I'll admit, I jumped onto that bandwagon a little late. I didn't see the first movie in theaters. I hadn't read the books, and I have a huge problem with watching movies based on books before you read the book. Very rarely does the movie follow the book, so it just ruins the book if you watch the movie first. (I know, you could say the same thing about the book ruining the movie, but come on. The movie was adapted FROM the book, not the other way around!)
Anyway, Twilight accidentally got placed on my Netflix list. It arrived and sat unwatched for several weeks before I even considered watching it. And, when I finally sat down to see it, I was more than disappointed. It felt so forced and cheap. All I could think of was how in the first season in Dawson's Creek, Dawson was forced to sit in film class and listen as Cliff drone on and on and on about his movie like it he was Spielberg, yet his movie was awful. That's how Twilight felt to me. I didn't get it. At all. I ranked it up there with Gone with the Wind. 6 hours of my life that I, regretfully, would never get back.
Then, one day while in Target, I saw the book. I hadn't paid much attention to it before then, because I had a newborn and was a very un-hot mess. But, I would be able to read it while JC was nursing. (Side note: that's something they don't tell you to expect about having a newborn. If you're nursing, you'll spend a lot of time sitting.) So, I brought it home and sat it on the counter where it sat for several days.
Once I finally opened it, I couldn't put it down! It was SO good. I finally understood what all the fuss was about, and I was completely in love with Edward and Bella's story. I finished it in a day and a half (see? Lots of time to sit around while nursing!). Immediately, I ordered the other 3 books in the saga and paid for overnight shipping. I had the entire series completed within a week. I watched the movie again, convinced that it would be life changing. After all, how could it not be after reading the book? It was better, marginally. But, it cemented my belief that the book is always better than the movie. (Seriously. Can you name one example where the movie is better than the book?)
I was invited to see New Moon at midnight, and I excitedly went. I ordered a t-shirt with a cartoon of Alice saying, "Caio, Vultori!" Seeing it in the theater at midnight was a very interesting experience. Especially given that I wasn't what would be described as a twi-hard. There were middle aged women (some of whom I know) who were going on and on about Jacob and how hot they thought he was. Very inappropriate comments were made. There were little girls, brought with their mommas, undoubtedly skipping school the next day. The most humorous part wasn't any of that, though. It was the way the fans squealed once the screen went black. The screams the first time the cameras cut to Edward were louder than a UK basketball game. The screams the first time the cameras cut to Jacob were louder than a UK vs. Louisville game. Caaarrrrazy. I completely understand the Edward vs. Jacob argument. Book: Edward. Movie: Jacob.
I took my best guy friend, Shannon, to see Eclipse (my favorite book, by far), and Breaking Dawn Part 1. Eclipse was much better than New Moon. Breaking Dawn Part 1 was much better than Eclipse. Then, there was Part 2.
I debated seeing it at midnight. Patrick really wanted me to go. He told me over and over that I needed to go because I wanted to. But, Myra still wasn't (isn't) sleeping through the night, and he had to carry the big route the next day. (Patrick works for the USPS. He's normally a clerk, but he carries on Saturdays and some Fridays.) I didn't think it was fair to leave him at home all night with both kids, let him get up with Myra several times, then have to walk 13 miles while carrying the boxholders (those fliers that everyone gets from places like Rite Aid or Fred's that say "Current Resident") that had to go out. So, yesterday my friend, Elizabeth, and I went to see it during the day. There were only about 10 other people in the entire theater, including an old man who laughed at every part just as I'm sure the teenage girls laughed on opening night.
Anyway, Then, there was Part 2. I have so many thoughts about it! First, it is a GREAT movie. The quality of the movie compared to the first one (really, the first 3) is unbelievable! It's like they had the same budget for the first four movies as they did this one. The only thing I can compare it to is the difference between a made-for-TV-movie and a blockbuster. This was a blockbuster. Second, I loved the other movies because I loved the books. Had I never read the books, I would have never seen any of the movies from New Moon on, because Twilight was that bad. However, I read the books and fell in love with the characters, so I loved the movies because of that. This one though, I would love it even if I had not read the books. And finally, third, I think that the girl playing Renesme is so beautiful. She reminds me of the little girl who played Dillon McKay's sister, Erica.
{image from Inside Movies}
Obviously, they're not identical twins, but she reminded me of Noley Thornton. Anyway, I think this little girl is going to have quite a promising future!
My favorite part of the movie was the unexpected scene (spoiler alert!). If you've seen it, you know what I'm talking about. And, if you haven't, go watch it so you will! I'm not gong to spoil it.
If you haven't seen this movie, you should really go watch it (as long as you've read the books. If you haven't read them, read them first!).
Myra is crying and JC is begging, so I'm done for the day. Have a great weekend!
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