Breaking Dawn: The Twilight Saga. Just a few words...

Of course I had to go see Breaking Dawn. I've only read the first Twilight book. I think I read half of New Moon, but I'm not sure. I saw the movie and keep getting what I saw on film and the book mixed up! I'll probably have to start the book again.

I went to Barnes and Noble to get the movie edition of Breaking Dawn. I like that the movie-connected versions of the books are smaller and take up less space. I enjoyed the movie, but did find it a bit depressing and somber. Considering the subject matter, that makes sense. Still, it's one of the better movies in the series. I like that they emphasized the couples sexuality and didn't hold back on it. I didn't read the book yet, so I don't how that plays out there, but I think the movie was a realistic depiction and tastefully done.

What happened to Edward's hair?!...lol..I miss that thick mop he used to have. You can definitely see everyone is getting older. Robert Pattinson remarked in an interview a couple of years ago that they better hurry up and shoot these films because he wouldn't remain looking like 17 for too long. I chuckled looking at the film because a couple of cast members have put on a few pounds. Carlisle, papa Cullen isn't looking as lean and predatory as he did in 2008 and brother Emmett is looking a bit stockier...lol..Even my husband remarked on Bella, asking me how old she was. She has matured, most definitely. He noted how Twilight really put Kristin Stewart on the map--and this is from a man who gets all his updates about pop culture from me! He could care less, otherwise. I make it my business to ensure he stays in the Twilight loop! Lol...

The first Twilight will always be my favorite, though. Even though the make-up was pretty bad, the magic of that first introduction is hard to beat :-)

Toodles!

Red Riding Hood...My thoughts...

I went to check out Red Riding Hood last night. It's directed by Catherine Hardwick, director of the first Twilight movie and I was curious about what she would do with this fairy tale-turned-cinematic-event. The book has been updated in a new form, called Red Riding Hood (eliminating the word "little") by 22-year-old Sarah Blakely-Cartwright. She's a family friend of Hardwick and Hardwick suggested she write a book to tie into the movie, thus Blakely-Cartwright wrote the book based on the screenplay. If that's not a case of "it's who you know", I don't know what is. We should all have that kind of a hookup!

The first thing I noticed was the Twilightesque feel of the opening and in the landscape. By this I mean the sweeping camera shots filmed high above a forest landscape and misty mountains. There was even a scene of "Red"( named Valerie in the film), with one of two love interests, laying in a meadow-like environment. I quite liked the scenery. I thought it was very pretty, and mystical; it was the ideal fairytale look.

Red kissing Henry. He's cuter than this picture indicates...lol...

I'm sticking with calling the main character Red, though I know she's called Valerie in the movie.  Valerie just seems so wrong...I'm not sure why I feel like that, but I would have preferred a softer name, I don't know, maybe a Julie, Julia, Juliet...lol..even Mary! Valerie just sounds too modern or something! Anyway, Red is torn between two boys, one a childhood friend, Henry, who's essentially penniless and the wealthy boy she's betrothed to, Henry. Both guys were sweet so it was a total toss-up as to who should get her to me, but I guess I was leaning toward the childhood buddy; after all, a guy shouldn't be excluded from love just because he's broke! Lol...It is here that I felt the movie missed it's moment.

Movie Review: Let Me In. Twilight for middle schoolers. OMG. It's "bloody" awesome!

After work today, I decided to see the movie, Let Me In. I briefly recalled seeing a review that said it was good, so I decided to check it out. My goodness, was it ever. It is Twilight for the middle school/junior high set, but with bite. I mean it. Serious, bloody bite. No neat, vegetarian-like vampire here. This is good, old "I-need-blood-and-I'm-gonna-get-it-by-any-means-necessary. Now, that being said, let me be clear. This is not a gratuitous, bloody vampire horror. It's a somber, sad, touching, poignant, loving, bloody vampire horror. It's a kind of coming-of-age vampire story...almost, but there's one problem...vampires don't age, so only one half of the couple does that. That would be 12 year-old Owen (Kodi Smit-McPhee). He's a lonely, fragile boy who is ignored by his parents who are going through a divorce. He's tormented by bullies at school and spends time spying on the exploits of his neighbors through his telescope when he's not in the mirror pretending to be a serial killer. Then he meets Abby. She's 12 too...give or take some years.

Abby moves in next door with her "father"(Richard Jenkins from Six Feet Under). She lets Owen know right away that they "can't be friends", but of course they do and then some. The characters are 12, so they are not sexualized to any great degree, but exploration of that I-think-I'm-in-love-for-the-first-time component is squee-worthy. I'm not going to say anything more. I don't want to spoil it for you, but I'm telling you, you owe it to yourself to see this movie. It's based on a Swedish novel called "Lat den Ratte Komma In" by John Ajvide Lindquist. There was a Swedish movie adapted from the novel called Let the Right One In in 2008 that seems to have received some very good reviews.

I have a feeling this movie is going to fly under the radar and come and go without a lot of people knowing how totally awesome it is. Maybe if the book had been translated into English, it would get more attention. I sure would love to read it. Don't read any reviews first. It's best to sit there and watch the story unfold. You won't regret it.

Toodles!

10/09/10: Hey guys. I  just learned from Indigo via a comment, that the book is out in English and it's the same name as the film, Let Me In.

