What I liked about it:

• There’s more energy in Eclipse compared to the first two. Finally! It started off really slow, but it picks up towards the end.
• I like how David Slade puts in this “30 Days of Night” feel as the movie starts. It’s grey, dark, ominous.
• Riley! I think Xavier Samuel was perfectly cast. I just wish there were more of him, but then again the book doesn’t have much of him. A “Where is he now?” story would be great, but well, you know what happens to him in the movie. Darn it.
• Finally, more chemistry between Edward and Bella. In the first two films, I didn’t feel spark between them. Yeah yeah, that’s not how majority of Twihards probably felt, but this my review, okay? Whatever it is that David Slade told them, it worked. I felt more connection between the two of them. FINALLY, I felt that they belonged together, and that Jacob was a third wheel. I think it’s because they finally share a giggle or two. It’s not all intense staring at each other anymore. It finally feels like a real relationship.
• Edward struggling with Bella’s individuality. “If I ask you to stay in the car, would you?” (Bella goes out of the car.) “Of course not.” Haha. Again, more of a real relationship coming to surface here. They’re both still dazzled by each other, but it’s not all glitz that’s keeping the two together now.

• Jessica’s graduation speech. Was that in the book? I think she was great. It makes me more interested in her! I want to know where she goes after Forks. I want to know if she moves on to bigger things. I didn’t realize she was that smart. I was thinking Angela would be valedictorian.
• The proposal. Very literal translation from the book, which I liked. The ring was gorgeous!
• Jasper and Alice. There’s a moment in the book (not sure if in Eclipse or the first two) when Bella said she felt like an intruder when she was with Alice and Jasper. Their love for each other was just so intense she felt she was interfering in their moment. That’s how I felt when Alice snuggled up to Jasper after he told Bella his story. Go Team Jasper-Alice!
• The tent scene. This was a very important scene for me to watch, as it was one of the most intense in the book. I’m glad it stayed the same in the film. “I’m hotter than you,” goes Jacob. Him telling the duo it would be better without Bella’s clothes, thinking manly thoughts that annoyed Edward… Hey, did he crack the space heater joke? I don’t recall.

• Edward’s annoyance with Jacob was funny. “Doesn’t he own a shirt?” Haha. I like how emotions are FINALLY breaking through Edward’s cold, cold surface. Thanks RPattz. I think you’re better here than in the first two films.

• Save the best for last: Taylor Lautner as Jacob Black. From a happy-go-lucky Jacob in “Twilight” to the angsty one in “New Moon” to the all-grown up, still angsty, but more passionate wolf in “Eclipse,” he was the highlight of the movie. I could feel his love for Bella. I could feel his anger and helplessness. I like how Taylor Lautner shows his emotions without having to look constipated like Edward. Sorry Team Edward, I know that Rob is fine and all, but his Edward is just a bit too stone cold in acting to me (to think this is an improvement over the first two films).

What I didn’t like about it:

• The newborns weren’t scary. If the newborns are a SUPER threat, couldn’t there have been more of a struggle when the Cullens and the wolves were fighting them? Easy, breezy, that’s how the fight seemed to me. Newborns are supposed to be creepy strong kind of scary. I didn’t feel their hunger or thirst in the film at all. I liked how Eclipse had more action than the other two films, but I wish there were more newborn action.
• Victoria. Sorry, I like you Bryce Dallas Howard, but Rachel Lefevre just made a creepier Victoria to me. The new Victoria just wasn’t sinister enough to be the main villain here.
• The Volturi. It’s been years since I’ve read the book, so I can’t remember how threatening they were. I do remember that while reading I went, “Uh oh, they’re coming to Forks and Bella isn’t a vampire yet. What’s gonna happen???” Well, I didn’t feel that same tension in the movie. They seemed like “by the way’s” to me. I like Dakota Fanning and company, but wish there presence was more relevant to the plot.
• Happy ending. Well, again, you know I’m on Team Jacob. Of course the movie just had to end the way it did. In the book though, it ends with Jacob’s perspective. He receives the wedding invitation through the mail, transforms into a wolf, howls and disappears into the woods. Now, that’s dramatic. THAT’S what the “eclipse” is all about. At the end, night time always wins even during daytime.

