Happenings

[midori]

I went (window) shopping with my sister the other day and we dropped by The Limited. I pointed out to my sister a pleated skirt that I really liked - it was really cute & really out of my price range - and so she in turn, decided to show me a skirt she liked. It was one of the articles on the display table, so I asked her, "Are you sure that's a skirt?" 'cause it was hard to tell and mesh-y and very see-through. She said, "Yeah it's a skirt! I'll just have to wear leggings," in all seriousness. I nodded. That's understandable, okay. Then she held it up for me to see. And it had sleeves.

Somehow that story was a whole lot more funny in the store. XD Must have been because she seriously did like that skirt. Except it's a shirt. Ha.



Let's start with what I was most disappointed in: the cinematography.

First of all of the camera-shaking. I understand that it was used to make you feel more involved as one of the tributes instead of just as a spectator or whatnot but it was excessive. It was used in the district scenes as well as during the games. If a viewer can notice it and feel a headache coming on, it's just too much. Especially during battle scenes when they're already rolling and tumbling. I couldn't even tell who was doing what to who. It was a mess.

In the book, Cato gets attacked by muttations for days and watching it and hearing his cries were so traumatizing Katniss pities him and shoots him. It was climactic. In the movie though it seemed as if Cato was just trampled by muttations for a minute and Katniss just shoots a wimpy arrow in his direction. I understand it was limited by the PG-13 rating, but you don't even see a glimpse Cato's body or the eye contact he makes with Katniss (which they totally could have done) to just take him from his misery. This scene could have been amazing, and it just wasn't.

Also, what was up with the cornucopia? It was this small hunk of metal. To quote my sister, it was like a high school stagecraft set.

The pacing was weird too. I think it'd be hard to follow for someone who hasn't read the book. There's a lot of detail that's hard to catch, or they didn't put in that makes the story seem really bland. Let's just say that a few of my Facebook friends who did not read the book really did not like it. Shame. D:

I have to say though, the parts that were good were really good. The Capitol shots were incredible. The costuming and the high-tech CG stuff were more than I imagined. The actors were great. The Rue scene (which I'm sure they were banking on) hit the spot, as well as Prim. Little girls crying just hits me hard. Haha. The added scenes with President Snow and Seneca Crane were also pretty awesome.

Watching it at the theater: SO MANY KIDS. I was glad that I got a balcony seat and the kids were all below, wow. They all screamed when the curtain rose, even though there were still previews (two of them being Kristen Stewart movies) to sit through. ..lol.

I love when they'd have a cave scene with Katniss and Peeta, they'd flash to a mopey Gale watching it. Everyone in the audience laughs. This happens twice. XD And then they all clap when Katniss and Peeta are announced the winners. Oh movie-goers.

All in all, I did enjoy it. The next one had better be better though, just sayin'.


Wow-eee it's been so long since I wrote an entry. I have to thank kawarashii for reminding me I have a livejournal. ♥

Comments

[kat-desu.livejournal.com]

I actually opted to wait for the movie to be released before reading the book so I know that I wouldn't be disappointed watching it. lol!
but I agree with the camera... I got so dizzy from watching there are times I had to look away from the screen because my head hurts. lol!
I did pick up the book right after and noticed a lot of differences already. XD but that was to be expected...
The movie was nice overall since it was really entertaining.

[hakka-candy.livejournal.com]

That was a great idea! :D I hope you enjoy the book. I think all that length in the book really gives time for the characters to develop (so that when bad things happen to them, it hits you harder, lol). The romance makes a whole lot more sense, too.

Yes, me too! Who decided the camera shaking was a good idea?! This is not the Blair Witch Project! lol

I'm glad it was still entertaining for you! Dude, I was totally impressed with the actress who played Clove. She nailed the psycho-craziness!

[kat-desu.livejournal.com]

That was an awful long wait since I really wanted to read The Hunger Games before... then knowing that there'd be a movie coming I just opted to wait a little more longer. lol! I'm still in the first few chapters... kinda sad they didn't show Madge and Peeta's father visiting Katniss in the room. The all of the actors were really good (the chemistry with Katniss & Peeta was really good too... though I wished they could have given more details on him throwing the bread at her in the past. lol!) and that's what made me enjoy the film a lot.

lol! true. XD

Yes! Clove was such a psycho! Cato was good too~ and Rue! <33333

[hakka-candy.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I really liked that bit with Peeta's father too! Madge I understand they cut out, mainly because her part was pretty small.. but it showed that Katniss actually had someone that resembled a friend. Rather than the loner that she mostly portrays. Love the bread scene, I wish they could have had child actors for that part, that scene was so touching. ;o;

Cato was pretty good, except I could catch all of what he said at the end. Must have been all that blood around his face, lol. And Rue! T__T Why so cute?

[kat-desu.livejournal.com]

I also wished they showed more on Katniss' greiving on the lost of her father & her wanting to be able to provide food for her family/rummaging through the trash bins it would have made the bread scene more powerful and lovelier as was described in the book. I just wished they gave out more depth to Peeta & Katniss' past interaction. XD
lol! Yes on Cato. He was good but I couldn't really hear/catch what he was saying at the end. lol! Rue and Prim are both cute and they got really good young actresses for that.

[hakka-candy.livejournal.com]

I think they were crunching for time for the movie and couldn't add the details on how hard it was for her. The movie already spent a lot of time on the background of the story, it felt like it was about half of the movie (which still wasn't enough to grasp everything) before the games even started. And then they just sped through everyone's deaths like crazy. :(

Haha, whoops I meant I "couldn't" hear, but you got what I mean, lol.

[kat-desu.livejournal.com]

yeah. The games felt rushed. XD
They could have done more character development on the tributes too.
and more development in Peeta & Katniss' relationship. XD

[outside-my-box.livejournal.com]

I have yet to read the book but I didn't force read it before I went out to see the movie because I know I'd nitpick. Little girls crying are a weakness for me too.

Oh and watching movies in the cinema can be really amusing at times.

[hakka-candy.livejournal.com]

Yeeeah, it was pretty tough to see the parts I loved so much, to be subpar. XD High expectations did it for me. It was really nice to see everyone come alive in front of me, though!

There's always that one guy who laughs when no one else does. Haha.

[outside-my-box.livejournal.com]

In most cases the high expectations are unavoidable.

Oh and there's also someone making inapprorpiate sounds. XD

[kawarashii.livejournal.com]

and I just found this entry! XD *fail*

LOL!! I actually laughed at the skirt story x'D
Hunger games!! I've always thought there were something like shockwave games or something X__X until lately when I realized it's a movie people are really obsessed with!

I'm turning into a baachan D":

[hakka-candy.livejournal.com]

Glad you found it! :D

Yay, glad someone else laughed!
LOL. I haven't heard anyone mention shockwave games in ages, but I can see how you'd think that. Haha. And yes, it's actually based on a series of books which I love. :D

XD *pats you* There, there baa-chan.