Suzanne Collins’ popular novel, The Hunger Games hit the big screen with a bang. With Jennifer Lawrence in the lead role as Katniss Everdeen, The Hunger Games pulled in the big bucks…more than $155 million on its opening weekend. The Hunger Games has received great reviews from fans of the books and newcomers. I hope Hollywood is listening.(They always listen to box office dollars.) Movies about women can make money without the ridiculous love stories  and mean girl movies they keep forcing on us!

For those of you who have not read The Hunger Games or have not seen the movie, this post contains TONS of spoilers. I can’t help myself, I have to tell it all.

District 12

The Hunger Games takes place in the not to distant future,  a postapocalyptic world, in  called Panem. Ruled by a central totalitarian government, known as The Capitol, each year the residents of each district must send two teenage tributes to participate in a violent battle to the death – The Hunger Games.

Located in the Appalachian Mountains, District 12 specializes in coal mining. District 12 is the most impoverished district and Katniss’ family lives in the even poorer area called  ”The Seam“.

Each district produces its products in service to The Capitol, which holds them in its power. The movie does an excellent  job of showing District 12′s poverty and the real hunger of its residents.

Katniss

Katniss’ father died in a coal mining accident when she was 11 years old, leaving her mother in a deep depression. Even though hunting and entering the woods is forbidden by The Capitol, Katniss regularly sneaks into the woods and uses her skills with a bow and arrow to put food on her family’s table. This helps you to understand the character of Katniss. This 16-year-old girl has to take on adult responsibilities. She doesn’t have time or money for romance or frivolities, like pretty clothes, make-up or fancy hairstyles.

One of the reasons I enjoyed the novels and this movie adaptation, is the character of Katniss, a 16-year old girl who ‘handles her business‘.  She has the attention of 2 handsome young men, but  Katniss is more concerned about the welfare of her baby sister, Prim. Unlike other books and movies in this genre, the story centers on her strength, resourcefulness and her intelligence, not her search for love. This is my idea of a real Chick Flick!

In the book, we are inside Katniss’ head, so you knew her  thoughts and insecurities. Suzanne Collins wrote  books for  a young adult audience, but women of all ages can identify with a female character who must rise up to meet her circumstances with courage and inner strength.

I have to admit, I thought Jennifer Lawrence was not right for the role. But she did a fantastic job of conveying Katniss’ conflicting emotions and her strengths. With her blond hair dyed black, Lawrence managed to convince me that she was Katniss Everdeen. So, there I said it…I was wrong.

Gale and Peeta: This is Not a Love Story

Handsome Liam Hemsworth (Chris’ brother) plays Katniss’ hunting buddy Gale. Their friendship is not explored in-depth in the movie, but Gale will take on a much larger role in the upcoming sequels, Catching Fire and Mockingjay.

Former child actor, Josh Hutcherson plays the baker’s son, Peeta the other Tribute from District 12. One of the key story lines is Peeta’s unrequited love for Katniss. In a series of flashbacks, the movie reveals the time when Peeta gave Katniss a loaf of burnt bread. It doesn’t seem like much, but  people in ‘The Seam‘ don’t get bread of any kind (burnt or not).Romance is a minor player in the story. There end the comparisons to Twilight…ugh!

The Capitol

The extreme poverty of District 12 is in sharp contrast to the extravagance of The Capitol. When Katniss walks  into the train that would take her to The Games, it was like Dorothy walking from black and white Kansas to the Technicolor Land of OZ.

Effie Trinket , played by Elizabeth Banks personifies the outlandish, colorful and gaudy Capitol fashion. Pink hair, a face plastered in garish make-up and a dazzling array of outlandish outfits.

The harsh circumstances of the Districts doesn’t concern The Capitol because they have every luxury. Their children are not entered into The Games, in fact The Hunger Games are the biggest entertainment event of the year, like the Superbowl or the Olympics, except people brutally kill each other.

The Ridiculous Nature of Realty TV

The Hunger Games is the ultimate reality TV show, broadcasted into every home in Panem. It is shown in the town square, it is even projected into the sky so that no one misses a minute of the show. When you see the grandiosity, pomp and attention that is focused on the production of The Games, you could easily lose track of the fact that 23 young people will soon die. Katniss and the other Tributes are primped and pampered and put on display to the delight of The Capitol’s residents. This is a society of people who are so jaded that only violence and death can entertain them.

