New Moon, my review

Before I start, I must say that I did not like the adaptation of Twilight at all. Having read the books several times over, some scenes did not come out as I imagined them to be. Yeah, visually – things are great but the story was not what I read, Twilight the movie was another version of Twilight the novel.

I re-read (7th time) the New Moon book before watching the movie and finished it last night so everything is still very clear.  The movie is loyal to the book.. if those who said they read the book but still expected something “smashing” I am sorry you were disappointed. New Moon is full of cheesy lines . The characters are expected to be awkward (except for Jacob) -  Jessica hooks up with Lauren who was anti-Bella, Charlie was dead worried about Bella, Jacob’s dad  about Jacob’s transformation, Alice because she wasn’t allowed to come back…   how else would you portray/show awkward? broken-hearted, nervous, hallucinating? How would you behave when you know that the girl is completely lost to another and you do not even have a slightest chance to have her for yourself? eh?

The flow of the story is good (though not perfect) and the atmosphere is very different from the first film. This one is more “real”,  the saturation toned down a lot more. Although, I would’ve liked to see some atmosphere in the forest when Edward left Bella. Some fog or something to really make that bit memorable. They managed to add some humour which is a great, a welcome surprise. The fight scene is great, I love the way Edward gets tossed around by Felix.

There were slight changes; like Bella’s “kiss me” after the accident and Harry’s heart attack. Also some missing bits like when Alice and Bella took the plane to Italy – that conversation explains a bit somethings or when Alice bribed the police in Italy or their arrival back home – I’ve imagined that arrival from Italy many times and I was disappointed it wasn’t included.  Oh, I was wondering whether they’s include the “bonfire” when the Cullen’s left or Bella’s confrontation with her Dad about Sam or her defense of the pack afterwards. Those were not shown, nor her insistence that her father allow Edward in or Edward telling her about the photos under the floorboard,  and when Jacob remembered Sam’s memory of Bella when he found her in the forest around Edward. They also forgot to mention the Denali, which is important to the fourth movie. Because Laurent formed a bond with one of the Denali vampires and when Laurent was killed that  vamp was left emotionally unwell.

What was often forgotten by some audience is the fact that Bella and Edward are mates – made for each other, one cannot survive without the other.  Like Carlisle  to Esme or Jasper to Alice or James to Victoria.

I really think this movie was done well.  If you consider the general awkwardness of the characters in the book , the portrayal of the characters in the movie is okay.

About the abundance of bare-chested men with rippling muscles. I won’t say I did not like seeing all those muscles… boys you are just jealous!  Boys who complained, don’t watch the next movie… there are a lot more of that in the next movies!

If you were thinking of watching and you’ve read the book, I advise you to re-read the book to remind yourself that this movie is about a broken heart, loyalty and friendship. Nothing romantic at all.

If I were to make a list of things in each book then see below:

Twilight

• Bella and Edward meet, they are mates, not the Australian word for buddy.
• Bella get terrorised by another vamp (James)
• James was killed and his mate victoria want vengeance
• Bella and Edward were back in Forks

New Moon

• All goes well until Bella’s b-day.
• Accident happened.
• Edward felt he need to get away to keep her safe. So he left
• Depression (who haven’t thought of suicide after a break-up with a “real love”?).
• Getting Edwards back.
• Marriage proposal.

Eclipse

• Graduation
• Tense relationship with Jacob and Bella trying to mend it ti keep her best friend
• Attack by Victoria’s new-born vampire army
• Their promise to the Volturi.
• Wedding preps

Breaking of Dawn

• Jacob sulking,
• Wedding and honeymoon
• Pregnancy
• Childbirth and Bella’s transformation
• Bella the Vamp and her baby
• Volturi

The Bridge to Terabithia

Today we decided to go to the cinema as a family – the chosen film is Terabitha. We brought along my 4 year old son and my 18 month old baby. They were well behaved during the film and both children’s interest were caught. Well, I guess it’s because it is a story about children and their strong imagination.

Personally, I like it. After being disappointed with Eragon, my expectations for American fiction movies were rather low. This however gave some respect back. It is a movie that shows a story of pre-teen boy and girl with domestic and school pressures. And this story is also about friendship and imagination, the highs and lows of school life, etc. It is great, it touches the person watching it. My son enjoyed it and my 18month daughter just watched, never got distracted. As a responsible parent, I believe there is nothing wrong with this movie, it is both happy and sad but life is like that too and even worse! It is well done because the story is easy to understand – not too complicated, also the message got through, it made the viewer smile, laugh and cry. But most of all it teaches a lesson and that’s what ALL movie should be about.

From my point as a viewer, there is no pretentious  animations, everything fits well.

