Twilight of the She-Geeks

[The Big Eye]

One thing: waaaaaaaaaay too many hyphens.
Good article otherwise, though. I know very, very close to nothing about the Twilight series, so it's good to get an account of what all the fuss is about from someone who's experienced the horror firsthand.

 

[DemonicVixen]

That was quite a mirror you were holding there.

I do kinda like how Twilight is taking the wind out of Harry Potter's sails.
Al of a sudden the tween girls don't give a sh*t about Harry anymore.

Always try to make the best out of a bad situation.

Ha Twilight beats Harry Potter 6 at least... That movie was crap compared to Twilight. The only good thing was the tiny amount of special effects which oviously Twilight lacks... Other then that, id rather watch Twlight 16 times in a row then re-watch Harry Potter 6 again. They ruined that movie.

 

[Doug]

i'm simply terrified by your article here. why? because now i feel a sort of need to read the books just to know how terrible they are.

that's what keeps me up at night.

Here's a taster

In that second, I wished that I was not the one exception to his mysterious talent; I usually felt grateful that I was the only person whose thoughts he couldn?t hear just as clearly as if they were spoken aloud. But now I wished he could hear me, too, so that he could hear the warning I was screaming in my head.

or

I was like a lost moon?my planet destroyed in some cataclysmic, disaster-movie scenario of desolation?that continued, nevertheless, to circle in a tight little orbit around the empty space left behind, ignoring the laws of gravity.

Make up your own mind.

My brain is bleeding - the laws of gravity have no place in romance. At least, not like this.

Edit: I ran a readability check on the last sentence.

Coleman Liau index : 12.71
Flesh Kincaid Grade level : 19.72
ARI (Automated Readability Index) : 21.00
SMOG : 19.43
Flesch Reading Ease : 21.33

Which means you need a Grade 12 or 13 (US) to read it.

For the Flesch Reading Ease, an eleven year old girl would need a FRE of >90, Florida REQUIRES that even Life Insurance Forms have a FRE of >45.

To be far though, I ran the same test on MovieBob's review.

Approximate representation of the U.S. grade level needed to comprehend the text :
Coleman Liau index : 12.13
Flesh Kincaid Grade level : 14.06
ARI (Automated Readability Index) : 15.08
SMOG : 13.83

Flesch Reading Ease : 41.55

And remember, he's using phrases like pretzel-logic and less-uncharacteristic-than-I'd-like-it-to-be.

What are these readiblity tests? Some computer program that analyses the text?

 

[The_root_of_all_evil]

What are these readiblity tests? Some computer program that analyses the text?

Each has their own Wikipedia pages but basically the FRE is

Short, low syllable sentences work well.

 

[Mikav]

I just have a problem when it's done this poorly.

And to this end, I have nothing to read in the paper when I ride the bus to work every morning because I live in Vanouver and New Moon is being filmed in like Surrey. Or Chilliwack. Something East of me.
(map)

Both, actually... Although I've seen a film crew or two locally. As a new-india (I mean surrey) resident, It feels like I'm in the center of the craze.

 

[Ericb]

It all makes sense now. Well lads, we got some apologising to do.

Ever since I saw Samus stripping after the end of Super Metroid (haven't played the original one until years later), I felt quite angry for the way women are portrayed first and foremost in a sexual manner for no other reason than just because it sells. Sometimes really just because.

Even though I'm a guy, I feel that if I was treated in that way I would be seriously pissed, so I identified a little.

The fact that sex sells doesn't bother me as much as the fact that it's being used a marketing tool far more than ever before. It's kinda seeping in people's attitudes towards each other, really.

(...)even though when you remove the hot guys and put everything into perspective, it becomes an uninspired and slightly creepy series.

Sadly, that wise perspective is not being shared by a lot of otherwise (hopefully, at least some of'em) intelligent girls worldwide. Or guys for that matter.

Just watch how rethorical they get when someone accuses them of supporting objectificated female images in games/movies/television.

As the books/film's many critics have also pointed out, the story also re-appropriates the traditional parallels drawn between vampirism & sexuality into this bizarro discourse about abstinence and uncontrollable "male urges", all the while pinning much of the blame on the (would-be) victim for being "too" appealing.

