The Hunger Games: These are my thoughts.

Um... have you seen The Hunger Games yet? If not, you probably shouldn't read this post. IT IS CHOCK FULL OF SPOILERS. Also, if you haven't seen the movie yet.... what makes you think you have time for Internets? GET THERE. Thanks. Also, this won't be brief. Buckle up. If you're too lazy to read my rantings, skip to the bottom. There'll be a summary. Kind of.

So... as you know, books-to-movies can land anywhere on a scale from Twilight (Yikes a million.) to Lord of the Rings. I am so beyond happy to say that The Hunger Games movie was chilling up there with Lord of the Rings. I don't myself know what this movie would be like without having read the books. Some tell me it was still really cool, and others tell me it is a little confusing. I would have to say that this movie was, in my opinion, definitely made for people who have read the books. And if you are thinking you want to see the movie, you will want to read the books. No matter how great a movie, books are books.

Halllllrighty. Now let me just spew my thoughts out to you. I'll be honest... I've been trying for a week to collect them and have a logical, mature conversation organized, but I mean, come on, people. You'll like this a lot better if we all just accept my horrendous A.D.D. coupled with my inability to remain calm about good art. This will in no way be a synopsis, go in order, or be comprehensive. If you have any questions about a part I didn't mention, leave them in the comments! I love to talk about different aspects of why I think this worked. Also, I like to be creepy about onscreen lovin'. And also, I like you. Hi. Solid? Solid.

The Games Themselves

I had major concerns coming into this movie. Visions of Twilight, in all its horrible CGI, puppet-photo-shop-never-should-have-happened-tree-climbing glory danced in my head. I know that no matter the hype, movies can go horribly, horribly wrong. And, cue. A.D.D. break. However, I want to be clear that in referencing how terrible those movies are, I am not comparing The Hunger Games series with Twilight. That has become a pet peeve of mine. Yes, there are two boys. Yes, the main character is a young girl. Yes, they are both technically classified as teen lit. Yes. They both have large followings. That is where it ends! I feel like it is a cryin' shame that people want to classify The Hunger Games as a chick flick. The Hunger Games is so much smarter than that! It is a post-apocalyptic tale set in a dystopian society. There happens to be a romance tangled up in that. But the book is not a romance novel. They don't need sparkly skin or ancient curses... they have something real. You may think this story is a far cry and difficult to imagine, but I think these books are so chilling because they are only a step away from our society today.

I mean, think about it. These stories depict a society so intrigued with these horrific games that their televised coverage is the yearly highlight. Yet here we are, dying to get into the theater to watch them ourselves. Scary, no? So many ugly things are celebrated with news coverage or with reality television shows. However, this leads me into one of my favorite parts of the way the movie was directed. During the games, I never felt like, DUDE! All this action is so cool. I wanna go play this with my friends and poke their little eyes right out. I was always keenly aware of how wrong it was. And I think, in such an action-packed movie, that is a very fine balance.

I thought the Careers were appropriately horrifying - and that was a good commentary on human nature. People, when raised their whole lives to think a certain way about others and foster certain behaviors, become more machine than human. With that in mind, though.... Cato....? At the end? When he's all bloody and holding Peeta and gives that random monologue? I was all...... Wait, what? That's super anti-capitol coming from someone from District 1... and also, you are the Lion in this Oz, because previously we have seen that you do not have a heart. So what... is happening? Who knows, people. Suzanne Collins helped with the screenplay, so I guess you have to trust she knows what's up. But I did feel a little weird about that part? Anyone else?

I also think this movie is extremely human. Because I was like, Oh, my gosh, oh, my gosh. I could never kill anyone. But the second that DOUCHE threw a spear at Rue, I felt rage. I know it's just a movie, but yes. Rage. And a really bad part of my mind was like ....kill him again, dude. And I think that is what made this movie experience so great. That beyond just reading it and seeing only Katniss' perspective, you feel the ugliness and the want for survival in yourself when you watch it. It is an uncomfortable discovery, but good art makes you look inside yourself and know those parts of humanity within you.

