Breaking Dawn Part 2

On Thursday night, I went to the 10 PM showing of Breaking Dawn Part 2.  It was the first time I ever went to a first showing.  I loved it!  I thought it stayed true to the book for the most part.  I didn’t care for the song in the first scene.  There was a beautiful score at the end of BD1 and BD2 continued with a song with vocals.  And not just any song.  It has to be a male singer singing his highest tenor.  I found it very distracting for the scene I've waited months to see.  I would have preferred score.  Save the tenor for when they leave the house to go hunting.

Another thing I really didn’t care for was the animated face on Renesmee.  I know critics have criticized George Lucas for focusing too much on special effects and not enough on the acting, but I think sometimes it’s called for to be a perfectionist on CGI;  especially in this day and age.  You want your audience to be focused on the story, not getting distracted by the visual effects that are in sad need of improvement.  Maybe they should have had baby Renesmee be totally CGI?  When I visualized her in my mind while reading the novel, I thought of her looking like a regular baby.  They should have used the same baby they used for Bella and kept the facial expressions at a minimum.

I’m not one for "spoiling" movies for others, so I won't go into much detail here. The twist . . . to steal a line from Flynn Rider, “I did not see that coming!” It's like they took a page from M. Night Shyamalan! Everyone who made this film was probably laughing at us! I wouldn’t be surprised if they filmed audience reaction in selected theaters. I would have actually liked to have seen my reaction, like the pictures they take on amusement park rides! Anyway, I thought it was ingenious! This is storytelling at it’s best!

One thing I wished they would have put in the script were a few of Edward's lines from the novel.  I wish they would have put in when he says to Bella, "This is what you've been keeping from me?" and he addresses Jacob as, "My brother . . . my son."  The book made me cry during that scene, but the the movie did not.  The only time I teared up was when Bella realized her fate after her meeting with J.  New Moon was my tear-jerker movie in this saga.  I don't quite get why fans are so emotional about this being the last film.  Be happy it was made and that you finally got to see it!  And you never know, someday they may make another movie. 

I loved the final scene as it stayed true to the book, yet they changed the setting. And having A Thousand Years Part 2 playing was perfect! I absolutely loved it!  The credits had a curtain call, like at the end of a play, where the actors come out to take a bow.  What a great way to end the saga!

 

Afterthought:

Alice. 

Alice can be so pixie-like and sweet, but can be quite the she-cat when loved ones are threatened!   She’s one of my favorites out of the female Cullens.   Although, there has been one thing that has bothered me about Alice.  I’ve done some reading about physic ability, from Allison DuBois to John Edwards to Sylvia Browne.  I’ve found many common characteristics between them and other people who share their ability.  It seems most people, including those in TV and movies seem to share the misconception that psychics are all-knowing.  The irony of it is psychics are not psychic about themselves and are rarely psychic about their own family and friends.  I see this happen so many times on TV shows and realize that the writer's are going on misconceptions rather than bothering to research it.  Granted, I will give Alice’s character a break because her ability to foresee the future was magnified when she became a vampire, along with her other senses.  And I have to remember that she never claimed to be psychic.  That is the assumption we make when we learn she can see the future.

Have a happy and safe Thanksgiving!

Veronica

A Thousand Years

With less than a week away from the release of the final Twilight movie, I watched Christina Perri perform her "reprise" for A Thousand Years (known as Part 2) on the Tonight Show on Friday night.  I went  on Hulu and watched it a few more times, trying to find the differences between this new song and the original.  I noticed the biggest difference in the first verse, but the rest of the song sounds very similar to the original.  While listening for the differences, I discovered something else.  A Thousand Years could be included on the "soundtrack" of my novel.  Now why didn't I think of it before with the numerous times I've heard the song on the radio?

With writing a historical, one has to know history.  With an idea blossoming this past week, I had to research the age of a historical landmark.  After all, a writer can't write about something that hadn't been created yet . . . or can they???

Veronica

Happy Belated Halloween!

