May The Odds Be Ever In Your Favour

So, I'm obsessed with The Hunger Games.

When I first heard about it from a friend, I just thought, 'Oh cool, sounds good." Then when photo from the production started appearing on the net, I thought "Oh cool, that look good, I'll watch it when it comes out". Then when more articles started coming out in magazines and newspapers saying it was like 'the new Twilight' I thought 'WHAT! Shiz, I'm not watching that if its anything like those crap films".

But as the release date crept closer, I read more about the film, the original books and got excited, mostly because it looked amazing and the concept was brilliant (of course people compared it to Battle Royale) and its NOTHING like Twilight.

There is a better poster with just the symbol of the mocking jay in fire and the better tag line 'May the odds be ever in your favour', but I can't find it. But this poster also puts across the point too.

The Hunger Games, based on the book by Suzanne Collins, is set in nation of Panem, a dystopian place risen out of war and disaster in the ruins of what was once known as North America.  70 years before the film/book is set, the 13 Districts rebelled as the controlling Capitol. But they were defeated and as a continuing punishment to the Districts, The Hunger Games was created. Every year, each District hold a raffle, called a 'Reaping' in the book/film, where one male and females aged between 12 -18 will picked to compete in the Hunger Games. There are 24 contestants, called Tributes, who battle to the death on a live televised show until one remains.

The story follows Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence), who is from the poverty stricken District 12. She volunteers herself for the games when her younger sister, Primrose, is chosen. Along with Peeta Mallark (Josh Hutcherson) , the male tribute, she is taken to the Capitol where she trains for the games as well as trying to gain support from sponsors. Their mentor Haymitch (Woody Harrelson), a previous winner, advises them and teaches them ways to stay alive in the arena.

The film was amazing. I did think it might not show how cruel and gruesome the actual Hunger Games is because it was a 12A but oh my it did, I welled up a few times, especially when one of the tributes is killed (if you've read the book, you know who I mean). I thought I would be watching just another big film but I love story and the characters are amazing. But not as amazing as Head Game Maker, Seneca Crane's beard! It even has it's own facebook page http://www.facebook.com/senecacranesbeard

Beards aside, the film is nothing without Katniss Everdeen. The book is written in first person from her point of view and that is sort of carried out in the film. The idea and the actual games are really quite terrifying. The thought of being that young and knowing you're going to die is shown throughout the film but its also very sinister as everyone in the Capitol treat the games like any other reality show. They don't understand or care about the overall impact the deaths have on the Districts. It is harrowing without showing that much blood.

I've always been a fan of dystopian stories where there are no supernatural elements and barely any great technical marvels. Hunger Games delivers this perfectly. There is a great line between the poor Districts and the wealthy Capitol. The Capitol and the Arena are very science fiction, if you get what I mean, but its not over the top. The people and their costumes are but it just shows the distinctions between the people in the Districts who dress like they are from the 1930's and present day, as opposed to the crazy clothes the Capitol people wear. These elements create a mixed unusual setting, a perfect combination of 'dystopian science fiction action drama'.

I liked the fact that the trailer for the film shows nothing from the Hunger Games themselves, just the part where all the tributes run. It made the experience of watching that part of the film more exciting because it felt that you are actually watching them play as if it were real time.

To address the 'Twilight' thing, yes there are two boys and one girl in the film and in all the promotion photos and such, there is always Gale, Katniss' best friend and hunting buddy, Katniss and Peeta, the other tribute who has been in love with Katniss since they were very young. Does this ring any bells? NO because they are all humans and not stupid vampires and werewolves. There is also the fact that Katniss and Gale are not a couple, hell she doesn't even see Gale that way (read the book). And to make it even more departed from Twilight, that trio are in the films, alot. Gale appears in the first 15-20 minutes, barely. Then there are one or two shots of him later on, but that's it! It is not a love triangle, the story is about survival and hope. But if I had to say anything about a love story, yes Peeta loves Katniss and I think by the end of the first story, Katniss loves Peeta, at least she is beginning to. But you can judge for yourselves.

To round this up, here are some film stills, to get you excited about the film too. 


I leave you with a link to the website: http://www.thehungergamesmovie.com/intl/uk/index2.html#

And may the odds be ever in your favour.

