How can anyone forget about “Slash”?

America The Horrible

O radical, for spacious cries,
For amber waves of pain,
For rich speculating majesties
Above the poor and lame!
America! America! God shed His homophobia on thee,
And crown thy rich with hypocrisy, from tax haven to the sea.

O discriminee, for pilgrim feet
Whose stern, impassioned stress
A thoroughfare for unlawful beat
Across the wilderness!
America! America! God showed thine ev’ry flaw;
Confirm thy soul in self ridicule, thy discrimination in law!

O homophobe, for heroes mocked
In denouncing strife,
Who more than self their country loved
But stabbed with a sharp knife!
America! America! May God thy brains define,
Till all success becomes impossible, and ev’ry law malign!

O horrible, for equality dream
That sees beyond the years,
Thine politics as pretty as dog cream
Unimproved by human tears!
America! America! God shed His fallibility on thee,
And make thy poor just poorer, stuck in shit up to the knee!

OK, so why did I write this rather radical post? Two occurences:

#1 Bernie Goldberg appeared on Fox News and tried to smear Liberals/Democrats and tried to explain why Liberals hate Sarah Palin. His brainless hypothesis: “She has 5 kids. Liberals don’t have 5 kids. One of them has down-syndrome. Liberals certainly don’t allow that to happen.” I think Jon Stewart’s response sums it up very well: “Go fuck yourself”, later adding “Eunice Kennedy Shriver [one of nine Kennedy children] founded the Special Olympics because she wanted an organized form where she could mock children with down-syndrome. Of course the Special Olympics is to winners as Fox news is to experts. If you show up, you are one”

watch the entire clip of Stewarts coverage of the Palin hype here.

#2 A 10-year-old child from Arkansas refused to pledge allegiance to the flag of the US. His reasoning? The Pledge of Allegiance states “with liberty and justice for all”. The kid thinks this has not been accomplished yet since homosexuals are still severely discriminated in the US. What happened after that? He got mobbed by his fellow students AND teachers alike. I really do love some Americans and how to oversell their patriotism. If that’s not all some (fortunately not all) posters on a Christian forum picked on him even more. Some excerpts:

“These are the types of kids who grow up to be those ultra-jerky liberals who think they are smarter then everyone else because they can articulate well. The kinds of people who take Michael Moore and Richard Dawkins seriously.”

“Eh, the little punk needs to be slapped.”

“If you can’t pledge allegiance to this country get the heck out of it, or change it.”

I think it’s sad if somebody is mocked for a true statement. And some of these idiots should consider what psychological consequences their mocking might have. But well, criticizing the truth is one of mankind’s favorite activity… I’ve got nothing more to say to this…

As a 36-year-old man who lives for poker night with my buddies and bone-crushing football on Sunday afternoons, I would not call myself  huge fan of Martha Stewart’s.  Not that I have any particular thoughts about Martha Stewart. In fact it would be fair to say I had no particular thoughts about her one way or another.

But…

I want to thank you Martha, for the turkey roasting advice (in-depth instruction really) that I found on your website. As this year I was somehow cajoled into making the revered main course of the Thanksgiving holiday. News of this task was brought to my attention only after my girlfriend had already made arrangements with her parents (yes her parents) for me to perform this duty. Not to mention that this would be my first attempt…ever at cooking the famed fowl. 

Preparing the holiday bird for my girlfriends parents and assorted family and friends was, in my mind, a herculean feat. I spent a week pouring over recipes on the internet, I ony had two criteria. One, keep it traditional. I thought wildly exotic tastes or ingredients might not night be well received. And two, a recipe I could easily understand and readily follow. I found both and more on Martha’s website.

I followed her recipe for roasted turkey exactly. I used her method of cooking the bird to a tee. And I would like to say that it worked perfectly. Not only was the turkey picture perfect, as it sat looking succulent, waiting to be carved. It was also moist, tender and delicious. It was a hit!!

I have already had inquiries as to my ideas for the Christmas meal. Needless to say, Martha Stewart you have gained a huge fan. And although I have not committed to Christmas dinner, I do have ideas. More importantly I have more confidence in my ability to cook.

Thank You

Etsy is a great site to find unique handmade items. Whether you’re looking to buy a present for your friend, grandma or just for yourself, Etsy has something for everyone. This site is created for anyone that wants to make a living out of making handmade goods. Buyers and sellers are all connected on this site and we at Blue Blood picked out a few things that we really like.

One maker decided it was time their plum tree needed trimming. The wood was used to create eco green candle holders. We at Blue Blood have always loved wood, this can specially be seen within our stores. Wooden floors are key at Blue Blood.

We also really liked the wooden buttons this maker created.

Another interesting product is created out of a blend of vanilla, cinnamon, orange and the liquor Southern Comfort. This piece of soap is definitely aimed at those tough men out there that enjoy the strong scent of Southern Comfort while using this so called “All Liquored up soap”.

Ellen Lohse graduated from Rhode Island School of Design and then went on to design books. She now sells her fantastic work on Etsy too. We have posted her work on The Darjeeling Limited before if you can remember? This one below is of Grace Kelly and Stewart.

And finally what a hilarious way to start the new year with this great printable calendar from Keep Calm and Carry Spoof 2010.  For only $5,00 you get the pdf sent to your email and you will be able to print this super funny calendar a million times if you like. Why not start January 2010 with a calendar that tell you to make a resolution and then to break it straight away!