The games were quick-moving, which was appropriate and gave them a sense of urgency. I was surprised at how much harder the violence was to watch than to read about, because reading about it was pretty terrible. Sincerely, the first time I saw it (yes, I've been twice) I had a really hard time breathing all throughout. And also, my shoulders were up above my ears the entire time. I could NOT relax. P.s. Those mutts jumping out of the brush?! FUHGET ABOUT IT. I jumped 5 miles.

Artistic Lovin'

If I have learned anything about good directing, it is that the details are everything. Little moments, little choices that don't have dialogue mean everything even in a production as HUGE and intense as The Hunger games. It provides needed contrast and moments of humanity... not scary humanity like we feel for a lot of the movie, but hopeful, beautiful, heart-thrumming humanity.

That being said, here are a few of my favorite moments. If you want to tell me some of your's... I would absolutely love to hear. 

1) There's a moment when Katniss is first in the arena, a kind of calm before the storm. She is unpacking her backpack, and a butterfly lands on her hand. She has a moment where she takes it in, and as it flies away, there is almost a childish, absent-minded smile on her lips. THIS KILLS ME, because you know in about .02 seconds, that innocence (she is hardened and a survivor, but she is also 16, people) will be stripped away from her. Like, do you think after these games a butterfly will thrill her the same way? Or that she'll even have time to sit and just be? Breaks my heart. War and violence are terrible.

2) A lot of little shots just felt like art to me, and I couldn't tangibly figure out why... then, after my first viewing, I came home and nerd-girled like 50 interviews with the cast and directors. I don't usually pay attention to movie directors, but Gary Ross, you have just become my favorite. Hearing about how hilarious/insightful/truly loyal he was to the cast reminded me of my own favorite director. Also, he based some of the shots off of his favorite paintings from throughout Art History. YES. Forever, yes.

3) Rue's death was absolutely heart-wrenching. And it was really fortunate that an extremely loud uprising in her district was shown shortly after, because I was open-mouth sobbing. Both times I saw it. She was absolutely beautiful, with the most expressive eyes. And when she said, "You have to win," her dark eyes said so much more. The surrounding of her beautiful little person with flowers and the salute were almost too much. It was absolutely gorgeous in it's tragedy and rebellion. Such beauty in games that are supposed to be so ugly and so entertainingly action-packed was the best way to stick it-to-the-man. And a beautiful way to remind us that Katniss, when not in full-blown survival mode, is maternal and human. (i.e. Prim and their crappy mom.)

4)Changing it from only Katniss' perspective to an omnipresent third party allowed us more insight into characters like Seneca Crane, CREEPY President Snow, and Haymitch during his journey. Kudos.  Smart choice.

Manly Lovin'

Ahhhh, you say. Now we get to it. So I'll just come out and say it like I said it at two in the morning. Gale is a sex-panther in the woods and he can trap me up anytime of the day or night. Hi. He is HOT. But I can't seem to overlook the fact that he is dating Miley Cyrus, or the fact that I know what he becomes in the last book. I will say that although he had maybe four lines in the movie, they were an awesome four lines. I think because the last book in the series is the most fresh in my mind, I have this mindset where I feel like Gale is so not good for her. But the way this was directed and acted, I was like, Oh, yeah. They're both great... Too bad Katniss is too in survival mode to examine emotion or feeling. But he's sweet and he takes care of her family, and he understands her - really and truly understands her.

Peeta Mellark. Josh Hutcherson. Peeta Mellark. Where to begin? I am fully aware I am about to creep so hard the rest of my thoughts will nearly become invalid. I'll try to be non-annoying? No promises. Um... I was the most scared for Peeta. Just because he is so pivotal and such a contrast to Katniss. And obviously so important to her survival, to the plot, and... to me. :/ Hahaha. HE WAS SO GOOD. I mean, look beyond the fact that Josh Hutcherson has a jawline that just won't quit. And great hands. (I know we have talked about this, but I am really weird about hands. It's just a thing I have.) Beyond his physical appearance... which may appear physically to me anytime, I ain't hatin' it... kid acted the crap out of this role. It was such a genuine, honest performance, and he gave so much of himself. I believed every word of out his mouth, and it wasn't just because it was a fine lookin' mouth. (REMEMBER HOW GREAT THEIR KISS WAS? I love lovin'.) It was because it was a giving performance at its finest. It blew me away. He was Peeta. Also, as I said at two in the morning, he is like a painting Pillsbury dough-boy that I very much want to make a baby with.

