AmericanPapist Comments
Really? I read them along with my niece. We haven't seen the movie, but the book actually got a great conversation going between us about the importance of abstinence.
I read the books too, and saw the film (in fact, I just blogged about it yesterday) and had no problmen with it. Not great literature or Oscar-worthy film-making, by any means, but still enjoyable. They're actually very tame, as vampire-genre things go. Most certainly not anything like Anne Rice. If a teenager is going to watch a vampire movie, I'd prefer it be Twilight than Interview with a Vampire.
yeah Tom, I'd have to agree with Maggie on this one. I got dragged along to the theater on Saturday, and to be honest this is a lot more wholesome than most tween movies out there. Not a great movie by any means, but not morally objectionable.
*shudder*
FWIW, here is the USCCB Office for Film & Broadcasting review:
http://www.usccb.org/movies/t/twilight2008.shtml
They give it an A-II -- adults and adolescents rating. Note that they did not apply the L nor O rating (L -- limited adult audience, films whose problematic content many adults would find troubling. O -- morally offensive.)
I don't know anything about the books or movie, so I can't say anything from personal experience.
Check out what the USCCB has to say...
http://www.usccb.org/movies/t/
tw...light2008.shtml
They rate it A-II -- adults and adolescents - Not morally offensive.
I thought the books were great and the movie was decent.
You guys need to know what is in the books. The movie is a vehicle for expanding the market for the books. They have kept the movie within the realm of PG-13 so that their target market will be allowed to go and see it! But the books get darker and darker as the series progresses, and they certainly are not PG-13 material.
This movie is for the girl with low self esteem, depression, and no friends. There. I said it. "Buffy the cheerleader" will not be found waiting on line for the first showing, or the last. Neither will most of the girls wishing they were Buffy either... That line will be filled by the girls who sit in the corner and don't talk and generally speaking don't smile, and never have boyfriends.
I was curious about Twilight when I saw the ads on TV, and thought "this looks like the worst teen movie ever". And when I asked around, I think it's fair to say that the people who responded positively would have been avid Anne Rice fans back in the 1990s, and probably thought Marilyn Manson was "romantic"... lol Contrast to "The Lost Boys" which was for all intents and purposes a regular teen movie.
If your daughter is into these books she's got bigger problems than bad taste. When I look back on all of the girls who were into this fad back in the 1980s and when it rose from the dead again in the 1990s, when it was called "goth back in the 1990s, they were all just a bunch of depressed loners with major jealousy issues with respect to better looking girls in school. Vampire romanticism is another way of saying "help me I'm all alone and by the way I hate my parents!"
Prozac - it's great! Try it!
"Contains explicit sexual situations" --that's a stretch--I've read 3 of the 4 books, and Bella and Edward have done nothing but kiss and cuddle so far. In fact, Edward insists on marriage prior to sex.
I haven't seen the movie, but the saga is definitely not for Catholics. The blog linked to in this post makes several good points; I particularly agree with the statement that rather than having courtly, old-fashioned values, Twilight places a premium on the emotions, sensuality, obsession. Emotions, because Bella and Edward put themselves in situations they KNOW are bad for them (or at least bad for Bella), and because Bella really doesn't seem to have a moral compass--she seems to do what pleases Edward, and what her emotions guide her to do; sensuality, because although they do not consummate their relationship until after they are married, they put themselves in occasions of sin--many heated encounters that are described in rather disturbing detail.
Aaron - I hope you don't read book four, but if you do, you will find out how great it is for Bella, sexually, once she has become a vampire and has strength to match Edward. Even before book four, there are plenty of scenes that are written to arouse, even if the characters don't "go all the way"...
Vampires, undead, drinking blood, etc.
What could possibly be unCatholic here?
Hi Aaron, while I don't agree with the word "explicit," the situations are definitely sexual. They are occasions of sin. Just placing yourself in them is already a nose-up to the sixth and ninth commandments.
