With The Twilight Saga: New Moon having set box-office records this past weekend, the vampire romance and pop-culture powerhouse cannot be ignored.

Prior to the release of the original Twilight last year, the biggest role Twilight/New Moon star Robert Pattinson had scored was a bit part in a Harry Pottter movie.  It’s now a little over a year later and Pattinson is one of the biggest stars on the planet, facing hype an hysteria everywhere he goes. Even though he has become one of the most sought after young actors in Hollywood, the young Englishman is just as humble and self-effacing as he was before Twilight transformed his life last October.

Taking time out of his ridiculously busy schedule, Rob sat down to talk about what it’s like to get paid for romance, who would win in a fight between a vampire and a werewolf, who would win in a fight between him and co-star Taylor Lautner, whether fame has changed him in the past year, how he keeps his personal life private, and those rumours about his alleged impending fatherhood.

Plus: this week in home video, after the jump.

When you are shooting the more romantic scenes and sequences in New Moon, what kind of things are going through your head? Better yet, is New Moon a “chick flick?”
“It’s weird. I keep getting told by people, ‘Pump up all the stuff about the action, so the guys will go and see it,’ but it’s ridiculous. It’s like saying that guys can’t appreciate romance. I don’t think you can say that about Gone with the Wind. I’ve watched Titanic, and I didn’t think, ‘Oh, this is a girl’s film.’ Especially in New Moon, and actually in the whole series, I’ve never played it thinking, “Oh, I’m in a series of girls’ films and I’m doing something just for girls.” I don’t feel like I’m doing an animated Tiger Beat every week.

Have you ever given anyone flowers?
“Yeah, I did. I put a flower in someone’s locker when I was 15 years old. This girl, called Maria. Maybe I was 14. She actually thought it was from someone else, and the other guy claimed it as well, which was just great.”

Okay, here’s a offbeat question for you: If there was a fight between Edward [Pattinson's vampire character] and Jacob [the movie's lead wereworlf] who would win?
“I don’t know. I think it’s actually a fact that Edward would win, if I read the books correctly. So, I guess I can hold onto that, for my ego.”

What about in a fight between you and you costar Taylor Lautner [who plays werewolf Jacob]?
“I did hear, the other day, that Taylor had agreed to an interview where the interviewer was going to fight him. I don’t think I’d ever agree to that. [Laughs] And, after looking at Taylor’s martial arts videos from when he was like nine, I wouldn’t really want to do anything. Maybe if I had some kind of weapon.”

The subject of love plays such a major part in the Twilight films, and so many fans want what happens on the screen to happen in your real life. How do you separate falling in love in real life with the women who are cast opposite you?
“You’ve always got to remember that you’re being paid. There’s a lot of connotations that come with that. That’s one of the major separations.”

With all of the fan encounters that you’ve had over the year, have there been anything that’s just made you laugh?
“Yeah, a lot of the time. Recently, I have less direct interaction with people because there’s way more security and stuff on set. But, I always find it funny when older people come up. There was a woman who came up to me the other day who must have been in her 90s. It’s very unusual. And, they say exactly the same things as 12-year-old girls. That is kind of bizarre.” [Laughs]

Who is your favorite movie vampire of all time, and why?

“I don’t really know. I always think of the wrong people. I’ll be like, ‘Ethan Hawke in Interview with a Vampire,’ and someone will say, ‘He’s not the vampire. In fact, he’s not even in it.’ [Laughs]

There’s a bunch. I actually really like Wesley Snipes. I think he’s great.”

Wesley Snipes in the Blade films, you mean?
“Yeah, he’s great.”

What’s the weirdest or funniest thing that you’ve ever read or heard about yourself?
“Recently, some magazine had on the cover that I was pregnant. I was just like, ‘Wow!’ And, it was without a hint of irony or anything. I didn’t really know what to make of that one. I don’t even know if that qualifies as libelous because they can just say, ‘Well, it’s obviously fiction,’ but it’s written in a non-fiction magazine. I saw a couple comments under the article saying, ‘That’s why he always wears jackets. He always wears layers to hide it.’” [Laughs]

How do you maintain the balance of letting your fans and the public know who you are? How do you keep your private life private?

“I think you just do it through doing jobs. It’s such a risky thing, doing interviews. I try to limit the amount of interviews I do. No one is that interesting, especially when you’re not really saying anything. And, I don’t particularly want to be some kind of character in society. So, I guess the only thing you can do is do jobs and see if people respond to that. But, I’m always holding onto the fact that I don’t really know who I am, so hopefully I won’t compartmentalize myself because of that. I’m just completely ignorant of the whole thing. I’ve never really struggled with anything, up until recently. I’ve got to stop being so self-depreciating because people are starting to believe it. They’ll be like, ‘That guy is an idiot,’ so I’ve tried to stop doing that.”

