The Hunger Games

[Nancy Waterman]

Has anyone read the book, actually all three books? Incredible story about to be out as a movie.
The underlying themes of this story profoundly address many of the most salient issues of our time. The series describes how those with centralized power can suck all the wealth and strength from everyone else, while maneuvering to have different groups of the downtrodden compete with each other for scarce resources, or even life itself, rather than confront the real source of their oppression. There is also the theme of how easily we lose the awareness of our common humanity and shared goals and how it is ultimately only this awareness that can save us. It is a brilliantly written and compelling story even if you don’t dwell on the deeper themes. But I think that the growing popularity of the book The Hunger Games and the likely megahit that the coming movie will be are signs that this story has hit a deep nerve in the general population. Ultimately, it is only a well-crafted story, but I think it reaches into and grips the collective psyche with unusual force.

[sakabatou]

1. When I read about the Hunger Games

It reminded me of Battle Royale.

[The Backlash Cometh]

2. I'm sure Jennifer Lawrence is going to hit it out of the park, but...

She isn't the Katniss from the book. When she was cast, fans of the book said Katniss is described as dark skinned with a singular eye color. I think gray. She is also near anorexic looking, hence, "hunger" games. At first the p.r. people said that they would use make up to get her to look more katnissy. But, I don't think they did, judging by the trailers. It only detracts because Katniss would go out on hunts that would give her more reason to tan up from the sun, while everyone else was working down in the mines.

Also, I was shocked to read an interview where she describes her character in a way that isn't anything like the book. This is what she said: "It’s called The Hunger Games, but I was constantly eating,’ the 21-year-old says in a throaty Kentucky drawl. 'I play a warrior. I can’t be skinny. You know, Kate Moss running at you with a bow and arrow isn’t scary.’"

I know I'm going to enjoy her rendition, anyway. It's been a while since I read the books. But I think some hardcore fans are going to be disappointed.

Absolutely love, love what Vi Neill did to Seneca Crane's beard. And I'm beginning to warm up to the idea of Lenny Kravitz as Cinna. Otherwise, everyone else was spot on. Haymitch! What a character. It was written for Woody.

Here's the link.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/starsandstories/9118903/Jennifer-Lawrence-The-Hunger-Games-could-happen.html

[Nancy Waterman]

3. Some new info in that article

Thanks for posting it.

My husband just finished book 3 last night and is still reeling!! There are so many layers to the story.

[Kablooie]

4. I read them last year. Very impressed.

Clearly influenced by the Japanese 'Battle Royale' but still became it's own story.
I felt some disappointments in the resolution of the story but loved it overall.

It's getting 100% positive reviews at the moment on rottentomatoes.com so it's going to be HUGE.

I wonder how it will influence the Tea Party rhetoric?
Since it takes place in a future dystopian dictatorship I'm sure we'll hear references to Obama and Democrats popping up.

Also it's very empowering for women.
Something the right is not too supportive of.

[Adsos Letter]

5. I haven't read the books (both of my daughters have) so I had no baseline to compare to; however...

I'm really glad I hadn't because it gave me no reason to be disappointed in what was an outstanding movie experience! To my mind the movie was excellent in so many categories (casting, directing, cinematography) that if it doesn't sweep some awards it will be proof to me that the powers that judge these things have lost their freakin' minds.


So, yeah...I liked it.

[Nancy Waterman]

6. I saw the movie last night

It was very well done. Even though I had read all the books, I thought about the story for hours afterwards. Seeing the story visually was very powerful. I recommend it to everyone.