Twilight Series

[Jackie]

Donna, I think you have a point for the acting. I thought James and Victoria were right on. Although Victoria's hair wasn't as fiery as I had imagined it to be.

[Robin]

I was shocked when I saw Carlie - I swear he looked like a wax figure. In general I think the makeup bothered me as well.

I don't know why this would be "low budget" considering how many books were sold I would think it would have a good bank roll behind it..anyone know why not?

Wife of GR author: Michael J. Sullivan | The Crown Conspiracy (10/08) | Avempartha (04/09)

[Susanna - Censored by GoodReads]

The cynic in me would say "because the target audience was not pubescent boys," but I don't actually know, Robin.

[Jackie]

I'm not really sure Robin, but I heard the budget was about $37 million. Summit Entertainment is not known for making huge production films. Maybe if it was picked up by another production company it would have had a bigger budget. I don't think they really anticipated the amount of fanatics because like Susanna pointed out women and girls are not really targeted audiences for films.

[Paula]

Ya, Shelbi, I thought he did a good job but I still don't think he's handsome! LOLOL

[Amber]

I guess everyone has their own preferences and not everyone will think the same guy/girl is handsome or beautiful. I have always had a thing for English guys for some reason :)Probably why I liked Robert Pattinson. Now that it's been said I really do agree with how twitchy Kristin Stuart is in the movie. It was almost like she was trying to hard in some scenes to be Bella. She may need to work on some of Bella's mannerisms and her style a little better for the next movie. Since it's been about 2 weeks since I've seen Twilight and I'm going again to see it Saturday I'll try to pay more attention to what everyone has said here and see if I view it differently.

[Malena]

And i'm still waiting to see the movie...5 more days and counting down.

[Kate]

I agree about Bella's Lullaby. I didn't notice the background music, though. I got annoyed with all of the changing of the camera angles, and all of the random nature shots.
I heard the budget was originally so low because they didn't realize what a hit it would be until after the fact. I heard the budget for the next film is way higher.

[Donna]

It did seem like a low budget. It doesn't really seem to make much sense. Maybe she was going for "new and upcoming" actors?? Didn't really do a good job then.

[Kate]

The main actors only got 2 million each, the make up could have been better, Edward wore the same outfit in almost every scene. It seemed low budget to me... but that could just be because I was expecting greatness and it didn't deliver.

[Ann from S.C.]

I just finished NEW MOON!!! Loved it! Now, what is the next one?

[Vicki]

Eclipse then Breaking Dawn

[Kate]

I am about a third through Eclipse and I don't know why, but I stopped reading it. It isn't that I don't like/love it, but I am just not in the mood to read it right now.

[[deleted user]]

I read Twilight and was disappointed. Granted I have a teen who is obsessed with Twilight. I expected something a bit more intelligent & captivating. It was okay nothing I will end up reading a second time. I would have rathered something more.... Completely YA novel. I do want to read the rest. I've heard mixed reviews on the last three especially Breaking Dawn.

[Robin]

Ann...you didn't find New Moon a big "draggy" It seemed to really lie there until page 417. That's a long time to wait for it "to get going"...You didn't feel any of this?

Robin.

[Donna]

Emilee, You just stopped at Twilight? I feel the same way you do but I keep going I got only Breaking Dawn to go and I rate them as I would a teen (although I am not..I wish LOL) but I gotta say I was not impressed.

[Bree]

I love twilight!!! But I'm not obsessed emilee-
That teacher totally didn't know what she was talking about because Oh she didn't enjoy something that nearly every teen is/has/or will read (boys included just cause it has romance in it doesn't mean guys don't like it. I know plenty who do)
So since she doesn't like it and thinks it's crap she's gonna continue reading the series so she can trash it more??? I hated the Magic tree house series so what did I do? I didn't read it anymore and if someone asked- I told them i didn't like it. I didn't try to make world war III with teenagers that are gonna be running the country in a few years.

[Donna]

You go Bella!!! If you liked it then that is great!!

[Pamela]

Hmmmmmmm....It's getting a little hot in here. Let's just remember that this is a safe place for everyone to be able to post their thoughts and feelings on this series....positive and negative. I don't feel as if anyone is "trashing" this series. Most of us agree that this is not literary genious...it is YA and fits that category appropriately. Those of us who are adults are trying to think of what it must be like to read the series as a teenager....and make connections with the teens we know who are reading this series and love it.

