girls gout booted out this week.

I was afraid that it was the redhead Lacey Brown who was going to be booted out as her performance was lackluster, and she did not fall under the judge's faves category. You could imagine my relief when I realized Lacey was in.

Instead, two of the good looking girl contestants of the season were booted out: Janell and Ashley. It was a surprising turn of events considering the fact that the good looking ones normally get away with a few bad performances (case in point: Kristy Lee Cook).

I wasn't very surprised about the Joe Munoz cut, his performance was very safe. Good but nothing memorable, and nothing that could have spurred me (and apparently America) to vote for him. What surprised me terribly though was the Tyler Grady boot.

I felt 100% for Tyler Grady's comments about the judges giving constructive criticism too little to late. It almost felt as though the judges had plunged a knife into Tyler's back by suddenly doing a metanoia and putting down his 70s vibe. Back in Hollywood week, they were all praises about his "blast from the past" persona and performances, and had never, at one point, advised him to try to explore new territory. Kara had even said that she wanted to be in "Planet Tyler".

After an entertaining "American Woman" that was true to his style (definitely nothing groundbreaking but it was at least memorable), the judges suddenly turned their back on this lovable dark horse, telling him that he should try something new already, criticizing the things they had just praised about last week.

Even Simon Cowell seemed to nod in agreement when Tyler pointed this out. The judges should have at least taken his performance in stride, pointed out more good points about it and based their comments on their love for his old school style, and then suggested him to try something new next week. I blame the judges 100% for Tyler's absence next week.

It might not be the Year of the Tyler Grady this AI season, but I hope a lot of good things come his way.

Eclipse Movie Leaked Screenshots / Photos + Updates

For those who are having Twilight-related withdrawal symptoms, here's one screen shot of the Eclipse movie that have been revealed, which shows Edward Cullen (Robert Pattinson) and Bella Swan (Kristen Stewart) being all lovey dovey:



I can't wait for the day they release action-packed Eclipse movie screen shots like the new breed of vampires, a glimpse of the skirmish among the werewolves, Cullens, and the Volturi, and Jasper Hale being in charge. I'd also love to see more of the Bella/Jacob vs Bella/Edward moments.

The Twilight cast has revealed that they have done intense training to prepare for the epic battle to take place in the third installment of the series.

Let's hope we get more Eclipse movie updates, teasers, photos, and screen shots soon!

The Eclipse movie is scheduled to show on June 30, 2010.

Twilight Rosalie Necklace Replica Jewelry

I finally got my authentic Rosalie Cullen Twilight Replica Necklace by NECA, purchased via Amazon.com. I bought it at less than $30. I'm sure a lot of you are curious as to how it looks like (every side of it, not just the front), so I've decided to post a few pictures of the bauble :)









My comments?
#1. The crest is quite huge. The crest measures 1.6 inches width X 2.6 inches height (this includes the filigree details beside the crest). I personally like it huge because it has the approximate size of a standard locket and I love locket necklaces. As such, I think the crest charm / pendant of the Rosalie Necklace replica jewelry looks better with a longer chain rather than the shorter double-stranded chain. Which leads to:
#2. The dual chain lengths. You can opt for the double-stranded chain (featured in the pictures above), or you can turn it into a long necklace, so it can match with all sorts of outfits and moods.
#3. Quality of the crest is not as brilliant as the crest on the Edward Cullen wrist cuff. The crest looks fine from afar, but if you really stare at it and look at it closely, the crest doesn't look as vintage as it should (if it were to look like it had been around the Cullen clan for hundreds of years), particularly the "background" where the crest's symbols lie. The background is dark gray and looks like it was just newly painted (which it really is anyway).

Overall, I'd give the Rosalie Cullen replica jewelry necklace a score of 8. From afar, the piece looks like a good necklace, and the fact that everyone knows it comes from Twilight makes all the difference. If it was just a random crest, it would probably not warrant as high a score since it holds no special meaning and place in our hearts. As it stands, however, it represents a mysterious, illustrious, and beloved family of one of the most popular books ever made, so I consider it a very good buy.

Eclipse IMAX to show 30 June 2010 + movie poster

Here are two reasons why Twilight fans should rejoice!

1. Eclipse will be shown on IMAX which means that we can experience the epic werewolf-vampire battle more dramatically (hopefully, the movie will not disappoint in terms of the battle scenes)

2. According to IMDB, The Eclipse movie will grace the theaters on June 30, 2010. Yep! you read right, that's just a few months away from now. Of course, we should expect some delays here and there, but suffice to say, they're working on the movie as we speak. In fact, the director even tweeted last December 11 that they have "200 days to go", which is roughly 6+ months :)

The Eclipse movie will be directed by David Slade, who's also done some music video directing in the past (notably for Stone Temple Pilots!) but aside from that, he's done just a few projects here and there (based on his IMDB at least), so I'm actually pretty excited (okay, maybe a tad anxious too haha) about what he's going to bring to the table for the third Twilight movie.

