MTV: 5 Secrets of New Moon

ChrisNMMTV interviewed Chris Weitz by phone for the New Moon DVD release. You can see part of the interview below. Please be advised that the video on the same page was shot several months prior to the DVD commentary track being recorded and the the information in there is not current!

Our Lord?: In its Italian-set portions, “New Moon” features a significant amount of religious iconography, and Edward certainly suffers a great deal. Is he supposed to be a Christ figure?

“I think that he is in a sense he’s doomed to suffer eternally,” Weitz said. “He actually thinks of himself as a damned figure, but he’s wrong about that. So in some senses, yeah, he is a martyr figure.”

Black Eyes: In Stephenie Meyer’s book, Edward’s eyes go black in Italy. Why don’t his eyes turn in the film?

“It’s because I screwed up!” Weitz admitted.

Really? He just forgot?

“Well, yeah, I kinda did,” he said. “Well, there are two reasons. One is that I messed up. The other reason is that I actually thought that onscreen it would be quite bizarre to see his eyes go completely black, and that it would be more satisfying and less jarring to have that moment of reunion be a reunion with revivified Edward. But probably, the long and the short of it, there are many details that I did not drop the ball on, and there are some that I did.”

See more on MTV

IESB: Chris Weitz New Moon DVD Interview

chris-weitz-new-moonOnce again Christina Radish proves why she is one of the best interviewers out their: insightful questions that demonstrate her knowledge of the product!

“IESB: Were there any specific parts of the film that you were most looking forward to talking about for the commentary?

Chris: I was very happy to talk about some of the more complicated shots that we did, like the roundy-round shot. That was a bit in which we took what was a series of chapter headings in the book and turned it into a motion-control shot in which the seasons passed as Kristen Stewart’s character, Bella, remained in the same place. What I like to do with CG is to use it as expressively as possible, and not to make things blow up good, but to sometimes render something ineffable that would be very difficult to do in camera. That involved a lot of work, in which a motion-control camera captured the movement of our steady-cam operator. So, it was a pleasure to talk about that, and about what goes into something like that.

IESB: Having had to deal with stunts, green screen, CGI, weather, bugs and everything you had going on, what was the biggest challenge in bringing this film to the screen, so as to please as many of the fans as possible?

Chris: I think the greatest challenge was the logistical load of it. When you’re talking about taking a film from beginning to end in one year, it’s difficult to do that with a normal film where people are just sitting on their butts, talking to one another. But, when you add in underwater work, heavy CGI work and wire work, it becomes extraordinarily complicated. And then, you add in getting the London Symphony Orchestra to record a soundtrack, and getting 10 or so indie bands to compose songs especially for the film, there are a lot of timelines that are ticking along, at the same time, and you hope that you are able to combine it all at the right point. And, you always end up, just at the last minute, on the last day, your final CGI shot comes in. There are about 400 and something CGI shots, which actually isn’t that many compared to what I’ve done before, but it’s quite a lot. It can complicate things when you’re in the editing room.”

Hit Fix: Chris Weitz on New Moon DVD

Hit Fix has their version up of Chris Weitz talking about the New Moon DVD and future projects:

“Speaking to Weitz earlier this week, the director laughed about the moment and admitted that he discovered the mistake a bit too late.

“I think it could have been less than an Arcadian fairy tale running through the foresty movement and more of an abstract at Kristen flash on her face,” Weitz says of what he would have changed. “That would have avoided laughter, which wasn’t only heard at the premiere where there are cynics and jaded Hollywood types, but the most packed fan screenings.”

Weitz, who is currently prepping his independent drama “The Gardner ” for Summit Entertainment (the same company that shepherds “Twilight”) was taking time out of his busy schedule to talk about the release of the highly anticipated two-disc DVD on March 23.  It’s clear one of the reasons he’s doing more publicity for the film is because he feels “tremendously grateful” for the support of the “Twilight” fanbase which helped “New Moon” hit $706 million worldwide and revitalize his career.  He notes, “I feel like it was two-way street. The reason the fans have been kind to me is i really approached it from step one as ‘What would I want as a reader of the book?’ I didn’t concern myself with making a four quadrant movie or any overall effect other than to be true to the nature of the book. To be able to entertain people and give people joy in that way is something a director looks for his whole life.”

See the rest on Hit Fix

Chris Weitz Interview on Buzz Sugar

ChrisNMNot really sure what’s going on here. They might have released their interview material ahead of an embargo, may be having technical problems, or gone with a re-edit. The link to the interview on Buzz Sugar is now dead, but you can see a bunch of the content of the interview on Twilighters Anonymous.

