Masterpiece Monday (Week 6)

HAPPY MONDAY!

Stephanie Meyer's Breaking Dawn: Chapter 5 - Isle Esme

 Week 6!

 

This week's reading is one of our FAVORITE scenes! As usual we put our own unusual spin with some creative music details. Enjoy!

Masterpiece Monday (Week 3)

~Masterpiece Monday~

This week's Masterpiece Monday is from Chapter 2 (Loooooong Night). I hope you laugh at our ramblings of Twilight as much as we did.   

Enjoy the soundtrack which includes...The xx - Infinity and The Intro (true wishlist tunes for the Breaking Dawn soundtrack); The Black Keys - Your Touch; Michael Jackson - Beat It; Kilo Ali - Baby,Baby (very throwback). 

*I am sorry about the sound quality...this is a work in progress*

Masterpiece Monday (Week 2)

It's that time again. 

Get ready for a chuckle or two with this week's Masterpiece Monday! Sassy reads from Breaking Dawn, Chapter 1 (Engaged). 

The last fitting...don't you worry Bella, we KNEW what you were thinking when you said "Happy Place".

*21 Weeks to go*

Torn (Twilight vs. Outlander) Why Should We Choose?

Hope this MANIC MONDAY post leaves you laughing...like it did me!

One of the many reasons that I LOVE Carol @ "My Outlander Purgatory"because...she feels like us! This is funny stuff. Seen this and truly laughed till there were tears, and hope that you do too!

(find the entire post here)

Manic Monday

So Monday is just a few short hours away from being over....what can we say, we had a MANIC Monday and are a little late on posting. Hope you get a laugh out of the funny images we found on a random Google search...

Water For Elephants: The Movie

We went to see the movie last night. Though we are still processing our thoughts on the movie, our opinions are running rampant! Thus, we decided to do a JOINT blog post to banter and discuss...all things WFE.

First thoughts though...WOW!  We were impressed.  Being both concerned that we had hyped the movie up so much that we would be let down, just to tell you...that is not the case. (Though, we do see through Rob shaded glasses, lets be honest) Rob Pattinson, Reese Witherspoon, and Christoph Waltz were excellent. Of course, Rob, was our favorite. He WAS our Jacob Jankowski. 

A few SEXY pictures (I really couldn't resist)

The movie stuck so closely with the book! I haven't ever watched a movie that accurate. The book even capturing some of the dialogue.  The whole movie felt so authentic. The look/feel was exactly as I had visualized, it was absolutely beautiful. Walking out we both felt we were born in the wrong decade.


We can think of at least 10 - 15 times throughout the movie that we looked at each other and said "Oh My, He-is-SOooooo-Hot!".  No one prepared us for the level of hotness that we would witness. (Pictures beforehand really were NOT the same!) And after all was said and done - its been decided - Rob looks best with a tan and some scruff...working, shoveling Rob = WHOA! I think my heart stopped during that scene where is shoveling horse maneauer in a wife-beater. I mean come on, he is shoveling shit but it doesn't even matter, he looks AMAZING!

This pic does not do him justice, but it is the only pic I could find...

So, just as we thought we had it under control, our love/obsession with Robert Pattinson came back with full force after watching this movie. This whole post could go on for days about how great Rob Pattinson is, but we digress.

Having read the book, we both connected with the characters in the movie easily. We were able to follow the love story and know where Marlena's heart lay.  However, we do wonder if it was as easy and heart warming to a movie-goer who hasn't read the book. Did they feel it? Did they love it as much as we did? I found myself sometimes wondering, "if someone hasn't read this book, do they think he's getting played by Marlena?".

A few of our favorite parts:

• Um....Hotel scene! (Except that some girl was giggling throughout - I mean, EXCUSE me - I'm trying to fantasize visualize watch the movie - keep your trap shut!)

• The clips at the end of the movie that were the home movies of Jacob, Marlena, and their children. We LOVED that. It was so sweet. (I thought quite a little creative move which allows you to actually SEE just a bit of their "happily-ever-after")

• The stampede played out exactly like we thought it would. We were so excited to see that come to life and it was amazing. 

• Jacob getting drunk in August and Marlena's cabin. Well...the part we really thought were actually - the effects of it. Barbara and the girls getting ahold of Jacob and dressing him up....neither of us were prepared for the level of AWESOMENESS.  I want to find that picture of him when he emerges out of that trunk.  WE NEED IT! We have searched all morning and cannot find it. If anyone out there has it, please help a girl out and send it. It it going to be our twitter wallpaper, phone wallpaper, hell it might even become by bathroom wallpaper (I kid, I kid). It really was epic...wig, makeup, costume, TASSLE. (Can't help but imagine Rob Pattinson may have ACTUALLY had a night or two like that himself? Hmmm? Drunk-man-walking...I think played suspiciously accurately. Bah-ha!)