BB

Amy Winehouse dopo le tette, i denti e il lato B, ora vuole un naso nuovo

Dopo il ritocco al seno, la soul-diva britannica Amy Winehouse pensa a rifarsi il naso. La cantante, che ha sorpreso tutti i suoi fan passando dalla seconda alla quarta, sembra proprio caduta nella rete delle operazioni di chirurgia estetica, scrive il tabloid Daily Mirror.  Secondo il solito ‘insider’: “Da quando si è rifatta il seno, è ossessionata dalla chirurgia estetica. Dopo il lato B e i denti, vuole un naso più piccolo, che sia più adeguato al suo viso magro. Odia il fatto che il suo naso sia così grosso e non le piace neanche la forma”.  E non è tutto. Sembra che la trasgressiva Amy abbia in mente anche di rivedere il suo posteriore e forse le labbra: “Vuole che tutto sia in armonia con il nuovo seno”, ha spiegato la fonte.

‘New Moon’, è sempre giallo sulla love story Pattinson – Stewart

Il re dei talkshow David Letterman ha dedicato al bellissimo Robert Pattinson-Edward Cullen un’intera puntata del suo programma, mentre la timida e algida Kristen Stewart-Bella Swann si è cimentata al ‘Late Night with Jimmy Fallon’.  Resta ancora un giallo, comunque, la presunta relazione amorosa fra i due, declamata ormai da mesi dai tabloid e mai smentita con sufficiente convinzione dagli attori. Lo stesso Letterman ha provato a fare chiarezza sulla vicenda con l’ospite Pattinson, mostrandogli l’ultima sexy-copertina di ‘Harper’s Bazaar’ che lo ritrae insieme alla collega Kristen. “Uscite insieme, giusto?” ha chiesto il presentatore del ‘Late Show’. “Sono stato così criptico proprio per evitare la questione durante l’intero…” ha iniziato a dire Rob il vampiro, che sembrava realmente intenzionato a svelare il mistero quando Letterman l’ha interrotto dicendogli che poteva evitare di rispondere.  Lutto per il mondo del gossip. Per il resto, Pattinson – raggiante in completo nero e camicia celeste – si è dilungato sulle sue vicissitudini con le fan adoranti raccontando di un recente episodio in Spagna, dove una ragazza si è appostata fuori dall’appartamento in cui l’attore alloggiava durante le riprese del film ‘Little Ashes’ per tre intere settimane. Un giorno Pattinson si sentiva particolarmente solo e le ha chiesto di uscire. Lei allora l’ha portato a cena nel ristorante dei genitori. “Mi sono lamentato di tutta la mia vita per due ore circa, lei mi ha presentato il conto e poi non si è più fatta vedere” ha raccontato l’attore ridendo.  

Nessun elemento di novità sulla lovestory con Kristen è emerso durante lo spettacolo di Jimmy Fallon, che si è limitato a corteggiare l’attrice – in abito sottoveste nero e capelli raccolti – per l’intera durata dell’intervista. La stessa Kristen, ospite nel programma tv mattutino di Martha Stewart era già stata portata sull’argomento, invano. Stewart riferiva di aver sognato che usciva con Robert e di avere pensato che era un ragazzo molto alla mano. Kristen si è limitata a commentare con un sorriso: “Avrei dovuto unirmi a voi”.

Moira Orfei e le banane indigeste

Moira Orfei ha fatto indigestione di banane!!! Per seguire una nuova dieta ha pranzato ingurgitandosene sei una dopo l’altra. L’effetto è stato devastante e la signora del circo ha trascorso un brutto quarto d’ora in ospedale…Povera Moira, restando sempre con gli animali, ha cominciato… a mangiare come loro…!

Camilla critica Beyoncè

Il nuovo video ad alto tasso erotico di Beyoncè con Lady Gaga, in reggiseno e pistole? Fa rizzare quasi i capelli a Camilla Parker Bowles, duchessa di Cornovaglia, nonché moglie del principe del Galles Carlo, che lo definisce un “red gansgster che glorifica il sesso e la violenza”, modello comportamentale da cui la scuola inglese dovrebbe cercare di allontanare i ragazzi.
Da che pulpito arriva la predica! Lei che è diventata famosa prima per essere stata l’amante del Principe Carlo, nonostante questi fosse sposato con la bella e sfortunata Lady Diana. Poi per essersi riuscita ad imporre a corte, sposando il suo amato, nonostante l’opposizione di sua Maestà la Regina Elisabetta. Ammettiamolo, non era proprio il caso di far polemiche per un video e di prendersela così…

Taylor Lautner, Kristen Stewart, & Robert Pattison are on the cover of the December 4 issue of Entertainment Weekly. Each star has their own collectible cover.Will you be getting your collectible copy? We know we are.

E hoje pretendo dar fim à série dos motores Cosworth na F1, falando da série  denominada CR e suas variantes.

Na terceira parte da história eu falei a respeito da série Zetec. É verdade que a história ficou pobre, no que diz respeito à evolução do motor e modificações feitas por preparadores particulares porque falta fontes na internet. Porém, a partir deste ponto ficou um pouco mais fácil, pois a história do motor é compartilhada com várias equipes.

Sauber de 1996

A partir de 1996 a Cosworth passa a fornecer motores para a equipe Sauber, única equipe a andar com os motores ingleses neste ano. Os motores fornecidos eram os novos Zetec-R 3.0 de 10 cilindros em V, montado num ângulo de 72º. Pesava 120 kg e rendia ao redor de 670 à 690 cv. A diferença de potência existe porque na época os motores de qualificação eram mais potentes e feitos somente para essa finalidade. Os motores de corrida eram mais fracos, porém confiáveis. O melhor resultado alcançado foi um pódio com Herbert em Mônaco e dois quarto lugares com Frentzen.

Já em 97, a Ford-Cosworth começa sua trajetória com a equipe formada pelo tri-campeão Jackie Stewart. Foi neste ano que Barrichello conquistou segundo lugar em Mônaco. O motor recebeu melhorias e passou a render 720 CV para corrida e 730 CV para a qualificação. Era um bom motor, mas o carro quebrava demais e o brasileiro só terminou mais duas corridas na temporada. Além de fornecer para a Stewart, a Cosworth fornecia motores para a Lola e Tyrrell, mas na versão de 8 cilindros.

