Movie review --
By Kelly Cassano ‘12
The opening premiere weekend of The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn raked in a whopping $283 million, and it continues to draw huge audiences. The fourth movie of the series, saga to Twilight, New Moon, and Eclipse continues on with the supernatural world of love and hatred between werewolves and vampires. Breaking Dawn begins with the wedding of Bella Swan (Kristen Stewart) and Edward Cullen (Robert Pattinson). The movie continues on with the honeymoon on Island Esme. The honeymoon is cut short by the realization that she is pregnant with a half-vampire child.
I would rate this movie with 4 out of 5 stars. The characters in this movie have been built up since 2008 and I believe that this movie characterizes them well, growing up since the first movie. With four changes of directors, each movie has its own little twist to it. Breaking Dawn, under the direction of Bill Condon, switched up locations from rainy Forks, Washington, to the sunny Caribbean. With the change of locations, there was a bit of a brighter disposition to the movie. The first three movies were set in a dark and dreary rain, but this movie brightened up the series a bit more.
From a Team Edward perspective, you get to look into the trials and tribulations he faces in the fear of losing his new wife. As Bella disagrees with the family and decides to have the baby, Edward realizes how quickly it is killing her from the inside out. It is not until late in the movie that he shares the same love for his new baby girl, Reneseme. Not only does he have to save Bella's life by injecting her with venom during child birth, but he has to face the werewolf pack that is coming to kill the child.
From a Team Jacob perspective, you see his struggle with letting go of his love for Bella. Jacob Black (Taylor Lautner) tries leaving continuously but always finds his way back. Knowing of Bella's plans for the honeymoon, Jacob and his pack prepare for the battle that they are ready to attack. But Jacob soon comes to the realization that he can't attack Bella. He can't kill her. Finding out she's pregnant, he leaves his pack and joins the Cullens.
While some scenes seemed a bit cartoon-like, such as the wolves arguing with each other, I think that director Condon did a great job in expressing the different aspects of this supernatural world. The hatred between the vampires and the werewolves is shown very clearly in the beginning with the pack's only girl, Leah Clearwater, and of course the leader of the pack, Sam Uley. But as time goes on, Jacob, Leah, and Seth Clearwater make their way to the other side to protect Bella. The attack ends with the realization that Jacob has imprinted on Reneseme. There is one major rule in the pack: they cannot hurt anything that any of them have imprinted on. Imprinting is almost like love at first sight. But it comes down to wanting to do anything and be anything for that person. You can't fight it off. That person will be a part of you for the rest of your life.
The movie's ending was a bit gory. I think director Condon did the best he could do in having to show the child birth part. Once the baby is born, Jacob realizes that Bella isn't breathing. He works together alongside of Edward to bring her back to life. There is a big emphasis on the fact that Bella is dead. The director focuses the camera throughout the last final scenes on Bella. To see how it ends, you'll have to watch it. But in my opinion, it's definitely worth the time and money.
Breaking Dawn is very persistent in living on the legend that the first three movies set up. It lives up to the expectations it was given. Part 2 will be coming out to end the five-movie series in November 2012. It will continue on the lives of Bella, Edward, and Jacob, and you will continue to see the trials and tribulations they have to go through living in a supernatural world.
Thursday, December 15, 2011
Thursday, December 1, 2011
Well worth your time ...
Three Reviews
By Caroline Beckman '13
TV: Terra Nova
I'm going to be realistic here; when I turned on the television to watch Terra Nova on September 26, I honestly did not think I would like it. After all, science fiction is just not my favorite genre by a long shot. But Terra Nova features one of my favorite actors, so I decided to tune in out of loyalty.
I was pleasantly surprised.
Terra Nova, the tale of a group of people who travel 85 million years back in time to save humanity, has something for everyone. It has astounding special effects and first-rate gadgets for the science fiction fans out there, and dinosaurs out the wazoo for lovers of all things prehistoric. But if you took out the special effects and dinosaurs, Terra Nova still has all the makings of a hit TV show. It features romance, drama, and witty one-liners you'll find yourself quoting days after an episode airs.
