Here Comes The Sun and, I Say It's All Right

There has been a near constant litany of well-wishers assuming I am happy to see 2011 end. Although excited about the opportunities 2012 may afford, I am experiencing an overall sense of apprehension about saying farewell to 2011. The coming year is one step further away from Darryl. In 2011, albeit ill, Darryl and his sharp wit were with us, my bed was warm, our house filled with laughter and my heart full. Saying goodbye to 2011 almost feels like saying goodbye to Darryl all over. Maybe the trepidation I feel is guilt that I didn't hold his hand as he left the confines of a body that failed him. Perhaps it is fear that my memories will not be as clear tomorrow as they are today. Or maybe it is the fact that as much as I try and manage every situation, somethings are simply out of my control. The reason or reasons are an ever evolving enigmatic mess that once I'm close to understanding morph into something else entirely.
     I am a Leo...and as such have always had a tremendous strength of purpose. Goals are set and visualized. Steps necessary to achieve what I want are put in place. I'm in constant competition with failure and I like to win. It's incredibly vexing that my friends come to me for advice, yet I can't seem to help myself. It's not that I have to have an ordered world...all one needs to do is look in my closets or cupboards for proof of that. If left to my own devices, I would over analyze why I seem to need a study guide to understand how after months of doing so well, a date change can affect me so adversely. Luckily, my friends know me and my obsessive nature. They remind me that the why or how doesn't matter because it is out of my hands. Time moves forward and if you live in the past, you will certainly miss the future. Darryl wouldn't want Declan or me to be life spectators. He'd want us to be life participants. I don't want to have an epiphany in a few years only to regretfully realize I stopped living while trying to solve something that I was powerless over in the first place.
   Thank you my dear, loving friends. You've stopped me from digging a despair filled hole. You've put me back on the road of living for today and planning for tomorrow. You've reminded me that while some memories may fade, new ones need to be made. You've taught me not to fear the dawn but welcome it for the wonders it may hold. My friends, my champions, my lifelines...you honour me with your presence in my life. One of the best gifts to receive is true friendship. If measurable in gold, how truly rich I would be. 

Twihards Rejoice!

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Tuesday, November 22, 2011

By Barbara Morden

Twihards Rejoice! Legions of fans queued up for sold out midnight showings across the US for the latest chapter of Stephenie Meyer’s wildly successful Twilight Saga, Breaking Dawn Part 1. Directed by Bill Condon (Kinsey, Chicago) & scripted by veteran series screenwriter/producer Melissa Rosenberg (Dexter, Birds of Prey), this installment of the billion dollar franchise has left many scratching their heads. Why two films? With a domestic opening weekend estimate of nearly 140 million dollars and worldwide estimate in excess of 283 million, the answer is simple, money

Clocking in at just under two hours, Breaking Dawn Part 1 is the shortest of the four films thus far. More of a bridge film between Eclipse and Breaking Dawn Part 2, the  movie is at times slow, melodramatic and somewhat thin. Summit Entertainment could easily have condensed a few scenes, eliminated others and completed the book in one film. But what fun would that be?

As a self admitted Twihard, I realize this is not Pulitzer Prize winning material or even Oscar worthy film making. But, what these movies lack in substance, they more than make up for with hope and promise. And not the “I hope they promise to stop making these crappy movies” my husband was so fond of saying. Reaching a broad, mostly female audience, the theme of a deep forever lasting first love resonates with young people who hope they’ll one day be lucky enough to find it and a mature audience who remember the care free days of their first love.

Set designers and location managers out did themselves bringing the book to life. The long awaited wedding was sublime. Lush and verdant, it was as if the forest came alive with benches that looked like artfully carved felled trees, a petal covered moss forest floor and floral draped branches. It was a magical fairy tale reminiscent of Snow White’s wedding. The only thing missing were the woodland creatures but, as my friend pointed out, the Cullens may have eaten them for appetizers. With guests wearing muted tones of plums, wines and blues, the color palate was truly rich and beautiful as was the understated elegance of Bella’s (Kristen Stewart) dress. With Iron & Wine’s Flightless Bird, American Mouth playing in the background, the guests disappeared as Bella and Edward (Robert Pattinson) said their I do’s, showcasing the fact that, at that moment, they were the love and sole focus of the other.

Although the wedding came off without a hitch, some of the performances did not. Maggie Grace’s portrayal of the Denali coven “cousin” Irina felt stiff and forced. The contacts didn’t help. Instead of the desired otherworldly appearance, the Denali sisters looked less ultimate beauty and more plastic adult film star. The majority of the wedding toasts were campy, unnecessary and painful to watch. Humor for the sake of humor was not well received with many in the theatre groaning instead of giggling. But, there were some notable standouts as well. As Charlie Swan, Billy Burke was exceptional and Julia Jones nailed playing the bitter and somewhat broken Leah Clearwater. Taylor Lautner was convincing as love struck teen Jacob Black and it was refreshing to watch how his character has grown from goofy adolescent to rightful pack alpha. Stewart and Pattinson also showed, to a greater degree than past Twilight films, a widened range of emotions. A far cry from Stewart’s smirk, bite lip, smirk, writhe in pain or Pattinson’s sullen Cullen persona of New Moon and Eclipse.

