Hunger Games Movie Thoughts

I wanna preface all this with saying: I am completely satisfied. I think it was probably the best adaptation from book to movie.

**Warning: spoilers below!! From books and movie and pics**

I read this post over at my friend Nikki's blog and I was like "hmm...." This is not in direct comment to her post, but she really made me think, so I wanted to address those thoughts too. Nikki writes:

...the first time around, I couldn't help but be fixated by all the little things that weren't there.

I was okay with Madge not being there, but I missed seeing Peeta's dad give Katniss cookies, I missed getting to know Rue, I missed Peeta saying "come to finish me off, sweetheart," I missed more time in the cave, I missed the Mutts being the dead tributes, I missed Katniss and Haymitch right after the games, and a hundred other little details that weren't there....

Again, I was pretty satisfied, but after reading her post I started thinking. And now, I'm gonna nitpick. Which is all this is because, ultimately, they did an awesome job. 

I can see how those little things were missing---the only one I noticed while watching was Madge and the mutts. It did lose something on the horrifying level without the tributes faces.

I felt like we knew Rue enough. Sure, it's not this history lesson of her life and character, but we saw the thing that drew Katniss to her: her similarity to Prim. As an older sister, I understand her instinct to protect her and really that's all I ever needed. So I think they handled that well. (And I love the flashback to District 11 in that moment. It was so so emotional that it made me cry.)

I think everyone was pretty perfect. Haymitch and Effie were just amazing. Seneca Crane, President Snow, Caesar Flickerman, Cinna (despite his smaller role): perfection. Even the setting was how I imagined it, if not better. District 12 and the Hob, so perfect.

I love all the little things that I didn't expect to be in the movie. Mainly, the way Ross foreshadowed Mockingjay with the use of roses. I guess they're in the book, somewhat, but I never noticed it before. Snow in the rose garden with Seneca Crane..Katniss having a rose in the chariot at the parade...Peeta talking about 'smelling like roses'. It was sorta awesome.

I also think that Jennifer Lawrence was an amazing Katniss. I've never seen a movie where the main character has less lines than anyone else and yet, still manages to carry the whole movie. Her eyes and the looks, her facial expressions were amazing. So amazing. She was also perfection. I'm so impressed with her and the way Ross still made the movie feel first person.

AND OMG--I have never liked Gale in the books (I was always sorta apathetic to him) but I do in the movie. I DO. I did not expect that.

Now I wanna talk about Peeta, because in all the things I've heard since Friday the opinions on Peeta have been the most torn.

I think people, even people who are Team Peeta in the books, are a little torn because the movie was missing something. First, I don't think that should be blamed on Josh--b/c he delivered. Trust me. I've seen every movie the boy has done since he was twelve, and he delivered. But I think they wrote LESS of him in the movie, and that's why there's not a lot of talk about how awesome he was. They wrote him down a bit.

He was so adorable and perfect in all these moments.
Especially when he's waving to the people. Gah!

Nikki mentioned in the quote above that she wanted him to say that line "come to finish me off, sweetheart," but I don't think we needed that. This Peeta, movie Peeta, wouldn't say that. There's just this lack of development with him in aspect to the writing of the story and while they were pretty true to him, it's the small things that totally change a character. They didn't really write him with the snark and the "sweetheart" thing just wouldn't fit him. The charisma is there, as we see in the interview scene and the train scenes, but the rest of the small Peeta things aren't as prominent. I think what they did capture is the essence of who Peeta is and why people like him: this underdog, this really genuine and sweet boy. He's totally the boy who would secretly love a girl and never tell her, and the same one would give up everything for her, who would fit and sacrifice himself. Plus, can't yall just imagine Josh saying "Real or not real?" and your heart swoon over that. I can.

And sure, the cave scenes could have been longer with Peeta and Katniss--but geesh the movie was already over two hours. There's only so much they can put in there.  

