Mulan, in one of the books, he does say that he realized that his love for her had so changed him that he couldn't hurt her because he couldn't live without her. He says he came to this conclusion in New Moon, when he thought she had killed herself, and expresses it in Eclipse, when she asks, why isn't the smell of my blood bothering you, when she's marking territory with a cut on her hand in preparation for the battle at the end of the movie. Which is how regular relationships feel to teenagers. I still love the series, but this part does stick in my craw, too. It did give me a springboard to talk to my kids about the "There's danger, but don't worry about it, because *you're* special." We're not bulletproof, and we're worth protecting.

Ohhhhh...Pepper. You must rewatch the movie. It's beautiful. It does have some violence in it but it's not overboard. And the romance between William and his lady is beautiful.

That would be bad.......you might be missing out on a WHOLE bunch of good ones all because of one persons opinion.

Also, "Phantom" is not a romance. AT ALL. And the movie has NOTHING on the theatre productions.........

Not2fun

Okay, I confess I haven't read this whole thread. But last night my DD14 informed me that she HAS TO see this new movie..... It's called "Vampires S*uck." It's a parody of the Twilight series. We'll see. She really liked the books but then rebelled because she hated the first movie. Now I enjoy pointing out pictures of Edward or the Twilight section at Hot Topic just to see her do the teenage eye-roll thing. I always ask her which "team" she is on, which elicits a "Moooom" groan. Hey, I gotta give her something to talk about one day when she goes to therapy.

*Phantom of the Opera* is most certainly a Romance, but not between Christine and the Phantom; it's the Romance between Christine and Raul. He was her childhood sweetheart and she has always loved him.

Christine is never in love with the Phantom. She thinks he is some kind of reincarnation of her father, and that's why he's teaching her to sing. Later, when she knows the truth, she pities the Phantom but never loves him.

The Phantom is the outside threat to their relationship that must be overcome, and it is.

She remains with Raul and the two of them live out their lives together. That's the definition of a Romance story.

And yeah, I can't wait for *Vampires S*ck* either.

I completely disagree with this. Unfortuantely, once Hollywood gets ahold of the rights to a book, they are free to do with it as they wish. And more often then not, they screw it up (which is why you always hear, " the book was sooooo much better...."). Hollywood tends to leave out important details, doesn't go into certain details, doesn't develope the characters the way the author did, and the movie goer who hasn't read the book is left without some important and key points and messages. Now, in a SMALL defense for Hollywood, this is usually due to time constants and budgetary reasonings, however it does a huge disservice to the author and the original writings.

Look at "My Sisters Keeper". It was an amazing book full of huge topic such as genetic coding, abortion issues, children and parental rights. And Jodi Picoult left the reader with many unanswered questions to which the reader got a chance to delve into their OWN moral and ethic codes. Unfortunately, Hollywood botched that movie up bad and ANYONE who saw it but didn't read the book doesn't even KNOW the beauty of the ending that was in the book.

Same with "Gone With the Wind". You mentioned that the movie is not a romance, but have you ever read the book? It is 100% romance and an amazingly beautiful story. It was a truly tremendous movie, yet it truly fall short when compared to the book........

And yes, the "Twilght" films are not any different. The movie is not the same as the books and it's very apparent even on this thread that intention and important facts were left out.......

Not2fun

Ps.....the series ending, you ask???



You shouldn't have to read the book to "get" the film, no matter what it is. I have heard nothing to indicate that the message of the *Twilight* books is any different from the message of the films. And even if it is - the films are still out there[/quote]

Ah yes, they were childhood loves who had parted ways. It's not until the night of the gala that they reunite. By this time, however, Christine is already involved with the Phantom.


Christine may not have been in love with the Phantom, however the Phantom is clear about his love for her, though it is a dangerous kind of love. However, her desire to become production lead and get she needs from the Phantom (singing lessons) supersedes everything, and she WILLINGLY goes with the Phantom to the cellars. They come to an agreement of her lease when she promises to wear the Phantoms ring and to be faithful (this is not a formal marriage though.....). She fails at this task when Raoul seeks her out after seeing and hearing her on stage (at this point it important to note that this is a long lost love meeting......Raoul and Christine were not together for quite some time at this point). She sees Raoul, remember her own love for him and now wants out of the agreement with the Phantom..........

The outside threat is not the Phantom, though it's not really Raoul either, though that is what the Phantom sees.

I suppose it depends on the outside viewer, however, the point I'm trying to make is that you see "Twilight" in one way and many others see it another. It's all good though. I've enjoyed seeing this through your eyes Mulan and definitely gave me some food for thought and another way of looking at it..........

Not2fun

I suppose I should add that I do love "Phantom". The story is intriguing and wonderful, and the music is superb. I've seen the production twice and loved each time.......so I'm not "hatin'" on it.........

Not

Not2, Mulan is stating that certain works are not romances based on the true definition of certain genres. An example which horrifies some is when I say the Genesis story of creation is a myth. Based on the literary definition of what myth is, Genesis 1:1 fits this.

So, while you may say something is a 'romance' because it has this or that quality, it doesn't mean it is a romance in literary terminology of genre definitions.

Exactly. *Gone With the Wind* is not a genre Romance, and you will not find it on the Romance shelves, because Rhett walks out at the end. Sorry - that's not Romantic.

The film *Titanic* is not a Romance either, because Jack dies.

It's only a genre Romance if the two main characters end up in a committed relationship and live out their lives together.

So much of what people *think* is "Romance" isn't even close - like *The Bridges of Madison County* *yech*.

If you're going to hate on something, at least know what it is that you're hating. Then it's fine to hate it, IMHO.

click here

I saw that movie in my local Walmart, and read the back of it.

The affair aside (which is heinous! TERRIBLE), Who the heck falls in love in 4 days???

Soooo, I was down in Mexico one time...

When I first saw this series I saw it was about brooding teens and sexual tension. Took 10 mins to see it.

Thats all I needed to see and my Son agreed with me, but him and his GF watch it anyway.

I'm sorry this series is passing as art and so many people waste there time following it. I pray nobody thinks this has good role models but I understand unfortunatly that it is attractive to teens. It breeds confusion and interfaces animal lust as a part of life that seems somehow "unavoidable and natural"

Some people can separate the fantasy from reality but for the sometimes confused and desparate teen the it sends mixed messages about being "misunderstood" and sympathy for those who "cant help themselves".

Yeah I would lose IQ points and brain cells watching it.

I agree with the above poster who said movie should stand on its own. The books may have merit to some, but they aren't what we are talking about. Its about the movie teens are watching and the example they are giving teens..Yeah, the book is allways better. How many teens read books and if they are avid readers I would probably have a problem if they were into this romance anyways.


Yeah Kilted, "Braveheart" is definatly romantic. One of my favorite movies even if its not totally historically correct.

Men in romance movies should be MEN.

Like in Braveheart.