"Eclipse:" Third time's a charm

I went to the midnight show of Eclipse last night (early this morning, rather), and it was well worth my sleepiness at work today. I remember seeing Twilight at midnight in 2008, and it was on in like one theater, and we rolled up at 11:30 and still got a good seat! Those days are long gone. The film was showing in several different theaters all the way to 12:40 and many were sold out.

The third novel of Stephenie Meyer's Twilight Saga has always been one of my favorites - yes, I know there are only four novels, but it still ranks at the top of my list. There's plenty of romance and action, and at the end, Team Edward wins once and for all sealed with a vintage diamond ring.

David Slade did an excellent job directing this film. Melissa Rosenberg's scripts have improved, too. Some very important back stories from the book, such as the Quileute legends and Jasper and Rosalie's previous lives, were incorporated wonderfully. I think that Twilight and New Moon were lacking a lot of the smaller but important details from the books.

The actors have also gotten much better. Robert Pattinson as vampire Edward Cullen is gorgeous and brooding as ever. Kristen Stewart is Bella Swan to a tee. Taylor Lautner is also getting better as werewolf Jacob Black - if only we could get him to reach Jacob's 6'5" he'd be good to go.

There were some great and well-delivered lines in the film, such as when Edward says to Bella about the seemingly always shirtless Jacob, "Doesn't he own a shirt?" Newcomers Bryce Dallas Howard as Victoria and Xavier Samuel as Riley were also quite good. It was nice to see Jasper (Jackson Rathbone) get to say more than a few words so that we could finally see that Southern gentlemanly side of his we'd read about.

Some critics are being hard on this film even though I don't know how they can deny that these movies are continually improving. Since Breaking Dawn will be two films, I think they'll just keep getting better and better. I will be taking a second look at Eclipse this weekend, and I can't wait.

Memorial Weekend beach picks

This weekend is the unofficial start of summer. I always go to the Outer Banks with my family. Here are some of my must-packs for the long weekend...[victoriassecret.com]

-Easy cover-ups: Unfussy swimsuit cover-ups are always nice at the beach. I like this 'Tie-dye Beach Dress' from Victoria's Secret. It comes in purple, pink and green for $39.99. [nordstrom.com]

-Havaianas: These are the only flip-flops I will wear. They're comfy, colorful and classic (how's that for alliteration!). Nordstrom has some solid colors on sale right now for $11.90. The 'Fun' pair pictured is $22. I also often find them at Ross or Marshall's.[anthropologie.com]

-Tote: An indestructible tote is a must. Anthropologie has two totes on sale for $9.99, 'Hardy Camellias Tote' and 'Go Green Tote.'

[forever21.com]

-Straw hat: Covering my face at the beach is crucial. This 'Side Bow Fedora' from Forever 21 is a steal at under $9 and it's very chic.

[jcrew.com]

-Shorts: I bought these slightly loud bright kiwi '3" Chino Shorts' ($40) from J.Crew when they were having their shorts sale. This is their shortest length.

[saksfifthavenue.com]

-Sunnies: Sunglasses are a beach must. Actually, they're an everyday must. Seriously, I am blind in the daytime without them. I'm obsessed with these Dolce & Gabbana 'Goldtone Frame Sunglasses' from Saks. I love the shape and the gold-tone brow. Plus, I don't think they're too unreasonably priced at $260.
[jcrew.com]

-Swimsuit: No, I don't own this swimsuit yet, but I will be buying it before my honeymoon. The 'Tulle Underwire Top and Retro Hipster' (top $60, bottoms $56) from J.Crew are inspired by French swimwear. Who knew you could have tulle on swimwear? It's available in buff pink, dusty baltic and black.
My beach read of choice is The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson. Now, if someone could just invent sand-proof nail polish I'd be all set!

"The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society"

I just finished The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows. Despite the lengthy title (which I kept messing up when recommending the book to people), it's a delightful book.

The novel is written in a series of letters. It may take a while at first to get the hang of who is writing whom, but after twenty or so pages I got it. The characters are so likable, and I really sympathized with them.

Author Juliet is the center of letter correspondences. She eventually tries to piece together a novel about Guernsey, one of the Channel islands, after World War II is over. She corresponds with a particular group of islanders who formed the Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. The society is essentially a book club that was formed one night by chance. It amazingly helped them get through the awful German occupation of Guernsey.

Juliet begins to truly care for the people she's writing about and eventually goes to visit them. Once she visits them, she knows she'll never return to London. There's also a touch of romance. My only complaint is that I wish that Juliet and Dawsey would've realized their love for one another sooner.