Yeah, that's one of the oldest and weakest excuses for male abuse. What scares me the most is that, this time, it was a woman who wrote it. I wouldn't like to have a conversation with her beyond "what the hell is wrong with you?".

 

[ProfessorLayton]

Well I think that two wrongs don't make a right... just saying.

Again, it's not Twilight that bothers me. It's the fact that the books stories/movies are just so terrible but people will just willingly look past that fact for no reason whatsoever. I mean, I've been the target audience for plenty of stupid crap (see: OneChanbara: Bikini Zombie Slayers) but I'm not going to force my brain into thinking that I like it because I'm the target audience. It just doesn't make sense to me. If something is blatantly flat out awful then there should be no excuse for it to have such an enormous fanbase. It boggles my mind how people can be that stupid...

 

[hebdomad]

It would seem all these spin off vampire TV shows/movies got it all wrong... I wonder when these people tying to cash in will catch on its not about vampires...

 

[AvsJoe]

"Female ninjas probably would use their sexuality as a weapon!"

Umm, female ninjas probably would use their sexuality as a weapon. One of the things that ninjas are known for is that they will do anything to execute their target, including stooping as low as throwing sand in their opponent's eyes. I'll bet that some of the things that what's-her-face from the game Red Ninja were used by female assassins and ninjas throughout history.

Anyone trying to pitch a good female-centric supernatural romance franchise will inevitably have their work compared to "Twilight" and taken less seriously as a result.

So true. There has never been a good time to be a female geek but the future looks only slightly less barren than the past in terms of movies and whatnot. Looks like they'll have to stick with Heather Graham's Paranormal Romances for quite a while longer until the genre can break from the very large shadow cast by Meyer and her Twilight series. Fantastic article, Moviebob. I'm very much loving these Intermissions.

 

[MovieBob]

Umm, female ninjas probably would use their sexuality as a weapon. One of the things that ninjas are known for is that they will do anything to execute their target, including stooping as low as throwing sand in their opponent's eyes.

Yes, but the defense in question is seldom made in defense of the "undercover as a courtesan" thing and moreso in relation to the "inexplicable cleavage-baring outfit" thing

 

[AvsJoe]

Umm, female ninjas probably would use their sexuality as a weapon. One of the things that ninjas are known for is that they will do anything to execute their target, including stooping as low as throwing sand in their opponent's eyes.

Yes, but the defense in question is seldom made in defense of the "undercover as a courtesan" thing and moreso in relation to the "inexplicable cleavage-baring outfit" thing

Okay, fair enough, I should've remembered the context the line was in. Also, thanks for responding. I can officially say that a celebrity talked to me today.

 

[Gyrefalcon]

As I said in one of the other threads, there is SO much better female-viewed male objectification pr0n. Laurrell K Hamilton made a career off the back (pun intended) of Anita Blake and Meredith Gentry.

Many of the historical romances have deep raging within those bustling corsets whether straight or lesbian (Tipping the Velvet?), and novels that Twilight etc. are based on (Jane Eyre, Wuthering Heights, Pride and Prejudice) have deeply shallow male characters that are feckless idiots until they get caught by the right woman.

That's the point about Twilight, there's so much BETTER shallow fluff around. A friend of mine recommends Georgette Heyer quite highly.

Edit: While Sean Connery in Zardoz doesn't count, surely Gil Gerard in Buck Rogers in the 25th Century does? While the males were ogling Erin Grey, I seem to remember his suits being awfully tight...and that's without mentioning Burt Ward in the original Batman...

There is an important difference between Kim Harrison, Anita Blake, et al and Stephanie Meyers work. Stephanie's characters step back from the increasingly detailed sex to a more innocent love. Now having read the Sparkledammerung review by stoney321 on Live Journal I realize Stephanie Meyers is to Mormonism what L. Ron Hubbard is to Scientology.

But still-I think it opened the door for the movie "The Proposal" to get made, where the lead characters fall in love but don't have sex. Our culture is missing innocence. Sex has become SO pervasive that love and romance are now the more rare currency that younger girls are looking for. (And remember that romance ends where sex begins.) So yes, there is a void but it isn't being filled quite as much as you think.

