Movie: Twilight (2008)

It was with much anticipation that I went to watch “Twilight” in the cinemas and I left it with very mixed feelings.

Twilight Movie Poster

A little background: Based on the wildly popular book series written by Stephanie Meyer,  Twilight is a tale about the forbidden romance between a mortal (Bella Swan) and a Vampire (Edward Cullen).  When Bella’s mother remarries, she moves to Forks to live with her father. Attending the school there, she meets Edward and his family who have a foreboding presence and are all too gorgeous to be true. Bella finds herself wondering why he has a seemingly immediate disdain for her, and this curiosity eventually leads to her falling “unreservedly” and “irrevocably” in love with him.

In the movie: Starring Kristen Stewart (as Bella Swan) and Robert Pattinson (as Edward Cullen) doesn’t really deviate much from the book which would statisfy fans of the book series. Both Stewart and Pattinson are not new faces to the movie scene, with Stewart having starred in the “Panic Room” (2002) as Sarah Altman and Pattinson having starred in “Harry Potter” movies as Cedric Diggory.

While the overall result of the movie may satisfy extremely devoted fans, I feel disappointed in how the show played out especially when compared to the book. Though I understand the need for cuts from the book to fit into the budget and time constraints of a movie, the way this movie was set, the mood and the choice of cuts to the plot really made the it lose the appeal that the book have.  Thus, the movie may do little in getting more people interested in the book.

Much of my displeasure seems to stem from the fact that the movie has been too hyped about, especially after the success of the book. Moreover, the way the book was written made the characters  (like the Cullens) too perfect, which made it hard to actually get perfect real life characters. Moreover, character portrayal was somewhat inconsistent with the book, with Bella seemingly more confident than Edward (and sometimes paler than him).

Though I am displeased with this movie (and really hoping that the follow-up: “New Moon” would be better…), the local newspapers here have reported that there are some fans who actually watched the show more than once, with one girl watching it 10 times in two different countries. So, I can’t really say it was totally bad…

Overall Notes:

The good…

• Carlisle was shown as expected
• Charlie acted his part and actually gave a refreshing touch to the movie.
• James acted his part
• Alice was gorgeous
• Screenplay was good for such a small budget.
• The ending of the movie was a saving feature for the movie as it closed the first part of this Twilight series quite well, though it would be better if Bella threw as big as a fit as in the book. She seemed quite agreeable to Prom compared to the book.

and the Bad…

• Plot progression was OK at best.
• Didn’t like the lighting in certain scenes.
• hmm.. I thought Jessica Stanley has lots of question for Bella after seeing her and Edward together after Prom shopping?
• At Bella’s house, Edward seems more furious than restrained, especially at Bella’s reaction to the kiss.
• There were moments where Edward asks questions out loud which should have been answered by his mind reading.
• Edward in the sun (and in fact, any of the Cullens) was suppose to be spectacular.. But the movie was not even close. It only showed him glittering (like he had dipped himself in glitters).
• On screen chemistry between Edward and Bella wasn’t as profound as in the book. Though this point has to be overlooked somewhat as we can’t really expect a total replication of feelings from the book.
• Supporting characters like Angela and Jessica didn’t really get enough screen time, though that can be overlooked also due to movie constrains.

The above only represents my view. In fact, the only few things my friend and I could agree on was that the casting of Ashley Greene (as Alice Cullen) and Peter Facinelli (as Carlisle Cullen) was 2 things that the movie got right.

(This post was updated on 23/12/08)

Movie: The House Bunny (2008)

Went to watch The House Bunny yesterday. I must say, the movie is quite hilarious with some eye-brow raising moments… However, the show seems to have some conflicting take-aways.

For the first half of the show, it seems that the movie is putting across that looks are everything and every male in the universe has just lustful thought when it comes to women… The second half, however, makes a point to note that there are men which are exceptions and looks aren’t everything. It subtly suggests that we should have our own individuality.

This 180 degree turn on views (regarding outward appearance or inward appearance) actually made me feel that the movie lacked a strong storyline. However, it is admirable that the script was trying to lead people onto the ethnically right thinking. The ending is definitely safe and nothing controversial.

With that said, I guess its best to enter the cinema and enjoy the funny antics and not think too much into the plot or underlying meaning.

Movie: My Sassy Girl (2008)

Went to watch “My Sassy Girl” the other day.

I must admit that  went in with not much enthusiasm for it, but left the cinema quite satisfied with the movie.

This movie is actually a remake of the highly successful 2001 Korean film of the same name. According to many online comments, the original Korean show was much better. However, as I didn’t watch the original Korean version, I felt the remake was decent, and quite pleasant to watch.

There are quite a few memorable parts of the movie…In fact, some of the quotes are still stuck in my head… haha.

“Jordan Roark: We have to stay alive, because we have to see how the story ends.”

“Charlie Bellow (or was it Charles?): If we never see each other again, and one day, you feel a certain presence beside you… that would be me, loving you wherever I am. “

“Jordan Roark: Destiny has spoken, and to search for him,will be like trying to shape and mold destiny and that just can’t be a good idea.

Old Man: Just suppose that the shaping and molding of destiny is infact your destiny…”

“Old Man: Destiny is the bridge you build to the one you love.“

“Old Man: I wish you a story with a happy ending and wisdom to look for it.“

Cheers!