Jennifer’s Body (2009)

Jennifer's Body is movie about a girl who gets sacrificed to the devil by an indie rock band who wants to make it big, but because she is not a virgin, instead of dying she comes back as a daemon and begins feasting on the boys in her high school. The main character of this movie is Jennifer's best friend, Needy (Anita), who is the complete opposite of Jennifer. Jennifer is the stereotypical popular girl in high school. She's a cheerleader, she's hot/ borderline slutty, and has slept with several of the popular boys. Needy on the other hand is a stereotypical nerd, complete with glasses and a less than conscious fashion sense. She also has a cute boyfriend who is completely devoted to her. The story is told from the perspective of the friend Needy as she watches Jennifer change.

The story was a decent one... but was suspiciously like the film Ginger Snaps, a werewolf horror with the exact same plot. The difference was that ginger snaps was done better, the plot ran a bit smoother and the character relationships were done a bit better as well. The character of Jennifer was portrayed in regards to her sexuality most of the time. Even before she was turned into a daemon she talks casually about sleeping with various boys in their high school and uses her body to get what she wants. After she gets changed into a soul-sucking monster, we don't really see her change, just emphasize what was already there. In Ginger Snaps however, Ginger morphs from a social outcast into an animal, riding on her instincts. of course, if I'd never seen Ginger Snaps I wouldn't be overly critical of Jennifer, but I have and I prefer the growth displayed by Ginger to the cardboard sexpot Jennifer represents. But I would like to say that at the end of the movie when Needy 'broke up' with Jennifer, I felt that Jennifer was really struggling with the fact that she was no longer human and no longer had control over her actions, that was the only time I was interested in Jennifer's character on an intellectual level. The character Needy's struggle was more evident as she was the story teller and the audience had to witness the change through her eyes. We get to see how she changes because of her relationship to Jennifer and having to deal with what happened. But again.... Brigette from Ginger Snaps did it better. She was less a victim and more a proactive... fighter of the paranormal. Needy on the other hand was... well, needy. She obeyed Jennifer before the change, and after the change sniffles and goes emo for a bit. She researching possible explanations for Jennifer's behaviour and tries to fight her at the end but I didn't really buy it. Needy was a much more dynamic character than Jennifer was though. and her boyfriend was sweet.

Overall I'd say it was a decent movie. I thought that the actors did a good job of playing out their roles and I don't have any issues with the plot despite a few inconsistencies. I would watch it again and would probably enjoy it, but it's not the best movie in the genre, and is not even an original in the genre. I like the genre though, so it's ok. For people who haven't seen Ginger Snaps though... I recommend that you see it, as it is what this wanted to be.

Vampire Kisses by Ellen Schreiber

 This story is OK, though it could been better if more effort was put into it. The author doesn't really go out of her way to create dynamic and compelling characters. She surrounds characters with certain feelings and stereotypes, but she doesn't actually do any of the work. This didn't really bother me though, as it does in some other books, because the story is more plot driven than anything else and it's just a light read... nothing intense. 

Basically the story has been done, but it's readable and enjoyable if you like this particular kind of story. so I recommend it, but don't expect anything new.

Vampire Journals (1997)

Well, I'd say I'm kind of into the vampire scene. It's not my number one obsession, but I do appreciate a good vampire story. This movie was, well just OK. This movie wasn't really fresh, the 'vampire who cares about what he's eating' character seems to be explored a lot, so I kind of knew what was coming, but this wasn't what held it back from being great. What I didn't like was the fact that at the end of the movie I was still waiting for something to happen. The movie spends too much time introducing the characters and the setting and not enough actually dealing with what it has created. Basically I didn't really feel connected to any of the characters, enough so that the achieving or failure of achieving their goals were irrelevant to me. Right now if I was asked, 'Who is Zachery?' I would know who he is from the stereotypes surrounding that character type, but the movie didn't go into enough detail concerning his personality, his motives, his history... I could have told you who Zachery was without watching the movie. 

Basically the characters were kind of flat.

And the movie is all suspense, but the ending isn't a sufficient catharsis. Maybe because I wasn't that drawn into the characters the ending didn't quite satisfy me. There wasn't enough happening in the story, or more, what was happening wasn't fleshed out to its full potential, leaving me wanting more... but not in a good way.

Aside from my criticisms however, the movie is worth viewing and isn't that bad. The music was alright and the costumes weren't bad. The setting wasn't too bad either. The atmosphere was appropriate I think. All in all worth a watch.

The Vampire Diaries: The Fury And Dark Reunion by L J Smith

This was a really great ending to a good series. In the first two books we saw Elena as a self centered girl used to getting her way, possibly shallow. None of this was a conscious undertaking on her part, but just how she was, but she begins to grow by the second book. In the third book, Elena is not at all the girl we met in the first book (and not for the obvious reason). Throughout the series Elena was a strong proactive heroine, but in the third book and onward (the second too a bit but most notably in the third) she channels that strength of spirit and energy away from her own concerns and grows a bit. She was really a great character and I enjoyed reading her story. The relationship between her and the other characters were all believable well done and the situations and resolutions draw you into the story. I liked how the book ended as well. It was a nice catharsis after all the tension. Overall, great series.

