Movie Review of The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn, Part One

It is the wee hours of the morning as I write to share my opinions and a movie review of The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn, Part One based on the bestselling novel Breaking Dawn by Stephanie Meyer. A group of my friends, along with several thousand of my fellow Twi-hards, have stayed up late to watch the Midnight premier of this much anticipated movie event.

It's the final book of the Twilight series and they've broken the book into two movies. In this first movie Bella officially marries her Edward. They honeymoon on Esme's Island and it is paradise. I have envisioned what this island would look like in my mind for so long, and they painted my picture perfectly! I think someone should use that island and put a nice bed & breakfast there and rent it out as a vacation package! It's amazing! I hated Bella's white bathing suit though, ugh! Also, Edward didn't seem to sparkle at all the whole time they were on the island. Aren't vampires supposed to sparkle in the sun? For the most part, the honeymoon scenes were tastefully done as honeymoon scenes go. Didn't really need to see the bed breaking...but I know there are millions of screaming Twilight fans who disagree with me!

I think Taylor Lautner deserves an Academy Award for his performance when he learns that Bella has 'died' and for the scene where he imprints. It was my favorite part of the movie, by far.

Other thoughts: I wasn't impressed with the casting of the Denali sisters. They didn't fit what my mental picture held, and Bella's wedding dress was way too modern. I thought it was supposed to be from the early 1900's. I liked the lace, but that was about it. I loved seeing Stephanie Meyer smile at Bella as she walked down the isle! That was priceless. I didn't like all the references to drinking. That was not in the book, and I don't think it was what Stephanie would have wanted. I don't know...maybe that's just my prudish ways!

I can’t believe we have to wait until next year to see Part Two! If it’s as good as Part One, it’s going to be amazing! What's your opinion?

I look forward to the release of The Twilight Saga Breaking Dawn Part One: The Official Illustrated Movie Companion coming on December 13th, 2011. It can be pre-ordered here on Amazon!


If you’ve never read the Twilight series, check out these other Twilight books, music, and movies:

Twilight
The Twilight Saga: New Moon
The Twilight Saga: Eclipse
The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn
The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner
The Twilight Saga Complete Collection
The Twilight Saga: The Official Illustrated Guide
Twilight: The Official Illustrated Movie Companion
The Twilight Saga: New Moon: The Official Illustrated Movie Companion
The Twilight Saga: Eclipse: The Official Illustrated Movie Companion
Twilight Soundtrack
Twilight: the Score
New Moon Soundtrack
New Moon: the Score
Eclipse Soundtrack
Eclipse: the Score
Twilight DVD
The Twilight Saga: New Moon DVD
The Twilight Saga: Eclipse

I recently lost 42 pounds on the Take Shape for Life program! Want to check out my weight loss transition? Click here! -Julie L. Spencer

A Lovely Morning...excerpt from The Farmer's Daughter

A misty fog covered the world, especially in low-lying areas around the rolling hills of the pasture. The little grove of trees sat in the distance, seeming to hover within the fog rather than sitting rooted to the ground. Ashley sat on the top rung of the fence looking out over the early morning scene and pondering again, as she’d done so many times since the big storm, how her cattle had instinctively stayed safe in that little haven of trees.

It was early enough that she hadn’t felt compelled to spend time in the barn yet to do the chores. She just wanted to enjoy the solitude of the morning. It was early fall and the frost had just recently started coating the ground each night. Harvest season was almost complete and soon it would be time to put away the farm equipment. She wasn’t ready for that, and she didn’t quite know why. She wasn’t the one who spent time up on the tractor; in fact the change in farming routine really wouldn’t alter her life in any way. She was back in class everyday at the university.

Still, it was something about the changing of the season that bothered her. It was another little chapter in her life that reminded her that the really important decisions had yet to be made. Even as her heart was weighed down by her frustrations, she pushed them to the back of her mind to focus on the peace of the morning.

It had been an irresolute few months, getting through the clean-up from the storm and starting the new school year. But today she just wanted to relax in the moment and enjoy the morning.

She wasn’t surprised to hear soft footfall behind her, but she didn’t turn to look at him. Paul’s strong arms wrapped around her waist and she leaned back against him with a content sigh. It felt so good to have him holding her.

Neither of them spoke for a long time. She reached up and rested her hands on his arms, folding them around him in a soft hug. She wasn’t afraid of falling as she released her hands from the fence post, because she felt the security of his embrace. She was reminded again of how comfortable it would be to be his wife. She wouldn’t have to change her life in any way. He was already buying his father’s farm. All they would have to do is build a little house off in one corner of his property, get married, and take that one last step to complete their lives. They would be happy and content. They were in love. They would finally be able to let down the curtain that had been holding them apart all these years. They would be able spend every day together…every night together. The thought made Ashley smile and she sighed again.

She had always tried not to let her physical attraction to Paul dictate her decision. Yet, she knew it was impossible to deny how her body reacted to being in his arms. She wanted to finally be able to let those feelings flow through every part of her life. They always had to be so careful, so controlled. She didn’t want to be controlled anymore. She wanted to be able to let down her guard and just see where it would take them. She wanted to finally tell him that she wanted to marry him.

Even as she thought it, her heart pulled her away again. It wasn’t time. She still wasn’t ready. She knew that there was another man who made her feel the same way. She closed her eyes, trying to push away all feelings for Caleb so that she could focus on Paul. But it wouldn’t work. He was still there… 

Check out another excerpt from The Farmer's Daughter: I told you that I tip well!

Check out other exerpts from my novels here.

I recently lost 42 pounds on the Take Shape for Life program! Want to check out my weight loss transition? Click here! -Julie L. Spencer

Get Out and Play at the Capitol!

What an amazing day to get out and play...at the Capitol! Michigan Association of Conservation District's was one of twenty activity providers who transformed the Lansing State Capitol into a giant playground! I had the opportunity to participate in this fun event as one of five representatives of MACD.

On June 19th over 1,300 kids from local day camps were brought in on buses and traveled around the Capitol lawn to learn about nature, hunting, fishing, camping, canoeing, and yes...conservation!

Our display had a giant watershed map, tree identification games, soft animal pelts to pick up and try to guess who used to live inside, and the highlight - a giant stream simulator to walk through and learn about pollution! The kids loved seeing the difference between the clean side of the river and the polluted side of the river. They especially liked the plastic frog who was stuck inside the two liter pop bottle! Check out these photos to see how much fun we had!

I recently lost 42 pounds on the Take Shape for Life program! Want to check out my weight loss transition? Click here! -Julie L. Spencer

Test: Are you Conservative or Liberal?

A Simple Test. Are you “Conservative” or “Liberal”?

If a conservative doesn't like guns, he doesn't buy guns.
If a liberal doesn't like guns, he wants all guns banned.

If a conservative is a vegetarian, she doesn't eat meat.
If a liberal is a vegetarian, she wants all meat products banned for everyone.

If a conservative is down-and-out, he works at bettering his situation.
If a liberal is down-and-out, he wonders who is going to take care of him.

If a conservative doesn't like a talk show host, she switches channels.
If a Liberal dislikes a talk show host, she demands the program be shut down.

If a conservative doesn’t believe in God, he doesn't go to church.
If a liberal doesn’t believe in God, he wants all mention of God silenced.
(Unless it is a false god of course!)

If a conservative reads this, he'll share it with friends because it’s “humorous”.
If a liberal reads this, he will delete it because it's "offensive".

(I borrowed this from a friend, by the way! What's your opinion? -Julie L. Spencer)

I recently lost 42 pounds on the Take Shape for Life program! Want to check out my weight loss transition? Click here! -Julie L. Spencer