New Moon

I’d have to say that I’m surprisingly satisfied with “New Moon.” After the release of Stephenie Meyer’s first novel to film, “Twilight,” I completely lost all hope for Hollywood and their ability to capture the essence of the feelings a novel conveys. I think I can speak for most “Twilight” readers in the fact that the movie did not come even close to how fantastic the novel is. For the “Twilight” film, “bland” is the word that comes to mind. But, with “New Moon,” the only word I can think to describe my feelings is “content” which is funny considering I personally thought that “New Moon” was the worst book in the saga, but far succeeded “Twilight” in the motion picture department.

If you’ve read the second installment of the “Twilight” saga, then you know that this story is the saddest of the four. Beloved, picturesque Edward, played by Robert Pattison, decides to leave the town of Forks so that he can give Bella, played by Kristen Stewart, an opportunity at a normal life. He believes that if he and Bella continue their relationship – as vampire and human – then a catastrophe will occur considering she is endangering her life every day she is around Edward and his clan because her blood offers too much of a temptation to them. So, in order to spare Bella’s life, Edward embodies the notion that “if you love something, set it free,” but does so by breaking up with Bella in the middle of a forest saying, “I don’t want you. You just don’t belong in my world, Bella.” As Bella crumples beneath the blow of rejection from the one perfect man she felt unworthy of all along, she curls up into a ball and watches the world pass by as she remains immobile. I just want to say as a side note that I was balling when I read this part in the book and, for me, Kristen Stewart really falls short in conveying the deep, distraught feelings of abandonment of her one true love. I had no tears of empathy for her in the theatre because she really isn’t believable.

Bella’s depression intensifies as the months pass with no signs of Edward’s return. When all hope seems lost and even the reality of Edward’s existence seems to fade, Bella recalls his last sentiment pleading for her not to do anything stupid or reckless. After having a close encounter with danger, Bella “sees” Edward – his face materializes – to remind her of her promise to him to be safe. In a frenzy to do more dangerous, hasty acts in order to “see” Edward more, Bella buys a couple of beat-up old motor bikes in hopes that her friend Jacob, played by Taylor Lautner, can fix them up. For the first time in months, Bella distracts herself from Edward’s abandon by immersing herself in Jacob and his ability to reconstruct her death machines. Bella’s plan works and each time she embraces an adrenaline-prone task, she sees Edward begging her to stop putting her life in danger. Though Bella spends the majority of her time with Jacob and they get closer and closer, she loves him as her best friend and does not look to replace him with Edward. On the other hand, Jacob loves Bella and waits patiently for her to give him a chance to prove that he will never hurt her like Edward did. Bella seems to be an attractor for mystical heroes though when she learns that Jacob is a shape shifter – a werewolf to be exact. Because I don’t want to give any more away, I won’t go any further on the plot line; but ultimately Bella can’t help but be pulled between her perfect vampire love, Edward and masculine, protective werewolf, Jacob.

Between the two main men, many “Twilighters” have chosen sides – either Team Edward or Team Jacob. Though on the surface, Team Edward supports Robert Pattison as one of the hottest men alive, it also represents the notion of love at first sight and the belief in men being perfect and true gentlemen. On the other hand, Team Jacob backs up Taylor Lautner as being jaw-droppingly gorgeous as well as represents the idea that love develops through initial friendship and blossoms into a deeper, more passionate form of love. I have to say that I fully support Taylor Lautner taking on the role as Jacob. He is sexy, drop-dead gorgeous and completely ripped. I have to admit though that I am a Team Jacob supporter; I think I’m a sucker though for tall, dark, handsome, completely masculine men who begin as the underdog and emerge as a real fighter for true love that is rooted in a friendship of understanding rather than instant infatuation. Between the two types of guys, every girl has her preference. So ladies, pick your side – Team Edward or Team Jacob.

One thing that I think is interesting in “New Moon” is the emphasis of aging. Our society focuses so much on anti-aging that the emphasis on remaining young seems like a ridiculous endeavor. Bella finds herself surrounded by two men who are timeless. They will never become old or decrepit; they will always remain beautiful while she will inevitably keep accumulating years and wrinkles. The only way that Bella can remain young is if Edward will transform her into a vampire which will rob her of her humanity, but will give her the everlasting beauty she desires. Doesn’t that seem a little messed up? With age does come wrinkles, but wisdom and life should come with age as well. Our society shouldn’t fear that, it should embrace it.

