Discussing Twilight while watching Austen

[ringsandcoffee]

Reena and Michelle (and Loch) came over after a bunch of us went to breakfast yesterday. Once again, they were trying to convince me to watch or read the Twilight books.  Why does the word "twilight" suddenly look weird spelled out?  I mentioned reading Eclipse in 15 minutes which they think has prejudiced me against the movies.  Comparisons to Harry Potter were made, and wonder as to why I don't care for them either.  I said that I just never cared for HP, but Twilight I just find...goofy/laughable/mockable for some reason.  It's not even anything to do with vampires.  The plots and/or writing just seem LOL-worthy.   I did read a section of Breaking Dawn, by the way.  As I read, I was pretty incredulous as to what the appeal was.  Reena said I should at least give the book Twilight a try; she almost had me convinced.  Not reading them is sort of like a personal trophy for me, like how I've never smoked at all.  Well, oops, I did read that part of BD, dangit. 

We watched Persuasion 2007, then Reena chose Sense and Sensibility 2008.  Why are Austen men so awesome and yet can be such idiots?  Obviously some characters are exaggerated, but it's sad to think they were based on reality at the time.  Some rich people (Fanny Dashwood) were major snobs, some were complete idiots (Lucy Steele, Mary Musgrove), and the men run the full gamut.  

In other news: I just baked two batches of chocolate chip scones, my oven temperature is way off, I went swimming at Heidi's and got more tan/burned, and I have yet to start the books I bought yesterday.  One is a classroom management book, the other My Lobotomy which I've wanted to read for a long time.  I guess I should get off the computer and get some more chores accomplished. 

Comments

[ringsandcoffee.livejournal.com]

At least read the m15m parodies linked above for laughs.

So, if I were to read Twilight, I'd either finish it out of willpower or addiction (see other comment). Interesting.

[roseleaf.livejournal.com]

The Twilight saga is laughable and mock-worthy, and definitely not something I would let a teenage daughter read without a long conversation of how Edward's behavior is borderline stalker/abusive and NOT romantic, and Bella needs to grow a spine and be a woman, not a simp. But, I couldn't put them down. I don't know why...the writing is not good, but something in the plot just made it impossible for me to stop reading.

[ringsandcoffee.livejournal.com]

So if I attempted it, I'll either force myself to read it or I won't be able to put it down according to what I've been told. Very interesting.

[holbytla.livejournal.com]

I have no comment on Twilight lol.

I do however have a TV show suggestion! Since you're missing Lost, have you considered Fringe?

"Series created by J. J. Abrams, Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci. The series follows a Federal Bureau of Investigation "Fringe Division" team based in Boston, Massachusetts under the supervision of Homeland Security. The team uses unorthodox "fringe" science and FBI investigative techniques to investigate "the Pattern", a series of unexplained, often ghastly occurrences that are happening all over the world. The show has been described as a hybrid of The X-Files, Altered States, The Twilight Zone, and Dark Angel.

...

"Fringe follows the exploits of special agent Olivia Dunham, mad scientist Walter Bishop, and his son, jack-of-all-trades Peter Bishop, as they investigate aspects of fringe science (rare diseases, chimeras, mutants, psychic abilities, teleportation, and so forth). Unlike his other series, Lost, J.J. Abrams promises the series' story arc will be easier to follow and more accessible for those who skip an occasional episode. In an interview first published in September 2008, Abrams said: "Lost has garnered a certain reputation for being a very complicated show and one that you have to watch every episode. Fringe is in many ways an experiment for us, which is, we believe it is possible to do a show that does have an overall story and end game, which Fringe absolutely does… We can do a show that has that, so that there's a direction the show is going and there's an ultimate story that's being told, but also a show that you don't have to watch episodes one, two and three to tune into episode four."

I really think you'll like it.

[ringsandcoffee.livejournal.com]

Not even a comment about Jane Austen?

You're person 3 or 4 to recommend Fringe to me.

"but also a show that you don't have to watch episodes one, two and three to tune into episode four."

This helped sell me on it a little more.

[holbytla.livejournal.com]

This morning I was actually thinking about what you said about the Austen men being based on the attitudes of the times and how that compares to now, specifically the idea of rank and breeding. More than once I've wondered how I could compare to a spouse or boyfriend. I have a part time job and no education college. Would I be likely to be looked down upon by either the guy or his family? I know it happens. "She's not good enough for him".
That kind of stuff goes on even today. Not much has changed.

I hope you'll give Fringe a chance! I recommend starting anywhere in season one because you can get a feel for what's going on than if you started in season 2, which ended on a huge cliff-hanger, so I wouldn't start with season 3 when it comes on in Sept. for sure. Or, you know, do whatever ;P

[malone73.livejournal.com]

I'll admit that I've read every book in the Twilight series and I own a box set of the books but I'm sick of seeing it everywhere. And these little girls who are saying they want a man like Edward Cullen scares me, yes he's beautiful but he acts like an abusive boyfriend through the series and that's not what a girl should believe is normal behavior. My sister's friend actually wrote a 40 page essay about how Twilight is anti-feminist and she was invited to speak somewhere important (I can't remember where but I know she was very excited about it).

[ringsandcoffee.livejournal.com]

Does anything in the books actually promote feminist ideas? I can see the anti-feminist viewpoint, but Bella as a strong woman?

Sigh, vampires are everywhere now.

[malone73.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I'm so sick of seeing vampires and werewolves for that matter everywhere I turn. What really drives me nuts are these preteen girls who get into fights with the Team Edward Team Jacob crap. I just want to shout "Who gives a fuck, they're fictional characters!" The guy who plays Jacob was actually in a skit on SNL that made fun of that, it was pretty excellent.