Breaking Dawn Part 2

So I finally got around to watching Breaking Dawn Part 2 and I have to say, I loved it! This was the best film in the series, by far: the makeup and lighting finally seemed to match the story. They started the film right where Part 1 left off, with Bella waking up as a vampire. The performances were definitely the best so far as everyone finally seemed to truly inhabit the characters they portrayed. And I loved seeing all of the "witness" vampires and their powers. The new characters had so little time in the books, but you came to know them better in the movie. It was great seeing all of the new vampires, but they left out most of the werewolf sub-story.

My only real complaint was about Renesmee. I know that they would have had trouble finding babies and children that looked enough alike to appear to be the same girl, but her face didn't always match up quite right. However, the girl they chose for the 7-10 year old Renesmee, Mackenzie Foy, was perfect. She looks enough like both Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson to be believable as their child, and she really is a beautiful little girl, so it worked.

This movie had the best pace of the Twilight films. There was enough action to keep the story moving and the added scene at the end, written by Stephanie Meyer, was incredible. While all of the books are written from Bella's perspective for the most part, this movie seemed to show things from the viewpoint of other characters at times, which made the story flow better. I've watched this movie three times now, and it's still my favorite. I'm glad Breaking Dawn Part 2 was the final film, because it's always nice when a series goes out with a bang!

Happy New Year

Disney

Happy New Year!

Holidays Around the World - The Storytellers of EPCOT

La Befana of Italy

Today I'm over at Tips from the Disney Diva talking about the Holiday Storytellers at EPCOT. I love holiday traditions and the opportunity to learn more about the traditions of other cultures is wonderful!

Meeting Santa at Downtown Disney

I'm over at Tips from the Disney Diva today talking about meeting Santa at Downtown Disney. There's nothing like combining the magic of Christmas with the magic of Disney.

Arthur Christmas

When we were walking through the store the other day, Bean spotted Arthur Christmas on Bluray and insisted we buy it immediately. She had gone to the movies with a friend to see it, but my sister and I had missed it. She said it was good, so we decided to give it a try. I am so glad that we did. Arthur Christmas is one of the silliest and sweetest Christmas movies for families in a long time.

Arthur is one of Santa's sons. He's a bit of a klutz and he's afraid of everything, but he has a good heart. On Christmas Eve, Santa and his oldest son, Steve, head out in their spaceship style sleigh to deliver presents to the children of the world. Steve has modernized Christmas: the elves deliver the gifts and Santa is more of a figurehead. However, this Christmas, a gift was left undelivered. Steve and Santa don't seem too concerned, but Arthur knows that the magic of finding a gift from Santa under the tree on Christmas morning can be the most important thing in the world to a child. As a result, Arthur, his Grandpa, affectionately called Grandsanta, and a wrapping elf named Bryony set out to make things right. What ensues is an adventure unlike anything they could have expected, and it's up to Arthur to save one little girl's Christmas.

This is a wonderful story about Christmas, magic, and the importance of family. I would highly recommend it for all ages, especially for school age children who may be questioning the existence of Santa. I hope you enjoy Arthur Christmas as much as we did!

Voices of Liberty

I'm over at Tips From the Disney Diva today talking about my favorite performance group at EPCOT, Voices of Liberty. They are fantastic and I love listening to them.

Pirates of the Caribbean: The Legend of Captain Jack Sparrow

Disney

When I was at Disney World last month, I noticed that they had started to paint what looked like Cap'n Jack Sparrow's map onto the side of the building that used to house the Narnia Experience in Hollywood Studios. I had heard rumors that this was going to be a new immersive experience through the four Pirates of the Caribbean movies. Yesterday, the Disney blog confirmed that this is so. According to their description, the new walk-through attraction, which will open December 6th (popular day, huh), will take guests on a journey into a lost grotto where a skull will test them to see if they are worthy of sailing with Captain Jack Sparrow. Along the way, they must" face the perils of a pirates life" as they explore scenes from the film.

As a Pirates of the Caribbean fan, I think the idea sounds great. I would love to be able to step into the movies, and I know Bean would too. I can't wait to try out this fun new attraction at Disney's Hollywood Studios.