Movie Review: The Hunger Games

I finally went and saw The Hunger Games this weekend. I was happily surprised. They did a great job of bringing such a great book to the screen. So, what I liked: Jennifer Lawerance. She was great as Katniss and exactly as I pictured her. I was a little worried when she was cast. Her blonde hair threw me off, but she transformed herself perfectly into Katniss. 
Look and Feel: Every location, the costumes and the makeup all looked as I imagined. The Capital and its residents were as colorful and flamboyant as they should be. District 12 was perfectly bleak, the complete opposite as the Capital.
Cinna: I really liked Lenny Kravitz. I thought he did a really great job. He was also perfectly cast, in my opinion.
What I didn't like:
Peeta: There was just something about the actor that didn't seem right to me. He just wasn't what I pictured. A little too small, maybe?
Direction: Only when it comes to the way it was shot. The shaky camera and quick cuts made it hard to watch sometimes. I had a hard time focusing. I actually had to turn away a few times due to feeling a little dizzy and nauseated. 
Can't wait to go and see it again. Hopefully this weekend with my mom and sister. :)

_________________________________________ Current GIVEAWAY: $15 to spend at GoneReading.com. Enter here.

 

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The Hunger Games Trailer

I can't wait! I think it looks pretty good. How about you? Does it look as you pictured it when you read the books? I am hoping it lives up to them._________________________________________

FTC Disclosure: Clicking on title and image links will lead you to my Amazon Affiliate page.

Books to Movies

I have been noticing that many books that I have read/reviewed in the past few years will soon be made into movies. These are a few I am excited to see. Austenland (review)(imdb)The Perks of Being A Wallflower (review)(imdb)The Hunger Games (review)(imdb)
Any others that I should be looking out for?_________________________________________

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The Sunday Salon

I have been unable to get online the last couple weeks as often as I like since we still don't have dsl set up in our new place. It should all be set up later this week, hopefully. I have been going down the street to a coffee shop for a couple hours to get some much needed stuff done, driving course to take care of a speeding ticket, ordering baby stuff and figuring out what we need to get our car registered here and get new licenses.  Hoping I can get all caught up before baby comes.
I have been getting some reading done and have some reviews that I would like to write and post. I meant to get my review of Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins up a long time ago, but it will have to wait a little longer. I also finished The Keepsake by Tess Gerritson and The Girl Who Played With Fire by Stieg Larsson. 
Have any of you watched the movie of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo? I just saw it last night and was wondering what others thought of it? I found it to be a pretty good book adaptation, not missing too much from the book but it did throw in some info from the second book that I thought was interesting.
Hope you are all having a good Sunday. 
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HP and The Deathly Hollows Trailer

I cannot wait!! Opening night, I must be there. I will need a babysitter! :)

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Christmas Movies to Watch (December 13th)

I thought some of you might be interested in this. I have not seen them before but am looking forward to seeing them now that I have read The Christmas Secret. (You can find my review here.)



On December 13th, the Lifetime Movie Network will air the following television adaptations of Donna VanLiere's first three books in her Christmas Hope Series:

4PM ET: The Christmas Shoes
6PM ET: The Christmas Blessing (LMN Premiere - one telecast only)
8PM ET: The Christmas Hope (Premiere)
10PM ET: The Christmas Shoes (Encore)

12AM ET: The Christmas Hope (Encore)

***Check local listings for scheduling changes.

In December, LifetimeMovieNetwork.com will post an excerpt from THE CHRISTMAS SECRET and an original essay by VanLiere. The site will also sponsor a contest to win signed copies of the "Christmas Hope" books. Details will be forthcoming on LifetimeMovieNetwork.com.

More information about THE CHRISTMAS SECRET and Donna VanLiere's work can be found online at DonnaVanLiere.com, including:

-About THE CHRISTMAS SECRET: http://donnavanliere.com/books.html#tcsec

-About Donna VanLiere: http://donnavanliere.com/bio.html

-Previous Books: http://donnavanliere.com/books.html

-Videos/Trailers: http://donnavanliere.com/video.html

-For Book Clubs: http://donnavanliere.com/bookclubs.html

I love holiday movies. A Christmas Story is definitely my favorite. What is your favorite holiday movie?


