Director Catherine Hardwicke, actress Kristen Stewart and author Stephenie Meyer on the set of Twilight (Summit)

By Janeane White

Twilight (opened November 21 throughout San Diego) as both a movie and a book is an overall excellent story: A young clumsy girl falls in love with the most dangerous person she could ever meet and gets in to even more trouble from there.

But I felt that the book and the movie were almost two entirely different stories. The movie had changed important scenes and added extras just to make it more appealing to the audience. But that was unnecessary because it was already primed to be a massive movie hit because of the books' success. Millions of girls and women turned up to see the film in hopes of seeing what they have been picturing in their minds to be this amazingly hot vampire family with this ditsy chick. I felt that the book was perfect all by its self. Some of my favorite chapters in the book were distorted in the movie and it seriously disappointed me. I know that filmmakers can't adapt every detail from a book to the movie because the movie would be extremely long and people would lose interest.

Towards the end, huge chunks of the book where skipped and some of these chunks are important. In the end the scenes were chopped up and edited even more, making the movie feel rushed. It was two hours long but I felt like it was only half of that and that the movie should have been made longer. My favorite two scenes from the book are when Edward takes Bella to the meadow for the first time on their first real date and he kisses her for the first time. The second scene is when Bella tells Edward she isn't scared of him at all in his room -- he crouched, growled, lounged and attacked her in a kidding manner just to show how strong and powerful he is. In the movie Bella and Edward ditch school when she confronts him about knowing what he is. They run through the woods and magically find this meadow where they just laid together. The first kiss, which was suppose to be there, was in her room and it was suppose to be a bare touch of lips. But in the film it was much more then that. In the book that would have been to much because Edward doesn't have that kind of control. This aggravated me. In the other scene, instead of him attacking Bella, he basically flew into the trees with her on his back. I was mad at how the fight that Edward had with James (the bad vampire) to protect Bella wasn't in the book either. They added it for entertainment purposes.

Overall I was disappointed in Twilight (rated PG-13 for some violence and a scene of sensuality), especially in Edward. I had pictured some extremely hot guy with a velvet voice and when I saw who played him in the movie the first thought that came to my mind was "what a let down." I just thought everything was wrong and I wish I didn't see the movie. For people who have read the book, expect a disappointment. For everyone else, this might be an acceptable movie. It has a good storyline and it's cute. It really is a good movie but it's nothing in comparison to the book.

--Janeane White is a senior at Mount Miguel High School. She enjoys movies and spends all her time at the theater. She is also interested in special effects makeup done in the movies. She is an honors student and is currently working towards early graduation. Some of her favorite movies include Queen of the Damned, Hellboy, The Descent, the Underworld series, and the Saw series.

Filmmaker Danny Boyle came by the KPBS Studios last week for an interview about his latest film Slumdog Millionaire (now playing at Landmark's Hillcrest Cinemas). Boyle proved to be a lively interview with great passion for filmmaking. He also revealed how the city of Mumbai inspired and energized him. Hope you enjoy this interview feature with clips from the film and behind the scenes footage. And go see the film, it's brilliant!

Kristen Stewart is Bella and Robert Pattinson is Edward in the eagerly anticipated adaptation of Stephenie Meyer's Twilight (Summit)

By Lily Canones

Twilight (opening November 21 throughout San Diego), one of the top selling books across America, is written by Stephenie Meyer. Now it has become a major motion picture. Twilight is a story about a pair of star-crossed lovebirds, Edward Cullen (Robert Pattinson) and Bella Swan (Kristen Stewart) who, at first, become friends and then happens to fall deeply in love with each other. It's that typical romance story between two teenagers. The only odd thing about it is that Edward is a vampire. Even though that is a factor that Bella discovers about him, she doesn't care one bit who or what Edward really is, the only thing that matters to her is that she is "unconditionally and irrevocably" in love with him.

I'm not much of a bookworm, so reading books is a rare thing for me to do. When I first heard of Twilight, I just said to myself, "Oh, it's just another book." But when a lot of people began buying and reading the book, it made me want to read it too. I have read only a portion of the first book because of a busy schedule but so far Twilight has completely drawn me in.

