Movie: The Twilight Saga: New Moon * Trailer * Official Site * Gecko Links	In Theaters: Nov. 20, 2009
Runtime: 130 minutes	Directed by: Chris Weitz
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for some violence and action	Gecko Rating:

I was a little dismayed when I saw that Roger Ebert had given “The Twilight Saga: New Moon” only one star, but I can sort of see where he’s coming from. In terms of overall production, “New Moon” might not be the best movie ever made, but it’s romantic, continues the story beautifully from the first movie (“Twilight”), and sets things up nicely for the third film, “The Twilight Saga: Eclipse.” It also appeals perfectly to its target audience – young girls and middle-aged moms. For all these reasons, it gets four out of five geckos from me.

More after the jump…

We pick up the story with Bella (Kristen Stewart) celebrating her 18th birthday at the start of her senior year. She’s not really into the whole “presents and cake” thing, but agrees to a birthday party at the Cullen’s house. When she cuts her finger while opening a gift, Jasper (Jackson Rathbone) nearly attacks her. Being a young vampire, he doesn’t have as much control over his bloodthirsty instincts as the others. It all ends well, but the incident makes Edward (Robert Pattinson) realize that over the long haul, his relationship with Bella will never work. So he and his family leave Forks, Washington, leaving Bella to stumble through her senior year alone and depressed. 

But she finds comfort with longtime friend Jacob Black (Taylor Lautner), who’s suddenly grown buff and strong. To get over her heartbreak with Edward, Bella asks Jacob to help her fix up a couple of motorcycles, so the two can ride together. But Bella has an ulterior motive. She discovers that whenever she’s in danger, Edward appears to her in a vision. Thus, she puts herself in danger quite often, from reckless motorcycle driving to cliff diving to solo ventures into the woods. There are still dangerous creatures lurking out there.

And Jacob is harboring a secret of his own, as he starts hanging with a group of Native American boys who like to wander bare-torso’d through the woods. The audience where I was the movie was so funny, because every time a guy would rip his shirt off or run through the woods half-naked, everyone would ooh and aah. I have to say, Taylor Lautner definitely logged plenty of gym time.

Meanwhile, the Cullens are off somewhere in the world, but Edward, distraught over news he hears about Bella, goes to see the Volturi in Italy. They’re the leaders in the vampire world, tasked with making sure all the vamps adhere to their many laws. When Bella hears about it via Alice (Ashley Greene), she has to take action, much to the chagrin of Jacob.

“The Twilight Saga: New Moon” is romantic, funny and dramatic, but oh, the teen angst. They’re tortured souls! The computer generated effects are beautiful, with gigantic, fearsome wolves who snarl and fight like, well, wild wolves. That bad vampire Victoria makes an appearance, as well, and gets into a violent tussle with the wolves.

The Volturi are a great addition to the saga, and while they don’t have a lot of screen time, they use it well. Dakota Fanning plays Jane, a powerful vampire who can inflict pain with her mind. The leader Aro (Michael Sheen) makes a giddily evil vampire, and he’s flanked by the more silent and stoic Caius (Jamie Campbell Bower) and Marcus (Christopher Heyerdahl).

The Quileute Wolf Pack includes Alex Meraz as Paul, Chaske Spencer as Sam Uley, Bronson Pelletier as Jared, and Kiowa Gordon as Embry Call. They look just fine, don’t they? 

I’m sure “New Moon” will be spoofed to the nth degree, and there’s plenty to spoof: longing looks between characters, mannerisms like Bella’s lip-biting, Jacob’s strength, and Edward’s sparkling … just about every character could easily be a “Saturday Night Live” skit. But that’s ok. It means the movie embeds itself into our psyche.

I think maybe Roger Ebert should have seen “New Moon” with some junior high girls (ok, that doesn’t sound right!). But I took my 12-year-old daughter and two of her friends, and just watching their joy at seeing the movie made it all worthwhile. And this mom loved it, too.

Note to Parents: The PG-13 rating is spot-on, but if your younger-than-13 child saw the first “Twilight” movie and was ok with it, they should be fine with this one, though there’s considerably more action. The wolves are quite awesome, snarling and fighting to the max. There’s an intense fight scene involving the Volturi, where one character gets thrown around quite a bit and another is dismembered. Not much is shown, but the effect is there.

Early in the movie, Jasper nearly attacks Bella, leading to a fight between him and Edward. Victoria (Rachelle Lefevre) and Laurent (Edi Gathegi) have separate tussles with the Wolf Pack, who also come after Bella at one point. Bella puts herself in danger, approaching a motorcycle gang, driving a motorcycle recklessly, and nearly drowning in a cliff-diving scene.

There are also plenty of romantic scenes, but nothing much more than kissing and hand-holding. Language is fairly mild, including “bloodsucker,” “dammit,” “what the hell,” and “oh my God.”

Image: TM and © 2009 Summit Entertainment, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

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Directed by Allen Coulter, the Summit Entertainment film also stars Pierce Brosnan and Chris Cooper, and is set for a March 12, 2010 release date.