From my disappointment in “Twilight” to my contentment in “New Moon,” there is a little bit of my faith restored in directors trying to breathe life into novels through film. Even though “New Moon” was my least favorite novel, it trumps “Twilight” – the film – ten-fold. Even if you haven’t read the novels, I think this movie would be enjoyed by any female – I’m not going to make that guarantee for guys though. Two hott, shirtless men would probably make any guy a little intimidated.

The Box

So, I have mixed feelings about “The Box.” Although the movie was so elaborate to the point of confusion, it was definitely intriguing and had a lot of hidden messages that my friends and I did our best to decipher, but still fell short. But really, I would rather be a little stumped by the elements of a complex film which I can constantly mull over than feel more stupid after stepping out of a moronic film any day.

The film begins with Cameron Diaz and James Marsden as Norma and Arthur Lewis. They are an average, happily married couple with above-average occupations and their only son Walter. It seems that their financial world crashes down on them all at the same time when Norma loses her employee discount for her son’s attendance at an elite private school and Arthur gets rejected from the astronaut program. Amidst their disappointment and sudden stress to make ends meet, a box appears on their door step. Inside the box is a wooden box with a button in the center. After being visited by Arlington Steward, played by Frank Langella, the couple is given the opportunity to press the button or not press the button. If one of them pushes the button in the next twenty-four hours, two things will happen: “Someone, somewhere in the world, whom you do not know, will die. Secondly, you will receive one million dollars.” As Norma and Arthur weigh the possibilities of the deal, they come to a decision. I’m not going to tell you, because what fun would that be if you wanted to see this movie? You’ll just have to see where the Lewis’s decision fell – to push, or not to push; that is the question!

I love the stream of thought in this film though. It is always fantastic to see a movie made that comments on our society’s humanity, or the lack thereof. The question of whether this couple should choose to supposedly take another’s life – even though they do not know him or her – just so that they can financially prosper is a really prevalent question in today’s society. Essentially, the message here is that we have come to a point where our individual needs and greed cloud our judgment so much so that it trumps the immoral guilt of potentially taking a human life. Therefore humanity is depleting at the hands of humans.

It seems that there were a lot of things which the audience either needed prior knowledge of or needed further explanation in the film. For example, Cameron Diaz plays a high school teacher conducting a class discussion about Jean-Paul Sartre’s existential play, “No Exit.” Having no prior knowledge of this play, I tried to catch every detail because, being an English major, I am programmed to see the significance of symbolism and foreshadowing as it correlates to the larger plot line. Well, after failing to grasp the significance of the drama in relation to the bigger picture, I had to look it up when I got home. So, for all of you that are planning to see this film, I am doing you a great favor in explaining some of the key elements that were integral to the story. The play itself is called “No Exit”; at least twice in the film, the words “No Exit” appear in odd places prior to and after the decision of pushing the button has been made. The other thing you need to know is the main idea in Sartre’s play. He conveys that “Hell is other people.” Knowing this, it is obvious that this is a theme throughout the film. The presence of people who are destructive or prone to making your life worse could either cause you to live in a hell on earth or some other hell that is unfathomable. This reference will be more clear once you see the film.

Another interesting thing that I just have to touch on was the overt recurrent “Adam and Even syndrome.” It seems like the woman always gets the brunt of the fall; it is always her who takes the apple from the silver-tongued snake. It is always Adam who sides his Eve after she has chosen the pathway of sin because they are an inseparable unit – or Adam just doesn’t want to be alone. Ultimately, the sin is always committed by the woman. Now, in actuality, there are a lot of choices made in this film that supersede the obvious, “Did they push the button?” so I don’t think I have ruined the movie for you – not entirely anyway.

I would definitely say that “The Box” is worth a try. There is so much to this film that you will probably walk out of the theatre completely confused. After mulling it over for multiple hours, I think I have come to a lot of conclusions about hidden meanings, reasons as to why certain aspects were integrated, what their significance was, etc. I wish I could share those findings with you, but I feel that that would just ruin the movie before you had a chance to see it yourself! I would have to say that I liked it. If nothing else, James Marsden is in the film. Enough said; go watch it!

