The Hunger Games movie review

I read all three books prior to watching the movie and loved all of them. The core of the book is not love nor adventure but the will of the oppressed to get free. Somehow I pictured the Philippines own Mockingjay former President Cory Aquino on stage in front of millions of Filipinos on a simple yellow dress inspiring the entire nation to revolt against a dictator.

I waited for the movie and hoped that it is as good as the actors described. I’m somehow disappointed because the story is perfect for a big budget spectacular movie but chose to make it artistic. It would have been great to make an epic movie that will not only feed the movie goers’ thirst for adrenaline but bring the audience to an emotional rollercoaster.

Twilight has an independent film feel to it. It only grossed 90M in the box office. When they changed the director and went all out for New Moon, the appeal changed and it reflected on the ticket sales.

While I appreciate that Gary Ross tried so hard to make the movie on Katniss’ point of view, I feel that stories like The Hunger Games deserve mind blowing visuals. Watch Danny Boyle’s 127 hours to see how he kept the movie on James Franco’s point of view yet the visuals are still mind blowing.

It is the Director’s job to introduce Panem to the World. I believe Gary Ross failed. I hope Gary Ross will do much better to introduce Panem and all its districts on Catching Fire when Katniss and Peeta do their tour. Pixomondo (visual effects for The Hunger Games) might have sent their best to work in Hugo and the great Martin Scorsese. Lionsgate, you better contact a new visual effects company. Try ringing Weta Digital, they specialize in Epic movies.

The independent film approach is just not meant to be used on this kind of story. It’s like the Transformers were made by the director of Tree of Life.

Separately, the Tree of Life and Transformers are amazing. They cater to different types of audiences. The Hunger Games demographic is mainly teens. They worked so hard to keep it PG13 yet the movie was made to please the critics.

Artistically, the movie is great. However, with the mall tours and media attention, obviously the objective is ticket sales. If the objective is commercial, the movie should have been commercial.

The artistry should have been focused on intense moments like, Katniss volunteering for Prim, Katniss and Peeta on the roof, Rue’s death, Cato’s death, Katniss, Peeta and the Nightlock and the interviews with Ceasar Flickerman played by the amazing Stanley Tucci.

The shaking camera is perfect to show intensity, rush and panic. However, if the entire film is shot with a shaking camera, it loses its effect. Somehow those intense moments were lost in the movie.

With all these said, Jennifer Lawrence is definitely perfect for Katniss. Josh Hutcherson did great to play Peeta. Liam Hemsworth was forgettable. Woody Harrelson and Stanley Tucci can never disappoint me. I love Lenny Kravitz shiny eye shadow! :)

Gary Ross, I liked the movie but I wanted my mind blown away. Lionsgate, please give Gary Ross enough budget to blow my mind for Catching Fire and Mockingjay.

Dave Chappelle

Where the fuck is Dave Chappelle? I just saw his For What It’s Worth comedy special. This guy is talented. I remember he was in the news years ago for disappearing and missing his shows. Rumor says he’s gone crazy. Or, maybe he just got tired of being on the spotlight.

Pardon me miss. I don’t mean to be rude, but do you suck balls? 

-Dave Chapelle

The Descendants

I was in the middle of a Hawaii Five O marathon when I heard about this movie. I didn’t pay much attention because I only liked George Clooney in the Ocean series and The Ides of March. This changed when I learned about their Golden Globe nominations.

It’s a story about the life of Matt King, a descendant of a Hawaiian Princess 2 years after his wife had a boating accident. He was left to take care of his daughters Scottie and Alex. Alex then revealed that his wife was cheating on him. The movie revolves around how he builds a relationship with his daughters whom he barely saw before his wife’s accident. He finally enjoys the company of his daughters while looking for the guy his wife cheated him with.

Shailene Woodley and Amara Miller both did an excellent job in this movie. I love how real they talk. American movies rarely show kids cursing but real kids have the nastiest language.

One scene reminded me of the time a guy told on me after I flipped him. I was Scottie when I was younger. The differences between us were, I was not going through something tragic, no one dared to ask me to apologize and I stayed the same.

While the movie is all about betrayal and impending death of a loved one, it is not gloomy. It is funny, entertaining and heartbreaking all at the same time. I laugh whenever I see Matt King run. He portrays an old haole really good. He reminds me of the old haole retirees here in the Philippines from his Hawaii shirts, shorts, slippers and that ridiculous run!

Of course, Hawaii is beautiful. I also love that both Hawaii Five O and The Descendants show how much Hawaiians care for their land.

Mahalo and Aloha!