There are lots of different editions of the New Moon DVD. Which bonus features are you particularly excited about?

I’m excited that my voice will finally be heard! For me, the fun thing was doing the commentary with Peter Lambert, my editor, because it kind of re-created the atmosphere in the cutting room. Peter’s a really funny guy, and we were able to delve into not only the behind-the-scenes moments, but to explain why certain things were shot or cut together in certain ways. So that, for me, was the most fun.

When you go back and watch it again, are there things you’d like to change if you could?

I would like to never have shot Rob and Kristen running through the forest and Kristen’s just turned into a vampire. Because everybody always laughs and it makes me feel terrible. [Laughs] I would have shot it a different way so it wouldn’t get that response. But otherwise, I’m very happy with things.”

On a personal note, we agree with Chris on the forest commentary. We spoofed the wide-spread, giggling, fan reaction on our Christmas video.

Twilight Lexicon and Twilight Moms Live Podcast

Borders New Moon DVD Podcast

To celebrate the release the New Moon DVD Laura (Pel) and Kara from Twilight Moms are going to be at the Borders store in Columbus Circle in New York City on Friday, March 19th. The podcast will start at 10:00pm. We’ll be discussing our experiences on the red carpet, the set visits, current Twilight news and we’ll be doing some trivia with giveaways. Come on down and enjoy the fun!

Target Previews New Moon DVD Footage

The Target website has a video preview up of some of what is on their version of the New Moon DVD. If you go to the Target website and click the icon on the main graphic, you can get to the content. Ty to Mschicklet for the heads up.

What DVD Should I Buy?

Well we were all set to go and write up a DVD comparison shopping guide, but our friends over at Twilight Series Theories went and did one. No point in reinventing the wheel here. So check out their write-up and while you are at it, check out their podcast!

New Moon 22 March 2010 Blu-ray 2D

So which DVD do you think you are going to buy?

Walmart DVD To Have Eclipse Footage

This press release just in from Walmart. That odd vibration you feel is the screaming of a million Twilighters. Note the link to order this particular version will go live tomorrow.

wallmart logo

Ultimate fans of Twilight have a reason to howl with excitement: a sneak peek at The Twilight Saga: Eclipse. Walmart announced today it will be the only retailer to carry The Twilight Saga: New Moon Ultimate Fan Edition on standard DVD, and Blu-ray, with never-before-seen footage from the upcoming The Twilight Saga: Eclipse. Walmart also will feature “Twilight Saga Shops” in stores – a dedicated shopping experience for Twilight fans to bite into a variety of Twilight­-themed clothing, jewelry, and merchandise, including new items to show their wolf- or vampire-fan pride.

Fans can pre-order The Twilight Saga: New Moon Ultimate Fan Edition on DVD or Blu-ray, as well as the national two-disc Special Edition DVD or Special Edition Blu-ray, today at Walmart.com. With the new movie and 50 minutes of extra footage and interviews, The Twilight Saga: New Moon Ultimate Fan Edition also contains an exclusive, 7-minute sneak peek of The Twilight Saga: Eclipse. It begins with an exciting behind-the-scenes look at the production of the newest film. New interviews with stars Robert Pattinson, Kristen Stewart and Taylor Lautner, as well as with series-creator Stephenie Meyer, are integrated with revealing on-the-set footage of some of the key scenes and sets from the upcoming movie. This first-look at The Twilight Saga: Eclipse concludes with the world premiere of an actual scene from the upcoming film.

With the movie release scheduled for March 20, 12:01 am, fans can be among the first to own the DVD, joining friends nationwide at midnight release events in more than 2,600 24-hour Walmart stores. The midnight release last year of the first Twilight movie brought hundreds of thousands of fans together online and in stores, becoming the most pre-ordered movie and most successful DVD movie release event in Walmart history.

