So, I've waited over 36 hours since my first chance to see the movie adaptation of Stephanie Meyer's Twilight to post anything. Can I just remind you what absolute torture this has been for me. All I want to do is stand up on our rooftop and shout out to everyone "I've seen Twilight and I loved it" and then go on to list every singe way in which the movie has captured my heart; and the list is rather extensive.
I think I can safely say that I am a very dedicated and die-hard Twilighter without too many complaints from the peanut gallery. That being said, I can still enjoy every minute of the movie without being nitpicky. Everyone needs to remember that this is not Twilight the Book: the Movie. They don't need to get every single scene and every single line word for word as you would read it on the page, but surprisingly enough fans were given more than a fair dose of quotes straight from Stephanie Meyer's work to the screen. Every time I could quote the book in the movie I got goose bumps and I spent the entire viewing with chills (all in a very good way, of course).
The casting was incredible. My one hold out since they announced the casting until now has been Elizabeth Raeser as the mother figure of the Cullen family, Esme. She was only in the film for 2 brief scenes, but I take back everything that I said about her, which was never anything horrible to begin with. She did the compassionate mother justice in every sense of the word. Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart as our newest favorite stat-crossed lovers Bella and Edward played their roles to a tee. Bella comes off much more headstrong than she was in the books, but it suited for a better movie and Rob did such an amazing job with the i-love-you-but-i-want-to-eat-you half of their romance. It's plainly obvious to any Twilighter worth her weight that he read Midnight Sun, the story of Twilight told from Edward's perspective. From his reaction to her upon their first encounter to trying to convince she was seeing things at the hospital, I couldn't have asked for more. But more, we definitely got!
The rest of the Cullens were UH-MAH-ZING! Peter Facinelli is just a gorgeous man, and while I prefer his dark hair, he's not too shabby as a blonde! His Dr. Carlisle Cullen was every bit as compassionate and gentile as Meyer depicted him. Ashley Greene as the pixie-like Alice Cullen was to die for. She was so adorable and really fit with the character. You could just see how excited she was to have a new friend in Bella (maybe something you got more out of Midnight Sun than Twilight). Asking Bella if she was going to join them on the school bus after their field trip was a standout for me, and after watching her pitch how can anyone deny her gracefull, dancer-like movements. The toe point, leg kick with each pitch made me wish I had any kind of grace of my own. Now I feel inadequate! Jackson Rathbone's Jasper was too cute in the best of ways. I can see how someone who hasn't read the book could find him a little awkward. As Jessica points out in the film "the one who looks like he's in pain" definitely gave you the impression he wasn't comfortable around his classmates, and that's the way it should be! I just wish we could hear him talk more. Or see him more. I keep playing him in the baseball scene over and over in my head the way he was throwing the bat around was classic as was his response to Victoria's "wicked curve-ball" remark. Just like Jackson himself, the slight Southern twang can easily steal my heart any day. Rosalie was just, well, Rosalie. Nikki Reed is an outstanding actress any day of the week, and you could just feel the animosity she felt for our heroine. Of course, I have to save Mr. Kellen Lutz as the big burly brother Emmett. From the beginning he's been my favorite cast choice. He just is Emmett, no ifs ands or buts about it!
OK, give me a minute to swoon here for a second ...
The actors who portrayed Bella's high school friends could have stolen the show on any given day. Eric Yorkie (played by Justin Chon) was just hilarious and to be honest reminds me of a lot of the people I went to high school with, and Mike Newton (played by Michael Welch) wasn't too bad himself. Angela Weber (Christian Serratos) wasn't as much the silent wall-flower that she was in the book either, but you can't find a better human-friend for Bella and Jessica Stanley (Anna Kendrick) was just as oblivious to everything that didn't involve her hooking up with Mike -- oh, and of course her own cleavage. I think the hidden gem was definitely Mr. Melina, the Biology teacher, played by Jose Zuniga. I love high school teachers like that. I had a few of my own who really made the whole experience that much less of a bore; the world needs more teachers like him and his golden onion and compost tea!
I guess I have to apologize to Taylor Lautner too. I wont go so far as to say I agree with his casting just yet (I'll wait to see how he pulls of his transformation in New Moon before I comment further) but I wasn't as disappointed with him as I expected to be. Any time I see a photo of him he just makes me think of a preppy little girl. I don't know, I'm not a fan. But his Jacob was alright. Maybe it's just my general bias of Jacob as a whole that has me on his bad list. I am, and have always been, a Team Edward gal and Jacob can eat my grits ... As far as the Pack is concerned though, I'm on Team Seth (Eclipse reference here).