I would have to say that the books are romantically sensual but there is a certain innocence to them also. As far as book 4, Bella doesn't become a vampire until after conceiving a baby with her husband (no sex until after marriage) and despite encouragement to abort because the baby will likely kill her, she carries the baby to term out of love for it. Bella does not give up her soul to become vampire, because that is not how the author presents the mythos in this series. In fact, there is a discussion about spiritual status at one point because the "patriarch" of the Cullens was a minister's son before being changed. I read these books because my daughters wanted to and I permitted them to read the series because I did not find them objectionable.
Back when I was growing up, being lanky and pale with bad hair was something to be dreaded. I always knew I was "ahead of my time", LOL.
Hey Thom and the AmP readers,
I just began reading the books... yes. I love them. I have seen the movie twice and (to my surprise) really loved them. I was expecting a lame vampire movie, but it ended up being a story full of love, chastity, and honestly, I think it is surprisingly truthful of how the battle for love and chastity is nowadays. I have read a whole slew of reviews and actually read a number of reviews similar to the one that you posted, but more than anything, I read a huge plethora of people supporting the book/movie and also showed how the book/movie brought many people to chastity and to hold out for true love. Those are the beautiful stories that I love. I could write details of this, but I will talk more about it to you later... or maybe you all will see it and you may understand the goodness I took from it and the goodness that others took from it.
As an avid chastity-promoter, I support this movie, and thus far promote the . I really think that it could be a great tool in teaching chastity (as far as I know). I am currently reading the books and will let you know if I find anything taht brings me to think differently.
Here is MY "Twilight" Blog entry: http://katebryan.blogspot.com/20...e-
twilight.html
P.S. The author is Mormon and apparently, wrote the book to promote values, amidst a great story.
I've read the first three books and while I didn't really care for them, I don't think there is anything pernicious about them. The worst that can be said about them is they are a little silly. The chastity message is promoted a lot by supporters, but I never found them particularly strong from the chastity angle. Edward and Bella do wait until they are married, but the narrative makes it clear it's because 100-year-old Edward is just old-fashioned. Bella certainly thinks it's silly and pointless, so I wouldn't realy say they are chaste-friendly books. Still, the series is a far cry from what's usually marketed to teens. The couple's relationship is definitely presented from a more romantic than sexual point of view, and I applaud them for that. I think the series is quite tame, and the fourth one, from what I hear, has a strong pro-life message (lots of feminists were pretty annoyed with it at any rate). Can't speak for the movie yet, but I wouldn't judge it too harshly. Teens could be reading far worse than this (and yes, I get they could also be reading better).
Ummm no matter how you dress it up, the historic implications of vampirism have always been a dark sensuality, that was the point after all, to substitute sexuality and code it in victorian language and imagery, and the image persists - with the same meaning.
I've never understood the whole 'romantic vampire' take. They are the epitome of vanity, lust (in multiple forms), and greed. They live by drinking the blood of humans. Now this series, like the Anne Rice and Blade continuums says they can sustain on animal blood which is a cute way around the old 'vampires must kill to live' thing, but it feels contrived.
All this aside, if all it takes for a book to be pro-chastity is not have an under-aged sex scene in it, I think we are in big big trouble. Not that that's news to anyone.
Edward is Bella's whole world. In a very unhealthy way. In book 2, she is depressed and suicidal. (jumping off of cliffs, riding motorcycles without her father's knowledge just to "hear" Edwards voice) and the passionate kissing in bed at night with her father unaware is definitely dancing on the line of "too far".
The whole "damning of the soul" is alarming. This is a girl without God who is not concerned with the afterlife. In fact, a life without Edward is Hell.
As a youth minister, parents have already come up to me about thier daughters reading it. (I have yet to have a guy admit they have read it; a teenage one.) Most of the time, I just tell them this is a great opportunity to talk about what Bella does and how they could use thier faith to deal with the same issues. But teens have already said that these books have made the more depressed.
Anyone working with teens know how horrific the times have become and what they are dealing with is real tragedy in thier lives. I don't think we should paint the picture that these books are "okay" for the average teenager. The whole Romeo and Juliet theme and "death is better than life without you" is the last thing most of these teens need. And that is the target audience.
And Karen,
I would vehemently disagree with you on the chastity claim. Remember, abstinence is only "promoted" for the majority of the time because he can KILL her. They don't have sex together because he can kill her. However, the behavior they do at night, i.e. passionate kissing, sleeping/cuddling in bed together, dad unaware of Edward in his daughters bedroom- is hardly a promotion for chastity for teens.
