Have you seen New Moon?

[Blank]

Share your coloured opinions of the Twilight series below, including the movie if you've seen it.

Edited November 22, 2009 by Blank

[Volourn]

No, it should be pointed out btw, that the movie is making tons of money internationally so not completely a 'Yank' thing.

[Blank]

I was not aware of the statistics, so good point. Regardless, I will keep what I consider my humorous option.

 

Btw, I did see the movie. I would say I saw it with my girlfriend, but I wouldn't want to be disingenuous to you all; I would have seen the movie anyway if she didn't want to. I was tempted to dress as a werewolf because dressing up as something and going out in public is fun.

 

On the one hand I find parts of the Twilight craze to be cringe-inducing and immature, but I feel the story overall has many classic, symbolic elements that numerous people can relate to; such is a factor I appreciate finding anywhere in the fantasy genre, whether or not people feel that story is "tainted" by popular culture or "preserved" in niche, elite circles.

 

I would also like to anecdotally note that though I had heard reports of theaters on opening day being filled more often by those of the estrogen persuasion, when I went, a couple days later, I found several men, no particular outnumbering of gender going on. I figured the more dedicated wave, probably of females, passed through the screening as soon as possible, and by the time I got in with my friends, it was more of a normal crowd.

Edited November 22, 2009 by Blank

[Gorgon]

If I remember from the news it's porn targeting teenage girls.

[LadyCrimson]

I only saw 1st Twilight after it came on cable on-demand (for the 2nd or third time I think), so you can guess how much I care about seeing the 2nd one.

 

But I did find the first one entertaining in a teen-angst, unintentional, lol-comedy way, so I'll probably watch the 2nd when it, also, comes on cable on-demand.

Edited November 22, 2009 by LadyCrimson

[Shryke]

nope and from the sounds of things i really really don't want to

 

the stuff i've heard and the stuff i've read about it has made it seem far worse than Anne Rice's stuff, and i can't bloody stand that, so definitely avoiding Twilight

[Blank]

...But I did find the first one entertaining in a teen-angst, unintentional, lol-comedy way...

That's definitely the cringe-inducing part for me. At least they poke fun of themselves a little in this one.

If I remember from the news it's porn targeting teenage girls.

This is somewhat true, and also a laughable part. There are many scenes of shirtless, ripped men. But I think of it as helpful to inspire me to hit the gym.

[Guard Dog]

Sorry but no. I only watch vampire movies that have Kate Beckinsale in skin tight leather in them.

[Deadly_Nightshade]

the stuff i've heard and the stuff i've read about it has made it seem far worse than Anne Rice's stuff...

 

They are worse, much worse.

[Krookie]

yeah, us REAL vampires hate Twilight.

[Shryke]

the stuff i've heard and the stuff i've read about it has made it seem far worse than Anne Rice's stuff...

 

They are worse, much worse.

 

oh god, definitely avoiding them then

[GreasyDogMeat]

Sorry but no. I only watch vampire movies that have Kate Beckinsale in skin tight leather in them.

This.

[Shryke]

Sorry but no. I only watch vampire movies that have Kate Beckinsale in skin tight leather in them.

This.

 

that was one good thing about the Underworld movies

 

they were still kinda.... bad though

[GreasyDogMeat]

that was one good thing about the Underworld movies

 

they were still kinda.... bad though

True, but at least there were things gettin' shot, sliced and blowed up good. I suppose Twilight must have something for it's target audience though, as it seems to be doing well.

[Musopticon?]

Beckinsale wasn't the good thing about the Underworld movies. Srsly guise. Beckinsale has about the same acting profile and titillative factor as Megan Fox does.

 

Now Twilight, man. I'm glad I watched the first movie. It's a twofold thing, really. First of all, it's infitesimaly better than the book namesake, since it has Pattison and the book doesn't. There's also the nifty thing of not having to read Meyer's excruciating fanfiction-like purple prose for more than a few dialogues. They've even cut down heavily on the worst part of the book, and it's main focus unfortunately, the romantic interplay of Bella and Eddikins. Instead Pattison ridicules his character thorough the film's span, casting to light how idiotic Edward was written to begin with. The character has no soul and Pattison knows it and acts; dull stares, generally disinterested and stalkerish behaviour, etc. You can google the actor's own view on Meyer's books, it's hilarious how worthwhile the movie is to watch when you realise and take to heart that he overplays all the annoying and nonsensical(this is a character who should be in love, afterall) things that Edward does.

Second thing why I'm glad I went to watch the movie is the scenery. It's a really really beautiful picture, really. No, really. I particularly love the baseball match scene and the contrast of lights when Bella changes national states. Top scores to the crew.

 

That's all I need to say about Twilight, I'm glad I got into the whole drama that is twitardism(or 'fanscene' or whatever), heh.

 

Oh yeah, Ashley Greene is kinda hot. That's a pro as well.

[Blank]

that was one good thing about the Underworld movies

 

they were still kinda.... bad though

True, but at least there were things gettin' shot, sliced and blowed up good. I suppose Twilight must have something for it's target audience though, as it seems to be doing well.

This is a good observation. I'd like to hear any guesses about why Twilight nails its target audience, and who that target audience is. My guess, as stated earlier, is that the story includes symbolic themes that people can relate to. For example, eternal life intrigues people, and that is what a vampire has; or another example, a vegetarian vampire struggles with bloodlust, symbolizing a human's struggle with wanting to do the right thing, but having internal conflict with his or her emotions, such as with an affair.

[Purkake]

Here is Spoony's long and hilarious review.

