It’s official: Edward and Bella’s infamous human-vampire child has been cast for the upcoming new installment in the Twilight series. Mackenzie Foy will join the cast as Renesmee in the two-part finale event, reports Yahoo! news.

So, what do you think? Is she a good pick?

WARNING: This blog post is extremely anti-Twilight.

First off, I should probably preface this by saying that I have read the entire Twilight Saga. I read the first book when I was in sixth grade (I think…), and I was naive enough to actually like that worthless excuse for literature. I thought Edward was a “gentleman” and that it was “so romantic” that he would watch Bella sleep at night. Now I know better- he’s just a perverted creeper. And what’s up with Bella? I mean, COME ON, you find out that the guy you like has been creeping’ on you at night and that he thinks your blood smells delicious, yet you still want to date him? She really needs psychiatric care.

Furthermore, why would you ever date someone who wanted to eat you? Wouldn’t you rather find a guy you could go out to dinner with, rather than someone who just wants to have you for dinner? Bella must have a death wish. Just look at her in New Moon- jumping off of cliffs and riding way too fast on a motorcycle. Either that or she’s a masochist.

You know, if Bella would just use her brain she wouldn’t get into so much trouble. The first time she actually thinks is more than three-fourths of the way into Twilight, and she never uses her brain in the second or third books at all. Well, I can’t really say that. To be honest, I haven’t read the books in many years, so I don’t really know, but I’m sure I’d remember something as significant as Bella proving that she has some sort of measurable IQ.

Another thing that really frustrates me about the series is that fact that Bella is completely pathetic. I find it incredibly insulting that Stephanie Meyer made the heroine of her series an extreme stereotype of woman-kind. In fact, I’m shocked that more girls aren’t offended by this. Meyer is teaching young girls to be dependent on men, marry rich, and to throw away their entire lives just because they think some guy is “hot”.

Breaking Dawn is an excellent example of what I’m trying to say. Bella marries the first guy she’s ever been in a relationship with at the age of 18, and then she gets pregnant! I mean it’s already bad enough, but then you add in the fact that her husband is a monster and you’ve got a seriously messed up plot line. You don’t even have to go that far into the series to see my point- just look at the scene in Eclipse where Bella fails to seduce Edward. REALLY??? Bella is, what 17? That goes against everything that girls should be taught; like waiting until marriage. And that’s exactly the opposite of what Bella’s trying to do. Bella Swan is not fit to be seen as a good role model for girls.

There’s a lot more I could rant about on this subject, but I feel as though you don’t really want to read a novel-length slander of Stephanie Meyer and her waste of precious resources that some people like to call a book series, so I will end my post here.

Oh, before I end this, there’s this guy on YouTube, Alex Day,  who has this series of vlogs in which he reads chapters of Twilightaloud and talks about how terrible he thinks Stephanie Meyer’s writing is. They are simply wonderful and I really suggest that everyone goes and watched his videos because he provides an outsider’s insight to the book. Before he started reading the book for this series of vlogs, he hadn’t really known anything about Twilight other than that a lot of people were obsessed with it.

So for your viewing pleasure, I present to you: “Alex Read Twilight Ch. 1″. Enjoy.

Video by Emily Denton
KCBY Short Film

For those who heard screaming Thursday night around midnight, do not be alarmed: it was only Twilighters watching the opening credits of the pop cultural phenomenon, New Moon.

Fans began arriving at one of 3,514 local theaters as early as eight in the evening to wait in line and snag premium seats for the viewing. To avoid clogging up the theater lobby, the Cinemark Theater at the Vista Ridge mall even let fans in to theater seating around nine. Fans arrived in hoards, armed with homemade t-shirts and a deep appreciation of the vampire saga. For some, the intense mania was overwhelming.

“I have never been to a midnight showing before,” junior Hilary Taylor said, “so I’m really excited to be around all the super fans and to see what it is like.”

