November 23, 2008 - Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony at The Grove
To share some Holiday spirit on this Black Friday, I wanted to post some pictures that I took of The Grove and famous Farmers Market in Los Angeles (across the street from where I live).
On November 23, many of us who live in the area were invited to enjoy the lighting of the giant Christmas Tree at the center of the mall – complete with a fireworks spectacular. It was incredible.
For Thanksgiving, I spent some time walking around the plaza, taking pictures. Here are a few images that I wanted to capture to share with you. Enjoy!
As a HUGE Neil Gaiman fan, I thought I’d share this trailer for the upcoming stop motion animation film, “CORALINE” set for release on February 6, 2009.
Written/directed by THE NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS director, Henry Selick, CORALINE is an adaptation of a children’s book by Neil Gaiman. The film, produced by Focus Features, will feature a voice cast including Dakota Fanning (as Coraline), Ian McShane and Terry Hatcher.
Here is the synopsis (thanks to IMDB):
A young girl (Fanning) walks through a secret door in her new home and discovers an alternate version of her life. On the surface, this parallel reality is eerily similar to her real life – only much better. But when her adventure turns dangerous, and her counterfeit parents (including Other Mother [Hatcher]) try to keep her forever, Coraline must count on her resourcefulness, determination, and bravery to get back home – and save her family.
Rumor has it that THEY MIGHT BE GIANTS will be contributing music for the film….which would be AMAZING.
November 22, 2008: Photograph of TWILIGHT wall graphics at ArcLight Cinemas, Sherman Oaks, CA
Okay. I’ll admit it.
The movie adaptation for TWILIGHT was, overall, a disappointment for the fans of the book series (like me).
We wanted 120 minutes of unadulterated, word-for-word, though-by-thought Stephenie Meyer magic on the screen…and got…well…a patch-worked, lightweight interpretation that missed on many levels.
But I saw it twice….and with a few days off for Thanksgiving…I may see it AGAIN.
As I have documented here since early July, I am an AVID fan of the TWILIGHT saga.
Eager to get the first glimpse of the film as it opened in theatres nationwide, I purchased my tickets early for the midnight screening at The ArcLight Cinemas in Hollywood, CA (AKA the best movie theatre on EARTH) so that I could have a guaranteed assigned seat. I was glad that I did when I discovered that this ArcLight location needed to open FIVE (5) separate auditoriums to meet the demand for the midnight showing of the film!
November 20, 2008: Crowd outside of auditorium at ArcLight Cinemas, Hollywood - awaiting the midnight opening of TWILIGHT
The crowds were INSANE with nearly every person in the audience sporting their own TWILIGHT inspired t-shirt or hoodie. It was a sea of black and blue jeans (Hot Topic must be proud). ArcLight could have opened more and sold them out as well!
As stated, since The ArcLight is the best movie theatre on EARTH, both locations (Hollywood and Sherman Oaks) featured costumes from the TWILIGHT film (pictured below).
November 20, 2008 - Midnight Screening. Costumes for characters "Edward" and "Bella"
In my defense, I was not the only crazy fan weilding a digital camera and taking pictures of the event. Fans of all ages were there with cameraphones, video cameras and more – documenting their experience so that they could share it with their friends and keep a memento from the evening.
But I digress. Back to the review…
Regardless of some of its shortfalls (ahem: i.e. screenwriter/director), I give this film 5 stars.
Why? Because it is a pop culture cult classic phenomenon. It is a film that, at its core, is an honest and earnest effort to give the fans of this epic, beloved story something more tangible to hang on to.
Do I wish that more focus was placed on the love story versus the sub-par action sequences- particularly considering the low budget? Of course I do.
The turbulent, passionate relationship between Edward and Bella that Stephenie Meyer documented so perfectly in her book was so much more cinematic and real than the overtly staged scenes in the film. One wonders why try the screenwriter and director were so determined to try to fix what was not broken?!
Alas, regardless of its flaws, I will be first in line to buy the DVD. I will have my ticket to the sequel, NEW MOON pre-ordered a month in advance.
$70M opening weekend is no joke.
TWILIGHT is already on my favorites list for the year…and I – along with millions of other fans – will undoubtedly be watching and re-watching it for many years to come. Dare I say, forever?
The following review is HILARIOUS and I thought that it would be a great way to end my own review. If this doesn’t pique your interest in reading these books, I don’t know what will!
…Oh, and in case you are just tuning in – check out my blog posting from August 21st regarding fandom for NEW MOON!
Calliope in Outer Space 