Interviews

For all those waiting to see my interviews with my fellow classmates about their obsessions with The Harry Potter Novels, The Twilight Saga, Jodi Picoult Novels and the Gossip Girl Series, there is bad news. Unfortunately I repel all technology and this website is not being cooperative with my imovie. Listed below are the questions that I asked:

1.     Out of The Twilight Saga, Harry Potter Novels, Gossip Girl Series, and Jodi Picoult Novels – which books have you read?

2.     Why did you read them? Did the hysteria over these books play a factor in your decision to read them?

3.     What aspect of the books did you fall in love with and kept you wanting more?

4.     Did the movie/TV versions do the books justice?

5.     Has the obsession gone to far?

Please feel free to answer the questions yourself (PLEASE!). If you put up your answers, I’ll put up mine.  

Everyone is Taking a Bite

Vampires have taken a bite out of pop culture. Lately, everything is vampire. For years vampire stories have been around like Dracula, Interview with a Vampire, “Buffy the Vampire Slayer”, and Southern Vampire Novels (the basis for "True Blood"). Ever since my beloved Twilight, came out there is a vampire frenzy. Why, might you ask? This is because advertisements, TV shows, and movies target the millions of teen/young adult fans’ attention – and then it spreads to younger kids and adults.  After The Twilight Saga proved to be a success, the show “True Blood” came out on HBO. True Blood is based on Southern Vampire Novels that actually came out before Twilight. Shocking – when all the kids thought Stephanie Meyer was original! (Don’t hate me for writing that – love her books). Vampires have now become a common part of everyday life. There is clothing that has the catchphrase “Bite Me” on it and other stores that sell clothing that is aimed towards those who favor vampire attire. There is even a vampirewear.com, where there are boots, blood vials fangs, coffin gift boxes, and yes accessories that have the faces or symbols from Twilight on it. It’s okay to be Goth, as long as there is an association with vampires.  I didn’t realize how far the craze had gone with Hollywood until I recently opened the newest issue of Vanity Fair (yes, the one with the gorgeous Johnny Depp on the cover)! Inside the magazine it showed celebrities at two different parties all wearing vampire teeth, and the event had nothing to do with vampires. The phenomenon has taken over and does not seem to be slowing down soon, but I don’t mind! Don’t be afraid to sink your teeth in deeper and drink it all in, I know I am. 

Bring on the tears...

My Sister’s Keeper, the lovable book by famed author Jodi Picoult, is going to be released in movie version June 26^th. This novel is the most read and successful out of all the sixteen Picoult novels. The book chronicles a girl, her family, and her lawyer, after she sues to have medical emancipation. She wants control of her own body because she was born, genetically modified, in order to save her sister who has cancer. So many points in the book brought myself, as well as other readers, to tears. It is an emotionally captivating book that is so heartfelt on page and hopefully the transition to the big screen will do the book justice. Thousands are anxiously awaiting the release. When you do go to the movie, don’t forget to bring a box of tissues. 

Fashion in Gossip Girl

Gossip Girl not only gives us insight how the rich and fabulous teenagers of the Upper East Side, in NYC, spend their days and nights – but what they are wearing! If one does not love Gossip Girl for the drama alone (how could you not), they can love it for the fashion. Yes, many girls can not afford the famous styling of Channel, Yves Saint Laurant, Dolce and Gabana, Christian Laboutine, Manolo Blanicks -and those are just a few of the famous designers that fills the pages of the book or are shown on the TV. It is easy for people to copy Serena’s look for less, because she has a boho sheik/rocker look, which is fairly easy to put together as long as you know the right place to shop. Pulling off Blair Waldorf definitely has its challenges. She is always dressed in the most exquisite outfits, not one hair is every out of place, unless of course she is filming “certain scene” with Chuck Bass or Nate Archilbald. Blair has made stockings and intricate headbands very popular over the past two years. When I myself wear a headband that has a flower on it (which I purchased from J.Crew) I say, “OMG…I am so Blair right now.” If ones walks around a hallway of a school, and someone is wearing a preppy outfit it is very likely that a girl is saying the same things as me. As for Jenny and Vanessa, they looks are for the most part stylish, and it is probably the easiest to dress like them – but I rather be Blair or Serena. Gossip Girls also has an array of outfits for the male characters - I’m not going to get into them now…that’s for later.

 

You know you obsess over their fashion

XoXo S…..

Excited for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

I don’t know about you, but I am counting down the days to the movie version of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince coming out July 15^th (was originally the 17^th). The fifteenth will give fans, whether they have read the book or not, another glimpse into a brilliant magical world. Now I am warning you, if you read further there will be spoilers!!! This movie is documenting Harry’s sixth year at Hogwarts. For those fans that have raging hormones – yes, there are more crushes, kisses, and fawning over in the movie. Ron is now a ladies man, Hermoine is very jealous, and Harry who is loved by the ladies, is growing closer to Ginny Weasly. Weird?? This relationsip with Ginny will defiantly creates tension between him and Ron. And for the ladies that love Draco and have missed him, he is a prominent character in this installment! But like every other Harry Potter movie friends and bonds will be tested and loyalties will be called into question. There are so many battles between good and evil. Which side are you on?? This movie/book also chronicles Tom Riddle/Voldemort’s early years, uncovering the mystery behind the character, possibly revealing how he became so evil. There is also more Quidditch, Snape, and action fights. Harry Potter will hopefully come to terms with the idea that he is “the chosen one”, and he MUST battle Voldemort. And of course the most shocking part of the book is that Dumbledore is murdered. Who did it…Snape!

