My Twilight Take, Breaking Dawn!!!

The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part I, the fourth installment in the series, hit theaters on November 18, 2011 at 12:01 a.m. And I was there! In line at 1 p.m. on November 17th to watch the three previous movies leading up to the midnight showing of the most anticipated movie of the year, at least for me!

I am a huge Twilight fan! I have been since 2008 when I picked up the first book and was HOOKED! I started them in August of 2008, a few months before the movie came out in November 2008. I had never heard of Twilight and new nothing of the movie being made. I would literally stay up until midnight reading and wake up at 5 a.m. and read before heading off to work. All housework ceased to exist and all I did was read. This was about the time we had a hurricane pass through southeast Louisiana, Gustav, and I was hunting down Eclipse as I was winding down on New Moon. Knowing I could possibly be with out power and businesses closed for at least a week or so I could not go into this hurricane without knowing what happened next! So while most were gathering water, non-perishables and batteries, I was hunting for Eclipse!

After the hurricane I grabbed Breaking Dawn... and then was so sad when I finished that I didn't know what to do! So, I read them again and again... I cannot explain what it is about this series that hooked me! When I began them I was 27, almost 28, married and a mother of three (still am)! I forget that they are vampires, its just this amazing love story to me. I loved the books so much and the movies are great, but somethings are left out or condensed down so it is a little disappointing sometimes.

Twilight the book is probably my favorite, the movies is one of my least favorite. There are so many things left out and things that were added that it just kind of made me sad. There were so many things I felt they did right and looked great, like the baseball scene being my favorite! But they left out one of my favorite scenes, the "blood typing scene" and how James was the reason Alice is a vampire, because she has no memory of how she came to be. But the movie sill conveyed the same thing and elicited the same feelings I had for the book with the movie.

I was so happy with the choices of actors selected for EVERYONE! Kristen Stewart IS Bella Swan! I honestly don't think I could see anyone else playing her. I read one time they wanted Alexis Bledel, and all I could think was I would't be able to sit through a moving with her blandness and monotone voice. Oh... and don't get me started on Robert Pattinson, he is adorably cute and he IS my Edward Cullen. The supporting actors chosen for Jessica Stanley and Mike Newton, were fabulous! They literally still every scene they are in, in ALL four movies to date!

From the 2008 Twilight Premiere

New Moon the book was my least favorite, mainly because *spoiler* Edward leaves Bella! Only for her own good... but there was so much Jacob in the book and lets face it, we all want her with Edward! (I'm obviously Team Edward) But the movie was really good... just enough Jacob and they kept Edward present. Of the books made to movies, this one is the closet of them all with the exception of how Edward described being away from her as a moonless night and the vote. I wanted to see Edward destroy the flat screen!

Eclipse was a great book! I love it because you get a lot of history on the Cullen's and how Rosalie and Jasper came to be, which I really loved. The movie however put things out of order and spent to much time on Victoria and Riley, which I would rather have left that out and had more of Bella and Edward, since this was her story. I think one of the main reasons I didn't like this one is that they changed Victoria's on us... Rachelle Lafevre was the BEST Victoria! She was a huge fan of the series before they were a major success and movie, and I didn't like them replacing her with Bryce Dallas Howard. Originally Bryce was approached for the role of Victoria for Twilight, but turned it down. I heard it was because it wasn't a big enough movie, again speculation and I could be wrong, but if that was the case when the movie blew up she was cast. I love how all the rest are still there and present, very thankful for being able to be apart of this series. I feel they cast Rachelle out for the daughter of Ron Howard and that doesn't sit well with me. But enough of that, the movie was still good and I happy Nikki Reed and Jackson Rathbone got their chance in the franchise to be active in their roles, because they are always in the back ground.

Now, on to Breaking Dawn Part I... I LOVED IT!!! I wanted it to start like the book, her at the gas station in her bullet proof car, but intend it came on with Jacob receiving his invitation to the wedding and running off in wolf form. That was the end of Eclipse... But thats ok. Then it showed Charlie and Renee with their invitations. The wedding scene was absolutely amazing and beautiful!!! It was different from the book, as in the book it was an indoor wedding and the movie was outdoors, but a good different. The dress, was beautiful!!! Not what I imagined, better than what I imagined. Kristen and Rob made a beautiful Bella and Edward bride and groom. The reception was funny, listening to Emmett, Jessica, Charlie, Renee and Edward giving their speeches.