Personally, I am reading the whole series but I am not enjoying it as I would be enjoying Ken Follett or Charlotte Bronte. It is not intended to be a literary masterpiece. I am a youth group leader and am involved with teens though mentoring and have found this series as an excellent way to broach subjects that are often very difficult to discuss.

That said. Please try to be respectful of each other's comments. Bella, your response was abrupt and judgemental and personally, I was offended for Emilee who I don't believe was inappropriate in her expression of her opinion. Her comment was not singling out you as an "obsessed teen" or putting you in a negative light. Her daughter is definitely captivated by the books and I think she admires her daughter for loving them so much.

PLEASE....respect each other's opinions.

[Donna]

I agree Pamela and I only give Bella a congrats simply because many of us here are not quite big fans of the series and I think that if you aree or disagree you should let your feelings known but you are right when you say we should all respect one others apinions.

Well said!

[Kate]

I read the review that Bella is referring to (it wasn't on this site) and it was outrageous.

[Jackie]

Pamela, I think Bella was referring to this article I posted: http://tweenteacher.com/2008/09/26/bo...

I posted the link in the first page when I started the thread. It's a teacher who trashes the series, but she received a ton of backlash from Twi-hards. I don't think Bella's comments referred to anyone that has posted on this site because she says "that teacher" and I've been through all the comments here and haven't seen anyone referring themselves as a teacher...only the article I had posted on an earlier date. I hope this helps to clear things up. :-)

[Pamela]

Jackie....thanks for that clarification. You are right. I did read that article...although admittedly...very fast as it was quite abusing of the author and her books. Thank you for bring that to light again!

Bella...I hope I have not offended you. That certainly was not my intention. My sincere apologies if I over-stepped in any way!

[Leila]

I love the Twilight series but it's so complex in a sense of how this adoration is formed and well...the book. We have all heard the complaints about it being poorly written, anti-feministic and yada yada and the thing is - I can completely understand these viewpoints because they are justified. However, I still love it so much and I guess it's because of the choices presented. One can either see for example Meyer's extravagent love for details (granola bars, anyone?) as annoying and bad or one can cheris is and love the details because they are details. Some may see Bella as an anti-feminstic person because of her complete and utter devotion to Edward, her response to not being with him and how she takes care of her father OR, one can see it as a feministic in a sense that she is provided with choices, choices in which she decided how she will response, feel and behave. Not to mention the seductive and tempting prospect of Edward XD Will I ever find someone who cares and loves me as much as Edward cares and loves Bella? :(

Wow, I'm babbling. I've seen the movie twice and I want to see it again and again! :D I thought the film was much better the second time as well but maybe that was because then I could focus on details and things that I missed or wanted to concentrate on.

ETA: Erm, please excuse the horrible spelling :( Writing in haste here!

[Katie]

I thought the first book was okay. I just finished the last one and I was so disappointed by the entire series.
The main issue I have with it is that millions of teenage girls are reading this love story and thinking that Edward's obsession and control over Bella is a healthy, romantic relationship. That to me is terrifying.
Also, I do not understand the whole Edward Cullen thing. He has no definable personality traits besides brooding/hotness/obsessiveness. I read all four books and all he did for me was creep me the heck out. If some guy paid me that kind of attention, hot or not, a restraining order would be in place ASAP.
I don't think that Meyer is a bad writer. I truly enjoyed her other book The Host. And Book Lover, I don't know if you heard this but I don't think Meyer is releasing Midnight Sun. I didn't think she was going to finish it at all, but I could be wrong.

[Pamela]

I totally agree with you on your points Katie and as a person who loves to work with teenagers as a mentor and group leader........I don't recommend these books. Their only redeemable quality is they are getting teens to pick up a book and read.

Have you heard of the "Uglies" series by Scott Westerfeld? After reading Twilight, I started reading the Uglies because that was the other series the kids were gushing over. And GUSH they shall. Now this is pulpy Young Adult fiction at its best. I am impressed by the author's use of a fanciful, futuristic setting to address the issues of self-esteem, body image and politics. And those are just a few of the many topics these books touch upon (...others are pollution, reservations, genetic engineering, government control...) Excellent springboard for addressing these issues with teens and pre-teens.

