Movie Monday: The Hunger Games

I can't believe that I didn't write about this movie sooner. I saw it the day after it came out with my sister, our cousin, and a couple of friends. 3 of us were fans of the books, and the other 2 were totally new to the story. It was interesting to have both perspectives of the movie. I was so excited for this movie, it was all Chris heard about for weeks! Of course, he is going to be dragged to it next time I want to watch it :) And I'll likely see it a third time with another couple of friends. How horrible ;)

**POSSIBLE SPOILER ALERT**

I find it so hard to explain the story without giving too much away. The Hunger Games takes place in a dystopian future nation called Panem that rose up from what remained when North America as we know it collapsed. This country is made up of 12 Districts, all with their own specialty (4 is fishing, 11 is agriculture, 12 is coal mining, etc). These Districts are under the control of the Capitol, which keep the districts under strict control after a rebellion happened over 70 years ago.

What Panem would probably look like if it was real.

 As a way of reminding the Districts of their reliance and subservience to the Capitol, the Capitol created the Hunger Games: an annual event where 1 boy and 1 girl from each District is chosen through a lottery to participate in an arena death match. The last person standing is literally the last person alive. These participants are between the ages of 12 and 18, and the lottery entries are cumulative. The Capitol sees the Hunger Games the way we see the Olympics, a fun time of festivities and cheering for the favorites. The Districts watch the games in horror, knowing that their children are not safe, and next year it might be one of their family members forced to participate.

24 go in, only one comes out.

We join this ongoing trial in the 74th year of the Hunger Games. Katniss Everdeen, aged 16, is a hunter who lives in District 12. Her 12 year-old sister Prim will be attending her first Reaping (aka the lottery draw). Everyone in the District gathers where the drawing of the names takes place. Broadcasted on the screens is Effie Trinket, the announcer and guide for the District 12 tributes. Effie reaches her hand into the bowl of names, and draws out the name of the female tribute...

Primrose Everdeen.

Katniss goes into panic mode, and yells out "I volunteer! I volunteer as tribute!" This outburst changes her life forever.

Katniss and fellow tribute Peeta Mellark go to the Capitol, where they undergo beauty treatments, interviews, and training for the arena. They are guided by Effie; the mentor of District 12, Haymitch Abernathy, a previous victor; and Katniss' stylist Cinna. Then the day comes where they enter the arena, and they must literally fight for their lives. Only one can live...

Katniss with Effie and Haymitch

I thought this movie was really well done. The first few minutes, until Katniss and Peeta leave for the Capitol is extreme closeups and shaky shots, which make for a very panicky feeling opening scene - exactly how those in the District feel. That being said, I was kind of annoyed at that, because I wanted to get a good look at the Seam, the Hob, the places in this world where Katniss lives, but the camera angle was changing every few seconds - not long enough to really focus on anything.

Jennifer Lawrence is Katniss. She is so perfect for this role it is a bit ridiculous. She portrays the emotions so well, you feel like you are going through everything Katniss goes through. She makes you feel the horror that Katniss does as she goes in the arena and watches people die.

I seriously teared up during this scene!

There were a couple places where they took creative license from the books, and it worked very well. For example, they show you the tension in the Districts after one of the tributes dies (which was one of my favorite scenes for the fact that they did it so well). It wasn't described in the book, but it is a preview of what is to come in the next couple of movies.

Some of the characters were downplayed in the movie, which disappointed me a bit. You don't really get a sense of how close Katniss is to her hunting partner, Gale. And their relationship is not romantic at all, but because they don't go into depth with it in the movie, you assume that they have a bit of a thing going on when they don't. And I felt like Effie played a bigger role in the books as well. (I realized after the movie that she didn't say her famous line: "If you put enough pressure on a piece of coal you get a pearl!")

Of course, this movie is of a violent nature, and there is some blood. However, the thing that is disturbing is the way some of the tributes really get into killing the others. As well, the Capitol just thinks it's good fun, but in reality they are taking humanity away from these kids. And that is the part that is supposed to disturb you. The scene I found the most disturbing was a playback of a previous year of the Hunger Games. That being said, if you watch forensic shows or action shows on tv, the blood won't disturb you too much.

This girl will kick your butt!

I love Peeta. I thought Josh Hutcherson played him brilliantly as well. He just captures Peeta's character, his strength and his patience.

The boy with the bread.

Another highlight of this movie for me was Stanley Tucci as Caesar Flickerman, the interviewer and announcer of the broadcasts. I've come to realize that I just think he's brilliant in everything. Is it weird that I have a bit of a crush on him?

I loved this movie. You can tell because I'm just going on and on about it :P I seriously was playing this movie over and over in my head for days after I saw it. It just stuck with me. I can't wait to see it again.

Instagram.

My most favorite felt tip pens that I use every day! They have their own pencil case.

Wonderful display at my local Chapters. Love it!

Lazy Sundays with my family. I like how my hubby is the only one who pays any attention to me :P

The other evening Chris and I went for a walk, and it was lovely. This is the sign that tells you where we live.

I made double chocolate banana muffins and they were scrumptious! I ate two while I was reading my book.

My first manicure with my Hunger Games nail polish. These shades = Smoke & Ashes and Riveting

The weekend was so warm!

I love me some popcorn.

Jasmine (@lavendersgreen) and I had a disagreement over whose bathroom is uglier. I think I win. Washing machine 5 inches away from the toilet, burn marks on the ugly counter top, and a bathtub that is a foot deep. Useless.