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Movie Review-Lost in Austen

LOST IN AUSTEN was on Ovation the other day but I didn't realize it until it was already on the third episode. I quickly set the DVR to record, turned off the T.V and caught up on YouTube. 

So, have you heard about this miniseries? I only heard about it recently, before joining the Everything Austin Challenge. Decided it would make a good addition to my list of all things Austen.

Series Info: First released in the UK on September 3, 2008 as a four part miniseries. Ovation first broadcast it in the US in January 2009.

From the (DVD)Back Cover: Amanda Price is sick of the modern world. She yearns for the romance and elegance found in the books by her favorite author, Jane Austen. But she's about to get a rude awakening as one fateful evening, she is propelled into the scheming 19th century world of Pride and Prejudice while that book's Elizabeth Bennet is hurled into hers. As the book's familiar plot unfolds, Amanda triggers new romantic twists and turns within the Bennet family circle as she clumsily tries to help the sisters nab husbands and even captivates the tantalizing Mr. Darcy herself. But what about Elizabeth...and what will become of one of the world's greatest love stories?

My Review: I was really excited about the premise of the series. A modern day gal finds a door that just so happens to open into the world of Pride and Prejudice. The acting was great, the locations were perfect and the plot was good but for some reason I just couldn't get into it. Perhaps it was the way I was watching- stop and start on YouTube? I don't know, but there was something lacking and I can't put my finger on it.

What did I like? I really liked Alex Kingston in this. She was great as Mrs. Bennett. The changes to the story due to Elizabeth being gone and Amanda there instead were creative and somewhat believable as being part of the Austen world. I did love and laughed when Amanda has Mr.Darcy get in the lake and walk out a la Colin Firth. That was a highlight. :)

I really wished there was more about Elizabeth and how she was getting on in modern London. Also, a little less quick transitions between scenes. I kept thinking that I was missing parts (again due to watching on YouTube). I might have been. I really should get this on DVD and watch. 

Anyway, it was fun and I did enjoy. But like I said before, there was something missing that will keep me from considering this a favorite. 

A movie adaptation is apparently in the works. Wonder how that will differ from the series? 

3/5

Everything Austen Challenge
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Movie Review-Sense and Sensibility

Movie Info: Released on 13 December 1995. Directed by Ang Lee. Screenplay by Emma Thompson. The movie went on to win 7 Acadamy Awards including Best Picture and Best Screenplay.

From the Back Cover: Based on Jane Austen's classic novel, Sense and Sensibility tells of the Dashwood sisters, sensible Elinor (Emma Thompson) and passionate Marianne (Kate Winslet), whose chances of marriage seem doomed by their family's sudden loss of fortune. Alan Rickman, Hugh Grant and Greg Wise co-star as the well-intentioned suitors who are trapped by the strict rules of society and the conflicting laws of desire.

My Review: I had completely forgotten that I had a copy of this movie. I decided to pull it out and watch while eating my lunch. I still absolutely love this movie. Such a great adaptation that I feel is even better than the novel. I know! Sacrilege. Sense and Sensibility is my least favorite of Jane Austen's novels. But this movie adaptation is one of my favorites.

The screenplay improves a lot on the book. Adding actual dialogue between Elinor and Edward that isn't in the book. You get to see why they fall in love and understand how it happens. The youngest Miss Dashwood, Margaret is actually present and heard. She seems much more real than she does in the book. The relationship between the sisters and their mother is lovely and portrayed beautifully. And Mrs. Jennings is perfectly frightful!

The dialogue, the setting, the music and acting is all superb. So many great actors in this movie. All the actors listed above and also Gemma Jones, Harriet Walter, Imelda Staunton and James Fleece. And of course- Hugh Laurie. He is so great as the grumpy yet lovable Mr Palmer.

My favorite line to repeat at random: Marianne-"There...there I fell and there I first saw Willoughby."

