Rabu, 01 Juni 2011
‘Twilight’ and the Enduring Draw of Young Adult Fiction
The Atlantic has a great article that looks at a few of the most popular book series in YA Fiction, and then looks at what about them draws so many people in. They make the point that a lot of YA Fiction has changed, and become darker with the characters going through some truly horrific trials. Not only do these new books appeal to the YA audience, but they have a strong adult following as well. Read more below:
The young adult series that are so popular and profitable today are a little too dark for mere nostalgia. Authors and directors have struck chords with audiences by putting their teenage heroes through terrible trials. Harry Potter gives his life over to an epic struggle against international terrorism. Bella Swan may end up a sparkly, sexy vampire withpreternatural self-control, but she has to suffer a fetus eating its way out of her body first. The Hunger Games’ Katniss Everdeen has to fight for her life in an arena, see her first love whipped, lose her sister, see her second love brainwashed, and be a pawn in a revolution. Ender is repeatedly and savagely attacked, tortured by his own brother, and manipulated by the military—before he kills off an entire alien species. The heroes of Legend are going to be an adolescent bounty hunter and vigilante.
That’s a lot to put characters—especially characters we love dearly, fiercely—through before they reach their maturity. It’s true we live in a time when teenaged years seem less than carefree. Whether it’s the pressure of grades and college admissions, the expanded reach of bullying in a social media age, the temptations and distractions of the Internet, or periodic adult panics about teenagers’ sexual behavior, adolescence sometimes seems as if it’s vanished, as if we’ve returned to a time when childhood ended shortly out of the cradle. Hijinks like the family dramas of the Baby-sitters Club members or even the high-consequence drug use, plane accidents, and relationship angst of Sweet Valley High don’t seem especially shocking in comparison. It takes national peril to put the difficulties of everyday life back in perspective.
At the same time, at a moment when our politics seem crippled, the prospect of an unexpected savior is appealing. Fictional teenage heroes are unencumbered by adult obligations and rigidities, they can afford to be ideologically poor. We are redeemed byHarry Potter’s martyrdom and salvation, something that would be horrifying and tragic in life. Katniss Everdeen can kill to enforce her convictions and go unpunished for it: the death she caused can have a clarifying effect on the adults around her. In Twilight, Bella Swan’s suffering purifies her and makes her influential in the community of vampires she joins even to the point of helping prevent a war. Ender Wiggin can exterminate a threat to humanity and repent for his actions, shifting attitudes towards aliens along the way.
Young adult fiction offers a promise to all of us that there is no suffering that’s not worth it, no agony that goes unrewarded down the line.
Read the Full Article at The Atlantic Via TA
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Style The Star (MTV Movie Awards Edition): What Should Nominee Kristen Stewart Wear?
Hollywood Crush, loves to dole out praise for each week’s Style Superstar, analyze the fashion at red carpet events and occasionally critique some questionable celebrity sartorial choices. Now, they've decided to add a "stylist" credit to their resume and pick out our dream ensembles for the stars to strut their stuff in at the MTV Movie Awards. For their first Style the Star client, they pick the queen of edgy yet classic couture: Kristen Stewart.*
Petite KStew generally favors mini dresses on the carpet, which make her legs look miles long. Black is undoubtedly her go-to shade, though she has been branching out into colorful territory recently with a gold sequin Reem Acra dress at the People’s Choice Awards and a red Proenza Schouler gown at the Met Gala. Kristen is also obsessed with asymmetry; some of the best examples are her one-shouldered lace Valentino mini at the October 2010 "Welcome to the Rileys" screening, a "Letterman" appearance last summer in a one-sleeved tight LBD and her intricate white one-sleeved dress at the L.A. "Eclipse" premiere. Since her ears aren’t pierced, she doesn’t wear earrings; in fact, she usually keeps all accessories to a minimum. Keep reading after the jump to see our fashion pick for Kristen!
Read More At Hollywood Crush
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Hangover II Tops Box Office, But Is Reminded 'The Twilight Saga' Still Has Bigger Bite!
The Hangover Part II" takes the top spot at the holiday box office, taking in $86.4 million
(CBS/What's Trending) - "The Hangover Part II" managed a staggering $135.15 million domestically and $60.25 million internationally over just five days -- easily the best opening ever for an R-rated comedy. The raunchy sequel is in a league of its own when it comes to activity on Facebook and Twitter. On Facebook, "The Hangover Part II" added 317,020 new likes from early Friday morning until Monday night for a total of 13.6 million.
How big is that exactly? Well, keep in mind that the official page for "The Twilight Saga" had 7.4 million likes on the day that "The Twilight Saga: Eclipse" opened. "The Hangover Part II's" tweet count reached 289,067 during the same period.
Read More At CBS News What's Trending
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Exclusive 'The Art Of Getting By' Clip and LIVE Q&A with Elizabeth Reaser TONIGHT!
MTV Continues Movie Awards Mania with an Exclusive Clip from The Art of Getting By and LIVE Q&A with Emma Roberts, Michael Angarano, Elizabeth Reaser and Director Gavin Weiss.
TONIGHT at 11pm ET on MTV and MTV.com
MTV is bringing the summer movie season to a full sizzle with the second night of its “2011 MTV Movie Awards Sneak Peek Week.” The Art of Getting By stars Emma Roberts, Michael Angarano and Elizabeth Reaser will introduce a new exclusive clip from the film tonight at 11pm ET/PT on-air and treat fans to an extended LIVE Q&A with MTV News’ Josh Horowitz and director Gavin Weiss on MTV.com. Fans can get in on the action immediately via Twitter using the @MTVNews handle and hash-tag #SPW or MTV.com to submit questions.
To watch the live stream click HERE.
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