What movies have you committed to in 2010?
“Depending on how things go, I’m doing a movie called Bel Ami in February, which is an adaptation of a Guy de Maupassant novel. And, I hope I’m doing a Western with Rachel Weisz and Hugh Jackman, called Unbound Captives, sometime around there as well.

THIS WEEK IN HOME VIDEO

Funny People
Directed by Judd Apatow, (The 40-Year-Old-Virgin and Knocked Up), Funny People is the story of a Ira (Seth Rogen), a struggling comedian that work as an assistant to famous comedy star George Simmons (Adam Sandler), When George finds out he is not dying as once predicted, he’s given a second chance at life and decides to return to the comedy clubs where he got his start and look for the girl that got away (Leslie Mann). Also starring Jonah Hill, Eric Bana and Jason Schwartzman, Funny People is a laugh-filled story about making the most of second starts. (Also on DVD) Blu-ray Bonus Features: “Stand Up” live, “Funny People Diaries” documentary, gag reel, commentary with Apatow, Rogen and Sandler, “From the Archives” – Early footage of Adam, Seth and Judd, The Films of George Simmons, More Line-O-Rama, James Taylor Live and 5 “Yo Teach” episodes, U-Control, BD-LIVE!, More deleted scenes and prank calls.

Janky Promoters
Ice Cube and Mike Epps, the comedy team that created box-office hit Friday movies have reunited. In Janky Promoters, Ice and Mike play a pair of crooked and shameless concert promoters who’ll do absolutely anything for the proerbial Benjamins. Normally big time losers, the two somehow miraculously manage to book a concert starring superstar rapper Young Jeezy, and for once the have a chance to finally hit the big time. But there are far two many enemies, bad guys and haters who are ready to bring them down — even with on day left to sell out the show. Can they do it? It all depends if they are ready to straight and stop with the hustles.

Kobe Doin’ Work
Director Spike Lee’s latest “joint” is an focussed peek into the life of the sports legend — showcasing the intensity and immeasurable talent of 2009 NBA Finals MVP Kobe Bryant. Kobe Doin’ Work takes an unprecedented look at Bryant before, during and after one of the season’s biggest games leading to the 2007-08 playoffs, the result being a definitive portrait of one of the sport’s greatest athletes. Lee and cinematographer Matthew Libatique spent the day with the Los Angeles Lakers superstar; utilizing 30 cameras and wiring Bryant for sound, Lee brings the audience onto the court with Bryant as his Lakers battle the San Antonio Spurs in a game with major playoff implications. Bonus Features: Introduction by Spike Lee, deleted scenes, The Unseen 4th Quarter, Press Conference, E:60 “Behind The Scenes” Feature Photo Montage, “Levitate” - Bruce Hornsby Music Video, Alternate Audio, Game Only Experience (No Commentary) and Broadcast Version (Censored) featurettes.

Melrose Place: The Fifth Season Volume 2
The 2009 reboot aside, there’s nothing as hot and heavy as the original series. Sex, drama, back-stabbing, rumours, coveting thy neighbor and more sex — all at one little Los Angeles address where the real estate owners only seems to get hotter and hotter everyday. In this 1997 season, longtime Melrose Place residents Grant Snow, Marcia Cross and Laura Leighton are moving out and Rob Estes, Alyssa Milano and Lisa Rinna are moving in and joining Heather Locklear, Courtney Thorne-Smith and Jack Wagner for pool barbeques, sleepovers and some good old recession-proof fun in the California sun.

Beverly Hills, 90210: The Eighth Season
Is there life after graduation for the former students of Beverly Hills High? So far, for Brandon (Jason Priestly), Kelly (Jennie Garth), Donna (Tori Spelling), David (Brian Austin Green), Steve (Ian Ziering), Val (Tiffani Amber-Thiessen) and Carly (Hilary Swank), they are all discovering just the kind of love and relationsips that go inside the college dorms. In this ’97-’98 installment, Kelly is still getting over the drive-by shooting, Donna experiences an overdose while Brandon and Kelly makes plans to tie the knot.

