Movie Review: The Hunger Games

The numbers are in. Over the weekend Lionsgate's Hunger Games grossed a staggering $155M, which frankly was no surprise.  For more details check out LA Times article. I was one of the minions contributing to that record-breaking number. As previously mentioned, I went to see this on Saturday and as promised, here’s my review. 

Having been so caught up in the frenzy of all things The Hunger Games, I had high expectations for best selling series by Suzanne Collins.  I'm happy to report that Hollywood didn't botch the best seller in 142 minutes.  The movie did a great job interpreting the book.  Was it like the book?  Hell no.  It never is.  Since the book is from Katniss' POV, there were aspects that they had to improvise, but overall, I enjoyed it.

When you’re dealing with a successful book, which this one happens to be my favorite in the series, you automatically know the movie won't capture all the book’s nuances.  Still, as a lover of fiction, you pray that your favorite parts are not ignored.  That being said, it was sort of a mixed bag.  All parts leading up to and the suspense from "the games" were indeed there.  I thought Jennifer Lawrence did an amazing job depicting our heroine.  That said, I was disappointed when scenes like when Katniss first discovers Peeta has an alliance with the Careers from the onset of the games.  In the book, that scene was riveting.  Katniss was shocked, but manages to play it up for the cameras.  That sort of literary brilliance fell short in the film.  Also, I thought the bread scene; Katniss and Peeta's “beginning” was sort of a missed opportunity too.  But hey…what are ya gonna do?

If you love the book, chances are you’ll like to movie.  For me, The Hunger Games movie was a 4 (unlike the book which in my review I rated a 5.)  Why? To be honest, the ending was a slight disappointment.  The scene/ reveal with Peeta & Katniss in the book was heartbreaking.  The movie, however, seemed to pass this over.  As far as characters, some were on point, others were okay.  I won’t tell you which ones.   I’ll let you be the judge.  My husband who didn’t read the book and knows very little of the story thought it was awesome.  He loves classic and sci-fi movies like Usual Suspects, The Godfather or Star Wars and Matrix.  That should give you a different perspective if you haven’t read the book. 

What about you?  Did you get a chance to see the movie?  Did you like it, love it or...? Thoughts?


Mina B.

Fridays with Fred: The Hunger Games

I know what I'm doing this weekend. You? Two of my nieces went to see the movie last night at the midnight showing. I'm dying to know what they think! Cue in whistling music. Did anyone see it? Do you have plans too? I can't wait! The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins is my all-time favorite YA novel (my review) I'd be shocked if you didn't read this novel in one sitting. That's how awesome it is! As for the movie...I hope it does the book justice. Stay tuned for my review of the movie on Monday. Here's the trailer if you missed it.

Fred's a fan too!  Fred...don't let them see that pin.

Fred volunteers as tribute!

Remember to stop by and visit Schatze over at Mary’s BookHounds too.

Have a great weekend.

Mina B.

Banned Books Week Hop

Hey, minions.  Happy Banned Books Week Hop!  I went rounds with my Free Sh** Fairy about which book to choose for this killer week.  Funny thing is, we usually give away banned books all the time on my blog so it's not like there's anything different going on here. 

Anyway, we decided that we would let one winner choose.  I'm giving away one (1) copy of one of the books below to one (1) winner - winner's choice.

                          

The Banned Books Week Hop runs from 12:01 AM on Sept. 24th on through October 1st, midnight – so you’ll have plenty of time to enter! Yeeeehaaaa!!!! 

To enter…

You MUST be a follower of my blog and MUST fill out this entry form. (And yes, I do check GCF)

Extra entries…
+2 For Becoming my Fan/Like on Facebook/MinaBurrows
+2 Subscribing via email to my blog
+1 if you Retweet this on Twitter (limit 1 retweet)

Again, the giveaway runs from 12:01 AM on Sept. 24th - October 1st, midnight, midnight. Contest is for US residents only. Want to see who else is participating? Visit I Am A Reader, Not A Writer or I Read Banned Books and check out all the links and hop on by.

Mina B.

Lionsgate's Countdown for The Hunger Games

Oh, minions...isn't it beautiful?  I know.  I know!  *hyperventilating* Lionsgate just released this along with the poster and I am beyond thrilled!  Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins is seriously one of my most treasured books - not to mention series.  If you missed my review, click here!  Thanks to Mandy / Twimom101 for posting this.  I couldn't resist reposting!  Want one of  your own?  Check out the Hunger Games movie site here.

Hunger Games the movie releases March 23, 2012.
Until next time...are you getting hungry yet?

Mina B.

Easter Hop Winner & Book Review: Suzanne Collins's The Hunger Games

The Hunger Games is Book 1 in Suzanne Collins's riveting YA trilogy and for me, an explosive read.  Collins swept me away instantly with her spellbinding, authentic tale. I truly haven't read a YA book this phenomenal in awhile. (FYI:  The winner of my Eggstraveganza Hop is mentioned at the end of this post)

The Hunger Games begins in a fantastic, grim world, featuring a nation called Panem, formerly known as North America - or what's left of it.  The futuristic country is divided into Districts and each sector is assigned to various occupations. For example, District 12 is the mining district and District 11 farming/agriculture and so forth (you get the picture.) Most of the districts are poor but a few are affluent. Under the tight-fisted and menacing regime of Panem, people barely survive let alone live. The government holds a deadly grip on the Panem countrymen to discourage any District uprisings.

One method they use to control their people is through the Hunger Games. Each year a District must draw two names from their resident pool to participate in the games. The Hunger Games is the ultimate game of survival where young adults are sent into an arena set with elaborate earthlike/manmade conditions and where they fight to the death. The last person standing – or better yet alive – is the victor. Oh...and did I mention this barbaric sport is all caught on camera?  Oh yeah!

Katniss Everdeen is our heroine and I have one thing to say about her: Katniss KICKS ASS!!! She’s probably my favorite YA hero period! Katniss lives in District 12 (the mining district), specifically in the Seam, the poorest area in the District. Her father died in the mines and since then, she’s been tasked with sourcing/hunting for food for herself, and her mom and sister, Prim.

Katniss only comprehends one thing….survival. She lived a poor and abject life, starving most days and using all her resourcefulness to find food. She’s barely living, but at least she has her guy friend Gale. He’s taught her everything she knows about hunting. And it’s a good thing too. Because once Prim’s name is drawn for the games, sixteen year old Katniss volunteers for her little sister. And from that moment on, her life was never the same.

The Hunger Games was so brilliantly paced it was literally unputdownable. I was enthralled from the beginning and then once Katniss hit the Capitol for the games, the story took off like wildfire. My mind raced through the pages, sucking in every nuance and every twist in this spectacular tale. I won’t say anymore about it other than it’s a MUST read. Stop. Drop. And Read it…Now. Like Katniss…this book’s on fire!

On my Killometer scale, The Hunger Games a 5. What’s that? That’s when a book is so flipp’n good that I add it to my treasured book collection.

Until next time….can’t wait to read it again!

Mina B.

And the winner for My Hoppy Eggstravaganza Giveaway is …

Congratulations to Sarahthehobbit the winner of My Easter Hop and the recipient of The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins and a $10 Starbucks GC. The Winner will be notified by email and will have no more than 72 hours to respond before another winner is drawn. Winners are selected by the reputable Random.org.


A special thanks to everyone who participated! I love doing these hops because I get to meet new friends and say hi to old ones too! I’ll probably do another contest soon. Maybe even with book Catching Fire so be sure and check back or sign up to receive my email notifications.