It also features an entertaining cast of characters portrayed by several talented actors: police officer-turned-security officer Jim Shannon (Jason O'Mara); his doctor wife Elisabeth (Shelley Conn); their children, Josh, Maddie, and Zoe (Landon Liboiron, Naomi Scott, and the painfully adorable Alana Mansour, respectively); Skye (Allison Miller), an orphaned resident and possible love interest to Josh; and tough-as-nails Commander Taylor (the ever-fabulous Stephen Lang).
Even if you think you won't like Terra Nova, just tune in on FX one Monday evening at 9 p.m. It just might turn out to be your new obsession.
***
MUSIC: Laura Marling, A Creature I Don’t Know (Virgin Records)
Laura Marling won Best Female Solo Artist at the 2011 Brit Awards, and for a good reason. This girl can sing. It's no surprise, of course, that this English folk songstress is talented. Her mother was a music teacher, and her father ran a recording studio. Music is in her DNA.
She's not just talented, however. Her lyrics are timeless and inspired. (The inspiration for “Salinas” came from a John Steinbeck book, and “Sophia” was influenced by Robertson Davies' The Rebel Angels.) Her voice is strong and can range from soft and husky to clear and high, as demonstrated in “All My Rage.” Her voice, lyrics, and guitar-playing all contribute to a folksy-country feel that manages to harken back to an earlier time without coming across as archaic. The stories told in her songs could have happened on the American frontier in 1850. Or they could have taken place last week in London.
The songs on A Creature I Don't Know are low-key and perfect for curling up with a good book. Fans of the Civil Wars and Mumford and Sons (the lead singer of which is Laura Marling's former flame) will enjoy this album.
***
BOOKS: The Daughters Join the Party by Joanna Philbin
Joanna Philbin writes from experience when she chronicles the lives of teenage daughters of the world-famous. After all, her father is television host Regis Philbin. She knows exactly what it's like to be famous by an accident of birth, so it's not surprising that the fictional stories of Carina Jurgensen (progeny of well-known media mogul Karl Jurgensen), Lizzie Summers (daughter of prize-winning columnist Bernard Summers and supermodel Katia Summers, also known as “The Most Beautiful Woman in the World”), and Hudson Jones (only child of pop superstar Holla Jones) are so realistic. However, Carina, Hudson, and Lizzie are also teenagers, and have to deal with typical teen problems such as boys, mean girls, and parents who just don't understand them.
The fourth book introduces a new character: Emma Conway. Emma is the daughter of New York senator Adam Conway, but doesn't fit in with her preppy, political family. She prefers skinny jeans to sweater sets, and would rather take photographs than pose for them. When Emma is taken out of boarding school, after she incurs the wrath of her principal one too many times, and is put into her brother's ritzy school, Chadwick, Emma thinks her life can't get any worse. Naturally, she's wrong. Her father is running for President! Emma's life is about to do a completely 180, and there is nothing she can do about it.
When Emma accidentally announces her father's plans at a party, she finds out that she's a natural at public speaking. But being a teen in the public eye isn't as easy as it sounds. Emma – and her so-called “perfect” brother Remington – find out that there's a price to pay for fame and prestige.
This book is the latest in a series of excellent and realistic stories of four girls who are just like you and me – with the exception of their famous parents. The stories focus on friendship and honesty, and the four main characters are likeable and easy to relate to as they deal with the price of fame, teen problems, and learning who they are.
By Caroline Beckman '13
TV: Terra Nova
I'm going to be realistic here; when I turned on the television to watch Terra Nova on September 26, I honestly did not think I would like it. After all, science fiction is just not my favorite genre by a long shot. But Terra Nova features one of my favorite actors, so I decided to tune in out of loyalty.