Also, I really want to visit Guernsey now. Perhaps I will on my next trip to England or France.

Something Borrowed the movie!

I just found out that Emily Giffin's book Something Borrowed is being made into a movie. I've read all of Giffin's books, and this one was my favorite.

Kate Hudson (Darcy), Colin Farrell (Marcus), John Krasinski (Ethan), Ginnifer Goodwin (Rachel) and Colin Egglesfield (Dex) will star in the film. Rachel and Darcy have been BFFs since forever. Darcy has always managed to outshine Rachel. After Rachel has too much to drink at her 30th birthday, she ends up with Darcy's boyfriend, Dex. She then realizes that she's always been in love with him.

The film is set to be released next year. So exciting!

"The Last Song"

I saw The Last Song this weekend. I wasn't exactly dying to see it after the last few movies containing Nicholas Sparks' moniker (i.e. Dear John and Nights in Rodanthe), but my mom wanted to see it since she just finished the book. The first thing I wanted to know from her before I saw this thing was who dies because you know that something tragic is bound to happen. Thankfully she obliged because I don't like surprises (yes, there is a sad/bittersweet ending).

This film is interesting because Sparks wrote the screenplay before the book. Ronnie (Miley Cyrus), a slightly rebellious teen from New York, is sent with her brother Jonah to live at her dad's (Greg Kinnear) house on the beach in Georgia for the summer. Her relationship is rocky with her father after her parent's divorce.

She meets the very cute Will (real-life bf of Miley, Liam Hemsworth) after an accidental milkshake spillage. Ronnie spends her time trying to protect a nest of sea turtle eggs from raccoons. Much to her surprise, the aquarium sends Will out to mark the nest, and the rest is history for these two.

Ronnie's relationship begins to improve with her dad. He's trying to finish writing a song on the piano. Ronnie stopped playing after her parent's divorce, but she was still accepted to Julliard on good faith. Eventually she starts playing again thanks to Will.

The Last Song isn't going to win any awards, but it's enjoyable and definitely required a tissue or two. I don't think people will love it as much as The Notebook, but it's right up there with A Walk to Remember.

"Alice in Wonderland" in 3D

I saw the amazingly quirky director Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland this weekend in 3D. I haven't seen a 3D movie in well, ever, so I was expecting those cheap blue-and-red glasses as opposed to the nicer Wayfarer-style glasses you get now. Some of the previews were even in 3D.

Anyway, Alice (Mia Wasikowska) is 19-years-old and is returning to Wonderland after escaping the proposal of an unsightly aristocrat. There are a lot of familiar faces and voices in the film. Once she falls down the rabbit hole, she's met by the White Rabbit (Michael Sheen), Tweedledee and Tweedledum and Dormouse.

Unbeknownst to Alice, she is back in Wonderland to be the champion for the White Queen (Anne Hathaway) - the overly nice sister of the big-headed Red Queen (Helena Bonham Carter), who is currently in power. Alice must behead the evil monster, Jabberwocky. Alice finds a friend in the Mad Hatter (Johnny Depp), who used to make hats for the White Queen until she was overthrown by her evil sister and has since gone mad.

Depp is perfection as the Mad Hatter, and I can't imagine anyone else playing this role. The same goes for Bonham Carter as the Red Queen. Though the film hasn't been getting rave reviews for one reason or another, I thought it was fun to watch Depp and Bonham Carter transform into these characters that made them virtually unrecognizable.

Awww, "Dear John"

I saw this weekend's box office winner Dear John last week during a sneak preview. The film adaptation of Nicholas Sparks' novel was no Notebook, but it was a nice love story nonetheless.

I have not read the book, so I didn't know what to expect. Channing Tatum plays John Tyree, a soldier on leave for two weeks at his dad's house in South Carolina. He meets Savannah (Amanda Seyfried), and they instantly fall in love. When he goes back on duty they in contact with - you guessed it - Dear John letters.

Once he gets off duty, he reenlists after September 11. Things happen that tear them apart, and there is even one shocking twist that I was not expecting at all. I enjoyed the movie, and I even got teary-eyed a few times. Plus, let's face it. It's not hard not to like Tatum. Shoot, I even liked him in Step Up.

Need. This. Coat.

[instyle.com]

I am obsessed with the color marigold. It's so bright and cheery. Lauren Conrad wore a fabulous marigold swing coat by Plastic Island to Good Morning America to promote her new book, Sweet Little Lies. I must find this coat. I don't know that it's on sale in stores yet, but it probably won't be too unreasonably priced since Plastic Island usually isn't.
On another note, I just don't know how these celebs crank out these books. Oh wait, yes I do. Thinking about this book has gotten the Fleetwood Mac song stuck in my head. "Tell me lies, tell me sweet little lies."