@Movie Bob: This intermission was an excellent piece of work. Thanks for the serious contemplation of the movie and the book series. (Although I still feel bad you had to watch it.)

 

[fletch_talon]

I think the problem with the comparison here is that Twilight comes across as a romance with fantasy thrown in. The fantasy novels we all know and love may incorporate sexualised female characters but I've never read a novel in which "that character is so dreamy" is the primary claim to fame.

In other words whilst geeky guys buy fantasy novels for the story and to escape (with sexy elven maidens as a bonus), it seems the Twilight novels earn their fame purely by exploiting women's desire for a flawless male (physically and mentally).

 

[The_root_of_all_evil]

But still-I think it opened the door for the movie "The Proposal" to get made, where the lead characters fall in love but don't have sex. Our culture is missing innocence.

Again, Romeo and Juliet: Baz Luhrman, The Little Mermaid, Pochahontas, Cooking Mama; even Moulin Rouge has an innocence that belies what we KNOW is going through the main characters minds.

I think it's the "quest for lost innocence" that is actually getting these movies made. Meyers talks about innocent ideals, but then piles it full of terrifying symbology, that Bob's already gone into, that leaves Bella as a subservient moron with Edward and Jacob taking Stalker and Wife-Beater roles.

That is NOT innocence.

That level of innocence is seen far more realistically in Demolition Man. True innocence can be found in pictures like Where the Wild Things Are, which has nothing to do with Meyer's Mormon-fest.

If you want a truly innocent tale of love, hate, jealousy & passion between a shy male trying to bring order to his chaotic life, and a female trying to break into the spotlight while win his heart, I have a little picture for you.

Spoiler

 

[The_root_of_all_evil]

But is Twilight "innocent?" This blog post [http://whiskeys-place.blogspot.com/2008/11/twilight-is-junk.html] by a conservative writer argues that it is not.

I particularly liked this bit

"When you read the book," says (Robert) Pattinson, looking appropriately pallid and interesting even without makeup, "it's like, 'Edward Cullen was so beautiful I creamed myself.' I mean, every line is like that. He's the most ridiculous person who's so amazing at everything. I think a lot of actors tried to play that aspect. I just couldn't do that. And the more I read the script, the more I hated this guy, so that's how I played him, as a manic-depressive who hates himself. Plus, he's a 108-year-old virgin so he's obviously got some issues there."

The actor also complained that fans, including a six year old, asked him to bite them.

Even Edward hates Edward.

 

[Ushario]

Twilight of the She-Geeks

The sad truth about Twilight's popularity is that it didn't have to happen.

Read Full Article

Finally someone else called it on the writing being crap. Every time I mention it to one of the fairer sex I get scandalized comments and looks of utter disgust. I understand that Twilight is actually just a teen girl romance, hell bent on convincing women that abusive relationships are the best/only kind of relationship. I actually read the series, I tend to read anything I get my hands on that looks even curiously like a fantasy series. I just fail to understand how Women don't pick up on the poor writing.

The books were complete and utter drivel, poorly written and with complete disregard for any of the traditional lore surrounding the mythical species she wrote about. I could forgive the last without blinking, if only the writing was of a higher quality. The fact that I'm not the target audience makes me unable to relate to the book at all (which is to be expected). I actually hope more Fantasy Teen Romance novels are written. There is a huge market and exploiting it will only help to bridge the gap between the often awkward male and female geeks!

 

[Hiraeth]

As a girl, and a geek, I've found that the girls who are into Twilight tend not to be one of us. I have tried to read Twilight, I got about halfway through the first page. Of the people I know who have read and enjoyed it, and they are few, , the attraction is pretty clear- Bella is a Mary Sue, yes, but she is also written so as to be so devoid of actual personality in such a way that the reader can quite easily insert herself in over the top of the character. It's an escape, to a world where an outcast is suddenly adored by everyone, and has an amazingly sexy guy with the body of a Greek statue to worship her. I find what is says about those people sort of depressing and I tend to judge them, purely because of how obviously sexist and downright creepy the book makes Edward and Bella's relationship. If you're interested in a thorough exploration of all Twilight's issues, then I direct you to this site:
http://twilightsucks.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=twilight&action=display&thread=638

So, since I avoid Twilight like the plague, where, you may ask, do I get my gratuitous male objectification? Why, True Blood of course. It's the show of choice for the modern woman who likes her bloodsuckers sexy, but with interesting personalities, and accompanied by female characters that aren't all completely useless, and some of whom (Pam, Maryann, Jessica) are actually pretty damn awesome. Oh and it has plot, something that Twilight strains towards, and pretty much fails to actually grasp.

