The Hunger Games - Part 1

[jacobed]

I was not a fan of Hemsworth as Gale when he's happy. I thought he did a great job when he was suppose to worried, sad, or whatever but when he was happy towards the beginning he comes off as very fake.

 

[danoyse]

Feels like Hollywood's forcing the heir apparent to those previous tween book-to-film conversions via Hunger Games.

I just can never get into the tween theme, no matter if they dress it up with sci-fi or not.

Good thing this isn't a simply a tween book, then.

My parents are in their 60s, they've read the books and they loved the movie.

My sister, brother-in-law, and I are all in our 30s, and we've read all of the books and we loved the movie.

Saw as many adults as I saw "tweens" in the sold-out show I saw today, and plenty more waiting on line for the show after ours.

Assuming is bad for you.

 

[jacobed]

Everyone thought Twilight was a phenomenon, no not even close. This is a true phenomenon. So many people of all different ages and both genders are reading this book, excited for the movie.

 

[danoyse]

Everyone thought Twilight was a phenomenon, no not even close. This is a true phenomenon. So many people of all different ages and both genders are reading this book, excited for the movie.

And I'm happy to report that we had no screechy teenagers at our show.

I didn't realize until this weekend that Hunger Games is being read in schools now. A few parents on another forum I read said their kids have it as part of their required reading list. Some even took field trips to see the movie yesterday.

 

[mclay18]

I live in the state where THG was shot at (North Carolina), and the local press are just name-dropping the movie and featuring specials on the locations used almost daily. It's the biggest movie shot here, and I think some of the attendance for this movie in this state is attributed to the "shot entirely in NC!" factor. But the vast majority were here because they were book fans and/or brought in because of the smart marketing campaign.

It did annoy me that quite a few people just stayed there (during each showing) and watched the credits through. I did politely mention that there were "no extra scenes or anything else afterwards", but either they wanted to see which locations in the state were used or whatever. I honestly don't like reminding people of the "no extra scene" thing (it comes off as rude), but I needed to get the auditoriums clean ASAP because there were huge lines for the next shows.

 

[flickchick85]

I've never read the book, but I just got back from this and thought it was a very good film, though I agree that Ross overdid the shaky cam a bit. I felt it worked perfectly during the actual games, but during the first half of the movie? Not so much. Still, he made a wise choice to keep the camera close to Lawrence because she had a lot of nonverbal heavy-lifting to do, and she positively nailed it.

This made me really eager to go get the 2nd book and find out what happens next, so mission accomplished, Hunger Games. 8/10

It did annoy me that quite a few people just stayed there (during each showing) and watched the credits through. I did politely mention that there were "no extra scenes or anything else afterwards", but either they wanted to see which locations in the state were used or whatever. I honestly don't like reminding people of the "no extra scene" thing (it comes off as rude), but I needed to get the auditoriums clean ASAP because there were huge lines for the next shows.

That's not typical for you? I work at a theater as well (though its an indie/foreign film cinema), and people stay through the credits at just about every show of every film for us. Some people just like to see the credits, listen to the music/score, whatever - it's not always about waiting for an extra scene (because the types of movies our theater shows NEVER have extra scenes at the end).

 

[Hush]

I stay out of respect for the filmmakers. I mean it's only another 2-3 minutes MAX. They deserve some of my time.

 

[SpideyFan866]

I just got back from seeing the Hunger Games and I thought it was fantastic. Better than I thought.

I agree that The Hunger Games is much more of a phenomenon then Twilight. It was somewhat shocking to me how many adults (many into the 40s and 50s) in the auditorium. There were some screeching teenagers (a group of girls screamed in excitement over the Twilight teaser; they were kicked out an half an hour later over talking), but nothing too bad or that bothered me to much.

The shaky cam was overdone (sometimes I couldn't make out what was happening) but the camera work was good overall.

The acting was great IMO, and I'm glad there is now an actually good film franchise based on a good book is coming out, as well as the fact that people really seems to like it.

 

[warhorse78]

Those dreading the females look at it this way, you may find your future wife there. I will say this, it is intimidating when the audience is mostly female.

HAHAHAHAH, LMFAO! True that, true that! I know a lot of girlfriends who like to go to the strip bars for that exact reason, they think it's a good place to find men!

 

[warhorse78]

Its funny how a lot of you say how little men there are when you see the movie.

