Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Twilight: The New Moon Movie

With the huge success of Twilight, the movie, the next movie in the series is on it’s way. The first movie was about a girl that was sent to a small town to live with her father when her mother went on vacation. In that small town, she fell in with a good crowd of kids and also met another stranger crowd. She quickly fell for one of the boys in the strange crowd and it turns out this boy was a vampire. Edward, the young vampire can from a family of "friendly" vampires (they didn't drink human blood, only animals). They fell in love quickly. Along the way, in their love story, some "bad vampires" try to take Bella, but Edward kept her safe and the movie was over.



Now, the next of the series, called New Moon will take us further down the road of this adventure. This movie, from what I have read and seen, is sure to follow in the success of the first movie. Edward is back, as is Bella. They try to make a life together but a bad “episode” with the Cullens, Edward’s family, turns Edwards feelings towards Bella. Edward decides, for the safety of Bella, to leave her and never be seen again. After Edward leaves her, she has a run in with one of the “bad” vampires and the story goes on from there.



It appears that the public is anxious for this movie’s release, and I can see why. This is sure to be another successful edition to this fantasy series.

(Bukisa ID #104137)

Content Source: Twilight: The New Moon Movie - Bukisa.com

Twilight Saga - Who Is Bella Swan?

Chapters 1 & 2


~ Right Choices Are Painful When Our Eyes Are Focused on Circumstances



Let’s focus on Bella Swan for a moment. This book is written from her perspective, yet we seem to focus on the other characters. However, there are numerous lessons to glean from Bella that we need to see.



Leaving the Known for the Unknown



Bella was leaving the known for the unknown, leaving Arizona for Forks, Washington. She loved her home in Arizona and decided to leave so her mother would be happy. Watching the movie and seeing her holding the cactus plant always made me question why she was doing this? Never could put my thoughts around her motivation until I heard Edward and his tough questions. It was then I realized that she was acting like a martyr. Her decision to move to Forks was her believing her mother would be happier if she did this. When we read this story, or watch the movie, we seem to jump over this part. It is quickly forgotten once Edward enters the picture.


According to the Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary martyr can mean one of the following:


1: a person who voluntarily suffers death as the penalty of witnessing to and refusing to renounce a religion


2: a person who sacrifices something of great value and especially life itself for the sake of principle


3: victim ; especially : a great or constant sufferer


Bella Swan was acting like a victim. A victim to circumstances she had chosen but really did not want, a victim responsible for her moms unhappiness. This victim’s mentality was reinforced by her mother letting her leave. What we do not know about Bella is whether she had reason to see herself a victim or if she just felt like a victim due to her own emotions. After all, it is only a story.


The 'Self-Sacrificing Martyr'


Just read the 2nd paragraph in the 1st chapter of Twilight to see what Bella thought of her choice. Words describing that the town she chose to move to for her mom’s happiness was a gloomy, omnipresent shade that caused her mother to escape from when she was only a few months old! She goes on to tell us that she was ‘compelled’ to spend a month every summer until she was fourteen. She called this town inconsequential. She felt exiled to Forks? When someone is exiled, it is not their choice, is it? She was a true martyr without realizing her mental attitude. It was so obvious the moment she lied to her mother.


We need to stop here and reflect our own lives. Do we find this martyr attitude in any of our words and actions? Do we ‘lie’ to our husbands when we tell them we are okay with something when we really do not want it? Do we ‘lie’ to ourselves that we are happy with the decision we just convinced someone of?


In the Twilight Saga, this victim mentality is where the story starts. Bella suggested an action that her mother accepted. This made Bella sad and Edward saw her sadness when she could not. Edward enters her life. He doesn’t start with small talk. He dives right in by saying, ‘So Bella, you don’t like the snow, rain or anything cold. Living in Forks must be difficult for you.’ Her answer shows how much she did not want to be there. Edward continues by asking why she moved her and she tries to not answer the question. It was not until he makes a simple statement, ‘Now your unhappy’ that you can see Bella being the martyr. This entire portion of the book tells us who Bella is. Her decision to come and her mother’s acceptance of this decision hurt her deeply. Every answer, every excuse showed resentment and pain. Edward does not let up. He tells her that her show is good but he would bet she was suffering more than she let onto everyone.


