I had off from work today and thought that I should write a post... not because I have anything super important to say, but I haven't posted in awhile, and I feel that if I took the time to set up a blog, I should at least write something every once in awhile, right? I think one of my New Year's Resolutions will be to post at least once a month. We shall see if I keep to it :)
So, what's going on...
Well - I just finished reading the entire Twilight series. So - spoiler alerts for those who haven't read the books - if you don't want me to ruin anything for you, don't start reading again until after you see a string of these ******************** below.
I have a bone to pick with the Twilight series. To be perfectly honest, I had no idea what Twilight was until I saw a trailer for the movie last spring. Through the pressure of advertising, I saw enough Twilight commercials to pseudo-pique my interest. I went and saw the movie on opening weekend, just to see what all the hype was about. The movie was chock-full of teen angst and poorly executed special effects. I could understand why females were majorly crushing on Edward Cullen - he's an attractive vampire who seems to be the "good bad boy" and is all about being in a committed relationship. Swoon, right? If you are a teenage girl - yes.
I am not a teenage girl anymore - haven't been for the last 6 years - but I get the appeal of high school movies. For those who aren't in high school, these movies represent something to look forward to. For those in high school, perhaps you can relate the characters because you might be experiencing some of the same feelings of the characters, or they may remind you of people you know. For those of us out of high school, we watch high school movies and can look back at our own high school experiences and reminisce or just chuckle to ourselves because we know better now that high school should not be the best time in our lives.
Right - Twilight - so I take in the movie as well as the comments of the scores of women young and old surrounding me and decide I need to read the series for myself to see how this all plays out. I bought Twilight and read it over a few days. Turns out I liked the movie better - sure, the plots were mostly the same (the movie did take some cinematic liberties, but that is to be expected), but I was just astounded by how much I did not like the way the book was written.
I felt that the characters changed moods/facial expressions multiple times in the matter of mere sentences. I know high school kids like to change their minds, but come on - it seemed like every sentence, Bella was happy, sad, frustrated, confused, down on her looks, clumsy, and/or defiant. Pick a mood and stick with it. I'm not mad at the characters, as they do not exist (duh) - I'm disappointed with the author.
I think it's awesome that Stephanie Meyer wrote this series, which a lot of people have read and attached themselves to as huge fans (I believe they are called "Twihards"). But I not only have a problem with the ever-changing (like, multiple times within one sentence, ever-changing) emotions of the characters, I have an issue with some of the themes - namely body-image and ownership.
Body-image is a huge deal in the Twilight series... and it's always the same character getting down on herself - Bella Swan. Bella spends a good portion of her time oogling over Edward's stunning face/body/hair/voice/smell/etc... and then she ALWAYS mentions how she is so plain next to him and can't believe how anyone as beautiful as him would want to be with someone like her. We get it - the vampires are a beautiful race of undead people. Congrats to them. But Bella shouldn't always be such a Debbie Downer about her own appearance. Meyer doesn't describe our heroine as anything remotely unpretty, nor is she represented in the film that way (Kristen Stewart is pretty - there is zero question about that), but every few pages it seems, Bella mentions something about physical appearance. But then, after she becomes a vampire, her attitude about her appearance also changes - she finally believes that she is beautiful and feels like she finally looks the part of Edward's wife. Awwwwwww.
As for ownership - that is all over the books. And the ownership I write of isn't about owning objects, but people. Edward is very territorial about Bella - she is his. And I get that she also says that he is hers - they are in a relationship and belong to each other, that's okay by me. But there is a lot of "SHE IS MINE!" actions/reactions from Edward that left me shaking my head while I was reading. This usually happened during passages regarding Edward and Jacob. Speaking of Jacob - that whole imprinting thing got to me. I knew he was going to imprint on Renesmee as soon as she was born - everyone had to end up in the family (see also Harry Potter series, and even Star Wars). But all those wolves who imprinted on their mates - notice that the males imprinted on females - and the females didn't have any say in it - it just happened and everyone accepted it. I am not against cultures with arranged marriages, but I'm also not against free will. And I thought it was a bit creepy that Jacob and his other werewolf friend both imprinted on babies/toddlers.
All of this is just my opinion - I mean no disrespect to anyone who is a fan of the series.
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What else? Oh! It's Awards Season :) The most wonderful season of the year!!
The Golden Globe Awards are on this coming Sunday, the SAGs are soon to follow and the Oscars in another couple months! I have not seen as many films as I would have liked to by now, but a lot of the smaller stuff (like The Wrestler, Frost/Nixon, Milk and Revolutionary Road) haven't come here yet :(
Of all the big-nominees, I have seen The Curious Case of Benjamin Button and Doubt. I did not like the former, but was a big fan of the latter. Benjamin Button just was not as impressive as I hoped it would be. I'm not a Brad Pitt fan, but I thought that since he was decent in his previous films with Fincher, that this film would also be an exception. Alas... the story was nothing to write home about, though the cinematography and locations were brilliant.
Doubt was pretty good... I still wish I would have seen the play, but you can't go wrong with Meryl Streep, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Amy Adams and Viola Davis. Some of the camera angles seemed overly forced, but I loved the locations and the script. PSH is intense - I love him more and more with every performance.
As for the TV front... shows will be starting up with new episodes this week - I am very much looking forward to the return of 30 Rock, Bones and Saturday Night Live. If you have not started watching 30 Rock yet, what is wrong? Do you not like to laugh? It is the greatest show on television - I kid you not. Bones starts new episodes next week... the Gravedigger will be returning in a few weeks (probably during sweeps) - I'm also hoping for the return of Zack Addy... though I doubt that'll happen. SNL is new this week - Neil Patrick Harris is hosting (w/music guest Taylor Swift)... this has the potential to be one of the best shows all season as NPH is soooooooo funny and talented. Maybe there will be some singing? I hope so!
Guess what else starts next week? AMERICAN IDOL!!!!
Yes, I am not ashamed to admit that I have been looking forward to the return of American Idol since after they crowned David Cook (!) the winner of Season 7. I love the auditions, I Love Hollywood week, and I LOVE when they hit the Top 12!!! You know you sit and judge all of those singers like you were up there sitting next to Simon. (BTW - Simon is my favorite judge!)
I hope they have good themes this year and that they do another Idol Gives Back - not only are there usually amazing performances, but it's nice that AI can help raise $$ for children here in the USA and in Africa.
The Reality Channel has been running Season 7 in its entirety - and yes, I have been watching. It's funny to see who in the Top 12 they really focused on throughout the beginning of the competition. Good for Jason Castro for doing as well as he did - they never showed him singing until he was in the Top 24. David Cook will still be my favorite from last season, but I feel like I need to apologize for how nasty I was toward David Archuleta in some of my posts from last year. He's a good little singer, and since the show has released a CD... and his first two singles are beyond catchy. So, sorry I hated on you David Archuleta.
Well - I should get going - perhaps do some baking? Maybe watch a movie?
I hope you have a wonderful day :)
See ya next month?