The film picks up a few months after Twilight left off, with Bella Swan (Kristen Stewart) and Edward Cullen (Robert Pattinson) quite smitten with their less-than-normal relationship. However, after a freak incident that nearly kills Bella, Edward proceeds to break up with Bella, leaving her heartbroken and an emotional wreak. The only person who can pull Bella out of her deep depression is Jacob Black (Taylor Launter), who is sweet, funny and, oh yeah, a werewolf. Eventually, Bella has to choose between them…but who will she pick?

Those who wanted to actually watch the movie should not have gone to the showing – throughout the movie, fans were screaming, moaning and laughing whenever the occasion arouse, be it a humorous line or the appearance of a favorite character. These exclamations, though entertaining, made it difficult for some to hear the rest of the story.

Though some fans have expressed disappointment about the first film of the saga, most of those attending the midnight premiere left the theater smiling or even screaming for joy – the general fan approval of the film was fresh in the air.

“I was a little disappointed with the first movie because I was expecting a bit too much,” Taylor said. “So, for this movie, I have different standards and went into it with a different view.”

Even before fangirls flocked to theaters late Thursday night, New Moon was already breaking records – according to MovieFone, the movie has ranked number one as the top-selling advance ticket seller, surpassing The Dark Knight and any Harry Potter or even Star Wars movie. Within the first day of its box-office premiere, the film has racked in a shocking $72.7 million, including the $28.6 million it earned with midnight showings alone.

Though the movie has become a box office smash hit, not everyone is thrilled at its success. Generally, the movie has earned low critical reviews – the Dallas Morning News gave it an embarrassing 2 out of 5 stars – and even teen viewers are fed up with the chaos.

“[The hype] is mostly annoying,” said junior Caroline Lowry. “For someone who dislikes Twilight, this whole mania is really obnoxious.”

Despite the lack of professional approval, the fans have and continue to be the driving force behind the film’s success. Only time will tell how big that success will be.

Truely, I shouldn’t have fallen asleep in parts of New Moon. Might I add that my slumber was not a reflection of the entertainment factor, for the movie definately superseded my expectations, in that sense. However, that is not necessarily a good thing.
I think most of us can agree the “Twilight” phenonmenon falls short of any intellectual substance. Therefore, rather than harp on the obvious, i.e., remedial plot, hackneyed rescue scenes and overtly fake cosco-reminiscent contacts, I’m opting for a more positive route. What did non-Twilight fanatics and/or pessimists (such as myself) enjoy from the newly released New Moon?
1. Werewolf boy, Jacob (Taylor Lautner) and his washboard abs. This observation can be made by more than just the ladies, however, as Lautner’s body shots blazon across the screen for all to marvel at. Literally, if one were to combine Spartacus, a rather cute animated werewolf and some derivative of Michael Phelps, you would get the conception of Jacob. Post haircut, of coarse.
2. Dakota Fanning’s sinister debut as Jane, an evil, budding temptress apart of some Italian secret society of vampires. Never before had I seen our little own I Am Sam’s child star in such a dark light. I loved it. Just one shoot of the word “pain” out of her mouth and I was sold. This girl had me convinced she’s a blood-sucking hoss. From now on, Fanning dear, stay out of the trite Uptown Girl roles, I like you far better when you’re freaking me out as a vampire than an awkwardly placed kid in need of a nanny.
3. The dream sequences. Need I say more?

I’m sorry to say, I can’t leave this blog so noble as to only highlight the enjoyable. Although New Moon was arguably better than the first Twilight film, one must recognize it is essentially just a “cheap thrill”.
So, if you’re looking to be entertained and can laugh at sexual repression, lacking dialogue and acting by most onscreen, what are you waiting for? New Moon is defiantly your hot ticket.

To see movie times for this film visit:

http://www.moviefone.com/

It’s finally here.  The midnight premiere we have been anticipating for a year: the Twilight saga’s second film, New Moon.

Hundreds of girls will be flooding to the theater tonight to see Edward, Bella and Jacob live their extraordinary lives on the big screen.  Many—including my group of friends and I—are going to the late-night shows but will show up to the theater two or three hours before the movie actually starts in order to get good seats.  Therefore, there will be a lot of sitting around, trying to find something to do.

