These two-part last-book movie finales are becoming something of a regular occurrence, what with a two-part Deathly Hallows and a looming two-part Mockingjay. Though film audiences will have to wait another year for the completion of the film versions of Stephenie Meyer’s Twilight Saga, part 1 of the last installment has just hit theaters. Here are my thoughts on the film, particularly in connection with its ties to the text and deeper meaning (read: there is much analysis of alchemy, hardly any of actors’ degrees of attractiveness, though I did love Billy Burke’s declaration, in his wedding tux, that he knew he was hot. Gotta love that Charlie). Those of you who have also seen the film I hope will help fill in any gaps I may have left ( I’ll do better after several careful DVD run-throughs). Those who are not much fussed over films or Forks, we’ll have some other posts for you soon. Now, grab that popcorn and that wedding invite (here’s mine), and let’s break down Breaking Dawn: Part 1.
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Breaking Down Breaking Dawn: Part 1
Breaking Dawn opens tomorrow! Get reading!
So, just in case you are heading out to the midnight showing tonight, here are a few more favorite Twilight posts to get you ready!
Here is the link to the podcast we did with The Twilight News Site last summer.
Here is the post on my work with Twilight and History.
One of my favorites from our Jane Eyre Group read last winter.
My review of Eclipse last year (review of Breaking Dawn will be forthcoming, although I only watch movies at midnight if they are on while I’m rocking a sick child back to sleep…)
If you want to review all the bigger posts about Bella and Edward that have appeared at this site and ForksHighSchoolProfessor.com, then go to the big round-up page and settle in for some fun reading!
And, of course, make sure you have a copy of our own John Granger’s AWESOME guide to the deeper meaning in Meyer’s work: Spotlight!
See you at the movies (or not, as the case may be)
Hunger Games Film Official trailer–Just Like Cinna Would Do It
So, of course, we have some thoughts here about the just-released full-length official trailer for The Hunger Games. Even though the film isn’t out until March, the Gamemakers are amping up the hype. This trailer will be premiering in theaters with the first half of Breaking Dawn on Friday. This is not an unusual pattern, as Eclipse featured the preview for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows last year. Yesterday, the trailer debuted on Good Morning America with all the razzle-dazzle Plutarch Heavensbee could want. I had the honor of actually watching it for the first time with my ENG 111 students who have read the novel this semester. Join me after the jump for thoughts on the trailer’s best moments, what it bodes for the film, and why this is the trailer Cinna would have made.
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Breaking Dawn Movie Countdown Continues!
If you need a little break from the Hunger Games News, here’s the latest installment on our countdown to the Breaking Dawn movie release Friday! Don’t forget to let us know if there are other posts you’d like to see!
On Critical Reception of Harry Potter and Twilight Part 7: What the Critics missed (A: Surface)
On Critical Reception of Harry Potter and Twilight Part 8: What the Critics missed (B: Moral)
On Critical Reception of Harry Potter and Twilight Part 9: What the Critics missed (C: Allegorical)
After-Action Report on James Madison University’s Replacing Wands with Quills Conference
On November 10-12, James Madison University in Harrisonburg, VA, hosted a diverse collection of Harry Potter scholars, including our own headmaster John Granger as the keynote speaker, and faculty members Louise Freeman, John Patrick Pazdziora, and Elizabeth Baird Hardy. It was a lovely event that bodes well for future gatherings. Follow me after the jump for my thoughts on the event. I hope my magical brethren will also chime in with their thoughts, especially on sessions I missed, since, unlike Hermione, I can’t be in two places at once.
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