Icon vs. Icon

Twilight fans around the world will be excited to hear that the final installments of The Twilight Saga now have an official release date! The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1 will hit theaters on November 18, 2011. The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 2 will hit theaters on November 16, 2012

Summit Entertainment has recently confirmed that Academy Award® winner Bill Condon will direct THE TWILIGHT SAGA: BREAKING DAWN, based on the fourth novel in author Stephenie Meyer’s Twilight series. THE TWILIGHT SAGA: BREAKING DAWN, is currently being written by Melissa Rosenberg, and will star Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson and Taylor Lautner. Wyck Godfrey, Karen Rosenfelt, and Stephenie Meyer will produce the project.

THE TWILIGHT SAGA: BREAKING DAWN illuminates the secrets and mysteries of this spellbinding romantic epic that has entranced millions.

Condon is well known for writing and directing DREAMGIRLS, KINSEY, and GODS AND MONSTERS, for which he won the Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay in 1999. He was nominated for a second Oscar for his screenplay for the movie musical CHICAGO in 2003. Most recently the multi-hyphenate directed the pilot episode for the Showtime series “The Big C” and produced the 81st Annual Academy Awards telecast, hosted by Hugh Jackman.

Comic Con is going strong! One of the most exciting releases out of the big event is a brand new trailer for HBO’s ‘True Blood’. You can check it out in all of it’s vampy glory below!

‘True Blood’ airs Sundays at 9pm on HBO! The cast features Anna Paquin, Stephen Moyer, Sam Trammell, Ryan Kwanten, and Rutina Wesley. They will be joined by newcomers Joe Manganiello, Brit Morgan, Denis O’Hare, Kevin Alejandro, Cooper Huckabee, Alfre Woodard, J. Smith-Cameron, Theo Alexander, Grant Bowler, and Lindsay Pulsipher.

Author Jean M. Auel

I know. “Life after Twilight? How dare you even think it!” If you’re like me, reading the “Twilight” saga was like injecting passion into the heart of your simple existence.

Most Twi-Hards have already seen “Eclipse” at least once and the next film in the series, “Breaking Dawn”, won’t be released until Nov. 18, 2011. What is a Twi-Hard to do until then?

Luckily, I found an answer.

After it was suggested by a friend and fellow Twi-Hard, and I’d suffered for months from “Twilight” withdrawal, I read the “Earth’s Children” series by best-selling author Jean M. Auel, which starts with “The Clan of the Cave Bear.” The historical fiction series of five books, with a sixth due March 29, 2011, is set before the extinction of the Neanderthal race thousands of years ago and is based on the premise that Neanderthals and Homo Sapiens interacted, violently clashing and intermixing.

Although the background is interesting and well-researched, I found myself drawn to and moved by the love story of the main characters, Ayla and Jondalar.

The first book introduces Ayla, a 5-year-old girl of the Homo Sapien race, who are known as the “Others” to the Neanderthals. Ayla is abandoned after her parents die during a violent earthquake. After wandering alone for days through what is now southern Europe, being mauled by a cave lion and left to die, she is rescued by an unlikely savior, Iza, a Neanderthal woman of the Clan of the Cave Bear. Although Neanderthals do not normally interact with Homo Sapiens, Iza is a childless Medicine Woman (doctor) of the Clan, feels, as a healer, it is her duty to nurse Ayla back to health. Iza her brother, Creb, who is the group’s Mog-ur (spiritual leader),quickly develop parent-like feelings for the child and adopt her into their household (hearth).

The book chronicles Ayla and her difficulties as a physical and intellectual outsider in the Clan, who rely on sign language as communication and live a strict and ancient existence. After reading the first book, I found Ayla to be one of the most magnificent heroines in literature and that I could relate with her struggles, including battles with self-esteem, loneliness, equality, destiny and love. I couldn’t wait to read the next books, where I found her destined lover, Jondalar, equally compelling. The series is exciting, thought-provoking and has changed the way I think about “Mother Earth” as well as my relationships. Also, not to sound like a total perv, but the sex scenes are erotic and
definitely come from a woman’s imagination.

The “Earth’s Children” series captures many of the elements I enjoy in the ”Twilight” series and satiated my thirst for romance and drama. I found myself frequently relating Ayla and Jondalar’s experiences to Bella and Edward’s.

The only noteworthy downside of the series is that while Auel’s extensive research into the setting and people is commendable, it can at times be overwhelming and take away from Ayla and Jondalar’s saga. However, it’s not a coincidence her books have sold 34 million copies worldwide.