Reading the book, I was confused about the role of  Seneca Crane and the Gamemakers. After seeing Wes Brently’s divinely bearded, Seneca Crane as the master Gamemaker,  a TV show producer/director, it made more sense. With technology, he moves the tributes around like pieces on a chess board. When there is not enough action, he manipulates the ‘game‘ to produce more drama, throwing a tribute into death’s path. Fake drama…sounds like The Real Housewives of Panem.

Perfect Casting

When you read a book, you imagine the characters based on the author’s description. When you find out the book will become a movie, you imagine which actors and actress should play each role.  The casting director nailed this movie on the head!

Woody Harrelson was perfect as the drunken, disillusioned Haymitch, with long, scraggly hair and gruff demeanor.

I had actually  pictured the stylist, Cinna not nearly as masculine as  Lenny Kravitz, but he looks good in gold eyeliner. Donald Sutherland’s white hair and bulging blue eyes gave him just the right amount malevolence to play the sinister President Snow.

Stanley Tucci plays the blue-haired TV announcer, Caesar Flickerman. As usual, Tucci is wonderful in the role of the constantly grinning MC. Director, Gary Ross cleverly used Flickerman to explain elements of the story that might be missed you if you haven’t read the book, like the muttations.

If you read The Hunger Games, what did you think of the casting?

Follow the Rules or Do What’s Right

That is the choice Katniss is faced with. The Capitol forbids hunting in the woods, but her family would have starved if she followed that rule. It is also those very hunting skills that saves her life in The Hunger Games. Instead of killing her fellow tributes, Katniss actually protected Rue. And when Rue is killed, Katniss not only mourns her death, she honors her by adorning Rue’s body with flowers. It is because of this act of civil disobedience that Thrush, District 11′s male tribute spares her life.

When Katniss gives District 12′s  3-finger salute (meaning admiration, thanks and good-bye to a loved one) after Rue’s death, it becomes a symbol of defiance in the Districts and it will become much more significant in the upcoming sequels.

These and other things are what have made The Hunger Games books and movie so popular. Young girls want to see themselves as the hero of their own stories and they want to feel that they don’t need a boyfriend to help them to survive.

Ok. It’s your turn. What did you think of The Hunger Games movie? Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss? What was left out of the movie  and how does it compare to the book?

This is not a Chick Flick, but I think you will enjoy this Oscar nominated movie. This the review I wrote for The LAMB (Large Association of Movie Bloggers).  See the full review at: Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close. 

Based on the novel by Jonathan Safran Foer, and with a screenplay by Eric Roth (The Insider, Forrest Gump) Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close  is filled with wonderful, touching and understated performances. Max von Sydow gives a quiet performance as ‘The Renter,’ which earned him an Oscar nomination for best supporting actor. We are also treated to a lovely cameo from Oscar nominee Viola Davis as one of the people Oskar meets on his expedition. John Goodman as the Doorman, Zoe Caldwell as the Grandmother and Jeffrey Wright as Mr. Black each give life to their characters for their few on-screen moments.

Newcomer, Thomas Horn is convincing as Oskar Schell,  a 9 year boy who is much smarter and more sensitive than most boys his age. Oskar thinks and feels deeply the worlds’ pain and it frightens him. He is a boy who sees a world around him that is not safe and doesn’t make sense. Fortunately for young Oskar, he has two loving parents (played by Tom Hanks and Sandra Bullock) who feed his intelligent mind and calm his anxieties. Oskar’s father, Thomas particularly helps his son by sending the boy out into the world on a series of “expeditions”.

Even though he is afraid to play on the swings in Central Park (he thinks they are not safe), Oskar is encouraged by his father to explore the park for clues to find New York City’s ‘lost 6th borough‘. With the help of his father, his grandmother and some homemade business cards, Oskar goes out into the wilds of Central Park searching for clues to find the mysterious lost borough.

The Worst Day

Director, Stephen Daltry (Billy Elliot, The Hours, The Reader) starts this heart warming and thoughtful movie with scenes from “the worst day”, September 11th. In flashbacks, Daltry shows us the tender moments and close relationship between father and son. Already a shy and frightened boy, Oskar shrinks further into his shell after the death of his father on September 11th.

