The Twilight Saga: New Moon was released on November 20, 2009 at 12:01 AM. Katie and I went to the midnight showing at Carmike theaters in Athens, GA. We went around and interviewed people there to watch the movie. We tried to get a diversity of people to interview in order to get a wide variety of opinions about the Twilight phenomenon that has taken America by storm. The video posted above (Click on the the title of this post and the video should pop up above the post) is a compilation of these interviews, and shows what we think are the reasons behind the Twilight obsession. We hope you enjoy the videos that we have posted and gain some insight into the hype that surrounds the Twilight Saga.
Thanks!
Katie and Kristen
The link for the video on youtube is: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TGxxk_Sk9QI
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Saturday, December 12, 2009
Why is Twilight a Phenomenon?
The video that is attached to this blog is a compilation of quotes collected to explain the phenomenon of Twilight. These quotes come from a variety of people and sources. Some of the people quoted were interviewed on the night of the New Moon premiere. Some of the quotes come from cast members, and some quotes come from articles published on the internet. These quotes were chosen because we believe that they show how and why the Twilight saga has become a phenomenon in America. We hope you enjoy!
On November 20, The Red and Black published 2 articles on the Twilight craze that has been happening. The articles are by a fan of the series and a foe of the series. An article in the Red and Black shows how pervasive Twilight has been in our society. Not only are giggle high school girls obsessed with Twilight, a wide range of college students of all ages and genders are obsessed with Twilight also. Here's the articles:
'Twilight' showdown: 'New Moon' face-off with fangs
Issue date: 11/30/09 Section: Variety
FAN
I was disappointed by the Twilight fans on the movie's premier night. Maybe it was my own fault for getting so hyped up by the media attention, but I thought that my "New Moon" midnight premiere experience was going to make me laugh with ludicrous costumes or fake blood.
But no. Not one crazed, fanged fan was seen. Instead, I found myself surrounded by a bunch of normally-dressed people waiting patiently to see a movie. Perhaps my experience will reign unique among others who witnessed the midnight unveiling of the film, but the crowd was, in fact, unremarkable to me - as was the film.
Notably, I am affected for the worse having read the novel itself, but I felt let down by the ultimate storytelling of this movie. I never feel as if I have a completely clear or fair sight of the movie, having already read the books. It's undeniably difficult to sufficiently compress more than 500 pages of such a widely-loved book - no one will ever be totally satisfied.
This second film focuses greatly on Bella Swan attempting to readjust her life after her first love, Edward, abandons her. His abandonment leaves her with more than just a broken heart. Bella is literally a cold, lifeless shell of her former self - until Jacob Black, a childhood friend, re-enters her life and distracts her from her depression.
When it comes to handling the subject of Bella's depression, cinematic renditions were made that perhaps removed some of the intensity of Meyer's written word.
Much of the dialogue in the book progresses through Bella's internal monologue; in the film, Bella wrote several unanswered e-mails to Alice. Translations such as this were a pleasant artistic move from director Chris Weitz. While I may not have been ultimately satisfied with the final translation of "New Moon" to film, it is by the same old saying - the book is better than the movie.
The fact is, by being unhappy with the film, I may find myself extradited to the Twilight minority. Not many Twi-hards care if the movie is a dead ringer to the book - they'd rather gaze at the beauty in person instead of pages. "New Moon" will flourish at the box office - greatly in part to the pained, beautiful face of Robert Pattinson. That is why, despite what emotional marks "New Moon" may have missed with fans, it will almost certainly hit the one with a dollar sign.
-Jessica Brown
FOE
Before watching "New Moon," several people told me the movie was "better than the first," which didn't really matter to me because the first "Twilight" film, like the books, was total garbage.
But I found the statement true - in some respects. The movie was less of a hastily-thrown-together series of shots of Kristin Stewart biting her lip and Robert Pattinson glaring from underneath his eyebrows and more of the crew trying to do a good job with the dismal source material they had to work with.
