Miscellaneous Movie Musings the Sequel - Page 135

Strangler Lewis · 03-25-2012, 04:15 AM

Paris, Texas.

Alex · 03-25-2012, 07:23 AM

Hunger Games is a very literal translation of the book.

JWBear · 03-25-2012, 08:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Not Afraid

I could watch the opening "slideshow" many times over. I love that city.

Have you seen Paris, je t'aime?

flippyshark · 03-27-2012, 01:24 PM

The Hunger Games was more engaging than I was expecting it to be. Shaky-cam-phobes beware. I moved from mid-theater to the back row thanks to the use of that hated technique here. (I guess it doesn't bother everybody, but is there really anyone who would fail to enjoy a movie if it did not use the damn shaky-cam?)

I haven't read the book, and I'm not especially inspired to do so, but I was surprised at how much this turned out to be a satire, not so much of totalitarian government, but of the present-day "reality TV" elimination genre. Since I've ever-loathed that entire field of programming, I was pleased by this aspect. (Early on, Katniss' studly guy friend says "If everyone would just stop watching," to which Katniss gives a resigned "never gonna happen." I knew just how they felt.)

Perfect casting went a long way toward getting me to willingly suspend a lot of disbelief. A couple of tropes, however, bent me to the breaking point.

This:

Spoiler:

And this:

Spoiler:

And, I wished for a slightly different ending:

Spoiler:

I know how I'd like to see things go, but I'm not sure I care quite enough to read three books or watch two more movies to find out. Still, this is so many leagues better than any sparkly vampire crap.

Alex · 03-27-2012, 02:51 PM

Question 1: Yes, they were. Explained in the book. Not explained in the movie.
Question 2: Yes, this is a problem in the book as well. Super technology inconsistently present.
Question 3: She couldn't because she had to survive and take care of her sister. Future movies will explore the rebellion issue more.

Personally, I thought the movie was pretty much exactly the same quality as the book. Relatively shallow presentation of complex issues. Not bad, not particularly good. Better than half the Harry Potter movies and better than two out of the three Twilight movies. But still very YA in tone and scripting.

Very good performances, better CGI than I'd been lead to expect (except for the big cheat at the end).

Strangler Lewis · 04-02-2012, 06:34 AM

Due to circumstances beyond my control, I went to "Mirror, Mirror" yesterday. From the commercials I had seen out of the corner of my eye, I had initially assumed that the movie cost about five dollars to make. I now realize that this assumption was grounded in Julia Roberts' snarky dialogue. The movie is actually visually stunning in all respects, but with a Nickelodeon-level script, it was pretty tough sledding.

One interesting touch: it had the semi-obligatory musical number over the credits. From his name, the director sounds like an Indian fellow, and the number seemed like something out of a Bollywood movie. (Of course, it could be a number one pop hit, and I wouldn't know it.)

Snowflake · 04-02-2012, 08:02 AM

Napoleon vu par Abel Gance, an incredible event, an incredible film, an incredible day. Worth every penny, worth the time ans beyond grateful I had this opportunity.

Alex · 04-02-2012, 08:23 AM

I meant to go to that, but then forgot about it.

Kevy Baby · 04-02-2012, 09:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Strangler Lewis

Due to circumstances beyond my control, I went to "Mirror, Mirror" yesterday. From the commercials I had seen out of the corner of my eye...

don't let him fool you folks; SL has been DYING to see this movie!

innerSpaceman · 04-02-2012, 09:53 AM

I'm tempted to see Mirror, Mirror simply because it was directed by Indian-name-sounding Tarsam Singh. His movies are always visually splendiforous. And I hear Julia Roberts is in finer form than in a million years.

But I think I'll wait for the DVD. Then I can watch it with the sound turned off, except for the Julia Roberts parts.

