I appreciate that - thanks!

I went into the first one expecting to be disappointed, which I think helped, since it turned out to be not bad (I'm not going to say it's wonderful - it's a good summary). I'll probably go into this one a little more excited, but still not expecting it to be stunning and hope that' I'm pleasantly surprised again.:D

The acting was pretty bad during some scenes. There were a lot of youngsters at tonight's showing, too. Two girls aged 13 or so gave away a couple of things after Edward's last line. I've read the books, but it wasn't fair for anyone who didn't want to hear it.

There was a big group of us that went to the midnight showing as a sisterhood thing. I feel as though it was better than the first, or at least Edward's acting has gotten better (or better directed?). I also liked that we saw more of the Cullen family, but that might be because I like the brother's parts in the books.

I laughed through out the whole first movie because it was awkward and had such bad acting (in my opinion), but this one it was only at certain parts, so overall much better. However, I would like to shave off Kristen Stewart's eyebrows because of the weird faces she makes.

Taylor Lautner (Jacob) was kind of an awkward actor in this one, I was a little disappointed. But I agree with the above post that Edward's acting got a little better.

I don't know, it wasn't as good as Twilight IMO. Just didn't have the same pull for me, not sure why.

I felt like the awkwardness had more to do with camera angles, etc then his actual acting. The awkwardness was somewhat painful to watch at times, but I really think it adds to his non-humanness.

My daughter is 5 and was disappointed to find out that "Shark Boy" (Taylor) is actually closer to mom's age than her age - she has a little crush on Shark Boy.:p Depending on how this turns out, I'll probably end up taking her to New Moon when it comes out in the dollar theatre. She loved Twilight, and she loves other dark things as well - we took her to The Phantom of the Opera when it came to town.

Quote of the night during the Remember Me preview: Good thing he has Twilight

I agree, the acting can be pretty bad at times. This is how I described it to my friend:

Kristen Steward (Bella) > Taylor Lautner (Jacob) > Robert Pattinson (Edward)

I say that Lautner actually did a lot better in this one, and Pattinson did marginally better, but he really is pretty one-note. Stewart, despite me not really liking her at first, does a pretty good job at Bella, although I always envisioned somebody who was more likably awkward, like in the books. Though she does do painfully awkward rather well (unless that's how she actually is?)

In any event I think that the only two that may go on to do some actual work in Hollywood are Stewart (if she can keep herself out of the tabloids) and Lautner, who both have some actual talent. I think Pattinson is done after the series is over, his acting skills are just not up to par and I feel that his career will take a very Orlando Bloom kind of turn after these movies are over (i.e. after each of their famous series are over-- for Bloom it was the Pirate's series-- Pattinson will only be cast in trite chick flicks for awhile--Elizabethtown, anyone?, and the finally he will fizzle out as his looks will be old news after awhile). Is this harsh? Maybe. But time will tell. Anyone else have any thoughts on this one?

She's painfully awkward in "Catch That Kid", too, so I think it's just her.

My dad asked me last night why this whole thing appeals to grown women so much...not just women my age (20s), but women he works with as well - 40s+. I didn't really have a good answer for him. He pointed out that it obviously wasn't "the guy" - meaning Pattinson. LOL.

I really think that it's just the whole fantasy/adventure appeal. Almost every woman I've talked to (in my admittedly short life) has either articulated or hinted at wanting a life with 1. a secure attachment to a significant other (specifically a kind, caring, and considerate one who always does what is best for her) and 2. a life of adventure/romance. I think that Twilight delivers both, and therefore plays to the ultimate women's fantasy. Not to mention that the hero is dashing, that she is fought over, and that Edward is chivalrous and suave. The vampire aspect is really only the surface of it; at its heart Twilight is a romance novel like most others, except that it is a more innocent version of one (i.e. the lack of graphic sex).

In this way I think that the Twilight phase will pass, because the only difference between it and other novels like it are that it is innocent and somewhat of a new take on an old theme. Combined with the fact that it was not especially well written (not to say that it is particularly bad writing, just also nothing rather noteworthy), I will bet that it will fade into obscurity in the next five years.

That being said, I will still probably watch all of the movies as they come out and most likely re-read the books a few times before then--meaning that while there are and will always be Twilight haters and skeptics, there will probably also be enough people that support the series to keep it quite profitable for those involved.

^^ I agree.

I saw it last night - you are right, they did a good job. There are a few things that I wish were there (highlight to read - didn't want to give anything away to anyone who didn't want to know): him pulling her stuff out of the floorboards at the end, more of the rush to Italy (there was no time to get worried for Edward, she was there like 2 seconds later), the warm cans of soda w/Jacob.

& The Messengers

I didn't see Twilight in on the big screen, so I may not have noticed it before, but Kristin Stewart's eyebrows are completely distracting in New Moon! They look painted on and take away from the character.

And for a movie completely wrapped up in fantasy, Edward's body was :confused: No abs, pasty and hairy?? I didn't get it. I was completely surrounded by pre-teens who squealed at everything (like even Jasper just showing his face onscreen) but no one made a sound for Edward.

Well since he is a vampire, I can see why he is pasty, but yea, they should have given him more to admire ;) The girls in my theater screamed and clapped when they first showed him, but after watching Taylor shirtless all movie, when it came down to the part where we see Edwards chest, I heard a few "eww's" lol

We are like -->here<-- I mean at least make him somewhat toned or something! I'm really missing why people think he is so dreamy... I think Pattinson looked better as Cedric Diggory.

& Speak, even with the topic of the movie.