One year later, Oscar goes into his Thomas’ closet hoping to find a way to be close to his father for just a few more moments. While going through his father’s things, he accidentally breaks a blue vase and finds a small brown envelope that holds a key.

Looking For Clues

A key to what? That is the question that burns in Oskar’s mind. Thinking the key must be a clue left by his dead father, the boy sets out on his greatest expedition ever. To find the lock that the key opens and more importantly, to find out why his father left it for him….

See the full review at: Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close

David Fincher’s English version of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, based on the Stieg Larsen thriller takes a walk on the dark side. Fans of the trilogy about the heavily tattooed computer hacker, Lisbeth Salander waited anxiously to see how Fincher (Fight Club, The Social Network) would handle the movie and how young Rooney Mara would replace Noomi Rapace in the title role.

I am not sure if I can fairly compare the two movies or the two actresses, even though the movies are based on the same book, they are quite different. David Fincher’s Girl With The Dragon Tattoo is much darker and grittier than the Swedish movie.

One of the things I liked about the way Fincher made this movie, is that he didn’t Americanize the story.  Filmed in Uppsala and Stockholm, Sweden, the movie is distinctly Swedish with accents and everything.

Lisbeth Salander

Rooney Mara and Noomi Rapace as Lisbeth Salander

Rooney Mara’s Lisbeth Salander was different from Noomi Rapace’s portrayal of the character. While Rooney’s Lisbeth seemed more like a wounded bird who was mad at the whole world, Noomi’s Lisbeth was just plain angry and hated everyone. You could see the pain in Rooney’s eyes, masked by the dark hair, black eyeliner and piercings. This is a girl who has suffered, but has survived by not letting her emotions get in the way.

During one particularing brutal scene [which made me cry, even though I knew it was coming]. Director David Fincher didn’t pull the camera away from the terror and pain during this scene, which made it all the more brutal. Perhaps that was a good choice, but I could have gone without seeing it.

Mikael Blomkvist

I am not usually a fan a Daniel Craig, but he was perfect for the role of the disgraced journalist.  Unlike his role in the Bond films, as Mikael, Craig was out of his element when he discovers that the disappearance of a young girl is tied to a serial killer.

In the 2009 Swedish movie, the role was played by Michael Nyqvist, seen recently in Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol.

Movie vs. Book vs. Movie

Daniel Craig as Mikael Blomkvist and Rooney Mara as Lisbeth Salander

Mikael Blomlvist has recently lost a libel suit. Disgraced and facing severe financial losses he takes a job with Henrik  Vanger in icy, northern Sweden. Vanger, a wealthy, aging businessman hires Mikael to allegedly write his memoirs, but the truth is he wants him to investigate the disappearance of his niece in 1964. Christopher Plummer plays the older Henrik and Julian Sands plays the younger Henrik in the 1964 flashbacks.

Soon, Mikael realizes he is over his head and needs an assistant to help with the research and he eventually contacts the mysterious girl with the dragon tattoo, Lisbeth Salander. Together, they unravel a decades long trail of murder and torture.

There are very few changes to the movie from the book. However, the change that was made is pretty major. Truthfully, it doesn’t ruin the movie, even if you have read all 3 novels. It just shortens the story a bit. I was not disappointed.

The movie includes scenes which lead into the next story, The Girl Who Played With Fire, hopefully that means they plan to film the remaining 2 movies of the trilogy.

Fans of the 2009 Swedish movie with Noomi Rapace and Michael Nyqvist can pick this movie apart, but I took them as totally different films using the same source material. What do you think?

So, what do you think of this version of The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo? Did you read the novels?

Once in a lifetime the stars align in such a perfect confluence of circumstances that it makes the angels me weep. That’s right baby! Hugh Jackman is Back on Broadway! Oh yeah! The Wolverine is singing and dancing across the stage of the Broadhurst Theater in New York City, from mid-October to January 1st.

In a Perfect World

In a perfect, fair and just world, I would actually be writing this post (on my 27″ iMac) from my luxury, gorgeously decorated penthouse apartment in New York, with a pair of front row tickets for Saturday performance sitting snuggly in my pocket. And I would be thin. But the @#$% Recession is conspiring to keep Hugh and I apart.