Barrichello comemora o pódio em Mônaco – 1997

Em 98 eles continuaram com a parceria com a equipe Stewart e ainda forneceram os mesmos motores para a Tyrrell e Minardi. Nenhum resultado surpreendente, mas a Stewart estava evoluindo a cada dia que passa e a Ford se envolve cada vez mais com a equipe. Já os motores Zetec-R ficaram em atividade até o ano de 2001, quando eram desenvolvidos pela European e equipavam os carros da equipe Minardi.

Em 1999 a Stewart passa ser a principal equipe a receber os motores da Ford-Cosworth. Neste ano, a Cosworth passa a fornecer uma nova gama de motores, denominada CR-1, 20 kg mais leve que o último motor Zetec e com uma série de melhorias mecânicas. Foi no ano de 1999 que a Cosworth volta ao lugar mais alto do pódio, com o inglês Johnny Herbert vencendo o GP da Europa, em Nurburgring. Além disso, Herbert e Barrichello conseguiram vários resultados expressivos durante a temporada.

Vitória de Herbert  e da Stewart no ano de 99

Barrichello e sua Stewart em Spa, 1999

A temporada de 1999 havia sido muito boa para a Stewart que conquistou o quarto lugar no mundial de construtores, uma coisa inimaginável para uma equipe que havia sido criada a dois anos e que vinha de uma fraca temporada no ano anterior. Como o envolvimento com a equipe crescia cada vez mais, a Ford resolve comprar a equipe, que passa a se chamar Jaguar. Porém, a investida da Ford com uma equipe própria não foi feliz, como veremos mais adiante.

No ano 2000, a Cosworth lança o CR-2, um 3.0 V10 2OHC, 4 válvulas por cilindro. Pesava 97 kg e o número de rpm alcançado era bem maior que seu antecessor, chegando aos 18000 giros. Porém, o início de temporada foi um fiasco, com a equipe conseguindo pontuar somente na 7ª corrida da temporada, um quarto lugar conquistado por Irvine em Mônaco. Depois disso, voltaram a pontuar somente na última etapa, com um sexto lugar de Irvine no GP na Malásia. Um péssimo ano para a Ford e para a Cosworth.

Estréia da Ford na F1 foi terrível

Para o ano de 2001, a Cosworth desenvolveu melhorias ao motor, que recebeu a denominação de CR-3. Nesta versão, o novo V10 desenvolvia 840 CV à 18500 rpm. Em comparação com os outros motores da época, o CR-3 era um motor moderno, que rendia potência suficiente para fazer frente aos demais construtores, sendo somente 10 cv mais fraco que os BMW’s que equipavam a Williams em 2001. Só isso já mostra o quanto o carro da Jaguar era ruim. Mais uma fez a equipe decepciona, conquistando apenas 9 pontos durante todo o campeonato. Consegue o primeiro pódio da equipe, com um terceiro lugar de Irvine em Mônaco. E só.

Em 2002 o motor passa por algumas melhorias e passa a se chamar CR-4, enquanto os CR-3 eram entregues para a Arrows. Mas as coisas não iam bem para a Jaguar, que sofreu com muitas quebras e abandonos. Conseguiram seus primeiros pontos somente no GP da Bélgica, o 14º no ano, com um sexto lugar de Irvine. No GP seguinte a equipe consegue seu último pódio na F1, com um 3º de Irvine. O motor CR-4 já não batia mais de frente com os adversários, era hora de outra mudança.

Em 2003, a Cosworth apresenta o CR-5, um V10 compacto e mais leve que os anteriores, com uma arquitetura nova e formando um “v” de 90º. Além disso, forneceu motores para as equipes Minardi (CR-3) e Jordan (Cosworth RS1). A Jaguar foi um pouco melhor com Webber, que entrou no lugar do aposentado Irvine. Neste ano, Webber ia muito bem nos treinos e muito mal nas provas. No final das contas, o time conseguiu somar 18 pontos. Mas neste ano tem tudo foi perdido para a Cosworth. A Jordan de Giancarlo Fisichella venceu o GP do Brasil em 2003. Foi a última vitória da Ford e da Jordan na Fórmula 1.

A bagunça na entrada da reta dos boxes

*Eu estava lá, sentado na arquibancada de frente pro “S” do Senna. Foi realmente uma bagunça, Barrichello pintou e bordou na corrida, estava ganhando o GP, mas a Ferrari deixou ele sem gasolina. Uma p#@%ta sacanagem. Houve uma série de batidas durante a corrida por causa da aquaplanagem. Webber bateu na subida reta dos boxes. Depois disso, Alonso acabou acertando os restos do carro de Webber. Por causa deste incidente, a corrida foi interrompida e a vitória caiu no colo de Fisichella.

No ano de 2004 a Jaguar mantém Webber e contrata o novato austríaco Christian Klien. O motor passa por melhorias e recebe a denominação CR-6, conhecido como  TJ2004 Série 8. Já a Jordan recebeu os motores de nomenclaturas Cosworth RS2 e o TJ2004 Série 8 e a Minardi recebeu os Cosworth CR-3L V10 (CK2004). Webber tem um desempenho inferior ao da temporada passada e Klien faz apenas três pontos na temporada. Com o melhor resultado da equipe no ano sendo um sexto lugar na Alemanha, com Webber, e na Bélgica com Klien. Depois de passar tanta vergonha, no final de 2004 a Ford sai com o rabo entre as pernas e a equipe é vendida para a Red Bull, que seria a futura cliente da Cosworth.

Acho que a Minardi andou com todos os motores disponíveis na F1

Como podem perceber, as denominações que o motor recebia eram variadas a ponto de eu ter que parar por aqui para o texto não ficar maior do que já esta.

