Chicks On Lit discussion
Non Book Talk
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Who's off to see Twilight?
I am going in a couple of hours...I'll let you know what I think. :~)I loved the book so am really hoping the movie is good too.
i went last night at the midnight showing..it was ok..i mean..the book was way better..i'm glad i didn't go with too high of expectations. it's just not my typical movie so that might have factored into the fact that i didn't love it. but..i mean..i HAD to see it. it was rather annoying to hear 13 year old girls screaming the whole time..ugh. i was surprised though..when i was a child my mother would have NEVER let me go that late on a school night. haha oh well. i'm sure it was fun for all of them. my ears are still recovering from all the high pitched screaming and giggling though. :)
I'm going Sunday. I'm not looking forward to the screaming girls and I haven't set my expectations too high because I did love the book.
While I don't physically feel up to going to a movie, I'd like to go see it sometime.
I am going tonite...I am just hoping that it is not going to be a huge disappointment.
I have avoided the twilight craze so far, but feel the pressure to cave soon! I think I may get it for one of my girls for Christmas and then steal it! (I mean, borrow... of course!)
Mod
haha. I honestly have no intention of seeing this movie as the previews didn't strike my fancy at all and I haven't read the book. I love that your only expectations of the movie are sour patch kids, Tera, and it reminds me of a friend of mine who is also obsessed with them. On a side note, I work at a Barnes and Noble near a movie theater and we had a whole swarm of people come through getting coffee for the Twilight premiere last night around 10 pm. It was just a highly amusing scene...
Sonja~ What was the age of last night's crowd, I am interested in knowing...
most people in the crowd were pretty young, which had me kinda shocked because of the late showing... I'd say from 13-17 year old girls mainly and some had parents in tow...
Yeah, I mean the book is teen fiction strictly speaking... and from what I know about the plot its meant to appeal to that crowd of girls. I honestly find it interesting that its such a phenomenon... I mean I've had girls and women, even some men, come in and ask for this book. I'm really trying to understand how these crazes get going...
Do you all see a Harry Potter kind of following here? I never heard of the Twilight series (or never paid attention, anyway) until this summer when they were on like book #4!
Didn't like the book, not going to see the movie. Perhaps when it's on cable I'll take a gander at it!
I was going to go see it tonight but the movie theather has been sold out for weeks for Twilight. The book was okay, it could have been much better. But i really want to go see it just to have an opoion of it for myself.
It is completely like the Harry Potter thing which amazed me when adults were following that... and this new thing is even less appealing buts its the new "thing". UGH. Yeah, I get why the teenage girls all go for it but then I wonder what adults are doing reading it... its a whiny story about a poor vampire boy who meets a human girl yadda yadda yadda...
I feel like this is the kind of book that you read/enjoy before you have your first serious relationship... in which you learn that your issues don't stop when you settle into being together but have essentially just started. You just have to realize that you really only stay with that person because despite all the mundane issues he/she still makes you happier than you'd be without them. Thoughts on this anyone?
Oh, and please give up the notion of prince charming... hes still got morning breath and dirty laundry.
And that was your cynical moment of the evening, enjoy. Despite all this I am in a happily committed relationship... I've just become more realistic about it.
Sonja~ you make me smile....if only we had the hindsight of years of widom when we were choosing a life partner, huh?Add children into the mix, with their needs and demands and time required, and then you REALLY have to fall back on what it was that attracted you together, and hope that it is something strong enough to make it worth lasting.
Thanks for the Twilight synopsis...I have absolutely NO desire to even pick that one up now!
Sonja.....I'm laughing right now! That was hilarious!!
Mod
I think the women who go to see it and follow the books do it for the same reason. It is a throwback to youth. It is a soap opera without the sex. It's first love without the zit cream. Don't go into the book or the movie with grand expectations that it should be a work of art and a time tested masterpiece. It's not and you'll come out bitter and disappointed. Go into both the book and the movie thinking its just a fun escape and you wont be disappointed.
I gave the book 3 stars because I know it sucks on most literary levels but I also know its great on most fun love levels.
Get yourself a box of sour patch kids and enjoy the movie. Pick a day when you're feeling your age and read the book. Don't go in with expectations or prejudices and I think youll have fun and who doesn't want that?