There was a nightmare sequence that was not in the book that was kind of disturbing... This movie seriously pushed the PG-13 rating it received. The honeymoon was amazing, again not what I imagined, but better than what I imagined. A lot of people booed at the "sex scene" because it kind of did fade to black, like the book, but they go back to it as flashbacks when Bella wakes up. The honeymoon ended just like the book, to an extent and it picked up with Jacob, like the book as the book is Bella, Jacob, and then Bella again. Pregnant Bella looked to me just how the book described her to be. The way Rosalie was protective of her and the baby, was also on point for the book. Some of the wolf stuff was off... and rushed or left out. The delivery... the delivery was gruesome and I had to look away. Though I feel they did the book justice, a lot of critics didn't like it. I loved how they did Bella's transformation!!! The way it showed her burning inside and then the venom running through her veins and healing her. 

The imprint scene was wonderfully done! I loved how they did the sequence of her from baby to adult, it was perfect to me! the way it ended was exactly how I thought it would... to line up with the second Bella point of view from the book. Really the movie was great and I understand the reasoning of breaking it up into two separate movies. The book encompasses so much and there are really two climatic events, so they dealt with one in part one and the other will be dealt with in part two. So, if you haven't seen it, go see it and stay until the credits role... If you have seen it, what did you think???

XO Shannon

Cut Loose for a 50/50 Real Good Time

I haven't reviewed a movie in a while, but last weekend I took in a double feature for my birthday... Footloose (with the girls) and Real Steel (with the hubby). But before I saw those two, my hubby and I took in 50/50. So I have for you a cute remake, a serious yet funny movie, and a good all around movie. All three of these have positive review on Rotten Tomatoes.

First up... 50/50. This movie by the previews alone looked really good, however I was hesitant to see a movie about a guy that has cancer. In the end my hubby and I took a chance, and boy were we happy with the out come. This movie is about Adam, played by Joseph Gordon-Levitt (3rd Rock from the Sun, Inception, 500 Hundred Days of Summer), who is diagnosed with cancer (I don't remember the name, sorry). He is the guy who just does what he is supposed to and never stands up for himself. He has a real biotch of a girlfriend, played by the amazing Bryce Dallas Howard (Eclipse, The Help), a stoner best friend/co-worker Kyle played by Seth Rogen. And lets not forget his mother played by Angelica Houston.

Upon his diagnosis his doctor refers him to counseling to deal with his stress and anxiety surrounding his cancer and 50/50 chance. Adam's therapist in training is played by the hilarious and witty Anna Kendrick (Twilight Saga, Up in the Air). My hubby's main hesitation to see this movie was Seth Rogen... and the same for a friend of mine. But it has just enough Seth Rogen and its a much different role than what we are accustom to seeing Seth play.

This movie was... words can't describe. My hubby rarely finds serious movies all that good, I think the last one was Up in the Air, so for him to be like I really like this movie speaks volumes to me. I recommend seeing this movie, you won't be disappointed. Rotten Tomatoes has this movie at 93% positive, I give it an A+.

Next up... the Footloose remake. I loved this movie... I struggle with deciding which one was better. The original, release in 1984 when I was only 4, is so good... seriously in my top 10 movies of all time good. But, being that it was the 80's it was slightly cheesy. But with future stars Kevin Bacon, Sarah Jessica Parker and the late Chris Penn, it was pure box office gold. I was a little put off by the thought of a remake, I really wish they would leave these movies alone, especially with thoughts that Chace Crawford or Zan Efron would play the leading role Ren McCormack. But in the end they went with relatively unknown Kenny Wormald, which I must say was a fantastic choice. Pair Kenny up with the awesome and beautiful Julianne Hough and you have dance movie gold!

The storyline in the remake is pretty close to the original... ban on dancing, came to live with aunt and uncle, etc. There are slight story changes, that were good for the story and actually flowed better than the original. in the remake, Ren is from Boston, not Chicago, his mother did not accompany him, his uncle is not a jerk (I actually liked him in this one), and of course derby bus racing instead of tractor chicken. but, I do love how Ariel's mother, played by Andy McDowell, speaks up and has a voice.

I loved that they kept signature lines, clothes and characters. The music is essentially the same, just updated with current artists. I am not a fan of the new music, especially Blake Shelton's "Footloose" remake. The character of Willard, originally played by the late Chris Penn, stole the show as did Chris in 1984. I was not impressed with the selection of Rusty. Sarah Jessica Parker did not have a cheesy country accent in the original, not like Lori Singer (original Ariel), so I am not sure why she has this unnatural thick accent that is so annoying!

I could  watch this movie again and again, like the original. Rotten Tomatoes has this movie at 71% positive, I give it a B+! If you are looking for a cute movie, with fun music and low expectations for acting, then check out this movie because it will lift up your spirits and make you want to cut loose and dance!