Fab Fred Flare finds

[fredflare.com]

It's hard to believe that Christmas is ONE week away. While shopping online, I rediscovered Fred Flare. They recently opened their first-ever brick-and-mortar store in Brooklyn - NYCers have all the luck! I found some great gifts under $30 at their fun site, fredflare.com. They also have a helpful application with hints with people (like your mom, co-worker, etc.) and price limits.

This Holly Golightly mask ($14), inspired by Audrey Hepburn's character in Breakfast at Tiffany's, is just precious. It's perfect for a chic traveler who likes to get some shut-eye on flights.

The Cheeseburger Phone (on sale for $19.99) as seen in Juno is pretty cute for someone who still has an actual land line - even for a vegetarian like myself.

Owls are super-trendy right now, and this Dual-Time Owl Watch necklace ($28) is adorable. My sister would love this thing.
A domestic diva would adore this Mini Eiffel Tower Grater ($20). Shoot, I rarely cook, and I'd love to have this thing.
Jane Austen's most beloved novel Pride and Prejudice ($16) comes with illustrations by Ruban Toledo, a renowned fashion illustrator. I'm really wondering why I don't already own this book. The Mini Robo Vacuum ($20) is perfect for someone's cubicle for those pesky lunch crumbs that always end up all over the desk. It's also available in gray and black.
For the eco-friendly person in your life, this Xmas Tree in a Can ($12) is perfect. They can watch it grow all year then decorate it next Christmas.
In addition to all of these affordable gifts, they also have a nice clothing selection. They sell the ubiquitous Bella's Twilight jacket by BB Dakota in blue and olive, graphic tees, snazzy dresses and other chic finds. Right now, they're offering free shipping on orders over $75.

"Fantastic Mr. Fox" indeed

Fantastic Mr. Fox is a fun, stop-animated film. I hadn't read the Roald Dahl (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory) book, but I still enjoyed it. Wes Anderson (The Darjeeling Limited) wrote the screenplay and directed the film.

Mr. Fox (a very recognizable George Clooney) is a skilled chicken stealer, as many foxes are. When he and his pregnant wife, Mrs. Fox (Meryl Streep), get caught in a trap, he vows never to steal another chicken.

Fast forward a few fox years, Fox decides that he doesn't want to live in a hole anymore and wants to buy a tree house. His lawyer Badger (Bill Murray) advises him against it, but he does anyway. Meanwhile, his son Ash (Jason Schwartzman) is not like other foxes his age, and he's not very athletic. Ash's cousin Kristofferson comes to stay with them, and he is very athletic - which makes Ash jealous.

Eventually Fox gets the urge to steal again. He and the super at his tree house, an opossum named Kylie, decide to take on the three most successful farmers - Boggis, Bunce and Bean. They succeed in stealing the chickens, but they don't stop there. A comical thick-Southern-accented Rat (Willem Dafoe), a guard at the Bean house, can't keep them from stealing Bean's alcoholic cider. When the farmers decide to seek revenge on Fox, they destroy his house and put the lives of the other animals in danger.

Mr. Fox must then save his family and the other animals and redeem himself for getting them into such a mess. At times I wasn't sure if this took place in the United States or in the U.K. because Clooney was throwing me off, but then I knew once they had a show-down in front of the Nag's Head Pub (which I've been to in London). The film is witty and clever, and the stop-animation is incredible.

Heartbreaking "Precious"

Precious is a gut-wrenching film - the kind that leaves you feeling dazed as you leave the theater. The movie is based on the novel Push by Sapphire. There are many scenes that are hard to listen to and difficult to watch. The Lee Daniels-directed film was produced by Oprah Winfrey and Tyler Perry.

Talented new-comer Gabourey "Gabby" Sidibe plays Precious Jones, an obese, poor, illiterate and abused teen. It's the late 1980s in Harlem, and Precious has already had one child, and is pregnant again at only 16-years-old. The most horrifying part is that her abusive father is the dad of her children. Her lazy, despicable mother (Mo'Nique) is also physically and verbally abusive.

Precious feels hopeless until she enrolls in an alternative school taught by Ms. Rain (Paula Patton). In one touching scene, Ms. Rain asks Precious to tell the class about herself. She replies that she's never talked in class before, and it makes her feel "here." At the school, she begins to learn - starting with her ABCs until she's able to read. She most enjoys writing in her journal.