And as a YM, I promote chastity whenever I can to my teens as well. This just isn't an example of one. In fact, talking with teens, they would probably tell you that themselves. Mine did. =)
for more reading:
http://spesunica.wordpress.com/about/
I've been hesitant to comment because I have experience neither with the books nor the movie, but I have to say that the series has always made me a bit queasy.
I live at a Newman Center, and I would say what I find particularly disturbing is the cult following that the book series has had among the girls living around me. Granted, college campuses are not known for being bastions of morality, but these girls are otherwise irreproachable on the front of faith and morality.
My roommate, who is a non-practicing Catholic, has a bookcase full of novels about demons, vampires, werewolves, &c. I haven't known her for terribly long, but part of me sometimes wonders which came first: the lapse of faith, or the domination of the reading material? Yes, a well-formed conscience and an adequate dose of common sense can and should keep us safe from the harm of influences, but shouldn't we avoid putting ourselves in situations where we'd need their protection?
It isn't really correct to say that they do not have intercourse before marriage because Edward is old fashioned - Christina is correct. He has super-human strength, so the act could kill her. In fact, on their honeymoon she gets very badly beaten up. This is one of the reasons she loves being a vampire in the end - because of how much it improves their sex life. No joke. Vampires, after all, don't need to sleep and have super human strength. But she regularly attempts to get him to have intercourse with her prior to marriage... and he tries to initiate it once with her, as well, but it doesn't happen. In the mean time, she just gives lots of descriptions about what they do get up to - and if I was doing those things, it certainly wouldn't be chastity. I'd be in a state of mortal sin.
"He has super-human strength, so the act could kill her"
LOL. I'm reminded of the irreverent (and hysterical) discussion in one of the Kevin Smith movies about the inevitable end of Lois Lane upon having sex with Superman, and how Wonder Woman was probably the the only woman who had a womb that would be "strong enough"... I guess the author of Twilight digs "Jay and Silent Bob" too. heh
What's up with Catholics who get so uptight with fiction, from D&D on up? It's a little embarrassing. I can understand the matter of the Da Vinci code since its author claimed that the "history" within it was factual, but I really don't get the deal with "Twilight" or any other books or movies of its kind.
For instance, complaining about 'occasions of sin?' Relax!! There is not a single dramatic story that lacks occasions of sin. Without the occasion of sin, or sin itself, there is no drama. If there's no drama, you've got a math or science textbook.
I think that books like these prey on young adolescent girls using their interest in fantasy and romance to distort their imagination and their sense of reality. My fourteen year old sister read thses books and to my horror I only now found out what's really in them. Ive talked to her about them and hopefully some of what I told her sunk in but unfortuantely peer groups are string and a group of girls hooked on this rubbish is only asking for trouble.
Kozaburo, there are a multitude of reasons why "Catholics" get "so uptight with fiction." Here are some.
1) Some books, just by reading them, are actually occasions of sin. They can cause impure thoughts and impure desires which you try to avoid if you're a practicing Catholic.
2) I don't really think you understand "sin" and "occasion of sin." By placing yourself in an occasion of sin, you actually DO sin. And if you're Catholic then the thing you abhor the most is sin, and you abhor it for a lot of reasons but the most important is that sin is any offense against God. If you love someone how can you want to offend them?
You do not "relax" when sin is in the equation. You do not "relax" when you're a Catholic parent who wants her young girl to act using her reason rather than her emotions and who's worried about the books that the child is reading because they influence her behavior. You do not "relax" when what is at stake is offending God.
I've really got no time to reply to this further. I'm sure other AmP readers will say more things, more intelligently, but I just wanted to make my point. I'll pray for you.
Although I haven't read the books nor plan to do so, I have to say the discussion seems to verge on the absurd, as LCB pointed out.
"Well, Bella *does* become a vampire in the end, imperilling her soul and damning herself to a never-ending struggle with insatiable murderous impulses. But, hey, the sex life is great, so... Anyway, the *important* thing to keep in mind is that she doesn't get past "second base" before marriage. So why are some Catholics all worked up?"
