Risking the slings and arrows... Twilight series. Worth ANY of my time ? by AURaptor

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Risking the slings and arrows... Twilight series. Worth ANY of my time ?

POSTED BY: AURAPTOR
UPDATED: Saturday, March 27, 2010 22:07
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VIEWED: 5966
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Friday, March 26, 2010 3:25 PM

America loves a winner!

I've been avoiding it, completely.

I'm not exactly the target audience....and I'm not expecting Buffy.

I'm almost tempted to waste a couple of hours to watch the DVDs.

Let's hear it.

Summer Glau can simply walk into Mordor

Bones: "Don't 'rawr' her!"
Booth: "What? she'rawred' me first."

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Friday, March 26, 2010 4:15 PM

AVERYFINECOMPANION

I'm terrified of sounding like an idiot, but I'm already out of the closet about my fandom so what the hell...

If you mean the twilight series I can tell you straight up if your a guy (sorry I don't know you well enough to know) you wont like it. I don't care if its sexist to say or un PC. You won't. Its pretty much straight up angsty romance with some action sprinkled in.

I myself have avoided them for a long while. Until last year actually. And a friend of mine had me watch the first dvd and I think the haters sort of ruined it. It wasn't has horrible as I thought it was going to be.

And even this series followed the rule that the books are better.

As I said to a friend of mine. It's a guilty pleasure. Like that reality show you won't admit to watching. You know its not good for you but you can't help it

Also if you weren't talking about twilight then I will hide in the shadows....

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Friday, March 26, 2010 5:56 PM

AURAPTOR

America loves a winner!

You correctly corrected me. See, I'm so on the outside of this thing, I don't even know the proper title. Duh!

One of the things which kept me from watching Buffy and Angel for so long is that I didn't think I fit the demographics for it's target audience. And I didn't, but I'm not exactly alone on that count. Older guys than I ( and yeah, I'm a guy ) were watching Buffy and Angel, and I soon figured out why.

And w/ Twilight, I 'get' that it's a bit sappy and aimed at the younger crowd, but I'm just so tempted to check it out, if only to compare it to B & A. I figure that it can't measure up, and it's totally it's own world, not intended to mimic or compete w/ other vampire type stories....man, there sure seem to be a lot of them these days... but I digress.

I kinda view in along the same lines as Harry Potter. Geared for a much younger crowd, I was surprised to find that 30 something folks were reading these books, back when the series was just starting out. So I checked that stuff out, for a bit, but lost interest after the 3rd or 4th book. I'll still watch the movies, though I've not checked out the latest one yet. I'm a huge Tolkien fan, and just couldn't help but see similarities or common themes which I attributed to Middle Earth, and felt Rowling was simply grafting into her own story....but that's just a 'ME' issue, I guess.

Anyways.... I'll think about putting the DVDs on my 'to watch' list....maybe.

Summer Glau can simply walk into Mordor

Bones: "Don't 'rawr' her!"
Booth: "What? she'rawred' me first."

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Friday, March 26, 2010 6:31 PM

RIVERDANCER

Well, I'm the right gender for it, apparently, but I couldn't stand the first novel for more than a chapter or two. I'm an English major, I read all the time, and rarely do I put a book down without finishing it, but I got fed up, put it down, and forgot about it. The previews for the movie version certainly didn't interest me, even before I realized there was a connection between the movie and the book I became so disgusted with, and I never saw it. I'm tired of hearing about it, when I've read so many novels that are infinitely better and deserve more recognition and respect than they have gotten. Even Harry Potter, which I was hardly fanatical about, had twice the story and ten times the writing talent behind it.
You seem to be enquiring about films more than books, which is a venue I may be less helpful in, but if you're interested in reading materials I can recommend dozens of novels that are superior to Twilight.
Just avoid Eragon, especially if you thought Harry Potter was derivative. Talk about a story that's nothing but grafted-on elements from other worlds dreamt up by far more creative people. I lost patience with that one, too.

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Friday, March 26, 2010 6:32 PM

AVERYFINECOMPANION

See I'm in the minority on this board as I couldn't get into Buffy (I never really tried with Angel but I assumed I wouldn't like it if I didn't like Buffy).

