[xrr rating=4.75/5]
You’ve read all the other reviews. Now read the only one that matters.
I’M BACK!
What? You didn’t even know I was gone? Seriously, I’ve been gone for over two weeks! Didn’t anyone tell you that I was going on a business trip to the West Coast to gather information about the entertainment industry? No? Someone HAD to tell you that I was learning the ins and outs and all the secrets of Universal Studios! No? Are you kidding me?!
No one told you that I had front row seats to the “Jimmy Kimmel Show,” personally given to me by one of Norwood’s most famous AND coolest cats to ever swim out of Father Mac’s pool? That’s right, Dickie Barrett, lead singer of the Mighty Mighty Bosstones and announcer for the “Jimmy Kimmel Show” gave me the hook-up! I’m talking about hanging out in the green-room, ripping back beers, playing pool, and staring at gorgeous ladies like I was a creepy zombie. Yup, I made an impression out there.
But since you guys didn’t even realize that I was missing, then I ain’t gonna even tell you anything else! (And I have some great stories too!) One thing I will say though is that Dickie Barrett is a GREAT guy AND he’s from Naw-wood! And I ought to know, because I’M a great guy AND I’m from Naw-wood! And great guys from Naw-wood always know other great guys from Naw-wood! Thanks brother for hooking me up.
Well, enough about my awesome trip to California, it’s time for me to bore you with a movie review. I heard there was a little, artsy-fartsy movie that came out while I was away. I think it was called “The Hunger Games.” I had nothing to do on the night I got back from my trip, so I made my way over to my second home, Legacy Place, and I saw this film.
And I totally loved it!
“The Hunger Games!” What was it? How did I not hear about this film? How could this just sneak under my radar? Anyway, I’m just glad I got to see it before it left the theatres.
The story takes place in the nation of Panem in the future. But not in a good future. Something happened years ago, a rebellion of sorts, and now Panem is divided into the “Capitol” (which is rich and nice) and twelve districts (which are poor and not nice).
Every year, one boy and one girl (ages 12 to 18) from each district are chosen from a lottery as “tributes” (so everyone can remember about the failed rebellion). These 24 tributes must go into the woods and fight each other to the death as everyone in Panem watches on television. Some people even bet on the children.
Some of the hoity-toity folk living in the Capitol say that it is such an honor to be chosen to play in the Hunger Games, but personally, I don’t think it is, because you have a 23 out of 24 chance of dying. Now, I’m a terrible gambler, (just ask anyone who knows me) but even I know those odds stink!
In District 12, a young girl named Primrose Everdeen (Willow Shields) is chosen as a tribute. But her older sister, Katniss, (Jennifer Lawrence) can’t bear to see that, so she volunteers to take her place. She is the first volunteer ever.
The boy tribute from District 12 is Peeta Mellark (Josh Hutcherson). He knows Katniss from when they were younger. And I think they may have the google-y eyes for each other. These two get wisked away to the Capitol for a crash course on surviving the games from past winners called “mentors.” Their mentor is Haymitch Abernathy (slickly played by Woody Harrelson).
They learn what they can in the short period of time they have. Then it’s GAME ON!
Alright now, I’m going to tell you who wins. It’s… ah, I can’t do it to you! I would love to tell you and ruin it, but that would be un-professional of me. What I will tell you though is that there are some seriously good actors in this film. Along with the few I’ve already mentioned, there is a great little role, sweetly acted by Lenny Kravitz. Elizabeth Banks has a deliciously goofy role too, and Stanley Tucci, as the game show’s off-beat host, round out a wonderful ensemble of diverse actors.
I have one teeny-tiny problem with the movie though. It’s the love story. Katniss and Peeta may be in love… or they may not be. Or it may just be for the show… or, it may be for real… or maybe, Katniss has another boyfriend… or maybe, there’s going to be a part two, because the movie ends with you leaving the theatre wanting more!
One other thing about the movie is, unlike “John Carter,” this film had awesome names for people. I like saying the names Katniss Everdeen, Ceasar Flickerman, Effie Trinket, Haymitch Abernathy, and of course, Claudius Templesmith. Those names are way better than Tars Tarkus, Tal Hajus, Tardos Mors, and the terrible name, Sab Than. Hell, I’d much rather live in District 12 than Jasroon! Man, did “John Carter” suck!
This movie reminded me of two other movies I have seen: “The Running Man” (1987), starring AH-NOLD and “The Truman Show”(1998). The reason I thought this was, it was a ‘life or death’ TV show AND at points, the producers could kind of rig the gig to help a player. They sort of did that in “The Truman Show” just to keep things in check for Truman Burbank. Anyways, that’s the random thought that just went through my head. Sorry, I jump off the tracks easily.
So in closing, if you want to see a movie over the Easter weekend, may I suggest a cute little film called “The Hunger Games.” But see it soon, it may not be in theatres for too long. Sometimes these little films get overlooked.
“And may the odds be ever in your favor.”
Fun Fact: “The Hunger Games” cost an estimated $78,000,000 to make. It grossed $152,535,747 on opening weekend. This movie is going to make some serious bank!
Fun Matty Fact: I’m hungry. I think I’m going to go get a pizza from Town Spa. It costs $7.50 for a pie, and $5.50 for a small fry. I’ll drop a double-saw and leave a fat guy. Bye-bye.