LOL! Seriously, talk about lowered standards.
I also think that a lot of people who say that there's nothing wrong with Twilight on the chastity front are forgetting that there is WAY, WAY MORE to purity than not having sex until you're married. Purity is NOT just keeping your virginity intact. Purity is safeguarding the intimacy of your body in a lot of ways, and keeping yourself from occasions of sin. Please say whatever you like about Twilight but don't make the error of saying that it promotes chastity. NO, it doesn't.
God Bless the Catholics. Sometimes they are so easily lead astray.
Wake up! Don't you know that the fallen angels have a greater intelligence than YOU and they set their snares and traps in many devious ways...usually with something that appears 'good'. Recall that lucifer means 'light-bearer'.
Just a refresher...vampires are an allegory for THE DAMNED. Yes...damned souls. As another poster mentioned, the vampire tradition has a heavy underpinning of sensuality. You don't need outright fornication to commit mortal sin. It is adultery to lust with ones eyes! Because this society has become so debased and desensitized, it does not even know where the line are anymore. Even a passionate kiss can incite the senses so much that many teenage children cannot muster the self-control to slow things down.
Bottom line...books of this nature should never be allowed for teenage girls. If you think it's ok and harmless, you are just deluding yourself and have probably already allowed many evils into your childrens presence.
Parents, remember, you WILL be judged by what you permit with your children. Are you encouraging and feeding them GOOD books that build up and edify their Eternal Soul for Heaven? If not, I GUARANTEE you that this kind of tripe...or worse...will be filling the void.
May God Have Mercy
maybe those commenting who have not read the books should reconsider what they are saying about "sin" and "being judged for what our kids read/watch." i have read the books and seen the movie and i wholeheartedly agree with Kate. If anything, these books are intense, in a sort of innocent way, if that makes sense. if anything, it's an excellent pro-chastity, waiting for true love story, and it is an exemplary example of restraint. of course the young characters want to sleep together! they're 17! but edward does everything in his willpower to deny his urges, because it would hurt her and because he'd like to marry her. i'd like my daughter to find someone like that. are we going to deny that young girls (or older girls for that matter) don't fantasize about love and romance? it's enough for me to know that many secular/feminist bloggers hate these books because they think that stephenie meyers' (devout mormon) wrote them as a religious screed against premarital sex and abortion. in my pre-Catholic days, i read a lot of anne rice (including her extremely inappropriate erotic books) and i can honestly say that these books were not anywhere like those. they did not make me feel anything but teenage giddy. which was nice for a weekend.
I haven't read the book series, but judging from by nieces reaction last summer, it seems to fire up and flame teen hormones by presenting a "safe" male within the context of total female desire. The girls don't have to hold back, because he will, out of love. Gothic fantasy romance for those who aren't ready for the real thing.
The main question is to ask what acts their fired-up imagination are preparing them for?
I must echo what Nik said. These books are not at all in the category of Anne Rice, and there was (and is) a great deal of backlash against the books because the characters turn so 'traditional' by the end of the series (the anti-abortion, pro-life message got a lot of 'feminists' furious). Bella becomes 100% pro-life.
Bella knows that her obsession with Edward is unhealthy. That is a major theme of the second book. Here, she is presented with a truer, healthier love with her best friend Jacob. Many girls wanted her to be with him rather than Edward, and the debate was on! (Team Edward/Team Jacob was the question of the day).
The final book though is definately not for teens. All the sex though (never explicit btw), is presented completely in its context in marriage. That in itself is remarkable in this day and age. And nobody's soul is taken--the finale makes it clear that 'Carlile is right' (those who have read the books know what that means.)
The 'hysteria' is very similar to another phenomenon in 1995--the new Pride and Prejudice. People (especially girls) were going insane over that (and still are)
IMHO the attraction is that girls react very powerfully to a 'traditional' male character because they recognize in the characters something they desire, but don't know what it is--that is, pure love, that waits until marriage despite all the temptations to the contrary (and the sensual scenes are presented in that context)--though the possibility for teens to be titillated is there, hence the warning for parents. But to oppose the stories? Better energy imho is to show the girls who are attracted to the books that they are really being attracted to something even more powerful than a book, and something real--the real, passionate, chaste love for Our Lord. Keep your fight for the truly evil stories like 'Angels and Demons.'
