A Weekend Full of Twilight

In an interesting turn of events last night, I went to see the film “Twilight,” which as I’m sure you all know, is the silver screen version of the best-selling books by Stephenie Meyer. I was waiting until I had finished the first book, but when I cracked it open and read the first 20 pages, I wasn’t very inspired to keep reading a 500 or so page book, so I put it down. I came to to the conclusion last night though, that if I was waiting to finish the first book in a four book series before I saw the film, I probably would not end up seeing it before it came out on DVD.

So I went, I saw, I conquered. My verdict? Well, where do I begin? On one hand, after attending movie screenings comprised of journalists for the last year, I had forgotten what a “real” movie experience was like so to speak, and that included all the annoyances that accompanied seeing a film with people who were seeing it for nothing more than entertainment value, as opposed to writing about it. If it wasn’t the overly immature row of boys in the back ( who had been dragged to the film by a female friend), it was the woman who sat directly in front of me with a humongous afro. Note to movie-goers, the movie theatre is not your personal living room. Sit down, shutup, turn your cell phone off and for God’s sake, if your hair is on a stairway to heaven, pull it back or sit in the back. Your choice.

After quite a few irritations, the movie began and I really did not have expectations that swung one way or the other. Based on the few pages that I had read, I really felt like I was going to be quite sarcastic about it all, and for the first half of the film, I was. The dialogue wasn’t that great, the interactions between supporting characters and certain scenes were completely laughable (a glistening Edward looking like more like a Swarovski model than a vampire), when they were clearly not meant to be. These small details, although oblivious perhaps to a long time teenage fan, were standing out to me, and I suppose I can credit that to the movie reviews I’ve done. I had built up tolerance for overlooking certain things. But as the film progressed, and the relationship between Bella and Edward became more apparent and intense, I was drawn in, so much so that if you look at my desktop now, as embarrassing it is to admit, it’s wallpaper from the movie featuring Edward.

By the time it ended, I was wrapped up in the film. From the gorgeous scenery of Washington - which by the way, is looking more and more like my kind of state because of its green qualities and frequent gray days and rain, to Robert Pattinson and the entire Cullen family, it would be safe to say that I enjoyed the film, at least the second half immensely.

As time has passed, there have been a few things on my mind regarding the film, the author and the entire genre of vampire love stories.

I think part of the reason I really enjoyed the film and have spent more than half of my Sunday reading the book is because as silly it is to say, vampire stories intrigue me (and the rest of the country as well, apparently). If you ask any of my friends, I was completely obsessed with “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” and “Angel” throughout junior high and high school. I never missed an episode, had official books that correlated to the television series and collected photos in a memory book of scenes from the show and the actors who portrayed all of my favorite characters. When Buffy sent Angel to hell, I cried. When they told of his origins, I watched more intensely than before. When they consummated their relationship, my life became complete. I followed up my vampire obsession with “Blade,” “Queen of the Damned,” “Interview With the Vampire” and “Dracula.” When I was in my freshman year of college, I used my break time between classes to scour the video catalogue in the library and ended up watching “Nosferatu” alone, on the second floor, with humongous earphones on.

It was glorious.

Vampires and films about them have always been a part of many cultures worldwide. What it is about them that fascinates us so much? Or fascinates teenage girls, who are longing for an impossible love story, so much? It’s amazing how the idea of vampires are so intertwined with sexuality. The obsession with them wont end anytime soon.

For Stephenie Meyer, she was just in the right place at the right time. I kept wondering how it was possible for a 30-something housewife from Utah to dream, write and get a publishing deal for a book in the span of six months, when I was sitting here, lulling over how I would even begin to think of something original and eloquent that a publishing house or literary agent would be inclined to like and Stephenie Meyer comes along and defies all odds and now she’s a bonafide author and millionaire. It just baffles me. She really was in the right place at the right time. There was a wide open space left for her, after Buffy wrapped up, for her to descent and continue the vampire genre. Anne Rice had been quiet for some time as well and as far as I know, no other vampire movies were in the works. The only other vampire-themed work I can think currently is the “True Blood” television series based on the books by Charlaine Harris. “True Blood” is doing immensely well on HBO, and they probably have this sudden resurgence of interest in vampires and “Twilight” to thank.

As of now, I’m halfway finished with the “Twilight.” I imagine I’ll be done with it in a couple of days, at the rate I’m going. Although not in any way a literary masterpiece, it’s a good read, a good read that I’ve totally been sucked into.