My neighbors have their Ski Nautique out on the river, and there's someone in a dry suit in the water behind the boat, attempting to stand up on a slalom ski today, March 31. I'm not sure why he's not on a pair of combos, but sometimes that's just a man thing. After a couple of unsuccessful attempts, he's up and out. It's breezy but approaching 70 degrees, so folks are coming out to play.
Unfortunately, though, my soon-to-be teenage daughter is ill and home from school. It's a day to rent a DVD and let her watch a movie on the couch.
After reading the books, it's time to experience the phenomenon of the Twilight series adapted to screen. Today it will be the second installment, New Moon. The young lady read the book first, and then I followed - I thought I needed to know what my daughter was reading. I've now read the first three books - I'm not sure when I'll read the last one written.
It's easy to feel protective about a sick child. There's something about that pale look, the extreme quietness, her not attempting to contact friends, etc. With the puffy lips and hair laid back across the couch, she looks like the vampires have found her.
I have trouble always staying in the movie, although I am fascinated by Robert Patteson - his acting sets the tone for the whole franchise. The mood is always carefully set - I'm realizing that no one talks as softly as these characters, and I'm reminded of the old adage "if you want someone to listen, lower your voice."
There's a mix of romantic recitation of love poetry meets action hero, and "Matrix"-type stop-action stunts for the pre-teen audience. Where did they get these fairy-tale, perfect looking people? I'm thinking artfully-framed shots, soap-operatic drama, and bad long wig on actor Taylor Lautner.
There are so many teenage issues here told in a new venue - like these teen werewolves' hormones and transformations - some kind of conventionally expressible analogy for puberty? Cliques, clans, rivalry, jealousy, trash-talking, awkward conversations and secrets from parents, - this deals with the gambit. Yet the movie just takes itself too seriously.
What do I like? The scenery from the Pacific Northwest. Remember Twin Peaks? The music? It's so seductive. What else? The detail on the giant wolves. The hair, the eyes - great high definition animation. The idea of how just being young, and near the opposite sex, can be distracting and can drive you crazy.
What don't I like? Romanticization of female risk-taking behavior to get the attention of men. A forgiveness of the perpetration of domestic abuse that smacks of co-dependency (werewolf clan leader's mate).
Some of it may be a little edgy for young children - I was uncomfortable with the nice chaste kiss of the naked dude by the girl in the marbled hall in Tuscany - or maybe it was just kind of a porn for women - or for teenage women? A lot about this tale confuses me, so bear with me. There certainly are lots of nude male ab six-packs in this show, so I suppose I'm expected to be grateful.
There was a line in this movie I really liked - it was, "I was born this way - I can't help it. I'm just not the right kind of monster for you," said the teen werewolf to the heroine next door. That just somehow sums up teen angst in general. I'm not sure I'm done talking about this story, and whether it's worth it. Stayed tuned for more "vampire" news soon.
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