I just want to give a 'shout out' to Nik and Professor L!!! I totally agree with everything you both said, and since you have read all four books... I respect your thoughts.
It seems like alot of people were misled or haven't read these books, or even seen these movies. I have seen the movie twice now and really think it could be a powerful tool in promoting Chastity. I know some of you don't agree, but this is where you have to know yourself and know your children. Read books before you promote them or speak against them. See movies before you promote or speak against them.
I know none of you know me, but I honestly can tell you, that I have worked since I was born for the Church, the Pro-life movement, and the Chastity movement. I am blessed with many friends that call me on to holiness daily and who respect and love me. I STILL struggle with sin and desire and chastity. I am not perfect. But, I can tell you that this movie inspired me. I hope and pray for the man that I will one day marry, and that he may be as wonderful, chivalrous, honest, caring, loving, and guard my heart, like Edward does for Bella. I can see that many of you disagree that this is a tale of true love and chastity, but that is what I took from it. Sarcasm: Although it is not as moving as "If you love me, show me" (old-disney-type-chastity movie), I think "Twilight" is an amazing movie.
P.S. Wake up world, this movie is true to the constant struggles of today's teens. Seriously. Chastity is a battle, not a playground!
As a Mom, I've had some very good discussions with my 8th grade daughter about the series - she gets the pro-life message and I can see that the respect and self-sacrificing love of Edward is very attractive to her. The rest is just fantasy fun to her. (I read the whole series after her and I let her see the movie). While I agree that the books do not convey a truly healthy sexuality, they are far more supportive of chastity than your typical teen fiction (which has sexually active teenagers AND a gay friend or two). By discussing these things with my daughter, I am influencing far more effectively than by banning these books outright. I can do this because I know her. This may not be right for everyone.
Kate -
Have you finished the books yet? I have. And I have seen the movie. And I have read your review.
I think your review of the movie is glowing and omits very significant details to the point of being inaccurate as a consequence. You mention as a somewhat playful aside that Edward is a vampire, but it is a bit more than an aside. You also mention that Edward is attracted to Bella's smell. But the smell of what? Her perfume? No. The smell of her blood. He has an overwhelming desire to kill her. He tells her in the film that he is a predator, designed to kill. He tells her that she does not fear him because of a lie. He tells her that he could kill her. And she doesn't care. You seem to believe that Bella shows her strength here. But have you noticed in the book that she doesn't want anyone to know she is going out alone with Edward because she doesn't want him to get in trouble if she never comes back? This is not strength - it is a girl who does not value her own life because her obsession means more to her than life itself... or even her soul (professor L's claim aside, which I contest. The girl doesn't give a whit for her immortal soul. THAT is abundantly clear.) It is a horrible message for young girls and it explains why Bella is drawn to Edward rather than Jacob or any of the other nice guys on campus. And professor L, you say that Bella knows her obsession with Edward is unhealthy? Really? Yes - I know all about Team Jacob vs Team Edward. Among tween and teen girls, Edward prevails by... well, when I find someone on Team Jacob, I'll let you know.
Kate, I do not question your commitment to chastity and the pro-life cause. I do not question your intentions. But please - for those of us parents out here who are fighting an uphill battle for decency - if you are going to promote these as a good thing, you have a serious obligation to know what is in them and then give a complete account. I see you have seen the movie twice and that you have begun to read the books, but Do NOT criticize the reactions of others (parents on this board, it seems) because they have based their opinions on reviews. Not every parent has the time to read over 2000 pages of text in a weekend - but parents are smart. If they are told that a book series will gives their daughter all the intricate details about how good it feels to make out with a vampire, they can form a pretty good judgement right there. (Debate if you will about the use of the term explicit, but remember that women and men are aroused differently. This was written for women AND written to arouse and therefore can lead them to sin IN THEIR MINDS - no question - especially young girls. You don't need to go out and find a guy to commit internal sins against chastity!) You should respect that.
Sorry - one more thing.
This ability Edward has to make out with his girlfriend and stop cold turkey at the most passionate moments... totally unrealistic, folks! (In addition to being unchaste.)