Acredito que a próxima história seja a derradeira.

Abraços

Vineri, 27.11.2009, va avea loc lansarea in premiera in Romania a noului film din seria Twilight, New Moon. Robert Pattison, Kristen Stewart si Taylor Lautner vor fi acolo. Din pacate, pentru acei fani tru, nu ati fost pe faza. Filmul ruleaza pe diferite ecrane imense din cinematografele romanesti inca din data de 20.11.2009. Asa ca nu iti anunta colega de banca sua de camera, fugi singura la cinema, intarzie, ca sa nu te vada nimeni ca ai venit singura, aseaza-te pe ultimul rand (desi te sfatuiesc sa incerci alt rand pentru ca vor mai fi si altele la fel de disperate ca si tine) si enjoy the movie.

Daca totusi faci parte din elita fanilor Twilight si ai bani de premiera, atunci pe data de 27.11.2009 iti vei lua cea mai lunga si eleganta rochie, pantofii de la care te dor cel mai rau picioarele, geanta asortata, fa o programare la coafor cu 3 zile inainte, machiaza-te excesiv si vino pe covorul rosu alaturi de alte celebritati ale asfaltului Bucurestean la CinemaPro. Vei fi vazuta, remarcata si poate chiar chemata la un interviu.

Pentru muritorii de rand, fara bani si chef de iesit la cinema, va sugerez sa intrati aici, de unde va puteti alege cea mai buna alegere de film-share si il vei vedea, intr-adevar la o calitate mult mai proasta, dar acasa, in pijamaua cea mai confortabila, cu imensul bol de floricele si pachetul/pachetele de servetele langa tine. De asemenea, poti sa mai chemi cateva prietene, sa opriti filmul oricand, sa dati inapoi si inainte.

Pana atunci, va pun la dispozitie primele 2 carti in format pdf.

Twilight

New Moon

Der zweite Teil der Saga wird demnächst in den Deutschen Kinos gezeigt. Es dauert nicht mehr lang und die Fans können es nicht mehr abwarten. Wir haben hier alles aus dem Archiv zu New Moon gekramt, was wir finden konnten und werden euch jetzt ein Preview zu Film bieten, dass euren Durst nach New Moon wachsen lassen sollte.

Worum geht es in New Moon?

Eigentlich könnte man sich diesen Abschnitt sparen. Dennoch wollen wir die Geschichte hier aufführen. In Teil 2 der Saga hat Isabella Swan (Kristen Stewart), die Hauptrolle, Geburtstag. Diesen will sie mit ihrem festen Freund Edward Cullen (Robert Pattinson) und seiner Familie feiern. Die Familie Cullen besteht aus Vampiren, ernähren sich jedoch nicht von Menschen-, sondern von Tierblut. Auf ihrer Geburtstagsfeier bekommt Bella von der sehr wohlhabenden Familie einige Geschenke. Doch beim Öffnen eines Geschenkes schneidet sie sich an Geschenkpapier.

Jasper, der noch nicht lange “Vegetarier” ist, bekommt durch den Tropfen Blut, der Bella vom Finger gleitet gewaltigen Durst und stürzt sich auf sie. Edward stoßt seine Freundin Bella zur Seite und rettet sie vor dem durstigem Vampir. Dieses Ereigniss beschäftigt Edward noch eine kurze Weile, bis er sich von Bella trennt.

Die Trennung ist eine wichtige Schlüsselszene und baut auf die Nachfolgende Handlung auf, deswegen wollen wir nicht mehr spoilern. Nur so viel sei gesagt, die Geschichte wurde vom Regisseur so umgesetzt, dass sie einen immer “auf den nächsten Level pushen” soll. Schon im Buch zum Film leidet man sehr mit Bella mit und wird von Punkt zu Punkt hin und hergerissen.

Trailer:

Ganz wichtig, wenn man sich einen Film anschauen will, ist der Trailer. Diesmal ist dieser auch sehr gelungen. Man bekommt einen richtig guten Eindruck darüber, wie der Film so in etwa sein wird. Wer jetzt noch sagt, die Twilight Saga wäre kitschig, der ist entweder altmodisch, oder kennt sich nicht mit Filmen aus.

Wem dieser Eindruck noch nicht reicht, der kann sich auch die folgenden zwei Ausschnitte aus New Moon ansehen. Die sind leider auf englisch, sollten aber jeden überzeugen, sich doch ins Kino zu setzen.

Letze Anmerkung:

The Twilight Saga-New Moon sollte auch dieses Jahr einer der besten Jugendfilme werden. Die Mischung aus Dramatik, Liebe und einer recht gelungenen Vampir / Wolf Kulisse runden die Geschichte gut ab, die wachsende Zuneigung zu Jackob wird offensichtlich gut dargestellt. Auch ist die Vampir Familie jetzt mehr dem Buch entsprechend gekleidet. Tendenz: sehr hoch!

Ok, so to all my readers out there who are twihards, or even those who are just sightly interested in the series, this post is for you.

As I might have mentioned in a previous post, I have only been introduced to the series for about 3-4 weeks. In that time frame, I have read all the books, watched Twilight, and then went to see New Moon at the midnight showing. All that is to say, that I might be slightly obsessed and a huge fan.

So, me and 5 other friends got tickets for the midnight showing of New Moon, and eagerly counted down the days until Thursday night 11/19. (I even downloaded a app for my ipod that was a New Moon countdown) We decided that we wee going to leave around 9:30 to get good seats for the movie that started at 12:01. It was a good decision since by the time we got thee around 10, there was a line to get into the theater, and there was not 6 seats together to be found anywhere. We ended up having to sit 3 and 3 which wasn’t that bad. So, for the next two hours, we hung out, ogled over some posters that were in the lobby, and stood in line for popcorn and pop for 20 minutes.