If you haven't seen this movie yet, GET YOUR KEYS, GET IN THE CAR, and SEE IT NOW. It is worth it.

Let us know what you thought about the movie. Was there something they missed that you felt should have been included? Did you hate? Did you love it? Can you NOT stop thinking about Rob Pattinson now?

Tag your it...

Water For Elephants

Category: MUST READ, Robert Pattinson, Romance

Book Description by Borders

Though he may not speak of them, the memories still dwell inside Jacob Jankowski's ninety-something-year-old mind. Memories of himself as a young man, tossed by fate onto a rickety train that was home to the Benzini Brothers Most Spectacular Show on Earth. Memories of a world filled with freaks and clowns, with wonder and pain and anger and passion; a world with its own narrow, irrational rules, its own way of life, and its own way of death. The world of the circus: to Jacob it was both salvation and a living hell.

Water for Elephants…  I LOVE THIS BOOK.  I read the book in just two days and when I was done, I didn't want it to be over. I find that the books you love the most are the ones that are the hardest to talk about.

I had thought about buying this book so many times. To be honest, I had ulterior motives when beginning this book. I will let you in on a small secret.  I might have picked this book up shortly after hearing that Rob Pattinson was going to play Jacob Jankowski (don’t judge).  I knew I would want to see the movie since I am a fan of Mr. Pattinson.  So I bought the book and sat down to see what all the fuss was about.

Well, now I know. The book is great. The author does a great job of creating a beautiful world to let you get lost in.  The relationship between Marlena and Jacob is so sweet and believable. There is nothing over the top or desperate about their relationship. It is just real. Upon their first meeting, I was cheering for them. 

Jacob is an endearing character with a kind soul. Jacob’s journey has many twists and turns. Your heart breaks for him as he experiences life at its worst and you find yourself smiling when Jacob gets the happiness he deserves. The author also does a great job writing the secondary characters.  Each character is so unique....August, Camel, and Walter (Kinko). Sara Gruen is able to paint a vivid picture of the circus life in the 1930's.

If I am being completely honest, I did find one draw back to the book.  I did get a little bored when the story line flips to present time and the "older" Jacob is no longer narrating the flash back. I am sure the present time story line was relevant to the book, but my focus was on Jacob and Marlena.  I wasn't quite as interested in the "older" Jacob harassing the nurses and his fellow peers. I felt that it slowed the story line down. I found my self speed-reading through these parts to get back to the flashbacks with Marlena and Jacob.  That being said, it isn't a big enough negativity that it would hinder me from recommending this book to anyone out there. It truly is a great book and deserves its spot on the best sellers list.

The book is a must read. I fell in love with the world that Sarah Gruen created. The circus has never been more intriguing. I CANNOT WAIT to watch this book come to life.

 Movie Release Date: April 22nd, 2011

Let me know what you think...tag your it.

-Izzy

Eclipse

The Twilight Saga Eclipse

Borders Book Description


Readers captivated by "Twilight" and "New Moon" will eagerly devour the third book in Meyer's riveting vampire love saga. As Seattle is ravaged by a string of mysterious killings and a malicious vampire continues her quest for revenge, Bella once again finds herself surrounded by danger. Readers captivated byTwilight and New Moonwill eagerly devour the paperback edition Eclipse, the third book in Stephenie Meyer's riveting vampire love saga. As Seattle is ravaged by a string of mysterious killings and a malicious vampire continues her quest for revenge, Bella once again finds herself surrounded by danger. In the midst of it all, she is forced to choose between her love for Edward and her friendship with Jacob --- knowing that her decision has the potential to ignite the ageless struggle between vampire and werewolf. With her graduation quickly approaching, Bella has one more decision to make: life or death. But which is which?


Category: Must Read


Eclipse was probably my favorite book of the series aside from Twilight. Twilight is where the love story started and detailed Edward and Bella falling in love. New Moon tore that all apart and introduced Jacob and the wolf pack and then put it all back together. Eclipse picks up where New Moon left off with Edward and Bella back together, but it isn't the same. Edward cause a lot of damage while he was away so everyone must deal with the consequences of his actions. 