I watched various interviews and Josh Hutcherson really isn't too far from being Peeta. He's honest, true to himself, a little tender dove, funny, and artistic. He said he always connected with Peeta reading it. That's where good acting comes - when you recognize the pieces of yourself in your character. Man, I was in love with his performance. No, all the tender lines weren't said. But everything said was perfect for the movie. Things play differently in a book than onscreen. (Cue Twilight "heroine" line, and shudder your lunch away.) Also, remember all the things that weren't in words, but added so much to Peeta...?

1) The little smile when she asks about his camouflage painting in training - so genuine.
2) The way he looked at her when he was rubbing ointment on her forehead. RUB OINTMENT ON MY FOREHEAD ALL DAY LONG.
3) The way he touched her braid when he so willingly was ready to die with her. Rumor has it, that was improv.... say what? Josh Hutcherson. You little piece of brilliance. It was such an intimate, innocent, sweet gesture. It's all he wanted for his last memory.
4) His crooked grin when she says she couldn't live without him in the interview... even though you know she's doing it to survive... it's all real for him. And that smile tells us as an audience everything.

Also, his monologue about still being him. SO good. So well done, so genuine. I've used that word 50 times, but it's only because I can't think of a better description. It was gorgeous. And when he tells her about the first time he heard her sing, and he's so earnest and honest. And when he says, "Well, say something...?" And she tells him, "I'm not good at saying something." And he says, "Then come here." Not in a toolish, Papa's leg is hurt and he needs to GET SOME kind of way... but in a way where he genuinely just wants her close. Cuddling is nice. Also, I will always love Peeta because some things about him remind me of .... someone else. :/ Artistic sweethearts are good things. I thought that said autistic when I re-read it. Autistic sweethearts are good, too. Plus... remember that one time when he jokes about taking the bow? He's still him. Changed by the Games... but still Peeta Mellark. Cutie-pants.

What I Should've Said to Spare You All This Time

I love lists. I'm a list maker. So here is a general list of everything I meant to say, or should've said, or whatever.

1) Perfectly cast. Jennifer Lawrence is my idol. Partly because she has a man-laugh and we would be best friends in real life, perhaps. But really. She was brilliant. Everyone was brilliant. Some people complained she was too old to play a 16 year old. First of all, when I was 16, people thought I was 21 sometimes. Happens. Second of all, remember her break-down after Rue dies, and when she thinks Peeta has eaten Nightlock? She's 16, all right. Just thrust into some really adult situations in life. Rue, Peeta, Cato, Effie Trinket, Haymitch, and CINNA... Oh, Cinna. The brilliance.

2) For the most part, I loved the way it was shot. However, if you are going to see this again in theaters, the farther away from the screen, the better. During the reaping and her time in her district, I felt so dizzy and sick. Just super disoriented. Which maybe helped me identify with how she was feeling? Either way. Not my absolute favorite.

3)Hair+makeup+wardrobe=fabulous. On all the cast. But also, Cinna. Take me under your wing. The Girl on Fire dress was so great. Some of Peeta's outfits were ridiculous at the capitol.. but appropriately so.

4)The score for this movie was beautiful. You bet your sweet bippy I've listened to it on Spotify many a time this past week.

5) Despite the brutality, this is a movie worth seeing twice. Artistic details and little things will be new to you each time. 

6)This movie will take you on an emotional journey. Bring tissues and a soul.

7)Peeta.

8)Rue.

9)Read the books/watch the interviews/nerd out over this thing.

10)Prepare to hate life until November 2013 after viewing.

Thoughts, comments? Still alive after suffering through my crazy? Let's TALK about this, people.