2012: Week 12: The Hunger Games

The Hunger Games

Genre: Action, Drama, Sci-fi

Main Players: Jennifer Lawrence, Liam Hemsworth, Josh Hutcherson, Woody Harrelson, Elizabeth Banks, Lenny Kravitz

General Gist: In the post-apocalyptic world, a battle is held where a boy and girl, between the age of 12 and 18, are chosen from each of the 12 districts to compete in a televised battle where only one person will survive.

Deb's Take:
So the long awaited Hunger Games finally got here! I was so super excited, and a little nervous. Anyone who has been following us for a while knows I am often disappointed in a movie that was a book I read first. I will never change my opinion that a book is always better than a movie. Books allow you to get inside the head of characters and hear what they are thinking, you don't have to rely on the actions and spoken word to relay a message.

It has been a bit since I read the books. I think this is the trick, read a book, and wait a while before you see the movie. Some of the details and emotions are then forgotten and the movie becomes more enjoyable. This is definitely what happened with this movie. I LOVED IT! I was a little concerned that Jennifer Lawrence would come across too "old" or mature in this movie for Katniss' character. It took me a little while, but she eventually seemed to fit the mold for me. I looked back on some of her previous acting, and realized I had seen her on a sitcom first. Didn't realize she was the same girl! I pictured Haymitch a little different than Woody Harrelson, but he pulled it off well. I think the interesting part of the movie, was how we saw a viewpoint of the people in charge of the games, how they were running the show, changing the venue etc. In the book this didn't happen, but really to make the movie work I don't know how else they could have portrayed that part. (again, an in your head kind of thing that had to be brought forward). I wish we would have seen more of Gale. Katniss and Gale's relationship wasn't really appreciated enough in the movie. All the other main players were very on! Great casting! I will say, the book is better (always is!) and reading it will bring so much more to light about each character, but maybe hold off on the movie right after reading the book so your memory becomes a tad fuzzy so you can enjoy it more. Also want to send a shout out to Amy Sacry for encouraging her mother, Terry Clinefelter for joining us for this movie. We had a larger group this week with my 2 older kids and husband as well.

Deb's Rate: Opening day, definitely! (maybe because I read the books though, interested to see what someone who didn't read the books would think...my son and daughter liked it and they didn't read the books...anyone else?)

Tiff's Take:
Finally, a movie worth seeing! We've seen so many bad movies this year so this came at such a good time.  Of course this was much anticipated as well.  When I was reading the book I thought that this would make a great movie.  First of all, it's action packed.  There's so much going on.  Secondly, there's not a whole lot of inner dialogue that was impossible to convey in a movie.  Of course, there is always going to be some detail that you just won't get in a movie but this one wasn't too bad. 

So my verdict?  It was so so good!  The casting was great.  Jennifer Lawrence had Katniss' attitude down pat.  Really well done.  Hutcherson and Hemsworth both looked the parts of Peeta and Gale.  Although, as Deb mentioned, I would have liked to see more of Gale.  And who could play a drunk washout better than Woody Harrelson? 

I loved how the Capitol came to life in the movie.  All the crazy colors and outfits versus the drab lives of the districts.  Very much how I pictured it in my head.  This was such an enjoyable movie to watch all around.  (Other than the teenagers getting killed for sport thing.)  I was emotionally invested right off the bat.  Well done.  Can't wait for the next two!      

Tiff's Rate: Opening Day.  But I agree with Deb.  If you hadn't read the book would it be waiting in line worthy?  Still going to say yes. 

Preview: Have to look and see what is out there!  Any suggestions?

Books to Movies: What do you think of the cast?

We all know I love movies and books pretty equitably.  But I get slightly obsessive when the two are combined.  There are a couple books that I'm really excited to see coming to a theater near you.  There are actually more than a couple but these are the two that are on my brain right now.

The Help

Now who's read this book?  I just recently read this and I absolutely loved it.  It's one of the better books I've read this year.  The movie comes out this August.  Yippee!  I was a little critical of Emma Stone playing one of the main characters but I think I'm warming up to it.  All the other characters seem pretty darn good.  Have you seen the trailer for it yet?  Check it out.

The Hunger Games

I'm really excited about this one mainly because it was a great series and because I really think it will make a great movie.  You're going to have to wait a little longer for this movie.  It doesn't come out until 2012 but I've been seeing all the buzz on who's going to play who.  Here's the cast.  At first I thought casting Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss was awful beings that she's blonde and didn't look at all what I thought Katniss should look like.  But you can see they've darkened her hair and really changed her look.  And Woody Harrelson as Haymitch is perfect. 

Have you read these books?  What do you think of the cast?