Walmart’s Twilight Saga Shops, designed for both the “fan-pire” and “wolf-lover,” will open in stores mid-March and will feature a variety of items themed around the Twilight series and favorite movie characters.
Among the items in Walmart Twilight Saga Shop are:

· Wolf and vampire lover tanks ($7)
· Twilight Saga themed tees ($9)
· Jacob Black and Edward Cullen tees ($9)
· Twilight Saga themed jewelry (bracelets, pins, key chains, earrings, necklaces) ($5 )
· Twilight Saga themed messenger bags ($12) and totes ($9)
· Twilight Saga books, including “The Twilight Saga: New Moon Official Illustrated Companion Book” – ($13.24)and “Life Story” magazine cover issue featuring Twilight ($8.95)
· The Twilight Saga New Moon Ultimate Fan Poster – exclusive DVD cover art ($5)
· Party snacks and beverages to prepare for DVD viewing parties
· New Moon Special Edition Two-Disc DVD and Blu-ray – available 12:01 am, Mar. 20)
· The Twilight Saga: New Moon Ultimate Fan Edition Two-Disc DVD ($24.96) and Blu-ray ($29.96) and The Twilight Saga: New Moon Ultimate Fan Edition with Forks documentary DVD ($29.96) – all available 12:01 am, Mar. 20

Customers can also find items such as character dolls Bella, Edward and Jacob ($24.88), movie soundtracks, as well as New Moon The Movie Board Game and SCENE IT? Twilight Movie Edition THE DVD GAME at select stores. Walmart will host its dedicated Twilight Saga Shops in its 3,500 stores through mid-April, and continue to carry Twilight merchandise through the year, although some items are for a limited period only.

As excitement builds for this upcoming DVD release, Walmart will announce additional special events and activities for fans in the coming weeks.

New Moon DVD Details: The UK Edition

New Moon 22 March 2010 Blu-ray 2DThe distributor for the UK version of the New Moon DVD has released a detailed listing of what their product includes. Note that DVDs coded for that region do not play on US DVD players and newer DVDs recently have measures against uncoded players (not that we have personal experience hacking a player to make it region free or anything:) ) See the details below:

The DVD & Blu-ray release of New Moon on 22nd March 2010. As I’m sure you are aware, the DVD is available to pre order via Amazon.

The Twilight Saga: New Moon – continues on DVD & Blu-ray 22nd March 2010
Certificate: 12
Running time: 130 mins
Directed by: Christ Weitz (About A Boy, The Golden Compass)
Available on: Single disc DVD (£19.99), double disc DVD (£22.99) and Blu-ray (£24.99)
Studio: E1 Entertainment

Following phenomenal UK Box Office success in December 2009, current takings of over £26 million and the 5th largest weekend opening of all time, The Twilight Saga: New Moon comes to DVD and Blu-ray on March 22nd 2010.

The Twilight Saga: New Moon DVD and Blu-ray extras:

Single disc DVD (£19.99):
Extras: Director’s commentary

Double disc DVD (£22.99) / Blu-ray (£24.99):
Extras: Director’s commentary + over 3 hours of exclusive extras including:
The Journey Continues: a 6-part making of documentary
o  Life after Twilight
o  Chris Weitz takes the helm
o  The subtle details
o  A look at production
o  It’s not magic
o  Ready for the World
Music Videos:
·         Death Cab for Cutie: “Meet me on the Equinox”
o  Anya Marina: “Satellite Heart”
o  Muse: “I belong to you” behind the scenes rehearsal footage
o  Mutemath: “Spotlight”

Fan Event Q&A with Robert Pattinson, Kristen Stewart, Taylor Lautner and Chris Weitz – CONTENT EXCLUSIVE TO THE UK
Fandimonium – a look at the die-hard fans
Team Jacob vs Team Edward: the ultimate love triangle
Deleted scenes
Edward goes to Italy
Edward Fast Forward
Jacob Fast Forward
Interview with the Volturi
Introducing the Wolfpack
Becoming Jacob
Edward goes to Italy
Jacob fast forward
Edward fast forward
The beat goes on: the music of “The Twilight Saga: New Moon”
Frame by Frame: storyboards to screen

The New Moon DVD Rundown: Pre-Orders Start Today

So there are tons of versions this year and better options with DVD and Blu-Ray releasing the same day. Every version has a little something different when it comes to the extras: red carpet interviews, Eclipse previews, etc. (though as of right now their product descriptions leave a bit to be desired so that you can’t tell who has what. Trust us those things are on different versions and we’re currently emailing several chains stating “um, did you forget to mention something in your product listings”) So check it out and decide which version works for you (our personal advice, unless it’s refundable, wait until later in the week when full descriptions are up):

Itunes

Borders

Best Buy

Amazon
The Twilight Saga: New Moon (Two-Disc Special Edition)

The Twilight Saga: New Moon [Blu-ray]

Target

Barnes and Noble (yet to go live)

Walmart (yet to go live)