So, "The Hunger Games" movie drops in March.

[Wolfy]

The Hunger Games Official Trailer 2012 HD


It doesn't look SO bad...

I can't be the only one who read and enjoyed the books on elliquiy, though, can I?

[Callie Del Noire]

I liked them..the trailer seems to do a good job about the book but we shall see.

[undisclosedtoyou]

I've just finished reading Catching Fire, and starting Mockingjay, and I can definitely say that I like them so far.  I started reading them because the trailer for the movie looks pretty good, and now that I've actually read the first one, I agree with Callie's statement; from what we can see with the trailer, it looks like a pretty good interpretation of the books.

[Alysanthia]

I love them, practically devoured each book in three hours (each book not the entire series xD)! I have my cousins reading them, I turned my beau onto the series, and he turned his friends onto the series. It is like I'm pimping out the books to anyone who will listen.

I've seen the trailers and gotta say I'm ecstatic to see the movie. It looks like they kept true to the books save for a few minor things that can be looked over, and I love reading all the actors interviews about playing the characters. The cast they picked is great, and I love how they made the elaborate Capital outfits. I even liked the Taylor Swift song for the movie and I have never liked any of her songs before!

If anyone is curious they have also set up an 'official' Tumblr and a Capital website that when you sign up, you are sorted into a District.

I got District 3.

[undisclosedtoyou]

I love them, practically devoured each book in three hours (each book not the entire series xD)! I have my cousins reading them, I turned my beau onto the series, and he turned his friends onto the series. It is like I'm pimping out the books to anyone who will listen.

I've seen the trailers and gotta say I'm ecstatic to see the movie. It looks like they kept true to the books save for a few minor things that can be looked over, and I love reading all the actors interviews about playing the characters. The cast they picked is great, and I love how they made the elaborate Capital outfits. I even liked the Taylor Swift song for the movie and I have never liked any of her songs before!

If anyone is curious they have also set up an 'official' Tumblr and a Capital website that when you sign up, you are sorted into a District.

I got District 3.

Do you have the link to the capital website?

[Alysanthia]

Do you have the link to the capital website?

Yep yep! n_n

The Capital website

Tumblr page

Also the official website for the books has two trivia games up to see if you can handle the Hunger Games as a tribute.

[Callie Del Noire]

I got district 12. :D

[undisclosedtoyou]

I got District 7, as Lead climber!  Woot woot.

[Alysanthia]

I love the little cards they assign once you are all registered, I have mine plastered everywhere I think... >_>

[undisclosedtoyou]

I love the little cards they assign once you are all registered, I have mine plastered everywhere I think... >_>

Hahaha, I liked it to, although I didn't keep it.  What I really want, is to find a blank card I can alter, since I'm in the planning stage of creating a game in the setting.

[Alysanthia]

Hahaha, I liked it to, although I didn't keep it.  What I really want, is to find a blank card I can alter, since I'm in the planning stage of creating a game in the setting.

Sign me up as interested when get it started! I had thought about making one after reading Mockingjay but didn't really know which direction to go with it.

Map of Panem

A teacher made a map of Panem with their students after reading all the books, according to it I would actually be in District 10 where they produce all the meat. Though I don't think I could kill anything I raised...

[undisclosedtoyou]

Shoot, you know I'd love to have you in any of my games  :-*

And that map rocks!  I'd be in District three.  But since I generally kill anything electronic that comes near me...fun :P

[Wolfy]

Well, the reason why the first movie seems to be so faithful is because the author actually wrote the script for it. (She had some help, but she did most of it)

Now, the second movie will have a different writer, so we'll have to see about that.

Plus, I'm wondering, considering that the movie is rated PG-13 and not R, how the hell are the going to handle a lot of teen deaths? @_@

I mean, the books were pretty..well, graphic about it.

[undisclosedtoyou]

The question about rating is a good one.  While depictions of death itself isn't enough to bump the rating to R, how the kids die would, in my opinion.  I hope they didn't skimp on the action to manipulate the movie into a PG-13 rating.

[Alysanthia]

The Hunger Games is catagorized as young adult in any library, bookstore, and etc. So a PG-13 rating does make sense, seeing how a majority of the viewers will be teenagers and some adults. Though since the movie's announcement I wanna say more adults picked up the books out of curiosity.

I'm curious on how they will depict the violence too, because lets face it, once a certain scene happens everyone is going to be crying like a baby.


I am looking forward to how they show all the amazing technology Collins wrote about in the book. From the platforms to bring the tributes to the game grounds and not to mention the 'fire's cape. I expect lots of cheering and awe once they are on fire.

Oh! And the insane Capitol fashion I love the tumblr page that gives sneek peeks of the costumes. I am obsessed with makeup and things like that. Mainly because poor special effect makeup can ruin a movie.

[Wolfy]

I know what scene your talking about, and considering that Collins herself did the script for the first movie, that scene is going to be in there in some way.

I just hope they don't skimp on the tragedy, cause my pages are still stained with tears. T-T

[ChocoMuffin]

The movie looks okay! I mean, I hope it just isn't another horrible spin-off...like Avatar: The Last Airbender...but usually book movies aren't too bad. I really liked the books, and I'd be sad if the movie screwed it up for everyone.

