Well, we're certainly off the topic of Twilight, but I would like to point out that by definition codependency implies some sort of dysfunction and is different than being dependent on someone. There is really nothing wrong with a man (and my kids of course) being the be all, end all of my life. As long as the relationship is not abusive or dysfunctional, there is nothing unhealthy or codependent about it.
Back to Twilight, I wanted to ask if anyone else read Stephenie's other book "The Host"? I heard they're making that into a movie too!
I read all the books and liked them the first time (except Breaking Dawn). But after reading them again, and then once more to make sure, I hate them. Oddly, I like the characters, except for Edward, and I have fallen in love with Twilight fanfic.
I didn't like the books, I don't think she's a great writer but, that being said, I read all of them and then I saw the movies and then I drooled over Rob and Taylor and then I felt like a creep because Taylor was like 17 and then I stopped caring and kept drooling. *Takes a breath* Phew! That was a long sentence.
As an English teacher, I didn't like the message it sent to young girls: the relationship is borderline abusive in my opinion. However, there are plenty of books with worse and if it gets my students to read 4 GIANT tomes I'm psyched.
Also, I just love vampires and werewolves and that whole universe. I'm a sucker (groaner of a pun, I know) for the Southern Vampire Mysteries (Sookie Stackhouse series).
Also, I just love vampires and werewolves and that whole universe. I'm a sucker (groaner of a pun, I know) for the Southern Vampire Mysteries (Sookie Stackhouse series).
I have a confession to make....I've never read the Twilight books...
I had to see what all the hype was about, so I watched the first movie. BIG mistake. I had to see the second movie after that. Now I can't wait for the third one. They are not the best movies, but they're addictive! I know that movies never live up to books, so I am going to wait to read them until I have seen all of the movies.
As for the team Edward/ team Jacob thing- Vampires all the way!
I've seen Robert Pattinson in 2 other movies, one I can't remember the title of, and the other "Little Ashes." It was an amazing movie. He played Salvador Dali (huge fan of his work I gotta admit too) and I was shocked at how good his acting was. I would highly recommend that movie to anyone with an open mind.
I hate the series. I think that they spit in the face of independent women and literature. They're written so poorly, I could have sworn the author was 13. Plus, the main character is basically an empty shell that any female reader can slip into. She's a loser, and bland, and boring. And I think she's a horrible role model for the young readers of Twilight.
And as for Edward, he's abusive and stalkerish and psychotic. I mean, seriously, imagine waking up in the middle of the night only to see your boyfriend WATCHING YOU SLEEP. It's creepy.
I agree with all of this! Bella, completely gives up her life for a guy. She looses any sense of identity she may have had. It portrays an awful and potentially dangerous model for a relationship. In fact I read a very interesting article equating Bella and Edward's relationship to that of a BSDM style relationship (I wish I could find the article, it was fascinating!). It is unhealthy, and I worry about all the young girls who wish to emulate such a relationship.
Stella, I wrote a paper on Disney movies and the subtle messages. The message that was percieved in Beauty and the Beast is one regarding abuse. The Beast hits, Belle, but through love she conquers all and changes him. It basically implies that it is possible to change an abusive man into a loving guy, by just loving him. Don't even get me started on Mulan...... After writing that paper, my children will not be allowed to watch any Disney princess movies, period!
Stella, I wrote a paper on Disney movies and the subtle messages. The message that was percieved in Beauty and the Beast is one regarding abuse. The Beast hits, Belle, but through love she conquers all and changes him. It basically implies that it is possible to change an abusive man into a loving guy, by just loving him.
Ha, so I'm a big geek and I really love fairy tales - not just the Disney watered down versions. I always thought the message behind that was the girl learning to tame her sexuality, same with sleeping beauty. The prince's love awakens her budding sense of her sexual self, or something.
But that's going deep into the whole medieval versions of the stories.
I just look at it as - love is more than skin deep, and crap like that.
The disney versions are bad! I've read several of the Original Grimm Fairy tales and they're disturbing! Good, but not the way Walt Disney describes them that's for sure!
I was all, cute story, ohhh romance and princes before I wrote that paper. Now it's all how dare they portray women like that, and that so sexist/racist etc. I haven't seen the new one, The princess and the frog, but I'm curious about it that's for sure.
Yeah, I've read so many versions of a lot of them.
The Princess and the Frog was actually pretty awesome. The princess (wasn't always a princess) was working to get herself a restaurant. It was very much more girl power than the others.
Back to Twilight, I wanted to ask if anyone else read Stephenie's other book "The Host"? I heard they're making that into a movie too!
I'm not that big of a Twilight fangirl, but I LOVED The Host. I went to the Breaking Dawn Concert Series in NYC just because I love that book. I got to meet Stephanie Meyer which was pretty cool. I recommend The Host, it was great.
In terms of Twilight as a phenomenon... well it isn't warmly received on my campus (I go to a women's college and most students view Bella as a very weak female dependent on Edward... which is mostly true), but I'm pretty neutral about it. Actually, I find the crazy fans sometimes more offensive than the books. Particularly when they start Harry Potter bashing. =( As far as I'm concerned-- they live in very different categories!
Quote:
Originally Posted by shantroy
The disney versions are bad! I've read several of the Original Grimm Fairy tales and they're disturbing! Good, but not the way Walt Disney describes them that's for sure!
I was all, cute story, ohhh romance and princes before I wrote that paper. Now it's all how dare they portray women like that, and that so sexist/racist etc. I haven't seen the new one, The princess and the frog, but I'm curious about it that's for sure.
Right now I'm taking a class on the Grimm Fairy Tales. The class itself is in German, so we're reading the read versions of the texts, not just translations. We recently looked at the German version of "Froshkoenig" in comparison with they new Disney movie, "The Princess and the Frog." Did you know that there is no magic "kiss" that turns the frog into a prince? Instead she throws him against the wall after the frog insinuates that he wants to sleep with her! And of course after he turns human, they're "married in the morning!"
I love the Twilight series. I have read the books so many times, its not funny. The movies are ok, but I love the books. When it comes to the books, I am on Team Edward...but Rob Pattinson is disgusting. So he kind of ruins Edwards character for me.
I tried to read The Host, but I was so bored that I couldn't finish it. It was repetitive, and reading it felt like walking through dry sand, like nothing was ever going to happen.
I agree with all of this! Bella, completely gives up her life for a guy. She looses any sense of identity she may have had. It portrays an awful and potentially dangerous model for a relationship. In fact I read a very interesting article equating Bella and Edward's relationship to that of a BSDM style relationship (I wish I could find the article, it was fascinating!). It is unhealthy, and I worry about all the young girls who wish to emulate such a relationship.
I think the part that horrifies me the most is in... I forget which book. It's either the second or the third. Anyway, what happens is that Bella befriends Jacob despite Edward's dislike for the situation. Maybe even more than just befriends him. I'm not sure.
Anyways, the dude goes and takes her freakin' motor so she can't visit her friend. That alone isn't bad. People get angry and do dumb things. But angry Bella storms up into her room and after cooling down a little, decides that Edward is just looking out for her, so she opens her blinds so that he can happily watch her sleep.
Creeeeeeepy
As far as the movie goes... I hate the actress for Bella too. She only has one expression in the movie:
SHE NEVER CLOSES HER MOUTH! It's always open slightly ajar like pictured above. You can make a drinking game out of it!!
