Here are four reviews of the Twilight HD Blu-Ray edition. Overall, everyone seems very impresssed with how it looks, and any squabbles are directed at the movie itself. Interestingly, it’s possible to watch the 54-minute “The Adventure Begins” documentary special feature on top of the main film using Blu-Ray.

The HD Room:

Summit’s well-rounded Blu-ray package for Twilight begins with a slick slipcover sleeve and ends with a varied selection of bonus features, some of which are presented in high definition. In-between is the feature film presented in its original 2.4:1 aspect ratio with AVC MPEG-4 encoding at 1080p resolution. The transfer performs remarkably well considering the high degree of filtering and color-timing tinkering employed to achieve the washed-out gray and blue color palette that persists throughout most of the film. Underneath all the processing and filtering, Twilight’s image remains crisp, detailed and natural looking – even more so when the story switches to Arizona in the third act to remind viewers there is sun in this world.

Home Cinema Choice:

Whatever its other flaws, the one area where this Blu-ray is bound to satisfy fans is with its generous helping of bonus features. Exclusive to this hi-def release [note: I'm pretty sure this is on the DVD bonus disc -NMM] is a feature called The Adventure Begins: The Journey from the Page to Screen. While the title makes it sounds like a bog-standard featurette about adapting the novel for the screen, it’s actually a Profile 1.1 feature providing access to around 55mins of behind-the-scenes video content while watching the film. Rather thoughtfully, all of the PiP material can be viewed separately via the Special Features menu, meaning those without Profile 1.1 players won’t have to miss out.

KATU:

Twilight hits home video on both DVD and Blu-ray. The Blu-ray comes in a single disc edition and it’s fairly impressive. Mastered in 1080p, the movie looks great despite its heavy use of blue and gray tones (the movie is called Twilight after all). Despite its Olympic Peninsula location, filmmakers shot the movie in the Columbia River Gorge and around the Portland area. It’s a striking setting for a vampire film and our local area looks very nice in high definition. Be on the lookout for wonderful gorge vistas and beauty shots of Multnomah Falls. Twilight also comes with a number of bonus features tailor-made for fans of the book series.

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4TNZ has scored an advance copy of the Twilight DVD, and highlights some of the hilarious commentary that is in store for you from Robert Pattinson. Among the zingers, you’ll hear him say–

• “Never trust a guy who plucks his eyebrows.”
• “I have so many inexplicable facial expressions in this movie.”
• “I’d love to be able to fit in a box. Like one of those people who fit into small boxes. I’d love it.”
• [Scene where Edward shows off his sparkly body]: “I’m sorry, Bella. I’m just like a sweaty guy.”

Check out the rest of the funny lines at 4TNZ. (“Unsuitable for the young” cover photo from Robsessed)

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During the Twilight DVD release party events this weekend, the stars will appear at one store in each of the following cities: Los Angeles, New York City, Chicago, Dallas and Salt Lake City. The parties will run from 10pm to midnight and include “contests, autographed merchandise raffles, giveaways, limited edition merchandise including collectable clothing and memorabilia from the popular film.”

Access Hollywood will reveal the full details on Friday as to which five stores from the following list will have cast in attendance–

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Some of the people who made Twilight a reality will be visiting the Twilight DVD release party in Wood Village, Oregon. This according to casting director Lana Veenker, who has this to say–

We have it from a very good source that members of the Northwest cast and crew will be present at the Twilight Shop in the Wood Village Walmart. They will be on hand to sign autographs and to attend an exclusive cast and crew party.

• Midnight Release Party
• Friday, March 20 from 10 PM to Midnight
• Wood Village Walmart23500 N.E. Sandy Blvd
• Wood Village, OR 97060

   Before the stroke of midnight, exclusive to the Wood Village Walmart, fans have a chance to celebrate with the Oregon cast and crew who helped make this film. Along with refreshments and autograph signing, fans will be able to talk to stars from their favorite movie.

   NOTE: Fans who want autographs will need to get in line between 8 PM and 10:00 PM, and may bring ONE item for all cast present to autograph. This is a strict cut-off time for admittance to the cast party.

Confirmed cast and crew include Jeff Feller (who shot the behind-the-scenes videos), Propmaker Bill Berkhert Jr, Oregon Casting Director Lana Veenker, Frat Boys Alex Mendeluk and Sean McGrath from the Port Angeles scene, Yani Berkshire who plays Cora at the Culver Café, Catherine Grimme who plays Young Bella in the ballet school scene, Trish Egan, the High School Administrator, and fan favorite Solomon Trimble of the Quileute tribe.

