Hunger Games Movie: A Hit or a Miss?

As established quite a number of times in this blog, i am a big fan of the Hunger Games books therefore it shouldn't come as a surprise that I was dying excited to watch the movie.  So off we went to Eastwood last Saturday to catch the last full show.  =)

Hmm... Where to start?  The hits first:

--- I love Jennifer Lawrence!  She is perfect as Katniss!

--- I love the reaping scene! It was really close to how I pictured the reaping in my head.  

--- The actress who played Effie Trinkett was also good.

--- And Liam Hemsworth is a good Gale.  He and Katniss have chemistry, even with just a few scenes. 

--- I also liked the hunger games event/battle.    

--- I liked the fact that they incorporated rebellion scenes in some of the districts, District 11 to be exact.  

And now, the misses:

--- A lot might not agree, but I don't like Josh Hutcherson as Peeta.  There simply is no connection, no kilig between him and Katniss.  And c'mon, what happened to the cave scene?!  It was suppose to define the romantic connection between him and Katniss, but sadly, it didn't even scratch the surface for me.  I got more kilig over the few jealous shots of Gale which should not be the case!  I should feel confused as to who I want Katniss to end up with. 

--- I also didn't like Haymitch.  I mean, the movie didn't establish how much of a drunkard he is (which I think is important especially in the next movies to understand what the hunger games do to a tribute winner), and that he only helped Katniss and Peeta when he realized that the two are both fighters and really want to win.

--- They also scratched Madge, the mayor's daughter, who gave Katniss the mockingjay pin.  Yes, a friend gave it to her as opposed to finding it in the hob. 

       

But all in all, I still find the movie good, which is a rare feat considering how good the book was.  So, yes, the Hunger Games movie is a HIT for me. =)

The Hunger Games - Official Trailer [HD]

I'm sooooo excited for this!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Bab, we CANNOT miss this! =)

The Hunger Games Challenge

Disclaimer:  This is actually supposed to be a 30-day challenge, but given my impatient nature I decided to do it in one day.  Haha! =p 

I've already written in this blog how big a fan I am of The Hunger Games trilogy.  So, while on maternity leave, I've decided to reread the books since I know that the movie is to be released on 2012.  Oohh... I can't wait...  So, to alleviate my thirst for the movie, I decided to answer this 30-day challenge I found on the web. 

Day 1: Your favorite character:  Hmm... I love Gale... But I also like Peeta... So you see, just like Katniss, I'm also torn between the two.  But I must admit, i'm leaning towards Gale more.  Just between us, I have a thing for bestfriend-turned-lovers love story.  It ranks second to the enemy-turned-lovers story.  How cliche can I get?! Hahaha
Day 2: Your least favorite character:  Pres. Coin! Yes, I hate her more than Pres. Snow. 
Day 3: A character you hate that everyone loves:  Tough one...  Hate is such a big word... But Prim is I think my least favorite... I only liked her in Mockingjay...
Day 4: A character you love that everyone hates: Maybe Johanna because she was really a bitch most of the time.  Hahaha!
Day 5: Your favorite fight/battle scene:  When the Careers found Katniss on top of a tree.  I just like their conversation exchanges. 
Day 6: A scene that made you laugh:  When Katniss and Finnick woke Peeta up with burn ointment on their faces.  It made me think of friends playing pranks on each other. =)
Day 7: A scene that made you cry:  Since I'm a big crybaby, it's a given that I've cried lots of times because of these books.  First, was when Katniss volunteered to take Prim's place in the reaping and told their mother to take care of Prim.  Then, when Rue died... When Cinna died... During Katniss' speech in District 11... When Peeta didn't recognize /  strangled Katniss... Last conversation between Katniss and Gale...  
Day 8: The character you are most like:  Katniss... In the sense that I'm willing to do anything for my family.
Day 9: Your favorite quote: "Why do you think I'm going, brainless?" - Johanna to Katniss, when Johanna told Katniss to kill Pres. Snow.  Wala lang, i just like the cariño brutal friendship of Johanna and Katniss. 
Day 10: Peeta or Gale: Gale!  But Peeta is not a bad choice either.  But yeah, Gale for me.
Day 11: Something you hate about the series: That it ended so soon. Haha! I want more!!!
Day 12: A character you wish hadn’t died: Definitely, Finnick!!! He should have been given a happy ending! I just don't get why he had to die...
Day 13: A character you wish had died:  This might seem contradicting, but Gale should have died in the end.  At least that way, I can accept why Katniss chose Peeta.  And besides, the ending made it seem that Gale is as good as dead anyway for Katniss. 

