I think that it is odd that I got surprised when I learned that the third installment of the Twilight Saga, Eclipse, is going to be shown in the cinemas soon. I mean, I used to be very informed of anything Twilight related. While it is debuting on the 30th of June in most of the countries, we got the 8th of July playdate here. It is odder that I did not take it as a big deal like when I did when the first installment was shown here few days late. Really, the delay strained my patience and even pained my sleep. I even made pre-screening preparations like re-reading the book, having the ticket in advance, at a minimum. It is interesting though that there is going to be an advanced screening (which is rarely happening in the UAE) of Eclipse on 1st of July. The oddest thing was that I did not even consider that. Wow, I think I have matured a lot (*facepalm*).

If you are a follower of this blog, you can attest that I was soooo consumed by Twilight. I can not help but giggle when I re-read my crazy entries on the day I got the four books (and reading it several times), that I was so engrossed that I associated too many things with Twilight that it affected my conversations with selected few, going gaga over my Twilight shoes (I love this pair until now; I think this is going to be one of my treasured pairs forever), writing my review for the first film adaptation after watching it thrice in the cinema, and more. Well, I thought those were the most logical stuff to write that moment. Seriously.

I am randomly recollecting how this Twilight madness enriched my well-being. Aside from the unexpected financial benefit which I got during one of my travels (i.e. I did not pay for my excess baggage, more than 10 kilos as I remember, when I was in Hong Kong, because I was wearing my Twilight shoes which signaled the airport officer that we are on the same boat. The rest is history. Hence, I got an implicit discount.), I think what matters more to me is the friendship it strengthened and the one of a kind virtual association I gained by sharing the same passion for Jacob and/or Edward (just kidding), errr, by sharing the same interest – to put it simply (special mention to Toni, who has been there through thick and thin; yes, there’s such a thing!). You probably know how it feels when you are fighting for a common cause.

Going back to my claimed “maturity”, I saw it coming when I was never tempted to get a graphic novel at all and New Moon DVD (but I watched it twice on the big screen, haha) soon. I was not tracking Stephenie Meyer‘s new novel as well. Unlike when I finished the four books, I was very hungry for anything Meyer that I also read The Host (yes, she knows other creatures other than vampires and wolves!), which made me realize just now that I have not done a review yet.

It is interesting how junk food for the brain (the same with Farm Town, chic literatures, etc.) consumes us in a way as if it meant the world to us. That during those times, we tried hard to manage the addiction without really knowing when the fever is going to subside. When I re-read my Twilight entries and Farm Town madness, I never felt though that I wanted to delete any of these even if it is going to be embarrassing to some extent… because they formed part of my interests and made me. We must be thankful for this kind of junk food because they kept us sane. We can never be too serious, there is going to be the other side of us always. But as the term suggests, we need to precaution ourselves not to take too much junk for our brains.

What are your junk food for the brain?

Fans were like this during the first movie. Are they the same after they have seen New Moon?

Honestly, if I haven’t read the book, I won’t bother to see the movie. Or maybe, I will, but not on the big screen.

If I have read the book but did not like it, I will probably see the adaptation hoping that there’s a big improvement in it.

But since I read the book (the entire Twilight Saga to be exact), although I did not like New Moon at all, I will watch all the film adaptations to see how the characters and stories came into flesh.

I’ve watched New Moon (second installment in Twilight Saga) twice, with different companions, enough to compare the moviegoers in different screenings and notice the remarkable and non-remarkable. We had a discussion after the screening about the silly, unreasonable and laughable scenes and twists in this sequel. Being the Twilight nerd in our group, I was like the Help Menu providing the details on Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ). Lol. So, instead of making a traditional movie review, several comments on an FAQ type follow.

1. The screenplay sucks. What’s wrong with the screenwriters?

Nothing. The story was based on the second book, New Moon, which was poorly written. I’m a fan, but to be frank, this book was my least favorite because it’s boring I was just forced to finish this one so that I can proceed with the third book which turned out to be my most favorite. In New Moon, Bella was always whining, suicidal and didn’t make sense at all. Another reason I initially disliked it was because Edward was out of the picture for 80%. I was with Team Edward when I was reading it. Believe me, the movie is 4 times better than the book. Wow, quite an exception to the fact that the book is always better than the adaptation.

2. I thought the Cullens are generally no longer tempted by the human blood. Why did Jasper want to attack Bella after she had a simple paper cut? Why does Jasper have that normally constipated look?
The Cullens are vegetarian vampires, i.e. they only drink blood of the animals. Jasper is the youngest among them, in terms of being converted into a vampire. Hence, he’s the most mouthwatered/tempted whenever a single drop of human blood is around. The vampires are always holding their breath when they’re with humans so as to avoid being tempted by their scent (blood). Hence, the constipated look and the irregular breathing when they talk.