The Vampire Diaries: The Awakening And The Struggle by L J Smith

This was a good vampire series focused on a main character that I expected to hate. In the beginning of the series I was somewhat hesitant to like Elena because she is one of those self centered, bossy personalities one usually acquaints with the antagonist, Elena herself was oblivious of the fact that she was so selfish of course. But even though she was so unforgivingly forward, the reader is compelled to appreciate her personality and interpret her methods of accomplishing something as strength. The first task we see her trying to accomplish is the wooing of Stephan, and though this plot development seems typical, the way in which Elena throws herself whole heartedly into what she wishes to accomplish really connects her to the reader and makes the reader want to support her. She has this energy and strength of will throughout the entire series. She also grows tremendously. In the beginning, as I've said, she's somewhat focused on herself, but as the series progresses, her focus shifts to those around her and to those she cares about. All in all Elena was a very proactive heroine and I recommend this series to those who appreciate a good vampire romance.

Eclipse by Stephenie Meyer

I'm beginning to get really annoyed with the heroine. 

I liked Twlight, it got me into reading after going through something of a slump in that department. The characters were all interesting and the story was one we all know (if you're into the vampire romance scene) but given a fresh spin so that your interested. The second book was not as good as the first, but still had a good story and though Bella was beginning to get on my nerves a bit, I could deal with it, though a lot of her flaws were illustrated and brought to light in that one. don't get me wrong, I love flawed characters, I just recently finished breakfast of champions by vonnegut, is there one character in that book that isn't flawed? But that doesn't matter because their flaws are made known to the reader... and I guess celebrated for what they are in a way. In this instance, it seems like no one in the book can see Bella's flaws, she is the 'ultimate possesion' everyone either wants her or hates her because others want her, because she is of course the ultimate, and therefore has no flaws (by the by, I'm being sarcastic, but in the best way possible), and because her flaws were not recognized, they were glaringly apparent, and extreemly annoying. But still the story kept my interest and was in no way a disapointment as a whole.
 
Now in the third book, she's getting on my nerves. Firstly, right off the bat, one of the main parts in this installment of the series is Bella's relationship with Jacob black. Now, if I were to start reading the series now, I would be able to accept their relationship as it is, but having read a supposed 'history', where did this relationship come from? In the last book Bella spent a week or two with Jacob and only searched him out ever so that she could escape her problems and maybe get closer to what she percieved as 'Edward', and then all of a sudden no one knows Jacob like her? Give me a break! That would make more sense if they had some sort of history before Twilight, which they do, but she said that she barely remembered him the first time they met in book 1, and even then she used him to her own ends. So in my opinion, that relationship, at least on her side, doesn't make sense or doesn't really resonate with me as a deep and meaningful relationship that would inerfere with her relationship with edward, but she somehow makes it, which makes you wonder the level of her commitment to him. Speaking of that, sometimes in this book I didn't really feel Bella's connection with Edward was something 'real'. It's ok that Bella's relationships with other people are weak in a romance, so long as she has a strong relationship with her lover. and she doesn't have a strong connection with anybody, except Edward, and thats fine, its a romance, no one else is supposed to be connected. but somewhere in the third book we have Bella pushing Edward away? I mean she isn't supposed to cling to him (never that), but she starts resenting his feelings. She gets her back up that one time, in the entire series, that he makes a request of her, that is for her own benefit. But she whines to him every night to stay with her while she's sleeping. 

I guess my problem is that it seems Bella is extremely selfish and expects people to what she says without really reciprocating. In fact shes quite passive throughout the entire series, surprisingly. There is alot of things happening, so you almost miss it with all of the action, but the action is happening around her or because of her, but she never takes an active role, and yet she's so selfish and demanding. thats what bugs me. (and it took a whole three books to figure it out).
 
Alright, my big schpeal out of the way, Bella and her interactions with the other characters was the only thing I didn't like about this series. If she had been removed from it I think I would have loved this series and would have been demanding more. I have been reading that there will be another book with Edward narrating this time, maybe that will be better, but then again... am I willing to risk the time and possibly money?

New Moon by Stephenie Meyer

I enjoyed Twilight and was really looking forward to the sequel, but I was very disappointed in this book. The only thing this installment in the series did for me was to lower my opinion of the heroine Bella. Her actions in this novel showed her to be selfish and weak, characteristics I didn't pick up as strongly in the first novel, but now that this side of her was brought to my attention, I can think back to the first book to instances were she displayed these characteristics. The author is good at developing plot, but the characterization doesn't really do anything for me, I feel no connection to the characters and by the time I was three quarters through the novel I really wished Bella would grow a back bone and stop being so superficial. The relationship Bella has to other supporting characters is very weak, though it is emphasized in a way that would suggest it being something more substancial. She selfishly seeks Jake's company so that she can 'hear' Edward, and then all of a sudden he's her best friend... of course she has no friends in this installment so its true, but being together for a few weeks won't make you someone's bosom buddy, well it could, but I didn't feel it in this instance. things like that. 