The book’s long anticipated honeymoon scene, called by many fans “the fade to black’, was less racier than expected based on Pattinson’s Jimmy Kimmel remarks but satisfying just the same. Considering the PG 13 rating, the film gave fans a whisper of what they wanted without being overly explicit.

With the focus of the film on Bella, Edward, and to a lesser extent Jacob, there was little screen time for the rest of the Cullens and Quileutes. The face off over Bella was a welcome respite from the monotony of Bella’s pregnancy which gave new meaning to the tagline of Forever Is Only The Beginning. However, recognition must be given to the special effects wizards who did an incredible job making Stewart appear both gaunt and skeletal as Bella wasted away under the strain of the vampire/human pregnancy. The Quileutes, in wolf form, also seemed to move in a more predatory manner and the cgi interaction with real characters had more fluidity than past films.

While some would have preferred a densely packed longer movie instead of the cash cow milking Summit Entertainment is displaying by splitting Breaking Dawn into two films, fans of the series are already clamoring for more. Despite what critics are saying, if you are a fan of Twilight, you will enjoy this movie. I did, and am anxiously awaiting the release of Breaking Dawn part 2 in November 2012.

Gary Ross' Film Adaptation of Suzanne Collins' Epic Novel Promises a Visually Rich Tale

link to original Buzzine article

By: Barbara Morden

November 15, 2011

(Lionsgate - Release date: March 23, 2012) Lionsgate released the first trailer for their adaptation of Suzanne Collins’ much-loved Hunger Games -- book one of an epic trilogy. Penned and directed by multi-talented Gary Ross (Seabiscuit, Pleasantville), The Hunger Games is poised to be the next blockbuster franchise.

 

The fast-paced trailer offers a peek into the visually rich post-apocalyptic world created by Collins. Unlike the “mary sue” characters in Twilight, Collins’ characters are flawed, bitter, conflicted. It is because of these very human traits that the characters are also more believable and, for many, more likeable as well. There isn’t always a happy-ever-after in this tale -- something that resonates with the readers and part of why the trilogy is relatable.

For those unfamiliar with the best-selling young-adult series, the storyline centers on protagonist Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence). After her father’s death in a mining explosion -- District 12’s chief industry -- Katniss is forced to become parent to her younger sister Primrose (Willow Shields) and caregiver to her now non-functioning, grief-stricken mother. With the aid of her best friend Gale Hawthorne (Liam Hemsworth), Katniss escapes the district’s confines to hunt and provide not only for her family but also for others in her community. As punishment for a former rebellion against The Capitol, the 12 Districts are forced to choose a male and female tribute between the ages of 12 to 17 to compete in an annual televised battle: The Hunger Games. Like Survivor, but with the glitz and pageantry of a talent contest, the 24 competitors must use skill, force, cunning, and treachery as they fight to the death.

After Prim is chosen at the Reaping -- the tribute selection ceremony -- Katniss selflessly volunteers to take her place, effectively sentencing herself to a sure death. Along with fellow District 12 competitor Peeta Mellark (Josh Hutcherson) and prior District 12 winner Haymitch Abernathy (Woody Harrelson), Katniss is whisked away to The Capitol to start her training. Although the main focus of the trailer is Katniss, we are teased with glimpses of Rue (Amandla Stenberg), Effie Trinket (Elizabeth Banks), Caesar Flickerman (Stanley Tucci), and Cinna (Lenny Kravitz).

Ross’ choice of Jennifer Lawrence wasn’t without controversy. The rabid fan-base took to blogs and social media sites to express frustration that Lawrence was too old to accurately portray Katniss. As with any adaptation, there will be some rumblings amongst the fans. After watching the trailer numerous times, I found Lawrence’s portrayal of the heroine convincing. She conveys vulnerability, despite the hardened tough persona, especially as she volunteers, with voice cracking, to take Prim’s place. I am happily optimistic and anxiously awaiting the film.

From the lush forests full of life, to the concentration camp-like feel of District 12, to the sleek artificial opulence of The Capitol, the film promises to be a lesson in duality. The Hunger Games are full of life and death, loyalty and betrayal, love and heartache, fortune and poverty. The intense movie is a dark, cautionary, dystopian tale that, in light of the current Occupy Movement, seems even more relevant today.

For Fans Of: Twilight, Firefly, V For Vendetta
Why We're Excited: Suzanne Collins, Gary Ross, Team Buzzine Hearts Dystopia