3. Why did Edward suddenly break up with Bella? And why on the woods?
Jasper’s attempted attack on Bella made him realize that the obvious danger is always there, no matter how they try to live in each other’s world as normal as they can. I also thought it was heartless to break up with her on the woods, of all places. Knowing how clumsy Bella is.

4. Who is that guy who found Bella in the woods? Why was he shirtless? What was he doing in the woods?
That’s Sam Uley. The leader of the pack of wolves (of Quilette tribe, descended from wolves). It’s their mission to protect the people from vampires. They don’t kill humans, only vampires. Except for the Cullens because years ago they made a treaty that they will not touch them as long as they don’t bite any human. In return, the Cullens cannot go beyond La Push, wolves territory.

He was topless because he was “hunting” from the woods. It’s easier for the wolves to transform into human or vice versa when they don’t wear a shirt. In the book though, Edward left a note in Charlie Swan’s (Bella’s father, who is the Chief of Police in Forks, Washington) house that they were going to the woods for a walk.

5. I got so dizzy with the scene that months were counted from October and so on, that Bella was just sitting in her room facing the window. What about you?
Same here. In the book, few pages were without stories, just month labels (October-December) to imply that Bella was lifeless when Edward left. Did you notice that in the movie she was just sitting and didn’t change clothes? I think being lifeless could have been depicted better.

6. Why did Jacob loose his temper that he wanted to punch Mike Newton (Bella’s classmate who’s crushing on her) after watching the movie Face Punch?
That moment, Jacob’s calling to become a wolf and join Sam Uley has reached its peak. He became literally hot. A wolf thing. Hence, he didn’t want to be seen by Bella on the succeeding days. Thinking that she won’t be able to accept this abnormality + her being associated with the Cullens.

7. Why did Jacob cut his hair? Why the sudden change in his built?
When they are transforming into wolves, it’s better to have a short hair. You will notice that the pack of human-wolves have clean cut. In their tribe, those who have the calling to be a wolf age faster and become taller. There will come a time that aging would stabilize and that they will live like normal humans. Only those in their prime/youth are called to actively protect the people from vampires.

8. What was your reaction when Bella apologized to Jacob when she bled after the motorcycle incident?
I was laughing out! She should have apologized for being stupid and not for bleeding (well, too much love for vampires). Another major reaction, when Jacob took off his shirt, I joined the rest of the viewers in exclaiming, “wow!”. Off the cinema I wondered if he really needed to stand while taking off his shirt? Well, sabi ng director. Syempre, para makita ang multi abs. Lol.

After that scene, I’m pretty sure that most of the girls (I’m not sure about the guys) were not blinking everytime Jacob appears on the screen.

9. What was the main reason for Alice’s return to Forks?
She was just visiting to check on Bella because she had a vision that she died. The vampires have special powers. If Edward can read everyone’s mind, except Bella’s, Alice can see the future depending on the current intention and/or activity of the person. She indirectly kept Bella under her radar and saw her cliff dived. Bella almost died, almost impossible to survive. Her vision concluded there. Incidentally, when Jacob rescued her from drowning (and unknown possible attack from Victoria, a nemesis, non-vegetarian vampire), her vision was blocked. In book 3 (Eclipse), it will be revealed that this special power of hers doesn’t effect when there’s a wolf around.

Alice mentioned to Rosalie (another vampire within Cullen family) this vision, the latter relayed to Edward. Hence, he assumed and concluded (after talking to Jacob on the phone, when he said Bella’s father was arranging a funeral; but did not elaborate that it’s for his friend and not for Bella) that Bella’s dead.

10. Why did Edward have to show up before the humans before the Volturis can kill him?
Upon learning that Bella is dead, Edward went to Volturis (leaders/Royal group among the vampires headquartered in the Italy) and asked them to end his life. Normally, vampires can’t kill themselves alone. Volturis won’t kill for no particular reason, you’d have to offend them. Since vampires can’t show themselves to humans under strong rays of sun since their sparkling nature would be revealed, it’s the easiest/most immediate offense he can do.

11. What was your reaction when Edward took off his polo and he began to sparkle?
Major laugh! He should not have considered going topless because he will be, of course, compared with Jacob. It’s sort of battle of the abs. Lol. Well, it should have been enough that the humans saw his sparkling face and perhaps little portion of chest. I am sure there are so many converts to Team Jacob by now. But what shall Edward do? He can’t work on his physique since in the story he is supposed to remain as a 17-year old handsome guy. Probably, work on the make up at the next movie?

12. I haven’t watched Twilight, why are the Cullens so white?
Well, because of the vampirish make up, which has improved a lot. In Twilight, they looked like they had too much baking powder.

