Movie Review: New Moon

* Spoiler Alert *

Chiming in way late here, but I will say this movie was a big improvement on the first one. What Twilight, the movie, lacked, New Moon made up in spades. The dialogue and acting were better (though not perfect), and I remember liking Jacob in the first movie, of all the characters. He's in this one a lot more, so yay on that. Taylor Lautner, you rock. Can't wait to see what you do next in your career.

I expected a fun distraction with some good special effects, and I got that. You don't notice much heavy special effects use until about halfway into the movie (and if you read the book, you know why). I wasn't wild about New Moon, the book, as much as Twilight, the book, but I definitely like New Moon, the movie, better than Twilight, the movie. (That, and it reinforces why I am now Team Jacob. He's so much more fun as a character.)

The Spoiler Section: For those of you who have read the book, you will recall that Edward overhears that Bella's dad is attending a funeral, and he mistakes it for Bella's funeral. Without checking the facts (one of the ignoring-logic-in-favor-of-drama instances where I get annoyed with the Twilight universe), Edward decides he's going to commit suicide by provoking a much older clan of vampires into killing him. People who haven't read the book might get confused at first by this, because it happens so fast and after a simple phone call. They do explain it, but not until after you've already said to yourself, Eh??? A classic case of why misunderstandings aren't true conflict in fiction, and shouldn't be forced to become so.

After that, the slow burn of everything that happened before, including Bella and Jacob's there-but-not-there relationship, pretty much goes Fttt!, and it's all action. Jacob, sadly, gets tossed aside once Bella gets a sniff of Edward's continued existence. I hated the way she dismissed Jacob once Edward was back in the picture, in movie and book, after all he had done for her. (Insert unfriendly insult to Mean Jacob-Dumping Bella. How could you? WHY would you? You did see Jacob, right? He SMILES, and everything!) I will admit to being in Edward's camp at the beginning of this book, but I warmed up to Jacob and was really pissed when she dumped him for Edward. Even though I knew that was the way the book was headed. Sigh.

The movie is good, all in all. So go, expecting much improvement upon the first film. There's some nice scenery, and a couple cool songs on the soundtrack, though not as many as the first movie's soundtrack. I dare you not to be Team Jacob after this film. :)

Happy Thanksgiving!

I know my Canadian friends have already celebrated Thanksgiving and that this is late for you, but I want to wish you, and all Americans, a Happy Thanksgiving. Take time to share some good food and good conversation with family and friends today. Remember that giving and being thankful for what you have is what this day is all about. And don't forget to pass me a drumstick. Be safe!

RWA Removes Harlequin From Conference-Benefit Eligibility

Harlequin recently added Carina Press, an E-publishing arm, and Harlequin Horizons, a vanity publishing arm, to their massive publishing umbrella. In response to the vanity arm, RWA has responded by removing Harlequin from eligibility for conference resources provided to non-vanity, non-subsidy publishers. From the RWA Alert made public yesterday:

"With the launch of Harlequin Horizons, Harlequin Enterprises no longer meets the requirements to be eligible for RWA-provided conference resources. This does not mean that Harlequin Enterprises cannot attend the conference. Like all non-eligible publishers, they are welcome to attend. However, as a non-eligible publisher, they would fund their own conference fees and they would not be provided with conference resources by RWA to publicize or promote the company or its imprints."

(Full text available at the RWA Website for RWA members, or you can check out E-Reads for an editorial on the matter, which includes the full text of the RWA Alert. You can learn more about Harlequin Horizons from Harlequin's Website.)

This does not directly affect E-pub Carina Press, but is aimed at Harlequin Horizons, the vanity portion. While I have heard (read: not confirmed) that Harlequin has stated Horizons is a completely separate entity, RWA seems not to be buying that. The portion of HQ's information page regarding Horizons that looks, to me, to be the sticking point is:

"Titles published through Harlequin Horizons will be monitored for excellence and retail potential for possible pick up by Harlequin's leading traditional imprints."

This seems then to be a new way for potential HQ authors to get face time with a Harlequin editor. An intelligent marketing move for Harlequin, who will have more options for making profit and picking up good authors, however, RWA will not endorse a vanity or subsidy publisher. Since the two are linked, HQ has been denied access to those resources mentioned in its Alert.

Harlequin is a giant in the romance industry--the biggest romance publisher in the world, in fact. This may have huge impact on the way RWA classifies its eligible publishers, maybe including E-pubs. Fallout remains to be seen, and there are some widely differing opinions on whether or not this is a good move. I'm still forming an opinion, myself. Carry on, y'all.

EDIT: Check out this editorial on the topic at Jackie Kessler's Website, explaining in detail why she feels this is poor sport on Harlequin's part. Great article with detailed analyses of the problem at hand!

CBS, How Do I Love Thee?

Not-Subtle Hint: It's a lot.

I think one of the loveliest things about the Internet age is the ability to get whatever you want, whenever you want it, online. I'm not usually this much of a technogeek, but even I can see the pros of viewing Mark Harmon and Michael Weatherly anytime I like from the comfort of my computer chair. (Darn nice chair it is, too.) Particularly nice is viewing NCIS online when I have missed the last two weeks of it. Stupid life, getting in the way of NCIS. Yay, Internet age.

Jeez, I hope someone gets me an NCIS cap for Christmas. (That's also a Not-Subtle Hint.)

Harlequin Announces Digital-Only Carina Press

Harlequin Romance has announced today the opening of Carina Press, a digital-only publishing house that will offer a wide variety of women's fiction subgenres. Check out this article at CNBC:

http://www.cnbc.com/id/33785094

Um, Why Am I Awake?

Got in late last night from CT. Michael Hauge was a good speaker. Learned a few new ideas, but WOW am I tired. More on that when I'm not actually comatose. Have a good Sunday, all!

Happy Halloween!

I hope all of you who celebrate have a safe and happy Halloween. Here in NY, it looks like a bit of rain, but it won't stop me--er, my son--from trick-or-treating completely. Dress up and be silly!