I will concede that the film had its moments. It accurately captured the awkwardness of high school social interaction, but I have a feeling this was an accident due more to the stiff dialogue found in the novel than anyone involved being in touch with their teenage selves. And Dakota Fanning made a pretty creepy vampire, but even that wasn't as eerie as Bella and Edward's creepy, codependent relationship.
"New Moon" opens with Bella having a weird dream. Useless slow motion shot of Edward approaching, blah, blah, fast-forward to Jacob Black, who spent his summer growing biceps.
A series of events happens that serves no other purpose than to advance the plot so the story can sustain itself. Nothing about this movie is organic or natural (I even have my suspicions about that forest).
But the movie helped me narrow down what in particular I hate about the "Twilight" "saga." It's not so much the pointless liberties taken with vampire/werewolf lore or that the final book in the series is the worst book I have ever read, and it's not even the lack of faith the books have in the human race (Bella can't wait to shed her teenage woes for the perpetual thirst for blood).
This installment presents the alternative to lifeless, creepy Edward: Jacob. It's kind of a useless plot device, because by the end of the first book you know which one Bella's going to end up with. I suppose Meyer wished to extend the life of the series, and what better way than by introducing a conflict that doesn't even stand a chance?
Jacob is everything Edward isn't: alive, within a dateable age range, capable of feeling actual emotions. He makes her laugh and they build things together. When Bella cuts her head on a rock, he cleans off the blood without having to restrain himself from brutally murdering her. And yeah, he's a werewolf, but at least he's not after her jugular. All along, he is doomed to fail.
What I hate is this: This book series was penned by a woman and features a female "protagonist." But in this day and age, shouldn't we discourage young women from defining themselves by men? Can't we stand on our own? You'd think - with the plot hammering it into her head that she can't depend on the men in her life - Bella would learn to stand on her own two feet. But she never does. This isn't a love story - it's a tragedy of codependency. It's ridiculously old-fashioned (in the most negative sense of the phrase). When Edward leaves, Bella spends months staring blankly out the window. An extremely small number of high school relationships "work out," but are any of them worth your soul?
But really, I hated it all. I hated the Kristin Stewart Loud Gasping/Breathing Track, the complete lack of motivation of the characters, Charlie as a self-deprecating father figure when really he could be the voice of reason - and I still hate the vampire sparkle.
Jessica, Bella's pal that serves as her shallow, blond foil, asks the most poignant question of the film: "What the hell is wrong with you?" Bella doesn't really have a substantial answer, but I pose the same question to all the misguided fans of Stephanie Meyer's shallow, misguided venture into the supernatural: What the hell is wrong with you?
-Marie Uhler
'Twilight' showdown: 'New Moon' face-off with fangs
Issue date: 11/30/09 Section: Variety
FAN
I was disappointed by the Twilight fans on the movie's premier night. Maybe it was my own fault for getting so hyped up by the media attention, but I thought that my "New Moon" midnight premiere experience was going to make me laugh with ludicrous costumes or fake blood.
But no. Not one crazed, fanged fan was seen. Instead, I found myself surrounded by a bunch of normally-dressed people waiting patiently to see a movie. Perhaps my experience will reign unique among others who witnessed the midnight unveiling of the film, but the crowd was, in fact, unremarkable to me - as was the film.
Notably, I am affected for the worse having read the novel itself, but I felt let down by the ultimate storytelling of this movie. I never feel as if I have a completely clear or fair sight of the movie, having already read the books. It's undeniably difficult to sufficiently compress more than 500 pages of such a widely-loved book - no one will ever be totally satisfied.
This second film focuses greatly on Bella Swan attempting to readjust her life after her first love, Edward, abandons her. His abandonment leaves her with more than just a broken heart. Bella is literally a cold, lifeless shell of her former self - until Jacob Black, a childhood friend, re-enters her life and distracts her from her depression.