I tried talking to several of my closest friends, asking begging them to give me $3000 to go to New York to see Hugh Jackman only to be laughed at and told a few other unkind adjectives. I explained with everything short of an Excel spreadsheet why I need that much money.

Round trip ticket from Dallas to NYC- $800…. hotel room close to the Broadhurst Theater, so I can watch Hugh walk to work – $800….meals, new outfit and taxis – $300….front row ticket for Hugh Jackman Back on Broadway – $350….the rest is either for bribing stage hands, medical attention or bail.

I don’t want you to think I am obsessed with Hugh Jackman or anything. I just happen to be extremely attracted to multi-talented Australian men with buffed up arms and Adamantium claws, who can also host the Oscars and the Tony Awards….just sayin’.

Reel Steel

In lieu of the tuxedo-clad Hugh, I went to see Real Steel, a futuristic boxing movie with Hugh as deadbeat dad, Charlie Kenton. Apparently in the next 10-15 years, life-size Rock Em, Sock Em Robot boxing will be the top sport, putting real boxers like Charlie out of work. After an illustrious career as a human boxer, Charlie is now a down on his luck robot boxing promoter. His on again-off again girlfriend, Bailey is played by Evangeline Lilly (Lost). They make a nice couple, but as I said he is a down on his luck, deadbeat dad [with incredible buffed up arms].

When a former girlfriend/baby mama dies, Charlie finds himself suddenly saddled with his 10-year old son, Max. I don’t mind telling you that I felt slightly mislead by the movie trailers. Real Steel is more about the little boy and his trying to establish a relationship with his long absent father. Real Steel is definitely not a chick flick [unless you count the 60 seconds that Hugh was shirtless.] I think it is more suitable for a father and son movie night or a PG-13 date option.

Sadly, although Real Steel was entertaining, it is a poor substitute for the real Hugh Jackman singing Broadway show tunes, live and in person.

This has been a very good year for Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling. With the much release of The Help, a starring role in The Amazing Spiderman with Andrew Garfield and the recent release of Crazy, Stupid, Love, Emma Stone’s career is on fire. Ryan Gosling, too has had his share of hits this year, starring in Drive and The Idles of March with George Clooney.

Since the  summer  was a  light on the chick flicks,  I was anxious to see Crazy, Stupid, Love. But is Crazy, Stupid, Love really a chick flick? It is a love story, but it’s Steve Carrell’s love story, which puts it into the same category as (500) Days of Summer and even Super 8. I am not sure what to call them…I will have to think of a clever name. Do you have any suggestions?

Crazy, Stupid, Love stars Steve Carrell as Cal, a happily married man who doesn’t realize that his wife, Emily  played by Julianne Moore is not as happily married as he is. After learning that Emily has had an affair and wants a divorce, Cal finds himself at a trendy bar, where he meets Jacob (Ryan Gosling), a charming lady’s man who goes home with a different lady every night.

Night after night Cal sits at the bar, drinking, feeling sorry for himself and telling the sad sorry of Emily’s infidelity to anyone who will listen. Eventually, Jacob takes pity on Cal and takes him under his wing, as a sort of apprentice wingman. He helps Cal with his wardrobe, conversation skills and just like Mr. Miyagi, Cal not only regains his confidence, but also learns how to pick up women.

On The Other Side of Town

Emma Stone is Hannah, a law student with a boring, PG-rated love life. Her friend, Liz (Liza Lapira) constantly encourages her to break out of her shell and live a little. The problem is, Hannah is basically just a good girl. One night, after a disappointing evening with her bland boyfriend and too much to drink, Hannah decides to throw caution to the wind and have a one night stand with Jacob, ‘the cute guy at the bar”.

Just how that one night stand turns out leads to some  crazy, stupid consequences. After watching Crazy, Stupid Love, I left the theater with a nice warm feeling, which doesn’t happen often.  I hope am not spoiling the movie by saying that there is a happy ending. An ending that gives you a little faith in the power of love.  And who couldn’t use a little of that power in their lives. I know I could.

Crazy, Stupid, Love  comes out on DVD Tuesday, November 1, 2011. Check it out and let me know what you think.