I'm surprised Chris Weitz didn't stay on for the second movie, seeing as he did quite a good job for the New Moon movie, but I'm hopeful this new guy will do just as well.

Some tweets of his to whet your appetite:

"Jacob & Bella are matching with intensity, & it's all even with the action sequences. Right now we are in a great state of balance."
11 December 2009 10:46 AM, PST

"As we cut. Edward seems to be a really strong presence, the intensity of the love story & rivalry between Jacob is in the driving seat."
11 December 2009 10:43 AM, PST

I agree with him, the rivalry between Edward and Jacob is a crucial part of Eclipse, and is something I'm looking forward to. With the intensity Jacob showed on the New Moon, I'm sure I will be pleased with how he delivers this next movie.

Last but not the least, here is a look at the Eclipse movie poster!

New Moon Songs Played during the Movie

The New Moon Soundtrack, which debuted in October, has received platinum status, so I figured it will be perfect to feature the New Moon soundtrack list. I'm sure most of you wonder "When was played in the movie again?" or "What was the song playing during the Victoria chase scene?" or "The song during the cliff diving scene?" or even better, "What was the song playing when Bella and Jake were fixing their bikes and Bella asked Jacob to turn off the song (which Jacob said he liked) because she wasn't into music anymore?"

You need not wonder anymore. Here you go!

1. Death Cab For Cutie – Meet Me On The Equinox
Played during the end credits

2. Band Of Skulls – Friends
When Bella decides to walk to the biker boys in Port Angeles, much to Jessica's dismay

3. Thom Yorke- Hearing Damage
Played during the kick-ass Victoria chase/hunt scene

4. Lykke Li – Possibility
This was the song played during Bella's depression when she was just sitting down in her room as the months passed by (literally - September, October, November, December...)

5. The Killers - A White Demon Love Song
Played at the start of the New Moon movie credits

6. Anya Marina – Satellite Heart
Edward is driving Bella back home, after her birthday mishap.

7. Muse - I Belong To You (New Moon)
Bella and Jessica on their "Girls Night Out"

8. Bon Iver and St. Vincent – Rosyln
My personal favorite! This was played the days after the birthday mishap, her doing her scrapbook, wondering where Edward is, and the moment when Edward finally appears outside her house to take her on what will be the most heartbreaking walk of Bella's life.

9. Black Rebel Motorcycle Club - Done All Wrong
Bella and the pack of wolves head over to Emily's cabin for some uberly huge muffins.

10. Hurricane Bells – Monsters
This scene was when Bella was driving to school on her birthday and Edward was doing that slow mo walk through the school parking lot towards Bella.

11. Sea Wolf – The Violet Hour
Birthday party scene

12. Ok Go- Shooting The Moon
Played during Bella and Jacob's bonding moments, rebuilding the bikes, one of my favorite New moon movie scenes! Great scene for Jacob/Bella ship supporters!

13. Grizzly Bear - Slow Life
Bella's dramatic cliff diving scene, when Edward's visage appears beside her

14. Editors – No Sound But The Wind
At the latter part of the movie, after the whole Volturi scene, Edward is driving Bella home and Jacob Black stands on the road.

15. Alexandre Desplat – New Moon (The Meadow)
Opening credits. Also played during the time when Bella goes to the meadows where she first laid eyes on Edward Cullen's sparkly self, trying to revisit her past.

And last (but definitely not the least!):
New Moon Soundtrack (OST) BONUS TRACK! All I Believe – The Magic Numbers & Amadou & Mariam. Song that was playing when Jacob and Bella were fixing motorcycles and Bella told him to turn the song off.

The soundtrack made the New Moon movie that much more enjoyable.

New Moon Movie, Team Jacob, Twilight vs New Moon

The long wait is finally over and by now most Twi fans have probably watched the movie. I think it's pretty safe to say that a lot of fans have been swayed to the werewolf Jacob team after watching the second movie!

Proof?

1. Jacob is winning the shirtless battle poll BY A LANDSLIDE

2. Is it safe to say that in every cinema that aired New Moon, there was a very audible gasp heard when Jacob took off his top to help bleeding Bella? No gasps when Edward did the same in Italy.

3. The awws and the giddy giggles from people who saw that scene when Jacob Black looked at the dreamcatcher hanging on Bella's bed

4. A huge avalanche of Facebook posts (at least in my network) asking Santa for Jacob, or shouting "Team Jacob!", some coming from people who were die hard Rob/Edward fans who I've actually argued countless times with trying to defend the werewolf!

Most of my Edward supporter friends said they're Team Jacob only in the movie but remain loyal when it comes to the book. To other Edward supporters out there, do you feel the same way? To the new Team Jacob supporters, is it more a preference based on the physical appearance or on the person as a whole? Comment please!