I was pleasantly surprised.
Terra Nova, the tale of a group of people who travel 85 million years back in time to save humanity, has something for everyone. It has astounding special effects and first-rate gadgets for the science fiction fans out there, and dinosaurs out the wazoo for lovers of all things prehistoric. But if you took out the special effects and dinosaurs, Terra Nova still has all the makings of a hit TV show. It features romance, drama, and witty one-liners you'll find yourself quoting days after an episode airs.
It also features an entertaining cast of characters portrayed by several talented actors: police officer-turned-security officer Jim Shannon (Jason O'Mara); his doctor wife Elisabeth (Shelley Conn); their children, Josh, Maddie, and Zoe (Landon Liboiron, Naomi Scott, and the painfully adorable Alana Mansour, respectively); Skye (Allison Miller), an orphaned resident and possible love interest to Josh; and tough-as-nails Commander Taylor (the ever-fabulous Stephen Lang).
Even if you think you won't like Terra Nova, just tune in on FX one Monday evening at 9 p.m. It just might turn out to be your new obsession.
***
MUSIC: Laura Marling, A Creature I Don’t Know (Virgin Records)
Laura Marling won Best Female Solo Artist at the 2011 Brit Awards, and for a good reason. This girl can sing. It's no surprise, of course, that this English folk songstress is talented. Her mother was a music teacher, and her father ran a recording studio. Music is in her DNA.
She's not just talented, however. Her lyrics are timeless and inspired. (The inspiration for “Salinas” came from a John Steinbeck book, and “Sophia” was influenced by Robertson Davies' The Rebel Angels.) Her voice is strong and can range from soft and husky to clear and high, as demonstrated in “All My Rage.” Her voice, lyrics, and guitar-playing all contribute to a folksy-country feel that manages to harken back to an earlier time without coming across as archaic. The stories told in her songs could have happened on the American frontier in 1850. Or they could have taken place last week in London.
The songs on A Creature I Don't Know are low-key and perfect for curling up with a good book. Fans of the Civil Wars and Mumford and Sons (the lead singer of which is Laura Marling's former flame) will enjoy this album.
***
BOOKS: The Daughters Join the Party by Joanna Philbin
Joanna Philbin writes from experience when she chronicles the lives of teenage daughters of the world-famous. After all, her father is television host Regis Philbin. She knows exactly what it's like to be famous by an accident of birth, so it's not surprising that the fictional stories of Carina Jurgensen (progeny of well-known media mogul Karl Jurgensen), Lizzie Summers (daughter of prize-winning columnist Bernard Summers and supermodel Katia Summers, also known as “The Most Beautiful Woman in the World”), and Hudson Jones (only child of pop superstar Holla Jones) are so realistic. However, Carina, Hudson, and Lizzie are also teenagers, and have to deal with typical teen problems such as boys, mean girls, and parents who just don't understand them.
The fourth book introduces a new character: Emma Conway. Emma is the daughter of New York senator Adam Conway, but doesn't fit in with her preppy, political family. She prefers skinny jeans to sweater sets, and would rather take photographs than pose for them. When Emma is taken out of boarding school, after she incurs the wrath of her principal one too many times, and is put into her brother's ritzy school, Chadwick, Emma thinks her life can't get any worse. Naturally, she's wrong. Her father is running for President! Emma's life is about to do a completely 180, and there is nothing she can do about it.
When Emma accidentally announces her father's plans at a party, she finds out that she's a natural at public speaking. But being a teen in the public eye isn't as easy as it sounds. Emma – and her so-called “perfect” brother Remington – find out that there's a price to pay for fame and prestige.
This book is the latest in a series of excellent and realistic stories of four girls who are just like you and me – with the exception of their famous parents. The stories focus on friendship and honesty, and the four main characters are likeable and easy to relate to as they deal with the price of fame, teen problems, and learning who they are.
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