And before I forget, Bella's parents were awesome too. Billy Burke as Charlie Swan, Chief of Forks Police, reminded me so much of the awkward relationship that I have with my own father. The love is there, but the communication is not. You could tell he's a man that's been living on his own and hasn't had to have too many real conversations with people inside his own home and how he was trying his best to fix whatever the problem might have been between him and his daughter (yeah, it's called absence). OMG - two beers and a shotgun! I just about jumped out of my seat I was so giddy in that scene when he first met Edward. P.S. He's also a fan of pepper spray! Sarah Clarke as Renee Dwyer, Bella's mom, was such a good choice. There's something about her that just screams care-free is the way to be. Maybe it's the gleam in her eye or the way she smiles but she is a perfect fit for the flighty woman.
The movie itself was more than I could have asked for. We got 2 hours packed with as much from the book as they could shove in. The down-side to that though, was that every scene just felt too short, but that could have easily been my need to see more. They made sure to keep the essentials which I am thankful for, but a lot was cut out. A lot of other scenes were condensed into others, such as Eric asking her to Prom (the Sadie Hawkins dance was cut entirely, which is OK), Mike asking her to Prom, and so on. I'm a little sad we didn't get to see Tyler's chance to ask her out, but I'm not going to put the movie down because of it. I expected the special effects to be downright tacky, but they weren't. Edward glistening in the sunlight was just beautiful, and the super fast speed wasn't anything I can criticize. Anyone who's going to hold that against them should answer themselves this: What should they have done on their budget? This wasn't some multi-million dollar blockbuster people. The fight scene and showdown with Edward and nasty-evil James (a.k.a. hot and sexy Cam Gigandet) was spectacular.
I hate to say, as much as I love it, that people who haven't read the book may find it a little lacking with the choices of other films they have to see, but that's their own damn fault! There was so much in the movie that really catered to people like who me, and for that Summit and everyone involved are my new heroes!
Saturday, November 22, 2008
Sunday, November 9, 2008
I confess: I read it!
And here I thought I had been doing so well with my determination not to read the manuscript; my determination until she published a final product.
But I caved. I caved big time.
For anyone living under a rock - or not deeply immersed into all things Twilight (which would kind of make me the one living under a rock considering how one group outnumbers another) - not long after the release of her highly anticipated fourth and final installment of the Twilight saga told from the perspective of our favorite girl-next-door Bella Swan, an accidental leak of a project that easily had as much hype leading to it's future release (if not more) left author Stephanie Meyer on a our note and unable to continue writing the way it deserves to be written.
A lot of people that I know gave her flack for announcing that the Midnight Sun, the story of Twilight, the first novel in the series, told form he perspective of everyone's favorite vampire-love-interest, Edward Cullen, was being put on the back burner until a time she felt that she was able to go back to it - if it ever came at all. It just goes to show you how little people realize about the writing process. Authors take their work very seriously, but at the same time every piece that they work on is deeply personal, and Meyer is no exception. She's always been the first to point out that she is very attached to her characters and gets deeply involved and wrapped up in the writing process. She reminds me a lot of myself, I give in everything I have when I'm writing, and I get taken away. My writing, and I can only assumer hers as well, is just another extension of myself, and just the thought of being violated in such a way makes me see red. I don't blame her at all for stating that "If I tried to write Midnight Sun now, in my current frame of mind, James would probably win and all the Cullens would die, which wouldn't dovetail too well with the original story." (read her statement to her fans here).
I respect her for coming out and announcing the postponal of the book as she did, and for the decision to make the partial draft that was leaked available online. She has integrity for herself and her fans, and it's such a shame that this had to happen. I wont lie, I am dying for her to return to the project because I am too addicted to the Cullen's and the world of Twilight to be satiated by what I have available too me now, but I will say this: I can wait! She said in an interview earlier this month that she does plan to return to the project when she feels it's just her and Midnight Sun, and it's not still fresh on everyone's mind, hopefully in 2 years.
My original decision was to ride out the storm, I've waited for things in my life before, and just because this chunk of the future book is now available doesn't mean I wont still buy it in the future, because I most definitely will! But my will-power isn't always on the same page with my brain. I told myself I didn't want it spoiled for myself. I was being so good with it saved to my desktop, but left unopened for months. It was made public on August 28th, 2008 and on November 8, 2008 (at midnight no less) I caved under the pressure.