So many times we suggest actions that our hearts want a different outcome. We want to be heard and chosen. We do not want to expose our hurts and desires, we want those we love to know what we want. When we take on this martyr attitude, we are really desiring validation, not action. Edward seems to understand this need in Bella. She had what is called ‘Self-Sacrificing Martyr Syndrome.’ Unhealthy choices are made for the sake of ‘love.’ Bella’s choice to move to Forks, Washington was her ploy for her mother’s validation, but her mother let her leave. Edward asks her very succinctly the why’s of her actions and Bella had no answers to give him. His questions posed in a caring tone gave her permission to answer as honestly as she could. Edward did not try to fix her, as most men tend to do. Instead he listened to her and heard her words and the words she was not saying.


In her teenage way Bella was really saying, "I am willing to endure this because I love my mother. My mom is happier traveling with her new husband and if I am here she is forced to stay home with me." Logic seems right. However, the truth is that her logic is really self pity and a revealed need for love. At this moment in her life she is faced with two choices. Choice number one ~ be the martyr, and without realizing it, let resentment take hold and settle into her heart. Choice number two ~ let Edward draw her out through love. As the Twilight Saga continues, we know that she chooses correctly, letting Edward love her.


For those who have any type of martyr syndrom they will consistently choose incorrectly, resentment will begin to settle into their heart. Scripture tells us that when we hold resentment inside our bone’s die. Simply, we are not heathy. We have no other path to take but unhealthy choices when we refuse to let love heal us.


We do not know why the author wrote the story as she did. This is just a fictional story. Through the Twilight Saga we see Bella grow closer to her father, while her mother is always on the fringe. She never seems to stop being the martyr but we see her move toward healing.


Accepting Love Brings Healing


Edward, through his questions to Bella, is causing to her to move from martyr to healing. Love always pushes us toward healthy choices. Love always reveal hard truths about whom we are because Love is strong enough to keep us from falling. His tough questions cause Bella to take responsibility for her choice of moving to Forks. Having her verbalize and consider her action is painful but required for healing. If Edward had not asked her the tough questions, their love would not have developed so deeply. Throughout the Twilight Saga we see Edward pushing Bella to choose correctly and this love is a precious gift for Bella.


Let me ask you some questions.



  • Are you always saying ‘No, I am happy with this or that’ when you’re really not?

  • Are you always being asked ‘Are you okay?’ when you really need a hug?

  • Are you always saying ‘It is not my fault?’ because your heart is broken?

  • Have you ever said ‘After all I’ve done for you, this is all I get?’

  • Have you ever said ‘It does not matter to me if I get the burnt piece of roast?’

  • Have you ever said ‘. . .I’ve always put your (their) needs first.’

  • Have you ever said ‘. . . .’


Self-sacrificing martyrs sound sincere while they are encouraging you to go ahead with your plans and not worry about anything. Don’t fall for this, confront it firmly with love. When you allow this type of behavior to continue, everyone will begin to feel crazy because self-sacrificing martyrs so convolute and aggravate those they are around.


Is Change Possible?


Today our entire society is labeled a ‘victim’ mentality generation. We deserve help, a job, happiness or whatever else you want to place there. We lose our job, it is the President who made me loose it. We lose our money, it is the stock market that owes me. Our grandparents lived through the worst depression. When they lost their job, they looked for more work. They pulled together and moved forward. Today we are paralyzed by this victim mentality. When truth comes forth we all must realize that what we really deserve is death. We are sinners. We all lie, steal and cheat. None of our actions make up for our sinful nature. We are condemned, separated from God, and need a Savior.


If you are the martyr, work on hearing your words and actions. Your destructive behavior leads to resentment, anger and wrong choices. Take another look at the list above. When you find yourself ready to say those sentences, therapists will tell you to step back. Be honest. Beginning to recognize and being honest about your feelings is the first step. You won’t always succeed to stop a martyr role completely, but with determination you will change. Understand what a martyr looks and sounds like.


When you catch yourself starting to give a response, which puts you in the role of a martyr, stop yourself and say, ‘That’s not what I want to say. Let me start over again.’ Or, if you realize you stepped into the martyr role a few days (weeks) ago you can say, ‘I thought I would be okay with XXX, but the more I think about it the more I get angry. Can we talk about possible solutions?’


Now all these suggestions seem simple enough, but they are not! Your heart is still broken and you are doing everything in your own strength. Unless you accept God’s love, everything you try to do is only temporary. True healing begins with laying your weakness and your needs at the feet of Jesus. Healing takes the 3 P’s ~ Prayer, Patience, Practice. True healing comes when you learn to let God love you. He is all you need. My recommendations are not what therapist would say. What they say are good practice suggestions but you must first begin with Psalm 139:24-25.