Thankfully, I’m here to save the day.  Here are a few ideas to help you pass the time with your friends while waiting for New Moon to begin this evening, or should I say, tomorrow morning:

• Catch Phrase—quick, simple, easily carried in a purse…
• Phone games—not very original but always a hit
• Never Have I Ever—requires no game pieces, just your own hands and an uneventful life
• Apples to Apples—you don’t have to bring the whole box, just take a stack of cards
• Go fish—it’s just classic
• Telephone—no, not a real one…you know, the game where “black cat” turns into “fat Matt?”
• Eat—go for things that are more “snacky” like popcorn, M&Ms and chips, they take longer to eat (but stay away from the Big Gulps, you don’t want to have to get up ten times during the movie)
• Homework—not so fun but, hey, it’s reality
• People-watch—there are sure to be some fanatical Twilight fans acting crazy
• Just talk—spend the agonizingly long wait catching up with your friends’ lives

Movies

The Box: Nov. 6

Cameron Diaz and James Marsden deal with a sticky moral issue (there’s an understatement): push the button on a mysterious box and kill thousands of people while getting a buttload of money or…not kill people. The movie looks like it will be a great conspiracy thriller for that delivers drama, suspense and action in an effective balance.

Pirate Radio: Nov. 13

That guy from Doubt (Philip Seymour Hoffman) and 7 other rouge DJs set sail on a boat to play banned rock and roll music. The people are happy, the government is in uprage, the DJs are claiming to be pirates…what more can you ask for?

2012: Nov. 13

Yup, another end-of-the-world movie with John Cusack. Who will survive? Well, by the looks of the entire earth caving in on itself, probably no one.

The Twilight Saga: New Moon: Nov. 20

Gentlemen, get ready for the fan-girly screams. Ear plugs are suggested, but not required.

The Princess and the Frog: Nov. 27

Disney returns to its animation roots with the re-telling of the classic fairy tale by the same name. The art is mind-blowingly rich, detailed and down-right pretty, with a story reminiscent of Aladdin and The Little Mermaid. Promises a bad case of the warm-fuzzies by the time the credits start rolling.

Concerts

AC/DC: Nov. 2 at The American Airlines Center

Back in black, all you classic rock fans.

David Cook: Nov. 8 at The Palladium Ballroom

The American Idol, a.k.a. “Mr. Sensitive”, comes to Dallas at the laid-back concert venue.

Queen Latifah: Nov. 10 at The House of Blues

Did you know she was not only an actress but also a singer? Because I sure didn’t. I must have been living under a rock for the majority of my life.

The Swell Season: Nov. 14 at The Palladium Ballroom

Most people know them from their Oscar-award winning song, “Falling Slowly”, that they performed in the movie Once. For all you laid-back, indie-music fans, this is a concert you don’t want to miss.

Train: Nov. 23 at The Bar of Soap

They’re “back in the atmosphere” for what looks like an excellent concert experience. Plus, they’re performing at the Bar of Soap, a fairly new venue for Dallas residents to explore.

Dashboard Confessional: Nov. 22 at The Palladium Ballroom

I’m sure a few tickets will get “Stolen” so fans can get in this concert. And yes, the bad pun was intended.

The All-American Rejects and Taking Back Sunday: Nov. 29 at The Palladium Ballroom

“Dirty Little Secret” meets “Your Own Disaster”? Yes, please.

Around the school

“Anything Goes”
Oct. 31-Nov. 2 and Nov. 6-8, 7:00 p.m. (Nov. 1, 2:30 p.m.), CHS Auditorium
The theatre department is on a boat in search of love through song, dance and humor in this annual fall musical.

Vivace! Dessert Show
Nov. 20-21, 7:00 p.m., CHS Auditorium
Dessert and show choir: the recipe for one sweet night.

Madrigal Feast
Dec. 4-5, 6:00 p.m., CHS Commons
Renissance has never been so cool.

For more upcoming events around the area, click here.