I read the book and found that it was essentially a traditional, love- at-first-sight romance, but with a boy who was a vampire -- a 'good' vampire, who eats animal blood so he won't hurt humans. The writing is at best mediocre, but I think teens relate to the refreshingly gentle, unassuming heroine and can fantasize about a hero who is gorgeous, powerful, exotic and dangerous, as well as noble, since he has to hold himself back from his natural urge to kill his human girlfriend.
And let's face it, kids in school have boring routines just like adults do, and they want to escape into something that is unlike their own not-too-perfect day-to-day world. And of course there's also the trend factor. Not so different from adults who all have to read the book everybody else is reading.
I get that Tera....what you said makes total sense and I'm sure I'll like it for those reasons. I just know some adults who are literally obsessed with it (like we were back in high school with NKOTB) and I find that part odd now since we aren't kids anymore. I'm just not getting that crazed obsession with this book from the adult women. I do get the indulgent fantasy throwback to Pretty in Pink though. Really can get that!! LOLAnd too....just because I don't understand that crazed part doesn't mean its wrong! I'm all for people having a means of escape from their lives when they need it. Nothing wrong with that ;)
Mod
Ok that made me laugh out loud literally. Did you see my blog post about going to their concert? I think I am one of those obsessive women you talk about because I was SOOOOO screaming my head off like I did when I was 16 last month when they rolled through San Antonio. I have to say it was the MOST fun to still be a crazed fan for them at 34. Out of respect to my husband I haven't hung up a poster of them in our bedroom....
Yet ;)
But that's what I mean Tera....I can totally understand that kind of obsession because that's a throwback to our youth. If I could have gone to their concert I would have been right there with ya screaming my head off :) I'm just not getting why adult women are getting that NKOTB obsessed over this book. But in all fairness.....maybe I don't understand it because I haven't read it. The people that are obsessed with it that I know do say that if I read it I may jump on the crazed bandwagon too!! They just may be right ;)
My daughter (17) has been so into Twilight, I got her the newest one that was out last Xmas. Never was interested in reading it myself, but may have to now after reading all your comments. Tera-great post! Guess you enjoyed the movie with your candy; my fav is sweettarts or sprees. :) and I agree, we all need an escape sometimesand Sonja-didn't know you worked at B&N, great job huh? Not sure I could do it, afraid I'd get fired for looking at the books all the time!
OKAY - I need to get these words out, but it really might sound like a cranky pregnant lady who just got out of bed and needs to eat something other than a rice cake.....in this case please just ignore and love me anyway.Have I talked about my cheeseburger vs. steak analogy here? Some books are like the finest Fillet Mignon. And some are like McDonald's cheeseburgers. That's what I would call Twilight. It's not Beloved, or Moby Dick, but sometimes you just can't read that. No one is in the mood for the best steak all the time.
I agree with Holli that adult women who are "obsessed" with Twilight kind of scare me. Like, a group of moms that visits Forks, WA just because it's the setting of the book. (Well, maybe I'm being hypocritical because I want to go to Nantucket because that is where Moby Dick started.) Read it, enjoy it for what it is, and then laugh about the fact that yes, you read it, and yes, you saw the movie. Have fun with it, and be done. Until, like Tera said, you need another chance to relax your mind of your grown-up stress. Then have some fun! But don't LIVE it.
Another board (which I am slowly dropping checking altogether), they have been hyper-critical of the whole Twilight thing, and this is bugging me as well. Like, I think it's destroying someone's soul over there because it's SO horribly written and such "emotional pornography" in her words. If it was that horrible, would it have garnered any kind of following? I think not. Of course, that person also freaks out when someone thinks they have an "eclectic" music taste and they like music that's played on the radio. This kind of obsession is bad too, or maybe I just don't have a strong enough personality to understand why someone would make such a BIG DEAL over something like a book that they don't like...
Alright, I feel better. Please re-read my disclaimer at the beginning. :)
that's how i went into the movie..with low expectations..knowing that it wasn't my cup of tea for a movie..that's how i got into the books..i knew right off the bat that it wasn't astounding literature by any means..but sometimes as a college student..i don't want to read astounding literature anymore..i want something light and fun. and that's what Twilight was for me. it was fun. i'm glad i read it..i'll probably never re-read it..but it was a nice break for me to read in the midst of doing too much homework..and it was fun to go to a midnight showing for a cheesy movie and be the only one there over 21..i mean..the movie wasn't very good..but it was still fun..after reading the book..i just HAD to go.