13. Who’s your favorite vampire?
Alice Cullen. She’s so cool no?

14. Who’s your favorite wolf?
Leah Clearwater. She’s yet to be introduced in the next installment.

15. Would you rather be a wolf or a vampire?
None. I love my being human. But not the human as Bella, she’s very unreasonable. But if I’m compelled to choose, I’d rather be a wolf because at least, a time would come that my life would normalize after I served my calling. Another reason is that I can eat human food. The vampires don’t eat (except for occasional blood feeding, for the Cullens, they periodically hunt animals) and sleep at all.

16. It seems like you strongly don’t like Bella. Why?
I bet you noticed. I like her good side like she’s low profile, understanding and goodnatured to a reasonable extent. But I didn’t like her being suicidal. I think that that part of her, does not imply anything good especially to teenagers who like her. (But I assume they know that this is just fiction.) When Edward broke up with her, I understand when she got depressed but not to the extent that she became lifeless. She could have drawn her strength from her mother and friends without necessarily divulging Edward’s secrets. Sense of acceptance is a blessing and we should always think of the many others who love us. Anyway, I’m not the author.

17. Isn’t Bella some kind of a user?
In a way, I used to think. Like when Jacob helped her regain her smile, she left him instantly just because of Edward’s situation. But to be fair, I think that whether it’s Edward or not whose life is at stake with the Volturi, she will still go to Italy to save him because she already got a strong attachment with the vampires. In the sequels, you will notice that she will go on her way, too, to Jacob despite going against Edward’s wishes. She’s inherently unpredictable (or predictable?)

18. How will you compare New Moon, the Twilight Saga, in general with Harry Potter (HP) series?
I read HP series only this year. Had I read it before Twilight Saga (I did last year), the latter probably did not appeal to me. To be frank, they are not comparable. I’m a self-confessed Twilight fan, but Harry Potter series is much of a finer writing and Twilight Saga is a fiction that is a rare junk food for the brain. Nevertheless, that doesn’t change the fact that I’m still a Twihard. Just stop comparing. Dahil hindi sila magkalevel. Heehee.

For those who are not yet oriented, Robert Pattinson (playing Edward Cullen) actually appeared as Cedric Diggory in Harry Potter and Goblet of the Fire. He was very different there. I just noticed that in New Moon the movie, when Edward was being electrified by Jane (another vampire), his acting was very Cedric Diggory eh? Suddenly, it felt like I was watching HP.

19. The million dollar question: are you Team Edward or Team Jacob?
When I was reading the 4 books, I was 70% with Team Edward. At some chapters in different books I felt for Jacob. They have their own qualities that will make you swoon. Lol. But Edward is so unreal eh. But in the movie, medyo bumalimbing ako. Naging Team Jacob ako sa ibang scenes. Haha.

But at the end of the day, I’m with Team….
Gu Jun Pyo!

20. What did you think of the movie?
I found some parts uber cheesy. It’s quite long for this kind of adaptation, I wish they devoted the other scenes to vampire and wolves fights (I guess that would be in Eclipse, next installment). The wolf transformation was very good. But since I have read the book, I really commend the people behind the film since they were able to make it four times better than that. And I liked this better than the prequel because it’s more action packed.

I’m sure you have other questions about this movie and/or the saga in general. I won’t mind being your Help Menu.

In case you don’t know or if you forgot, I’m a Twilight fanatic. Last year, before the prequel debuted on the big screen, I’ve written a number of posts about the book. Anyway, I became a little tamed with New Moon and I only got to blog about the first teaser. Otherwise, this site probably has turned into a New Moon blog . Haha.

Sadly, UAE got a few days late playdate and that starts today. So I had to bear the agony of not looking into any spoiler (reviews, comments through social networking sites, etc.). Anyway, the waiting’s over. But before that, did you know that I had a checklist before watching New Moon? Heehee. Forgive me, I’m really like that whenever I’m dead serious about something whether it’s work-related or not. Are you ready to know what’s on the list? Sige lang, feel free to laugh out loud.

• Re-watch Twilight DVD. Ensure that I still memorized the lines.
• Read (i.e. memorize) the e-book of New Moon. (I already brought home the books when I vacationed last September). Just to let you know, New Moon is my least favorite among the 4 books. But the film adaptation looks much more promising than Twilight the movie.
• Watch Taylor Lautner’s (Jacob Black) old films. I saw Cheaper by the Dozen 2 during the weekend. Did you know that he played there as an 8th grade student? His facial features didn’t change a lot. Who would have thought that that totoy would be a charming wolf?
• Prepare my Twilight Saga shoes. It’s a sort of mismatch shoes because the covers of the 4 books are handpainted on it. Click here to see.

PS. You might be wondering how I’d be able to watch this on a Thursday daytime. Incidentally, the universe paved the way for me. Heehee. Today marks the start of my 10-day “weekend”. In our sector, we will not return to work until 6 December (while the other sectors only got 2 days holiday). Thanks to EID and UAE National Day celebrations.