The Hunger Games (2012)

Okay. I didn't read the book. I didn't read up about the production of the movie in the magazines etc.

This was a very conscious decision on my part.

I didn't know what to expect and boy was I pleasantly surprise...

Story adaption, pass with flying color

Production value pass with flying color

Casting pass.

The story reminds my of ancient Rome. 90% or the population lives in poverty and to appease the masses, the power that be created gladiatorial games (hunger games)!!

On some level it also reminds my of Oscar Welles 1984...

I don't want to say too much except for, go watch it. You won't regret it.

My Two Sen

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (2013)

When I found out, director Gary Ross wasn't returning for the second movie, I was a little... concern.

Having watched it on Wednesday, a little aspect of my fear did indeed materialize, and have to add, just a smidge (no, I'm not using it in the context of We're The Millers (2013) )...

But once he gets his footing, the Hunger Game universe, shines, once again!!

Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) has never been around so many people and interesting, she had never felt more alone...

Many people had criticised Jennifer Lawrence for being "plastiky" but seriously, after watching Kristen Stewart's works, Jennifer Lawrence is a natural!!

She is actually quite successful in conveying Katniss isolation.

Caesar Flickerman (Stanley Tucci) is, as usual, brilliant.

I was wondering how they could have gotten Katniss into the game again and reason was done quite logically!!

With the exception of a few, alot of the "new tributes" are not given enough "air time". For example Gloss (Alan Ritchson), like his previous character (Aquaman in Smallville) gets minimum dialogue... Can that guy even speak (apparently he can, he voices Aquaman in Justice League: The New Frontier (2008) ), Wiress, Female Morphling and etc.

New in intrigue tributes Finnick Odair (Sam Claflin), Beetee (Jeffrey Wright) & Johanna Mason (Jena Malone), are all flesh out and well played!

And the creme dela creme is the main object on the second movie is not even about

If you have watched the first movie and had enjoyed it, RUN don't walk, RUN TO YOUR CLOSEST CINEMA AND WATCH IT!!

My Two Sen.

The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 1 (2014)

Timing, it is all about the timing...

Am currently in a funk and went to watch this movie.

Not the best decision I had made...

This movie is... bleak.

Katniss the badass in the previous movies is Katniss I feel so sorry for my self...

Really really hard to watch.

Where most of the movies were action oriented, this is more drama.

Don't get me wrong it is good to get all the great background information for this world, and have to add, I had chosen to watch this movie at a bad time...

Am looking forward to the last episode.

The best I can describe this is Harry Potter and the Deadly Hallows Part 1.

Same Vibe

My Two Sen

The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 2 (2015)

Deja Vu

Why Deja Vu???

This is Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 (2011) ALL OVER AGAIN!!

Okay

Okay, I am getting ahead of myself again...

Just putting it out there, if you are adapting a book, YOU REALLY DO NOT NEED TO MAKE THE LAST BOOK A DOUBLE WHAMMY SO YOU CAN SQUEEZE MORE MONEY OUT OF YOUR VIEWERS.

ONLY DO IT IF THE MATERIAL REQUIRES IT!!!

Seriously people...

Instead of a long drawn out part one and two, this could have easily been a one... well movie!!

Having said that, is this movie worth watching??

An a word, yes!

A few observations

The ending is quite heart wrenching, for me anyway

I just wish they did not dragged it out into two movies.

This is much MUCH better compared with... Twillight... *Shivers*

My Two Sen

The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes (2023)

2023 is a pretty weird year.

We had all kinds of expectations in movies and alot really did not pen out

There are few Gems, even when the gems are... unexpected.

I did not think I would like a movie call Barbie.

Even the ticket Ursher at the cinema made sure I knew I was going into a movie called Barbie.

And Enjoy that I did.

Right down to the power ballad, I'm Just Ken....

I did not think I would like a movie about, I have become death

A better example of a Docu-drama, you will not find.

Again, I enjoyed it.

Apart from another I did not see it coming original called, Tne Creator, which I also enjoyed, I did not think I would like anymore movies for 2023...

This movie came along. A prequel to Hunger Games.

I didn't think I will go watch it. I did and interestingly, I enjoyed it alot!

Tom Blyth is a great Coriolanus Snow. This drive. His motivation. His need to... thrive.

Rachel Zegler plays a good mysterious Lucy Gray Baird.

Then you have Viola Davis that playes the sadistic Dr. Volumnia Gauland Peter Dinklage playing a reluctant villian Dean Casca Highbottom.

This movie got alot of things right.

I just feel the last twist could have been done better...

If you love the first two Hinger Games, chances are you will love this too.

My Two Sen