Ok. Emily, you completely summed up exactly what I've been thinking. It was like you were inside my head or something. I'm all for reading a book that isn't a masterpiece because that's the majority of what I read (heehee) and I don't object to the Twilight books at all. Especially having never read them....but when I do it will be with the thought that its just good entertainment. The traveling to Forks WA and all of that? That's what I'm not getting. That's a bit much.Thanks Emily.....for saying what I've been thinking. :) And so well I might add!
Mod
The movie made me SOO SO SOOOOO homesick to be back in WA. The scenery shots were really beautiful and reminded me again why I love the Northwest.
Tera, I agree that Pretty in Pink sucked
Oh Tera....what you said made me smile because I often feel the same way watching movies and shows set in LA and other places in California. I miss it so much that even The Hills makes me anxious for California sunshine and palm trees!!
smiling and laughing and wanting to hug Emily right now!LOL This is such a great group to hang with!
Love you all
i completely agree w/ tera and jamie about how sometimes you want to indulge in fluff because thats what you need. i read it, liked it, and watched the movie. a good getaway from reality. we dont always have time to read austen or murakami, and when we don't that doesnt mean that we shouldnt read anything at all-- i pick up twilight!:) that being said, i didnt expect much going into the movie, i was just excited to see it translated onto the silver screen.
I agree with Holli and Emily on the groupie stuff, but I also want to second what Tera said. I absolutely have to have a fix of light, fun, even trashy reading and viewing regularly. I think it's a shame that people consider 'serious' more important than 'fun.' Both are essential for mental health. I even have a collection of old Fred and Ginger movies for when I need a fix of corny jokes and flirting, pretty dresses and good music.
I hardly ever read the serious stuff....I just really like the light, fun reads better so why waste my time on the other anymore? lolI do like serious movies though. Fun stuff too for sure but I get my serious stuff in movies that way its a lighter dose!!
A friend and I are going today, Sunday, after we go to another friend's birthday party. Wow, a girls' day all day. I substitute teach, usually my teaching area of English, and had 3 English classes on Thursday. I asked who was going to see Twilight this weekend, and the majority of the girls raised their hands and started chattering excitedly about it, and some boys raised their hands, too. I'm looking forward to seeing it. I loved the books, so I hope I won't be disappointed in the movie.
This post is not directed in any way to any one person so don't take it that way......Well I'm sure my post may upset a few then. I'm a Twilight fan and I'm 37. I'm married with children. I don't believe in Prince Charming but I'm married to one. Yes he has bad breath in the morning, but he brushes and it's all good.
I love the books and Stephenie Meyers writing is great to me. A lot of other authors are great to me too.
Books are a means of escape, if they weren't we wouldn't read them. Unless of course you're reading to learn something like history or for college, etc.
I went to the movie opening knowing the movie would be different from the books, it always is. I felt the movie gave the characters a face for me. I loved the movie. Yes I went on Friday night, yes I bought my tickets online because our theater sold out early. There were many other adults at the movie and a lot of those were men and boys.
As you can see by my profile photo that I added for fun that I did wear my Twilight jewelry and I did buy my "forks" earrings because I thought it would make people laugh and it did. Everyone who saw them got it.
I can understand the unhealthy following and no I don't want to become or meet a vampire. I do however hope there will be more Twilight books. I love series books.
I have read other vampire series and am currently in the middle of one. You can see that in my books. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion but I don't believe in slamming authors. This book was written for teenagers and isn't going to be a literary genius novel. Apparently some think it's good because of how many copies have been and are still being sold.
I've heard all kinds of things in the past week about seeing this movie, from it being against Christianity (yes I live in a small town) because of the vampires, to it's a bad influence on me....etc. I believe I will live with an open mind. There are a lot of books that I want to read and I do think I'm strong enough to know reality from fantasy after I read a book. Just because I'm reading a book doesn't mean I'm going to turn into a groupie.
That being said, I am a Twilight fan. I think the movie was awesome and I'd love to see it again. Give it a chance, you may like it, if you did and you didn't like it, oh well. Lighten up, life is short, have fun.