When it comes to handling the subject of Bella's depression, cinematic renditions were made that perhaps removed some of the intensity of Meyer's written word.
Much of the dialogue in the book progresses through Bella's internal monologue; in the film, Bella wrote several unanswered e-mails to Alice. Translations such as this were a pleasant artistic move from director Chris Weitz. While I may not have been ultimately satisfied with the final translation of "New Moon" to film, it is by the same old saying - the book is better than the movie.
The fact is, by being unhappy with the film, I may find myself extradited to the Twilight minority. Not many Twi-hards care if the movie is a dead ringer to the book - they'd rather gaze at the beauty in person instead of pages. "New Moon" will flourish at the box office - greatly in part to the pained, beautiful face of Robert Pattinson. That is why, despite what emotional marks "New Moon" may have missed with fans, it will almost certainly hit the one with a dollar sign.
-Jessica Brown
FOE
Before watching "New Moon," several people told me the movie was "better than the first," which didn't really matter to me because the first "Twilight" film, like the books, was total garbage.
But I found the statement true - in some respects. The movie was less of a hastily-thrown-together series of shots of Kristin Stewart biting her lip and Robert Pattinson glaring from underneath his eyebrows and more of the crew trying to do a good job with the dismal source material they had to work with.
I will concede that the film had its moments. It accurately captured the awkwardness of high school social interaction, but I have a feeling this was an accident due more to the stiff dialogue found in the novel than anyone involved being in touch with their teenage selves. And Dakota Fanning made a pretty creepy vampire, but even that wasn't as eerie as Bella and Edward's creepy, codependent relationship.
"New Moon" opens with Bella having a weird dream. Useless slow motion shot of Edward approaching, blah, blah, fast-forward to Jacob Black, who spent his summer growing biceps.
A series of events happens that serves no other purpose than to advance the plot so the story can sustain itself. Nothing about this movie is organic or natural (I even have my suspicions about that forest).
But the movie helped me narrow down what in particular I hate about the "Twilight" "saga." It's not so much the pointless liberties taken with vampire/werewolf lore or that the final book in the series is the worst book I have ever read, and it's not even the lack of faith the books have in the human race (Bella can't wait to shed her teenage woes for the perpetual thirst for blood).
This installment presents the alternative to lifeless, creepy Edward: Jacob. It's kind of a useless plot device, because by the end of the first book you know which one Bella's going to end up with. I suppose Meyer wished to extend the life of the series, and what better way than by introducing a conflict that doesn't even stand a chance?
Jacob is everything Edward isn't: alive, within a dateable age range, capable of feeling actual emotions. He makes her laugh and they build things together. When Bella cuts her head on a rock, he cleans off the blood without having to restrain himself from brutally murdering her. And yeah, he's a werewolf, but at least he's not after her jugular. All along, he is doomed to fail.
What I hate is this: This book series was penned by a woman and features a female "protagonist." But in this day and age, shouldn't we discourage young women from defining themselves by men? Can't we stand on our own? You'd think - with the plot hammering it into her head that she can't depend on the men in her life - Bella would learn to stand on her own two feet. But she never does. This isn't a love story - it's a tragedy of codependency. It's ridiculously old-fashioned (in the most negative sense of the phrase). When Edward leaves, Bella spends months staring blankly out the window. An extremely small number of high school relationships "work out," but are any of them worth your soul?
But really, I hated it all. I hated the Kristin Stewart Loud Gasping/Breathing Track, the complete lack of motivation of the characters, Charlie as a self-deprecating father figure when really he could be the voice of reason - and I still hate the vampire sparkle.
Jessica, Bella's pal that serves as her shallow, blond foil, asks the most poignant question of the film: "What the hell is wrong with you?" Bella doesn't really have a substantial answer, but I pose the same question to all the misguided fans of Stephanie Meyer's shallow, misguided venture into the supernatural: What the hell is wrong with you?