Eventually Precious is able to pull herself out of the abyss though it's not without obstacles and heartbreak. Sidibe and Mo'Nique both deserve Oscar nods for their fine performances. Singers Lenny Kravitz and Mariah Carey proved they have some acting chops too. Kravitz plays the kind Nurse John, and an almost-unrecognizable Carey is the compassionate social worker Mrs. Weiss.

New and improved: Twilight Saga's "New Moon"

I saw the midnight showing of New Moon last night. They added shows every 15 minutes up until 12:45, and they still sold out. I've you ever heard of such - what a phenomenon!

The film was fairly true to the book. Melissa Rosenberg wrote the screenplay again. Director Chris Weitz (The Golden Compass) did an excellent job. It had a completely different look from the Catherine Hardwicke-directed Twilight. Don't get me wrong, I really did like Twilight, but any fool can see that this film had a bigger bankroll.

New Moon is probably my least favorite book in the saga because it's so sad. However, I really enjoyed this film. Robert Pattinson as Edward Cullen and Kristen Stewart as Bella Swan really are perfectly cast. I also think that Charlie (Billy Burke), Alice Cullen (Ashley Greene) and Emmett Cullen (Kellan Lutz) are also exactly as I imagined them in the novels.

Here are a few of my favorite things about the film...

-Edward Cullen. No one does tortured yet heartbreakingly gorgeous like Pattinson.

-Bella's birthday scene. I thought this infamous scene (where Edward decides to leave Bella) was very well done. When Jasper tries to kill Bella at her birthday party in the stunning, candlelit Cullen home after she gets a papercut, the drama ensues as Edward defends her.

-Jacob. Hello abs. It was evident that Team Jacob was in the house last night. Every time a shirtless Taylor Lautner graced the big screen there were collective screams. No, he's not quite a pro actor yet, but we sure do appreciate his strenuous workouts.

-Soundtrack and score. I was very in tune to the songs in the film, since the soundtrack has yet to leave my CD player since I bought it. The score by Alexandre Desplat was also beautifully done.

-Volturi scenes. The scenes in Italy with the Volturi are very cool. Michael Sheen was great as Aro - just as I imagined him. Dakota Fanning was good as the pain-inducing Jane too.

-Bella saving Edward in Italy. Having Bella run through a sea of red festival-goers in slow-mo to save Edward from showing his true self in the sun was a great touch.

-Werewolves. I was worried how this whole werewolf thing would pan out. The special effects were incredible - when Jacob changes into a werewolf mid-air to protect Bella from Paul, you just about get chill bumps. There's also a great scene where the wolves fight off the vampire Laurent.

-Time passing. One of the interesting things that Stephenie Meyer did with New Moon, was leaving pages blank with only months after Edward leaves Bella. I wondered how they would do it in the film. Weitz had the camera pan around a heartbroken Bella as the seasons changed outside - very clever, indeed.

Spoiler alert:
-The ending. As you know, Bella wants to become a vampire, and at the very end, Edward gives her an ultimatum. He'll do it if she marries him. Swoon.

Since Eclipse has already wrapped, we don't have long to wait until the next installment - June 30 to be precise.

'New Moon' premieres in L.A.

[Getty Images]

Last night was the premiere of New Moon in L.A., the second film (and novel) in Stephenie Meyer's Twilight Saga. Tons of people were live tweeting from the event, so that was fun to watch. Twi-hards (like me) are getting excited for the film's release on Friday.

Robert Pattinson looked gorgeous in a simple black Gucci suit. Taylor Lautner wore a navy suit with a skinny tie - I'm digging that retro look. Kristen Stewart channeled her inner princess in a lovely strapless Oscar de la Renta gown with a bit of an edge. Robsten kept their distance from each other on the red carpet though.

Jackson Rathbone in a classic tux and tie, Ashley Greene in a red Prabal Gurung cut-out dress and Kellan Lutz sans tie posed together on the red carpet. Elizabeth Reaser in a Hervé Léger dress and a dark-haired Peter Facinelli (aka Esme and Carlisle Cullen) posed together. Nikki Reed in Burberry, Dakota Fanning in Valentino, Michael Sheen, Anna Kendrick and the rest of the film's stars also hit the red carpet.

A lot of people have mentioned the absence of A-list celebs at this premiere. Duh, who in their right mind would want to compete with the stars of this movie? They wouldn't stand a chance! After the premiere, the stars hit up the after-party. Check out Popsugar.com for more event pics!

Robert Pattinson does Vanity Fair

[VF.com/Bruce Weber]

Robert Pattinson is featured on December's cover of Vanity Fair. Bruce Weber has posted the first of four slideshows of outtakes featuring Rob doing various things from reading to eating to looking stressed out. I love the corn/lobster one and the piano and beach. Swoon! That man sure can work a camera.

