“Twilight” movie a disappointment to even the most devout fans
November 24, 2008
By Min Qiao
<mqiao@hilite.org>
The phenomenon that is Twilight is amazing. As a devout follower of Stephenie Meyer’s series, I can vouch for the incredibly magical, yet believable plot that Meyer has crafted throughout her first three books. The story of Twilight begins when Bella Swan moves to the small town of Forks, WA to live with her father. At school, she is introduced to a clique of kids, the Cullens, who stand in stark contrast from the rest. After a considerable amount of nosing and probing, Bella finds out that they are, in fact, vampires. Throughout all of this, Bella finds herself falling in love with Edward Cullen, one of the vampires. Twilight is a classic tale of girl meets boy with a perfect mix of supernatural and thrill that leaves the reader eager for the sequel.
Unfortunately, the movie version of this story loses something in the translation. If all the magic and subtleties of Meyer’s work were translated to the movie, then “Twilight” might actually be halfway decent. Of course, like most book-to-movies, all of the elements that made the book such a phenomenon were swept away in a sea of epic background music and dramatic close-up shots. Director Catherine Hardwicke has overdone herself, trying to please the followers of the Twilight religion so much that the average, initiated movie-watcher would be lost in this whirlwind of events in which all the transitions were forsaken for another close-up of Edward and Bella, staring longingly into each other eyes, obviously shot for all those Team Edward fans . The star-crossed romance of Bella and Edward was rushed and chopped up into a couple of hackneyed scenes that looked like a bad job of cutting and pasting from the books with none of that chemistry that Meyer crafted. In fact, the only way the audience would even know that Bella and Edward are an “item” is because Bella’s annoying cop-out of Meredith Grey’s narration quoted the book saying “About three things I was absolutely positive: First, Edward was a vampire. Second,there was a part of him–and I didn’t know how dominant that part might be–that thirsted for my blood. And third, I was unconditionally and irrevocably in love with him.”
Of course, the fact that Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart had absolutely no on-screen chemistry did not help. The light-hearted bantering between Edward and Bella in the books was replaced with an awkwardness that most would cringe at. Perhaps this has something to do with the fact that Pattinson looked pained and constipated in most of his scenes as he delivered his lines through clenched teeth. Yes, I understand that Edward is known for his tortured soul act, but Pattinson’s portrayal of that was definitely sub-par. And while I commend Hardwicke for trying to incorporated some of the humor that made Bella and Edward’s romance believable into the books, it was an utterly dismal attempt especially when combined with Pattinson’s constant state of agony.
As for special effects, let’s just say that it looked a bad episode of “Charmed” and the ashen-faced vampires closely resembled geishas. The one scene that I was looking forward to was the romantic scene in the meadow where Bella gets to see Edward sparkling in the sun for the first time. And they butchered it. Where it was supposed to be romantic, it was violent and clichéd. Where it was supposed to be magical, well, it looked like they decided to dunk Pattinson in a tub of glitter.
The only thing that somewhat salvaged this movie was interactions between Bella and her father. The awkwardness and cluelessness of Charlie came to life in the movie as he struggled to raise a teenage girl in a dangerous town. One of the funniest scenes in the movie was when Bella tells her father that she would be going on a date with Edward. Charlie responds with a couple of skeptical retorts before finally saying “Bring him in” and then snaps his rifle shut.
Despite its best attempts, “Twilight’s” crudely stringed together patches from the book gave no consideration for the crucial transitional details that made this impossible tale such a success for Meyer. This, mixed with the bad acting, lame attempts at humor and a healthy dose of ’80s special effects makes for a third-rate film and leaves the audience resigned to simply staring at the eye candy. Oh, no wait. They butchered that too with Pattinson.
Overall:
D
“Twilight” movie satisfies gushing fans with brooding, brooding and more brooding
November 24, 2008
By Meher Ahmad
<mahmad@hilite.org>
The much anticipated “Twilight” movie was released on Nov. 21, and among crowds of worshipping fans, I was one among many who left with a sense of disappointment, shock and perhaps even hilarity.