If by any chance you saw the trailer, please keep your mind WIDE OPEN because nowadays the trailers are hacked parets of the movie rearranged into a different story.

the Notebook – a movie to watch

After feeling rather low this week with inspiration and motivation on low level, my hubby thought something I like would help. And being a hopeless romantic, I fell in love with this movie.

The note book is about the memories of an old woman who suffered dementia – it seems that she wrote a story of how she and her husband met and their struggles. Her husband who loves her so much even stayed with her in the hospital where she stayed so he can read for her. This heart breaking movie made me cry rivers, even my husband beside me cried too. It also show real love between husband and a wife. I’ve learned a bit through this movie – it is not all about sex (no matter how good it is) it is also about dedication, care and hard work. It is unconditional (specially if it is reciprocal).

This movie is not only for those who really need to shed a tear, if you think you are going through hell with your other half – watch this together, I think it could help and give you something to think about.

Synopsis
Based on the celebrated novel by Nicholas Sparks, THE NOTEBOOK tells the story of a young couple who overcome insurmountable odds to experience the true power of love. In a modern-day nursing home, a kind-hearted man (James Garner) reads a tender story to another patient (Gena Rowlands). The story begins during one glorious summer in small-town South Carolina in the early 1940s. Noah Calhoun (Ryan Gosling) is a blue-collar log mill worker who courts the wealthy and sheltered Allie Nelson (Rachel McAdams). Before long, sparks are flying and the pair is in love. But eventually Allie’s snobby parents force their separation, and when World War II arrives, Noah heads overseas to serve his country. In the meantime, Allie becomes a nurse and falls for another man (James Marsden), to Noah’s dismay. Nonetheless, he buys and fixes up the mansion he promised Allie he would one day restore, and when he and Allie reunite just before her wedding, their love blossoms once again. Decades later, in the nursing home, the story reaches its heartfelt conclusion. Directed with extreme sensitivity by Nick Cassavetes (son of co-star Gena Rowlands), THE NOTEBOOK is aided immensely by the naturalistic performances of Gosling and McAdams, whose chemistry is palpable.

Get it from Amazon.co.uk for only 6.98£
RRP: 19.99 £

Olympus EX25 extention tube

This is a small and affordable accessory that could turn your regular lens into one capable of close macro photography. I’ve attached mine to my E500 and 14-45mm lens on manual mode and went into the garden for a test. The sky is overcast and is getting a bit darker (PM). So I just compensated the lack of light by longer exposure time in hope that the wind will not pick up.

Snowdro, Olympus E-500 with X25

With the EX25 you really need to get your knees dirty as you are more likely to kneel to get close.. very close to your subject. Some of my in-laws’ neighbours must have thought me bizarre since I almost laid flat on my belly just to get a good shot at some tiny snowdrops. Thank goodness there wasnt enough space to do it so I had to cram down to take a shot.

Grass flower – Olympus E-500

So instead of buying a 300£ macro lens or even the 179£ macro lens, get this extention tube for only 93£ from Amazon.co.ukand give your lenses a macro capability (on MF).

Principality of Seborga

In August 2006, we went for a drive to the hills. Our destination is the Principality of Seborga which is close to Vintemillia. It is not a very long drive through the motorway and for the passengers, it is a scenic one.

The Old Principality of Seborga is located in the back hills of Liguria, at only 45 minutes from Nice through the motorway and 15 to 30 minutes drive from Genova and Monaco. From its point at 500m above sea level, the Principality enjoys and exceptionally mild climate and beautiful panoramic views of the French and Italian Riviera.

The Principality comprises of 10 square miles territory with a population of around 2000. The towns of Vallecrosia, Vallebona and Bordighera were part of the Principality.

The Seborgans earn their living by cultivationg and exporting their crops all over the world.

The capital is small, filled with charming streets, small doors, beautiful mural paintings and beautiful views. There are three restaurants in Seborga and they specialise in local dishes mainly with rabbit and goat.

The Church of Saint Martin

The food was really good both meat and the vegetables. If you think you tasted the best olive apperitif already, then come to Seborga and taste the real delicacy . I ate rabbit when we went there, it was succulent and tasty; matched with potatoes and mushrooms it was divine! We agreed that it was the best meal we ever came to eat on the Riviera after 7 years living there and frequent visits to the restaurants.

The restaurant -Seborga

Charming streets of Seborga

The existence of the Principality dates back to as early as 954. With the election of a monk as their head of state who also becomes the Prince of Seborga. Historians consider Seborga as the first consitutional monarchy of the world and experts in international law agrees that the Principality of Seborga cannot be considered part of the Italian Republic.

Mural Paintings – Seborga

For more details on Seborga, click here to visit their website.