Hogan’s Heroes The Komplete Series, Kommandant’s Kollection
You can’t find any better Nazi prisoner-of-war camp comedy than this DVD collection filled with all six seasons of Hogan’s Heroes and a ton of special features. Dominating the airwaves from 1965 to 1971, the series starred Bob Crane as Colonel Hogan, who along with his fellow prisoners at Stalag 13 are always cleverly outwitting their German captors. Firing off a nonstop string of one-liners from behind enemy lines, the ragtag team — including Richard Dawson, Robert Clary and Larry Hovis — lead a relentless comic assault on their Nazi captors, conducting espionage and sabotage campaigns right under the noses of their warders. While the enemy (Werner Klemperer earned back-to-back Emmy awards for his role as the German Colonel Wilhelm Klink) is often gullible easily fooled or downright incompetent, the real strength of Hogan’s men are the elaborate ruses and sometimes dangerous lengths they will go to complete their mission. Bonus Features: The 28-disc set includes home movies, bloopers, audio commentaries and an entire disc of new to DVD special features, including a new interview with Richard Dawson, extended version of the pilot episode “The Informer,” a segment from Hollywood Palace, featuring the cast, audio of the theme song performed by Bob Crane and his band accompanied by a special photo montage of images from the show and numerous rare behind-the-scenes photographs, clip from CBS’ 1965 Fall Preview Show, “Seven Wonderful Nights,” two series promos, new interview with co-creator Albert S. Ruddy, Digital version of “Hokum’s Heroes” parody from Mad Magazine, 1968 and 1969 Emmy® Awards: Werner Klemperer clips, a German dubbed episode with alternate dialogue track, a brand new “Kommandant Rank” graphics and packaging design, Gag Reel - Edited By Bob Crane, Patricia and Bob Crane Wedding Film, Jello/Dream Whip Commercial with Carol Channing, The Leslie Uggams Show, The Lucy Show - “Lucy & Bob Crane” 1966, “Air Force Now” Hogan’s Cast Segments, Bob Crane US Air Force Recruitment Spot 1 & 2, Photo Gallery and Bob Crane Radio Material.

NOW ON BLU-RAY

Angel Heart
One of films most chilling, eerie and detective stories. Directed by Alan Parker, Mickey Rourke plays a Brooklyn private invetigator hired by mysterious man (Robert De Niro) looking for a famous singer, who sold his soul to Lucifer for fame and fortune. But when the PI find the singer, he wishes he hadn’t. Bonus Features: Commentary with Alan Parker and Mickey Rourke, interviews with Parker & Rourke, select scene commentary with Rourke and introduction with Parker and the original theatrical trailer.

Cujo: 25th Anniversary Edition
When the marriage of a Maine couple begins to crumble, their son, Tad, becomes friends with a seemingly-friendly 200-pound Saint Bernhard named Cujo. But the next time Tad and Cujo meet up, man’s best friend is no longer friendly and attacks Tad and his mom in a broken, dilapidated car. And, with super demon-like strength, the now possessed dog has a taste for blood — theirs. Bonus Features: Commentary by director Lewis Teague and “Dog Days: The Making of Cujo” three-part documentary.

Frailty
In Bill Paxton’s directorial debut, Fenton Meiks (Matthew McConaughey) walks into Texas FBI station confessing he knows the identity of the small town serial muderer, the God’s Hand Killer: his own, late father (Bill Paxton). Claiming his dad believed he was doing God’s work by killing demons, Fenton chronicles each gruesome murder. One murder remains unsolved, and when Fenton takes the FBI detective (Powers Booth) to the sight of the final body, the real truth is revealed. Bonus Features: Commentary with Bill Paxton and writer Brent Hanley, production commentary with Arnold Glassman, David Kirschner and Brian Tyler, two featurettes, deleted scenes with optional commentary, storyboards and photo gallery.

New Police Story
The classic series Police Story gets a new look, is set in a new location (Hong Kong) and gets a new star to run the squad — martial arts legend Jackie Chan. Directed by Hong Kong filmmaking legend Benny Chen, New Police Story features Jackie Chan as a disgraced police inspector who seeks revenge on a sadistic punk gang that murdered his team of colleagues. Bonus Features: Scene commentaries with Jackie Chan, English dubbing with Chan and “The Making Of New Police Story” featurette.

My Bloody Valentine
This is one Valentine’s Day you won’t ever forget. Twenty-five years after a Valentine’s Day tragedy and a small town’s annual dance, a tiny box appears filled with chocolate candies and a bloody human heart. It seems that this year (1981), Cupid isn’t the only one showing up for Valentine’s Day. Bonus Features: “Bloodlust: My Bloody Valentine and the Rise of the Slasher Film” featurette, “Bloodlines” documentary and deleted footage.

Air America
Mel Gibson and Robert Downey, Jr. take to the skies to fly planes to Laos to supposedly join a crew of civilian pilots for peaceful missions. At least, that’s what the CIA wants them to think. As part of a ragtag group of renegade pilots known as Air America they dodge gunfire from all sides and are determined to bring the bad guys to justice. Bonus Features: Commentary with co-writer/co-producer John Eskow and three featurettes.

Way Of The Gun
A fine mix of crime, comedy and gunplay, 2000’s Way Of The Gun — starring Benicio del Toro and Ryan Phillippe — is an amusing kidnap thriller. Thinking they can score big money by kidnapping a young surrogate mom (Julliette Lewis) who is carrying the baby of a rich couple, the bumbling, small-time crooks screw up every well-laid plan they thought they had and soon find themselves way over their heads. Bonus Features: Commentary with director/writer Christopher McQuarrie and composer Joe Kraemer, music score commentary with Kraemer, cast and crew interview and theatrical trailer.