Twilight!

If you don't know this already, libraries have more than books, and librarians do more than just read them. As a YA librarian, I had obviously read the book, Twilight, already, but hadn't gotten around to seeing the movie. Now that it's been out a while, and the opening night crowds have pretty much dispersed, I figured it was safe to go. I roped another (adult) friend of mine into going to a matinee this past weekend and boy, was I glad I went. It was the perfect movie to see on the big screen (I usually prefer to see them at home, just because I can't sit still, and oh yeah, the outrageous price and you can't lay down or go to the bathroom and you have to listen to everyone talking or making comments and there's no vegan popcorn...but I digress).

I also normally feel like movies don't do the books justice, but not this time. Here are my five reasons why the movie totally rocked:

1) The casting was impeccable. I know a lot of people think that Edward could have been hotter, but I think that he was a pretty decent pick. The other characters were exactly as I had pictured them - not just visually, but the way that they moved and talked and acted. Jasper's stifled yearnings for blood, Rosalie's anger, Carlisle's fatherly and doctorly (but hot!) mannerisms, Jessica's normal teen-bubbliness....I could go on. I loved the more minor characters too, including Jacob (can't wait to see more of him in New Moon!) and Victoria. My only problem was with the casting of Bella's father, whom I thought could have been a little older and more portly looking. Does he remind anyone else of Burt Reynolds? I guess the audience watching this film probably never heard of him...

(pictures wouldn't insert here - I'll try again later)

2) The acting was excellent. I enjoyed the way they portrayed the characters to a tee, as they were described in the book. Alice was bubbly, Jessica was slightly air-headed, Mike - devoted puppy, etc. (see above). You could just feel the attraction between Edward and Bella - it was so palpable.

3) The filming was incredible. It's a shame that there will be a new director for the sequel, but hopefully he'll take some cues from his female predecessor. The visual effects were perfect and not overdone. The way the vampires moved so quickly - jumping, being powerful. The longing looks (there were a few too many of these, but that was the book, wasn't it?). The sparkly diamond-like skin of Edward. The chaos and pain when Bella is bitten. The setting (Portland) was exactly what it should have been - misty, rainy and overcast. Not just well-matched to the book, but a great choice for a vampire movie, period! But did you know that Forks is a real place? When I read this on Stephenie Meyer's website, I was amazed. And the tribe that Jacob is a part of is a real tribe, too. I'm sure most readers already know all this, but check out the links anyway!

4) It left you wanting more. When Victoria walks away, you are just eager to see more of her and to see the sequel come to fruition. Although New Moon was rather slow in the beginning, hopefully the exciting setting of Italy (I think that's where it was) and the werewolves will take it up a notch.

5) It wasn't over-sexed. I think that a lot of films nowadays just have naked people (usually women) prancing around and other stuff thrown in for viewer gratification and also to sell them more. So I think that it's admirable when a film can barely show an ounce of skin and receive such rave reviews. Especially when it's made specifically for teens. Not that teens should be sheltered or that they're naive, just because it's nice not to have to have it in your face at every corner. The producer again did a great job showing the attraction and emotions without skin and overt sexuality. However, this really comes from Meyer's writing. Being a Mormon, I think that this came out in her book. Go to her blog to learn more. It's fascinating to see how her story came to be!

I have to say that I think the movie was really well-matched to the book. There were some minor parts omitted, but having read the book several months ago, I couldn't recall a single one. My only concern? When Edward explains that being a vegetarian vampire is like eating tofu all the time - "you're just never fully satisfied," he states. I yelled "boo" (quietly) at the screen when he said that - what crap! As a long-time vegetarian and vegan, I am always full and satisfied. It's actually the fiber and bulk from grains and plant that fills you up, and fats that satisfy. But anyway - go see this movie now, before it's out of the theaters!

The one book I've read this week is Stray, by Stacey Goldblatt. I can't recall why I picked this up, but one day it was sitting on the holds shelf with my name on it, so I must have requested it! The basic premise is a girl whose father has left (for another woman) and whose mother is therefore a little controlling of her life. Her mother is a vet and her father is a world-famous "dog whisperer." It is no surprise that Natalie (the girl) loves animals, especially dogs. But she is also reserved and un-spontaneous, living under the thumb of her mother but also desperately wanting her mother's approval. Despite all her hard work and virtuous life, her mother can always find something that she could do better.

Enter hot boy, who moves into the room above the garage, to intern with her mother. As you can predict, she falls for him, despite earlier misgivings. This leads to her realization that her mother's desires for her life may not be in match with her own. Natalie tries throughout the book to be true to herself, but realizes she doesn't really know what she wants, believes, or who she is without her mother's rules.

The hot boy turns out to be multi-faceted, thankfully, and not perfect, but the ending was a little too tidy for me. Great book for girls and for animal lovers!