A completely unbiased biased review

Watching the movie twice on opening weekend did a couple of things:

a) made people think i was insane

b) helped the movie gross 3rd highest in opening weekends

c) gave me the opportunity as a twilight fan to see if the movie holds up

A - I am not insane, but I do get overly excited for things like this.

B - your welcome summit. how about you guys stop showing previews that are just mini summaries of the movie. some people like to be surprised.

C - the movie holds up.

The first movie, Twilight failed on a lot of different levels. Too rushed, butchered meadow scene, tree-climbing, spider monkeys and really weird expressions/reactions. Catherine Hardwicke is a crazy hippie woman who was in over her head with an abysmal budget. I know Stephenie Meyer is not the best writer in the world (or in her town frankly), but the main area where fans connect to her books is in the emotions and gradual build up to near-crazy teen obsession. There's a vulnerability and attachment to the characters that cannot be explained (not out of lack of trying that's for sure). The point being, none of this was in the first movie.

New Moon's budget and directing blew Twilight out of the water. Most of the movie is straight out of the book. R+J is in the classroom instead of her living room, but it shows how together they are at all times in school. All of the pivotal scenes are there and the window scene with bella depressed and Lykke Li was the exact mood needed. The wolves were awesome and sometimes, really cute (I'm talking bout you Jacob). I think Kristen looked pained, hopeful, defiant and happy at all the right times. I was better able to focus on something other than Taylor's body the second time around, but his performance was solid for me. Rob wasn't in the movie that much, but he looked horrible and tortured throughout so that was pretty much right. Also, who could resist the "marry me" at the end. Millions of girls (and some boys) totally fangirled at those two words.

highlights for me:

1. Jacob with short hair and no shirt

2. the music was amazing

3. alice's wardrobe - i want everything

4. eric crying, jessica ranting and mike throwing up

5. jacob vs. edward at the end

Best part of the movie going experience is the audience. Funniest things that happened to me or i heard come out of someone's mouth:

1. Stampede at 42nd street AMC on Friday night by females over the age of 25 (manager came out to reprimand entire theater and embarrass people)

2. "she's a whore" said by idiot behind me about kristen telling jake that she loved him

3. "you've all read the book, stop sounding so surprised" - me to the audience at least twice.

4. "HOOOOOOOWWWWLLLLLLLL" - some guy at the beginning of the movie

5. "Look it's a new moon" - guy behind me.

"that's a full moon you idiot, and now it's an eclipse" - me

6. "what the hell?" - rachel.

"word for word from the book" - me.

"of course it is" - rachel

I liked the movie and I know that not everyone will - I can't explain why and really, I don't feel like I need to defend it. The movie's a financial success and they already shot eclipse. Next stop - freaky vampire baby!!!

The Olympic Peninsula, Portland and Seattle

I really should've broken this blog entry into individual locations, days or places, but that wasn't going to happen when i'm unmotivated and taking an excessive amount of photos that still aren't completely edited.

Here are my first few legs of my Pacific Northwest adventure - flew into Seattle, headed Northwest to the Olympic Peninsula via ferry and the famed 101 highway through Port Angeles, into Forks, La Push, and then stopping the night at Lake Quinault (the southern part of the olympic mountain range). We eventually made it into Portland and then of course, back to Seattle for my conference (and others enjoyment).

Map of the first leg. Drive back was straight up I-5

Rachel, Lisa and I riding the Edmonds-Kingston Ferry

First meal in Washington State - salmon fish tacos fresh from the water, asian slaw and seasoned fries. This meal is forever engraved in my mind.

Crescent Lake - the drive from Port Angeles to Forks hugs the side of this lake. It was the most gorgeous drive and super windy. 20 minutes Bella? I think that's an exaggeration.

Bella's truck! Edward's in the passenger seat? I don't think so...

Foggy first beach in La Push! Werewolves? No just happy dogs.

Lake Quinault - reminded me of Scotland. that says a lot.

The best biscuit sandwich ever in Portland, OR- this one's rachel's, I had one sans meat and plus collard greens. Although Portland was the land of the hipster/hobo - they sure know how to eat.

The Japanese Garden at Washington Park, OR. Top of the hills and an amazing representation of the area's trees and plant life.

SEATTLE!

Awesome clam chowder at Pike Market

Crab Pot! The messiest, but most fun meal we had.

Last meal at Cafe Dahlia (everything was AMAZING) - freshly made doughnuts topped off the meal and made us mourn our departure the next day.

All in all, a great trip with some amazing food. It always makes me sad to leave the west coast. I don't know what that says, but probably something about the lifestyle in New York. Love the city i grew up in, but sometimes you crave the unfamiliar.

Who knows how i'd feel in a city as small as Portland and Seattle. Would it be the same people or types of people over and over again? Sometimes, I think NYC is so big that you never really experience anything completely, without distraction, because of it. Something to ponder further...someone needs to move to the Pacific NW and give me their opinion.

Stay tuned for Vancouver!