Marie, I completely disagree with you about your last comment. My fiance and I actually decided to become celibate when we got engaged (after years of living together and sleeping together). That year was extremely difficult, but when thing got too exciting, let's say, we definitely had to stop cold turkey. And we did it. It's not unrealistic at all.
I still maintain that Edward's restraint should be an inspiration to young people. And I don't see the problem with Bella being flawed and weak. We all are. And having read the final book, I realized that Bella was anything but.
My take, now up at Decent Films.
"And professor L, you say that Bella knows her obsession with Edward is unhealthy? Really?"
She says it about every other sentence in the second and third books.(Meyer is not the most subtle of writers). Her father, who she respects greatly, and is one of the most popular 'human' characters, is constantly trying to get her help, or at least to stay with Jacob and be 'normal.' Her friends call her cruel, and she agrees.
The Team Jacob crowd are everywhere in the fandom, and quite passionate with very good and healthy, logical reasons. (Exhibit A here, btw)
I don't think anyone here is saying that a parent cannot make the decision for their children on this. I saw a Mom today at the bookstore buy the book for her daughter and I spoke to her about reading the final books herself before letting her daughter read them. (not shy, me) We had a very good conversation and she was grateful that I had spoken to her about the themes in the books and was definately going to preview them.
That said, I can't agree more with the final sentences of the Decent Films essay. You took the words right out of my mouth. We women (Catholic and non-Catholic) are starving for a spouse--there is a tragic amount of single, devout Catholic women who cannot find a decent, Catholic man to marry--you see them in your parish every Sunday. Thank you for the call to manliness!
The Twilight and 'Bonnet Movies' obsessions are symptoms of a vacuum.
"And professor L, you say that Bella knows her obsession with Edward is unhealthy? Really?"
She says it about every other sentence in the second and third books.(Meyer is not the most subtle of writers). Her father, who she respects greatly, and is one of the most popular 'human' characters, is constantly trying to get her help, or at least to stay with Jacob and be 'normal.' Her friends call her cruel, and she agrees.
The Team Jacob crowd are everywhere in the fandom, and quite passionate with very good and healthy, logical reasons. (Exhibit A here, btw)
I don't think anyone here is saying that a parent cannot make the decision for their children on this. I saw a Mom today at the bookstore buy the book for her daughter and I spoke to her about reading the final books herself before letting her daughter read them. (not shy, me) We had a very good conversation and she was grateful that I had spoken to her about the themes in the books and was definately going to preview them.
That said, I can't agree more with the final sentences of the Decent Films essay. You took the words right out of my mouth. We women (Catholic and non-Catholic) are starving for a spouse--there is a tragic amount of single, devout Catholic women who cannot find a decent, Catholic man to marry--you see them in your parish every Sunday. Thank you for the call to manliness!
The Twilight and 'Bonnet Movies' obsessions are symptoms of a vacuum.
sorry about double post. Couldn't figure out how to remove it.
I forgot to aknowledge the very valid point about some parts written to arouse and the dangers to young women that this can pose.
I have to agree with Professor L about the vacuum we're living in. I was wondering what drew me so strongly to the story...and why it kept reminding me of all of those classic romance novels I loved in high school. (And yes, I fantasized and obsessed over Mr. Darcy - is that unhealthy?)
What I realize is that, for the last 40 years or so, feminism and secularism have been pushing this notion that there is no difference between male and female. And that girls shouldn't rely on men to protect them. But, doesn't that go against something deeper within us? Why are so many girls identifying so passionately with this story? It's not because they want to "make out with a vampire." It's because the idea of a strong man who loves them to their core, who would do anything for them, who will always protect them and keep them safe is SO appealing! Girls and young women crave that for a reason. It doesn't mean we're weak and pathetic. It means that we have biological roles that are intended by God. Why should we be ashamed of this? It's a shame chivalry is all but dead today - and some of you are wondering why high school girls (and some in their 30's) are acting like fools over this fantasy about a good mannered, protective, intelligent, strong, and, yes, moral vampire.