I'm also way into Harry Potter even though I'm 25 which I'm not sure if its considered "old" for them. Later on in the books the story does get quite dark. I would be uncomfortable reading kids a story with torture scenes and what not.

But the Twilight series definitely has a "young" feel to it. My friend is also a fan and we were talking about one the characters being very annoying. My other friend chimes in with "He's only 16, don't forget that" It sort of was a "oh yea..." moment.

And P.S even as a fan, I wasn't too crazy about the second movie. Kristen Stewart really isn't the greatest actress. She reads very flat.

edit: Sorry to turn it into books, its just where my brain wanted to go.

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Friday, March 26, 2010 7:26 PM

AURAPTOR

America loves a winner!

Quote:
Just avoid Eragon, especially if you thought Harry Potter was derivative. Talk about a story that's nothing but grafted-on elements from other worlds dreamt up by far more creative people. I lost patience with that one, too.

Heh, I had forgotten about that one! When the movie came out, I barely even noticed.

AVFC - Angel isn't just 'more Buffy'. It's set more in the " real " world, beyond HS and beyond Sunnydale College, what ever. I think that's why I enjoyed it more, in some ways, and why I watched Angel first, before eventually going through the whole BTVS series on DVD.

But I really enjoyed the ever present tie-ins there were between the two shows, and how, every once in a while, they brought in a character, an event, or some reference, how ever small.

They're like an extra toy surprise inside each episode. It's awesome.

Summer Glau can simply walk into Mordor

Bones: "Don't 'rawr' her!"
Booth: "What? she'rawred' me first."

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Friday, March 26, 2010 10:03 PM

RAREAIR23

With Twlight I have seen the 1st one and thought it was reasonably good and I'm a guy (I guess I have a soft spot for a good romance movie...so shoot me). However; when I went to the Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen midnight premiere last year and they showed the New Moon trailer and here was an SRO (Standing Room Only) sized crowd reaction:

Ladies: YAY!
Men: BOO!
Ladies: YAY!
Men: BOO!
Men BOOOOOOOOOOO!

Nothing more need be said about how many people think of that franchise. Oh and that bit up there is a true story. I witnessed it with my own eyes and heard it with my own ears.

But Twilight for a movie franchise is decent. You'll find better in some places, worse in others. But that's just my opinion I could be wrong. Out!

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Friday, March 26, 2010 10:59 PM

TUJIAOZUO

I read the first Eragon book. I enjoyed it, but when the sequel books were released I didn't feel like I absolutely HAD to read them. The movie was a joke. As much as the book wasn't the most awesome piece of literature to ever grace shelves, the movie really shat on the whole premise. (as an animation monkey, I must say that there was one good thing about the movie, and it was Weta's design for Saphira. The leather feathers were a tad weird, but she looked gorgeous).

I am the right demographic for the Twilight books (female, 22, loves her books, appreciates a good supernatural/fantasy element and romance is always a plus) and I have several friends and relatives who ADORE the entire franchise. I can't stand it personally. I tried to give it a chance, I really did, but I didn't like the book at all (one of the few I just flat up gave up on) and I pretty much saw the movie to make fun of it after suffering through said book.

Movies are fun in an unintentionally hilarious, sort of way. Pattison and Stewart are (imo) horrific actors**, the dialog's chuckle worthy, and the overdone pastiness of the vamps (with sunlight disco-ball moment) is a riot. As for the second movie, I procured a copy of suspicious origins and only got halfway through. I got bored, turned it off and watched An American Werewolf In London.

So yeah... don't recommend the books. I recall rereading Treasure Island to purge my mind from vegan sparkle vamps and empty vessel female characters.

I guess I recommend Treasure Island in the end

Your Indian Pirate Lord,
Ash

** I will however give props to Taylor Lutner (sp?). Dude really takes his role seriously, while the other two don't. He's not all that bad, actually does all his own stunts too.

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Friday, March 26, 2010 11:31 PM

SHINYGOODGUY

Interesting post, Rap.

I saw the first one out of curiosity, online of course, and it was okay as far as fantasy fare goes. Nothing to go gaga over.