Yup, that's right, I finally read it. And ...
OH
MY
FREAKING
WORD!!!!!!
It is amazing, even as a "works-in-progress". It was exactly like I had stepped into a world where I had never read Twilight before; a world where I had never even heard of Twilight before. I was being re-introduced to the fictional world that I fell for (so hard I'm surprised I didn't break anything) like it was the first time. It's amazing the directions one story could go when told from different perspectives. Absolutely amazing. Now I'm going to sit here and secretly curse myself because the wait until she finally publishes it is going to be excruciating now, I just now it. BUT, it will be well worth it. And at least I get to distract myself this month, and for days to come, with the release of the movie-adaptation of the first book.
So this is my confession for the day. Too bad I don't feel guilty at all!
TWILIGHT: My guilty pleasure.
But I caved. I caved big time.
For anyone living under a rock - or not deeply immersed into all things Twilight (which would kind of make me the one living under a rock considering how one group outnumbers another) - not long after the release of her highly anticipated fourth and final installment of the Twilight saga told from the perspective of our favorite girl-next-door Bella Swan, an accidental leak of a project that easily had as much hype leading to it's future release (if not more) left author Stephanie Meyer on a our note and unable to continue writing the way it deserves to be written.
A lot of people that I know gave her flack for announcing that the Midnight Sun, the story of Twilight, the first novel in the series, told form he perspective of everyone's favorite vampire-love-interest, Edward Cullen, was being put on the back burner until a time she felt that she was able to go back to it - if it ever came at all. It just goes to show you how little people realize about the writing process. Authors take their work very seriously, but at the same time every piece that they work on is deeply personal, and Meyer is no exception. She's always been the first to point out that she is very attached to her characters and gets deeply involved and wrapped up in the writing process. She reminds me a lot of myself, I give in everything I have when I'm writing, and I get taken away. My writing, and I can only assumer hers as well, is just another extension of myself, and just the thought of being violated in such a way makes me see red. I don't blame her at all for stating that "If I tried to write Midnight Sun now, in my current frame of mind, James would probably win and all the Cullens would die, which wouldn't dovetail too well with the original story." (read her statement to her fans here).
I respect her for coming out and announcing the postponal of the book as she did, and for the decision to make the partial draft that was leaked available online. She has integrity for herself and her fans, and it's such a shame that this had to happen. I wont lie, I am dying for her to return to the project because I am too addicted to the Cullen's and the world of Twilight to be satiated by what I have available too me now, but I will say this: I can wait! She said in an interview earlier this month that she does plan to return to the project when she feels it's just her and Midnight Sun, and it's not still fresh on everyone's mind, hopefully in 2 years.
My original decision was to ride out the storm, I've waited for things in my life before, and just because this chunk of the future book is now available doesn't mean I wont still buy it in the future, because I most definitely will! But my will-power isn't always on the same page with my brain. I told myself I didn't want it spoiled for myself. I was being so good with it saved to my desktop, but left unopened for months. It was made public on August 28th, 2008 and on November 8, 2008 (at midnight no less) I caved under the pressure.
Yup, that's right, I finally read it. And ...
OH
MY
FREAKING
WORD!!!!!!
It is amazing, even as a "works-in-progress". It was exactly like I had stepped into a world where I had never read Twilight before; a world where I had never even heard of Twilight before. I was being re-introduced to the fictional world that I fell for (so hard I'm surprised I didn't break anything) like it was the first time. It's amazing the directions one story could go when told from different perspectives. Absolutely amazing. Now I'm going to sit here and secretly curse myself because the wait until she finally publishes it is going to be excruciating now, I just now it. BUT, it will be well worth it. And at least I get to distract myself this month, and for days to come, with the release of the movie-adaptation of the first book.
So this is my confession for the day. Too bad I don't feel guilty at all!
TWILIGHT: My guilty pleasure.
Friday, November 7, 2008
Meet the P[eri]nts!
I had my first appointment/consult with a Perinatologist this morning (maternal/fetal medicine specialist) to discuss having a cerclage placed this pregnancy because of an IC (incompetent cervix). After losing baby E. the way we did, I'm really pushing for this and I don't think I would take no for an answer. It really goes without saying that this is something I've really been stressing over, which I know is not good for little Pen, but I'm trying.