The film version of the hit book series described the romance between the brooding vampire Edward and the brooding mortal Bella, both of whom continue to brood in various settings for roughly 78 percent of the movie. The characters are hardly dynamic, upholding the same aura of mysteriousness throughout the whole film.
Although I have read the first book, I haven’t re-read it until every detail was clear in my head. The plot-line in the movie was followed roughly in the same order as the book, but the romance between Bella and Edward was obviously rushed. The book creates tangible tension between the two characters, who dance around each other for a good month until they actually approach each other. In the movie, it only took a few scenes of awkwardness for the two to progress into staring longingly at each other lying in a field of flowers and proclaiming their undying love.
The tension described in the book was instead replaced by unbearable awkwardness. Perhaps romantic tension reads better in books than in films, but I was uncomfortable in my seat watching the increasingly awkward encounters of Bella with various people of Forks, WA.
The rushed plot line was only half of the problem, however. Director Catherine Hardwicke attempted to create an artsy style of presenting the gushing romance but instead created an obvious gimmick. There were several sepia-toned montages in the movie, narrated of course, by question and answer sessions with Edward and Bella. The camera focused many times on only the actors’ eyes, then panned out into a glamour-shot pose with wind blowing in their hair, an evident gift for crazed fans. The epitome of cheesiness, however, was the scene where the ever-brooding Edward played DeBussy on a grand piano in an empty warehouse with a dramatic light shining at an angle over his chiseled jaw as Bella looked on dreamily.
In order to keep the viewer informed, the director sacrificed a sense of unity in the movie by cutting to scenes without any introduction to them. More than once, the audience left the brooding face of Bella or Edward suddenly to see a group of vampires attacking someone, and then abruptly returning to the ongoing brooding.
The only aspect of the movie I enjoyed was the sweeping shots of the North-Pacific landscape accompanied by some surprisingly interesting music, with songs by Iron & Wine and Muse. Hardwicke created a bluish tinge to the entire movie, creating a beautiful surrounding for the characters to gaze into each others smoldering eyes for prolonged periods of time.
Accompanied mostly with dramatic, theatrical music, however, most of the film appeared to be a slow-motion, angst-y music video rather than a coherent movie. In fact, I would say that most of the hour-long shows on television do a better job of creating an enjoyable work of entertainment than “Twilight.” It felt more like a prolonged episode of “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” with less dialogue and more, you guessed it, brooding.
Overall:
F
Media specialist wins Pfeiffer Service Award
November 23, 2008
By Lauren Mugavin
<lmugavin@hilite.org>
On Nov. 19, media department chairperson Bonnie Grimble won the Peggy L. Pfeiffer Service Award at the Indiana Library Federation awards dinner. She received the award for her overall work and service as a media specialist.
“I feel quite honored and proud,” Grimble said. She received this award for her 30 years of commitment to the library media organizations of Carmel High School and Warsaw Community Schools. She has been a media specialist at Carmel for 14 years.
“The experience of working with my state and national assossiation has made me a better media specialist in so many ways,” Grimble said.
State tickets on sale in Activities Office
November 23, 2008
By Cathy Chen
<cchen@hilite.org>
After its 38-3 win over Penn on Nov. 21 at Semi-State, the football team will play against Center Grove at 7 p.m. on Nov. 29 at the Lucas Oil Stadium for the State title.
According to athletics director Jim Inskeep, tickets for the State game will be on sale in the Activites Office on Nov. 24 and 25 from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and from 6 to 8 p.m. and on Nov. 26 from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tickets cost $15 and are good for admission to all three games at the Lucas Oil Stadium on Nov. 29, including the Bellmont v. Evansville Memorial game at noon (Class 3A State championship) and the Bishop Dwenger v. Cathedral game at 3:30 p.m. (Class 4A).
Translating political attitude into action
November 20, 2008
By Bennett Fuson
<bfuson@hilite.org>
It’s been a whole 16 days since the end of the election, and regardless of political affiliation, people are starting to return to normal. At every turn I’ve noticed students divert from intellectual discussions on foreign policy and environmentalism to banter of clothes and videogames and nothing of any particular value.