I also think Josh did really really a good freaking job with what he had. I think he and Katniss had this really WEIRD chemistry, which if you think about it is how it's supposed to be in book one. B/c it IS a weird chemistry. They're on the brink of the death and they have this history and there's no one who can say that isn't weird. I really liked their chemistry, especially in the cave and when he almost eats the berries. The first part in the cave, when he's talking about her, the audience was silent in both screenings. I don't think that can happen without chemistry. and then later when he rubs the medicine on her forehead, yeah, that's so hot that it's almost weird. I don't even care.

I don't know. I was not disappointed in the aspect of their chemistry, but it seems like I stand alone on this side. I've been defending it a lot on twitter. I think they were amazing.

After two viewings, I still feel satisfied. I do think they changed small things but it's not like HP where it's not fixable. That's the positive thing about Gary Ross directing the next one (and hopefully all of them) b/c he can already have this vision and follow through on it. 

I can't wait until Catching Fire. Josh is going to win over all the naysayers in that one if they write his role well. Just wait. Just wait. I'm really excited for the new cast of CF and MJ to be announced. As long as they nail the script and Finnick, we'll be golden again.

What did you guys think of the movie??

(Also, side note: here's my pick for Finnick: Taylor Kitsch. Someone with power please make it happen.)

An Ending. A Beginning. Some Things In-between.

An ending. 

The biggest and most important event in history is happening tonight at midnight.  At least, in literary and movie history.

I can't even handle it. I will cry and I just know it. I'm so nervous, so excited. It's bittersweet to see the end of an era. For some, it's been 13 years from book 1 to this movie.  I'm not even sure how to handle that.

I will always have this amazingly special place in my heart for these three children:

And these three gorgeous adults they turned into. (Sometimes British people age well and beautiful.)

If you are going at midnight, here's a hug from me and a box of tissues. It's going to be emotional. I can't believe the end has come! AHHH. Come back here after you watch it and let me know what you thought.

A beginning.


Have you heard of this little book called Shatter Me? If not let me inform you. Here's the description:

Juliette hasn't touched anyone in exactly 264 days. The last time she did, it was an accident, but The Reestablishment locked her up for murder. No one knows why Juliette's touch is fatal. As long as she doesn't hurt anyone else, no one really cares. The world is too busy crumbling to pieces to pay attention to a 17-year-old-girl. Diseases are destroying the population, food is hard to find, birds don't fly anymore, and the clouds are the wrong color.

The Reestablishment said their way was the only way to fix things, so they threw Juliette in a cell. Now so many people are dead that the survivors are whispering war- and The Reestablishment has changed its mind. Maybe Juliette is more than a tortured soul stuffed into a poisonous body. Maybe she's exactly what they need right now.

Juliette has to make a choice: Be a weapon. Or be a warrior.

Sound awesome? IT IS. It's so completely flooring. Well, the cover was revealed today at Hollywood Crush. It too is just GORGEOUS. I imagined the cover in my head and I never imagined this because it's that good. See? I will wait while you swoon.

Seriously. It's fantastic. I'm sure I'll be talking about it A LOT between now and when it releases in November. Taherah Mafi is uber-talented and so so so sweet. And the best part? You can pre-order it now on Amazon | Indie Bound || Book Depository || B&N
Some Things In-between.

1) I just read this book for grad school. And it was FANTASTIC. Just wait, yall. Just. Wait.

2)  I am currently drowning in life. Seriously loves. Writing, homework, apartment searching, planning, sleeping, working--ah! It's so much right now. I feel like I'm neglecting you and I am so sorry.  I will return next week with fun/highly-anticipated book reviews, a giveaway and an open call for awesome. What's that mean? Just wait and see.

3) Enjoy HPDH part 2.

4) Go say hi to Taherah Mafi. She's so awesome and she will say funny things on Twitter.

Writing in the Fire Swamp

Sometimes, you get stuck. And I'm talking "sinking in the mud in the middle of the woods and there's no one to help you out" stuck. This has been me lately--in my current novel and in many aspects of my life. I feel like I'm in a transition period (I utterly hate transitions, yet I seem to always be in one.) With this book, I've been tottering on the edge of quitting and the edge of determination. I've been stuck in the middle.