As far as the teenage relationships go in this series, there is a strong female presence and she is not controlled and stalked by her boyfriend as we see in the Twilight series. The relationships are based on attraction in a healthy way and they are very chaste. I am impressed. I have read the first 2 books in this series and I would recommend them to you and others who are looking for a healthier and just-as-much-fun alternative to the Twilight series.

[Gretchen]

i have to say being a stay at home mom of a toddler reading these books was awesome!! lol it was interesting to just get into these easy to read, but iteresting books! to tell you the truth this series is what got me out of my reading slump i havent really read anything for 2 years. and after these i have been reading 2 to 3 books a week! so i must say i love them!
the love story was sweet and magical the extreme of vamps and wolves got a little annoying...
but the caracters are amazingly written and i just feel in love with them!

[Leah]

I read all the Twilight books back around when the Movie came out because the girl I sit across from at work and a few other people were talking about them and I got curious.. I still need to see the movie I have it saved on my Netflix list.

I personally am not that into vampire stories but this one drew me in at least until Breaking Dawn. I was left unsatisfied with the outcome of the series. I think New Moon is my favorite and Jacob has to be one of my fav characters in ALL the books!

[Robin]

Book Lover wrote: "i love the twilight series....ive read the 1st 3 so far....i cant wait until she finishes midnight sun....shes sooo talented"

I read the - pre release version of Midnight Sun - I must say I enjoyed it even more than Twilight - it of course is not finished and ended abrubtly but I really liked seeing things from Edwards perspective and more about his family.

-- Wife of GR author Michael J. Sullivan: The Crown Conspiracy (10/08) | Avempartha (04/09)

[Robin]

Katie wrote: "I don't know if you heard this but I don't think Meyer is releasing Midnight Sun. I didn't think she was going to finish it at all, but I could be wrong...."

Originally she was not...she was mad because one of her "insiders" leaked it to the Internet - then she posted it herself on the Internet and said that she would finish and have it printed.

You can read most of it from here site.

[Leah]

ooo I'll have to read Midnight Sun

[Robin]

You can read it from here....

[Debbie]

I read Twilight before the movie came out and thought it was a great series. I thought the movie was just so-so.

Robin-I agree I enjoyed the part of Midnight Sun that was posted even more than Twilight. Can't wait for the full version to be released.

[Leah]

Robin wrote: "You can read it from here....
"

Thanks Robin!

[Debbie]

Someone just posted this link in which they say this isn't her next project :(
http://www.allheadlinenews.com/articl...

[Leah]

booo

[Jackie]

That sucks. I understand she feels violated and all, I guess I would be to if I was an author. However, as a fan I want to say, "Come on already!" I know that sounds insensitive and mean, but the fans are getting punished for something they didn't even do. Why can't she just sue the person that committed the violation?

[Kandice]

I have to say, I enjoyed the entire Twilight saga, including what I could get of Midnight Sun, but am glad she's moving on. *ducks*
I read Host and am really looking forward to the next installment. She is obviously incredibly prolific, but finishing Midnight Sun would certainly delay that. It would probably be hard to "get back in the groove" of the world she created for Bella and Edward, so soon after creating another one for Host. I guess she could have just gone ahead and finshed and is simply waiting to release it. She certainly doesn't have to tell US that!

[Leah]

I really want to read Host.. but I'm disappointed I was really hoping to hear she finished Midnight Sun. But I guess if she really doesn't want to then I'll just read what I can of it.. if she was going to publish I'd probably try not to read the draft but if she isn't I really will have to now.. just to see what may have been

[Kandice]

Host was terrific. I was really pleased to see she has good ideas (in the plural) and not just one! She's young and writes really quickly, so I think we can expect lots more from her. I can't wait for the next in that series. If she continues to write series of 3 or 4 books, that's great by me.

[Leah]

I read all 4 twilight books in 2 weeks... and I almost picked up Host with Breaking Dawn.. I am looking forward to reading it soon..

[Gretchen]

i love the host! its was hard to get into right after the twilight series but i really enjoyed it.