That's where everything gets interesting. We have a full on love triangle throughout Eclipse. Who will Bella choose? (I never doubted Bella's decision, but I could see the appeal of choosing Jacob at times).  Bella would be able to grow old with Jacob and both of their families. She could have a relatively safe and NORMAL life. But, is that enough, ummm, NO. Sometimes the safest choose isn't the best choice.

The reader gets to experience an increased hostility between Edward and Jacob throughout the book. Personally, I felt at times it almost provided a bit of comedic relief.  The underlying tone of the dialogue is hostile, but the actual context is humorous.


"But if you ever bring her back damaged again — and I don't care whose fault it is; I don't care if she merely trips, or if a meteor falls out of the sky and hits her in the head — if you return her to me in less than the perfect condition that I left her in, you will be running with three legs. Do you understand that, mongrel?" - Edward Cullen, Eclipse

We also see a new side of Edward, over-protective, jealous, and controlling.  Which in real life, I might have told my boyfriend to take a hike. But in the world of Twilight, I might just be OK with this side of Edward. It's kinda hot (lol). He just loves Bella so much that he can't handle the thought of anything happening to her. 


A couple quick reasons why I absolutely love Eclipse....

LEG HITCH (let me know if you have no clue what I am referring to, but chances are you are well aware unless you live under a rock...lol), nothing more needs to be said here...


 The Proposal - "I promise to love you forever- every single day of forever. Will you marry me?' -Edward Cullen, Eclipse pg 460


The Tent Scene -  I can't include a favorite quote here because I love ALL of it.  You get some humor and a lot of insight from both Edward and Jacob on their feelings for Bella. OK OK...just one quote because it always makes me laugh...
I don’t see you making yourself useful. Why don’t you go fetch a space heater or something? - Edward Cullen, Eclipse

We get closure on a lot of things that have stemmed right from the very first book.  The book was intense and kept me reading until early hours of the morning. I will even confess to getting up an hour early for work in the morning just so I could squeeze in just a little more reading time (lol...I know I am not the only one..cough cough...Sassy). Sometimes, you have to do what you have to, we did tell you that we have toddlers, right? I am sure there are others out there that have to get creative with their reading times...taking a long bath, lunch breaks, traffic (just kidding)...

The Movie -


This movie seemed the most main-stream if that is the right word. It targeted a wider audience in the sense that it had more action.  Mr. Izzy said he liked this one the best - the story line was better and there was some action. I guess I can see that.  All around it was a great movie. I felt it was well done.  One critique though - can we say close ups? There are so many shots throughout the movie that are zoomed right in that I thought it took away from the scenes.  But, that is hardly enough to deter me from watching it multiple times! 

My favorite scenes in the book translated well to the movie. I loved the proposal / leg hitch scenes.  The tent scene held the right amount of tension. One of my favorite scenes and I can't explain why is the fight training scene. I love it!

They must be doing something right with these movies since they are making billions of dollars! I can't wait for the next two movie installments of Breaking Dawn.

What did you love about Eclipse? What did you hate? Let me know...tag your it!

-Izzy

The Twilight Sage: New Moon

New Moon By Stephenie Meyer

Borders Description

Star-crossed lovers Bella and Edward face new obstacles in this vampire love story--the second installment of Meyer's #1 "New York Times"-bestselling Twilight saga. Meyer's runaway #1 "New York Times" bestseller is another irresistible combination of romance and suspense with a supernatural twist. Star-crossed lovers Bella and Edward face new obstacles in this vampire love story--the second installment of the Twilight Saga. Legions of readers entranced by Twilight are hungry for more and they won't be disappointed. In New Moon, Stephenie Meyer delivers another irresistible combination of romance and suspense with a supernatural twist. The "star-crossed" lovers theme continues as Bella and Edward find themselves facing new obstacles, including a devastating separation, the mysterious appearance of dangerous wolves roaming the forest in Forks, a terrifying threat of revenge from a female vampire and a deliciously sinister encounter with Italy's reigning royal family of vampires, the Volturi. Passionate, riveting, and full of surprising twists and turns, this vampire love saga is well on its way to literary immortality.

Be prepared…I am a little chatty today…

This was my least favorite book of the series.  That being said, it truly still is a great book.  I am just Team Edward all the way.  I was never one that was on the fence on whether Bella belonged with Jacob.  It never occurred to me the first time through the series that Jacob was ever even a serious candidate. It took me three times through the series to even realize that Bella actually did love Jacob more than a brother.  I was blissfully oblivious to this.

