Hunger Games - Spoilers ok!

[DeaverTex]

Eeyore98, thanks for your efforts. I don't even twitch at on-screen violence, implied or graphic (think "We were Soldiers" and "Blackhawk Down", both of which I loved, and both of which sent some audience members running in search of a barf bag.) The good guys don't always win, and not everybody comes out alive. Those are givens because there aren't any guarantees and life ain't fair. It's not even young people being sent out to fight. I had kids as young as 17 in my units, and that's what they are -- kids.

It's the notion that it's being done for entertainment, and that children are being used for the same reason that two women fighting will draw a bigger audience than two men. It's not the story or the outcome of the books/movies, but the PREMISE of them, that I find distasteful. That's not saying that anyone other than me shouldn't enjoy them, mind you. Heck, I still don't see the appeal of Harry Potter but that didn't stop Mrs. Tex and Tex Jr. from loving the books and the movies, and I'm fine with that.

I'm just not into killing as recreation, and that's the whole premise of the Hunger Games. Not the story maybe, not the theme, but the premise. And that stops me cold.

 

[BrerMom]

My son was talking about this book, he's 11. A co-worker was chattering about it at work, told me the whole story. I'm not sure I could watch a movie like that. Don't like the idea of hunting people so am not sure if this would be ok for my 11 yr old to read. But he says all the kids at school are reading it and he even wants to see the movie. Guess I should read that summary someone posted uh?

I hadn't even heard about the book until DS12 came home from school and was telling me about the story line; his Language Arts teacher read the book to the class.

I'm looking forward to the movie but will wait a few weeks for the crowds to die down.

This is my usual reaction, but I'm not sure DS will want to wait. He was trying to organize a field trip!

...

Sort of like teaching a class on the Holocaust and discussing Schindler and Wallenberg. The kids know Schindler makes it, it's just a good story. But when you tell them about Raoul Wallenberg and give them the great adventure story and then finally hit them with what happened to him, it jolts them into how dangerous the world is and why heroes are heroes. (And then you have to remind them that Schindler was pretty sure he would wind up like Wallenberg did.)

Thank you - I just put The Envoy on my reading list.

 

[The Orchid]

I think the books are amazing. DD had recommended I read them. I finished the first one early one morning and stopped at a store at 7:30 a.m. on the way to work to get the second book to read at lunch. I'm glad I didn't read them as they were being written because I think it would have been agony to wait for the next one to come out!

I think the casting seems right on. I love Woody Harrelson as Haymitch and Lenny Kravitz as Cinna. I'm looking forward to the movie but will wait a few weeks for the crowds to die down.

OMG, I feel the same way! I've said this time and again, I'm so glad I just discovered these books a couple months ago. I remember the torture of waiting and waiting and waiting for the next Harry Potter book. It's so much nicer when you can just sit down and read one book after the other. And the cliffhanger in book two is physically painful. I cannot imagine reading that and having to wait a year or longer to see what happens!

I was talking with someone about this and they said "well, that would never happen". I had to remind them that Romans had their arena's and gladiators. Those gladiators were probably no more than adolescents, looking at the lifespan back then. It is scary to think that society has done some pretty evil things in the past. I think that is one of the biggest strengths of the book - how the characters react to the situations they are put in and how they fight for change. Another is how the characters do things to make sure that those in control know they aren't accepting what is being done to them. Really, your concerns are part of the reason I didn't read the book when I first heard the buzz about it, and then, in the end - at least for me - it is that the same situation / reaction that hooks you.

I also had reservations about reading these books for the same reasons. I agree with everything you've said. The books are about so much more than just kids killing each other. In fact, to be honest, with both books where kids have to fight one another, the time in the arena is only half the book, if that much.

One thing that worries me about the movie is that, in my opinion, one of the biggest strengths of the books is that they are written in first person. So much of the power of these books is knowing and feeling what Katniss is thinking. I have to wonder if people watching the movie, without first reading the books, will fully understand why she does some of the things she does. Her behavior can come off as aloof and mean if you don't know the thoughts that lead her to certain actions and reactions.

