We Have a Winner! Plus a Twilight Review!

First and foremost, thank you so much for commenting and entering my fun little drawing. I hated to only pick one winner*. I went the highly scientific route and wrote down the names of all 16 commenters, cut them into strips, folded them and then put them in a cute little bucket that my friend Jazzy left on my doorknob the other day (loved the pumpkin muffins, Jazzy!) I drew out a name and (drumroll please...) the big winner is the sweet, thoughtful and talented JILL! Jill, please email me your address and I'll get your CDs and other fun surprises into the mail soon. More to come on Christmas music -- I want to talk more about your favorites and my LEAST favorites.

Okay, Twilight. The movie.

I loved it!

I really tried to go in with low expectations. I knew it wouldn't be as great as the book. I knew I'd find fault with some of the casting. But you know what? I thought it was wonderful, entertaining and very faithful to the book. I would totally pay to see it again.

I thought Cedric (yes I know his name is Robert Pattinson but he will always be Cedric Diggory to me) was perfect as Edward. My mom was telling me today that she didn't think he was beautiful enough but I said "who on earth really is?" Brad Pitt & George Clooney don't look 17. Kristen Stewart was perfect as Bella. I liked her much more than I've liked Bella throughout the books.

It was fun going on opening night. People screamed and clapped several times, which was fun. Everyone applauded for the Harry Potter preview too (still can't believe we have to wait until next summer! grr.) The other thing that was great was that our theater was so organized and tried really hard to ensure everyone who came together could sit together. We sat next to some 30'ish ladies with homemade signs pinned on their back that said things like "I would let Edward bite me" or something like that. Nice.

Some random comments:

• I really hope they pull some Hagrid-like special effects to make Jacob taller for the next movie because he's way too short now.
• The only person I thought they messed up on was Rosalie -- she just wasn't quite right but everyone else was perfectly cast, I thought.
• The movie dragged a little in the middle, I thought...a little too "let's just stare at each other so everyone knows we're in love" or something.
• I totally missed the Stephenie Meyer cameo. I'm so disappointed in myself!
• As I was watching the movie, I found myself more and more irritated at Breaking Dawn and how the characters turned out. I sat there watching Bella and Edward and I thought "those are not even the same people." I still haven't finished Breaking Dawn and I'm not going to start now because it will just irritate me. And who reads to be irritated??? Not me.

Anyway, go see it. Wait for a matinee if you must but if you loved the book, you will more than likely love the movie. And if you live nearby, invite me to come along.

* I hate to only pick one winner so I would love to send my 2008 Christmas Mix CD to anyone who wants one. I love sharing what I love! So if you want one, send me your address (if you know I don't have it already, anyway.) I'm serious too. Send me your dang address and I'll mail you a CD. Then you can listen to it and think of me as you sing along or hit the skip button because you hate my taste in music!