[Iniquitous]

District 4 .. and my assigned job is.... canner. 0.0

[Wolfy]

The movie looks okay! I mean, I hope it just isn't another horrible spin-off...like Avatar: The Last Airbender...but usually book movies aren't too bad. I really liked the books, and I'd be sad if the movie screwed it up for everyone.

Considering that the author who wrote the books also wrote the script for the first movie (With a little help, but still)?

I don't think it will be that bad, really.

I think it's more the actors who could ruin it, depending upon how strong they are..I mean, they all look new to me.

[flightzeit]

I'm pretty excited. If only because, when I first heard about the plot to the Hunger Games, I was basically like, "So, it's a . . . Battle Royale ripoff?" And, then I read it, and enjoyed it for reasons separate of my reasons for enjoying Battle Royale. But, to calm down any fears about the quality of the movie, here is a direct quote from the authoress (hid as a spoiler just because it's a LONG quote):

Spoiler: Click to Show/Hide

“Dear Readers,

I’ve just had the opportunity to see the finished film of The Hunger Games. I’m really happy with how it turned out. I feel like the book and the film are individual yet complementary pieces that enhance one another. The film opens up the world beyond Katniss’ point of view, allowing the audience access to the happenings of places like the Hunger Games control room and President Snow’s rose garden, thereby adding a new dimension to the story.

Director Gary Ross has created an adaptation that is faithful in both narrative and theme, but he’s also brought a rich and powerful vision of Panem, its brutality and excesses, to the film as well. His world building’s fantastic, whether it be the Seam or the Capitol. It’s amazing to see things that are suggested in the book fully developed and so brilliantly realized through the artistry of the designers.

And, my God, the actors. The cast, led by the extraordinary Jennifer Lawrence, is absolutely wonderful across the board. It’s such a pleasure to see how they’ve embodied the characters and brought them to life.

So I’d like to sincerely thank all the many people who devoted their time and talents to the film, especially producers Nina Jacobson and Jon Kilik, and the excellent teams at Color Force, Larger Than Life, and Lionsgate.

I hope you enjoy the film!”

[ChocoMuffin]

Oh? I didn't know the author helped write the script, then the dialogue might not be too bad, but the way the actors carry out that dialogue is very important...but since the author does have some say in it (I hope) she might know what's best for the movie based on her book, since she knows the characters the best.

[Wolfy]

I just hope that one scene (I believe we all know what I'm talking about, especially if you read the book) wasn't cut out to drop it to the PG-13 rating...

I mean, that one, powerful scene is the start of well..everything that happens after, really, including Katniss deciding to fight back.

[Alysanthia]

Well they do show Katniss offering the D12 signal, press three fingers against your lips then raise them in salute. Which she did in the book after that 'scene', just thinking about it makes me want to cry! T__T

Cafepress is selling the District IDP you get from Capitol.PN for 'free' and by free they mean you only pay the shipping.

Hot Topic is also selling some Hunger Game themed shirts but the real place to get shirts is from Cafepress because they carry District specific merchandise. :D

[Alysanthia]

Picked up the People Magazine issue of Hunger Games, has some really awesome interviews and cast pictures. Told how the actors got their roles, why they wanted to audition, and what they did to prepare for the movie.

[Noxie]

Until a couple months ago I was not interested in the Hunger Games. I thought it looked a little ridiculous. Then, a friend of mine insisted I try the books. I read the first one and then immediately went out to get the last two. I love the series and I am anxiously awaiting the movie. I'm looking forward to see how they present the story on the big screen. It can either be really spectacular or disappointing. I guess we'll just have to wait until March 23 to find out.

[Alysanthia]

Until a couple months ago I was not interested in the Hunger Games. I thought it looked a little ridiculous. Then, a friend of mine insisted I try the books. I read the first one and then immediately went out to get the last two. I love the series and I am anxiously awaiting the movie. I'm looking forward to see how they present the story on the big screen. It can either be really spectacular or disappointing. I guess we'll just have to wait until March 23 to find out.

I have faith in the movie adaption, Ms. Collins used to write scripts for television shows and with her having wrote the movie script I can't wait.

Gonna go see it Friday night! My friend will probably go Thursday to pick up our tickets. *Uber happy dance*

[Wolfy]

So, anyone who watches it a midnight tonight, please come and tell us what you thought.

Especially about a certain scene involving

Spoiler: Click to Show/Hide

Rue

o3o

[Sabby]

Uhm... it looks like The Running Man: Vaginal Edition.

[TheGlyphstone]

Uhm... it looks like The Running Man: Vaginal Edition.

Er...did you miss that half of the contestants are boys? ???

Sure, it's similar to TRM and some Japanese anime called Battle something or other, but it's not like 'televised bloodsport' is a terribly original concept anymore by itself.

[Aiden]

The movie was pretty good, the book still trumps it but I am very happy with how they explained certain things. Loved the added Gamemaster element and the scene in district 11 after that thing...