Also on DVD– November 1, 2011 

Water for Elephants

Snow Flower and the Secret Fan

The is a Guest Post by Andi Fisher

I love romance, I am a romantic at heart. But I don’t believe love is perfect. It is tough and messy and when it comes to books and films I love messy and complicated. I love The Notebook (although not messy enough for me); Beyond Borders; The Thornbirds, Bridges of Madison County, Same Time Next Year, etc. There is something about love conquering all, even if it takes decades that gets me every single time.

One Day  has it in spades. The basic plot is a story takes place during a single day each year for two decades in the lives of Dex and Em, two people who met in college and cannot seem to get the other out of their lives or minds. They dance around each other for years, circling close at times, very distant at others. There is the drama of the “almosts” the “not quites” and the “just nearlies” that keeps me interested. It is bittersweet filled with romance and regret and frustrating moments when you want to bang their heads together, but that is real love.

The Book vs The Movie

I read the book in 10 hours on two 5-hour flight to and from Boston. I drank it in voraciously and I knew I would not miss the movie. While I enjoyed Love and Other Drugs, I had not really seen a movie that could go toe-to-toe with The Notebook and I wanted this one to try. Unfortunately, I can’t say I love it. This might be another book that should stay a book.

I think the problem is that the book has a lot of detail that was not covered in the book and a lot was left out at every jump (July 15th to July 15th from year to year). Amazingly, with all the jumps the film felt slow and a bit boring. You don’t become emotionally invested in the characters and so you can’t feel what they feel.

Anne Hathaway did a brilliant job but I felt the rest of the cast wasn’t strong enough to support her. When I try to visualize who I would re-cast I can’t stop seeing Jude Law as Dexter. And Kevin James as Ian.

This was a first novel for David Nicholls (Starter for 10), he has written a lot for television and might have needed some guidance for converting his book into a screenplay.

My suggestion is to read One Day  and rent the movie when it comes out on DVD, streaming or blu-ray!

To encourage you to the read the book(it really is good!) Clara and I are going to give a copy  of  One Day  away, you can read and decide for yourself! To enter, just leave a comment telling us (Clara and I) your favorite love story and why. You have until September 9, at midnight PST to leave your comment. We will use Random.org to select a winner.  

Guest post by Andi Fisher.  Andi blogs at Misadventures with Andi covering all things travel related with a large sprinkling of food, France and French culture. She is a huge movie buff and a voracious bookworm.

This is a guest post by Nadia Jones who blogs at Online College about education, college, student, teacher, money-saving, movie related topics. You can reach her at nadia.jones5 @ gmail.com.

Before getting into the movie, I’d like to give a little introduction to the co-writer and leading role, Kristen Wiig. For  the past five years, she (along with Bill Hader) was one of the few reasons I (and many others) watched Saturday Night Live at all. She often played quirky and energetic characters, and her humor usually blended bizarre, off-color ideas or characters with an awkward tint of realism, which results in hypnotically hilarious sketches like this one.

Not A Chick Flick Version Of The Hangover

At its core, Bridesmaids is an extension of Wiig’s excellent sense of sketch comedy and improvisation. Co-written with Wiig’s friend and fellow improvisational comedian Annie Mumolo, the script is packed full of jokes and gags in every scene, often progressing through goldmines of extended out-take, improve material. Bridesmaids also demonstrates astonishing flexibility toward a variety of styles of humor, from a non-stop stream of casual one-liners to the most epic poop and puke scene ever performed by an all-female cast, pushed into the film by producer Judd Apatow.

That being said, there are two types of audiences who will be disappointed by this movie: those who were expecting The Hangover, but with chicks and those who wanted their typical chick flick. Bridesmaids does have elements of both, but is not decidedly one way or the other (sorry Hangover fans, only one poop joke and no full-frontal male nudity). Also, those wanting the female power-posse dynamic (a la Sex and the City) might be slightly put off that the film mostly centers on Maid of Honor Annie, played by Wiig and her bride and best friend Lillian (Maya Rudolph) although there definitely are enough bridesmaid moments to warrant the title.

For those seeking an intelligent, clever, and hilarious flick that portrays women as the diverse and interesting people they truly are, this is a must see. Unlike the slew of boring or plastic female characters that are sold in every other chick flick, Bridesmaids delivers unique and different personalities that still manage to retain a relatable, every woman feel.