Overall, I think David Slade did a fine job. Is he directing “Breaking Dawn?” I don’t think so. I wish he were. Did “Eclipse” eclipse the first two films? You bet it did. Will I watch this again? You know what, if it’s on STAR movies or HBO, I would. Twilight comes on now and I just zap channels. But if Eclipse does get shown on TV, I’ll make time to watch it. Watching it in the movie house though? Nah. Once is enough.

What did YOU think of the movie? Share your thoughts! There are no right or wrong opinions here, so comment with no fear of being judged.

All images from Photobucket

I’d love this for our library. It won’t be for the baby. It’d be for ME!

Here’s the official movie overview from Fandango:

Bella once again finds herself surrounded by danger as Seattle is ravaged by a string of mysterious killings and a malicious vampire continues her quest for revenge. In the midst of it all, she is forced to choose between her love for Edward and her friendship with Jacob — knowing that her decision has the potential to ignite the ageless struggle between vampire and werewolf. With her graduation quickly approaching, Bella is confronted with the most important decision of her life.

ECLIPSE is my favorite book from among the four in the series. It’s action-packed, the tension between Edward and Jacob is more palpable, and Bella isn’t as whiny, as far as I can remember. Oh yeah, I have issues with our heroine. I’m still watching the movie anyway!

Here’s the official movie trailer:

I think you can bring your man with you when you see this film because of all the action. Well, I’m just judging based on the trailer. It has more energy than the past two films don’t you think?

ECLIPSE is directed by David Slade, the same guy who directed 30 Days of Night. I like the latter film a lot, and ooh it was a vampire movie too, so I’m curious how he’ll make Eclipse come alive.

June 30! Woohoo! Are you looking forward to this film too?

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you may have heard of the book Twilight. It’s about a “vegetarian” vampire (i.e. doesn’t drink human blood) named Edward and a clumsy human Bella who are head over heels in love with each other. Thanks to Stephenie Meyer, the world of vampires and werewolves became more fascinating to me.

Recently, I became hooked on yet another vampire-centric book series. “Hooked on” is putting it lightly. “Addicted” is more like it.

Dead Until Dark is the first book in Charlaine Harris’ The Southern Vampire Mysteries. Here we are introduced to the telepathic waitress Sookie Stackhouse from Bon Temps, Louisiana, how she becomes romantically involved with a vampire named Bill and deals with a couple of murders in their small town.

I loved this book! I immediately read the next one, Living Dead in Dallas, and the next one, Club Dead. I don’t have any of the books that followed so I can’t wait to get to a bookstore soon!

The HBO series “True Blood” was adapted from these novels. I’ve started watching Season 1 and am thrilled with how they brought the characters to life. Anna Paquin and Stephen Moyer as Sookie and Bill are spot on!

I can’t wait to know what happens next to Sookie. Don’t tell me though because I’m only up to the third book! I’d have to cover my ears and go “La la la la la!” if you tell.

The whole family was big on reading. I’d go through my Mom’s romance and mystery novels, my Dad’s business books, and eventually built my own collection of books. While they were mostly bubblegum reading at first (think Sweet Valley and Archie comics), I’m happy my parents indulged me because it still helped build my love for reading. Then again maybe they let me read those because I balanced it out with the Nancy Drew mysteries and Childcraft encyclopedias I lapped up too.

It fills my heart then that at a very early age, I can tell my 7-month-old son has a love for books. Place a toy and a book before him, and he’ll go for the book. If he’s fretful, give him a book and he’ll be occupied for a long time. If he wants to play, he’ll reach for a book. While he does play with his toys, books seem to interest him more. Sometimes he’d want you to read it to him, sometimes he can pore through the book on his own.