It was all a bit weepy and melodramatic for me, but not as horrible as I thought it would be. I'm a bit lukewarm about it as a film. I saw a bit of the New Moon (my niece is a big fan) again online, again nothing special, pacing was a bit odd, but it wasn't awful.

As a side note: a friend of mine actually became hooked to the book series, mainly because his step daughter was reading it and he wanted to know what she was reading. He finished the entire series and actually began to explain it to me. He's in his early thirties and so not the target audience, so there you have it.

Book or movie, it's not my cup of tea. BTW, I'm into fantasy/adventure and sci-fi (LOTR, Xena, Hercules, Clash of the Titans, etc.) but this Twilight saga is more romantic drivel than supernatural/fantasy. But thats just me.

SGG

Tawabawho?

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Saturday, March 27, 2010 12:20 AM

BIGRICHARD

Being a guy, I'm not exactly the target audience. I've looked into it, and it's not for me.

That said, my sister is a huge fan, along with a lot of her friends, and she loves the books. And even she admits the movies are awful. So I'd say avoid the movies.
Mind you, the one coming up is directed by David Slade (who also directed 30 Days of Night and Hard Candy, two fantastic films) so I might check it out, I'll see.
But yeah, honestly, I'd read the books, but I probably wouldn't see the films.

Also, Pattinson and Stewart might not be great in Twilight, but really, I find it a little harsh to blame them. I've seen them both in a few other films, and I always liked them, just not in this.

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Saturday, March 27, 2010 12:31 AM

GWEK

My wife is a high school English teacher who enjoyed the first book and said they got progressively worse as the series continued (I think she stopped in the middle of the third book).

I am, among other things, a movie buff who believes that almost any movie can be considered brilliant in the right context (someday, perhaps, I'll post my thoughts on why the DUNGEONS & DRAGONS movie can be considered "brilliant" in a certain light). I'd estimate that I've seen well over a thousand movies in the theater.

TWILIGHT was the first movie either of us have walked out of.

And it was her call, not mine (I was getting ready to settle in for a nap).

The problem goes beyond it being "romantic drivel". The problem is that the movie is poor in every way. The direction is weak. The acting is weak. The camera work is weak. The special effects are weak. The set design is weak. The costume design is weak.

And, let's be honest. When a movie (other than a sci fi movie or period piece) is so poor that you notice the COSTUMES are poorly designed, that's probably not a good sign.

The principal actors are supposed to have a "smoldering" romance, but instead they come across as somewhat mentally deficient. Kristen Stewart has two acting modes: mouth breather, and lip-quivering mouth breather--and she's the BETTER actor of the two!

If you're inclined to rent it, I imagine it might be worth an afternoon's effort, assuming you set your standards very low. But don't expect BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER or THE LOST BOYS. Expect a poorly-crafted indie film that folks have been tricked into thinking is a feature.

www.stillflying.net: "Here's how it might have been..."

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Saturday, March 27, 2010 8:16 AM

AVERYFINECOMPANION

I'm so happy we can have this discussion without the fan drama and insulting each other that happens in other places! It makes me so happy to be a browncoat!

Sometimes it gets pretty scary

Not to over repeat myself but I am with the majority that seems to think the movies are ...meh. I think I like them because I like the book series.

Also, Robert Pattinson is eye candy for me. Even in Harry Potter I thought that was one good lookin' Hufflepuff.

If you want to see some good vampires, I really like True Blood. Its got the perfect amount of campyness, sex, violence and storyline to be pretty entertaining.

edit: Again, the books based on True Blood are good too!! As always...

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Saturday, March 27, 2010 8:37 AM

AURAPTOR

America loves a winner!

Quote:
Originally posted by averyfinecompanion:

If you want to see some good vampires, I really like True Blood. Its got the perfect amount of campyness, sex, violence and storyline to be pretty entertaining.

edit: Again, the books based on True Blood are good too!! As always...

And that's where I part ways with many a fine fans of the genre. I'm not into vampires. The only remote interest I have is because of Joss and his works. I can understand it if avid fans may not think highly of Joss's adaptation ( or do they ? I have no real clue, to be honest ) But such stories can be interesting, regardless. I watched a good bit of Moonlight, if only because the characters reminded me of Angel and his lady cop friend, Kate Lockley.