New Moon breaks my heart every time I read it. Stephenie Meyer conveys the pain Bella experiences with such emotion that I feel like my heart breaks along with Bella’s.  I do not cry often…however, every time I read the break up scene, I can’t help but let a few tears slip. The thought of having your soul mate ripped away from you with no choice but to accept the decision is horrible. Then to be told that he doesn’t love you or want you, yeah, I think Bella handled it better than I could have. Seeing hallucinations would have been the least of my worries...(lol)

“There were no footprints, the leaves were still again, but I walked forward without thinking. I could not do anything else. I had to keep moving. If I stopped looking for him, it was over. Love, life, meaning… over.”
Bella Swan, New Moon, Chapter 3, p.73

I thought Edward was an IDOIT! Why would he think it was all his decision and give Bella no choices?  But, I do realize that it had to be done. In the end, both Edward and Bella learned so much from the separation.  They realized that they truly cannot live without each other. It also gave the characters a chance to grow and learn about themselves.  It also gave their intense love for each other more credibility. The reader can believe the depth of it because they have seen the result of their separation.

Stephenie Meyer brought another supernatural element into the series in this book….the werewolves.  They are the polar opposite of the vampires and for good reason. Bella was left heartbroken by the vampires and a werewolf is there to pick up the pieces and protect her when the vampires aren’t.

I can give credit to Jacob for cleaning up the mess that Edward left. He brought some life back to Bella. As I said before, I was oblivious to the extent of the love that Bella developed for Jacob. I was however, well aware, that Jacob was head over heels for Bella.  Their relationship was light.  Jacob was good for Bella, but he was never enough. Could you blame someone for refusing to accept less when they know what true love really is?

He thought time and patience would change me, and, though I knew he was dead wrong, I also knew that I would let him try.
Bella Swan, New Moon, Chapter 9, p.219

The reunion scene was perfect. Stephenie portrays it with just the right amount of suspense. My heart was actually racing as Bella ran toward the clock tower to save Edward in time (And I knew pretty much how it would turn out since there were 2 more books in the series…so that is saying something, right?) And then finally they are reunited and it was heaven (cue the angels singing)…until it wasn’t due to the Volturi.

Side note here, one thing I thought was clever in the book was the fact that Bella and Edward did not kiss until after they returned to Forks (as opposed to the make out session in the movie – which I love for different reasons). But back to the cleverness, Bella could have been so freaking happy that nothing else mattered, but she didn’t want Edward to kiss her. Why, because it would make it just that more difficult when he left her again. Now as the reader, I figured there was no way in hell he was leaving her side again. But this was a perfect example of just how damn broken Bella really was.

Even though the overall mood of the book is somber, new elements are brought in and keep the suspense coming so the overall depressive mood did not drag the book out.

I couldn’t put the book down. I just couldn’t… I needed to know how Stephenie Meyer was going to make it right with me after she broke my heart when she took Edward away from Me (ummmm) Bella. I couldn’t imagine how she was going to make a book without much of Edward as good as the previous book where the epic love story started. But, she did it and she did it well.

“Before you, Bella, my life was like a moonless night. Very dark, but there were stars--points of light and reason...And then you shot across my sky like a meteor. Suddenly everything was on fire; there was brilliancy, there was beauty. When you were gone, when the meteor had fallen over the horizon, everything went black. Nothing had changed, but my eyes were blinded by the light. I couldn't see the stars anymore. And there was no more reason for anything.” ~Edward Cullen, New Moon pg. 514

On to the movie…just a few quick thoughts...

I felt that this movie is so much closer to the book.  There were a few liberties taken, but I think they did a great job. The pain and anguish Bella experiences is portrayed well. The almost comatose scene is Bella’s bedroom was genius. The movie passes the months just as Stephenie passed them in the book…with nothing. Another thing, the letters to Alice…Genius again. I love that.  We were kept up on what was going on inside Bella’s head without Bella just talking to herself or voice over.

The movie was honestly beautiful. The color scheme was so much warmer than Twilight. Another beautiful thing, or rather beautiful things....

.




Edward looks great, but Sassy said it well, "I'm Team Edward unless Jacob is SHIRTLESS!"








I need to quit now, I have made this into an epically long blog post. 

To sum it up...I loved the book, I loved the movie...read it, watch it! And then do it again! :o)

As ever, let me know what you think....tag your it...