First off, the drive that was supposed to take me about an hour and a half pretty much ended up taking me three, so I'm glad that I left extra early. I just hate driving here. Hate it, hate it. I wont go so far as to say I was excellent at directions when we were in California, but I really had it easier than this. There's something about these states (include Texas here) that makes driving impossible for a California-transplant, and it doesn't help any that I have no idea what freeway is what. I have to re-learn everything. Back home, I-680 (double check - can't get to San Jose without it), CA-4 (check), CA-242 (check), you name it, I at least could get there with little trouble. Now I'm looking at VA-172 (where the heck did the V come from), I-64, I-95. I feel like I entered the Twilight zone (heehee - i said twilight). OK, so this went off into a ramble I didn't mean to get into, but I did get there in one piece, and the drive home was much, much better!
But it wasn't my only wait. They were a touch busy when I got there, even with an nice and early morning appointment I ended up waiting about an hour. Waiting does not help my anxiety levels at all, let me just tell you that. I just don't know what to think. I was so frustrated, even though waiting usually means a nice, thorough appointment right? Well, thorough wasn't exactly what I was greeted with right away. The Doctor (Dr. T for future reference) was pretty abrasive I guess you could say, as a first impression. She asked me if I was there to talk about a cerclage (duh) and then went on to ask me if I have been pregnant before. Shouldn't that be on my damn chart? Is it really that hard to look at my medical history, or what? Yes, I have. We lost our last pregnancy at 20 weeks due to an IC (although we don't know what led to what: IC that caused PTL/PROM, or PRL/PROM that caused cervical changes). I just wasn't impressed with her to begin with, but I like to give people the benefit of the doubt. We all have our off days, and I know I wasn't a happy camper which can always tilt things in the bad-Bad-BAD category. Luckily for both of us, things did get better - meaning her attitude and the possibility of why I was there.
She did a very quick ultrasound, which was great. I didn't think I would be getting to see little Pen again, even if it was for so brief of a time. S/he was bouncing around like a crazy little jumping bean! But I'm not kidding when I say it was over before I really knew what was going on. She was pretty silent through most of the beginning of the appointment, but it was such a relief when she told me "I do think a cerclage is a good idea". As it turns out, my cervix is measuring just over 3 cm (although she did point out that this early in the game it isn't too reliable), but when she did a manual exam she said it felt less than that.
But this means I am getting the cerclage. She wanted to get it in before 14 weeks, but I got a call later this afternoon and it's scheduled for the morning of Monday the 17th (just about 14 weeks on the nose).
But what saved the appointment was that she really took time to answer my questions, and I will admit, I had quite a list. I ask questions when I'm nervous, and I don't think it's possible to ask too many about this right now. Will I be on bedrest afterwards? No, not right off the bat, although I could end up on it. But the fact that we're doing a preventive cerclage could lessen that chance. How often will I be back to see her? Normally she would do every 2 weeks, but because of the distance it will be every 4 unless otherwise necessary, but it will be 2 weeks and I see my OB, 2 weeks and I see my Peri, 2 weeks I see my OB, etc. Sex & travel were two important questions to me. Well, one was for DH. I haven't really been in any mood to DTD lately myself. DH isn't too happy about me being on lockdown (nope, no sex, no O either - it can spur contractions - and we want to keep the risk of infection to a minimum). She didn't completely exclude travel, although after 16/17 weeks she'd prefer we not stray too far from home. But I am interested in going home for Thanksgiving,and she OK'ed that as long as I'm comfortable with the decision. That's really weighing on me. I had flown to Texas not more than a week before we lost Emerson for DH's graduation from BMT. I can't help but think things would have turned out differently if I hadn't. But she thinks for a flight, the sooner the better, and we're only a few weeks away. I'll have to talk to Rob about it. Christmas is pretty much out of the picture, and I really need my family - and it would kind of force my hand in telling them I'm pregnant again, which I've been putting off, and putting off.
I lost my train of thought ... And I congratulate anyone who read this far.
To keep with the symptoms of my can't-mention-anything-without-bringing-Twilight-into-it fever, I did have to ask about going to the midnight premiere since she wants me on limited activity for the week after the surgery. She laughed at me, but in a good way ;) Guess who's read the books? Way to go, Dr. T.! But I have the green light for that, thank goodness!
I have taken up way too much of anyone's time who has read this. I'll update more about it over the next week and change, and I'll keep you updated on what goes on after the surgery. I need to find some other cerclage mamas and see what I'm really in for.