Summer Glau can simply walk into Mordor

Bones: "Don't 'rawr' her!"
Booth: "What? she'rawred' me first."

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Saturday, March 27, 2010 10:37 AM

GWEK

Funny thing about TRUE BLOOD... My wife likes it more than me (I don't think it's terrible, but I'm not sure I'd watch it own), and sometimes when we're watching it, I like to squint my eyes and pretend that it's "Buffy 2.0," re-imagined by the same folk who turned the wacky fun BATTLESTAR GALACTICA of my childhood into the grim-fest that we have now.

If you think about it, BUFFY and TRUE BLOOOD have a lot in common:

Social misfit blonde chick with super-powers and few job aspirations? Check.

Angst-y, brood-y dark-haired vampire with a conscience as a boyfriend? Check.

Not-quite-as-brood-y blond-haired vampire as a scary romantic rival to the boyfriend? Check.

Best female friend involved in witchcraft? Check.

Best male friend who has an interest in both the heroine and the witchy friend, has a cagy relationship with vamp boyfriend, and promises to watch over the heroine when the vamp boyfriend can't? Check.

Ne'er-do-well sibling that the show would probably be better off without? Check.

See? Buffy "Re-imagined." And, hey, at least they didn't make Spike a chick. :)

www.stillflying.net: "Here's how it might have been..."

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Saturday, March 27, 2010 10:56 AM

NCBROWNCOAT

Quote:
Originally posted by GWEK:
Funny thing about TRUE BLOOD... My wife likes it more than me (I don't think it's terrible, but I'm not sure I'd watch it own), and sometimes when we're watching it, I like to squint my eyes and pretend that it's "Buffy 2.0," re-imagined by the same folk who turned the wacky fun BATTLESTAR GALACTICA of my childhood into the grim-fest that we have now.

If you think about it, BUFFY and TRUE BLOOOD have a lot in common:

Social misfit blonde chick with super-powers and few job aspirations? Check.

Angst-y, brood-y dark-haired vampire with a conscience as a boyfriend? Check.

Not-quite-as-brood-y blond-haired vampire as a scary romantic rival to the boyfriend? Check.

Best female friend involved in witchcraft? Check.

Best male friend who has an interest in both the heroine and the witchy friend, has a cagy relationship with vamp boyfriend, and promises to watch over the heroine when the vamp boyfriend can't? Check.

Ne'er-do-well sibling that the show would probably be better off without? Check.

See? Buffy "Re-imagined." And, hey, at least they didn't make Spike a chick. :)

www.stillflying.net: "Here's how it might have been..."

Uber fan of True Blood here. It's my favorite show since Firefly.

One thing you left out, female teenage vamp who messes up things.

And I can't stand Eric (blond romantic rival) and I have a serious crush on Bill the brooding dark vamp(Stephen Moyer-a Brit BTW but you wouldn't know it by his excellent Northern Louisiana accent).

And I have to admit that the books are filled with fluff and little character development but the series isn't. And the series promises to go very dark when Season 3 starts in June. I can't wait.

http://fireflyfaninnc.livejournal.com/

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Saturday, March 27, 2010 11:12 AM

AVERYFINECOMPANION

I ADORE Eric, and I cant stand Bill.

That and The Office (which Joss wrote a few episodes of actually and it had to do with vampires! heh!) are really the only shows I ever really watch now, aside from family guy and simpsons reruns...

There's just nothing good out there.

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Saturday, March 27, 2010 12:00 PM

MACBAKER

We got a free weekend of Showtime, so the wife and I watched Twilight for free (thankfully), and were not impressed at all. Someone said if you're male you wouldn't like it. My wife adds, "if you're a female over the age of 16, you won't like it either".

Here's how the series should end: ....... and then Buffy staked Edward! The end.

I'd given some thought to movin' off the edge -- not an ideal location -- thinkin' a place in the middle.

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Saturday, March 27, 2010 12:29 PM

AURAPTOR

America loves a winner!

Quote:
Originally posted by GWEK:
Funny thing about TRUE BLOOD... My wife likes it more than me (I don't think it's terrible, but I'm not sure I'd watch it own), and sometimes when we're watching it, I like to squint my eyes and pretend that it's "Buffy 2.0," re-imagined by the same folk who turned the wacky fun BATTLESTAR GALACTICA of my childhood into the grim-fest that we have now.

