After hiring the (uncredited) director of American Pie for this young-adult vamp romance’s second installment, Lionsgate decided the next guy who ought to take a crack at Bella & Edward’s love life was David “30 Days of Night” Slade. Stylish and addicted to shadows, Slade said he took a “more realistic approach” to this movie that includes werewolves, vampires, and an extremely charged camping trip between the two. Does grounded work as a take on Stephenie Meyer’s melodramatic tale of supernatural sweethearts? Hm. Depends on how much you liked the pilot Hannibal episode, also directed by one Mr. Slade. – James Scott