-Marie Uhler
Here's another article that I found recently. This article shows how some men perceive Twilight. It's another point of view.
Top 20 Unfortunate Lessons Girls Learn From Twilight
• By John Scott Lewinski
• November 24, 2009 |
• 5:30 pm
From a male point of view, the only redeeming feature of the Twilight books and movies is the ammunition they provide against female claims of innate moral superiority over men.
SEE ALSO:
Review: Angst-and-Fangs Formula Lacks Bite in New Moon
Whenever a woman criticizes a man’s lust, aggression, shallowness or any other lesser angel of his personality, the quick-witted fellow can point to the millions of women addicted to the base, insipid, bad-boy-worshiping, misogynist syrup so many female viewers of all ages knelt to this past weekend, when The Twilight Saga: New Moon raked in $147 million at the box office, setting several records.
(A side benefit: The Twilight films provide good grist for RiffTrax’s movie-mocking mill — see video embedded above.)
In the spirit of speaking truth to diamond-skinned power, enjoy this list of unfortunate lessons girls learn from Twilight. (The list operates under the principle that any grownup female who embraces Twilight’s junior-high dreck temporarily sacrifices her “woman card.”)
And so, with an insincere “love is forever,” we begin.
1. If a boy is aloof, stand-offish, ignores you or is just plain rude, it is because he is secretly in love with you — and you are the point of his existence.
2. Secrets are good — especially life-threatening ones.
3. It’s OK for a potential romantic interest to be dimwitted, violent and vengeful — as long as he hasgreat abs.
4. If a boy tells you to stay away from him because he is dangerous and may even kill you, he must be the love of your life. You should stay with him since he will keep you safe forever.
5. If a boy leaves you, especially suddenly (while telling you he will never see you again), it is because he loves you so much he will suffer just to keep you safe.
6. When a boy leaves you, going into shock, losing all your friends and enduring night terrors are completely acceptable occurrences — as long as you keep your grades up.
7. It is extremely romantic to put yourself in dangerous situations in order to see your ex-boyfriend again. It’s even more romantic to remember the sound of his voice when he yelled at you.
8. Boys who leave you always come back.
9. Because they come back, you should hold out, waiting for them for months, even when completely acceptable and less-abusive alternative males present themselves.
10. Even though you have no intention of dating an alternative male who expresses interest in you, it is fine to string the young man along for months. Also, you should use him to fix things for you. Maybe he’ll even buy you something.
11. You should use said male to fix things because girls are incapable of anything mechanical or technical.
12. Lying to your parents is fine. Lying to your parents while you run away to save your suicidal boyfriend is an extremely good idea that shows your strength and maturity. Also, it is what you must do.
13. Car theft in the service of love is acceptable.
14. If the boy you are in love with causes you (even indirectly) to be so badly beaten you end up in the hospital, you should tell the doctors and your family that you “fell down the steps” because you are such a silly, clumsy girl. That false explanation always works well for abused women.
15. Men can be changed for the better if you sacrifice everything you are and devote yourself to their need for change.
16. Young women should make no effort to improve their social skills or emotional state. Instead, they should seek out potential mates that share their morose deficiencies and emotional illnesses.
17. Girls shouldn’t always read a book series just because everyone else has.
18. When writing a book series, it’s acceptable to lift seminal source material and bastardize it with tired, overwrought teenage angst.
19. When making or watching a major feature film, you should gleefully embrace the 20 minutes of plot it provides in between extended segments of vacant-eyed silence and self-indulgent, moaning banter.
20. Vampires — once among the great villains of literature and motion pictures — are no longer scary. In fact, they’re every bit as whiny, self-absorbed and impotent as any human being.
Since the writer of this piece is clearly not female, the list came together only after discussing Twilight at length with women who enjoyed and detested the book and the first two movies. Olivia Dunkley, Vanessa Fewings, Rosie Lewinski and Beth Ann Lewinski contributed to the article.
