I saw New Moon on opening day, and (not surprisingly) I loved it. I’m probably going to go into full-on fangirl mode like I did with the first movie, so here’s a general mish-mash of impressions I was left with. (Spoilers follow. If you haven’t finished reading the books, you’ve been warned.)

• The cinematography is so gorgeous. I cannot express to you how happy I am that this movie is NORMAL colored, not blue-green like Twilight was. ugh, that was so annoying.
• Likewise, the soundtrack this time is so much better. Most of the songs are pretty emo, but that’s the tone of the book, so they make sense. Also, that’s the type of music I seem to listen to the most, so I appreciate the soundtrack.
• Even though I’m Team Edward, I like Jacob a lot more after this movie. Taylor Lautner just *is* Jacob and really brings him to life. I’m so glad they didn’t replace him with a different actor.
• I know most people hate on Kristen Stewart’s acting, but I like her. I think she is way better in NM than in Twilight. Also, I’ve seen her in a few other movies and I’ve liked her in those, too.
• That being said, people hate on Robert Pattinson’s acting too, and I think he does just fine. His character is all tortured and suicidal for 95% of the movie, what do you expect? Although, the early school parking lot scene with Edward and Bella is cute. I like them way more when they’re acting…you know…happy and in love. As opposed to tortured, teen angst woecake. (eh, whatever. I’m just sick of people hating on the actors when they don’t exactly have the greatest dialogue to work with.)
• The way the “time passes” sequence from the book is interpreted is perfect. I really love that part of the book (just the names of the months on each page–some people think it’s stupid, but I thought it was really powerful, whatev). I was hoping they wouldn’t screw it up in the movie, and they totally didn’t. I kind of wish Bella had been crying more in those shots, but she was all zombie-fied, so I’m ok with that.
• I loved all the comedic parts! The “date” with Bella/Jacob/Mike, Jessica’s zombie tirade, Eric’s crying during Romeo & Juliet…also, Alice and Jacob’s exchange is all win.
• The wolves look so good! I’m not a big fan of CGI, but I was impressed with the wolves. Especially the part where the pack takes off running after Laurent and the ground shakes under their weight. Love it!
• One of my favorite scenes is the cliff diving sequence. The underwater shots, combined with the soundtrack, stayed with me. I think it would have been perfect if Bella’s vision of Edward hadn’t been upside down. That seemed kind of goofy. I would have liked it if he had kind of floated over to her and reached out to touch her face, and then Jacob’s arm pulls her away, or something. That would have been prettier, and more symbolic. I think. But I’m just a fan, I don’t make movies, lol.
• The Victoria/wolves sequence, backed by “Hearing Damage” by Thom Yorke, is awesome. When I first listened to the soundtrack, I wasn’t sure which scene would feature the song, but now everytime I listen to the song, I think of that sequence and it gives me the fangirl squees. Just because.
• Michael Sheen as Aro is rather awesomepants. He’s so campy and funny, but also creepy creepster when appropriate. I approve.
• The sparkling is so much better this time! No more sweaty guy Edward, haha. And even though some people seemed grossed out by Rob Pattinson’s not-too-buff appearance, I didn’t mind at all. In his defense–he looks like a normal guy. Really. Sorry to disappoint, but average guys don’t look like Taylor Lautner. That boy is buff and everything, but it’s not necessarily the look that gets me hot and bothered. Also, the boy is 17 and I can’t even go there because UM HE IS 17. (I told you I was Team Edward/Rob.)
• Alice’s vision of Vamp Bella was soooo hokey but I still loved it. She and Edward are just frolicking through the woods, la ti daaa, haha. I half expected to see baby Renesmee toddling alongside them, that would have been rather awful, no? How on earth are they going to DO that for the Breaking Dawn movie? God help us. That, and Jacob imprinting on her as a baby, I shudder to think of it all.
• I loveloveloved the cliffhanger ending. Maybe it’s a ploy for people who haven’t read the books, but I’m a sucker for those Lost-esque, QuickCutToBlack endings. As long as they make some kind of sense.
• Overall, I think Chris Weitz > Catherine Hardwicke as a director. I love Catherine for casting the two leads, but Chris just did such a better job with the aesthetics and overall tone of the film.
• In summary, yes I know most of the movie was super cheesy, but hello, it’s Twilight, not freaking Shawshank Redemption, so I’m ok with the cheese.