[Alysanthia]

I am a pleased fan! I loved how they showed the world and everything going on behind the scenes. I can't wait till the next two movies.

Oh and Wolfy, that part… I cried so much, the pure emotion displayed on the screen was just... Wow.

[Ortega Maximo]

Lovely cinematography.  The Capitol reminds me of the Cluster (Lexx) sans crippling bureaucracy and with a bigger special effects budget.

Apparently district 12 is portrayed with Hollywood squalor instead of the developing country "we're all starving to death" poverty that was present in the book (as I understand it).

It's nice to see sci-fi on the big screen occasionally.

[SinfulAngel]

I was absolutely enthralled in the books and would become extremely annoyed when I had to put the books down to do normal things like eat or spend time with my spouse (not his fault I'm moody and pregnant. Plus it's been awhile since a books had grabbed my full attention)

As for the movie I saw the midnight showing and I believe they did an amazing job. There were some things I'd have liked show cased more, but over all I'm a very happy consumer who can not wait for the next movie!

[RubySlippers]

I saw it and it was awesome, I even bought some game minis for the tabletop mini game for it. Yes they have one for it.  ;D

[undisclosedtoyou]

Got to see it yesterday, and I loved it! 

[summoner2183]

Saw the movie a few days ago... it was great! Can't wait for its sequel!

[Neysha]

I saw the film Sunday Night in an as expected packed theater.

I had just read the first book the week before, simply because I heard Jennifer Lawrence was going to be in the starring role and I absolutely loved her in Winters Bone and I really wanted to fully appreciate her performance (or lack thereof) in this film plus I kept hearing how Katniss was a strong female protaganist and that really got me interested.

Hunger Games was like the first popular Young Adult book I've read in ages, since maybe The Giver back in High School. Never read any of the Harry Potter or Twilight books etc and I can say that I found the book pretty decent, nothing amazing, but a good quality and fairly engrossing and easy to read book.

But reading the book before I saw the film likely helped me appreciate the film far more because I felt the film was a great adaption. I really think if you haven't read (or liked obviously) the book that the film likely won't be as appreciated as by those who did read it. If I hadn't read the book, I'd probably think this was simply a pretty decent action-adventureish movie with some nice scifi, teenage and romantic twists. But having read the book, I really, really enjoyed the film and was super excited to watching it.

For me it made the action scenes all the more exciting, the sad and emotional moments all the more tender and heartrending and the romantic bits all the more sweet and so forth.

First off, I loved Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss. Her role in Hunger Games had some strong similarities with her character in Winters Bone (an amazing film btw) in both characters being strong willed, resourceful, and somewhat reserved characters. Both in the book and less so in the film, Katniss is portrayed as a somewhat cold, wary, aloof and almost dispassionate type of woman and not an extrovert or particular angsty or emotional or kind hearted, and yet still evokes a lot of sheer likability.

Of course, she's still human and realistic, so the softer side comes out, but neither side of her character really comes out and dominates and thus the portrayal is still fairly reserved and thus really effective. Jennifer Lawrence did a great job in bringing out her character. And she looked great in her role too, and was perfectly believable in her hunter and tribute roles.

I also loved the actor who played Peeta. Hutcherson just did a great job bringing out the Peeta-ness in Peeta that it almost seemed natural. He's more or less her opposite in personality and demeanor and their interplay was great. Liked Banks' and Harrelson's and Stanley Tucci's performances as well.

Lenny Kravitz did good, but I just felt... it could've been better still. Rue was perfectly cast. And I loved what assholes the career tributes were and unlike some (or just Damar ) didn't try to overanalyze the situation when it didn't matter to the film thematically. The initial fight scene in the cornocupia, including the countdown, was totally exciting and heart rending at the same time, since it was essentially kids killing kids.

The scenes of the poorer districts was well done, especially the initial scenes showing the relative poverty of District 12 which evoked a kind of Great Depression sort of feel. But I will admit Liam Hemsworth looking every bit the pretty boy with the perfect hair and clothes and clean face really took me out of it unfortunately. I'm not sure if his fault or someone else in the production. He was too pretty boy to be a D12 citizen IMHO.

Loved the costumes in the Capital. it seemed to pretty much bring it out to life what the author was trying to convey when it came to the excessive pageantry of the the capital citizens. And there were a lot of awesome moments sprinkled throughout the film as well. As a reader of the book, I really appreciated it. And finally, I didn't even notice the shakey cam all that much to be perfectly honest.

Basic bottom line is, if you read the book, I think you will absolutely love the film adaption. If you didn't read the book, it might simply be just a 'above average' or merely decent adventure style film with some innovative twists.

And I don't find this film or the book to be derivative of Battle Royale (an inferior film IMHO) or Running Man beyond some generally shared elements.

Hunger games is no more similar to Battle Royale then Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels is derivative of (or vice versa) Italian Job, and Tower Heist, or the Fast Five because they are all 'heist' films.

Or that Punisher and Kill Bill and Kickass and Super are all the derivative of each other people people dress up in costumes of varying silliness and engage in brutal vigilantism. Such comparisons completely ignore the majority of the films that are being compared.