And for some reason, it made me want to watch The Princess Bride. So I did--and I realized something pretty awesome: writing a book is just like treading through the Fire Swamp. (If you're not a writer, I also think this applies to life.)

The Fire Swamp is filled with three terrors, which Buttercup and Westley must face in order to make it to safety of Westley's ship. What are the three terrors? Flame spurts, lightning quicksand (also called Snow Sand) and the Rodents of Unusual Size. All three of these are something you will face in life and/or in writing.

Flame Spurts: Unexpected Pain

At first, you don’t know what to expect when you hear the popping sound. Then fire spurts up from the ground. And bam—Buttercup's dress is on fire and she and Westley are trying to put it out. The first thing Westley asks Buttercup in this scene is if she’s hurt. She’s not. But now there’s the realization that this place they fled to for safety has the potential to be very painful.

Sometimes things hurt when you’re writing. Scenes are tough and emotional. You have to kill a character. Your MC makes a dumb decision. You have to cut the scene you really, really love because it doesn’t work. The fire spurt in writing can be anything; whatever that thing is for you, it is hard for a reason. Writing has the potential to be very painful.

A quote from the movie (my favorite ever) is from Westley before all this happens. He says "Life is pain. Anyone who says different is selling something."

Things will happen that you don't expect. You'll be burnt by someone or something at some point. You'll be tired and scared, but I think that's good. The heroines know when they see the flames, that this is not going to be as easy as they believed, that they have to be on guard. And the potential for pain, the prospect of being hurt, “keeps you on your toes” as Westley says in that scene.

The fire spurts are necessary so you can prepare yourself for those things that will hurt. Because writing is hard. Living is hard. You need to know that going in so you can be ready. It will not be an easy journey.

Lightning Sand: Unexpected Sinkholes

 

Great! Westley and Buttercup survived the pain. Awesome. He told her all about where he's been and life’s all good—that is until Buttercup is sucked under into some hole that she didn’t see.

This is the Lightning Sand. Sometimes in writing you get stuck—and you don’t see it coming. In fact, you NEVER see it coming or you would fix it before it happened. You get to this place in a story where you realize it's not moving. The things that were happening aren't anymore. The direction is confused; motivations are off; there's this whole scene you didn't think of and now there's a hole. And "Crap, how do I fix this?"

When Buttercup falls into the sand, Westley fixes the problem immediately. He grabs on to a vine and jumps in. He saves Buttercup and pulls her out. But there’s this moment in the movie right after he jumps in, when you’re waiting and it’s silent. You’re waiting to see what will happen—and when you’re feeling the pressure Westley and Buttercup return to view! They are out of breath but safe!

In writing—there are two options: jump in and move things around so you make it good again OR wait. I can’t tell you what you should do, but I know what I do: I wait. Waiting sucks. I am completely impatient; I hate silence, problems that linger, and no ideas. Those things make me nervous. I've learned is that it’s better if you take a moment to connect with your story, to talk about it with someone else, to see what happens if…and maybe you’ll find a way out of the hole. The worst part about that is waiting, but sometimes YOU HAVE TO WAIT. Especially when it's for a good thing.

There are other kinds of sinkholes. Ah-ha! Thought you escaped that one because you're not stuck in your story? Well, sorry. Let's say it's something else. What about querying? Submissions? Revisions? You have to wait for those things too. There's always something that will put you in a position where you have to wait. At the very least, it's a red light or the next train--and the same rules apply. Waiting will always, most undoubtedly suck. But you have to be brave and believe.

My favorite thing about this scene with the lightning sand is the very next moment.

Buttercup: We’ll never succeed. We may as well die here.

Westley: No. We have already succeeded. What are the three terrors of the Fire Swamp? One: the flame spurts—but we know there’s popping sound before each one comes. Two: The lightning sand—and you just discovered what it looks like so we can avoid it next time.

Buttercup: What about the ROUSes?

Westley: Rodents of Unusual Size? I don’t think they exist.