SIDEBAR/RANT: I guess I should add, sorry if I’m coming across as stupidly fangirl and annoying–I know the entire media is Twilight-saturated right now and if you’re not a fan, I’m sure you’re just sick of it. But those of us who are fans have fun with it, even though the writing in the books is crappy, even though the general story is ridiculous, it’s fantasy and we like it. I’m really just sick of the diehard haters. Some people can dislike the series/movies but still be amused by them, which is great. But other people are just full-on haters and I find that annoying. No one is making you read the books or watch the movies, so if you loathe them so much, just…don’t read the books again or watch any of the movies. Really easy. I keep seeing comments by people who seem genuinely OFFENDED by the series/movies, which is just ridiculous. I’m offended by plenty of things in life, but come on, really? It is a fictional series of books and movies, get over it now please. Also? The New Moon movie just made $140 million (MILLLLLION) dollars on opening weekend, so Stephenie Meyer/Summit Entertainment are probably laughing all the way to the bank right about now. New Moon is going to make eleventy million by the time its run is over, so seriously…haters to the left.

ok! That’s all I’ve got for now that I can remember…I’m going to see the movie again this week sometime (probably on Black Friday while all the crazies are shopping). I’m looking forward to seeing it again.

ok, let me preface this whole post by saying, or reiterating rather, that I am a super huge Twilight fangirl. I loved the books (though some, like the first few, more than the others). I’ve been anticipating the movie for months and if you’ve seen my daily Delicious links, it’s pretty safe to say that it has been All Twilight All the Time over here at mub.net. So, now that the disclaimer is out of the way…

Would you like the short story, or the long story?

Short story: I love, love, loved the movie.

Long story (and it’s REALLY long): is under the cut. Alert, alert! Heavy spoilers coming! You have been warned!

Read the rest of this entry »

(Seen at Annie’s blog.)

1. Three films you rented recently?
- Thirteen. But it sat unopened on my dresser for a few days, so I figured that was a sign I really didn’t want to watch it, so I sent it back to Netflix, lol.
- Premonition. This film got horrible reviews but I liked it, so bugger all the critics! 4/5 stars.
- Because I Said So. This was ok, I didn’t think it was very funny and it tried to have that warm/fuzzy feeling at the end but it didn’t really work on me. 2/5 stars.

2. Are you into any crafts other than knitting?
I just mentioned on my previous post that I’m probably going to get back into cross stitch. I used to do it quite a bit when I was younger (before I learned to knit, pre yarn-staged free time coup). Also, I plan on learning crochet properly (meaning how to make something other than a single chain), if I ever get round to it.

3. Any New Stash or Notions Acquisitions?
Absolutely no new yarn, as I’m yarn buying sober currently…today I plan on picking up a cross stitch pattern book and some fabric/floss, though. I’ll have to post photos later.

4. What Are You Listening To?
Well, here’s where I would post my Last.fm profile, if my Audioscobbler were working but the server was down yesterday so none of my submissions went through. How many tunes could an Audioscrobbler scrobble if an Audioscrobbler could scrobble tunes? hehe. I think the last few songs I…um…evaluated *cough cough* were “The Pretender” by Foo Fighters, “The Story” by Brandi Carlile, and “Almost Lover” by A Fine Frenzy.