Finally it got to where we had twenty minutes left. We decided ahead of time that we were going to play the final countdown song as soon as it got to the last 6 minutes left, and then verbally countdown the last 30 seconds.

Finally the movie started..

What can I say about it as a general statement?

Epic!!!!!

So you want to to know more details? Well here is what I liked and didn’t like in the movie. I might choose to pass over things that other people might make a huge deal about, but hey, this is my opinion right?

Likes:

Opening scene-this scene totally shows that Chris has read the book and totally understands what it is about. The first thing you see following the Summit icon, is a full golden moon. then you see the moon startig to wane and as it does, the new moon title appears in the blackness left behind by the disappearing moon. What you end up seeing is the gold colored New Moon title.

Minor changes to characters- Alright, there are a lot of things in this category. First thing in my mind is that Rob Pattinson has totally nailed Edward’s iconic smirk. The wigs are soo much better than in Twilight. They look alot more natural and are just better in general. Also on the topic of hair, Rob’s hair is so much better because he doesn’t have a wig, but uses his usual hair. But if you have been watching any of the interviews with him, then you already know this.

Volturi- ok one word to say about these guys…AMAZING!!!!!!! They are exactly as I pictured them, and each of the actors, when they are on screen or delivering lines totally owns the shot. Oh yeah, and to get more specific, Michael Sheen as Aro…! Yeah I am still in shock of amazement over what he did with that character. He totally played up on the fact that Aro, at least used to be a gentleman, but no has this evil nature that he attempts to cover. All I know for sure is that whenever he came on screen, the red eyes, the black cape, and the way he talked gave me chills down my spine.

Flashback to Carlisles past: Ok, so if you have read the book, you know that Edward shows Bella the different pictures in Carlisle’s office. Well to portray it in the movie, this is what they did. You cut to a scene where you see Bella and Edward in front of a painting that looks like it is from the 17th century. As you hear Edward telling Bella about the painting, the camera zooms toward it, and you get sucked into it. Inside the painting, you get a little bit of a back story of the Volturi, and a little bit of Carlisle’s background with the Volturi.

Charlie/Jasper/Emmett’s lines: So, in Twilight these were definitely not prominent characters. They take a bigger role in this movie and totally take over the shot whenever they are on screen. Charlie is amazing in this movie, sorry I am not very good with remembering actor names unless I am totally into them. Jasper in this movie is amazing! He doesn’t have that that many lines, probably only like 3-4 lines in the entirety of the movie, but they way they were delivered, and the lines themselves were very epic. And last but not least, Emmett. Like Jasper, Emmett does not have a lot of lines either, but they are genius

cgi: So since the movie basically centers around shape-shifters, you have to have a good element of cgi elements. I personally think that they did a great job on this aspect. Especially the scene when Jacob Black changes in the air. It is a very amazing affect.

Dislikes:

Car: Ok, so what about stupid shiny Volvo owner do the people at Volvo not understand? Why does Edward have a  black SUV Volvo? I know it does not have a lot of screen time, but still, Edward needs to have his shiny volvo. I mean c’mon, if you have read the books, you know that Edward loves his sports cars, so why would he be driving a SUV?

Alice’s costumes: Isn’t she supposed to be shopping in Paris and not her Grandmother’s closet? I mean, don’t get me wrong, I love Alice, but her costumes in this movie…..yeah just look at the pictures

Edward’s eyes: So, I thought when the Cullen’s didn’t eat, their eyes turned black…Why are Edward’s eyes still golden when he was in Volterra. If you have read the book, then you know that he was starving himself because he was going to die anyway so his eyes should have been black.

Alice’s vision: Bella as vampire: What to say about this scene. We see this scene in the Volturi’s tower just before Alice, Bella, and Edward leave. Aro touches Alice, and is therefore able to read her thoughts. She chooses to show him a vision of Bella and Edward running through the forest to show him that Bella will eventually be a vampire. My problem with this scene, is the costumes. I don’t see either one of the characters wearing these clothes.

Ending: I am glad that they had the proposal in the movie, but where was Bella’s answer?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?! I am ll for the dramatic ending, but did it really have to cut to black that fast?! I was honestly hyperventilating when the credits started to roll.

Well that is my review. Feel free to leave comments, they would be appreciated.

For anyone who wants to have a more professional review about the movie, you can go to one or both of these blogs. Some of the point are the same, since we all watched the same movie, but they both bring up different things or flesh out the point I made.

