Movie Review: The Host vs Twilight. Stephanie Meyer competes against herself!

Stephanie Meyer has her work cut out for her going forward with any film after Twilight. My husband and I went to see The Host on Saturday. Here's what my husband had to say after seeing Twilight: "That was a nice, little, romantic movie." This is what he had to say within ten to fifteen minutes of watching The Host: "Who sits down and thinks up this kind of crap?" ROFL...LOL...Well. Now that I've gotten his initial opinion out of the way...lol...

The movie has an intriguing premise and this is what kept me going during those slow moments. Admittedly, the film did start kind of slow and the tension level was low. I've had the book a couple of years and haven't read it yet, so I had only a rudimentary knowledge of what the story is about.

As the movie continued, it got better. I don't know if Meyer intended this or not, but the movie had some unbelievably funny moments! My husband, who is the quiet sort, was cracking up laughing, as were others in the theater, over the rivalry between the two boys over the girl--Yes. There's a love triangle--sort of. Since two identies inhabit the same body, they each have a thing for two different boys. Seeing them trying to negotiate that using only one body was hilarious. My husband even yelled out comments to the boys on screen several times! LOL....

Listen. This is no Twilight. It doesn't have that angsty, romantic-I'll-do-anything-for-love sensibility. But, if you can sit tight through that slow beginning, it is an entertaining movie. It even has a part that can make you feel a little teary toward the end.

Stephanie Meyer set the bar so high for herself with Twilight, she'll probably never be able to top it. But I'll continue to be interested in seeing her try!

Toodles, y'all!

Meanderings of ECLIPSE, Stephanie Myers, an interesting writer observation...stuff like that.......

Hey guys, just thought I'd throw in my two cents about Eclipse and a few tidbits about the great Stephanie Myers. I went the first day it opened, which I usually don't do, but I already had my ticket, so I didn't have to do anything but walk in, so I did.

For those of you who pay any attention to what I say around here...LOL...you may be aware that I watch the Twilight movies first, then read the book, so I have no clue about what's going to happen, especially if there's a new character involved. Anyone who is an aspiring author, has heard time and time again, you should open your book with something interesting and in a meaningful moment of the story. Many new writers have interpreted this to mean open with some sort of dramatic action, whether that be a fight, a murder, a bomb or the character being in some kind of serious trouble. Now the problem with that is, unless the reader has connected with the character in some way and cares about them, they don't give a hoot about who's dying, who's facing some sort of peril etc. And how can they bond with the character unless they get a chance to know them first?

Much advice is offered on line and elsewhere, often by literary agents, suggesting the writer not do that. The first scene of Eclipse was a perfect example. Now maybe folks who read the book, understood, but when this big dramatic scene came on--a huge rainstorm, a guy apparently being stalked and ultimately attacked by some unseen force, I didn't have the merest clue about what was going on. I know the drama of the scene was meant to elicit an emotional reaction from me, but I didn't really have one because I was too busy trying to figure out who the guy was and why I should care about what happens to him. At first, with all that rain, it took a few seconds for me to realize he was under some kind of attack...LOL...anyway this was an excellent example of what writers are warned not to do and I saw very vividly why that is so.

New Moon, Stephanie Meyer and all that kind of stuff...so what's to say? Plenty!

Well, I know I'm late to the party. I finally finished reading New Moon yesterday. I wanted to complete it before Eclipse comes out next week and mission accomplished. Yay me! When Twilight came out, I had no idea it was a book until people in the theatre told me. I loved the movie and wasn't disappointed like some were because I had no idea how the much was changed, cut out of the story etc. I've decided to continue this format and watch the movie first, then read the book.

Those of you who have read my earlier post may recall I didn't like New Moon the movie as much as Twilight. I wasn't expecting much from the book, but I was happily surprised and found it pretty engaging. I know there are a lot of Jacob/Taylor Lautner fans out there, but I find the Jacob of the book a more interesting character than the movie version. Taylor's doing a good job, mind you, I just think the literary Jacob is more compelling.

Perusing the internet and online communities, even in writer conferences, I've heard so many complaints about Stephanie Meyer's writing. I find that annoying. Of course, people have their own taste and writing and/or reading a story is very subjective, but really folks, I think she is an excellent story-teller. The woman knows how to tap into the ultimate fantasy of girls and woman the world over and that's why the book has sold so widely.