03-25-2012, 04:15 AM	#1341
Strangler Lewis Doing The Job Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: In a state Posts: 3,956	Paris, Texas. __________________ Live now-pay later. Diner's Club!
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03-25-2012, 07:23 AM	#1342
Alex . Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 13,354	Hunger Games is a very literal translation of the book.
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03-27-2012, 01:24 PM	#1344
flippyshark Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 2,852	The Hunger Games was more engaging than I was expecting it to be. Shaky-cam-phobes beware. I moved from mid-theater to the back row thanks to the use of that hated technique here. (I guess it doesn't bother everybody, but is there really anyone who would fail to enjoy a movie if it did not use the damn shaky-cam?) I haven't read the book, and I'm not especially inspired to do so, but I was surprised at how much this turned out to be a satire, not so much of totalitarian government, but of the present-day "reality TV" elimination genre. Since I've ever-loathed that entire field of programming, I was pleased by this aspect. (Early on, Katniss' studly guy friend says "If everyone would just stop watching," to which Katniss gives a resigned "never gonna happen." I knew just how they felt.) Perfect casting went a long way toward getting me to willingly suspend a lot of disbelief. A couple of tropes, however, bent me to the breaking point. This: Spoiler: The Mockingjays - Were these genetically engineered creatures? (I haven't read the book.) Rue merely hummed a very soft melody, and suddenly, the forest was alive with these birds singing it back and forth. I though, gosh, those birds should be mocking the cadence of every sentence these characters say if they're that sensitive! And this: Spoiler: The ability of the game programmers to digitally dial up flesh and blood killer dogs just didn't work for me. If they have this technology, there should certainly be no hunger in the land, nor any material lack for anyone. Unless these were tactile holograms? (Same for the dial-up forest fire) And, I wished for a slightly different ending: Spoiler: The two of them should have ignored the last-second reprieve and eaten the berries anyway. This could have triggered more riots and rebellion in the districts, which would have pleased me silly. I wouldn't even have minded if the two were somehow rescued and resuscitated, I just wanted them to make that uncompromising choice even after they didn't have to. I know how I'd like to see things go, but I'm not sure I care quite enough to read three books or watch two more movies to find out. Still, this is so many leagues better than any sparkly vampire crap.
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03-27-2012, 02:51 PM	#1345
Alex . Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 13,354	Question 1: Yes, they were. Explained in the book. Not explained in the movie. Question 2: Yes, this is a problem in the book as well. Super technology inconsistently present. Question 3: She couldn't because she had to survive and take care of her sister. Future movies will explore the rebellion issue more. Personally, I thought the movie was pretty much exactly the same quality as the book. Relatively shallow presentation of complex issues. Not bad, not particularly good. Better than half the Harry Potter movies and better than two out of the three Twilight movies. But still very YA in tone and scripting. Very good performances, better CGI than I'd been lead to expect (except for the big cheat at the end).
	Submit to Quotes

04-02-2012, 06:34 AM	#1346
Strangler Lewis Doing The Job Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: In a state Posts: 3,956	Due to circumstances beyond my control, I went to "Mirror, Mirror" yesterday. From the commercials I had seen out of the corner of my eye, I had initially assumed that the movie cost about five dollars to make. I now realize that this assumption was grounded in Julia Roberts' snarky dialogue. The movie is actually visually stunning in all respects, but with a Nickelodeon-level script, it was pretty tough sledding. One interesting touch: it had the semi-obligatory musical number over the credits. From his name, the director sounds like an Indian fellow, and the number seemed like something out of a Bollywood movie. (Of course, it could be a number one pop hit, and I wouldn't know it.) __________________ Live now-pay later. Diner's Club!
	Submit to Quotes

04-02-2012, 08:02 AM	#1347
Snowflake lost in the fog Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: San Francisco Posts: 7,831	Napoleon vu par Abel Gance, an incredible event, an incredible film, an incredible day. Worth every penny, worth the time ans beyond grateful I had this opportunity. __________________ Be yourself; everyone else is already taken. - Oscar Wilde
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04-02-2012, 08:23 AM	#1348
Alex . Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 13,354	I meant to go to that, but then forgot about it.
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04-02-2012, 09:53 AM	#1350
innerSpaceman Kink of Swank Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Inner Space Posts: 13,075	I'm tempted to see Mirror, Mirror simply because it was directed by Indian-name-sounding Tarsam Singh. His movies are always visually splendiforous. And I hear Julia Roberts is in finer form than in a million years. But I think I'll wait for the DVD. Then I can watch it with the sound turned off, except for the Julia Roberts parts.
	Submit to Quotes