When you find yourself slipping into that martyr role, you need to get on your knees. There is a deep hurt in your heart that first needs to be revealed and laid at the feet of Jesus. You need to know He hears you, He loves you and He is able to give you His power to change.


As gentle as Edward was toward Bella, your Heavenly Father will love you perfectly. You are not alone. It is interesting to note that the first emotion Bella felt toward Edward was anger. She thought he was being totally unfair and was planning on setting him straight. She never got the chance to because Edward came from the point of love. Love caught her off guard and she was at a loss for complete sentences or thoughts. That is what God’s love does for us. When we accept His love, we are caught off guard. When we realize that we can do nothing to earn His love we are at a loss for complete sentences and thoughts also. Thankfulness and worship are our response. His love for us is His choice, apart from anything we have done.


Bella Swan is the perfect example of a self-sacrificing martyr who allowed love to enter. We all long to be loved as Edward loved Bella. You are loved by a faithful Father. He knows your every need and desire. He wants to hear your voice. He desires a relationship with you, personally. Accept his offer of love today. Let His love begin healing your martyr attitude today.


In Him,


Kathy


(Bukisa ID #32808)

Content Source: Twilight Saga - Who Is Bella Swan? - Bukisa.com

Get to Know the Twilight Vampire Book and Movie Characters

The character development in the Twilight Vampire Book and Movie Series was exceptional so really, all of the characters are main characters. However, for the sake of organization, I am going to break them down for you. Again, I am going into a complete list so you will be shocked and sad and mad if you don't want to know what's happening in future books!


BELLA'S FAMILY..... Bella Swan...main girl, falls in love with Edward Cullen. Renee Dwyer...Bella's mother and Charlie Swan...Bella's dad.


BELLA'S FRIENDS..... Tyler Crowley...classmate, almost kills Bella with his van. Lauren Mallory...classmate, not really a friend. Mike Newton...classmate, loves Bella. Jessica Stanley...classmate, Bella's good friend. Angela Weber...classmate, Bella's good friend. Eric Yorkie...classmate, Bella's friend.


EDWARD'S FAMILY..... Edward Cullen...vamp, falls in love with Bella Swan. Carlisle Cullen...vamp, Edward's "father" and the town doctor. Esme Cullen...vamp, Edward's "mother. Rosalie Hale...vamp, Edward's sister, Emmett's wife. Emmett Cullen...vamp, Edward's brother, Rosalie's husband. Alice Cullen...vamp, Edward's sister, Jasper's wife. Jasper Hale...vamp, Edward's brother, Alice's husband. Renesmee Cullen...vamp & human, Edward and Bella's daughter.


WEREWOLVES..... Jacob Black...werewolf, shapeshifter, in love with Bella Swan. Sam Uley...werewolf, leader of the pack. Quil Ateara...werewolf. Leah Clearwater...werewolf, only female in pack. Seth Clearwater...werewolf, Leah's brother. Ephraim Black...werewolf, elder.

(Bukisa ID #22453)

Content Source: Get to Know the Twilight Vampire Book and Movie Characters - Bukisa.com

Twilight Mania

I was sooo curious about this movie. It's a movie that everyone's talking about. My sister actually asked me to accompany her to watch it last Monday. Unfortunately, the movie house nearby is not showing Twilight, tsk tsk tsk.

The following day, me and my office mates got the chance to watch the movie, Last Full Show, at TriNoMa, Cinema 7, Seats Q9-Q11. And since I promised my sister that I would still accompany her, I watched the movie, once more, the following night. Same Mall, same Cinema. This time at Seats N12-N14, ha ha ha. Imagine that?! I watched Twilight twice, day after the other.

Hmmm, well, what can I say about the movie? Aside from the blushing every girl felt from the stares of Edward? hihihi... Seriously, its more of a love story. But nothing can beat the love story depicted by the movie "The Notebook", for me, at least. Many have said that they find the book more endearing, and that the movie had not shown the details that should be captured to thrill the audience. But as for me, a big NO to book reading, ha ha. I don't love reading, I'm contented with what the film would show me. Though it amazes me, I felt there's a missing piece, and I felt the yearning for the next episode of the movie, especially when the bad vampire was shown coming down the stairs. Well unlike Harry Potter, when a book ended, a chapter of Harry's life ended. You don't get unsatisfied after watching the film, but, you get excited on what would happen next. There, I've said it, I'm a bit unsatisfied with the movie. Ooops, sorry for Twilight lovers. Peace!