First off, the drive that was supposed to take me about an hour and a half pretty much ended up taking me three, so I'm glad that I left extra early. I just hate driving here. Hate it, hate it. I wont go so far as to say I was excellent at directions when we were in California, but I really had it easier than this. There's something about these states (include Texas here) that makes driving impossible for a California-transplant, and it doesn't help any that I have no idea what freeway is what. I have to re-learn everything. Back home, I-680 (double check - can't get to San Jose without it), CA-4 (check), CA-242 (check), you name it, I at least could get there with little trouble. Now I'm looking at VA-172 (where the heck did the V come from), I-64, I-95. I feel like I entered the Twilight zone (heehee - i said twilight). OK, so this went off into a ramble I didn't mean to get into, but I did get there in one piece, and the drive home was much, much better!
But it wasn't my only wait. They were a touch busy when I got there, even with an nice and early morning appointment I ended up waiting about an hour. Waiting does not help my anxiety levels at all, let me just tell you that. I just don't know what to think. I was so frustrated, even though waiting usually means a nice, thorough appointment right? Well, thorough wasn't exactly what I was greeted with right away. The Doctor (Dr. T for future reference) was pretty abrasive I guess you could say, as a first impression. She asked me if I was there to talk about a cerclage (duh) and then went on to ask me if I have been pregnant before. Shouldn't that be on my damn chart? Is it really that hard to look at my medical history, or what? Yes, I have. We lost our last pregnancy at 20 weeks due to an IC (although we don't know what led to what: IC that caused PTL/PROM, or PRL/PROM that caused cervical changes). I just wasn't impressed with her to begin with, but I like to give people the benefit of the doubt. We all have our off days, and I know I wasn't a happy camper which can always tilt things in the bad-Bad-BAD category. Luckily for both of us, things did get better - meaning her attitude and the possibility of why I was there.
She did a very quick ultrasound, which was great. I didn't think I would be getting to see little Pen again, even if it was for so brief of a time. S/he was bouncing around like a crazy little jumping bean! But I'm not kidding when I say it was over before I really knew what was going on. She was pretty silent through most of the beginning of the appointment, but it was such a relief when she told me "I do think a cerclage is a good idea". As it turns out, my cervix is measuring just over 3 cm (although she did point out that this early in the game it isn't too reliable), but when she did a manual exam she said it felt less than that.
But this means I am getting the cerclage. She wanted to get it in before 14 weeks, but I got a call later this afternoon and it's scheduled for the morning of Monday the 17th (just about 14 weeks on the nose).
But what saved the appointment was that she really took time to answer my questions, and I will admit, I had quite a list. I ask questions when I'm nervous, and I don't think it's possible to ask too many about this right now. Will I be on bedrest afterwards? No, not right off the bat, although I could end up on it. But the fact that we're doing a preventive cerclage could lessen that chance. How often will I be back to see her? Normally she would do every 2 weeks, but because of the distance it will be every 4 unless otherwise necessary, but it will be 2 weeks and I see my OB, 2 weeks and I see my Peri, 2 weeks I see my OB, etc. Sex & travel were two important questions to me. Well, one was for DH. I haven't really been in any mood to DTD lately myself. DH isn't too happy about me being on lockdown (nope, no sex, no O either - it can spur contractions - and we want to keep the risk of infection to a minimum). She didn't completely exclude travel, although after 16/17 weeks she'd prefer we not stray too far from home. But I am interested in going home for Thanksgiving,and she OK'ed that as long as I'm comfortable with the decision. That's really weighing on me. I had flown to Texas not more than a week before we lost Emerson for DH's graduation from BMT. I can't help but think things would have turned out differently if I hadn't. But she thinks for a flight, the sooner the better, and we're only a few weeks away. I'll have to talk to Rob about it. Christmas is pretty much out of the picture, and I really need my family - and it would kind of force my hand in telling them I'm pregnant again, which I've been putting off, and putting off.
I lost my train of thought ... And I congratulate anyone who read this far.
To keep with the symptoms of my can't-mention-anything-without-bringing-Twilight-into-it fever, I did have to ask about going to the midnight premiere since she wants me on limited activity for the week after the surgery. She laughed at me, but in a good way ;) Guess who's read the books? Way to go, Dr. T.! But I have the green light for that, thank goodness!
I have taken up way too much of anyone's time who has read this. I'll update more about it over the next week and change, and I'll keep you updated on what goes on after the surgery. I need to find some other cerclage mamas and see what I'm really in for.
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