This week’s Film Score Friday is going to stretch the concept a bit. The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn actually has an original soundtrack, not a full score release as of yet, but I did want to branch out a little bit. Plus there is a single track of original score on the album, hooray for loop holes!

The album is a collection of pop songs that either appeared in the film or were inspired by it. Soundtracks like this are a very interesting proposition, it is very possible to arrange a fantastic set of songs that both evoke the film and make for a great listening experience. In fact my first introduction to the world of film scores was through soundtracks like this one.

Now I am far from Twilight’s target audience, but I have seen all the films so I know what to expect going into this album. These are going to be a collection of songs that are harmless, sappy and most of them will probably sound the same, right?

Well, a funny thing happened on the way to me writing this, I actually started to really like some of these songs. Mayhaps I have grown soft in my young age, but some of these songs are actually damn catchy. Also, and much more importantly, the songs actually work really well in the context of the film.

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We can’t really put into words our feelings about Twilight and it’s various big screen treatments. Suffice it to say there’s another movie coming soon called The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 1 and we’ve got a preview for it to show you.

Not that you need any extra encouragement to see the upcoming movie. If you’re a fan of the series you’re going to go, no matter what. If you hate all-things Twilight well, then, you probably won’t — unless you get dragged there by some weepy female. Hey, we’ve all been there, there’s no shame in it.

Sometimes you gotta do things you don’t want to do to make other people happy. Or, to get some, shall we say, action.

Whatever you’re motivations, or lack thereof, look for The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part One to hit theaters on November 18. In the meantime, check out the preview after the break.

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Congrats to all those who have made it past Comic-Con’s endless Hall H lines, sat through countless hours of the studio’s pleading with you to buy movie tickets, and made it back home in one, tired piece. What awaits you is a month filled with the studio’s last line of blockbuster attack ads until the holiday season.

Fear not, as the lines will be vastly shorter than the wait for Eclipse. Instead of emos and soccer moms in “Team Edward” T-shirts, you’ll find yourself beside teenage boys who watch Rocky V on their Evos while waiting for The Expendables.

Curiously, the generals of Universal and Lionsgate both decided to fire missiles into the 13-30 years old guys camp. With the troops dispersing, you should be able to deftly maneuver yourself to the safety of a comfy recliner at the multiplex.

My advice, do like Julia Roberts and Eat some buttery popcorn, Pray for a film worth the ticket price, and Love the below reviews. Let’s check out what’s in store for us in August.

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Fans will be relieved to know that Eclipse is a vast improvement over its two predecessors, Twilight and New Moon. Director David Slade (Hard Candy, 30 Days of Night) manages to elevate almost every aspect of the film.  There is a decidedly darker and edgier tone this time around, and it is a welcome change.  It’s not a great film, but it is a lot more enjoyable than the first two.

For the uninitiated, let me quickly bring you up to speed on what has previously happened in the story.  Bella (Kristen Stewart) is  in love with a Vampire, Edward (Robert Pattinson.)  He is part of a Vampire clan who will not feed on humans based on principle.  They are “good” Vampires, if you will.  In the same town there is a Quileute tribe who can shape-shift into wolves.

They have been sworn to protect their town from Vampires.  One of the wolves (Jacob, played by Taylor Lautner) is in love with Bella, thus setting up a love triangle between Bella, Edward, and Jacob. Got it?

Slade immediately establishes that this is not going to be the same teeny-bopper fare with a brutal opening sequence that is worthy of any horror movie. A teenage boy is walking by himself at night and is stalked, assaulted, and murdered. There has also been a rash of murders in Seattle that carry the markings of Vampire killings.

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The People’s Choice Awards, which were broadcast last night from Los Angeles’s Nokia Theater, are an awards show where, you guessed it the people pick the winners. This year, which was no real surprise, the people picked vampires.

The Twilight Saga, True Blood and The Vampire Diaries all got trophies Wednesday at the 36th annual event. Twilight won four trophies, including favorite movie, franchise and onscreen team for the trio of Robert Pattinson, Kristen Stewart and Taylor Lautner, who also picked up the breakout male actor award.

Winners in the movie categories included Sandra Bullock as favorite movie actress, Hugh Jackman as favorite action star, The Proposal as favorite comedy movie and Up for favorite family movie. Sacha Baron Cohen, appearing as himself and not as his alter egos Borat or Bruno, presented Johnny Depp with a special award as favorite movie actor of the decade.

HBO’s True Blood and the CW’s supernatural series The Vampire Diaries were selected as favorite TV obsession and favorite new TV drama, respectively. Other winners in categories such as movies, TV and music included Inglourious Basterds as favorite independent movie and Lady Gaga as favorite pop and breakout music artist.

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