My mom won't touch the books or movie with a 10 foot pole for the same reason.

I was just discussing this with DH this morning. I must be very desensitized because I found the book to be, while entertaining, wholly unbelievable (in the way that Glee is entertaining and still completely unbelievable) and the violence to be not that big a deal (don't freak out. I'm not saying the book is light hearted and fun like Glee, just that it's still an entertaining story even thought the plot is completely far fetched). Some people, like my older sister (39 years old) had a very visceral reaction to it. She cried at parts and found the book to be disturbing on many levels.

I was one of those people. I cried at many parts of the book and at times I had to stop reading for a day or so. I suppose if I admitted I actually had nightmares that it would make those who are hesitant to read them even more hesitant. But the fact is, as soon as I finished reading them, I went back to book one and started over again. I am a major Harry Potter fanatic and I NEVER thought I'd find a book I loved as much, but I do feel just as attached to Hunger Games. It's different. I love Harry Potter for the entertainment aspect. I love Hunger Games because it's so very intense and real and it makes you feel things deeply.

After a long time for my friends telling me I should read the books, I finally did and I read the whole series in 12 hours! I couldn't put them down! And this was just this Monday.

I got my tickets to the midnight showing and I can't wait! I too, was thinking there would be nothing to be on par with Harry Potter for midnight showings, but now I have something for a few more years. Hopefully, there's something else that comes out so it'll continue.

It's not about the kids hunting each other, it's a part of it of course, but the bigger picture is what is most important, and the killings are there to illustrate the severity of the situation. I feel like we live in a a very sugar coated place in the time we do in the United States. In our lives, we do not accept as these things as a part of life, that kids are being killed for war. But it happens all the time, re: Kony or The Holocaust. It sucks, I know, but I think: would the people who are upset about the hunting/killings in these books be just as upset if they watched a movie about some war where children died there too?

I am ridiculously happy that my daughter and I have four more movies (they are splitting the third book into two) to look forward to! We always went to the midnight showings of Harry Potter dressed like HP geeks and it was so much fun! Here we are again, ready to go to our midnight movie. We have our HG tshirts, necklaces, lanyards and pins and are totally ready to be HG geeks for the next few years!

 

[cornflake]

I too just gave in and read them a couple of weeks ago and now want to see the movie. I can sortof see Harrelson but sortof not - I think it called for someone who looks older (I realize he's probably actually older irl than Haymitch would be), and far more decrepit.

I liked the first book but I think they steadily devolve into the utter dreck that is the third, especially the latter half, when she's just throwing random rationale and plotlines at the wall with abandon while scorching the earth in every direction for no discernable reason (to avoid specific spoilers).

A friend and I were discussing how much they could change the third if the movies make it through a secod. My friend thinks they'd need a near complete reworking but I'd wager Collins has more control than to allow that.

 

[teacherforhi]

I too just gave in and read them a couple of weeks ago and now want to see the movie. I can sortof see Harrelson but sortof not - I think it called for someone who looks older (I realize he's probably actually older irl than Haymitch would be), and far more decrepit.

If you think about it though, Haymitch can't be any older than 42 years old. He won the 50th Hunger Games, so couldn't have been any older than 18 when that happened. I think he would look somewhat older, just from a life of hard drinking, but certainly not decrepit.

 

[snarlingcoyote]

OMG, I feel the same way! I've said this time and again, I'm so glad I just discovered these books a couple months ago. I remember the torture of waiting and waiting and waiting for the next Harry Potter book. It's so much nicer when you can just sit down and read one book after the other. And the cliffhanger in book two is physically painful. I cannot imagine reading that and having to wait a year or longer to see what happens!

It was. . .painful having to wait between two and three. One and two wasn't quite as bad, but bad. Of course, I read the first one only few months before the second came out, so didn't have to wait quite as long for it.

 

[snarlingcoyote]

Thank you - I just put The Envoy on my reading list.

I'm glad to introduce a new person to one of the greatest heroes of WWII.