So, if you are worried about how to fill your time until “Breaking Dawn” hits theaters in late 2011, check out “Clan of the Cave Bear” and let another love story fill your world. — Kate Vendetta

Kristen Stewart

Samuel Goldwyn Films and Destination Films have released a brand new trailer for ‘Welcome To Rileys’ which stars James Gandolfini, Kristen Stewart and Academy Award nominee Melissa Leo. Helmed by acclaimed film and music video director Jake Scott (including videos for R.E.M., Radiohead, U2, Oasis, The Strokes and many more) the film first premiered at Sundance 2010 to critical acclaim for its emotionally charged performances, and has since gone on to play at Berlin International Film Festival and Los Angeles Film Festival.

James Gandolfini and Melissa Leo star as a married couple whose relationship has deteriorated due to a family tragedy years earlier.  In what is widely considered her most dramatic and mature role yet, Kristen Stewart plays Mallory, a teenage runaway who transforms the couple’s relationship after their lives intersect.

The film is slated to hit theaters on November 5, 2010.

Synopsis: ‘Welcome To Rileys’ is a powerful drama about finding hope in the most unusual of places. Once a happily married and loving couple, Doug and Lois Riley (James Gandolfini and Melissa Leo) have grown apart since losing their teenage daughter eight years prior. Leaving his agoraphobic wife behind to go on a business trip to New Orleans, Doug meets a 17-year-old runaway (Kristen Stewart) and the two form a platonic bond. For Lois and Doug, what initially appears to be the final straw that will derail their relationship, turns out to be the inspiration they need to renew their marriage.

If you consider yourself a movie snob, stop reading here. If you’re looking for a fancy movie review, check out Roger Ebert’s website. You won’t like what I have to say. If you keep reading anyway and find yourself objecting, remember that I warned you.

We are on the third installment of the Twilight saga, “Eclipse,” which is a film based on Stephenie Meyer’s book, “Eclipse,” released in 2007. As a full-fledged Twi-Hard, I’ve had my fill of movie critics trashing these films. They weren’t made to get an Oscar nom, to give Ebert a hard-on or to get a high score on the Tomatometer. They were made for the millions of Twi-Hards who obsessed over the books for months, who know the love story, and who want to see Meyer’s words they so furiously read acted out on the big screen.

With that said, I stood in line alone among a herd of hormone enraged tweens, teens and Twi-moms Friday night to see “Eclipse.” I waited until it had been out for a couple weeks to avoid long lines and bothersome people, to no avail. Although I enjoyed listening to the hens behind me balking about their friend, Dawn the cokehead, who is a “hot mess” and “blacked out at that party last night,” I realized it was the price to pay for seeing a Twilight film in the theaters. I know what you’re thinking: aren’t you a chick? Yes, I have a vagina but I’m not a moron.

I digress.

As I excitedly waited for the film to begin, the training bras and undersexed Twi-moms filled the room. We were all giddy to relive the pages we have all obsessed over. Being so fixated with the books and story, Summit Entertainment could have had stick figures as characters and I still would have seen the movie. I will be the first to admit that the first two movies, “Twilight” and “New Moon”, were sub-par (especially “Twilight”). Nonetheless, Twi-Hards flocked to theaters by the millions and then bought the movies on DVD. The studio execs knew it was like giving a sip of beer to a recovering alcoholic. We want more Edward (Robert Pattinson) and Bella (Kristen Stewart), we want more of the romance, more of the twists and turns, and we will take what we can get.

As for “Eclipse,” I was glad Bella finally decided to wear makeup and style her hair. It’s about time. I enjoyed her hilarious and awkward father, Charlie (Billy Burke) per usual, especially his weird attempt at a “sex talk.” How could you not love him?

As far as the new Victoria (Bryce Dallas Howard), the change in actresses did not bother me, I hardly noticed.

Although I was totally Twi-Harding out, the music was less than par, particularly since I really enjoyed the last two soundtracks. The only song I remember liking is the one played during the scene where they were practicing fighting in the field.

One thing I don’t like about the “Twilight” movies, in general, is that they seem rushed. Considering the books of “Twilight”, “New Moon” and “Eclipse” run 498, 563 and 629 pages, respectively, it’s hard to get the romantic and character build-up in less than two hours. “Eclipse” seemed more like an outline of the major parts in the book and very choppy at times, similar to the first two, which is probably why most movie critics are haters, but I was still loving it anyway.

