I have started to wonder if there comes a point when a person cannot reasonably comment on a cultural phenomenon because of her age. Maybe I am getting old, but I seem to be missing the point, or not sharing in the enthusiasm of the latest Vampire Craze. Now, lest you think that I am anti-vampire or something, I understand the allure of the whole Young Woman in Love with Good but Tortured Vampire. Heck, I watched the entire Buffy the Vampire Series and (with less enthusiasm) Angel. The attraction and following of the Twilight books and movies, however, leaves me in confusion.
I must confess that I have not read any of the Twilight books. I have, however, watched the first half of the first movie. Our cable is running a special where we can have free access to Showtime on demand and the movie is available there. I was curious to see what all the hubbub about it was and I began watching. First, let me say that everyone is very good looking who is in this movie. It is also a very blue movie. I understand that is the point of the plot; it all takes place in an area of Washington State where the sun does not shine much. Kristen Stewart may be a wonderful actress and I have seen a couple movies in which she has done a good job. (Speak in particular is very well done.) She will be in the upcoming movie about the Runaways, playing Joan Jett and I bet everyone will love it. She seems to do the waifish, sad, and withdrawn girl very well.
When these books and then movies started appearing, I heard things that suggested that the character of Bella is a strong female figure, one who does not get pushed around, so forth. And in a world where we like strong female characters, I thought, "OK, so it seems to be ripping off Joss Whedon and Buffy the Vampire Slayer, but maybe it will be fine." As I was watching the movie, what struck me however was that Bella was no different than any other girl captivated by a trouble and brooding boy who ultimately is bad for her. After I suffered (yes, suffered) through about half of it, I turned it off. The dialogue was painful; I saw no reason why these two individuals liked each other, or were drawn to each other. Nothing was made clear as to why the "good" vampires were in fact good and why they chose not to kill people. Now, maybe the book explains all this better. That happens when a book is made into a movie. Things get lost in translation. There was an inordinate amount of long, soulful stares with mouths half open. No one smiled. Well, if they did, not for long.
Not everything has to be a lesson (or chipper) and not all female characters have to be strong, but I get a little flummoxed when critics or commentators make claims that the central female character is a role model, when one is really not. I hope I do not sound like someone who says, "in my day," but Buffy was a truly good series that made room for character exploration and development. It used the whole fighting demons thing as a means of exploring typical high school and then young adult issues. The relationship with the over 100 year-old vampire was in fact doomed and that is how it played out. The show examined real issues of pain, loss, family, friendship, and love, but it also had a sense of humor. Occasionally the sun shined. I am sure all this was possible because it was a television series that lasted for seven years. The Twilight saga (yes, saga) deals with, I assume, a much briefer period of time. I can put up with some bad movies. My devotion to the Lifetime and Hallmark movie channels is a testament to that. But, the attraction to this story, by more than a cadre of twelve-year-old girls, confuses me. So, maybe I am getting too old to appreciate or understand the attraction.
I must confess that I have not read any of the Twilight books. I have, however, watched the first half of the first movie. Our cable is running a special where we can have free access to Showtime on demand and the movie is available there. I was curious to see what all the hubbub about it was and I began watching. First, let me say that everyone is very good looking who is in this movie. It is also a very blue movie. I understand that is the point of the plot; it all takes place in an area of Washington State where the sun does not shine much. Kristen Stewart may be a wonderful actress and I have seen a couple movies in which she has done a good job. (Speak in particular is very well done.) She will be in the upcoming movie about the Runaways, playing Joan Jett and I bet everyone will love it. She seems to do the waifish, sad, and withdrawn girl very well.
When these books and then movies started appearing, I heard things that suggested that the character of Bella is a strong female figure, one who does not get pushed around, so forth. And in a world where we like strong female characters, I thought, "OK, so it seems to be ripping off Joss Whedon and Buffy the Vampire Slayer, but maybe it will be fine." As I was watching the movie, what struck me however was that Bella was no different than any other girl captivated by a trouble and brooding boy who ultimately is bad for her. After I suffered (yes, suffered) through about half of it, I turned it off. The dialogue was painful; I saw no reason why these two individuals liked each other, or were drawn to each other. Nothing was made clear as to why the "good" vampires were in fact good and why they chose not to kill people. Now, maybe the book explains all this better. That happens when a book is made into a movie. Things get lost in translation. There was an inordinate amount of long, soulful stares with mouths half open. No one smiled. Well, if they did, not for long.
Not everything has to be a lesson (or chipper) and not all female characters have to be strong, but I get a little flummoxed when critics or commentators make claims that the central female character is a role model, when one is really not. I hope I do not sound like someone who says, "in my day," but Buffy was a truly good series that made room for character exploration and development. It used the whole fighting demons thing as a means of exploring typical high school and then young adult issues. The relationship with the over 100 year-old vampire was in fact doomed and that is how it played out. The show examined real issues of pain, loss, family, friendship, and love, but it also had a sense of humor. Occasionally the sun shined. I am sure all this was possible because it was a television series that lasted for seven years. The Twilight saga (yes, saga) deals with, I assume, a much briefer period of time. I can put up with some bad movies. My devotion to the Lifetime and Hallmark movie channels is a testament to that. But, the attraction to this story, by more than a cadre of twelve-year-old girls, confuses me. So, maybe I am getting too old to appreciate or understand the attraction.
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