Personally, I've been a Jacob fan ever since the New Moon book came out, so this might have been one reason why I loved the New Moon movie more than the first Twilight movie. I was so glad to see Taylor Lautner doing an incredible job of portraying Jacob Black the way I had imagined him to be. I'm glad his hotheadedness showed in the movie - this is one of the aspects of his personality that I find very crucial because it highlights the difference between Edward and Jacob, and because I think temper is the very essence of a werewolf. I also saw great chemistry between Bella and Jacob and most times I felt like they looked and acted better as a couple than Edward and Bella (Join my Jacob/Bella vs Edward/Bella debate here!)



Other things I loved about this movie:

- More action! Loved the whole wolf fights and Jacob's wolf transformation.
- More Jasper screen time! I'm glad we got to see more of him and his charms this new movie, and I am excited for his appearance on the third Twilight movie, where he will have a much huger role.
- Direction and overall quality of the movie was just nicer in my opinion
- Loved the dynamics between the werewolves, the scene where they were eating those huge muffins at the cozy cabin. Almost depicted how I had imagined it to be and makes me want to be there and be a part of the pack!
- Alice was charming as always. That part where she said "As soon as you let the dog out" was hilarious
- The Volturi did not disappoint. The fight scene between Edward and the brute Felix was intense, Aro, Jane and Demetri did a good job as well, Marcus, Caius, and Alec did not get enough screen time so I will reserve my judgments for the Eclipse movie.

To everyone, Twilight Movie VS New Moon Movie -- Did you enjoy the second movie more than the first? Comment away!

3rd New Moon Trailer - Cliff Diving, Volturi, Werewolves

This third (3rd) New Moon movie trailer is the New Moon movie trailer to watch. It shows ever single aspect that we must look forward to in the movie:

1. Jacob Black - nuff said? ;)
2. the Volturi (Although I didnt see much of Alec)
3. Dakota Fanning's portrayal of Jane (I think Dakota captured the essence of Jane when she said "This might hurt a little" - very cold and unemotional
4. Bella's cliff diving stunt, her seeing a visage of Edward Cullen in the waters and the visage dissipating as Jacob pulls her up and saves her. Taylor Lautner fans will love that scene :)
5. the infamous yellow sports car Alice drove
6. The whole pack of werewolf Quileutes
7. A whole lot of vampire and werewolf action.
8. and of course for the die-hard rob fans out there: Robert Pattinson shirtless



The movie is just a month and a few days away and this trailer has certainly whet my appetite!!!

New Moon Volturi Movie Cast & Scenes

The Volturi clan members have finally graced us with their presence, complete with red eyes, and slightly frightening yet equally or more elegant appearances. Have all the Volutri vampires satisfied that image you've had about them in your head while you were reading the book? You be the judge:



Personally, I think Marcus is gearing up for a Harry Potter role rather than a Twilight New Moon Movie one. Or maybe it's because I've been rooting for Alan Rickman (Severus Snape) to get the role since before (Click here to view my fan Volturi movie cast poster):



Aro, on the other hand, looks a bit too old school vampire (think Dracula) for me, and my first judgment is that I prefer Michael Sheen when he was a werewolf in Underworld. He was a lot more fearful there and the rugged look seems to work better.

Dakota Fanning, on the other hand, looks really Jane-like already! I think even those who were skeptical about choosing Dakota for the role must be taking back their words. She looks a lot older here, almost a bit like Hilary Duff.

Second New Moon Trailer - Team Jacob

New Moon has always been predominantly about Jacob so it was only befitting that the second trailer to the New Moon Movie focused on Jacob Black (Taylor Lautner).



All Team Jacob followers are surely squealing by this point. I like how the trailer showed every side to Jacob that we needed to see. His temper. His dedication to Bella. And his all-around kick-arse-ness ;) I would have wanted to see more scenes depicting his temper but I guess I'd have to wait till the movie!

There's also an extremely, EXTREMELY quick glimpse at the blonde Volturi with red eyes, who I believe is none other than Dakota Fanning (playing as Jane), but the scenes shift so quickly that even when I pause at the exact moment she is shown, I cannot be 100% sure it's her.

The other teaser/trailer for New Moon movie is here.

Which trailer did you like better? This new one or the first?

New Moon Cliff Diving scene - Bella

The cliff diving scene is one of the quintessential scenes of the New Moon movie. This scene is very important because 1) it clearly depicts the turmoil that must be stirring inside Bella as she ponders on the drastic separation from her soul mate, and 2) it moves the plot forward and prompts the latter events to happen.

UPDATE: Here is Bella's OFFICIAL cliff diving scene shown in the movie (starts at 0:56)!


I've always imagined how the cliff diving scene will be shown on the new moon movie, and I think this fan-made video really hits the spot!



What do you think? Did this fan-made video portray how the cliff diving scene played in your head?

Kristen Stewart also shares a bit on how the scene is going to be played. Looks like a computerized Kristen Stewart will be doing the jump itself. Let's hope the CGI / effects are gonna pull it off and it's gonna look very realistic!

Kristen Talks about Cliff Diving Scene - Watch more at Vodpod.