Remember Me in HD

Trailer Park | MySpace Video

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Angelina Jolie stars as CIA officer Evelyn Salt, who swore an oath to duty, honor and loyalty – a loyalty that’s seriously tested when a defector accuses her of being a Russian spy. So she goes on the run, using all those CIA skills and experience as a covert operative to elude capture.

What do you think of the poster? She’s got the steely stare down pat, doesn’t she? Oh, those lips!

Image: Sony Pictures Entertainment

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Movie: 2012 * Trailer * Official Site	In Theaters: Nov. 13, 2009
Runtime: 158 minutes	Directed by: Roland Emmerich
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for intense disaster sequences and some language	Gecko Rating:

If you’re not familiar with the theories surrounding the year 2012, there are a lot of them, ranging from the Apocalypse, the return of the aliens, a comet colliding with the earth, sunspots, and other various cataclysmic events.

But some also say the year will signal a spiritual awakening, so maybe it’s not all bad. Check out Armageddon Online for more theories.

In the movie “2012,” the focus is on a series of catastrophic natural disasters that center on a shift and destabilization of the earth’s core. Thus we’ve got earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanic eruptions, and just about every other sort of disaster you can think of.

More after the jump…

The central character is Jackson Curtis (John Cusack), an author who’s written a book about Atlantis but works as a driver for a Russian diplomat, Yuri Karpov (Zlatko Buric). Now divorced, Jackson is disconnected from his two kids (Liam James and Morgan Lily), and decides to take them on a camping trip to Yellowstone. Meanwhile, his ex-wife Kate (Amanda Peet) and her new husband Gordon (Tom McCarthy) stay behind in their happy suburban home.

But, of course, things start coming apart. California starts experiencing little earthquakes, and Jackson and the kids see some odd happenings during their Yellowstone camping trip, too. They also meet a crazy mountain man, Charlie Frost (Woody Harrelson, whose perfectly cast in that role), who broadcasts a radio show, warning everyone that the end is near. 

Meanwhile, the politicians are gearing up in Washington, D.C. and around the globe, including U.S. President Thomas Wilson (Danny Glover), his daughter Laura (Thandie Newton), and a geologist, Adrian (Chiwetel Ejiofor). They’re aware of the earth shifts and have a plan of their own. When Jackson catches wind of the plan from Charlie, he does everything in his power to get his family — including Gordon — to safety.

A lot of the dialogue in this movie is downright corny, but the special effects make up for it. You have to just sit back and enjoy the disaster ride that includes giant cracks that open up in the earth and threaten to swallow whole stores, skyscrapers toppling into each other, massive pieces of land sliding into the earth (cities and all), and sweeping tsunamis taking out entire continents, including a monk’s retreat on a mountaintop. And it’s all done really well.

But you also have to snort in disbelief at some of the outrageous things that would never happen, should a real disaster of this type occur. Like planes taking off on rubbled runways, then landing in a remote mountain area near exactly where the travelers were headed.

Still, as far as disaster movies go, this is a fun one. If you like this sort of thing, you should definitely check it out. At 158 minutes, though, it’s long, so be prepared for lots of disaster.

NOTE TO PARENTS: While I wouldn’t call “2012” a family movie, it definitely has some family elements to it. Even though Jackson feel disconnected to his kids and ex-wife, they work together during the disaster and realize they need each other.

The PG-13 rating seems on target for this movie. There are plenty of disaster scenes and people in peril, but you don’t see too many close-up shots of dead people or anything, and the movie isn’t “real” enough to warrant any major emotional upheaval in kids 13 and older.

Images: Sony Pictures Releasing

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But I hope non-“Twilight” fans will get out to see “The Blind Side.” It’s a thoughtful, inspiring movie based on the real-life book by Michael Lewis titled “The Blind Side: Evolution of a Game.”

It’s about a homeless, oversized, uneducated teenager named Michael Oher (Quinton Aaron) who’s taken in by a wealthy woman named Leigh Anne Touhy (Sandra Bullock) and her family. As it turns out, Michael has a talent for football and ends up doing well in the sport – thanks to Leigh Anne’s guidance and inspiration.

It’s directed by John Lee Hancock and also stars Tim McGraw and Kathy Bates. “The Blind Side” is rated PG-13 for one scene involving brief violence, drug and sexual references. Watch the trailer and see what you think.

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Robert Pattinson

The crew has been jetting here, there and everywhere promoting the movie, and flew from Los Angeles to Paris on Monday, amidst throngs of screaming fans. As for whether it bothers him, Pattinson told one reporter:

“It’s when I’m in my real life, when I’m not working, when there’s less security around me, that it’s worrying,” he said. “When some girl shows up on my doorstep … In a way, it’s funny because it’s completely new to me. Growing up, that wasn’t me. I wasn’t someone who had a girlfriend.”

It appears he DOES have a girlfriend now, co-star Kristen Stewart, who plays Bella Swan in the movie. According to one report, the pair were the last ones to leave the terminal to board the plane. “Out on the tarmac, he took her hand, like young lovers. They stopped and looked at each other, their plane, the scene. They seemed very calm, in love. They continued holding hands boarding the plane.” Awww, that’s sweet.