http://www.twilightlexicon.com/2009/11/20/alphies-review-of-new-moon/#more-12525

http://www.twilightlexicon.com/2009/11/19/new-moon-pels-review/#more-12487

In Edward’s absence, Bella got emotionally imbalanced and psychologically disturbed, hearing what she called as ‘velvety,
beautiful voice’ in her head. She could not believe that he had decided to leave, compelling Bella to be oblivious about him ‘as if he did not exist’, thinking that was the best to get her off perils. Edward wouldn’t give in to her request of being changed into a vampire to keep them eternally inseparable. It shook Bella off her normal senses, getting cold without conscious effort at fortifying blocks of truth to a conclusion that he didn’t like her after all.
The moment that Victoria was hunting Bella to avenge her mate’s (James) demise down Forks and La Push raised some levels of hysteria though which was rather less significant to lifelessness at Edward’s while of inexistence. So came Jacob Black’s rescue with Sam Uley to lead the pack, of werewolves, slaying Laurent and keeping an eye and ready claw on the rest of his coven for Bella’s safety, sealed in away even from the slightest threat. Jacob underwent intense struggle on the process of revealing his true identity before which, he and Bella had some nice things to share like the motorcycle adventure, where Jacob truly came in handy on her secret deprivation. Upon discovering that he was a werewolf and it was his pack that saved her life from Laurent’s assault, Bella did not have second thoughts of wholeheartedly accepting him, as a friend worth of lifetime trust.
This, however, was not sufficient to release her from delusions of Edward talking to her mind whenever she got near danger. Bella often revisited the forest that once sheltered the Cullens and decided to jump off the cliff one time to dare sorts of hell close by, believing strongly that, that was the only way to keep hearing Edward’s warning voice. Even as she drowned in the black currents, her feelings were safe from anxiety as if every fear were instantly washed off upon such vivacious hints that clamored ‘Edward did exist’. Up to that point, she was spared.
It went too abrupt that Edward didn’t take note of those details carefully, with a sweeping assumption that Bella committed suicide yet missing the puzzle piece that Charlie meant to be gone for Harry Clearwater’s funeral, one very unexpected phone call. Hurriedly so, Edward consulted the ‘Volturi’ with the solid intention of ceasing to live without her. But the Volturi wanted to keep him (for his special talents) and would not grant his death wish, so he opted to just expose himself under broad daylight to burn away. When Bella learned about it through Alice, she didn’t waste a second and flew off, at all cost. She stood by Edward at the nick of time, dragging him away from the sun’s wide view until the next thing they realized was dealing with the inviolable Aro (of the Volturi) whose mad curiosity about Edward’s unique decision as a vampire stared red at Bella with cunning inquisition on which his cohorts kept attentive watch. At the slip of fortune, he was mad convinced by what Alice had forethought to be Bella’s later conversion on account immortality. Soon, they three were escorted out of the Volturi’s chambers and gathered with the rest of the Cullens.
In their privacy, Bella and Edward paid each other debts of explanation they’d grown thirsty of when the spatial difference was at the remotest it could get, breaking to the faintest of touch.
Back to Bella’s place where the infuriated Charlie, having had enough, had lain on a serious anticipation, Bella and Edward came across Jacob midway down the nearby forest, stopping at a distance assuredly buffered from his zone. The men’s calculating, concentrated gazes didn’t flicker as they shifted colors and brief utterances held the air stung with a founding edge of future crises between what used to be ‘legends’. Bella understood that she was the major subject of it all when Jacob implied it at reminding Edward that when a vampire bites a human in the land they were bound to protect, the truce would be over. At this, he nodded to settle so that they could leave before tendencies blurted out of control.
Bella was mad at the same time filled with compassion to the point of regret for Jacob, having chosen Edward to be with. She had promised to get back to him one day with remarks in the hope of patching up their friendship which he would have thought betrayed.
Bella brought the Cullens to vote over her transformation. On the contrary, Edward wanted to keep her soul intact and not abolish her rights of humanity. Where this opposition led was what the third sequel (Eclipse) was looking forward to answer.

The Twilight Saga: New Moon, like last year’s Twilight, is critic-proof. We film critics don’t get it, this film isn’t for us, and the fans will love it. However, none of that means New Moon isn’t worthy of humorous derision or concerned analysis of the disturbing subtext. New Moon is a bad movie which fails on nearly every level, but that doesn’t mean it’s not fascinating. The series is one of the most popular young adult stories of the last decade yet the movie, which wouldn’t dare make radical changes to the book, lacks so much: a strong female protagonist, subtlety, joy, a positive message to young women, and above all, shirts. The men of New Moon need shirts.

The film opens with the 18th birthday of Bella Swan (Kristen Stewart), one of the most vapid and irritating protagonists in recent memory. While most teenagers would be happy to be hitting their 18th (guns and voting!), Bella can do nothing but sulk and quiver in the presence of her dreamy, pale-skinned, cold vampire love-muffin, Edward Cullen (Robert Pattinson). In a vain attempt to make Bella smile for at least a second, her best friend Jacob (Taylor Lautner) gives her a dream catcher and must explain to her what it does because the film considers her that freaking stupid, although she certainly is. Bella and Edward whisper to each other during class and he tells her how he wish he knew how to kill himself. Happy Birthday.

The Twilight Saga New Moon movie image Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson 1.jpgLater that night, rather than spend any time celebrating with her father or her human friends, Bella enjoys (which means she sulks a little less) the company of the Cullen family, all vampires and not blood related other than they all live together and suck animal blood to survive. Unfortunately, Bella becomes the first person in human history to get a paper cut from unwrapping a present and one of the Cullens goes nuts and tries to attack her, Edward protects her by accidentally throwing her into furniture thus giving her an even worse injury. Dr. Cullen, the family’s patriarch, patches her up and Bella mentions that they wouldn’t have to worry about this if Edward changed her into a vampire. Dr. Cullen remarks that he and his family are damned and that changing her would make her soulless. Remember kids: when Bella says she wants Edward to “change her” it is a metaphor for an 18 year old girl wanting her boyfriend to take her virginity. Edward, who looks like he’s either going to or coming from a GQ photo shoot, protests. In fact, the following day Edward (after breaking into her room while she’s not at home), says he’s leaving in order to protect her and that he never wants to see her again.

Bella then shuts down completely and her break-up causes her to become catatonic interspersed with night terrors. This is odd because not only do teenage break-ups rarely cause such extreme reactions (at least in healthy, well-adjusted teenagers), neither Twilight nor in this movie do we see what Bella is missing. What makes Edward special other than his looks and brooding demeanor? There’s nothing substantial to miss and what Twilight and New Moon fail to do is convince us that infatuation is love. But infatuation isn’t love; it’s a negative manifestation of a fantasy. I understand the teenage love thing when your emotions are so strong that you feel like there’s nothing more important in the entire world. But New Moon keeps mistaking that for true love and that Edward and Bella are a modern-day Romeo and Juliet. I know this because at the beginning of the film, Bella’s reading Romeo & Juliet and she’s supposed to write a paper on Romeo & Juliet and Edward’s birthday-downer-suicide monologue is during a class where the teacher is showing a movie adaptation of Romeo & Juliet. Subtlety, thy name is anything other than New Moon.

