Showing posts with label The Hunger Games. Show all posts
Showing posts with label The Hunger Games. Show all posts
Sunday, February 17, 2013
I started my own reading crusade last year after deciding it was time to really get back into it, particularly when the Winter Reading Program at Dubbo's library came up.
I ended up reading a total of five (and a half) books over 2012 that didn't include my magazines or the newspapers every day.
They were:
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| Ned & Katina by Patricia Grace, seen here at Rotorua Museum |
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| The Hunger Games trilogy by Suzanne Collins |
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| Night by Elie Wiesel |
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| Life of Pi by Yann Martel |
***
People who have behaved toward you in any way that you find disagreeable truly don't know what they've done to you because they're living out of their separateness.
Why?
Wednesday, August 01, 2012
I finished the reading program! Freebies!
I mentioned my excitement about a month ago and I managed (more than) the 10 hours I set for myself to do. I could never have read 10 books though! My material mainly consisted of The Hunger Games trilogy, which I've now completed.
And how awesome are those books?
Aaaahhhhh I still can't believe I'm done, but I think I was satisfied with the ending. I was never too attached to either team, and I think Suzanne Collins wrote it really well. A bit Harry Potter with the epilogue though.
Friday, May 04, 2012
Oh I had to do it... Happy Star Wars Day everyone!
I can't say I'm marking the day with anything this year besides the acknowledgement. The closest I'll be to intergalactic war is reading about Prometheus in my just-arrived new issue of Empire.
But I love that there's a Star Wars Day. I was brought up on the original trilogy as a kid and then eagerly awaited the release of the prequels. Actually, the first issue of Empire I ever bought had Darth Vader's mask on the cover and a massive feature on Episode III. In a way buying that issue kickstarted my real interest in film.
I had a recent Star Wars related moment in Melbourne on the tail-end of my recent holidays. With two friends, we find ourselves in a sock shop with crazy tights and the like, perusing before I spot a small book propped up on the counter displaying their Man of the Day.
Then I was told I could pick it for that day.
It was hard. All the gorgeousness of yesteryear in one book. Rob Lowe. Tom Selleck. Kiefer Sutherland... but with some guidance I finally decided on one Mr Han Solo.
The choice was loved by the staff and I walked away gladly knowing there is love there for Han. Look at his face. Charmer.
***
To other news:
- I read The Hunger Games (book one) over the last week as almost the last of my half of the newsroom, and I'm SO excited about reading the other two now. I did things the wrong way round and saw the film first but reading the book I was still sad even though I knew what was coming. And the romance - wow. Knew all about that too but now I like Peeta a LOT more. I love that I'm getting excited about reading for pleasure again proper now!
- Because it's Friday night I have to present my Shoe of the Week. And this week it's also time for Shoe of the Month.
For this week there is two. The first because they would actually look great on a flamenco dancer which I respect, and the second because they would make for interesting bridal shoes. Thoughts anyone?
Shoe of the Month is...
This was a previous Shoe of the Week... looking back, April was a bit of a failure. I still think these could be made to look good.
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*I have two photos entered in the current Qatar Reflections competition. Please show your support for me by voting for either photo! Short backstory and links here.
Thursday, March 22, 2012
For anyone who noticed I've had a bit of a hiatus, I'm back! A holiday come and gone and now back to reality. You will read a bit about that in due course, but I thought I would give you guys an earlier look at my review of the week. While you normally have to wait until Saturday night, because of the big hype surrounding The Hunger Games I thought I'd be nice.
The Hunger Games (M)
Living in a post-apocalyptic world is something this planet
does not know. It’s often portrayed through the likes of novels and films, but
never truly understood. So in the year that some believe the world as we know
it might end, the idea of post-apocalyptic and unaffected communities
essentially living side by side is intriguing in its own right.
It’s not the first time this idea has been presented, nor bringing
teens into it as the heroes. But when the kids have to kill each other to
survive primarily for viewing pleasure, the idea becomes a little more
sickening. And so creates the Hunger Games, played for 74 years by 12 districts
that rebelled in war as a reminder that sacrifice is the ultimate reparation.
Katniss (Jennifer Lawrence) lives on the outskirts of
newly-formed Panem in North America in district 12. She becomes their first
volunteer after swapping places with unluckily selected sister Primrose (Willow
Shields), and leaves the special Gale (Liam Hemsworth) behind to fight for her
life with Peeta (Josh Hutcherson) against 22 others from the 11 districts.
With training and guidance from Haymitch (Woody Harrelson)
and Cinna (Lenny Kravitz), Katniss is a strong contender going into the games.
But as soon as they’re all on the field everything she thought she knew is
sorely tested.
Clearly, no-one is thinking of the children.
Suzanne Collins’ beginning to this trilogy is not for the
faint-hearted. The adaptation of her first novel moves quickly once it’s every
boy or girl for themselves, but a lot of the potential gore, or horror in
general, is left out in focusing on a friendlier rating to catch a younger
audience.
Watching Katniss’ strategies is entertaining as Lawrence is
extraordinary as she learns to comprehend her thoughts. But as she and Peeta
continue to survive they seem to become more obvious; changing circumstances
alter her position.
There are great performances from Harrelson, Stanley Tucci
as television host Caesar Flickerman and Donald Sutherland as the Capitol’s
unlikable president. Third-time director Gary Ross has a lot of big names to
handle but still very much brings the focus to the underdogs in their fight for
district glory. Oh and life.
Cato (Alexander Ludwig) of district 2 appears menacing at
first but isn’t allowed time to develop as any sort of real Hunger Games
villain. That title is given to both Snow and show manager Seneca Crane (Wes
Bentley, sporting a most devilishly wicked beard). But while they call the
shots on the conditions of the game, that also comes across as slightly unsatisfying.
That could be because the entire notion of the plot is a bit inhumane.
Immaturity may get the better of some younger viewers, but
the film really does its best to include a bit of everything. There are laughs
here and there, a scare or two and an opportunity for tears. It’s another
instance of whether die-hard fans of the novel trilogy will accept it as
faithful, but regardless it’s definitely an entertaining watch that will leave
viewers anticipating film number two.
Rating: 3.5
*To be published in the Daily Liberal (Dubbo), Western Advocate (Bathurst), Parkes Champion Post and Midstate Observer (Orange) from Saturday 24/3/2012
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