 

[cornflake]

If you think about it though, Haymitch can't be any older than 42 years old. He won the 50th Hunger Games, so couldn't have been any older than 18 when that happened. I think he would look somewhat older, just from a life of hard drinking, but certainly not decrepit.

Hence I said I think Harrelson is actually older but I think 25 years of heavy boozing can leave someone looking decrepit. I've seen Intervention! Heh.

 

[kate_wdw]

Okay, I’m sure I’m in the minority, but I think that the movies might actually improve upon these books. The concept of the hunger games is so interesting, but telling the stories from the perspective of a narrator who is largely emotionally numb/shut down made the stories far less emotionally engrossing than they could have been. Actually, I guess I felt like Suzanne Collins created characters that weren’t realistic, in terms of their emotional reactions. I am guessing that the filmmakers will infuse more emotion (and hopefully, more realistic emotion) into the stories.

As far as casting goes, I think Jennifer Lawrence is a perfect choice. She was fantastic (as a tough, protective survivor from Appalachia) in Winter’s Bone so playing Katniss should be no problem for her. And while Josh Hutcherson doesn’t physically match Peeta’s description in the book, I can definitely see him capturing Peeta’s spirit. Woody Harrelson is a really interesting choice, as is Lenny Kravitz. While I’m looking forward to seeing Lenny Kravitz play Cinna, the problem is that I’ll always see him as Lenny Kravitz (especially given that Cinna is more natural-looking character).

 

[kate_wdw]

I was just discussing this with DH this morning. I must be very desensitized because I found the book to be, while entertaining, wholly unbelievable (in the way that Glee is entertaining and still completely unbelievable) and the violence to be not that big a deal (don't freak out. I'm not saying the book is light hearted and fun like Glee, just that it's still an entertaining story even thought the plot is completely far fetched).

I totally agree with this. I don't think it was you that was desensitized to the violence, I think that the violence was portrayed in a way that was not emotionally impactful (for the most part). It was like the literary version of an action movie, IMHO.

 

[kate_wdw]

[Tangent]

BrerMom, I just noticed your signature! I love Assassins - it sparked my interest in both the history of presidential assassination attempts in the U.S. (a case where truth is stranger than fiction) and Stephen Sondheim!

 

[BrerMom]

[Tangent]

BrerMom, I just noticed your signature! I love Assassins - it sparked my interest in both the history of presidential assassination attempts in the U.S. (a case where truth is stranger than fiction) and Stephen Sondheim!

Wasn't it a great musical? I hadn't even heard of it until my son was asked to audition. A musical about assassinations? I thought sure it would have to be a comedy. I would love to see it again; it is very well done - and not a comedy at all for those who haven't seen it.

 

[aimyourarrowshigh]

I'm so excited to see it!

 

[mom2my3kids]

Loved the books, actually a group of of ladies (10) are going for dinner and the movie friday night..We are actually like this with the Twilight movies as well, but usually there are at least 20 of us for those movies..I am a avid reader, I cant tell you how much I have spent thru amazon for my kindle fire..

 

[RitaE]

Eeyore98, thanks for your efforts. I don't even twitch at on-screen violence, implied or graphic (think "We were Soldiers" and "Blackhawk Down", both of which I loved, and both of which sent some audience members running in search of a barf bag.) The good guys don't always win, and not everybody comes out alive. Those are givens because there aren't any guarantees and life ain't fair. It's not even young people being sent out to fight. I had kids as young as 17 in my units, and that's what they are -- kids.

It's the notion that it's being done for entertainment, and that children are being used for the same reason that two women fighting will draw a bigger audience than two men. It's not the story or the outcome of the books/movies, but the PREMISE of them, that I find distasteful. That's not saying that anyone other than me shouldn't enjoy them, mind you. Heck, I still don't see the appeal of Harry Potter but that didn't stop Mrs. Tex and Tex Jr. from loving the books and the movies, and I'm fine with that.

I'm just not into killing as recreation, and that's the whole premise of the Hunger Games. Not the story maybe, not the theme, but the premise. And that stops me cold.