I recently bought some lemons and have been enjoying them in my ice water. One of the most refreshing things ever? I think so.

I organized my pantry today! I took everything out of the cupboards and rearranged them so that like things were together. Then I moved some of the things that we use more often to the open shelves. I think it makes more sense.

Happy Tuesday! I hope you're having a lovely day!

Mail stuff 3.4

From Kotona in Japan

From Melanie in New Jersey

From Miss Belen

From my old friend Yolanda in Texas

From Kay in Indiana

From Lauren in New Jersey

From Hilda in Mississippi

From Julia in Russia

From 100 Days of Snail Mail

From my college friend Steph

 I had a crappy day at work, and when I got home I had these last 3 letters waiting for me, plus this lovely anticipated package! I definitely felt better after seeing these lovelies:

The entire Colors from the Capital (aka Hunger Games) nail polish collection that I ordered back at the end of January! I was so excited to finally get them! I don't know which one I'm going to try first...

 

Going to Steffi in Germany

Some Postcrossing cards that I decorated with washi tape, and I used my typewriter which was fun.

Going to Kelly in Nova Scotia

To Merrisa in Hawaii!

For Winnie's Girl

Happy mail day, friends :)

New book obsession.

Last fall, my family went on a trip to the States for a weekend. My mom, sister and I stopped at a Wal-Mart to look for something - I can't remember what now. I wandered into the book aisle, and I noticed this book called "The Hunger Games". I had heard that it was really good and that I should read it. Because I am the kind of person who buys a book based on its reputation before I personally read it, I bought it that day.

This past Saturday (not a couple days ago but the one before) I had finished reading Jane Eyre, and I knew that the Hunger Games movie was coming out in March, and figured I may as well now read the book now.

I read the whole book in 2.5 days. I couldn't put it down. I was obsessed with this world of Panem and I needed more. Last Tuesday I went to buy the next two books, Catching Fire and Mockingjay. I stayed up until 2:30 in the morning to finish reading Catching Fire. The next day pretty much all I did was read Mockingjay. I just couldn't stop until I knew what was going to happen with these characters that I had grown to love - Katniss, Peeta, Gale, Prim, Cinna, Haymitch...

It's been almost a week since I finished the books and I'm still thinking about them. Chris is probably getting tired of hearing about "Hunger Games this" and "You should sit down and read this book!"

Me, every other day: "The Hunger Games movie comes out March 23!! *squeeeaaaal*"
Chris: *silence*

I am going to see this movie with my sister and a friend of ours, because they've also been reading these books the same time as me. (I beat them because my job sucks and I get no hours, so I have time to read all day) We are all very excited.

Would I be a super geek if I bought the China Glaze "Colors from the Capitol" collection and wore a different color on each nail when I see the movie?

Me: "Chris, is it okay if I pre-order this Hunger Games nail polish collection for $50?"
Chris: *silence*

It's safe to say that I am obsessed.

List 2

Last weekend in pictures

Hi :) So today has been a vast improvement since Wednesday and I feel like blogging. That's just how it goes with me sometimes. Maybe that has to do with the fact that I only worked a half day today. And that was because I wrote my last exam ever this morning! I finally finished my correspondence course, so now I just have to wait for my exam to be marked, and then get my transcript to my school. I'm kind of excited about this haha :D

I know it's the weekend, but I wanted to show you some pictures from last weekend. It was really fun and I spent it with friends. On Saturday my friend Estela and I went to the Pioneer days at the Mennonite Heritage Museum here in town. Neither of us had been in years, so we decided this summer was it.

 Amazing homemade meal served in the Livery Barn restaurant. This is Mennonite food at it's finest.

 Estela loves it too.

 Going into the public school

 This is the (sideways) mill. Totally the landmark of Steinbach and I can't even upload the picture right! Bugh! Oh well, it's awesome anyways.

 Inside the mill. It was pretty windy that day so we actually got to see flour being ground. It was excellent.

 These things were in every house. I want one.

 I love llamas.

 Shoemaker shop

 Spinning yarn! Awesome!

 An old school print shop for real! Oh I was so happy there! The letterpress machine was actually running so I got to see it in action. :D :D

This was in Steinbach's first store. Of course I honed in on the letters ;)

 A sod house. I'd go crazy if I had to live in there but it's cool anyway.

This is like a traditional love poem, and there are actually 9 poems on there.

On Sunday we went to Grand Forks with some of my friends to do some shopping and have supper at Texas Roadhouse. I love steak!!! That was actually our main reason for going down there. But I found some sweet stuff too.

 Chuck season 3 for $20!! Heck yes! And did you know they made Disney Apples to Apples? We had to get it.

 Master Plan and Mint Candy Apple. I have Mint Candy Apple on right now and it makes me happy :D

 Notebooks and a whale shaped notepad

 Cheap cds. I like Snow Patrol a bunch, and I like some of Florence & the Machine's songs, but I'm not so sure about all of the lyrical content. Oh well. You live and learn.

 I actually bought these at the museum gift shop. I put the ice cream in my office and the other one is for Christmas. Starting our ornament collection, I guess.

I bought this mug for Christopher at the museum as well. It's huge!

Lately I've been on a friendship bracelet-making kick, and I found this really cool tutorial on craftgawker. Check it:




So cool, right? And super easy! After I was done the bracelet on the "loom" I made one out of a yogurt container lid, and that's holding up even better. So just for future reference if you decide to try. And if you try I'd love to see the results!

Have a lovely weekend,  my dears!