Director Chris Weitz brings three skills to New Moon that Twilight director Catherine Hardwicke sorely lacked: the ability to shoot a movie without a blue filter, well-shot action scenes, and convincing special effects as far as the animals are concerned. But Weitz makes Hardwicke look like Bergman when it comes to subtlety. There are moments in New Moon where I laughed out loud because I thought I was supposed to. I thought Weitz was mocking this overwrought teenage love story by using the cheesiest and clichéd images imaginable like running through fields and laying in a meadow. But he’s playing it completely straight and while Twilight fans are eating it up, the rest of us are trying to balance slack-jawed amazement with hysterical laughter. Those moments are at least a reprieve from the Bella’s unrelenting misery.

The Twilight Saga New Moon movie image Kristen Stewart, Taylor Lautner (1).jpgAfter five months of dealing with a break-up that should’ve caused hospitalization, Bella finally drags herself out of the house only to discover that the only way she can see Edward is if she behaves recklessly, because before Edward left he told her not to be reckless. But when she does behave recklessly, Edward tells her that she promised him she wouldn’t and she stops because Bella Swan can’t think for herself or do anything which does not relate to a dominant man. Also, when she sees Edward, he appears as a cheesy ghost effect which, again, I could not believe they were using. I understand that they need a way to keep Pattinson around despite his character’s absence for the majority of the film, but reappearing as ghost mist? Did Weitz think his audience was so dense that they would think a non-misty Edward would actually be there? And this audience has read the book so they already know he’s not really there!

Thankfully, Bella discovers that she can cling to the other hot man in her life, Jacob. The beginning of their relationship is one of the few bright spots in New Moon as the two flirt, joke around, and have personalities. Furthermore, Lautner has charm and charisma which is more than I can say for Pattinson whose performance consists of pensively looking at the ground, sadly looking down at the ground, and bashfully looking down at the ground.

But soon the film realizes the horrible abomination of having a likable character and soon Jacob joins up with the bad boys who don’t wear shirts. It turns out Jacob and the shirtless bad boys are werewolves. The shirtless wolf pack is the film’s best unintentional running gag. No matter the weather, location, or situation, these men will not wear shirts. I know these guys want to show off their pecks and washboard abs, but you don’t have to show them off all the time. There’s a scene that takes place in a torrential downpour where Bella is pleading with a shirtless Lautner to stay with her and not go off with the bad boys. It’s really quite an amazing scene as you can actually see Lautner developing pneumonia.

The Twilight Saga New Moon movie image Kristen Stewart (4).jpgBella’s absolutely dependence on men is where I leave the silliness of New Moon behind and begin to actively loathe the property and what it stands for. This past summer, I dropped my unnecessary hatred toward Twilight fans because their infatuation with cute guys is harmless and nothing new to contemporary American culture. I accepted the following of older fans because I assumed they recognized the series as harmless fantasy and nothing more. But I didn’t lose my hatred of the books and the message they give to young women and New Moon pushed me to start questioning what was appealing about this fantasy.

Bella is a reactive character and her every action is based on what either Edward or Jacob does. She behaves recklessly, not as a way to escape from her pain, but so she can keep seeing ghost-Edward. Later, she tries to kill herself and then cover it up with the excuse she was cliff-diving. But even that isn’t as disturbing as when Jacob confesses to Bella that now because he’s a werewolf, just a split second of anger could cause him to lose control and seriously hurt her. Her response: “That will never happen because I will always tell you how special you are.” This is a girl who will never argue or even question a man she loves because otherwise he may lose control and beat her to within an inch of her life. It won’t be his fault; he just has a monster inside him he can’t control. And why does Edward leave? Because he’s afraid his presence will hurt Bella. Of course, his big realization is that by leaving Bella, he put her in more harm.

Here are six words you will never hear Bella Swan say: “I can take care of myself.” This is the protagonist of one of the best-selling books today. I know author Stephanie Meyer is a Mormon and I find her belief system provides a sickening subtext to her work. While Mormonism isn’t the only religion to promoted abstinence, I find it an absurd and counter-productive response to burgeoning sexuality. It’s blatant religious patrimony to tell young women that all sex before marriage is wrong, even if she wants to, is over 18, and her boyfriend isn’t pressuring her. If a couple wants to wait until marriage to have sex, I have no problem with that. I have a problem with painting an ideal man as an asexual protector who treats his girlfriend like a child and that if they have sex before they get married, “changing” her will make her lose her soul.

The Twilight Saga New Moon movie image Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson (2).jpgAnd that’s not even what I find most offensive! I am appalled that there’s not even a hint of a moment where Bella has an interest of her own other than whether or not a man can protect her and what she can do to serve him. I find it offensive that Bella is so selfish that she doesn’t care if she hurts her kind and devoted father or pulls away from people who were supposedly her friends. Parents, is this really the kind of role model you want for your child? And women who see this as fantasy, is this really what you find exhilarating? I understand attraction to hot guys but plenty of other movies and stories offer that without the repulsive moral values.

There are moments I don’t hate New Moon. I like the action scenes, the cinematography, the werewolf CGI, Taylor Lautner (when he’s not brooding), and that they made up an action movie called “Face Punch”, which I would totally see based on the title alone. But two questions about the movie remain at the forefront of my mind: how troubling it is that this movie will most likely gross over $200 million while having such repulsive messages; and why won’t someone give these hot Native Americans some shirts?

from http://www.collider.com/2009/11/19/the-twilight-saga-new-moon-review/

Come and visit us at www.twilightnewmoonreviews.com !
Here you can rate and comment on the new movie to let others know what they missed out on!!!
Check it out!! It wont hurt!! Have fun !! Love the books the movies were…. well, not that impressive but still, it is awesome seeing them in “real life” !