-Izzy

Twilight

Twilight By Stephenie Meyer


Category: Must Read (If you are reading this blog, the chances are that you have probably already read it at least twice)

Borders Book Description


Isabella Swan's move to Forks, a perpetually rainy town in Washington, could have been the most boring move she ever made. When she meets the mysterious, alluring Edward Cullen--a vampire--her life takes a thrilling and terrifying romantic turn.Isabella Swan's move to Forks, a small, perpetually rainy town in Washington, could have been the most boring move she ever made. But once she meets the mysterious and alluring Edward Cullen, Isabella's life takes a thrilling and terrifying turn. Up until now, Edward has managed to keep his vampire identity a secret in the small community he lives in, but now nobody is safe, especially Isabella, the person Edward holds most dear. The lovers find themselves balanced precariously on the point of a knife -- between desire and danger.


OK. My thoughts. That's why we are here, right? Well, I could start by saying that this book changed my life, but I don't want to sound overly dramatic. Except in a way it did. It definitely changed my expectations of a book. I can not tell you how many times I have googled the phrase "what to read after twilight". After reading Twilight, an ordinary book just didn't hold my interest in the way that it used to. I kept thinking back to Bella, Edward, and Forks...


Before Twilight, I guess you could call the books I liked "chic lit". My favorite authors were Jane Green and Sophie Kinsella. I haven't read one since Twilight.  It's not that I think there is anything wrong with them. They were good books, but they just can't hold my attention like they used to. I found that I now need books that have a compelling love story, a little suspense, and even some action.


Another way it changed my life: ROBERT PATTINSON. I mean,come on.  Without the books, we wouldn't have the movies. Without the movies, who knows if we would have ever been introduced to the creation that is Robert Pattinson.  Personally, I had no trouble accepting that this was my Edward....

I can relate anything to Twilight. Sad, but true. It just seems like my brain can find any relation possible with the books and / or movies.  Here is an example:


Having Just Watched Red Riding Hood:

Izzy: So, that was a pretty good movie.
Sassy: Yeah, I thought so too.
Izzy:All these movies are jumping on the Twilight Wagon. Seriously, like there's a love triangle, an exciting slightly dangerous love interest vs. the good wholesome (maybe boring) love interest. Then you have the werewolf, which by the way, that wolf looked like he was part of Jacob's wolf pack...
Sassy: Exactly, but on the plus side - I felt like I got a little Twilight fix (lol). But of course, like always, the relationship didn't compare like I wanted it to...


As for the overall reason that I love the book, I feel like I can't put the reason into words. Stephenie Meyer created a world I wish I lived in. She made Bella to be such a relatable character. She made Bella's flaws "cool". Since when is it OK to be clumsy, completely average, and shy. Well, it is now. She wasn't made out to be a beautiful, larger than life character. Because of those flaws, you can relate to Bella in a way that you feel like you know her, and what normal girl wouldn't want the hottest guy in the world to love her?


I watched the movie first because honestly I had never heard of the books. (I know shame on me!) I am one of the fans that loved the movie. Whereas, Sassy, not so much. She stayed away from the Twilight Phenomenon because of the movie. (That is until I got ahold of her.) Something about the movie intrigued me. I watched the movie like 3 times in a week (I know what you are thinking...loser...hah). Then for a reason unknown to me, I googled the movie. I really don't know why, but I am glad I did.  I discovered the world that is Twilight. I found that there were 4 books and they were continuing making the movies as well.  I was so excited. I overnighted all the books to my house and read Twilight in a day.


The book and the movie to me are completely separate entities.  I like the movie for completely different reasons. It is in no way as good as the book, but that is normal for book adaptations.  Heck, I probably like the movie so much just because we are introduced to Edward Cullen as he enters the cafeteria. My god, the hair, the smirk, the walk! Honestly, who doesn't... 

The book was so different from anything else I had ever read. It had the right balance of suspense and romance. I had never before been so invested in the characters of a book. I felt personally attached to Edward and Bella.  To me, it wasn't a vampire love story. It was a gripping love story between a girl and a boy (who just happened to be a vampire). Stephenie Meyer threw all the rules out the window with this series. You want to keep reading just to know more about the Cullens. I found her vampires very intriguing. Since the book is from Bella's perspective you have to keep reading to unravel the mystery that is the Cullens. She made Edward to be the perfect boyfriend. We all know he has his flaws as well (can we say overprotective?). But even with the flaws, every women still wants to find their own Edward Cullen(hah...or believe their husband is their Edward!...I still you love you Mr. Izzy!)


Overall, I feel like I can't pinpoint the reason that this is my all time favorite book. I became completely engrossed in the book immediately in a way that no other book did. I didn't want to put the book down (and when I absolutely had to, I couldn't stop thinking about it.)  If you haven't read the book yet, stop whatever you are doing and join the club!


Now, I want to know what you think....Tag your it!


-Izzy