Wednesday Reivew: Hunger Games

I've been meaning to write this review for a while. I read the books years ago, not quite when they were unknown, but long before Mockingjay was released. Now I can't say I've been looking forward to the movie. I'm a big fan of books but not so much a fan of the books-to-movies aspect of it. They always screw something up.

Having seen Hunger Games, I'm very pleased to say the transition from book to movie was seamless. I enjoyed it very much, and given that the book was told exclusively through Katniss's point of view, I think they showed what went out in other places (the Capital, District 11 and 12, even behind the scenes at the Games themselves) without taking away from either the single POV or giving away too much from the other books.

Will I watch it again? Possibly. I did enjoy it, but I think they cut out several parts that showed the utter cruelness of the world. We'll see-I might have to be in the mood to watch it again. The big question is will I see the other movies they're already starting?

I don't know. I hated Mockingjay--it was gratuitous and pointless, and I thought she rushed it to make a release date without thinking of either her story or her fans. I enjoyed Catching Fire, so will probably see that.

Especially if Donald Sutherland is in it again! Oh man, was he a great President Snow! Now, granted, I think they did a fantastic job with all the casting, but he was the absolute best of the bunch.

Movie Review: How to Train Your Dragon

This was a cute movie. I almost didn't watch it because I wasn't certain it was the kind of movie I'd enjoy. I love animated movies, don't get me wrong, and the viking history looked great, but it's the very anachronismtic humor in this that originally turned me off. But then everyone at work raved about it. I trust several of them for movie and book recommendations, so took their advice. I'm glad I did!

How to Train Your Dragon is also a book seires (which I haven't read but might) by Cressida Cowell. Thereby proving that more than the Harry Potter series can be made into a good movie. (Yes. I'm looking at you, Percy Jackson! Though I liked the movie, it was so different from the book that they weren't even related.)

So what did I like about it?

It was everything a kid's movie should be: cute, funny, exciting, and yes, even touching. True, some of the characters are a bit cliche and the humor is not entirely original, but somehow the story pulls you in. I found myself rooting for the cliche characters and cracking up at the corny jokes. By the end I was so invested, I almost shed a tear. Almost.

Side note: Kids with trouble fitting in should definitely watch this movie!

And don't forget my Title Contest!