Bridesmaids Challenges Sexual Norms

For anyone claiming that this is simply an Apatow bro-fest masked by a female cast, I say you have a narrow definition of what being a woman is. Women can be just as raunchy, vulgar, and pathetic as men, and this film, in a way, sets out to prove that idea. Besides, just by looking at the first scene alone (an extremely awkward and funny sex montage between Annie and her “f***buddy,” as he puts it), it is abundantly clear that this movie is written from a woman’s perspective. Bridesmaids pokes fun at both genders, but I think it’s much better at poking fun at men.

Bridesmaids challenges sexual norms even further by disregarding the typical formula and focus of the chick flick genre. Sure, Annie has a love interest in the movie and the plot pivots on her best friend’s wedding, but her primary motives and actions are driven completely by her friendship with Lillian, which the film really does get right. The other chick flick elements are there for sure, but female relationships seem to have much more importance throughout the movie.

Regardless of what this movie really means or represents under a meticulous feminist scope, it delivers the classic, tilt-and-scratch-your-head-before-bursting-into-laughter humor of Kristen Wiig that so many of her fans have come to know and love. A must see for any fan of quirky, clever sketch comedy.

What did you think of Bridesmaids?

One of the reasons I started a blog about chick flicks is because I love romantic movies. Sad love stories, funny love stories, it doesn’t matter as long as the stories are good and real. There is something incredibly wonderful about the basic human story of boy meets girl that I enjoy. Will they fall in love? Will they stay together or break up? Will they live happily ever after?  It’s the possibilities that make me want to watch the movie. The important thing for me is a good story with real characters, people who make me want to know them and care about them.

Chris Grissom and Matt Brown, two young filmmakers from Dallas, TX made a love story like that. Between Notes is the story of  David and Annie, two musicians who meet in the park and start a friendship and start to  fall in love with each other. With the addition of some lovely songs from Austin musician, David Ramirez, Between Notes is a not really a musical, but music definitely plays a part in the story.

On my way to see Potiche at the Angelika Film Center for the Dallas International Film Festival, I met a couple of guys who invited me to see the movie they made. The movie was Between Notes. I am glad they convinced me to stay late for the premiere of their movie. It was one of my favorite films of the entire festival.

Made in and around Dallas in two weeks, with a budget of $10,000, Between Notes “ is a classic love story with a not so classic ending.  It  makes  people ask questions, and it features some of the best music you will  find in any  film.”  Like Once and (500) Days of Summer, Between Notes is a love story from the guy’s point of view, where music plays an important part in the story. And like those movies, you will want to buy the Between Notes soundtrack. David Ramirez wrote and sang many of the songs, with Summer Ames as the voice of Annie.

A Love Story Set to Music

David Ramirez plays David, an aspiring singer who gave up his own dreams of pursuing a musical career for his girlfriend.  He leaves his music behind, takes a job in corporate America to please her, but she pursues her dreams and leaves him broken-hearted in Dallas to further her career in New York City.

Brandi Price plays Annie, a girl with a similar story. Recently, back in Dallas after living for a while in Chicago, Annie too has had a bad experience with love. The two recently wounded people meet one day in a local park  and soon a friendship starts. But Annie wants to keep the friendship casual, so they leave notes in on the park bench for each other. The park becomes their special place. Things get complicated when she unknowingly moves into the lofts as David.  Shelby Cook is delightful as David’s roommate, Will and Britney Joyner plays Jen, Annie’s roommate.

As a Dallas resident, it was cool to recognize some of the locations in the Dallas neighborhood of Deep Ellum, where they lived and sang their beautiful songs. It made the movie feel familiar and real to me. As though I might run into the movie’s characters at Starbucks or West Village. However, I have no idea in which park the stone bench is located.

Will they fall in love? Will they stay together or break up? Will they live happily ever after?

Between Notes Teaser Trailer from BFM Creative on Vimeo.

Those are the questions you will ask in this movie. Love, finding ‘the one‘, someone to love is something we all long for.  But what if this is the right person comes along at the wrong time? The questions and the answers are what make the love story interesting and they are found between notes.

Between Notes has not been released in theaters yet. For more information about the movie, visit the Between Notes Facebook Page and follow them on Twitter.