Twilight DVD Release: Blood Drive + Exclusive Cast & Crew Party [thanks, TwilightTreasury!]

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The fourth book in Stephenie Meyer’s Twilight Saga has gone missing from the shelves of a a junior-high school near the Mormon stronghold of Salt Lake City, UT after complaints from parents uncomfortable with its content–

Stephenie Meyer’s popular Twilight series chronicling the romance of a vampire and teenage girl is notoriously all build-up, no bite.

But a parent’s complaint over sexual content in the Mormon author’s fourth novel, Breaking Dawn, coincided with the book’s temporary absence from the library at Brockbank Junior High.

Officials at the Magna school purchased copies of the book some time ago, but as of Wednesday hadn’t placed them on library shelves. Principal Terri Van Winkle would not say whether the delay stemmed from a parent’s complaint about a honeymoon scene in which sex is implied between the central characters Bella and Edward. But Granite School District officials confirm a complaint was voiced.

Officials at Jordan, Davis and Salt Lake districts say they aren’t aware of any school bans of the Twilight books.

“I know some of the elementary school librarians keep it behind the counter. That way, they can ensure that the parent approves of the child checking it out,” said Bonnie Flint at the Davis district.

Previously, we mentioned a Los Angeles Time article with concerns over whether Breaking Dawn is too sexy for youngsters.

Check out the whole article at the Salt Lake Tribune. [thanks for the tip, 4TNZ]

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If you attend one of the upcoming Twilight DVD release parties, you might spot one a cast member that is also attending the festivities. We mentioned this in our Twilight DVD Release Party post, but it bears repeating–especially with these new details from official sources

On Wednesday, a rep for Summit Entertainment confirmed an unprecedented plan for the DVD launch: “Twilight” stars are being dispatched to secret locations all over the country. If you attend one of the midnight launch parties listed on the site, you could come face-to-face with Robert Pattinson, Kristen Stewart or other favorites.

Likely included in these drop-ins are director Catherine Hardwicke and the vampire Laurent himself, Gathegi. “I’m going to sneak into one,” he grinned when we asked him about his plans recently. “I don’t know which one I’m going to yet, but I just got off the phone with Catherine, like, a few hours ago, and she might be going to one.”

If you want to avoid the madhouse altogether, make sure you get your online pre-order in at Amazon or Borders ver ver soon!

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My favorie movie coverage site, Rotten Tomatoes, has a brief behind-the-scenes clip from the upcoming Twilight DVD. Catherine Hardwicke talks about her thought process on some scenes.

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We’re going to try and collect all the info we’re got on the Twilight DVD Release Parties here. If you haven’t heard already, there will be some “secret guests” at certain unannounced Twilight parties, according to the offical Stephenie Meyer website–

On Friday, March 20, 2009, from 10PM until 12 midnight, Summit Home Entertainment and retailers across the country will provide TWILIGHT fans with the chance to celebrate the midnight DVD release of the film that has unanimously been described as a “full-blown pop culture phenomenon.” Participating retailers will stay open late as fans line up to purchase the DVD of the epic romance at midnight parties. While there, contests, autographed merchandise raffles, giveaways, limited edition merchandise including collectable clothing and memorabilia will all be available!

In addition, TWILIGHT actors and filmmakers will be making surprise appearances at select locations throughout the country!

Visit TwilightTheMovie.com to locate a release party near you!

After the break we’ve posted specific info about release parties at Blockbuster and other locations. If you have any detailed info about other parties you know about, feel free to use the comments to post it!

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Here are a bunch more pictures of various pieces of new Twilight merchandise from Wal-Mart. Besides some new shirt designs, there is a keychain/bag clip and the Twilight board game. Reader Jessica has this to say—

They have set up most of their displays. My store still hadn’t put out their smaller accessories yet. But they had several of the tees and they had a really good selection. I have attached what I did pick up there. They have the bags and what appear to be dog tag necklaces all at those great Walmart prices!

The mind boggling thing about my visit is that they were actually playing the movie!! You read correctly!! They were playing it on their big screen TV that they have in the Twilight area at my Walmart. Now I know that it’s not customary to do that and I was sort of in shock. I thought it might have been a promo piece or something, but it went through all the way to the credits and back to the main menu. There are probably going to be several people pulling up lawn chairs at their stores to watch.

Spotted any other gear we haven’t seen yet? Post a link to a picture in the comments!

Previously: Team Jacob Shirt, Twilight Messenger Bags. Thanks to Cecilia, Alana and Jessica for the pics!

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