 

Maybe I’ll see you at midnight at the theater. I am warning you I might be dressed up as a character, though I’m not sure who yet!!!

Twilight Saga Mania at the MTV Movie Awards

As any other fan of the Twilight Saga, the MTV Movie Awards were an important night. The main characters of New Moon: Robert Pattinson, Kristen Stewart, and Taylor Lautner, would be there looking beautiful. Also, Twilight was bound to win every award (more Rob and Taylor). And most important of all, the second installment of the Twilight Saga, New Moon, trailer for the movie would be premiering. The whole night seemed to be devoted to Twilight. Here are some examples:

1.     Loads of red carpet coverage – Rob Pattinson looked gorgeous apart from his gross (unbrushed and unwashed) hair, he thinks it may be cool – IT’S NOT. Kristen Stewarts also feels the same about her hair, plus she had the need to wear converse sneakers with a dress: is she too cool for heels? Taylor Lauter wore an appropriate outfit to the awards and seemed to be the only normal, not awkward, one out of the trio.

2.     Andy Samberg did a Twilight Spoof – quite hilarious, but his vampire and wolf were nothing like the actual characters

3.     Andy Samberg’s opening song mentioned how hot Rob Pattinson was!!!

4.     Another Andy Samberg moment was when he mentioned Twilight and screams filled the entire theater. After that moment he said he had won the bet. Who would even vote against that???

5.     In Jim Carey’s speech he mentioned he was embarrassing himself infront of the good looking kid from Twilight

6.     Twilight won every award they were nominated for: Best Movie, Best Fight Scene, Best Kiss, Best Newcomer Actress, Best Newcomer Actor, and so on…

7.     THE TRAILER!!!! It opened with a kiss between Bella and Edward (very cute) and was followed by another clip that showed the love they had for each other. AWWW. Then the major scene that caused the plot for New Moon – the infamous paper cut clip. It was well done compared to scenes from the first movie. Taylor Lautner looked gorgeous, but the wolf he turns into should have been a little bigger. Also, this movie was much different from the first were it wasn’t basically all blues and grays. I personally think the blues and grays of the first movie are much more like the novels than the sunny, golden tone of the second movie. HELLO, it takes place in the rainiest area in the continental United States. Thankfully the acting seemed to improve from the horrendous acting that occurred in the first movie. The Twilight movie was a HORRIBLE adaptation of the AMAZING book that captivated millions of readers. 

Overall it was a fantastic night for The Twilight Saga!!!

The Books

Embarking on this journey I had to go back to the dream worlds that were created by these books. I thoroughly remembered the four books from The Twilight Saga because I had recently re-read all the books (it was only my second time reading them). I also remembered all fourteen Gossip Girl books I had previously read and I am still currently reading the spin-off, The It Girl (I have already read seven of them). I am disappointed in myself when it comes to the topic of Harry Potter. Yes, I have all the movies basically memorized, but I have only read a few of the seven books, but recently I have reread the first book and as soon as the madness of high school ends I will begin reading the entire series. I had forgotten how wonderfully magical the world was that J.K. Rowling had created. The last part of my project I knew little about – Jodi Picoult novels. I knew they were a craze and I felt that every girl in my grade was reading them, and even some guys. I had also discovered that a movie version of My Sister’s Keeper was coming out and there was a lot of buzz. The commercial alone for the movie almost brought me to tears, so I knew I had to read the book for myself. My Sister’s Keeper is now one of my favorite books I have ever read – it so beautiful and touching. It is an enjoyable read that touches on every human emotion. I also read The Pact, was also engaging, but not quite as good as MSK. I am currently reading 19 Minutes. 

The Obsession Begins...

I thought that in researching this topic it would be quite difficult to obtain valid sources, but I was relieved to see how many websites are devoted to the four series I am researching. Just in websites alone there are over 600 million sites. When one types in the word obsession, Twilight and Harry Potter consume the google pages. It felt like the world was backing me up, and I knew I was not “crazy” as some people were calling me for picking this topic. I call those people the “haters.” Others were very excited and took interest in the topic I was researching. They would begin telling me their personal experiences with the topic. As they discussed the books a glaze came over their eyes, they looked up at the ceiling and smiled as they discussed what they felt as they were reading. Of course, naturally many were ashamed how obsessed they were and asked me not to tell people what they had just told me. They are called “closet fanatics.” Other fans that called me their stories and were openly screaming how much they loved the books are referred to as “open fanatics.”