Twilight (2008)
C – 122m (Theatrical Cut) / 126m (Extended Cut)
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1 – Widescreen
A.K.A.: The Twilight Saga: Twilight, Twilight Saga: Twilight, Twilight 1
Novel: Twilight by Stephenie Meyer
Dir.: Catherine Hardwicke
Starring: Kristen Stewart, Sarah Clarke, Billy Burke, Gil Birmingham, Taylor Lautner, Anna Kendrick, Nikki Reed, Kellan Lutz, Ashley Greene, Jackson Rathbone, Robert Pattinson, Ned Bellamy and Stephanie Meyer.
A teenage girl risks everything when she falls in love with a vampire. The first entry in The Twilight Saga (2008–2012) is pretty good. It certainly launched the prominence of the careers of Lautner, Stewart and Pattinson, though they had all done work previously. Director Hardwicke also saw a boost in her career. Worth a watch.
Trivia: Robert Pattinson is actually playing the piano when Edward plays, “Bella’s Lullaby.” Nikki Reed was the one who suggested putting Robert Pattinson’s songs on the soundtrack. She recorded some of his songs with her laptop and brought them to the producers when she pitched the idea. He accepted the next day. In the scene where Bella goes to The Cullen house Nikki Reed’s character breaks a bowl, Nikki Reed is wearing gloves in the scene. That is because in an earlier take of breaking the bowl she cut her hands. For a few weeks before filming began on Twilight Robert Pattinson stopped talking to people so he could feel as isolated as Edward did. Kristen Stewart wore hair pieces so that she would have more time to shoot.
Rated: [PG–13] – Some Violence & A Scene Of Sensuality
[UNRATED] – More Of The Same
Available in Theatrical Cut & Extended Cut on Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy
The Twilight Saga: New Moon (2009)
C – 130m (Theatrical Cut) / 137m (Extended Cut)
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1 – Widescreen
A.K.A.: Twilight Saga: New Moon, New Moon: Twilight Saga, Twilight: New Moon, New Moon, Twilight 2
Novel: New Moon by Stephenie Meyer
Starring: Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson, Billy Burke, Anna Kendrick, Taylor Lautner, Ashley Greene, Jackson Rathbone, Michael Sheen, Nikki Reed, Gil Birmingham, Graham Greene and Dakota Fanning.
Edward leaves Bella after an attack that nearly claimed her life. In her depression she falls partially for a shape–shifter (werewolf), Jacob Black. Pretty good sequel to the first one. Nothing special though. The book was far superior to the film though, in this reviewer’s opinion.
Trivia: This was Robert Pattinson’s favorite book in the series. Taylor Lautner hated his long haired wig.
Rated: [PG–13] – Some Violence & Action
[UNRATED] – More Of The Same
Available in Theatrical Cut and Extended Cut on Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy
The Twilight Saga: Eclipse (2010)
C – 124m (Theatrical Cut) / 129m (Extended Cut) / 131m (Full Extended Cut)
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1 – Widescreen
A.K.A.: Twilight Saga: Eclipse, Eclipse: Twilight Saga, Twilight: Eclipse, Twilight 3, Eclipse
Novel: Eclipse by Stephenie Meyer
Starring: Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson, Billy Burke, Anna Kendrick, Jackson Rathbone, Ashley Greene, Nikki Reed, Taylor Lautner, Gil Birmingham, Jack Huston and Dakota Fanning.
A series of killings are scaring the residents of Seattle and Bella must choose between Edward and Jacob. The best film of the series in this reviewer’s opinion. The pacing is much improved over the previous entries and although this is the bridge story, it doesn’t feel that way. It has some stunning CGI for the time it was made.
Trivia: Kristen Stewart wore a wig for this film after cutting her hair short for The Runaways (2010). According to Taylor Lautner on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, the wolves could not have genitalia due to censors. This could also be a planned joke. Kristen Stewart received her high school diploma one week before filing Bella’s graduation ceremony. She took a mock (fake) graduation photo with an extra so that she would have a photo of her graduating high school. Tom Felton (Draco Malfoy in the Harry Potter series) and Channing Tatum were both considered for the role of Riley. Miranda Kerr and Vanessa Hudgens were considered to play Leah Clearwater. Paul Weiz, Drew Barrymore, James Mangold and J.A. Bayona were all considered as potential directors for the film. This was Taylor Lautner’s favorite book in the series.
Rated: [PG–13] – Intense Sequences Of Action And Violence, & Some Sensuality
[UNRATED] – More Of The Same
Available in Theatrical Cut and Extended Cut on Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy
The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1 (2011)
C – 117m (Theatrical Cut) / 122 (Extended Cut) / 125m (Full Extended Cut)
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1 – Widescreen
A.K.A.: Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1, Twilight: Breaking Dawn – Part 1, Twilight: Breaking Dawn, Breaking Dawn: Part 1, Twilight 4: Part 1, Breaking Dawn, Twilight 4
Novel: Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer
Starring: Taylor Lautner, Gil Birmingham, Bill Burke, Kristen Stewart, Ashley Green, Jackson Rathbone, Nikki Reed, Robert Pattinson, Anna Kendrick, Michael Sheen and Stephenie Meyer.
The government of vampires close in on just married and expecting parents Bella and Edward and the Cullen family. The soon to be born child poses at threat to the werewolves, vampires and humans. A step down from the last film but still solid entertainment. The emaciated look that Stewart has is haunting.
Trivia: The sex scene between Bella and Edward originally landed the film with an: [R] rating from the MPAA. The scene was edited down to meet the requirements of a: [PG–13] rating. Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson appeared on talk shows talking and joking bluntly about what had to be trimmed. Sophia Coppola was interested in directing this film but she only wanted to do one film. She didn’t get the job because Summit Entertainment wanted to split the book into two films.
Rated: [PG–13] – Disturbing Images, Violence, Sexuality / Partial Nudity & Some Thematic Elements
[UNRATED] – More Of The Same
Available in Theatrical Cut and Extended Cut on Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy
The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 2 (2012)
C – 115m (Theatrical Cut) / 122 (Extended Cut)
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1 – Widescreen
A.K.A.: Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 2, Twilight: Breaking Dawn – Part 2, Breaking Dawn: Part 2, Twilight 4: Part 2, Twilight 5
Novel: Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer
Starring: Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson, Taylor Lautner, Peter Facinelli, Ashley Greene, Jackson Rathbone, Nikki Reed, Billy Burke, Michael Sheen and Dakota Fanning.
After the birth of their daughter Bella, Edward and family gather to defend the child from destruction at the hands of the vampire government. Well–done and action–packed finale in the series.
Trivia: The end credits are for the entire series, not just this entry. Both an animatronic baby and three–week old babies were used in the filming. Kristen Stewart preferred to work with the real babies because she felt that it helped her give a better performance.
Rated: [PG–13] – Sequences Of Violence Including Disturbing Images, Some Sexuality & Partial Nudity
Available on Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy