The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 1 (An honest review)
This article was first published in the Philippine Online Chronicles.

If you’re a hardcore Twilight fan, you’re going to love Breaking Dawn. If you’re not a fan of the franchise, go ahead and see it but equip yourself with a sense of humour. The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 1’s tagline says “Forever is only the beginning.”

While it’s apt for Edward and Bella finally getting hitched, it’s also the perfect line to capture the tone of the movie. Some parts seemed to take forever to wrap up. Just get on it with already!, I thought to myself many times during the film. Then I remembered that’s exactly how I felt about the book. It, too, was slow and self-indulgent. It wasn’t all bad though. There was Bella’s stunning hair piece (highlight of the wedding, I must say). The much better chemistry between Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart. And of course, a cute little vampire baby. Spoilers follow.

So here’s what happened…

Finally, Edward Cullen (Pattinson) and Bella Swan (Stewart) are getting married. (Cue screaming of Team Edward.) Bella’s best friend, Jacob Black, (Taylor Lautner) becomes distraught at the news, then runs away with his shirt off (cue screaming of Team Jacob.) No worries, he appears again after the ceremony to congratulate the newlyweds, but not without some overly melodramatic moments (Cue the beginning of many yawns).

Bella and Edward spend their honeymoon in Isle Esme, a private island of the Cullens in Brazil. They finally have sex! I’m sure Bella was very happy. Edward apparently wasn’t, despite him saying “it was the best night of his existence.” Because of his super vampire strength, he not only broke the bed, the headboard, and destroyed a couple of pillows, but unintentionally gave Bella some bruises too. Traumatized by how he could have hurt Bella, he takes sex off the table. During their honeymoon. Even if his wife parades in skimpy undies. Meanwhile, Bella interprets the bruises as love. Way to send a good message to the under-18 crowd, huh? While not tempted by her skivvies, Edward eventually gives in to her pleadings after she cries about a sex dream she had of the two of them (Yes, they’re still on their honeymoon while this is happening). Shortly after (literally a day or two after), Bella is pregnant with a monster baby growing at an alarming rate. The honeymoon is cut short and they fly back to Forks.

Back home, Carlisle explains that this vampire baby could possibly kill Bella. Edward develops ill feelings towards “the thing,” telling Bella that they should get rid of the monster before she gets harmed any further. Bella is adamant about keeping the baby. Never mind if her ribs are being broken by the mutant baby. Never mind if it is draining her off her own blood. Never mind if she has to drink blood from a Styrofoam cup through a straw to nourish her fetus. Bella has suddenly possessed a strong maternal instinct and there’s nothing anyone can do about it. She also finds an unlikely ally in former mean girl Rosalie. Now BFFs, Rosalie, who always wanted to have her own child, takes care of a heavily pregnant Bella.

All is not well with the Quileute tribe, however. The werewolf pack believes that Edward and Bella’s vampire child is an abomination, a threat that can grow stronger. They decide to kill Bella before she gives birth, but Jacob comes to the forefront and acts as protector of the Cullens for now. He tells the Sam, the pack leader, he will kill the baby himself.

Back at Home Cullen, Bella shares her baby name selections with the family. If it’s a boy, E.J. or Edward Jacob, to which Edward beams. Seriously Edward? You want to have your baby named after someone who tried stealing your then-girlfriend away from you many, many times? And Bella, selfish much? If it’s a girl, it’s Renesmee – a combination of the baby’s grandmother’s names Renee and Esmee. Here’s where one highlight of the movie comes: Alice, Rose, and Jacob trying to stifle their giggles at how ridiculously absurd the name is. I wonder if Bella ever considered Charlisle (Charlie-Carlisle, see?).

Then Bella’s spine cracks and labour begins. This was the part of the film I was looking forward to the most. Not the feather-in-your-hair sex scenes, seriously, but the labour. It was written so grotesquely in the book I was curious how director Bill Condon would bring it to life. Bella writhing on the floor with broken bones? Edward biting into Bella’s abdomen to perform an emergency Caesarean? Come on! Surprisingly, it wasn’t as gross and as insanely written as it was in the book. At this point of the movie though, I didn’t know what to feel. I think I was numbed by the slow and sloppy pacing throughout the film that I needed this jolt of a bloody birth scene.

But hey, rejoice! It’s a baby girl! Renesmee is one healthy little bub, but mother Bella has flat lined. Edward injects his venom straight into her heart in an effort to still save her. While he tries to revive her, Jacob plots to kill the baby as a result of it killing Bella. But as he approaches the baby, something happens. He imprints. To millions of hardcore Twilight fans (including this former hardcore Twilight fan), this is another much anticipated moment. So that’s how werewolves imprint. Imprinting is finding your soul mate. Imprinting means he is obliged to love Renesmee forever and protect her at all costs. This was the love of his life, today and in the days to come, and his role as protector begins. As he looks into Renesmee’s baby eyes, he sees her future and the future they will share together. No wonder Jacob was always drawn to Bella. No wonder Bella felt “complete” with Jacob around (even with hubby Edward present). He was connected to her on a biological level. His soul mate, apparently, is the daughter of his first love. Yes, Stephenie Meyer’s storytelling is twisted like that.

The werewolves pack cannot attack Renesmee, as werewolves cannot harm someone from the pack has imprinted on. The truce between the Cullens and Quileutes is revived.

The film wraps up by showing Bella’s transformation from broken human to ethereally beautiful vampire. Apparently, Renesmee isn’t the only newborn in the family. Bella opens her eyes and reveals blood red pupils – the mark of a newborn vampire.

This former Twihard’s thoughts in a nutshell

The negatives: Clunky script. Schizophrenic soundtrack. Stilted musical montages. Stephenie Meyer cameo (She already had a cameo in the first movie!). Brazilian street party (the point?). Super leaden pacing. I can’t blame the movie for how bad it was though because the book it was based on pretty much sucked.

The positives: Bella’s sapphire-studded heirloom hairpiece. Bella’s life flashing before her eyes as she transforms into a vampire. (I loved the throwback to the first three movies and most especially, the family shot of Charlie, Renee and baby Bella at the end). Most of all, Charlie Swan’s reply to Bella when she asks him not to let her fall as they walk down the aisle (“Never.”). *sniff*

So that’s how Part 1 ends. What’s in store for the second, and last, installation? Well, there’s the Volturi, who learn about the marriage of Edward and Bella (and maybe even more). There’s the introduction of more vampires. There’s Bella’s adjustment to the vampire life. How will she tell her parents? Can she and Edward finally have unbridled sex? And of course, there’s Renesmee. What kind of trouble will she bring? What’s her future with Jacob going to be like? We will have to wait till November of 2012, or you can read the book and find out what happens. But just as I said in the beginning of this piece, equip yourself with a sense of humour. And patience. Lots and lots of patience.

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

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?

Each member of our family gets a ballot each. We all have to submit our votes before the show. The prize? Well, there is no prize. Maybe a little “Wow! That was a good guess!” and a pat on the back but that’s all. I think we tried it with money some years back but I don’t remember how that turned out. It’s all for fun anyway.

It’s also fun choosing winners from categories I’m not too familiar with. This year (and like many years past as well), I haven’t seen a single nominated documentary. I just go with my gut or what sounds like a good title. Thou shalt judge a documentary by its title.

Sometimes the winner is just plain obvious, but who knows? Maybe the Academy will catch the audience by surprise. I have a hunch a lot of folks from Pandora are going to have one major after-Oscars party though, don’t you think?

What are your Oscar traditions? Do you take a leave from work and watch the whole show (pre-show, show proper, post-show…) with your friends? Do you play drinking games, taking a shot of tequila everytime someone says “Thank you!” or “Wow!”? Why not download your official Oscar ballot too?

Enjoy the Oscars!

Meanwhile, this song has been stuck in my head for days now. I <3 this song. Oscar fever! "C'mon Annie, let's go to the movies!" "Let's go see the stars!"

Annie (1982) – Let’s Go To The Movies

So I finally got to catch the movie, and hey, it caught me by surprise. Read no further if you have not seen the movie and plan on watching it. Spoilers follow.

• Surprise #1: It is NOT a bad movie, but it’s not a great movie either. It’s a good movie if you didn’t like the book. I disliked the book (but not as much as I disliked, wait, abhored Breaking Dawn) so much that I just wanted it to end right away. I didn’t feel that way about the movie. So, surprise!

• Surprise #2: Taylor Lautner carried the film. I enjoyed his portrayal of a more grown-up yet still boyish Jacob. He did a great job buffing it up for the role, and I liked how he really radiated warmth throughout the film. He was the main highlight of the movie for me.

• Surprise #3: The Wolf Pack. Woohoo! Aside from the obvious eye candy, I liked that their presence in the film was not too imposing but strong enough to establish that they are a force to be reckoned with. This makes me look forward even more to Eclipse (bring on Leah Clearwater!).

• Surprise #4: The new Sam Uley. This was perfect casting. He really embodies the alpha male (alpha dog?) that is established in the book.

• Surprise #5: October to December transitions. In the book, Bella’s depression is marked by pages simply marked “October,” “November,” “December.” In the movie, it’s executed via a camera circling Bella by the window, with the changing seasons as her view. I’m marking this as a surprise because I was really interested in how this would be shown in the movie. I liked it.

• Surprise #6: Rachelle LeFevre as Victoria. I was expecting Bryce Dallas Howard with all the talk of Rachelle not being part of the saga anymore, etc. So the new Victoria comes in Eclipse. Oooohkay. I got confused there. If there’s one more movie with Victoria in it, I don’t get why they had to replace Rachelle then. I thought she did a good job here.

• Surprise #7: Better production values. THANK GOODNESS. I liked the werewolves’ transformation scenes. I liked the way they chased and killed Laurent. Chasing Victoria through the woods was also good. I thought the Volturi vs. Edward fight scene was a tad too long though. Slow motion much?

• Surprise #8: The Volturi. I thought it was great that the director established who they were at the beginning, instead of revealing them only in the end. Michael Sheen was Aro was creepy and awesome. I wanted more Volturi presence! But all that will be satisfied (I hope) in Eclipse.

• Surprise #9: The lackluster Edward and Bella acting. I was hoping it would be better this time, but it’s still the same eternally-pained (constipated, as a friend puts it)  Edward and eternally-blah Bella. Edward says in one point of the movie, “You’re my only reason to stay alive… if that’s what I am.” That doesn’t say much about the way he acts though. I don’t remember Edward from the book being so pained all the time. As for Bella… stuttering, stunted wordings, batting her eyelashes a mile a minute… those quirks are what I see of Kristen Stewart in her other films. I’m beginning to wonder how much of Bella is Bella, and how much of Bella is Kristen.

• Surprise #10: The lackluster Edward and Bella LOVE. Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson look the part of the pretty couple, but I just didn’t feel the love. I had the same issue with Twilight, and I still can’t feel their desire for each other here in New Moon.

• Surprise #11: I just realized how inconsiderate Edward is. If you’re breaking up with your girlfriend (but still secretly love her), why do it in the woods knowing that she has no sense of direction AND knowing that you’ll leave her there alone?

• Surprise #12: Alice’s vision of a future vampire Bella running in the woods. Okay Twihards, I have a question: Was that part of the book? Bella awkwardly running through the meadow in a dress? That was very painful to watch. Really painful.

• Surprise #13: Laurent was CREEPY. Too bad he was only in the movie for a short time!

• Surprise #14: Bella’s new look. I like that she looks more feminine in this film. Love her hair. And that turquoise bracelet she wears all the time.

• Surprise #15: Better pacing than Twilight. There were still some slow moments in this movie, but at least it wasn’t as dragging as the first film. Chalk it up to more action sequences I suppose.

• Surprise #16: The Ending. Nice way to keep the audience hanging! I like how this was translated to film.

• Surprise #17: That scene when Jacob takes Bella’s hand for the first time, and all other Jacob-Bella moments. Aaaaaiiiiiiiiiiii!! Shivers! Kilig! Awkwardness! Awww!

Obviously, I root for Team Jacob. Now, would I watch the film again? Maybe. Maybe if it’s on HBO I’ll catch it again. Or maybe if it’s on DVD and I’m having a vacant afternoon, sure I’d pop the film in. The movie really wasn’t bad. I’m just so, so, so glad it was much better than the book.

What are your New Moon movie thoughts? Feel free to share your thoughts and opinions in a respectful, civilized way please. I realize how passionate Twihards can be about the series, so if there is a difference in opinion, please handle yourself responsibly.

Image Credit: All photos from Photobucket.com

1. Mary Poppins. She’s not only great with children — at the snap of her fingers, a room gets uncluttered!

2. Maria. The hills are alive with the sound of her music! She’d teach my kids to sing about their favorite things and start from the very beginning, a very good place to start.

3. Fran Fine. “She had style, she had flair, she was there! That’s how she became the Nanny…” She’s funny and helped bring the three kids she took care of out of each of their shells. She’d make a great shopping buddy too.

4. Mary Anne of The Babysitters Club. She seems the most motherly and the most compassionate of the gang. If she considered taking her babysitting duties full-time after she graduates, I’d definitely get her as a nanny. Just no bringing around of her boyfriend Logan when she’s on duty.

5. Nanny McPhee. If ever the kids around me turn out to be spoiled brats, I know she’d set them straight. I’d get rid of the all-black outfit though. Too scary.

6. Yaya Rosalinda. She’s pushed around by little Angelina, but she still remains as patient and caring as ever. I promise, Yaya, my son won’t call you a Loser.

7. The Pacifier. Navy Seal Shane can be the “Manny” and our family bodyguard at the same time.

Well, life’s not like it is in the movies. Finding nannies that are as interesting as these seven isn’t easy. I’ll carry on my search hoping that I find someone who resembles anyone of these seven. Who knows? The next Mary Poppins may just be around the corner. *crosses fingers*

Image credits: Mary Poppins / Maria / Fran Fine / Mary Anne / Nanny McPhee / Yaya / The Pacifier

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)

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!