Rodents of Unusual Size: Unexpected Struggles

Westley doesn't think they exist--and that's when one attacks him. Now, he has to fight it. It's survival. Westley or the ROUS.

This is the clincher. This is the part you never see coming. It’s the struggle, the stuff that comes AFTER you’ve fought all these other terrors. You get attacked from the outside. And you have to fight.

What do I mean by this? What are the ROUSes of writing? Everything.

Life is full of distractions. It's busy and you have to carve out time to write. You have to stay focused when there are thirteen things you need to do in the next hour. Distractions are a ROUS. But there are other things. A friend gets an opportunity that you don't. There's nothing happening in your inbox. You can't beat this scene. Someone else just signed a book exactly like yours. You have Shiny New ideas clawing away at your head.

All of these things are ROUSes. The ROUSes don’t want you to succeed; they want to consume. You must never let them. They are fighting for you. You can't stop fighting or you will lose. It's you or the ROUS. The hardest part of dealing with the ROUSes? Keeping up strength. Having hope. Staying sharp. Being patient. Believing. Believe in what Westley says—you’ve already succeeded if you’re this far because you’ve made it past all the other things.

Say you defeat the ROUS. Woo-hoo. Awesome. But don’t be fooled. There are many, many, many more things that you have to face. Just because the three terrors are past you doesn’t mean there aren’t more in front of you. Look at the movie. There are still kidnappers, an evil prince, a six-fingered man, torture, paralysis and a dual. It’s a constant battle. You can’t let your guard down for a second.

BUT in the end of the movie there’s happily ever after.

And when you're finished writing there's a book.

There's always something to show for all the pain, sinkholes and battle against ROUSes.

In fact, I saw this behind the scenes commentary piece about the Fire Swamp and someone said, “When you go in you don’t come out the same person.”

When you’re writing a book, it is going to change you. It will make you braver, make you stronger, give you hope, teach you more than you could ever imagine. Life will do the same thing.

The Princess Bride would be pretty boring without all the challenges, and if the characters didn’t have to fight for what they wanted. But they did. And so will you. In writing AND in life. Because this applies to both.

Be on guard. 
Be brave. 
Believe.
Don't be afraid of the Fire Swamp.

I just saw Harry Potter & the Deathly Hallows and....

It was great.

Really.

Whatever, I LOVED it. Loved. 

The scene with Hermione's parents....I think it set the tone for the whole movie. From the opening scene you knew it was going to intense, sad, wow. 

I loved the scene when everyone comes to the Dursley's to get Harry, and turn into Harry. I love it because it's probably one of the last scenes with everyone together--EVER!

I loved the scene with the silver doe and the ice...and the locket horcrux. I thought that was better done than I imagined it in my head.

I loved Ron.

We finally met Bill, which was nice. 

I thought they added humor in all the right places. And that what they decided to do with Three Brothers story was unique. I don't know if I loved it but I don't know how else they could've done it.

The scene in the Ministry of Magic was pretty intense. Most of it was intense. It was dark, and funny. I have a feeling the next one will not be funny. I mean...no

The Ron/Hermione tension! Wow. (Yes, sometimes the Harry/Hermione tension was a little much but I love Ron/Hermione tension. and witty lines!) Speaking of Hermione, she looked so pretty. And also speaking of Hermione, she screams well. (I do wish they would've done the crucio better but yeah...I had chills.

Dobby!!!!! :D :| :'(

It was by far the best one to date. Man, oh man.  And yes, that's all I have to say. Why? Because I'm really tired and I want to know what you think of the movie.

So tell me!!!

Have you seen it? Did you like it/love it/hate it? Tell me everything.

If you like The Hunger Games...

Then you will LOVE this.

This morning Kelsey discovered this little baby and put it on Twitter. And WOW. Danielle Chuchran is going to make a GREAT Katniss. I really, really, really want her to get it!! Check it out. Prepare yourself because everyone who's seen it has cried. Wowzers!






What do you think?! Let's start the campaign to get Danielle Chuchran as Katniss!!!

Join the facebook fan page for Danielle as Katniss Everdeen!!!