[JG (Introverted Reader)]

The women in the ER where I work 6 hours of a 12-hour shift have discovered Twilight and they are killing me. I loved Twilight and sort of dislike New Moon and just haven't managed to check Eclipse out of the library yet. Anyway, all I hear from them is Twilight this and Twilight that. They're about to turn me into a book snob! I have downtime in my job. That's just the way it is. So they see me reading in my corner and it's "Oh, what are you reading?" I'll name some legitimately awesome book, and I get, "Well, have you read Twilight? OMG! It's, like, so amazing! She is such a great writer!" And on and on and on. They. Are. Killing. Me. With. This.

End of rant.

[Susanna - Censored by GoodReads]

JG - Oy.

[Katie]

JG - HAHA! That just totally cracked me up. I really feel for you on that one. When I worked at the Home Depot this past summer all the other female cashiers were constantly discussing Twilight and I wanted to use one of the two by fours lying around to smack some sense into them lol. Have you tried maybe recommending other books? That was my mantra last summer to all of those girls "There's a whole world of books out there! Twilight is not the end all and be all of literature! Read something else. Please." Heh.

[Alexandra]

Well, to start off with I'm not a big fan of books with romance as their main plot. Actually I don't like them at all. I only started Twilight because practically everybody that I knew couldn't seem to stop raving about the series, and then my friend's mom had an extra copy so she lent it to me, as she has lent me the entire series. I have to say, although they are definitely not my favorite books or plot, they are addicting, there's no denying that. So far I've read the first three, and have just started the "second book" of Breaking Dawn, "Jacob". Although Twilight was pretty good, I couldn't stand New Moon, and really the only thing that got me through it was that the others were supposedly better. I have to agree that they were somewhat better than that one. I am however, finding it very difficult to get into the mindset of reading from the viewpoint and narration of Jacob, rather than Bella, which is annoying. But I'm not too far into Breaking Dawn yet, so it still has a chance to redeem itself. We'll see. Oh yeah, one more thing. Bella's obsession with Edward is going a little too far - really, is there anything she won't do for that guy...vampire?

[Morgan P]

I loved Twilight before everyone went crazy for it. But now that everyone likes it, I don't like it as much. I realize that is basically has no plot, and I still like it, but I don't love it like I used to when I first read it. The movie was... I don't know what to say. It wasn't as bad as it could have been, but it certainly didn't meet my execptations either.

Plus, there are more vampire books out there that are pretty good too.

[Robin]

JG wrote: "OMG! It's, like, so amazing! She is such a great writer!" And on and on and on. They. Are. Killing. Me. With. This. ..."

I'm a lot like you - I liked Twilight (but ashamed that I did because it really was not "good writing" but it is what it is. I was bored by New Moon. I read Eclipse only to fullfill my Romance requirement on Winter challenge. I have nothing against a nice "mind candy read" but the Twilight fanatics get a bit carried away I think.

[Pamela]

Chuckle...I agree with the comments that the "Twilight" series is getting a little too much hype from some people...it is quite amusing that such poor writing gets such a gush. I usually encourage those who are so enthralled to try the Laurell K. Hamilton series of Anita Blake Vampire Hunter. Much better writing and the female heroine is a much better example of "girl-power" than Bella. Usually once they get into these, the Twilight series is forever on the back burner.

My biggest concern is listening to the teenage girls talk about how "wonderful" Edward is and how much they love Bella like a girlfriend. I am a mother of daughters and the last thing I would want to stand by and watch is them fauning over a boy like Bella is doing to Edward. I am trying to instill a sense of strength and power to my girls and that boys are NOT like Edward. Look for someone like Daddy......NOT Edward. I hope other moms are conveying this too....

[JG (Introverted Reader)]

Katie wrote: "JG - HAHA! That just totally cracked me up. I really feel for you on that one. When I worked at the Home Depot this past summer all the other female cashiers were constantly discussing Twilight a..."

I'm so glad I'm not alone! I've never seen any of these women reading other books and I haven't ever heard them talking about books, so I have no idea what to recommend to them. I have Hamilton's books on my tbr, but I haven't gotten to them yet, so I don't feel like I can recommend them. I guess I'll just have to ride it out. Surely they're all almost done with all of them.

As I travelled through the airport last week, it seemed like every woman I saw was reading one of these books. I actually, deep down, am glad that at least people are reading, I'm just tired of seeing these everywhere.