Hunger Games Mocking Jay Part 1

If you haven’t seen or Hunger Games and Catching Fire Or read the trilogy by Suzanne Collins then I suggest you do so before you decide to watch Mocking Jay.  While some may argue that a movie has to be evaluated independently, those who haven’t seen the prequels will never be able to understand the story completely.

X-Men: Days of Future Past

In 6 editions of the franchise, X Men has generated $2.31 billion at the box office.  That is billion with a “buh” as Alan Harper (2.5 men) would put it.  Now the sad part is that despite this massive level of success, it is still not in the top 10 franchises of all time.  Embarassingly below the Twilight series.  With Days of Future Past, they should easily surge ahead of the silly tweenage romance.

American Hustle

My admiration for David O Russell keeps growing with every movie that he directs.  My first experience was with Fighter where he took Christian Bale and Melissa Leo to Oscars.  Next up was Silver Linings Playbook with Jennifer Lawrence making her mark with the coveted statuette.  Now it seems to be the turn of Amy Adams and Jennifer Lawrence who have brilliant roles and have backed it with performances that deserve their nominations.

Hunger Games : Catching Fire

Apparently Gary Ross (Director of Hunger Games) turned down the opportunity of directing the sequels.  After approaching 8 more directors including the likes of Alfonso Cuarón (Gravity) and Joe Cornish (Star Trek 3), the opportunity landed on Francis Lawrence’s table who has then proceeded to give us a rendition that tempts me to ask him to remake Hunger Games 1.

Silver Linings Playbook

Of all the movies nominated for the Academy Awards this year, this is one that has got 8 nominations.  But mind you.  Unlike its counterparts, it has got 8 nominations in all major categories – Motion Picture of the Year, Directing, Lead Actor, Lead Actress, Supporting Actor, Supporting Actress, Editing & Adapted Screenplay!!!

Hunger Games

I was walking past Crossword in Vashi on Thursday i.e. 22nd March 2012 and I came across this 6 x 3 drop down of Suzanne Collins’ Hunger Games. I honestly had no clue that it was a book and therefore had to pick it up – despite Crossword’s attempts to deny me the right to buy a book thanks to their gross mismanagement (the guy in the store had no clue to where the book was kept). They finally managed to find it in the Young Fiction section and I was wondering as to why is it that it is kept there of all places. Add to it, it’s a trilogy which I am told is in fashion today. So there is Hunger Games 2 (Catching Fire) and 3 (Mocking Jay) which are already made by the way and slotted for release in 2013 and 2015 it seems. Talk about planning.

Hunger Games starts with a quick backgrounder on how 75 years back, a whole bunch of states in the US rebelled against the government at that time. Of the 13 districts, one was obliterated and no signs of life were left. The remaining 12 now owe their life and allegiance to what is described as the Capitol. The Capitol, in an attempt to keep their memories fresh, holds the annual Hunger Games. Each District (currently based on profession) sends 1 boy and 1 girl between the ages 12 to 18 to a no holds barred fight to the death which in turn is telecast live to the entire population who now don’t have a choice but to view it.

This time around, the draw of lots picks out Primrose Everdeen (Willow Shields) who is all of 12 years old and has no clue on how to fight – leave alone one to the death. Her sister Katniss Everdeen’s (Jennifer Lawrence) on the other hand is a fighter to the core and survivor. She has been taking care of the family since her father’s passing. She loves her little sister to death. And so it isn’t surprising that she volunteers in place of her sister to be part of the 74th Hunger Games. The story is about Katniss’ fight for survival.

The book is reasonably paced I thought. Not the best of writing but quite pacy. The movie on the other hand turns out to be quite slow and stretched in parts. A bit too much of time is spent on the build up and very little on the actual action sequences. And surprisingly hardly any special effects. The movie is quite true to the book with very few liberties taken. The good part is the effort taken to show the dialogues that happen behind the scenes before the decisions are taken by the team that runs the show. And there is a sneak peek into President Snow’s (Donald Sutherland) character which is absent in the book. And why is there so little use of music? Anyways, read the book if you can before the movie. 6 on 10 overall. Not something that you will sorely miss.

Watch the trailer at http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi1187553561/

X Men First Class

This one is actually a slight dampner of sorts. Although the effects make up for a lot that it seems to have been missed in other departments and the fact that the number of X Men fans across the world aren’t going to reduce with probably the first effort that has been just over average would put the owners of the franchise at some ease. The mutants are here to stay just as they sign off by saying – MUTANT AND PROUD. You can expect many more stories going forward from this “different” bunch. In fact, X Men First Class has set it up beautifully for several sequels in the coming years. Rest assured, the impact from the previous 4 have left enough of an impact on fans and non fans alike to keep coming back to the movie halls. It will take quite a disaster to make any dent on the fan following.

The producers, however, have to really take a long hard look at the past 3 directors and they would probably find an answer there. Brett Ratner (X3), Gavin Hood (Wolverine) and Matthew Vaughn (XMFC) just don’t measure up to the magic that was created by Bryan Singer in X1 and X2. Ratner, Hood and Vaughn seem to rely much more on the effects and really don’t focus as much on building a story that is irresistible. Although XMFC does try to build up the background on the entire concept, I felt they tried to do just that little too much and lost out on the story somewhere in between. I wouldn’t be wrong if I were to say that the term First Class actually came to life – The movie seemed more like a class room session. Something like Course - XMen Class – 101 – I hope u got what I meant to say. It would be clear when u do watch the movie.

My intent till now has not been to blast XMFC at all and I must apologise if it was perceived as a whipping. The movie is definitely worth a watch and you will not get bored. The classic fan though may land up being a tad disappointed. But his passion will drive him to give the movie a score that is more than what it deserves. I would give it a 6 on 10. Maybe a bit harsh. But I am also pegging it against the previous editions and I find that this one was just about par for the course. And if the characters were not fleshed out as well as they were – especially Xavier, Magneto and Raven – I would have given it 5. But for these aspects, there is nothing much other than effects. Acting is just about there to create some aura around the characters. The casting is apt but then this is as much as what McAvoy and company can get upto in terms of acting in a super hero movie. It’s a big screen watch for certain – you cant watch XMFC on the small screen and miss out on the effects.

Watch the trailer at http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi168926489/