Tera,Love your post and get it all. Have fun. And that's what we do. Life is way too short and I'm not going to be the one looking back with regrets. Love the Sour Patch Kids. :D
Sandy,I'm so glad you posted your thoughts on here. :) I too loved the Twilight series and just saw the movie today. Yes, it's YA fiction and some people might be overly obsessed with it, but it is an escape like any other good book you can't put down. I truly could not think of anything but those books for about a week after I read them....whether it be an escape, a relived moment of my teen youth or that yearning you have for someone you fall in love with. It wasn't the most intellectual writing, but something captured me nonetheless.
Those who haven't read the books will not get much out of the movie as it didn't include a lot of the important details of the book, in my opinion. And those who did not like the book at all, don't bother to watch the movie.
Otherwise, it was better than I had expected after seeing the mixed reviews and it is simply a fun series for such a vast audience. More than anything, I am amazed at how influential it has been for so many people of different ages. Don't become obsessed but it's okay to have a short-lived what if! :)
Ok, I completely agree with everyone for the need to read something light and to escape on occasion. I am not the person reading Neitzsche all the time or debating deep meaningful questions. I like my "fluff" just as much as the next girl but I really feel that I (as a person) have outgrown YA romances, like Twilight... Those people who can still feel that innocent sense of wonder in a "love at first sight" are probably better off as people but I'm just not one of them anymore.Its been discussed in other threads that life is really just too short to read books that you don't enjoy and I just think that there is better "fluff" than Twilight for me! I also take issue with some of the plot based on the fact that I really LOVE vampires, in the old Anne Rice sense of the term - Interview with the Vampire, The Vampire Lestat, Queen of the Damned, etc..
I'm also probably biased against this series because I deal with people coming in and asking for it everyday (since I do work at B&N). Overload simply begins to grate on the nerves after a while and I feel that this series is becoming another devisive issue. One of my coworkers told me a story about a woman who was buying Twilight and asked her if she had read it. When my friend said no this woman became very rude and snapped "Well, do you read at all?". It just bothers me that many people believe you have to follow the general fad or something MUST be wrong with you.
I went to the movie last night because I wanted some entertaining, mindless fun. And I got exactly what I was looking for!!! I had really (and I mean REALLY) low expectations--I totally expected them to slaughter the book. And they did screw up a lot of stuff, but it didn't bother me so much. I thought they did a fantastic job of turning Bella into a sort of narrator for the movie. Great technique for adapting literature into screen, and it worked perfectly for this movie.Plus, I now have a crush on Jasper, Jacob, and Rosalie due to their onscreen cuteness/hotness. Yay for eye candy (to go along with the Sour Patch Kids, of course)!
I'd like to go see it but my daughter isn't old enough for it, my husband would never let me live it down, and I hate to go to the movies by myself. I will probably wait for it on DVD. At least then I can avoid all the screaming teenage girls. I thought the book was a fun read so I wanted to see the movie.
I saw the movie on Saturday night and I thought it was really good and really adorable! I totally agree that it is just for FUN. I read the first book, knowing it was a teen book, and I loved it. It's a nice escape from the other stuff. And it does take you back to your first love. The movie did the same thing. It was just a sweet movie and I really enjoyed it. I knew it wasn't going to be the best movie ever, low-budget film and all. I also think you should read the book before seeing the movie. I'm reading the rest of the series because it's fun and enjoyable! Not because I'm obsessed...although I now have a major crush on Robert Pattinson after this...
did anyone notice that "Edward" (Robert Pattinson) played "Cedric Diggory" in Harry Potter??
Anastasia, I never realized it until Twilight came out. I barely remember him from Harry Potter but now I'm curious to see it again. I could watch him all day long. :) I love that he wrote music for the movie too.
He wrote music for it?!?!?! That's just awesome. I could watch him all day, too :)
Well, I did go see it yesterday, and I'm glad to say that it wasn't a disappointment like I'd feared. I thought it was very well done, loved it.
Brandie,Yes, he wrote & performed one song & was going to write the lullaby song but they ended up using someone else's piece. He sings, plays the guitar & piano from what I've heard. Makes him even more appealing. :)
ooh, definitely makes him more appealing :) do you know what song? is it on the movie cd?
Yes, it's on the soundtrack. You can listen to it on Amazon or itunes. :)
A friend and I are going tonight. Ill come back with my report.