90's Reunions and Rules of the Cinema

Last week I went to the good old Prince Charles cinema in London to see the awesome double bill of Romy and Michelle's High School Reunion aaaaand Grosse Point Blank. What more could I have asked for? Well apart from another Lord of the Rings Trilogy screening, nothing more!

I would also like to point out that I saw this poster in the cinema toilets on the wall, and now it is on my wall in my room, hehehe.

Both films were played on original film, none of this DVD nonsense, it was fantastic but Point Blank had a bit of a slow start and the music was a tad off throughout but I didn't care. Two of the best 90's films in the one of the best cinemas, was a great experience. And I will be back for more.

If you live in London or planning on visiting it, go to Prince Charles Cinema. There are more Double Bills, Classic Films, Special Screenings coming up this month so have a look on the website and book your tickets http://www.princecharlescinema.com/

Aside from this joyous occasion, I thought I would talk more about the laws of Cinema. Not what is on the screen but how people should behave in the cinema. Before you say/think 'oh god, she's going moan again', this is not me moaning, but observing. Then saying what should be happening.

1. In a crowded cinema, it is ok if you talk through the adverts, its annoying but ok. But if it is silence, go with the room and don't talk.
2. If you know its going to be a popular screening, sit in your given seat or you will frak it up for everyone else.
3. However if its empty, sit where you like. Only petty people complain about seating when its empty.
4. If someone is sitting by themselves, they have obviously wanted to see this film alone or on the spare of the moment. DON'T sit right next to them or in front of them like an arsehole. Especially if you're in a group!!! Its common sense! (I had to move three frickin times because people were rude)
5. Don't talk during the film, unless you're an amazing whisperer or you are far away from people.
6. Don't show up during adverts (it happens, mostly with teens) its lame and it annoys everyone else.
7. If you're going to check your phone every 5 minutes, sit at the back because the light from the phone blinds people behind you.
8. Obvious one, don't throw things. Its stupid. If you're bored, get the F**K out of the cinema.

Just a few friendly pointers. Happy Cineme going everyone!


Coming soon: Epic film reviews/discussions aaand The Hunger Games (its awesome by the way)

The New Flavour of the Moment

I would have said pun intended but I'm not quite if it is . . . 

So it was Vampires, then some werewolves, and zombies too but the new crazy thing to have in a film or be about are . . .  cannibals. And it scares the s**t out of me.

I've done some research into this and it really freaked me out. This mostly, because all the other creatures are supernatural so aren't real, but cannibals are people. Also it reminds me of those awful scenes in The Road, it still haunts me. It still haunts others too. All I said to my friend the other day was 'cannibals' and 'The Road' and she freaked out too. So anyone reading this and is now thinking about those two things, sorry if you're freaked out, but do continue reading.

Still on the subject of cannibals, my curiosity got the better of me, when I saw the trailer and read about Mexican thriller/creepy film, 'We Are What We Are' (2010) which happens to be about a family of cannibals who are left to fend for themselves when the father, the provider, suddenly dies. I read the plot first to ease myself into it (and so I wouldn't get too freaked out) and then watched the very creepy trailer. All I am going to say is, the end is left open. It freaked me out. So here is the trailer for you all to enjoy.
http://www.wearewhatweare.co.uk/

It comes as no surprise that there is an 'english language' remake in the works.

The main reason for this post is to talk about new British film (release date unknown), Elfie Hopkins. The story is about Elfie, 22 year old slacker and wannabe detective who lives in a small town, described as a 'sleepy hunting village'. Everything is changed when a new family, The Gammons move into the village. They are strange and talk of adventures in faraway places, but then soon people start to go missing. Elfie and her nerdy friend Dylan start to investigate and try and uncover the truth.

I think you can guess where this is going as its no spoiler, its in the trailer. The Gammon family are cannibals. When I first read about the film, I got really excited even though I thought the family would turn out to be ghosts or vampires or something. But finding out the are cannibals makes me feel unsettled but I still kind of want to see the film. Its curiosity. Which may be a bad thing, because curiosity killed the cat, or in this case, ate it.

Now I've just freaked myself out again.

Here is a link to the trailer and an article about the film: http://www.thisisfakediy.co.uk/articles/film/jaime-ray-winstone-in-elfie-hopkins/

I know there is only a few examples here but I bet in the coming year, films/TV will have cannibals featured, just like how fairytale rewrites are happening now.