'New Moon' nearly blindsided -- should Robert Pattinson zip it about abstinence?

The box-office crown held by Taylor Lautner, Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart in "New Moon" appears to be safe for another weekend. But just barely.

Company Town has an early look at the box office, plus theories about why the second "Twilight Saga" installment dropped off 70% in sales from last weekend, while "The Blind Side" ticket sales jumped 18% on great word-of-mouth.

One theory that makes sense to the Ministry: Ticket sales dropped off after boffo initial box office because the rabid fan base just had to see the vampire flick ASAP -- but also just had to spend Thanksgiving weekend with the family, who preferred to see Sandra Bullock in the football-themed "The Blind Side."

And, you know, maybe Mom and Dad had the car keys.

Another possibility?

"New Moon" star Robert Pattinson told the UK Daily Telegraph that "The Twilight Saga" is really a big metaphor for abstinence (vampires really are a "want it/can't have it" deal if you're human -- just ask Buffy and Angel).

And on a rivalry-game weekend, when passions overflow, the movie's erotic underpinnings, with no celebration-inducing "touchdowns," might've been no match for the scoring power of football.

-- Christie D'Zurilla

Photo: The guys in the "New Moon" wolf pack could probably find something to do on a football team, yes? From left, Alex Meraz as Paul, Kiowa Gordon as Embry Call and Chaske Spencer as Sam Uley in the "Twilight" sequel. Credit: Kimberley French / Summit Entertainment.

Related dispatches from the Ministry's temporary Office of Never-Ending Twilight: 

'New Moon' shatters records, scores third-best film opening ever

Fans decide once and for all: Edward Cullen or Jacob Black?

Newest wolf pack member BooBoo Stewart's 'New Moon' premiere night

'Twilight: New Moon' rises in L.A.: red carpet in Westwood

Taylor Lautner brings a slice of 'New Moon' to Jay Leno

Image: Oh, that seductive 'Twilight' merchandise

Robert Pattinson finds 'Twilight' hoopla 'a little frightening'

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Comments

[liz]

they need to forget about taylor and focus on rob and kristen. people aren't doing the repeat viewings because of the lack of focus on bella and edward.

[jack]

wen is it gonna release in bangalore/india........... m jst waitin for it guys!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[CDZ from the Ministry]

Jack, from what I'm seeing online (and I don't have inside info on this, just checking various "Twilight" blogs) the Bangalore release looks to be Dec. 4, 2009. -- Christie D'Zurilla

[Randy]

Liz, you are a moron. You can't focus on the Edward/Bella relationship in New Moon because the book doesn't.

Also, I appreciate a film that ignores mostly the relationship between the 2 most horribly cast roles of the decade.

[Joey]

Unless you are a teenage girl the movie is boring. Way to much emotion and not enough action or comedy to make it interesting to anyone else.

[rejna]

Should zip it about abstinence? You should zip about nonsense 'New Moon' titles. You make it sound like he's been talking about it a dozen times.
On the other hand, the movie has already made a monster profit and it's already been what, just a little more than a week? This is so ridiculous.

[NANA]

YES I AGREE THE BOOK FOCUSES ON WHETHER SHE CHOOSES
EDWARD HER FIRST LOVE OR
JACOB THE KID WHO STEPPED IN AND REFILLED THE AGONY..
SO REALLY IT FOCUSES ON BELLA BEING CONFUSED ON WHO TO CHOOSE
AND REALLY THE MOVIE DOESNT SHOW ANY OF THE DETAILS ON HER CONFUSION?!-NANA

[dwayne]

How incredibly Gay are the "werewolves"...?

Just a bunch of shirtless boys romping around in the forest.

[ShariG]

I agree with Liz. I saw New Moon, but missed Edward and had to come home and rewatch Twilight about 15 times. New Moon was way too much Jacob and not nearly enough Edward and Bella. It is the chemistry between Rob and Kristen that made Twilight such a hit. I am an adult woman with children, not a teenager, and I am completely invested in the Edward/Bella love story. I hope Eclipse goes back to the love story and I really hope there will be a Breaking Dawn that follows the book.

[B]

I just want to remind everyone that this movie is pretty much BY THE BOOK...meaning, in case you forgot...you should go re-read the book...thats how come we dont see the Bella-Edward as much...neither did we in the book...this is about Jacob and the werewolves...and BTW the werewolves are sexy as hell!! =)