If, like me, you've tried to read Twilight and failed, or never tried but would still like to know what it's about, fear not! This guy:
http://markreadstwilight.buzznet.com/user/journal/4400301/mark-reads-twilight-preface-chapter/
read Twilight and New Moon, and is currently reading Eclipse, so that we don't have to.

 

[Gyrefalcon]

But still-I think it opened the door for the movie "The Proposal" to get made, where the lead characters fall in love but don't have sex. Our culture is missing innocence. Sex has become SO pervasive that love and romance are now the more rare currency that younger girls are looking for. (And remember that romance ends where sex begins.) So yes, there is a void but it isn't being filled quite as much as you think.

This is why I like Japanese and Korean romances in movies and television. It's rare that there is any sex (and if there is, it is not shown). Even physical intimacy is rare. This is mostly movie fantasy but partially based on reality (different kind of culture).

But is Twilight "innocent?" This blog post [http://whiskeys-place.blogspot.com/2008/11/twilight-is-junk.html] by a conservative writer argues that it is not.

Twilight? Yes. The Twilight series, oh absolutely not! ^v^ And given what I read in stoney321's rant/review I feel bad for the fans when the 4th movie comes and it has scenes that look like they came from Mary Riley. I haven't seen much of the Korean horror genre, but I did like "The Ring" and "The Grudge" Or "Ringu" and "Jumon?" from the Japanese genre.

But Twilight falls into romance with horror flavor. It also falls under "Mary-Sue".

 

[Gyrefalcon]

Again, Romeo and Juliet: Baz Luhrman, The Little Mermaid, Pochahontas, Cooking Mama; even Moulin Rouge has an innocence that belies what we KNOW is going through the main characters minds.

I think it's the "quest for lost innocence" that is actually getting these movies made. Meyers talks about innocent ideals, but then piles it full of terrifying symbology, that Bob's already gone into, that leaves Bella as a subservient moron with Edward and Jacob taking Stalker and Wife-Beater roles.

That is NOT innocence.

That level of innocence is seen far more realistically in Demolition Man. True innocence can be found in pictures like Where the Wild Things Are, which has nothing to do with Meyer's Mormon-fest.

If you want a truly innocent tale of love, hate, jealousy & passion between a shy male trying to bring order to his chaotic life, and a female trying to break into the spotlight while win his heart, I have a little picture for you.

Spoiler

You misunderstand. I'm not saying that the movies are "completely innocent". It is that they don't even allow open-mouthed kissing. Think of some of the old black-and-white films like "His Girl Friday" a romantic comedy that doesn't get to sex on the screen.

Another example: Look at "Music and Lyrics", despite being a good movie, even I disliked that the girl slept with the guy AND THEN decided she should figure out if she liked him. Not the portrayal of girls/women I wanted to see. And although I really liked the rest of the movie, I don't have it in my collection. Twilight has a guy who is fascinated with the lead female but despite any desires he may have, he keeps them in check. He shows the restraint that is expected of "gentlemen". He doesn't refer to Bella in joking or derogatory terms. He shows Bella that he respects her and values her as a person not a mere toy or something to brag about to his friends. It may be poorly written but it has the basic elements of a romance novel. And honestly, I don't think I have seen much done in the horror-romance genre outside of TruBlood so far (and THAT SHOW is anything but innocent by far!)

That Edward and Jacob are NOT role-models I would recommend to anyone (I don't like Twilight) it doesn't change what the underlying formula is. Having a guy who doesn't want to love you but can't help himself-that is a classic romance formula, especially for the "bad boy" type ones.