Because I haven't finished reading Twilight, there's very little I can compare to the movie. So far, the scenes from the book are the same in the movie, as is the storyline. I do know for a fact that there are some parts in the movie that are added while others are taken away from the book.

The movie Twilight was absolutely amazing! I personally give it two thumbs up and highly recommend it for everyone. While watching the film, I felt so drawn into it just like the book. The audience too was also drawn in, and added some enthusiasm with their squeals and screams at various points in the movie. But since I was so into the movie, the noise didn't bother me at all. I felt a rush of excitement while watching the movie and that made me more excited about reading the rest of Twilight and the rest of the Twilight Saga. I do want to say that the director, Catherine Hardwicke, has done an excellent job in choosing the actors for Edward Cullen and Bella Swan. She has also done an excellent job in making the book into a film. I really do consider Twilight as now my most favorite vampire romance movie of all time. Go watch it, it's totally worth some cash.

--Lily Canones is a senior at Mount Miguel High School. She became a Teen Critic because she wanted to share her perspective and opinions on new movies. She loves horror movies and Asian movies. Most of the horror movies she watches are originally from Asia and she counts the original Thai version of Shutter as one of her favorites of all time.

Danny Boyle's Slumdog Millionaire (Fox Searchlight)

Filmmaker Danny Boyle may be best known for his dark drug story Trainspotting. But now he delivers what might best be described as something of a gritty romantic fairy tale. Slumdog Millionaire (opening November 21 at Landmark's Hillcrest Cinemas) is something of a kindred spirit to Boyle's Millions as it spins a narrative rooted in the real world but able transcend reality. You can listen to my radio feature or check out the web video feature on Slumdog Millionaire tomorrow.

Ever since I met a group of Twilight Moms waiting in line at Comic-Con I have been intrigued by the new teen vampire film. Based on a successful series of books, Twilight has moms and their young daughters in a mad frenzy for the film. Here's the second trailer. the film opens on Friday with fans probably already starting to line up (or at least buying their tickets) for the Thursday midnight show. Trailer courtesy of Summit films.

Kevin Smith mixes sex and sweetness in Zack and Miri Make a Porno (The Weinstein Company)

By Jason Lacsamana

Zack and Miri Make A Comedy -- That title seems more fitting to this film. Zack and Miri Make A Porno (opening October 31 throughout San Diego) was one of the funniest films I've seen this year. The film features two best friends living together through tough economic times. Zack Brown (Seth Rogan) suggests making a porno to Miri Linky (Elizabeth Banks) as a solution to their financial woes. Soon enough this suggestion turns into a fun filled and sex filled adventure to stardom.

I found this film to be ridiculously funny. Seth Rogan played his role marvelously along with the rest of the cast. Many in the cast are unknown actors and actresses but they were still wonderful. There are so many funny scenes in this movie I thought I was going die from laughing so much. The storyline was very well written and the movie was very well produced and directed by the same person, Kevin Smith. This film set a whole new standard for movies, I think it really earned its R rating. While a lot of the film is comedy and sex, there are also serious and romantic moments as well. This movie has just about everything from drama to sex to getting shot below the belt to shooting (filming) below the belt.

If you liked other movies with Seth Rogan -- such as Superbad or Pineapple Express -- then you'll love Zack and Miri Make a Porno.

--Jason Lacsamana is a senior at Mount Miguel High School. He says he wants to be a Teen Critic because he loves watching movies and loves to critique them but never really had a way of sharing his critiques.He cites zombie movies as his favorites of all time.