The notion of children killing each other for sport is the premise of "The Hunger Games" .... the games shown in the movie and the book. Forcing the children of the districts to participate in senseless violence for entertainment is the tool that is used to display that the government in power is utterly corrupt and immoral. The main protagonists in the story are continuously faced with the decision to kill or be killed - and at times they choose to risk their own death because they refuse to kill without moral reason.

The premise of the books (and movie) however is an analysis of when is war and killing justified. Is it okay to kill for your own survival? Is it okay to kill for the survival of those you love? Is it okay to kill in revenge or retaliation? Is it okay to kill the innocent citizens of a corrupt government? When do your actions cross the line of making you no better than those you profess to hate?

 

[NAB]

Can't wait to see this movie. My neice had to read it in grade 7 with her class. They only got to the second one so she wanted the third book for her birthday.

I heard a few schools are taking their classes to see thsi movie too. Because they read the books in class as well.

 

[Jennasis]

I thought the killing was meant as a display of how utterly IN CONTROL the government was and to squash any notion the citizens of Panem might have of disobeying. The games were created as a punishment by the government in perpetuity for an earlier uprising. As punishment, the 12 districts have to sacrifice one boy and girl to the games and everyone is forced to watch.

 

[DeaverTex]

Hi, RitaE. Ok, one more shot here. Remember, expressing a position. Not even an opinion, because I'm not entitled to have an opinion about the series, not having read it.

Let's try it this way. I've never eaten escargot. I've been told by some of the people who have that they're very good, and by others that they pretty much taste like garlic. I like good food. I like garlic. I still won't eat escargot, because they're snails. I'd have to forget that entirely to even be able to get one into my mouth. Note, I didn't say "I don't like escargot."

I'm the same way about this series. (Just had a long discussion on Facebook about it, too, that was fun. Lots of input from all points of view.) I get that the book is written to explore the issues of corruption and abuse of power, and likely of inhumanity (on the part of the Capitol) as well. I'm just not going to reading it. Or eating escargot. If I'm missing out on either one, well... so be it. I'll cope.

I hope that the movies live up to your hopes and expectations. Y'all have a magical day!

 

[ILoveToRun]

Hi, RitaE. Ok, one more shot here. Remember, expressing a position. Not even an opinion, because I'm not entitled to have an opinion about the series, not having read it.

Let's try it this way. I've never eaten escargot. I've been told by some of the people who have that they're very good, and by others that they pretty much taste like garlic. I like good food. I like garlic. I still won't eat escargot, because they're snails. I'd have to forget that entirely to even be able to get one into my mouth. Note, I didn't say "I don't like escargot."

I'm the same way about this series. (Just had a long discussion on Facebook about it, too, that was fun. Lots of input from all points of view.) I get that the book is written to explore the issues of corruption and abuse of power, and likely of inhumanity (on the part of the Capitol) as well. I'm just not going to reading it. Or eating escargot. If I'm missing out on either one, well... so be it. I'll cope.

I hope that the movies live up to your hopes and expectations. Y'all have a magical day!

Although it's not directed toward me, I cannot help but respond in saying that I hate garlic! Or really, I hate how much it's over used in food. It has it's place and when it fits, it's awesome but I feel like everything has garlic in it and I hate it!

But everyone is different and I respect that. I like tales of despair, raunchiness, violence, sadness, etc. Basically I like everything except for things like comic books or if Star Wars was turned into a book, what I call "what-if" books as in predictions for the end of the world, and love stories (like Nicholas Sparks).

But i know plenty of people like these things. Oh well. There's something for everyone.

 

[rszdtrvl]

Loved book 1, liked book 2, could not get into book 3.

Needless to say, DH has agreed to see a matinee (while the kids are in school - like we did for Twilight BDp1) on Friday with me.

I can't wait to see how the movie compares to the book.

I am kind of sad that I could not get into book 3. It just was not interesting to me. I did flip to the end few pages to read about what happens between Katniss & Peeta though.