Even if you aren’t a “Twi-hard” you will still enjoy this movie. “New Moon” , the follow up to “Twilight” , has action, cool effects, some good laughs, and a little bit of romance thrown in for flavor. The actors in the series are becoming more comfortable in their roles, and the film keeps pretty close to the book as promised by the producers. If you’ve never read the books or seen the first movie you won’t have a hard time following along.

This installment mainly concentrates on friends Bella and Jacob. Bella spends most of the movie trying to get over her breakup with Edward, who is shown as a shadowy mist trying to keep her out of harms way most of the film. We learn of a tribal “curse” of Werewolf-ism (is that a word?) and watch Jacob transform from a kid into a confused and somewhat angry young adult. There isn’t too much of the vampire side of the story in this chapter, although we get a quick lesson in Vampire hierarchy with the introduction of The Volturi. That brings us to the lovely Dakota Fanning, as the evil Jane, and gives us something to look forward to in future installments.

The movie is over two hours but doesn’t feel like it. It’s a lot of fun to see the pages of a book come to life on the screen. I hope the next two (possibly three) movies in the series are as good as “New Moon”. This is definitely one movie you will want to see at the theatre if only to enjoy the special effects.

View trailer here:
http://www.moviefone.com/movie/the-twilight-saga-new-moon/36045/video/new-moon-trailer-no-1/25074114001

Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire

I was looking forward to this movie for weeks, but due to the films limited release, I had to wait until November 20 to see it. It was definitely worth it. Everyone should see this movie, if not for the content for the outstanding performances by every actress in the film. Newcomer Gabourey Sidibe is heartbreaking in her portrayal of a girl so abused and overlooked that she has withdrawn almost completely inside of herself. She doesn’t stick up for herself but she may occasionally come out of her shell long enough to stick up for someone else, proving there’s still a human being behind her blank stare. Mo’Nique is crazy good as the verbally, physically and sexually abusive Mom. If she doesn’t get a nomination for her portrayal of an unbelievably broken and damaged woman, well then shame on the Academy. Mariah Carey did a good job in her role, proving that she actually can act. The only problem I have with her performance is all the noise she made about having to drink “ugly juice” for the role. She looked like a normal person and she wasn’t on screen that long. Get over yourself, thank you.

This story is heartbreaking and heartwarming all at the same time. The audience was fully invested in this character, all of us gasping out loud during a particularly harrowing abuse scene and most of us dabbing our eyes by the end of the movie. For the main character to strive for a better life after the upbringing she has had and the people she has been surrounded with her entire life, well it’s nothing short of a miracle and a true testament to the human spirit. This is a very ugly/beautiful story. It’s difficult to watch but even more difficult to ignore.

View trailer here:
http://www.moviefone.com/movie/precious-based-on-a-novel-by-sapphire/31794/video/precious-based-on-a-novel-by-sapphire/23765163001

The Blind Side

I love Sandra Bullock, I’ve always liked her, but after this performance I have decided I love her. She did such a great job in this movie seamlessly becoming the character. Unlike many big name stars who’s own personas overshadow the characters they are playing, yes I’m talking about you Tom Cruise and Nick Cage. Bullock could have easily overacted in this role of a girly girl fashionista but she didn’t. She made the character down right likeable and made her acts of kindness seem so natural and automatic that I want to be this woman’s friend. There is a boy with no home, well then he comes home with us, he has no clothes, well then we buy him some. It’s not up for discussion it’s just done. When the NCAA comes into the picture and tries to make something ugly out of sheer acts of humanity it is physically upsetting. This movie has an overall Disney family film feel to it, but it’s ok. It’s based on a book which is probably better then the movie because you may get more insight into Michael, the main character. He doesn’t say too much thru-out the film but you still get enough insight to understand where he is coming from. The creators did a great job filling in pieces of Michael’s history with flashbacks and through dialogue.

I’m not a big football fan but the characters made me care about the game. The younger brother is slightly cliché in his wisecracking but it works well in the film. I love the fact that they use the real characters photos during the movies credits. This was a well casted and excellently acted film. I’m not one for mushy feel good movies but I like this one and I’m glad that it’s based on a true story that had a real happy ending.

View trailer here:
http://www.moviefone.com/movie/the-blind-side/37685/video/the-blind-side-trailer-no-2/41934129001

Purple Ninja is the Official Entertainment expert of TheHoopsForum.com. Follow Purple Ninja on twitter: www.twitter.com/purplninja.com