Twilight

First there was Romeo & Juliet, then came Tony & Maria of Westside Story, and now Bella and Edward of Twilight. With every great romance story, there is a boy and girl who aren't supposed to be together for some reason; wrong family, wrong ethnic group, and now the mortal and immortal. Twilight is the latest novel to film metamorphosis.

The movie is a 120 minute summary of the 500 page freshmen novel by Stephenie Meyers. When I say summary I am sincere in using the truest definition of the word. In the novel, she is meticulous in her descriptions throughout the Bella and Edward sagas. Unfortunately the attention to detail is not present in this film.

Some of the support cast seemed to force their character out of themselves. Mike Newton, played by Michael Welch, is one example. Mike Newton is supposed to be a little arrogant and slightly jockish. In the film he is a wannabe cool guy, bordering on moronic (i.e. dinner scene of Bella and her dad with Mike outside the window acting like a complete idiotic fool). I attribute this to the fact that the film was a low budget movie and the casting budget did not allow for well seasoned actors or the problem may have simply been very poor directing by Catherine Hardwicke

So is the movie as good as the book? NO! With that being said let me point out the positives of this film. The cast is almost perfect. Edward is played by Robert Pattinson and his portrayal is what I saw in my mind's eye. Bella however should have been a little more plain than Kristen Stewart who is truly lovely, naturally. (I do understand that plain may not be possible to find in Hollywood.)

Technically the film was shot beautifully. The entire movie seems to have a very romantic and haunting look in every frame which is true to the book. The incorporation of the natural beauty of the film location (Portland, Oregon) is breathtaking. Mountains, rivers, very tall trees and cold rainy winter days, all were spot on to how Ms. Meyers described the scenery in her novels.

I have a few requests for the production company, Summit Entertainment for the filming of the the sequel, New Moon, that is currently in pre-production. First, if you are doing a close up of any of the vampires, please find some better contacts so the audience is not able to see the rims of the lenses. Second, develop the relationships of the characters a little more. Lastly, please don't rush the film. Twilight, the movie, was paced entirely to fast for this very detailed story. Twilight, the novel, takes quite a while to tell. If one book is split into two movies - so be it! Your teenie bopper (and middle aged women) audience will gladly pay full price to see all the books fully come to life on the big screen!

If you are going to see Twilight, read the book first. You will understand and enjoy the movie better!

Is this a full price movie? The answer is yes, if you are a fan of the series. There is nothing better than going to a movie theatre filled to capacity with excited fans cheering and oooing at all the right moments!

Secret Life Of Bees

As I sit here trying to write my simple opinion of this film based on Sue Monk Kidd's critically acclaimed novel of the same title, I realize how limited my personal vocabulary has become. Words such as amazing, powerful, beautiful just seem trite in trying to provide an accurate description of this film.

Set in rural South Carolina in 1964, the film has a simple plot with many threads running throughout. Dakota Fanning plays the young Lily who has lived the majority of her 14 years in the loveless world of her abusive father on their family's peach farm. After a fight between her and her father, Lily runs away taking her nanny Rosaleen (Jennifer Hudson) with her. Lily and Rosaleen find refuge in the home of the Boatwright sisters of Tiburon, South Carolina. These sisters, all named for months of spring and summer, are very unique for this small southern segregated town of the 1960's. August Boatwright (Queen Latifa), being the oldest sister and the family's matriarch, is a wise business woman and expert beekeeper. Miss August takes Lily under her wing teaching her about bees and life, usually at the same time.

Lily and her close association with people of color, during a time it was unacceptable for girl to do so, causes a problem or two for Lily and those whom she cares for the most. It is during these scenes I realized how far our country has come and how far we have yet to go.

There are many social and life lessons for all of us to learn from this very simple very beautiful story. Be certain to bring your tissues, they may be necessary.

Queen Latifa is beautiful and full of grace in her role of Miss August Boatwright. Alicia Keys shows off her musical talent as the music teacher May Boatwright (she learned to play the cello exclusively for this movie); she also demonstrates her exceptional acting ability. Sophie Okonedo portrays the slightly "off" sister May, only one word is able to describe her - extraordinary! Dakota Fanning, who was the sweet and adorable little girl in I Am Sam, has grown into a brilliant young woman whose talent has grown and blossomed as she has.

I certainly hope this film is considered for an Oscar when the time arrives.

Role Models

Need a good laugh? Not to squeamish about boobie humor? If foul language does not offend you easily, then Role Models is a must see movie. It has been way too long since I have been to a movie in which I laughed almost from beginning to end. In fact I have to see the film again due to the fact that many lines of dialogue were missed because of the continuous audience laughter.

I Went to see the flick on a boring Tuesday night right after work, and our theatre was FULL, even the front rows had butts in the seats. The audience was very diverse and all left the theatre laughing and grinning!

The movie is quite raunchy, slightly touching and frickin' hilarious. It is well worth a full price ticket to see it in a full theatre.

Note: Not a good first date movie!

The main players in this riotous big screen flick...

Jane Lynch - is brilliant and slightly annoying (however appropriately annoying) as Gayle Sweeny recovering drug addict and current director of a children's mentoring organization.

Seann William Scott - typecast as Wheeler, just a slightly milder version of his infamous role of Stifler in American Pie

Paul Rudd - Danny is a sulking, melancholy, downright depressed, marketing rep. He is the character in which this film revolves. All others just get caught up in the funk he is going through and ride along with him in his rise out of funkdom.

Christopher Mintz-Plasse - what a great young actor who pulls off the geeky, strong nerd Augie, with grace and finesse.

Bobb'e J. Thompson - may only be 12 years old but he is a comedic master. Ronnie is a hellion of a child who completely steals the show!