FRIDAY FLICKS: The Hunger Games

For the last 9 years, when I've headed to the cinema it's to see kiddie movies.
As for attending release day of a film?  Try never.

Until The Hunger Games.

I devoured the books and couldn't wait for the movie.
The midnight session was out of the question with the little 'uns, so I grabbed my ticket for the next session at 9.30am and armed with a banana smoothie sat back to be entertained.

If you haven't read the book, here is the quick blurb:

In a not-too-distant future, North America has collapsed, weakened by drought, fire, famine, and war to be replaced by Panem, a country divided into the Capitol and 12 districts. Each year two young representatives from each district are selected by lottery to participate in The Hunger Games. Part entertainment, part brutal intimidation of the subjugated districts, the televised games are broadcast throughout Panem. The 24 participants are forced to eliminate their competitors, literally, with all citizens required to watch. When 16-year-old Katniss' young sister, Prim, is selected as the mining district's female representative, Katniss volunteers to take her place. She and her male counterpart Peeta, will be pitted against bigger, stronger representatives who have trained for this their whole lives. (written by Suzanne Collins)

Jennifer Lawrence is excellent in the lead role of Katniss Everdeen.  Gutsy, brave, yet vulnerable. Powerful performance.
Josh Hutcherson plays Peeta, her fellow tribute from District 12 (and her sort-of love interest.) Have to say, he wasn't at all what I imagined for Peeta and I wasn't convinced by the supposed 'romance' between them in the arena.
Liam Hemsworth plays Gale, a very convincing love interest we only see briefly due to the focus of the movie being on the Hunger Games. (Definitely looking forward to seeing more of him in the follow ups!)

The subject matter of the book/movie is pretty grim (teenagers pitted against each other to the death) but I felt the movie was done well in this regard: not overly graphic.

That said, the over-riding themes centre on bleakness and cruelty and power, so if you're hoping for feel-good, this movie isn't for you.

The Hunger Games are disturbing, but make for riveting viewing.

If you loved the book, I think you'll be pleased with the movie.

My rating: 8/10

Weekend Book Club: Mockingjay

My RITA judging duties are done so I've resumed normal reading.

As you know, I've already raved about HUNGER GAMES & CATCHING FIRE, the first two books in the Hunger Games trilogy.

When Mockingjay was released I grabbed it, but in an extreme show of willpower planned on saving it to read over my Christmas holidays.

Then I went away and wanted something 'lighter' as a beach read.

All the while, the book was on top of my TBR pile, calling me...beckoning me...and this week I succumbed and read it in 2 days.

It lived up to my expectations, rounding out the trilogy nicely.

Yes, it's super violent.

Yes, loads of people get killed.

Yes, it's disturbing in that kind of 'I want to look away but can't' way.

Yes, after the 3 book build up of the triangle between Peeta, Katniss and Gale, I would've liked a little more rounding out when she finally chooses.

But wow, what a page turner!

I've loved every word of this series and am sad to say goodbye to Katniss Everdeen.

What are you reading this week?

Weekend Book Club: Catching Fire

After devouring The Hunger Games last week, I sure was happy to have the sequel, CATCHING FIRE, on hand.

And yes, it was every bit as good as The Hunger Games.

Here's the blurb:

After winning the brutal Hunger Games, Katniss Everdeen returns to her district, hoping for a peaceful future. But Katniss starts to hear rumours of a deadly rebellion against the Capitol. A rebellion that she and Peeta have helped to create.

As Katniss and Peeta are forced to visit the districts on the Capitol's cruel Victory Tour, the stakes are higher than ever. Unless Katniss and Peeta can convince the world that they are still lost in their love for each other, the consequences will be horrifying...

Loved the deeper characterisation in this book, as we get to know Katniss and Peeta more.

*SPOILER ALERT*
And while I was shocked they had to enter the arena again for another round of games, I found those pages flying by till the surprising end. More please!

MOCKINGJAY, the 3rd and final book in this amazing trilogy, is released in 3 days.
Watch the stampede!

What are you reading this week?

Weekend Book Club: The Hunger Games

I'm always wary of hyped books.
You know the type, where everyone raves to the point you wonder 'Can it really be that good?'
It's why it took me so long to read the Twilight series and with The Hunger Games, I finally gave in to see what all the fuss was about.

Now I know.

Here's the blurb:

Could you survive on your own, in the wild, with everyone fighting against you?

Twenty-four are forced to enter. Only the winner survives. In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining Capitol surrounded by twelve outlying districts. Each year, the districts are forced by the Capitol to send one boy and one girl between the ages of twelve and eighteen to participate in the Hunger Games, a brutal and terrifying fight to the death - televised for all of Panem to see.



Survival is second nature for sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen, who struggles to feed her mother and younger sister by secretly hunting and gathering beyond the fences of District 12. When Katniss steps in to take the place of her sister in the Hunger Games, she knows it may be her death sentence. If she is to survive, she must weigh survival against humanity and life against love. WINNING WILL MAKE YOU FAMOUS. LOSING MEANS CERTAIN DEATH.

Everything about this book is intriguing: the world they live in, the rules, the lifestyle, the developing relationships.

As for the Hunger Games...wow, brutal!

Peeta is a hero you instantly fall in love with though I have to admit, it takes me a while to warm up to Katniss, a long while.
She truly seems to be a product of her world: cool, controlled with a hard external shell.

A real page-turner, make sure you have Catching Fire, the sequel, on hand for when you finish The Hunger Games. I sure do!
And look out for Mockingjay, the 3rd in the series, out this month.