[Blank]

...Second thing why I'm glad I went to watch the movie is the scenery. It's a really really beautiful picture, really...

Not to not brag, I'm very privileged to live in the Pacific Northwest. It really is that beautiful. I live close to the scene that has a large river in a valley, forest all over, and some meadows spread throughout.

[Blank]

Here is Spoony's long and hilarious review.

I actually like his review; he agrees exactly with my point that the story is symbolic; it melodramatically shows how selfish people can be. We sit back and criticize the main character's actions toward the people around her, but on small levels every day we treat people like crap for our own benefit also. Of course you can justify the small things, because they are small. Oftentimes people don't even realize how inconsiderate they are towards how others feel. I think in this sense the story is a good reminder to not be selfish with one's emotions.

 

Here's one of my theories about stories. In fantasy, normally unseen struggles are seen. In some stories, the struggles, internal or external, are subtle, as in real life. In others, the struggles are overt, even to the point of causing an audience to openly ridicule the characters' actions. But I think the strength of a story is when the story's conflicts are a good representation of reality's conflicts, whether they are subtle or overt. Some would disagree, as some hate melodrama. But I feel it's a whole genre they are missing out on, and to ridicule selfishness because of its magnitude seems to me like an excuse for selfishness of a lesser magnitude. Twilight's melodrama is an open invitation to consider one's own selfishness on a simple scale.

Edited November 22, 2009 by Blank

[Guard Dog]

Beckinsale wasn't the good thing about the Underworld movies. Srsly guise. Beckinsale has about the same acting profile and titillative factor as Megan Fox does.

 

You and Shryke are giving me way too much credit, I was only barely aware of what that movie was even about. I was just watching HER. I didn't notice if she could even act at all. Heck I didn't even watch the last one because she wasn't in it. I could say the same about Van Helsing but it was a little hard to ignore how bad that movie was.

[Hurlshort]

I was on my way to the theater to see it, but then I realized I wasn't a teenage girl.

 

And the Underworld series is great, all three movies (or is it 4?) They are right there with the Resident Evil flicks.

[TheHarlequin]

When we have True Blood why step down to Twilight? I mean isn't that like going from of porche 900 series to a chevy nova?

 

But no I didn't go see it, after being talked into going to see the first one (2 hrs of my life I'll never get back ) I refuse to be suckered into that mess again

[Purkake]

And the Underworld series is great, all three movies (or is it 4?) They are right there with the Resident Evil flicks.

Yes they are.

 

 

They all suck. Get it?

 

[Oner]

If I remember from the news it's porn targeting teenage girls.

http://www.escapistmagazine.com/articles/v...f-the-She-Geeks

 

 

...

If I watch that movie, it will be all your fault!

 

I actually like his review; he agrees exactly with my point that the story is symbolic; it melodramatically shows how selfish people can be.

Are you sure about this?

[WILL THE ALMIGHTY]

Apparently it's the equivalent of Underworld for teenage girls, where the focus is on the guys and the action is replaced by (frankly awful) romance. It's also sexist. For everyone.

 

 

Still, having read the first two books, they're just terrible. the Spoony Experiment summed it up nicely:

 

You know, the more I think about Bella, the more shocked and appalled I am at her behavior. Throughout the movies she displays a neediness and selfishness that verges on sociopathic, almost as if she can’t even begin to comprehend the feelings of others as she leaves misery and broken hearts in her wake– and not just of her potential paramours. Think about her father, Charlie, and all the melodrama he has to put up with. She regularly comes home battered, bruised, and beaten, but answers his honest concerns only with lies. She disappears into the woods, collapses from exhaustion and exposure, causing him to mobilize a town-wide search for her ****ing dead body, and returns with absolutely no explanation. Then she drops everything to flee to Italy for an indeterminate amount of time, and even the vampire Alice voices more concern for Charlie’s feelings than Bella does. Her hopeless, helpless, woe-is-****ing-me attitude veers beyond mere misogyny and becomes truly grotesque.

 

Think about her friends and her mother, whose lives would be devastated if her suicidal thrill-seeking ended her life. Does she care? No, because she can’t see beyond her own needs, acting for months like a petulant child denied her favorite toy. When it becomes clear that becoming a vampire would call off the truce between the Cullens and the werewolves, does Bella care that her incessant demands to become a vampire would therefore put the Cullens (who she claims to care about) in constant, mortal danger? No. Does she care that people are dying, being torn apart by wolves, sucked dry by vengeful vampires, all because she doesn’t have the good sense to get away from undead monsters? No. Does she care that her dad, who dotes on her constantly (only God knows why) has to clean up after these bodies? No. Does she even spare a moment to consider Edward’s feelings against turning her into a monster like him? No.

 

In fact, her desire to become a vampire is completely selfish as well. She’s worried about getting old, fat, and wrinkly like everyone else, and damn it, that’s not fair! Why should Edward stay young and dreamy for all eternity, and not ME? ME, ME, ME! Even once Edward has gone, I don’t think her pissy mood has as much to do with being alone as hating the thought that Edward could possibly be happy without her.

 

Anyone who relates to this girl is incredibly disturbed and needs some serious mental help. Anyone who’s ever been in love has perhaps wrestled with the same feelings, the same neediness that Bella experiences in these movies, but good lord, it’s a high school crush. We got over it. We moved on. Sure, that first love and that first loss were hell, but we got a ****ing grip on our lives and moved on. You should never have to beg for love, and if you do, it ain’t love.

Edited November 23, 2009 by WILL THE ALMIGHTY