The female demographic really is kinda of ignored they get rom coms but they need there big budget summmer movies to I feel like movies like this with a strong female lead and even to an extent Twilight (minus strong lead) prove that they can make huge amounts of money and dont need the male demographic.

Yeah, you'd think studios would have learned a thing or two from Titanic or Avatar. Hell, just look at Gone With the Wind.

 

[The Squirrel]

I stay out of respect for the filmmakers. I mean it's only another 2-3 minutes MAX. They deserve some of my time.

Exactly.

 

[warhorse78]

Did anyone else cry during this part?

Spoiler

When Rue died.

I won't lie, that made tears well in my eyes. Definitely an incredibly emotional, saddening moment.

When the riot started, that was when the moment moved me.

There were several scenes that moved me. Even the end, when the favorite had Peeta, I don't know, but that scene made it look like he really did not want to do what he was doing, and that he was upset about it. I never read the book, but was there something about that?

 

[CB Fan]

I just feel like more interaction was needed between Katniss and characters like Rue, Peeta, and Haymitch. I wonder if they shot scenes that had more interction and characterization, if they did then I hope they release an extended cut because I just felt like had I not read the book I really wouldn't care or know the other characters and that was the movies biggest fault to me.

 

[flickchick85]

I just felt like had I not read the book I really wouldn't care or know the other characters and that was the movies biggest fault to me.

I didn't read the book and I felt I got to know them just fine. I definitely cared about Rue and Haymitch. In fact, one of my first thoughts after the end was, "I hope that's not the last we've seen of Haymitch," because I thought he was great and hope he's in the other books.

 

[The Apocalypse]

I just feel like more interaction was needed between Katniss and characters like Rue, Peeta, and Haymitch. I wonder if they shot scenes that had more interction and characterization, if they did then I hope they release an extended cut because I just felt like had I not read the book I really wouldn't care or know the other characters and that was the movies biggest fault to me.

this.

I want to see this movie again though. The acting alone is top notch. Seneca was great. I didn't even care for him when I read the book but to me, he stole the show.

 

[Infinity9999x]

this.

I want to see this movie again though. The acting alone is top notch. Seneca was great. I didn't even care for him when I read the book but to me, he stole the show.

Seneca actually was barely in the book. I don't know if they even described him talking much. I really liked the decision to show more of him and the whole process of creating the games in general.

 

[SuperBatman]

Damn guys I don't know if Batman fans will like this but their is a chance that It could top TDK Opening Weekend To Me though I like the Hunger games so it really doesn't matter to me

 

[obin_gam]

Damn guys I don't know if Batman fans will like this but their is a chance that It could take The Opening Weekend Record from TDK. To Me though I like the Hunger games so it really doesn't matter to me

I'm not to worried But if it does, then it is very well deserved I think. Going into the movie I was sceptical but came away positively surprised. I think it's a good thing that the tweens now have a franchise that is actually good for real instead of what they previously have gotten.

 

[Project862006]

just wait till next movie catching fire the fan girls are gonna go crazy over finnick

he is alot of the girls favorite character

 

[SuperBatman]

Yeah I wonder who they will cast as Finnick. Damn If Hunger Games can do this for their 1st movie of the Franchise just imagine what Catching Fire will do.

 

[Project862006]

Hunger Games Tracking a 150 million Weekend

EXCLUSIVE: My sources say this opening weekend’s North American grosses for Lionsgate’s The Hunger Games likely total a humongous $150 million after making $68.2M Friday and $50M Saturday anticipating a decent Sunday hold. That’s a record-setter: the 4th all-time biggest opening three-day weekend, behind 2008′s The Dark Knight but beating all the Twilight Saga films; and the highest non-sequel opening weekend ever; and the highest March opening weekend ever. The Twilight Saga: New Moon debuted to $142.8M in November 2009, and The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 1 opened to $138.1M in November 2011. Numbers refined later tonight.

 

[The Morningstar]

Without 3D yea?