Elizabeth Banks and Seth Rogen in Zack and Miri Make a Porno (The Weinstein Company)

By Eric Zacarias

At a time when Hollywood (or rather, Judd Apatow) has been stepping up to the plate and delivering quality comedy films with both substance and raunchiness in comes Kevin Smith. Smith not only adds to this line of great comedies but he does so in a manner that combines the best of both his trademark dick jokes and a heartwarming story. As an avid fan of director/writer Kevin Smith over the years, there were elements in Zack and Miri Make a Porno (opening October 31 throughout San Diego) I gleefully saw coming a mile away. The name itself is a display of the dirty-yet-proud-of-it demeanor of which the film is a shining beacon. The astounding collection of actors, both new and old to Smith's repertoire, did just as good a job as anyone could have hoped for. But make no mistake, as laugh-out-loud dirty as this film is (and it is), Kevin Smith manages to take it into a poignant and touching route that his earlier efforts tried on a more subtle note.

Vanessa Hudgens and Zac Efron in High School Musical 3 (Walt Disney Pictures)

By Lily Canones

High School Musical 3: Senior Year (opening October 24 throughout San Diego) was awesome! Just like the previous two High School Musicals, HSM 3 was another amazing musical created by Kenny Ortega. HSM 3 was once again, a story of a group of high school students that, this time, go through both the hardships and the fun of senior year. But mainly, HSM 3 revolves around the love between Gabriella (played by Vanessa Hudgens) and Troy (played by Zac Effron) and how they fight to make their love last and stick together. The only thing that I wasn't satisfied about was whenever the characters would sing, their lips just didn't seem to follow the words to the songs. But other than that, HSM 3 was awesome.

While watching HSM 3: Senior Year, a lot of emotions sunk in for me because I am also a senior. And even though it's still the beginning of my last year of high school, HSM 3 made me realize that the end of my high school career is just around the corner and that this year could possibly be the last year I will be able to see and be with all my friends. The thoughts of this year ending going through my mind hit me pretty good.

HSM 3; Senior Year (rated G) is another "MUST SEE" movie, especially if you are a High School Musical fan. This movie is worth watching.

--Lily Canones is a senior at Mount Miguel High School. She became a Teen Critic because she wanted to share her perspective and opinions on new movies. She loves horror movies and Asian movies. Most of the horror movies she watches are originally from Asia and she counts the original Thai version of Shutter as one of her favorites of all time.

Simon Pegg in his glory in How to Lose Friends and Alienate People (MGM)

I have made no secret of the fact that I love Simon Pegg. He won me over with Shaun of the Dead, a rom-zom-com that he wrote and starred in. Then secured that place in my heart with the Brit-com TV series Spaced (which was made before Shaun but was hard to track down in the U.S.), which is also wrote and starred in. His creative efforts reveal a fine attention to detail and a savvy sense of pop culture. But in the films where he's had less creative input, he's been less good (Mission Impossible 3, Run Fatboy Run). But now he has a project that seems a bit more worthy of his talents - How to Lose Friends and Alienate People (opening October 3 throughout San Diego), based on British journalist Toby Young's memoirs about his failed five-year attempt to make it as a contributing editor at Vanity Fair magazine.

Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist (Columbia)

By Rachel Landrum

In the new film Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist (opening October 3 throughout San Diego), Michael Cera plays Nick and Kat Dennings is Norah. A month after his big break up with Tris, Nick has to go and play a show with his friends and their band The JerkOffs. At the show he sees his ex Tris with her new boy toy. While debating whether or not he should go and talk to her, Nora -- in an act of desperation -- asks him to pretend to be her boyfriend for five minutes. This is the start of one crazy night filled with music, drunken antics, and one really gross piece of gum.

I found the movie very funny, cute and rather enjoyable. I really liked the friends how they care about Nick and want to help him get over Tris, his ex. It really captured the whole teen view of how we can sometimes get caught up in one thing or one person until they become all we see. As a teen I find we tend to do things in an all or nothing manner, with no real in between. The actors portraying the characters in this film did a really good job of showing this and how they went through a lot just to find where a band was playing and to have a good time.

Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist is rated PG-13 for mature thematic material including teen drinking, sexuality, language and crude behavior.

--Rachel Landrum is a senior at Mount Miguel High School. She loves movies and thought being a KPBS Teen Critic would be a good learning experience. She's always eager for a good ghost story or period film. Among her favorite movies are Across the Universe, Pan's Labyrinth, and House of Flying Daggers.