Bite Club - Episode 51

The Big "Eclipse" Review and Box office report. Plus, what we would ask Charlaine Harris and why Ryan Kwanten is too busy for love.

Take a listen:

>> Download Episode 51 (right- or ctrl-click and select 'Save as...')

0:57 - Wine

Lynn - Emergence, Central Coast CA $6.99 Trader Joes
Eileen - Tres Pinos
Steph - Mothership Wit Beer -- Safeway, under $9

5:36 - News

Twilight News
- Eclipse' lags 'New Moon' over first five days
- Box office: 'Twilight Saga: Eclipse' is huge but just short of 'New Moon'
- Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart surprise fans at 'The Twilight Saga: Eclipse' screening
- A facebook EXCLUSIVE - Dakota on the cover of Marie Claire, hitting newsstands 7/7! AND other Twilight Eclipse stars surprising fans at theatres
- Spend a night with 'Eclipse' screenwriter Melissa Rosenberg on July 13, 2010 at the Writers Guild

True Blood News
- Stephen Moyer is watching Joe Manganiello
- Ryan Kwanten too busy for love
- Ryan Kwantan interviewed by Ryan Seascrest
- Spoiler: Six New True Blood Photos: Bill, Lorena, Lafayette, Tara, Jason
- Bite is the new hickey?!
- CNN Blog (from an intern)

Vampire Diaries News
- The CW announced its Fall premiere dates - Thursday, September 9 8pm
- Ian Sommerhalder talking to fans in Sydney at the Hub Productions Vampire Diaries convention this past 7/4 weekend... along w/ him, Nina Dobrev and Paul Wesley

28:03  - Eclipse Review!

* Follow us on Twitter: @biteclubshow

* Email us at biteclubshow@gmail.com with your questions, wine suggestions, and anything else vampiric

Comments

[Michele]

I very much enjoyed your responses and reviews.

It’s true that Jacob is annoying. Luckily, it seems that Meyer intends it that way. Perhaps, to emphasize the fact that he is, indeed, a teen, while Edward is 90 years older. But from his tantrums in New Moon, his failure to give Bella the phone when Carlisle phoned (which led to Edward’s mistaken belief that Bella was dead) until the very end in Breaking Dawn when he brings Charlie to see the newborn Bella -- before she is fully prepared to be that close to a human -- Jacob is an immature irritant. If anything, is he is more tolerable in the movie than he is in the books, but only barely.

Actually, while the movie can never reach the emotional depths of the books, I was surprised at the film scenes that were actually more palatable. The scene where Bella punched Jacob worked better, because in the film rather than forcing himself on Bella (which I found to be unforgivable in the book), Jacob takes her more by surprise than anything else. It is somehow less coercive and objectionable on film.

The proposal seemed more loving than it did in the book, mainly because Bella’s response was unreserved. In the book, we know that her love for Edward continued to be pitted against her ambivalence towards marriage, until the moment that she actually walked (ran) down the aisle. In the movie, after she explains that getting married as a teen usually means you’re “knocked up,” Edward’s words seem to entirely melt away her hesitancy, so that when she says yes, it’s with an unadulterated joy, which made the moment all the more romantic.

The tent scene was less painful because in the movie Bella really WAS asleep. In the book she was half conscious. Meyer felt that because Bella is the narrator, she had to at least partially hear the conversation between Edward and Jacob. That may have worked for literary purposes, but as a reader, I was upset that Bella never addressed the fears and vulnerability that Edward expressed to Jacob. Even if she didn’t fully remember everything he said, he voiced some insecurities that I think a sensitive Bella would have helped assuage. At least in the movie, it was clear that she never heard the exchange.

I laughed at what Lynn said about not being impressed by Jacob and Bella’s kiss on the mountaintop. Of course, it was no game changer in my book, but I’m biased. It was great to have Lynn put it in such amusing terms.

Josh, Meyer’s originality in having the newborn vampires being stronger because of the blood in their system will work nicely in Breaking Dawn, once Bella is changed.

Eileen, it will be interesting to see how they tackle Jacob’s imprinting in the movie. Obviously Twihards have long been reconciled to it, but they’ll have to handle the development carefully so as not to weird out casual movie viewers. As you guys discussed Bill Condon, I was thinking that although the book has limited action, I really don’t trust the movie to follow suit. They added physical conflict to the Vulturri scenes in New Moon and I have just been assuming that they will do the same with Breaking Dawn. But you bring up a good point. If this last film was truer to the book, maybe the next two will be as well. I look forward to it all unfolding. Thanks for a great show.

[Shannon]

Hi ladies! Thank you for this awesome review of Eclipse. :D I LOVED it!

Other than the fact that my brother, his gf, my bf, and I sat in front of a 5 year old female parrot it seemed, I have to say I agree with you guys. I loved the movie! I waited til Friday to see the movie so I wouldn't have to deal with the tweens, but we still managed to sit in front of a girl who repeated every good line in the movie! So annoying!
I loved the humor that was brought into Eclipse. The characters had lots of good lines that were said very well, as well as many memorable lines from the book. The 'I'm a virgin!' line was so real and didn't look fake at all! I'm very impressed with how Kristin was in New Moon.
I was pleased with the historical stories about Rosalie and Jasper. I thought the two stories were very well done and, although the scenes were short, they were straight to the point.
Even though it was a small part, I loved that you got to see some interaction between Alice and Jasper! (The peck on the cheek was adorable after they were done practicing for the fight).
The scenes in the mountains were very pleasing. Of course, the tent scene was wonderful. I had the feeling throughout that scene that Bella was awake and just listening in to what the two boys were saying. She made a few small facial reactions that I just couldn't figure out!
And OMG the Jacob/ Bella kiss. My boyfriend, who I've made see all three movies, at this point shook his head and said Bella shouldn't have done that. She was engaged and he was pissed at her! I have to admit, I loved seeing him get so into the movie. ;)
Bella has a lot of love for Jacob as a friend. I don't think she knows exactly what she wants at this point and I can't blame her! Jacob put her on the spot and she had to do something to make sure he didn't do something completely retarded.
I think if there is a movie that can bring more of a male audience into this genre, this would be it. There were sweet action scenes and funny laugh-out-loud moments. I'm stoked for Breaking Dawn!

[Anonymous]

I can't believe we have to wait a year and a half for Breaking Dawn!!! That is way to long. :(

[Kass]

I actually loved a Twilight movie. I'm a huge fan of the series but it still pisses me off they don't spend the time and money on these movies.
These books deserve good movies and it's sad that they didn't. I'm hoping for remakes. And Summit's busy trying to making money off these movies so they don't shut down and we get semi good movies even Eclipse had those moments.