The Twilight Saga: New Moon

In case you were wondering, yes, I was part of that laughed at group of people that went to go see New Moon this weekend. Having read all the books during Hurricane Ike, I felt obliged to go see the movie. Besides, watching Taylor Lautner shirtless is a good reason in its self to go and see it.

As much as I liked the books, the movies seemed almost superficial. I believe that the world was attracted to the books, not necessarily for the characters, but for what they represented, true love. Chris Weitz, the director of New Moon, tried to capture this unconditional love between Isabella and Edward, however on screen it felt lifeless and fake. I think that the idea of true love is what the world is in love with, but with it come disappointment and reservation to all who were expecting it feel it in the movie. True love isn't something that even the greatest actors can capture, if such a thing even exists. Seeing the attempt on screen was unconvincing and distracting.

Moreover, it seemed as if the director was trying to incorporate every scene from the book into the movie. This left me wondering where the conversations between the characters went.

Overall, I think the movies offers something for every audience. There is action, drama, romance, and comedy. Did I mention that Taylor Lautner is in it?

Sum: Forty Tales from the Afterlives

Recently, I went to a book presentation. The book, titled Sum: Forty Tales from the Afterlives by David Eagleman, has been gaining esteem and increasing recognition. Essentially, Eagleman wrote vignettes about possible afterlives. The main idea behind his book is the sometimes mind-blowing question: What if? What if God is merely the size of a microbe and unaware of our existance? What if our creators are dim-witted creatures that build it to figure out what they cannot? What if that in the afterlife we relive all of our experiences by moments that share a quality?

David Eagleman wrote a book that not only contains funny, creative anecdotes about life after death, but that also probes the limitless box of possibilities and imaginations. Reading his book, made me think of the answers to questions that I don't know and the possibilities of life that I can yet explore. Why should I be bounded by my own imagination? Everyone remains a child at heart and our 'What If' questions should never be ignored.

Robert Frost...and Christmas Relating Things!

As Christmas fast approaches, my mind stays to snow, candy canes, and eventually Robert Frost. For as long as I can remember, I have had a passion for reading Robert Frost's poems. My favorite by far remains Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening. Each time I beginning to read it, I can't help but picture hot chocolate, soft plump cushions, and gingerbread houses and I yearn for December, and all it entails, to finally arrive. For those who have not yet had the pleasure of reading Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening, here it is:

Whose woods these are I think I know.
His house is in the village though;
He will not see me stopping here
To watch his woods fill up with snow.

My little horse must think it queer
To stop without a farmhouse near
Between the woods and frozen lake
The darkest evening of the year.

He gives his harness bells a shake
To ask if there is some mistake.
The only other sound's the sweep
Of easy wind and downy flake.

The woods are lovely, dark and deep,
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.

What I love about Robert Frost's writings is his ability to integrate nature and emotion in poetry. This is something that I have worked to attain in many of my writings.

2012!

On Wednesday, my mom and I went to the 2012 movie premier. The movie was far better than I had expected it to be. Besides the spectacular special effects and the action packed plot, the movie made me think of life in general. I normally don't ponder how insignificant my life is in the scale of the world. But watching 2012 really put it in perspective. What if a giant tsunami suddenly washed away my house, my school, my world as I know it? What if I died the next time I got in a car? What if I never saw my parents again? What if civilization ended? Would I be happy with all I've accomplished? Will I have regrets? Will I be fulfilled? Watching 2012, made me want to make each day remarkable and satisfying. I don't want to waste a day of sorrow and misery knowing that everything can unravel and end in the blink of an eye. I want to make my insignificant life significant and strive to wake up every day ready to take on the world, face my challenges, and smile at life.