Giving Rocks!

After weeks of preparation and planning the Baxter Helping Hands Volunteer Organization opened the doors at the Baxter Village Hall for what has become an annual neighborhood tradition:  Operation Christmas Child Shoebox Stuffing.  The short story on the cause:  Fill a shoe box with toiletries, school supplies, toys, candy, artwork and maybe a nice note.  Put a lid on it.  Label it. Box it with other shoeboxes in a shipping crate and have it shipped to children in 3rd world countries to provide basic needs, caring as well as a little joy for the holidays.  Do this 344 times and you now know what went on yesterday from 1-3pm in Baxter Village.  Remarkable.  Inspiring.  Thoughtful.  Hopeful.  Best of all – kind.

Enjoy the slideshow of this year’s event below and if you are one for comparisons, check out the growth in the event from last year.  Can’t wait until next year!!

Click here for the slideshow of this year’s Baxter Helping Hands Operation Christmas Child Event.

Click here for the slideshow from last year’s event.

Don’t forget to thank Sweet Peppers the next time you are there – they provided good food and snacks for those hard at work!  Thanks Sweet Peppers!

Unrelated to the events/pictures above but allow me to start this entry  by introducing you to our family’s newest cover model:  Will.  He landed the highly coveted November cover of Island Events Magazine (apparently “The Original Visitor’s Guide to Hilton Head Island & The Lowcountry Since 1974″).  It’s a long story but the short version is people really do look at the pictures you post to Flickr.  The magazine liked a shot I took of us Kayaking this summer in Hilton Head and the rest is history.  We are trying not to let this go to our heads.  Just one quick trip to Madison Avenue to test the modeling waters and then back to reality, we promise. 

Throughout November we participated in kid-bouncy festivals for the school PTO, Cindy and I made a kid-free weekend happen in Blowing Rock, NC, Will finished up a very successful soccer season (multiple hat tricks), Stewart re-upped for the “Big Dippers” Gymnastics Class, Stewart, Will and I went on another camping trip to our favorite campsite (#7) at the Anne Springs Close Greenway here in Fort Mill and Cindy and I participated in a foot-based scavenger hunt about Baxter (this was a blast!).  We even had a few dinners with friends we have not seen in a good while.  Good month.  Pictures at the links below for your viewing enjoyment.

Click here for the slideshow of our November Camping Trip with the Sullivans

Click here for the slideshow of Charlie at 9 months

Click here for the slideshow of pictures of the Baxter Scavenger Hunt

Click here for the slideshow of Stewart’s solo trip to Camp Grammy and Poppy’s

Click here for Charlie’s Video Playlist

Click here to see all of our pictures a la flickr.

Affiche française

“Tu ne me reverras plus. Je ne reviendrai pas. Poursuis ta vie, ce sera comme si je n’avais jamais existé.” Abandonnée par Edward, celui qu’elle aime passionnément, Bella ne s’en relève pas. Comment oublier son amour pour un vampire et revenir à une vie normale ? Pour combler son vide affectif, Bella court après le danger et prends des risques de plus en plus inconsidérés. Edward n’étant plus là pour la protéger, c’est Jacob, l’ami discret et indéfectible qui va la défendre et veiller sur elle. Mais peu à peu elle réalise l’ambigüité des sentiments qu’ils éprouvent l’un envers l’autre…”

Twilight – Chapitre 2 : Tentation est le deuxième volet de la saga Twilight adaptée des livres Fascination, Tentation, Hésitation et Révélation de Stéphanie Meyer.

Après le chapitre 1 réalisé par Catherine Hardwicke, ce nouvel opus est dirigé par Chris Weitz (A la croisée des mondes : la boussole d’or). On ne peut pas blâmer le réalisateur sur le résultat de ce chapitre 2, qui est surtout lié au scénario, scénario donné par le livre dont le film est issu. Car l’histoire de Tentation est beaucoup plus lente que celle de Fascination. Que retenir de Tentation: rien, quasiment, mis à part l’esprit bête de l’héroïne.

La fin, quand à elle est très abrupte, autant dire qu’il n’y en a pas.

Twilight – Chapitre 2 : Tentation dure 2h10. Pourtant, l’action est peu présente. On ne s’ennuie pas, mais on ne ressort pas du cinéma satisfait.

Ma note:

That is what the movie should have been called, because I can sum up the entire story with two words: “I’m depressed.”  Every single character was just a big pile of sadness.

There were some good story lines to this movie.  Unfortunately, we are forced to sit and watch Bella sit and watch the seasons change.  When we could be learning about werewolf training or following Edward as he goes to exotic locations, we are stuck in a boring-ass town called Forks.  Who cares?

Congrats to Taylor Lautner though.  The dude showed up for this movie jacked.  From what I understand, they told him to bulk up or get out.  Good for him, and I did end up feeling bad for the character by the end of the movie, which I hope was the emotion that they wanted him to elicit from the audience.  Well done.

Unfortunately (you’re reading that word a lot aren’t you?), the other two main actors were sub-par.  Pattison’s and Stewart’s performances might be directly related to the fact that they play two of the most RIDICULOUS CHARACTERS ever written, but seriously, I did not feel attached to either of these fools.

Ashley Greene (Alice) continues to be my favorite character and actor.  She is funny, smart, and easy to watch.  I’d rather have the next two movies be all about her rather than suffer through another two movies of tears and agony.

I’m giving this movie a C-… but only because I’m nice.  When this movie finally started to get interesting (in the last 20 minutes), the action barely lasts long enough to make it worth the trip to the theater.  Will I see the next one?  Probably, but only because I know the next movie can’t be worse…. I’m going to watch Star Trek again to help me forget what I just saw.