I said it was random. :)

5/5


Everything Austen Challenge

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New Moon Trailer

Better than Twilight you think? Hmm, I hope so. 

This one just may make me a fan of Jacob over Edward. He looks good. :)

Movie Meme

I stole this meme from Robin. I am thinking I will beat her number... Let's count.

(x) Rocky Horror Picture Show
(x) Grease
(x) Pirates of the Caribbean
(x) Pirates of the Caribbean 2: Dead Man’s Chest
( ) Boondock Saints
(x ) Fight Club
( ) Starsky and Hutch
( x) Neverending Story
(x) Blazing Saddles
(x) Airplane
Total: 8

(x) The Princess Bride
( ) Anchorman
(x) Napoleon Dynamite
(x) Labyrinth
( ) Saw
( ) Saw II
( ) White Noise
(x) White Oleander
( ) Anger Management
( ) 50 First Dates
(x) The Princess Diaries
( ) The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement
Total so far: 13

(x) Scream
(x) Scream 2
(x) Scream 3
() Scary Movie
() Scary Movie 2
() Scary Movie 3
() Scary Movie 4
(x) American Pie
(x) American Pie 2
() American Wedding
() American Pie Band Camp
Total so far: 18

(x) Harry Potter 1
(x) Harry Potter 2
(x) Harry Potter 3
(x) Harry Potter 4
(x) Resident Evil 1
() Resident Evil 2
(x) The Wedding Singer
() Little Black Book
(x) The Village
(x) Lilo & Stitch
Total so far: 26

(x) Finding Nemo
(x ) Finding Neverland
(x) Signs
(x) The Grinch
() Texas Chainsaw Massacre
() Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning
() White Chicks
() Butterfly Effect
(x) 13 Going on 30
(x) I, Robot
() Robots
Total so far: 32

(x) Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story
() Universal Soldier
(x) Lemony Snicket: A Series Of Unfortunate Events
(x) Along Came Polly
(x) Deep Impact
() KingPin
(x) Never Been Kissed
(x) Meet The Parents
() Meet the Fockers
()Eight Crazy Nights
() Joe Dirt
() KING KONG (The Original)
Total so far: 38

() A Cinderella Story
() The Terminal
() The Lizzie McGuire Movie
() Passport to Paris
(x) Dumb & Dumber
() Dumber & Dumberer
() Final Destination
() Final Destination 2
() Final Destination 3
(x) Halloween
(x) The Ring
(x) The Ring 2
() Surviving X-MAS
(x) Flubber [the original]
Total so far: 42


(x) Harold & Kumar Go To White Castle
(x) Practical Magic
() Chicago
() Ghost Ship
() From ***
() Hellboy
() Secret Window
() I Am Sam
() The Whole Nine Yards
() The Whole Ten Yards
Total so far: 44

(x) The Day After Tomorrow
(x) Child’s Play
() Seed of Chucky
() Bride of Chucky
(x) Ten Things I Hate About You
() Just Married
(x) Gothika
(x) Nightmare on Elm Street
(x) Sixteen Candles
() Remember the Titans
() Coach Carter
(x) The Grudge
() The Grudge 2
(x) The Mask
() Son Of The Mask
total so far: 52

() Bad Boys
() Bad Boys 2
() Joy Ride
() Lucky Number Slevin
(x) Ocean’s Eleven
(x) Ocean’s Twelve
(x) Bourne Identity
(x) Bourne Supremecy
() Lone Star
() Bedazzled
(x) Predator
() Predator II
( ) The Fog
(x) Ice Age
() Ice Age 2: The Meltdown
() Curious George
Total so far: 58

(x) Independence Day
(x) Cujo
() A Bronx Tale
() Darkness Falls
(x) Christine
(x) ET
(x) Children of the Corn
() My Bosses Daughter
(x) Maid in Manhattan
(x) War of the Worlds
() Rush Hour
() Rush Hour 2
Total so far: 65