Evgenia Peretz interviewed Rob in a piece entitled "Twilight's Hot Gleaming." She compares his fame to Leonardo DiCaprio circa Titanic proportions. I definitely agree on that. He talks about being cast for Twilight, not being cut out for a franchise, and his self-consciousness (awww, God bless him).

He talks about his relationship with co-star Kristen Stewart here...

Pattinson, for his part, says of Stewart: “She’s influenced how I’ve done all the Twilight stuff. It’s quite nice to have someone who is genuinely indifferent to the whole spectacle of everything.” For the record, however, Pattinson says the rumors of a love affair are false: “It doesn’t make any difference what you say [to the tabloids]. I’ve literally been across the country [from Kristen], and it’s like ‘Oh, they were on secret dates!’ It’s like ‘Where? I can’t get out of my hotel room!’ ” Stewart is even more emphatic: “It’s so retarded,” she says. “We’re characters in this comic book.”

Check out the slideshow here, and read the feature here. The issue hits stands on tomorrow, November 4. Also, New Moon is in theaters on November 20.

"Where the Wild Things Are"

I finally saw Where the Wild Things Are yesterday. Though it was a favorite book of mine as a child, I had forgotten how sad the story is. Sure, it ends well, but I didn't expect to get teary-eyed like I did. Spike Jonze directed and co-wrote the screenplay for this adaptation of Maurice Sendak's book.

Max is an ornery and lonely boy who misbehaves one night and ends up biting his mom (played by Catherine Keener) in front of her boyfriend (Mark Ruffalo). He runs away by boat and travels to a far-off land where he meets the "wild things." In order to persuade them not to eat him, he claims that he is a king with special powers. So they make them their king.

Max befriends Carol (voice of Soprano's James Gandolfini). Carol has a bad temper, and he's angry and jealous of KW's friendship with Bob and Terri (two owls whom he can't understand). Max claims that he will keep all of the sadness out. The first order of business for Max is to "let the wild rumpus start." Max has everyone build an elaborate fort. Of course, eventually Max is unable to keep all of the sadness away, so everyone starts to turn on each other.

I kept thinking that the monsters' voices were familiar. Here are a few of the familiar names: Catherine O'Hara as Judith (the mom in Home Alone), Forest Whitaker as Ira (The Last King of Scotland), Paul Dano as Alexander (There Will Be Blood) and Chris Cooper as Douglas (American Beauty).

The film was definitely well done. It's not one that I'll want to see again though.

Bargain hunting at discount stores

[zappos.com/shoebuy.com]

I'm sure you've seen the TJ Maxx's and Marshall's 'Spendervention' commercials where friends stage an intervention for their over-paying, department store-shopping friend. One girl exclaims, "You can be beautiful and smart!"

I have to say that I have become a fan of these stores. A new Ross just opened near me (right next to a Marshalls!). I went there yesterday and found one of my favorite workout shirts, the 'Dri-FIT Victory sleeveless top' by Nike, for $8.99 (from $35) and an adorable pair of Enzo Angiolini oxfords for $17.99 (from $129.95, see photo).

Just a few weeks ago, I bought the pictured Diane von Furstenberg suitcase from Marshalls for $49 (regularly $300)! Marshall's and TJ Maxx often carry Betsey Johnson products including bags, belts and hosiery. I found a fabulous pair of Chinese Laundry stilettos at Marshalls this summer for $39.99 that Nordstrom were still selling for almost $100.

I have also recently spotted some great beauty buys too, like Essie nail polish, full-sized perfumes, like L.A.M.B., and Frederic Fekkai hair products. There are often good home buys too like Yankee candles and Kitchenaid products. Sometimes you can even find fabulous stationary (for those of us who still write letters) and books (I've often seen the Twilight Saga there). I also have found some good things at Stein Mart.

Not everything in these stores is a treasure of course, but you can find some great deals. Here are my rules for shopping at these discount stores...

1) Visit often. The more you go, the more likely you are to find something amazing - especially since new shipments arrive often.

2) Don't get discouraged. Sometimes when you go to these kind of stores, you won't find a single thing. Other times, you'll hit the jackpot!

3) Give your items the once-over for signs of damage. I've heard that most of the time, the items these stores carry are simply overstock. However, it never hurts to double check.

4) Take the time to scour the racks. Especially if you're looking for clothes, you may have to really search.

5) Ask yourself if you would buy this at a "regular-priced store." If the answer is no, and you're only buying for the cheap price then it's best to step away from the item!