5. Name Five Things On Your Knitting Wishlist?
Yarn yarn yarn yarn yarn? haha no really:
- Knit Picks Harmony Wood DPN Set. I have problems with their nickel dpn finish peeling off (uber sweaty hands + nickel coating = not good). I think the rainbowlicious finish is kind of weird, and I’m surprised that the majority of knitters seem to really love it so far–at least from the photos. I’m more interested in the strength of the wood and no metal peeling. I’ve snapped bamboo dpns before and that does NOT feel good! (Imagine stabbing yourself with the grain of a toothpick or BBQ skewer.) I have a set of Brittany Birch dpns and they’re quite strong; they feel very sturdy while knitting, as opposed to bamboo, which tend to warp for me over time, so I’m optimistic about the KP Harmony dpns.
- Knitting Classic Style. Every time I see this in Barnes & Noble I flip through it and oogle the photos. I can see myself knitting several of the patterns, which is normally my gauge for deciding whether to buy the book or not. I’m trying to discipline myself and wait till B&N sends me another 10 or 15% off coupon because I KNOW they’re going to send me one either this week or next week…and darnit, I CAN exercise self-control. Hopefully. Probably. lol
- Knitting Circles Around Socks. I’m a dpn devotee, but I want to see what all the fuss is about with knitting socks on circs. Not only this, but I *really* want to avoid Second Sock Syndrome and this book teaches knitting two socks at the same time.
- Wollmeise sock yarn. It’s that syndrome where it seems every other knitter in the universe has some and/or has knit with it *except* for you and you want to find out what all the hype is about. Surely I can acquire this someday…if I can score Vesper sock yarn, I can get myself some Wollmeise, right? right!
- The Raven Series yarn from Blue Moon Fiber Arts. I’m already an STR fan, but I’m an Edgar *freak.* Want to see my action figure? How about my stuffie Poe? I seriously need to find some pattern that looks like bird wings and knit some Edgar socks, those would truly be socks that rock!

Just finished watching Premonition. I really liked it! So much that I rated it 4/5 stars on Netflix, something I rarely do. I was just reading reviews on there and on IMDB, and it’s too bad so many people seem to hate the film. I don’t really care; I still think it’s a good story with a decent message. It made me cry toward the end. Maybe I’m just hormonal?

Did this post make sense?

This weekend I watched Shut Up & Sing, about the Dixie Chicks and all the flak over their Iraq war comments back in 2003. I thought it was an interesting documentary and I liked seeing the Chicks in their own environment and not in a stuffy interview (like with Barbara Walters or something). I thought the ending was kind of abrupt, but I did give it 3/5 stars on Netflix.

Next up in my queue is The Holiday, mainly because my second boyfriend Jude Law is in it. I downgraded my Netflix account to the unlimited one-at-a-time, $9.99/mo plan because I never really used my three-at-a-time plan and I was actually losing money like that. And I really need to find a job before/if I upgrade again.

Speaking of jobs! More job hunting took place today. First thing this morning, I hopped on my laptop and searched openings. I faxed my resume to another publishing company for another proofreader position (just like yesterday), and then I emailed a local law firm about a clerical position. Not the most interesting of possibilities, but I’m not complaining. Got to start somewhere! I’m sure I’ll be doing more applying tomorrow…and the rest of the week…

I am trying SO SO SO stinking hard not to buy more yarn. You have no idea. I’ve been controlling myself, but it’s really tough! I always knew I was addicted, but good grief. The other day, I was on kpixie.com and I saw that they’re now carrying casein needles, which I’ve been wanting to try for years (literally), so I ordered a set of size 2s. But I didn’t want to pay shipping for just one item (ahem), so I also ordered the Wicked pattern. But I did not buy any yarn! And spent less than $20 on my order. That’s not too bad, right?

I really just need to finish what’s on my needles right now (this and this), but my stupid knitting ADD keeps hopping around my brain, and possibly my yarn stash and laptop as well, kind of like a wee demon leprechaun that taunts me, saying, BUY MORE YARN! YOU KNOW YOU WANT MORE YARN!

And which reminds me, St. Patrick’s Day was this weekend, wasn’t it? I didn’t do anything at all to celebrate. Unless you count the Bananas Foster dessert I had on Saturday, which was sooooo yummy and which contained rum. I’d never tasted rum before. Still haven’t, technically, since it was cooked down and I didn’t actually drink it or anything. But oh my, if you’ve never had Bananas Foster, go taste some. It’s really good.

btw, can this post be any more random?

Just watched Stranger Than Fiction. I LOVE this movie! Go see it, that’s an order!

That is all.

Just finished watching Saved!. I liked it A LOT, probably more than I would have if I hadn’t gone to a pseudo-American Eagle Christian School myself, haha. Don’t get me wrong, I know that all Christians are not crazy people but I do have firsthand knowledge that a lot of them are, in fact, hypocrites. Just like any other segment of the population, there are real people, and there are fake people. Anyway, I found the movie very entertaining.

So keep the movie recommendations coming because that’s two-for-two so far on the comedies! Say no to depressing movies! (At least until my divorce is finalized.)