For more on “New Moon,” visit Junior Celebs and Twilight Groupie!

See pics of the London event after the jump…

Images: splashnewsonline.com; Newscom

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This cast is going to be so happy when the movie comes out on Nov. 20! They already look exhausted, and I’m sure they’ll be completely fried out by the end of the tour.

After the jump, check out the full list of locations and see if they’re in your area (if you can score tickets, that is).

Robert Pattinson, a.k.a. Edward Cullen: 

More pics after the jump, and the schedule…

Kellan Lutz, a.k.a. Emmett Cullen:

Nikki Reed, a.k.a. Rosalie Hale:

Kristen Stewart and Taylor Lautner, a.k.a. Bella Swan and Jacob Black:

Here’s the lowdown on the “New Moon” tour dates: 

11/06/09 Los Angeles, CA SOLD OUT
Hollywood & Highland
Cast Appearing: Kellan Lutz "Emmett", Nikki Reed "Rosalie", Jamie Campbell Bower "Caius", Alex Meraz "Paul", Kiowa Gordon "Embry", Ashley Greene "Alice", Elizabeth Reaser "Esme", and Chaske Spencer "Sam"
Bands appearing: Band of Skulls, Sea Wolf, Anya Marina, and Death Cab for Cutie

11/08/09 Denver, CO SOLD OUT
Park Meadows
Cast Appearing: Alex Meraz "Paul" & Kiowa Gordon "Embry"

11/09/09 San Francisco, CA SOLD OUT
Stonestown Galleria
Cast Appearing: Ashley Greene "Alice" & Kellan Lutz "Emmett"

11/09/09 Washington, DC SOLD OUT
Fair Oaks Mall
Cast Appearing: Edi Gathegi "Laurent" & Jamie Campbell Bower "Caius"

11/10/09 Chicago, IL SOLD OUT
Westfield Fox Valley
Cast Appearing: Ashley Greene "Alice" & Kellan Lutz "Emmett"
Band Appearing: Anya Marina

11/10/09 Houston, TX SOLD OUT
Houston Galleria
Cast Appearing: Alex Meraz "Paul" & Kiowa Gordon "Embry"

11/10/09 Philadelphia, PA
Cherry Hill Mall
Cast Appearing: Charlie Bewley "Demetri" & Daniel Cudmore "Felix"
Band Appearing: Hurricane Bells

11/11/09 Miami, FL SOLD OUT
Dadeland Mall
Cast Appearing: Alex Meraz "Paul" & Kiowa Gordon "Embry"

11/11/09 Minneapolis, MN
Mall of America
Cast Appearing: Edi Gathegi "Laurent" & Jamie Campbell Bower "Caius"
Band Appearing: Anya Marina

11/12/09 Boston, MA SOLD OUT
Natick Collection
Cast Appearing: Ashley Greene "Alice" & Kellan Lutz "Emmett"
Band Appearing: Hurricane Bells

11/12/09 Seattle, WA
Westfield Southcenter
Cast Appearing: Charlie Bewley "Demetri" & Daniel Cudmore "Felix"
Band Appearing: Anya Marina

11/12/09 Atlanta, GA
Mall of Georgia
Cast Appearing: Edi Gathegi "Laurent" & Jamie Campbell Bower "Caius"

11/13/09 Phoenix, AZ
Scottsdale Fashion Square
Cast Appearing: Charlie Bewley "Demetri" & Daniel Cudmore "Felix"

11/14/09 Salt Lake City, UT
Fashion Place
Cast Appearing: Edi Gathegi "Laurent" & Jamie Campbell Bower "Caius"
Band Appearing: Anya Marina

In addition, Hot Topic promises "a special visit from cast members in Times Square!" Keep an eye on their site for more details.

Images: INF

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“Sherlock Holmes” opens in theaters Dec. 25, 2009, and follows the adventures of the famed detective (Downey, Jr.) and his partner John Watson (Law).

Sherlock Holmes 101: He’s a fictional character of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, created by British author and physician Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Holmes is a brilliant London-based "consulting detective", known for his intellectual prowess, skillful use of observation, deductive reasoning, and forensic skills to solve difficult cases. In short, he’s the forerunner of all the cop shows on TV now and in the past.

Check out all of Film Gecko’s coverage of “Sherlock Holmes,” and see what you think of the new trailer.

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Roland Emmerich’s tragi-film centers on a global cataclysm that brings an end to the world as we know it — seriously, check out the trailer. I also have a great 5-minute clip with John Cusack front and center.

Until the Nov. 13 release date, here are a few premiere pictures of Cusack, Thandie Newton, Woody Harrelson, Danny Glover, Gilmore Girls’ Lauren Graham, and Chin Han (read my “Dark Knight” interview with him).

Also present was Adam Lambert, who sang one of the movie’s tunes, “Time for Miracles.” Watch the video of that on Idol Stalker!

More after the jump…

Image: INF

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