Mini Giveaway has concluded. The Winner of JUMPER: GRIFFIN'S STORY is...

Thanks guys for stopping by, becoming followers and entering this mini book giveaway. Check back this weekend for an awesome giveaway of a most lovely book. Now moving along to the businesss at hand, the winner of this interesting little book is...

Dr. Bill(William L.) Smith

Please email me your address so the book can be sent to you. If the winner doesn't respond in 48 hrs, a runner up will be chosen.

Winner was selected by RANDOM.ORG

Toodles!

I've Never Heard of this Before: Author Adapts Novel to be Consistent with Movie: A Book Giveaway: JUMPER-GRIFFIN'S STORY

Have you seen the movie Jumper? It's the one that stars Hayden Christiansen from the Star Wars films. In Jumper he has the ability to teleport himself from one location to the other at will, hence the name Jumper.

The film was based on the novel JUMPER by Steven Gould. We know that when a novel goes from the page to the screen, it is adapted and changed to fit that venue. In the case of the novel I'm giving away, just the opposite occurred. The author wrote another novel, based on the adapted version of his original book to the screen. I've never heard of such a thing, have you? If you have, please leave a comment telling me which book and film.

The blurb from the book, gives greater detail of the story:

The first time it happened, Griffin O'Conner was only five years old; he'd jumped from the steps of the Martyrs Memorial in Oxford, in front of a busload of torists. The next time, his family had to leave the United Kingdom forever.

                                                                                                                         

I held up four fingers and ticked them off one by one. "Never jump where someone can see me. Never jump near home. Never jump to or from the same place twice. And never, never, ever jump unless I must-or unless you or Mum tell me to."

New Book Giveaway! Try a little Chick Lit. Check out the LIPSTICK JUNGLE by Candace Bushnell

Here we go again! You've heard of Candace Bushnell  haven't you? Well if you haven't, I know you know her work. She's the author of Sex and the City, the basis for the HBO hit. I'm offering one of her books as a giveaway.

I'm giving away a copy of Lipstick Jungle. This book was the inspiration for the NBC television series of the same name. It's substantial at 435 pages. It is Bushnell's fourth book. Lipstick Jungle brings the reader into the lives of three powerful New York City women, each at the top of her field, each navagating her way through work, relationships, success and scandal.

Nico O'Neilly is the ultimate executive - glamorous and always in control-until her marriage loses steam, and she is tempted to find refuge in the arms of a younger man. Wendy Healy, president of Parador Pictures and mother of three children, may not be able to save her most important production - her family. And Victory Ford, a wildly successful fashion designer and girlfriend of a billionnaire, begins to question love and money - why shouldn't a woman be as rich as a man? 

For a chance to win, become a follower if you're not already and leave a comment. Make sure you leave your email address or some way to get in touch with you. That's all! The giveaway is in effect until Wednesday, February 24 at five pm. Good luck guys and thanks so much for stopping by!

Open only to residents of the US and Canada.

Toodles!


                           

BRIDGE TO TERABITHIA: Magic born of tragedy-book review of a classic

I don't know how I missed this book as a kid. I heard of it, but thought it was some sort of war story. I couldn't have been more wrong.

 I ran across it in a school and set it aside for months before getting around to reading it.I was in for a surprising journey. This is a poignant, beautifully rendered tale of love, friendship and loss. Bridge to Terabithia is the story of Jess Aarons, a fifth grader in rural Virginia who becomes friends with his new neighbor, Leslie Burke, a girl from the city and a child of liberal, progressive writers.

Jess is a sensitive, artistic boy, the rather neglected child in a family of four sisters. Mom favors the girls and dad is busy working. Jess' world changes when he meets Leslie, a girl of vivid imagination and fantasy. Leslie is ostracized by the other students, but she and Jess forge a close friendship. At Leslie's direction, she and Jess create an imaginary kingdom in the the woods near their home. They call it Terabithia and designate themselves the Queen and King. Terabithia is accessible only by a rope swing over a creek. Jess and Leslie go there everyday after school to share their fears, hopes and dreams.

New Moon movie review

I don't usually go to see movies on opening night, but I was near the theatre after work and the next showing available was less than two hours away so I bought a ticket and waited in a nearby Barnes and Noble.
                    
If you're one of the few people on earth who hasn't seen the first installment of this saga, you need to do that before seeing New Moon. You can't get the flavor for what all this is about unless you've seen Twilight first. I have friends who didn't see Twilight, but were drawn into the advertisements and planned to see New Moon. Do yourselves a favor and see Twilight first. New Moon was truly like being dropped into the middle of a story. It's a continuing saga-true, but I found that a bit disconcerting. It didn't have a clear beginning for someone who isn't familiar with the story.

Mind you, I have not read New Moon yet. I intend to.  I found out from the first movie, it was better to see the movie first and then read the book. Lots of people were disappointed with the movie after reading the the book first.  I didn't have any expectations when I went to see Twilight, because I had no idea it was a book. I discovered that little tidbit when I was sitting in the theatre and spoke to the people waiting for the movie to start! Of course I went right out, bought it and devoured the book. I decided then, not to read any subsequent books until after I've seen the movie, that way, I won't be disappointed by any deviations from the book.