You can't fight fate with "Law Abiding Citizen"

Where there is Gerard Butler, I know I will not be disappointed; but I wasn’t expecting “Law Abiding Citizen” to blow me away. This movie far exceeded my expectations and left me on the edge of my seat for the majority of the time. It is smart, cunning and action-packed. I’d recommend it to anyone with a love for Gerard Butler, or just a good movie. Same difference, right?

The movie begins with Clyde Shelton, played by Gerard Butler, spending an average day like any other indoors with his wife and daughter. When the doorbell rings, he believes it to be the take-out he ordered. Surprisingly though, he is met by two men who force their way into his home, tying him and his family up, stabbing each of them several times and raping Clyde’s wife. As one of the unmasked men slides his blade into Clyde’s stomach, he says, “You can’t fight fate.” Clyde is the only survivor of the three. I just have to say as a side note that the night I watched this movie, I went home to an empty house where the power unexpectedly went out. This made my usually insouciant night of slumber into one of frenzied, sobbing panic. I’d have to say that “Law Abiding Citizen” was in large part due to this response because of the aforementioned scene. The fear of some menacing rogues who could potentially break into the house with the intent of stabbing and raping would make any girl living by herself a little freaked out.

But, back to the plot line. Clyde, being the only survivor, seeks vengeance through the legal system, hoping that he will receive justice by putting the perpetrators away for life or having them sentenced to death for the wrongs they did to his family. Though, when discussing the matter with his attorney Nick Rice, played by Jamie Foxx, he is told that the case would be better settled with a deal. The deal would ultimately dodge the financial downfall of both the firm and Clyde that the case would be sure to amass on trial. The deal would also ensure one of the men the death sentence and the other a few years in prison. Clyde, knowing that the man receiving the death sentence is wrongfully accused due to insubstantial evidence and the real murderer, Darby, is getting away scot free incurring a barely significant prison term, makes Clyde a helpless man. Clyde discovers that the government which is supposed to abide by the law and persecute those who don’t is, in reality, unwilling to right the wrongs if it is easier to make corrupt deals with bad men if it means that the law firms will not lose money in the process. This is, therefore, defined by our law firms as a “win” even though justice has not been duly served.

After Clyde sees Nick exchange a handshake with the Darby, he exits with a look of helpless fury. Ten years pass and Darby is back on the streets while the other man who broke in but didn’t harm any of Clyde’s family is up for lethal injection. Usually a painless procedure, the man ends up dying a gruesome death due to an unknown chemical added to the mix. On the only evidence found – a container for the foreign, lethal chemical – are the words, “You can’t fight fate.” This automatically sets the police on Darby’s track, leading him right into the open arms of a fate far worse than he could imagine.

After ten years and with nothing left to lose, Clyde launches his elaborate revenge plan, beginning with Darby’s gruesome death that somewhat resembled the dismemberment and slasher plots of the “Saw” series. With no effort to conceal his involvement in Darby’s murder, Clyde is arrested and taken into custody. The interesting part is that Clyde is the only prisoner who is still able to kill every person involved in the case regarding the death of his family – including Darby, the law firm and the government officials by extension – within the confines of his solitary jail cell.

This is unlike any other psychological thriller though in the fact that it appears at first glance to resemble the plotline of “The Punisher” where the protagonist wreaks havoc on all those who had a hand in murdering his family, but Clyde is different. He is seeking revenge, but not merely on those who murdered his family; he is teaching the attorneys and lawyers and government officials – the government in essence – that to be a law-abiding citizen, one must follow the laws and be judged accordingly, not to allow the corrupt to walk free just because that is the easier choice. Therefore, he is teaching his lesson by being the law-abiding citizen upholding the laws that all men are to be held by. “It’s gonna be biblical,” says a calm, collected Clyde as more people die for the sake of his message.

I don’t want to give anything away, but nearing the end there is a specific death where I was awe-struck. It reminded me of a question I was once asked: “Isn’t there something beautiful about death?” As this particular person died in an encasement of flames, there was something romantic about the scene. It wasn’t horrifying as it probably should have been, but rather was, for lack of a better word, beautiful.

I’d have to say that I could not figure out how Clyde was committing the murders from within the prison, but let me say, “Wow.” It is fantastic. There are twists and turns and if no one has told you how the film turns out, there is a great ending in store. I would recommend this film without a doubt. It’s the first movie in a long while where I was on the edge of my seat, felt swept off my feet and left me replaying the movie over and over, mulling over the rich content just once more. “You can’t fight fate”; so make sure you watch this one!