Did everyone survive Halloween?  It was a busy Halloween for me with making a few costumes, helping with a school party and of course taking the kids trick-or-treating.  There was a little part of me that has considered dressing up as my author self (name tag and toting a laptop) or dressing up as my main character for Halloween.  For some reason, I think I would feel safer in my heroine's Empire gown and cape; there would be less questions that way.  Heck, I should just dress up as Jane Austen and kill two birds with one stone! 

My alarm clock interrupted my dream about firefighters this morning.  Don't worry, it was PG!  I dreamt I was waiting for the engine to get back from a fire so we could have a party - still PG.  I think it was triggered by the new firefighter show, Chicago Fire.

I am truly conflicted with who Elena should be with on the Vampire Diaries.  I think she belongs with Stephen, but there's a part of me that wants her to be with Damon.  Ahh, the love triangle.  I kind of have a little of that in my work in progress, minus the confusion on the girl's part.  I prefer to keep the confusion on the reader's part; to keep them guessing! ;o)

Beauty and the Beast is another new show that I've been enjoying.  I like the idea of Vincent not being the Beast all the time, but that he morphs into him.  I like the updated versions of Catherine and Vincent, but would like to see them get to know each other better.  In the original series, they had classic literature and music in common.  I would like to see the new versions find something in common besides homicide cases and government cover-ups.  I'm sure that will come as the season progresses.  I think what I like about the original characters is that they remind me of my characters by what they do to pass the time together.

Now that I'm getting some big projects behind me, I hope I will find more time to write.  I might surprise you with a snippet sometime.  Which character(s) would you like to know more about?

Veronica

I'm Back!

I realized it's been well over a month since I last posted!  Between school starting and home improvement projects, I've been busy!  Things should be winding down soon as a few of the home projects are almost complete.  With Halloween quickly approaching, I need to work on my kids' Halloween costumes, as well.  The Internet is a great place to look for costume ideas or even instructions if you're the DIY type. 

The sad thing is, I'm only on Chapter 22 with the book I'm reading, which was my last post!  I'm enjoying the story, but some nights after the kids are asleep, I'm too tired to even think of picking up a book!  Don't you ever wish we didn't need so much sleep?  I know I could get a lot more things done!

Sadly, the only writing I've had time for have been notes and letters.  I figure any form of writing is better than no writing. 

With Fire Prevention Week came the premiere of Chicago Fire last night on NBC.  I just love a man in uniform, and have a thing for firefighters!  It certainly doesn't hurt that Taylor Kinney (The Vampire Diaries) stars in it.  I'll be making sure to tune in on Wednesday nights! 

Speaking of which, I am looking forward to the season premiere of The Vampire Diaries and the premiere of Beauty and the Beast tonight.  Talk about must see TV!

Happy Harvest (and Fall Premieres),

Veronica

Back to Paperback!

Sorry I haven't posted in a while.  It's been a busy time with summer winding down and school starting.  We have some home improvement projects going on as well.

I'm currently reading Amanda Ashley's new release, Desire the Night.  I am very happy to say I got it in paperback and I am loving the feel and smell of a real book again!  Mandy has taken a different approach to this novel and I'm liking the change.  It will be interesting to see how the story goes.

Have a good weekend!

Veronica

Frustrated

I've been very lax with writing lately.  This summer has been very busy, which plays a part with finding time to write.  One of my issues right now is an ongoing debate going on in my mind about two of my characters.  I'm trying to decide if I should leave everything as it is or revise it.  The darn social ladder during Regency England isn't much help.  The two are in love, one is far above the other in social status.  I'm trying to decide if the families are okay with the two marrying or if I should have them elope.  Actually, blogging about this is giving me more ideas and helping me to resolve the issue.  My hubby always tells me to make a decision and go with it.

Hope you're enjoying these last days of summer!

Veronica

The Master & the Butler

I recently saw The Dark Knight Rises.  They saved the best for last.  I must say that the relationship between Bruce Wayne and Alfred has inspired two of the characters in my own WIP.  As mentioned before, Michael Caine has been an influence for my character that I refer to as the Butler.  My butler is shorter, though.  What makes the relationship similar is that they've been together for a long time and the loyal servant keeps his master's secrets, though he's not afraid to voice his opinion about his master's decisions.

These last days of summer are sure to go by quickly.  Fall is in the air already.  I love autumn!  It's my favorite season. 

Veronica