Also, everything was so dramatic for Bella in this book. I mean its great to place emphasis on emotion, but there is such a thing as going over board to the point of superficiality, to where you start to doubt the character... not something you want. And I hate the superficial 'caring and worrying over others'. That is a valid characteristic that can be pulled off wonderfully, but not when the character, on the same page, will be rudely selfish and uncaring about those around her. And on that note, I dislike how the author makes Bella solve situations. Bella is portrayed to be intellectually disecting the problem and finding the 'obvious' and best solution that all the other characters go along with because of its brilliance. And most of the time her 'intelligence' makes no sense, as the solution is most likely based on emotion, which is fine, so long as it isn't passed off as intelligence.
 
That said, the story is good and it is only the character that gets on my nerves, and that is because everything was dragged out for so long, but thankfully the characterizations are not all the book is comprised of. It took me until I was half finished the book to realize that I was somewhat upset with the main character, the plot is very good and worth reading. I will read the third book, granted not with the same enthusiasm with which I began the second, but I will read it and look forward to an interesting ending. And hope that the main character will shape up and stop clinging to every available male.

Twilight by Stephenie Meyer

The story is pretty good and the characters are interesting. The only negative thing I would say would be that when the characters interacted with each other it sometimes seemed to be a bit juvenile, the way it was written, but thats a minor thing that isn't a large part of the experience and that the story makes up for. 

Vampire Knight by Matsuri Hino

I love Vampire Knight!! It's one of my favourite mangas, I'm on volume 4. The plot is interesting and compelling and the characters are very likable and have sufficient depth to keep you interested. I really like how the characters are drawn and the layouts and just the art in general I guess. This is a definite must for all shoujo lovers AND it has vampires, what more could you want? This is the series that will turn you into a screaming fan girl... not something we would hope for, granted, but in this case I think we can give the fan girls a bit of credit.

Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer

I read this book because I work in a bookstore. I read the previous ones and found that with each instalment it just kept getting worse, and as this series appears to be somewhat popular people ask me what I think of it... and I just don't feel comfortable speaking poorly something I know nothing about :P This said, after reading the third book I expected to give this a disgustingly low rating, but instead it just made me look at the series in a new light. I've written reviews on the other books, so for my own sake I won't go into detail about what I think the series lacks, I'll just sum it up with saying that the author just isn't too good at what she does. The story of twilight is pretty standard when it comes to vampire romances, so the formula has been proven to work, but the author lacks the skill to develop characters and relies heavily on plot throughout the series, which can work, but she sets up the story in a character driven setting, so that doesn't really work. Also, I feel as though a teenager is writing this. The logic, the manner in which the characters speak and the way in which the narrator presents the information... some reviewer somewhere said it reminded them of a fan fiction, which is a very appropriate label now that I think about it. So that also got under my skin a bit.
 
Taking these kinds of things into consideration, I re-labelled this book in the series as a book you would find in the romance section of the book store, without the emotional catharsis of sex (then again it is very pg and the characters don't really show much desire for each other beyond saying how much they love each other... so words only). Basically a soap opera for kids. And I suppose in my mind the first books were trying to be received as something more than that, which is why I think I was so disappointed. So ya, but not like the Jane Austen kind of romance, more the Nora Roberts or Christine Feehan, the ones where you roll your eyes constantly, but enjoy it because you know it isn't supposed to tickle your intellect in any way. That said, this isn't a negative category to fall under, but I don't think that's where this author would want these books to be.
 
On to the book itself (yes I actually plan on talking about the book at some point during this long and pointless tirade). As I had the lowest possible expectations going into it, it wasn't that bad (thinking about it as a romance also helped). The characters seemed a bit two dimensional emotionally and there was quite a bit of filler that could have been left out as it didn't develop either plot or characters, but just kind of existed.
 
Teenage marriage and pregnancy were definitely taken very lightly and were almost promoted, but as I stopped taking it seriously by this point I wasn't very concerned about it. The author also promotes her morality more noticeably than in the other books, but this isn't really something to be concerned about I don't think. The issue with Jacob and the baby seemed to be one of the things that turns people off a lot in this book, besides the fact that it was designed to be somewhat convenient for the plot and for modern morality, pedophilia and what not. I think the author just handled this awkwardly. She wanted Jacob out of the way, but wanted everyone to have a disney ending, but wasn't too comfortable with the subject matter I don't think. (On a side note, a series that handled a romantic connection like what Jacob and the baby had effectively is the black jewels trilogy by anne bishop. That one was decently done).
 
So... if you read the series I would read this book as well, it won't be stellar, but it's better than what the last one left you with ... I wouldn't buy it though.