If you think about it, BUFFY and TRUE BLOOOD have a lot in common:

See? Buffy "Re-imagined." And, hey, at least they didn't make Spike a chick. :)
www.stillflying.net: "Here's how it might have been..."

Ha ha! That's awesome! I've never seen TB, but am gonna try to catch it on DVD / OnDemand now, thanks to your review!

Summer Glau can simply walk into Mordor

Bones: "Don't 'rawr' her!"
Booth: "What? she'rawred' me first."

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Saturday, March 27, 2010 1:28 PM

ISROUSRO

I am not the target audience for Twilight so here is my take.
Watched both Twilight movies on DVD, at home, with the laptop going. Did more surfing than watching. That is about the only way to "watch" these. As for Buffy and True Blood, both are so much better that I would not even start to compare either to Twilight. However I did buy the first twilight (used and on sale) and eventually will buy the second the same way. Never know who will show up and want to watch it.

passoniatetly indifferent

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Saturday, March 27, 2010 3:53 PM

GWEK

Quote:
Originally posted by averyfinecompanion:
I ADORE Eric, and I cant stand Bill.

That and The Office (which Joss wrote a few episodes of actually and it had to do with vampires! heh!) are really the only shows I ever really watch now, aside from family guy and simpsons reruns...

There's just nothing good out there.

Not to sour you on THE OFFICE (which I think is one of the three best comedies on TV today), but Joss didn't write any episodes. He directed two (one of which did, indeed, feature a bat).

He is also directing an upcoming episode of GLEE (which I believe guest-starts Neil Patrick Harris).

www.stillflying.net: "Here's how it might have been..."

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Saturday, March 27, 2010 4:31 PM

MAI

I agree with avery, couldn't get into Buffy. It's not bad (it really couldn't be since it came from Joss), it just didn't hold my interest. Although, there were a few episodes that I really enjoyed. I thought that Angel was a lot better.

Twilight books... yes. At least the first two... then it gets a bit umm well strange isn't even the word. Preachy maybe? I'm not even sure how to describe it.

It is definetely for a younger teen-ish set, but the story was still enjoyable enough. Twilight was a good book to get lost in for an afternoon.

I absolutely did not like the Twilight movie. I realize they change things in movies and shorten scenes to make it fit, but this was just not my cup of tea. I haven't given New Moon a shot yet. Although I've heard it's a different director, so maybe there is some hope there.

If you're looking for something new, definitely read and/or watch Trueblood. It's different from Buffy, but not necessarily better. It kicks Twilights ass by a long shot.

Before you criticize someone, you should walk a mile in their shoes. That way, when you criticize them, you're a mile away and you have their shoes

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Saturday, March 27, 2010 9:37 PM

AVERYFINECOMPANION

Quote:
Originally posted by mai:
I agree with avery, couldn't get into Buffy. It's not bad (it really couldn't be since it came from Joss), it just didn't hold my interest. Although, there were a few episodes that I really enjoyed. I thought that Angel was a lot better.

I really tried to watch it. I sat down with my friend and she put them in but I just couldn't do it. After about 3 or 4 episodes I stopped. I think I did see 1 episode of Angel. There was some old lady ghost haunting the ..other chick...

Sorry thats all I got.

Quote:
Originally posted by GWEK:

Not to sour you on THE OFFICE (which I think is one of the three best comedies on TV today), but Joss didn't write any episodes. He directed two (one of which did, indeed, feature a bat).

Ohh sorry. I knew he had something to do with the show...

It's still good stuff. Every character on there cracks me up.

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Saturday, March 27, 2010 10:07 PM

RIVERDANCER

Quote:
Originally posted by TuJiaoZuo:
purge my mind from vegan sparkle vamps and empty vessel female characters.

Brilliant.

Quote:
Originally posted by mai:
Twilight books... it gets a bit umm well strange... Preachy maybe? I'm not even sure how to describe it.

I do have to state for the record here that Twilight is the twisted* sexual fantasy of a repressed* Mormon housewife. I don't find it at all hard to believe that strangeness and preachiness both abound.

*Your definitions may vary.

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