Okay, forget about criticisms. Let's talk about Edward, I mean, L-O-V-E. The scene that I love the most is this...


Why? Because I said so, ha ha. Kidding aside, I loved this scene because Edward forget everything (the consequences), just to save the life of Bella. As what Rosalie have said, this could be the start of revealing themselves, as vampires, to the common people. But, Edward just can't bear seeing Bella die. And it's all because of LOVE. How wonderful love is, right? I just wanted to drown myself watching love movies, for me to fall more deep into love. The feeling was so so so wonderful.Ü

There are a lot of intimate moments in the movie. Edward and Bella staring at each other. It's as if their eyes are enough to know what each other felt. But my hands are raised for Bella, he accepted Edward no matter what he is, no matter what he can do. As my poor memory remembered, she said that she is sure of three (3) things:



  1. Edward is a vampire

  2. Edward thirst for my (Bella's) blood

  3. I (Bella) is totally, unconditionally in love with Edward


And I even heard her told Edward so many times that she wasn't afraid of him. And even after she got hospitalized after Edward almost lost control and never stopped sucking her blood, she's still in love with him. She even wanted to be a vampire to be with Edward, forever. How sweet.Ü

As for Edward, I remember his role in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire during their baseball game. I don't know. Maybe because the HP film where he's at is a tournament. Here's the pictures:


Edward Cullen


Cedric Diggory


Just makes me miss Harry and Hermiogne.Ü And the best line I've heard from Edward were:



"You are my life now"

and
"I'll do whatever it takes to make you safe again"

(Bukisa ID #38271)

Content Source: Twilight Mania - Bukisa.com

A Christian Perspective on Twilight

Examining Themes of Temptation & Abstinence in the Book and Movie "Twilight"



Twilight, the uber-popular book (and movie) by Mormon mom Stephanie Meyer, is that rare phenomena - a sexy book about virtue, conscience, and good, old-fashioned morals and manners. If you enjoy old Bronte sisters and Jane Austin novels about brooding, noble, self-sacrificing heroes, this book is for you.


Teenage vampire Edward Cullen is an unexpected delight, a breathtakingly handsome super-hero who COULD easily be a demonic villain but makes a conscious decision to put aside his powerful drives and urges to be a better, more "human" being. This is what makes Edward the hero in Twilight - his innate sense of right and wrong, his concern for the state of Bella's soul and his own, and his willingness to pursue what is right, even if he suffers in doing so.


Edward Cullen has been around for over 100 years, but he is forever 17 (and played in the upcoming Twilight movie by 22-year-old Rob Pattinson). He falls in love with 17-year-old Bella Swan while battling his overwhelming urge to kill her and drink her scintillating blood which calls to him in a powerful way.


Bella Swan (played by Kristen Stewart who really is 17) is "Everygirl" - an average girl coming into her own, discovering her strengths and inner beauty through the eyes of the man, in this case a vampire, who loves her.


In Twilight, one could easily substitute the words "drink her blood" and "change her into a vampire" with "have sex with her" and the end result would be the same -- Edward overcomes ALL his baser desires to protect Bella's life, her virtue, and her soul. Edward has learned a lesson few humans are willing to comprehend anymore -- there are some things more precious than gratification. And even though as a predator Edward is equipped with all the seductive qualities to trap his prey, whether as food or for sexual pleasure, Edward rises above each temptation throughout the book and the series.


Although the Twilight story is told from Bella's point of view, and her qualities are also quite admirable, Edward Cullen is the true hero of Twilight. Bella is the apple - the temptation for Edward, and Edward is also the temptation for Bella -- hence the symbolic apple on the book's cover. This book is truly about temptation and abstinence in all its forms. It may be a little mature for young teens and tweens.



Christian viewers and readers will find much to appreciate in the Twilight books and movies if they will think of them more in line with Christian fantasy by C.S. Lewis and less in line with other vampire novels. Twilight is also an action-packed thriller which should appeal to anyone who loves a good super-hero as well as a ruthless villain. Read the book Twilight ; then see the Twilight movie ... or vice versa!


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Content Source: A Christian Perspective on Twilight - Bukisa.com