 

[dark_b]

I knew Lawrence was a star when I saw her superb performance in Winter's Bone. I adore her and am very, very happy with her success.

this is more complex. whats interesting about Lawrence is that she is only 21 years old and very attractive and one of the best young actors. after Hunger Games she will become a big star. and with this comes a lot attention. the only reason she was in x-men was for the paycheck and for exposure. its easier in hollywood to get more roles. before x-men she didnt know that she would be in Hunger Games. if she would be then she wouldnt do x-men.
whats great with HG is that she will not only get attention because its a popular book but because she gave an amazing performance. IMO she is the best young actor right now. but this is not the reason she was picked IMO. the studio cast Lawrence because she was in a comicbook blockbuster and because she got a lot attention for Winters Bone. so she was choosen for the wrong reasons but lucky for us she was the best actor for this job.
what will be interesting is how will hollywood react to Lawrence. she is a hot girl and a good actress. and i dont mean this hehehe hohooh she knwos how to act blablabla. no. this is serious. she is a very good talented actress. in a way she is a way to good actress for being so hot. and she is to hot to being such a good actress.
what happens now? what happened to Seyfried and Lohan after Mean girls? both around 20 years old. one was always in the spotlight and BOOM. it was good for Seyfried that she didtnt get so popular at 20. its a very dengerous time in hollywood. drugs,bad friends and WAY to many egos. so lets hope for the best with Lawrence. after Hunger Games she is an insane popular 20 year old girl. lets make something very clear. after the third movie is out Lawrence doesnt have to work again.....in her whole life. she will be supermegainsane rich.

i am hoping for the best and expecting the worst.

a lot of times hate Devin Faraci. a lot of times he is hypocritical and lies that he is not. but i can not ignore reviews like this. this is why people should read reviews. a critic needs to make you think. i like this part.
http://badassdigest.com/2012/03/20/...s-the-science-fiction-movie-of-the-occupy-mo/

''For Katniss the journey is about discovering how much of herself she can give away for survival. As a hunter, she is well trained for the brutal Hunger Games. But the games are rigged, and playing to the unseen audience is as important as killing opponents on the field. There are sponsors out in the world, who will give aid to players they like, and the game masters will **** with the playing field to create drama. Katniss has to learn to play to that audience, to give them the show they want, in order to get the support she needs. The film doesn’t play this out as a big, obvious thing - Katniss never gives a speech about it - but by the end everything hinges on it. On some level this is an examination of how we all live in the modern world. How much of ourselves are we willing to compromise to get ahead, to keep going? For Jennifer Lawrence this probably rings even truer, as it’s essentially her struggle as a serious young actress. She definitely has the chops, but the Hollywood game isn’t about who’s best. ''

 

[jmc]

What a fantastic movie. It's at times depressing, upsetting, disturbing, but overall it's a thrilling movie lead by an actress that is showing acting talents far beyond her years.

What makes this film hit the mark is that it feels real, this could easily have turned out to be a corny action film but by grounding it the filmmakers have created a genuinely authentic tone despite it being a post apocalyptic setting. I can't say enough about Jennifer Lawrence, the more I watch her the more I fall in love with her, not just because she's beautiful but for her acting talent. Here Katniss is possibly the strongest female character in an action film for several years, Jennifer brings us a tough and intelligent character but also brings us a character full of heart and emotion. The whole cast is good but this is Lawrence's film and this will be the one that elevates her to the next level, mark my words she'll win an Oscar before she turns 30, that I'm convinced of.

Anyone thinking this is just for teens or specifically females are sadly mistaken and are missing out on one of the best film of the year so far. This film will make you sit back and actually think about the premise of the film you're watching and make you realize just how appalling it is that kids are having to kill each other. There's nothing glossy about this even though the death aren't nearly as violent as they should be, everything is grounded, everything feels real, and it will more than likely leave a mark on you.

Only real complain is there are a few shaky camera issues, but overall, unlike most films driven by hype, Hunger Games is totally worthy of its opening box office it's getting. This is a film I grossly underestimated after having read the books, didn't really think it was a strong enough story to translate, didn't think people would care enough about it to be successful, and I've never been happier to be wrong. A solid 9/10 from me.

 

[Mandalore464]

I thought the only good thing about that film was the elements they stole from Battle Royale.

It was completely unoriginal, clichéed and predictable. The fact that it was so clearly aimed at teenagers didn't help, but I won't hold it against the film cause well, blockbusters have to be aimed at somebody to guarantee a return on investment.

I wasn't thrilled nor entertained for a single second, and this is so far the worst movie if 2012 in my book.

1/10

And for God's sake, get a camera operator who doesn't suffer from Parkinson's disease and a proper editor next time...