Day 14: Your favorite tribute (aside from Peeta/Katniss): Finnick, Johanna and Thresh (Yes, even with brief exposure, i like Thresh.)
Day 15: Your least favorite tribute (aside from Peeta/Katniss): Hmm.. Maybe Clove.  Just because of the way she wanted to kill Katniss.  So inhumane...
Day 16: A question you wish had been answered in the book: Being one of the main casts, I don't get why there wasn't any back story on Peeta's family. 
Day 17: The worst death: Finnick!  I can't get over why he had to die!
Day 18: A song that reminds you of the series: I'm not good with songs...

Day 19: Your favorite pairing: Gale and Katniss of course... Finnick and Annie also.

Day 20: Your least favorite pairing:  I want to say Peeta and Katniss, but I like them as well... So, no answer to this question.

Day 21: A pairing you don’t get:  Does Madge really like Gale???
Day 22: Your favorite book of the three: Definitely, Hunger Games!

Day 23: Your favorite secondary character: Cinna, Finnick and Boggs

Day 24: Your least favorite secondary character:  Katniss' mother.  It seems that she doesn't care much for Katniss.  As a newbie mom, I just don't get it!
Day 25: Your dream cast: They've already cast the movie, so i just hope that they give justice to the book.
Day 26: Your favorite scene in The Hunger Games:  When Peeta told Claudius Templesmith during his interview that he cannot win and get his dream girl at the same time because they went to the hunger games together.  I just find it so sweet! 
Day 27: Your favorite scene in Catching Fire:  When Katniss delivered her speech in District 11.  It was so touching!
Day 28: Your favorite scene in Mockingjay: When Peeta was allowed to eat in the dining area for the first time.  You can really sense the tension among him, Katniss and Gale. 

Day 29: Your favorite thing about the entire series: That it has a different and unique plot.  I've never read something like that. 
Day 30: A book/series that you would rec to fellow fans:  Aside from Harry Potter and Twilight, I also like the Mortal Instrument series. 


So friends, if you haven't read this series yet, now is the time to start.  =)

The Hunger Games Movie

In one of my oldest posts, I've mentioned how I loved the The Hunger Games trilogy.  Such an interesting storyline!  So when I heard that they have plans of making it into a movie, I was excited.  I just hope the movie do the books justice.  

They've also announced the main cast.  Take a look!

Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss Everdeen, the main protagonist.

     I have yet to see any Jennifer Lawrence films so I don't know if she's a good fit to Katniss' character. Upon seeing her picture (right photo), she doesn't look like Katniss (as described in the book: she has straight long black hair, which she normally pulls back into a long braid, olive skin, and gray eyes) at all.  Good thing other fans created a  movie poster using her picture (left photo) so we can better "see" her as Katniss.

 Josh Hutcherson as Peeta Mellark, Katniss' co-tribute

     I have seen Josh Hutcherson's films when he was a kid, such as RV and Little Manhattan.  Again, i don't think he looks like Peeta in the book ( ashy blond hair that falls in waves over his forehead blue eyes, and a stocky build. He is also very strong as he always carry heavy sacks of flour for their bakery).  But then again, I haven't seen him all grown up. 

 

Liam Hemsworth as Gale Hawthorne, Katniss' bestfriend

     
     I know Liam Hemsworth as the ex-boyfriend of Miley Cyrus.  I loved the book, The Last Song by Nicholas Sparks, and they were the main cast of its movie version.  Though I've seen the movie, it didn't really made an impact to me so I don't remember how he acted in that film.  I just hope he really does give justice to Gale's character as he is my favorite character in the book. 

 There you go.  The main cast.  I really, really hope they give the book justice.

OT: The Hunger Games

I know this has nothing to do with wedding preps, but I just wanna share it. =)

I may sound really nerdy, but I love books!  I love reading! Mainly because books allow me to put myself in situations I would never have the guts to undergo in real life. Just like my recent read, The Hunger Games Trilogy. 

The books are great!!! I thoroughly enjoyed reading them! Such a different storyline. Imagine this: 2 teenager representatives ("tributes" as they call it in the books) from the 12 districts of the country Panem, one arena, the Hunger Games... meaning the 24 tributes fighting to death until only one remains.  How different is that?! If that storyline is not enough for you, Suzanne Collins added a love story/triangle that makes it more appealing to her young readers (ahem!).  I for one, was confused as to who I want Katniss to end up with, her bestfriend Gale or her co-tribute Peeta. Haha!

Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark, tributes of District 12.