And the final movie is Real Steel. This movie was my hubby's choice, so I went with it as it was his turn to choose. It was better than I expected, a little predictable in some parts, but still over all a good movie. Real Steel is set in the near future where robot boxing has taken the place of real life boxing. Charlie Kenton, played by sexy Hugh Jackman, is a former boxer who now builds and fights robots, with the help from his "friend" Bailey Tallet, played by Evangeline Lilly, who owns the boxing gym where she and Charlie build and work on the robots.

Charlie is down on his luck, owes money to more people he can afford to pay, when he is notified that he is now the sole guardian for his 11 year old son Max. Max's mother past away and is now being left in the care of his reluctant father Charlie. Charlie is ready to sign over Max to his aunt and her rich, old husband. But Charlie sees a chance to earn a quick $50,000, but keeping Max for the summer when the aunt and uncle travel Europe. After Charlie demolishes his last bot he and Max brake in to a steel yard for robot parts. In this steel yard, Mac discovers Atom, a sparring bot, that he feels a connection to and wants to save, against Charlie's wishes.

After rescuing Atom and cleaning him up, Max insists on getting him a fight. Charlie gets him a fight and from there the father and son duo hit the road with Atom, all the way to the pro robot championship. Rotten Tomatoes has this movie at 60% positive, I give it a C+. This a good family friendly movie, I only wish we would have brought our boys to see this, as I am sure they both would have loved it. 

So I have given you three options... what will you see? Or, what have you seen? I am always looking for good movies to see... Up next, I think I might see Ides of March... anyone seen it?

XO Shannon

Haul and Review: Sigma/Sigmax Brushes

I know in August a wrote about the brush that changed my foundation routine... well I am back with a haul and review of MORE Sigma brushes! I couldn't resist ordering more of these brushes and honestly this will not be the last Sigma order I place!

So as an early birthday gift to my self I ordered the Make Me Crazy 12 piece purple brush set, the Bare palette, the E20 short shader brush and the E45 small tapered blending brush. I had a 10% discount code I used to save on my order and even with that I definitely got a lot for my money! And so that you know, all thoughts and opinions on these brushes and products are my on... I paid for all products mentioned with my own money.

First thing I will touch on is the Bare palette. This palette is pretty awesome and I can't wait to order the Dare and Flare palette's. The eye shadow palette's contain 8 shadows and a dual ended brush, each palette's brush is different and colored to match the palette. The Bare palette has 4 matte shades and 4 shimmer shades. The dual brush has the E30 pencil brush and the E25 blending brush.

I used this palette and the shades blend well and lasted all day. The packaging resembles the Urban Decay Naked palette in appearance, is durable and contains a mirror. And this palette is priced at the amazing price of $35, completely affordable!

Dual Ended Brush - E30 and E25

The E45 and E20 are part of the Premium Professional kit, however I really didn't want all of those brushes. The E45 is the small tapered blending brush and is ideal for precisely applying shadow to the crease. The E20 is the short shader brush and is perfect for applying shadow to the lid or smudging along the lash lines. Each eye brush is $9, where as the face brushes range from $14-$19 each.

E45 - Small Tapered Blending Brush

E20 - Short Shader Brush

The Make Me Crazy 12 piece purple kit contains every brush you could ever need! This set contains 5 face brushes, 7 eye brushes and a 2 piece container that you can use to store your brushes or travel with them. I have several MAC comparable brushes that cost a lot more than what Sigma sells theres for, at equal if not better quality. The 5 face brushes are the F60 foundation, F70 concealer, the F50 duo fiber, the F40 angled contour and F30 large powder. The 7 eye brushes are the E05 eyeliner, E30 pencil, E40 tapered blending, E55 eye shading, E60 large shader, E65 small angle, and the E70 medium angled shading.

Eye Brushes - From Bottom to Top: E30, E40, E05, E55, E60,  E70 and E65

Face Brushes - From Bottom to Top: F70, F40, F60, F30, and F50

(Container for the brush set)

This set is $99 and is part of the Make Me Up collection. The collection features the same 12 piece set in 4 different colors, all named appropriately by their color. The "Make Me Classy" in black, the "Make Me Blush" in coral, the "Make Me Cool" in aqua, and the "Make Me Crazy" in purple. These sets are perfect for anyone starting out in makeup or looking to expand their brush collection like myself.

Sigma was introduced to me by YouTube makeup guru Tiffany from MakeupByTiffanyD. She is a firm believer in Sigma and faithfully uses these brushes. I have been obsessing over these brushes and when looking at the cost of the brushes, whether individually or in a set, it was still cheaper than MAC. The same  brushes I bought from Sigma for $99 would have cost me more than $300, plus I got a container to store my brushes in!

So if you don't know who Sigma is, check them out! If you own Sigma brushes or products, what are your favorites?

Until next time xo Shannon!