This is a major buzz kill for those of us who saw, at least momentarily, a small glimmer of hope for the chance to demonstrate that as the collective apathetic youth of this country, we could, in fact, rise up and care about something substantial. For one shining moment, youth across America rose up and made their voices heard, regardless of who they supported. But now the dust of the election has settled, and I get a sense that even the most ardent supporters of President-elect Obama have adopted a slight sense of apathy towards the government.
Even though the election’s over, there is still so much more we as a people can do. Working towards a better nation should not only happen every four years. Even at a local level, there’s still so much we can do to help create a better community for all of us.
I don’t understand how such intense political involvement can essentially evaporate in the course of 48 hours. When Obama picked Rahm Emmanuel as his chief-of-staff, no one seemed to care. But had it been a month earlier (or, possibly, even days earlier), the announcement would have been all over the news. If this reaction is any sign of the next four years, what’s the point of voting for change anyways?
The founders of the American government strove to create “a government for the people.” But I wonder, what’s the point of creating a government for the people if the people treat it with indifference? It’s no wonder that private interests have such a powerful sway in Washington: the American people just sit back and watch as the economy crashes and burns and the environment fades away under the smog of a disastrous fuel supply that can’t be replaced because of its impact on the wallets of billionaires. Is it any wonder we’re a country headed backwards?
We as a people should embrace both the benefits and responsibilities of upkeep for this country. True, having a majority of Democrats in both the House of Representatives and Senate as well as a Democratic president will inspire some reform in the federal government - but we as a people must pursue reform as well. A prime example of this would be the resent protest over the passing of Proposition 8 in California, spurring a city wide protest in San Francisco. Regardless of one’s stance on gay marriage (the topic of Prop 8), the willingness to fight for a belief has to be admired. If San Francisco can march for gay rights, can’t concerned citizens march for economic reform and environmental litigation?
Now that we officially have a new president, it’s time to begin the fight for a better country. The days of exclusive political activism during campaigns are over. No more sitting around: the fight for a better country has begun.
Consumers locate bargains in midst of economic downturn
November 20, 2008
By Afra Hussain
<ahussain@hilite.org>
Sophomore Samantha Osleger said she enjoys giving gifts to friends during the holiday season. Osleger said this year instead of giving to all of her friends, they drew names out of a hat because it would cost less to give to just one person.
“We like giving each other gifts but it costs a lot,” Osleger said. She said she will make her holiday gifts this year.
Cost concerns such as Osleger’s, are exactly what worry some local stores. But with the current economic downturn, many stores are feeling the pinch in different ways. To combat the problem and keep customers coming in, some local stores are working harder to lure customers with lower prices. Both Old Navy and Kohl’s representatives said they are implementing changes to help cope with the struggling economy.
“We’re really trying to bring customers in with lower prices,” Michelle Myers, store manager of Clay Terrace’s Old Navy said.
Osleger said, “If the prices are lower, I’ll be more willing to buy more (for the holidays).”
Myers said Old Navy’s strategy to encourage holiday shopping is to offer more bargains.
“I think that shoppers will still shop the same, maybe with a little less money,” Myers said. She also said that the store is marking coats off 50 percent, something they have never done before.
At the Kohl’s stores, similar strategies are being implemented like advertising for holiday deals earlier than the store ever has, Nicole Norris, store manager of Carmel West’s Kohl’s, said. Norris added that the stores will also train associates to better assist customers so that the customers will be inclined to come back to the stores again and shop.
“We also have a system where customers can sign up for e-mail alerts and we’re using that a lot this year,” she said.
Still according to Norris and Myers, much remains to be seen regarding customer shopping habits this holiday season, especially the shopping habits of teenagers.
“We value all our customers, especially our younger customers who shop in the juniors and young men’s department,” Norris said. “Hopefully they will come in and shop so we can meet our goal.”
—
RETAIL BY THE NUMBERS
15.5 million: Number of people working in the American retail industry in 2007.
15.3 million: Number of people working in the American retail industry in May 2008.
0.7 percent: Key economists’ median forecast of retail sales decline in September
1.2 percent: Actual percentage of decline in retail sales in September
BUSINESS WEEK / SOURCE
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