I’d say that Timmy loves to read, but of course I can’t, as he doesn’t know how yet. Perhaps the illustration of words fascinates him, as he gravitates to even books without pictures. Newspapers and menus hold his attention too, and he never fails to look seriously interested in what they present to him. He even reads while taking a bath!

How could his love affair with words have started? Reading to him while he was in my womb could have started this youngster’s love for words. Maybe it was my reading aloud to him as early as a month old. He got an earful not only of children’s takes, but of adult books like “The Lost Symbol” by Dan Brown and “The Wedding” by Nicholas Sparks. Lately I’ve been reading Charlaine Harris’ “Dead Until Dark” to him, while of course omitting the racy parts! Maybe the bookworm trait is just innate to him, just like most of his family. Naturally, they, we, are all elated!

I never leave home without a book. And now, I never leave home without TWO books — one for me, one for Timmy. It’s fun knowing I share an interest with my child. Reading to him, and understanding that he listens, is a priceless moment I wouldn’t trade for anything.

Our home still has books in all corners, and now there are even more! Baby books are in every room — in his crib, on the coffee table, on his high chair in the kitchen… Sure the piles of books may have increased, but so has the happiness at home.

This small boy is big on reading, and what a joy that is!

Thanks to Eper for the link lead!

Classic line from the New Moon book: “Did you know you’re sort of beautiful?” *insert fan girl shriek* Go Team Jacob!

I still have shivers from watching it the first time.

What ran through my head as I watched the trailer (thoughts are in chronological order, and don’t read unless you’ve seen the trailer!):

1. New Moon trailer? This is different from the MTV Movie awards teaser?
2. Oh, it looks the same. Was this in the book? I can’t remember.
3. Woah. Kissy kissy.
4. Robert is hot. Kristen is hot too.
5. Aliiiiiiice!
6. Hey, Esme has new hair.
7. I love the look of this movie. So much cleaner than Twilight.
8. JASPER!!!
9. Damn, Robert Pattinson is so hot in that forest scene.
10. Aw, Bella on the forest floor.
11. Kristen Stewart is soooo pretty. I like her look better here.
12. JACOB IS THE HOTNESS.
13. JACOB IS THE HOTNESS.
14. JACOB IS THE HOTNESS.
15. Weeeeeeeeeeee! Wolfie!
16. November 20 is far toooooo far!!!

Repeat 5x.

Are you excited for New Moon too?

Jacob is hotness. ’nuff said. (via JoBlo.com)

Books are love. If you love books, answer any or all of the questions below! It would be great to learn from one another. Let’s keep our love for reading flowing.

1. What books are you currently reading?
2. What books are on your to-be-read list?
3. What book/s would you recommend?
4. What book made you fall in love with reading?
5. Do you have a book collection you’re proud of? Tell us about it!

I’d love to know your answers! Mine come after the jump.

1. What books are you currently reading?

2. What books are on your to-be-read list?
I have a lot of books in my shelf that I have not yet read. The titles escape me at the moment but I do know there are a lot of them!

3. What book/s would you recommend?

4. What book made you fall in love with reading?

5. Do you have a book collection you’re proud of? Tell us about it!
My sisters and I used to collect Archie comics! We had a huuuuuge collection and they’d be scattered all over the house. Some of them still are! I love seeing a Betty & Veronica Double Digest in the dining room, or a Jughead one squeezed into a corner of the wine cabinet. If we could have an Archie-comics-hunt at home ala an Easter Egg-hunt, it would be a lot of fun!

Veronika Decides to Die is one of my favorite books. This novel by Paulo Coelho is about a woman who seems like she has the world, but decides to takes her own life. The story follows her fall into madness and the beauty she discovers in it.

The book has now been turned into a film. Based on IMBD, it is scheduled to come out in March 2009. The film version of Veronika Decides to Die stars Sarah Michelle Gellar as Veronika. The movie also features Jonathan Tucker, David Thewlis, Melissa Leo and Erika Christensen. Take a peek at the trailer. It looks very promising!