Marie, thank you so much for your insight. Yes, I have not read the whole series. I am about halfway through the first book and am going to work my way through. I have been straightforward about that fact. The book and the film is jam packed full of countless topics that I wanted to address in my review, but chose a few things that were most interesting to me. I have seen the film and see nothing wrong with anything in it, as well as nothing wrong in the book that I have read. I stated in one of my past comments that it is important for parents to know their children, and to know how things that they are reading/experiencing affected them. So, I commend you for doing that. I understand that parents don't have time to be reading 2000 pages of text (as I do have two crazy parents of my own). But, I can attest to the fact that all of the young people that I have spoken to about the movie and the books take something tremendously moving away from this series (My sisters included). I have heard countless testimonies that this series has challenged young people to a higher standard in regards to morals/chastity/love/etc. Young people are starved for true love and according to these kids, this series is inspiring them. I know that you may not feel the same way, but I am just making the argument that there is a large majority that are taking goodness out of this film/series. Sadly, most films is this day and age have something questionable in them... but this does not mean that we 'seclude' ourselves from the art of film or from what is going on in the world. I am no longer in high school and I didn't graduate from a 'secular' university, but to many young people, "Twilight" is what they are dealing with on a daily basis (haha, Vampires aside). Just a further thought... And I will try to post more on it on my blog as I read further and as I come up with further bantering regarding the film.
Nik, Gosh. I just want to thank you for your testimony. I can see that you (like me) were able to see true elements spread throughout the film/book. Same with you, Professor L.
I think there is a reason why there is so much feedback from young people regarding this book... and I don't think its because of the vampire element. There is a reason why little girls watch Fairy Tales and dream of marrying a Prince someday. There is also a reason why boys want to play with guns, and battle dragons. We are given specific gifts from God and this generation is starved for these gifts to come to their fullness and they are starved for the True love that we were promised in the Fairy Tales. WE live in a generation where (as Nik and Professor L highlighted) the roles have been confused... (with the exception of some young people, who were raised with morals/values)... boys aren't chivalrous anymore, girls dress immodestly, no one is respectful of themselves or others, people are co-habitating, killing the unborn, etc. This is not what we we
Kate, I'm with you, girl. But I should qualify my answers with one thing: I completely agree that parents should definitely talk with their children before letting them read these books. They are INTENSE - especially book 4. While they are never explicit, marital sex is implied. But, to be honest, they just make me feel good about my marriage - something to strive for...true and deep love. And we also need to remember that this is a fantasy story - and while some elements of it are ridiculous, I truly can't see how these books would make girls want anything more than, as Kate says, fairy tale princes and committed true love.
Might I add some perspective from a 15 yr old girl? My daughter, who has no need or desire to read these books [though she read some of the first one]--she has been filled in on them by her peers, and ostracized for having an opinion against them--has declared the premise "moronic", book quotes as equivalent to cheap "romance" novel dialogue, and the idea that a girl would sacrifice herself to become a vampire for the sake of a love-sick creature whose behavior is no better than that of a stalker, {"He WATCHES her sleep and she likes that?"] "sick".
I am happy that she feels that way; it shows sense. In fact, it would be very easy to compare the heroine's sacrifice to the "It's okay, honey bunch" sacrifice of the girl in a PP video who chooses to go ahead with a sexual liaison with an STD infected partner...http://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=R_wRD4TmYug
This series does nothing to add to a woman's self-respect (or so I am told, in-house). I suppose you could say that the movie might provoke "teaching moments" but that doesn't make it good food for thought. Every awful film and deceptive book can supply teaching moments. Wouldn't it be better to seek education from a truer source?
The USCCB site liked it? That should tell you everything. Stay away.
I really appreciate the many divergent comments here. SDG's posted review was very instructive.
For anyone that is interested, a collection of links to reviews that bring to light the unsavory elements of the book series and the film:
http://phatcatholic.blogspot.com...reviews-
of.html
i think that so long as you are teaching your children good moral standing and using the books to continue to teach things like this, there isn't any harm with the books. if, however, you feel you can't trust your children to make the right decisions, then i suggest you lock them in the basement now. Twighlight is nothing compared to many of the other books, songs, tv shows, and movies that corrupt kids nowadays. if these books and movies make you worry about your children, good luck with the rest of the world.
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