Top 20 Unfortunate Lessons Girls Learn From Twilight
• By John Scott Lewinski
• November 24, 2009 |
• 5:30 pm
From a male point of view, the only redeeming feature of the Twilight books and movies is the ammunition they provide against female claims of innate moral superiority over men.
SEE ALSO:
Review: Angst-and-Fangs Formula Lacks Bite in New Moon
Whenever a woman criticizes a man’s lust, aggression, shallowness or any other lesser angel of his personality, the quick-witted fellow can point to the millions of women addicted to the base, insipid, bad-boy-worshiping, misogynist syrup so many female viewers of all ages knelt to this past weekend, when The Twilight Saga: New Moon raked in $147 million at the box office, setting several records.
(A side benefit: The Twilight films provide good grist for RiffTrax’s movie-mocking mill — see video embedded above.)
In the spirit of speaking truth to diamond-skinned power, enjoy this list of unfortunate lessons girls learn from Twilight. (The list operates under the principle that any grownup female who embraces Twilight’s junior-high dreck temporarily sacrifices her “woman card.”)
And so, with an insincere “love is forever,” we begin.
1. If a boy is aloof, stand-offish, ignores you or is just plain rude, it is because he is secretly in love with you — and you are the point of his existence.
2. Secrets are good — especially life-threatening ones.
3. It’s OK for a potential romantic interest to be dimwitted, violent and vengeful — as long as he hasgreat abs.
4. If a boy tells you to stay away from him because he is dangerous and may even kill you, he must be the love of your life. You should stay with him since he will keep you safe forever.
5. If a boy leaves you, especially suddenly (while telling you he will never see you again), it is because he loves you so much he will suffer just to keep you safe.
6. When a boy leaves you, going into shock, losing all your friends and enduring night terrors are completely acceptable occurrences — as long as you keep your grades up.
7. It is extremely romantic to put yourself in dangerous situations in order to see your ex-boyfriend again. It’s even more romantic to remember the sound of his voice when he yelled at you.
8. Boys who leave you always come back.
9. Because they come back, you should hold out, waiting for them for months, even when completely acceptable and less-abusive alternative males present themselves.
10. Even though you have no intention of dating an alternative male who expresses interest in you, it is fine to string the young man along for months. Also, you should use him to fix things for you. Maybe he’ll even buy you something.
11. You should use said male to fix things because girls are incapable of anything mechanical or technical.
12. Lying to your parents is fine. Lying to your parents while you run away to save your suicidal boyfriend is an extremely good idea that shows your strength and maturity. Also, it is what you must do.
13. Car theft in the service of love is acceptable.
14. If the boy you are in love with causes you (even indirectly) to be so badly beaten you end up in the hospital, you should tell the doctors and your family that you “fell down the steps” because you are such a silly, clumsy girl. That false explanation always works well for abused women.
15. Men can be changed for the better if you sacrifice everything you are and devote yourself to their need for change.
16. Young women should make no effort to improve their social skills or emotional state. Instead, they should seek out potential mates that share their morose deficiencies and emotional illnesses.
17. Girls shouldn’t always read a book series just because everyone else has.
18. When writing a book series, it’s acceptable to lift seminal source material and bastardize it with tired, overwrought teenage angst.
19. When making or watching a major feature film, you should gleefully embrace the 20 minutes of plot it provides in between extended segments of vacant-eyed silence and self-indulgent, moaning banter.
20. Vampires — once among the great villains of literature and motion pictures — are no longer scary. In fact, they’re every bit as whiny, self-absorbed and impotent as any human being.
Since the writer of this piece is clearly not female, the list came together only after discussing Twilight at length with women who enjoyed and detested the book and the first two movies. Olivia Dunkley, Vanessa Fewings, Rosie Lewinski and Beth Ann Lewinski contributed to the article.
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