() Best Bet
(x) How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days
(x) She’s All That
(x) Calendar Girls
(x) Sideways
(x) Mars Attacks
(x) Event Horizon
(x) Ever After
(x) Wizard of Oz
(x) Forrest Gump
(x) Big Trouble in Little China
(x) The Terminator
(x) The Terminator 2
(x) The Terminator 3
Total so far: 78

(x) X-Men
(x) X-2
(x) X-3
(x) Spider-Man
(x) Spider-Man 2
() Sky High
() Jeepers Creepers
() Jeepers Creepers 2
() Catch Me If You Can
(x) The Little Mermaid
(x) Freaky Friday (the original)
() Reign of Fire
() The Skulls
(x ) Cruel Intentions
() Cruel Intentions 2
() The Hot Chick
(x) Shrek
(x) Shrek 2
Total so far: 88

(x) Swimfan
(x) Miracle on 34th street
(x) Old School
(x) The Notebook
() K-Pax
() Krippendorf’s Tribe
(x) A Walk to Remember
(x) Ice Castles
() Boogeyman
(x) The 40-year-old Virgin
Total so far: 95

(x) Lord of the Rings Fellowship of the Ring
(x) Lord of the Rings The Two Towers
(x) Lord of the Rings Return Of the King
(x) Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark
(x) Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom
(x) Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade
Total so far: 101

() Baseketball
() Hostel
() Waiting for Guffman
() House of 1000 Corpses
() Devils Rejects
() Elf
(x) Highlander
() Mothman Prophecies
(x) American History X
() Three
Total so Far: 103

() The Jacket
() Kung *** Hustle
() Shaolin Soccer
() Night Watch
(x) Monsters Inc.
(x) Titanic
(x) Monty Python and the Holy Grail
() Shaun Of the Dead
() Willa74
Total so far: 106

() High Tension (Haute Tension)
() Club Dread
() Hulk
() Dawn Of the Dead
(x) Hook
(x) Chronicles Of Narnia: The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe
(x) 28 days later
() Orgazmo
() Phantasm
(x) Waterworld
Total so far: 110

(x) Kill Bill vol 1
(x) Kill Bill vol 2
() Mortal Kombat
() Wolf Creek
() Kingdom of Heaven
() the Hills Have Eyes
() I Spit on Your Grave aka the Day of the Woman
() The Last House on the Left
() Re-Animator
(x) Army of Darkness
Total so far: 113

(x) Star Wars Ep. I The Phantom Menace
(x) Star Wars Ep. II Attack of the Clones
(x) Star Wars Ep. III Revenge of the Sith
(x) Star Wars Ep. IV A New Hope
(x) Star Wars Ep. V The Empire Strikes Back
(x) Star Wars Ep. VI Return of the Jedi
() Ewoks Caravan Of Courage
(x) Ewoks The Battle For Endor
Total so far: 120

(x) The Matrix
(x) The Matrix Reloaded
(x) The Matrix Revolutions
() Animatrix
(x) Evil Dead
(x) Evil Dead 2
(x) Team America: World Police
(x) Red Dragon
(x) Silence of the Lambs
(x) Hannibal
Total: 129

YUP. I have seen a lot of movies. :) Does that mean I have no life? :)

Heehee

The advantage of scheduling posts, make it look like you can blog from anywhere. :)

So, Twilight. I really don't want to say much about it except that it had my friends and I laughing and a bit disappointed. It could have been so much better. What is wrong with Jasper? Just not right. Other things, like direction and acting, were just not up to my standards, I guess. I really was hoping to enjoy the movie and am very thankful that I didn't go in with high expectations.

Twilight : The Movie

Right now, I am sitting in a movie theatre with some friends/fellow twilight fanatics eating chips and queso and enjoying a beverage while waiting for the lights to come down and the movie to start. Yay!

I am really hoping this is good.

I really should have reread the book this week.

Anybody else seen/seeing Twilight?

twilight movie

(archived from mariknits)

Because I am completely obsessed with these books and now will be of the movie as well. :)

Twilight in HD


I can't wait to see this.

twilight

Because I am completely obsessed with these books and now will be of the movie as well. :)

Twilight in HD


I can't wait to see this.