The Hunger Games. I didn't know anything about the books until the first movie came out last year. And then all I knew was that it was popular with the tweens. Then I was in Wal-Mart around the time flick one came out and saw the book on the shelf and picked not up, flipped to the middle and read a page. It was awesome action written in the present tense. I couldn't wait to read the whole book.
I took it home and couldn't read it fast enough. I'm Nerd Dad, but I'm not into fantasy-type books. I can't do The Lord of the Rings, but The Hunger Games gripped me. Megan and I love to watch Big Brother every summer, and the Hunger Games reminded me of that kind of reality TV. Big Brother isn't as, literally, cut-throat, but you see what I mean.
I burned through all of the books at break neck speed. As soon as I was done with the first book, the film was still in theaters and I went right away. I would have hated the movie if I hadn't read the book. The reason for The Hunger Games is explained by a title card at the beginning of the film. I would have dismissed it, if I ever even saw the movie. But since I had just finished the book, I liked the movie. I didn't love it, but I liked it fine. The film-nerd in me had issues with the direction, and hand-held camera work of the first film. Catching Fire has a new director.
I knew the movie is two and a half hours, so I limited my beverages all morning. I hate having to pee during a movie in the theater, even with RunPee. I went to the 2:30 show. The movie just came out on Friday, and was actually showing at 8:00 Thursday night, so I figured the buzz would have died down by Sunday afternoon. The 2:30 show was sold out, but they had about 6 tickets left for the 3:30, so I bought my seat. The guy brought up a screen on the computer with all of the seats in the theater and had me pick where I wanted to sit. I picked the only open seat in the 4th row, the leg room row.
I drove to nearby Northtown mall to kill time in Best Buy. I could play around with their display gadgets all day (I AM Nerd Dad), and went back to the theater to watch my movie. I thought about getting a soda, but they were $6, and would just add anxiety about having to go to the bathroom, so I chewed a stick of gum and entered my theater.
When I walked in, I saw the first three rows were all leather recliners. No movie seats, just comfortable recliners. People had their feet up, and I tried to remember if I could have selected one of those seats. Then I remembered that I'm in the leg room row anyways, so it's fine. I turned around, and EVERY seat in the theater is a recliner. That was pretty cool. I found the seat I selected, and the girl next to me had her feet up, and was covered with a blanket. I wished I was wearing my sweatpants. I assure you that I will dress more (less?) appropriately next time. It didn't occur to me until half-way through the movie to take off my shoes in the interest of comfort. If I saw someone do that in the middle of a film though, it would take me out of the movie for a minute with the thought, "there better be NO foot odor."
POSSIBLE SPOILERS (if you haven't read the book, DEFINITE spoilers):
Catching Fire is really good. Full disclosure: with the comfortable chair, I did doze off for a minute or two, but not because the movie was boring. I was fully reclined, and happy. It was when Peeta and Katniss were on their victor tour. I know that I didn't miss much, if anything, but I felt bad about it.
Maybe it was because I read the book that the lead up to the announcement of the Quarter Quell seemed a tad slow. But let me tell you that once the games begin, the movie goes by really fast. I knew how it ended, and I knew that the last scene was going to be the last scene, but I was thinking "maybe they'll have a little more. Don't end now!" That's pretty good after 140 minutes, but it cut to black. It ends on the cliffhanger setting up the third book, and film, Mockingjay. After I saw The Hunger Games film, I thought "sure, I'll see the rest of the movies too. I'm a fan." but I seriously can't wait for Mockingjay after seeing Catching Fire.
I like seeing a (super) successful film franchise with a female lead. That's really rare in movies. I don't remember thinking it when I read the books, but the movies make Peeta a pantywaist. Catching Fire introduces a new set of tributes, my favorite being Beetee. I also like Woody Harrelson as the cranky-drunk Haymitch.
So the good reviews it's getting are accurate. I recommend it, even if you haven't read the books.
May the odds be ever in your favor.
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