The actors have grown on a professional level, especially Pattinson and Stewart. How could you not love it when Edward said, “You’ll always be my Bella”? Even Taylor Lautner has grown as an actor. Although he has a smoking hot body and is very sweet in a puppy sort of way, especially when he said “You wouldn’t have to change for me Bella,” I still am on Team Edward.
A glimpse into Rosalie and Jasper’s characters was also a highlight of the movie.
Of course, as a Twi-Hard, I was looking forward to the proposal scene and was not disappointed.
For you horror lovers out there (or the boyfriends/husbands who were dragged to the movies by needy bitches) the newborns emerging from the water was badass, as were the fast-paced fight scenes, with the sounds of shattering vampires and the decapitations. As for Victoria’s sidekick, Riley Biers (Xavier Samuel), he was kind of a letdown but Victoria’s screams were filled with a righteous psychotic rage and lived up to the character in the book. Jane (Dakota Fanning) was pretty good too, cold and sick like the book.

The ending was very nice and has already gotten my panties in a twist for the release of “Breaking Dawn”, which is fortunately broken up into two parts, especially with the upcoming wedding (Did you see that big-ass ring???), Renesmee, and Bella becoming a vampire. Since the movies get better with each installment, I am looking forward to next year.

If you liked the book, you will like this movie. — Kate Vendetta of Icon Vs. Icon

From writer/directors Jason Friedberg and Aaron Seltzer are at it again! The duo that brought you Scary Movie, Date Movie, Epic Movie, Meet the Spartans and Disaster Movie are back to take aim at the current outbreak of vampirism in cinema. 20th Century Fox has released the trailer for their new comedy, Vampires Suck, which you can check out below!

Synopsis: Vampires Suck is a comedy about contemporary teen angst and romance movies. Becca, an anxious, non-vampire teen, is torn between two boys. Before she can choose, Becca must get around her controlling father, who embarrasses Becca by treating her like a child. Meanwhile, Becca’s friends contend with their own romantic issues – all of which collide at the prom.

The film stars stars Ken Jeong, Matt Lanter, Anneliese van der Pol and Chris Riggi. The film is set for an August 18th, 2010 release.

EMBED-Vampires Suck – Watch more free videos

HBO has renewed the hit show TRUE BLOOD for a 12-episode fourth season, it was announced today by Michael Lombardo, president, HBO Programming. Created by Alan Ball, the series will begin production of new episodes early next year in Los Angeles, with debut set for summer 2011.

“The new season of TRUE BLOOD is off to a terrific start, as enthusiasm for this unique show continues to build among both subscribers and critics,” noted Lombardo. “We’re looking forward to more chills from Alan Ball and his gifted team next year.”

“I am beyond thrilled to be able to continue working with this amazing cast and crew,” says Ball. “This is the most fun I have ever had.”

Mixing romance, suspense, mystery and humor, TRUE BLOOD takes place in the not-too-distant future, when vampires have come out of the coffin, thanks to the invention of mass-produced synthetic blood that means they no longer need humans as a nutritional source. The show follows the romance between waitress Sookie Stackhouse (Anna Paquin), who can hear people’s thoughts, and her boyfriend, 173-year-old vampire Bill Compton (Stephen Moyer), who went missing at the end of season two, and is now the object of a frantic search. Alan Ball (creator of the Emmy®-winning HBO series “Six Feet Under”) created and executive produces the show, which is based on the best-selling Sookie Stackhouse novels by Charlaine Harris.

The 12-episode third season of TRUE BLOOD, which launched June 13, has already inspired critical raves, with Entertainment Weekly calling it “faster, sleeker, more vicious, more fun than it already was,” as well as “summer’s best TV.” USA Today hails the show as “fabulously wild,” while the Washington Post describes it as “electrifying.”

Season three credits: TRUE BLOOD was created by Alan Ball; based on the Sookie Stackhouse novels by Charlaine Harris; executive producers, Alan Ball and Gregg Fienberg; co-executive producers, Brian Buckner, Nancy Oliver and Alexander Woo; supervising producer, Raelle Tucker; producer, Mark McNair.

Legendary rapper and True Blood fan Snoop Dogg has paid homage to Anna Paquin’s character Sookie Stackhouse on a new track titled ‘Oh Sookie”. Check out the video below from the good folks over at HBO and be sure to tune in on June 20th for the next episode of True Blood, ‘Beautifully Broken’.

The returning cast members for Season 3 include Anna Paquin, Stephen Moyer, Sam Trammell, Ryan Kwanten, and Rutina Wesley. They will be joined by newcomers Joe Manganiello, Brit Morgan, Denis O’Hare, Kevin Alejandro, Cooper Huckabee, Alfre Woodard, J. Smith-Cameron, Theo Alexander, Grant Bowler, and Lindsay Pulsipher.