The Hunger Games

For those of you who have read the books, you know why this series has become the new talk of the town, and for those who haven’t…well, lets just say you are missing out on something that will forever be one of the worlds greatest franchise’s. The writing, the themes, the characters, the actors, and the cinematography are only a few credible aspects of the film that makes it so appealing and such a universal phenomenon.

Themes

I’ve heard many people talk about the horrible message that The Hunger Games represents. They complain that it is setting a bad example for society and showing kids that it is okay to kill each one another. However, every time I hear someone say this, I can’t help but want to turn around and show them the other great, empowering things we see in these stories.  As well as point out the fact that they are books/movies and, like any other action based movies, they are based on tragedy in which we conquer and look past through the sympathy and actions of the heroic character (in this case Katniss). It’s what makes a great movie a GREAT movie. Without a set back or type of devastation or conflict, there wouldn’t be much of a film entertainment business, if any at all.  So lets push that aside and look deeper into the story and look at the more meaningful and relative themes that bring much more meaning to the story.

Beating The Odds- This, in its own, entails several themes. First is, poverty. Panem, which is described as the United States divided up into twelve districts in a post apocalyptic world, with each district based on wealth, starting from District 1/ The Capital who are extremely rich, to District 12 who are almost unbearably poor. Katniss and Peeta live in District twelve and not only struggle to find enough food to feed themselves and their families, they are at the largest disadvantage within the hierarchy since they have they option to exchange an extra ballad with their name in the ballad of potential tributes of the games for a trade of food and essentials for their loved ones.   And not only that, they are weaker and not as privileged as the other Districts who can afford food and useful weapons, yet they come out stronger and most experienced than the others because of their unprivileged situations at home where they had to fight for there food and go over and under to make ends meet.

Another is Individualism. The tragic and stressful situations each tribute is put under to save their own life, let alone take the life of another to do so is enough to draw one out of their right mind.  Yet, Peeta is determined to not let the temptations take over who he really is. He wont let the Capitals influence of murder and betrayal become his new identity. Instead he dies the opposite. He states that he doesn’t want to die as anyone but himself within the games. He doesn’t want to be a murderer, he would rather die true to himself than live as a different person.

These themes alone relate so much to real life and can be taken into context of our own lives.

Love/ Compassion- Whether real or not, love is a major theme in the story. Later in the story we find out that Peeta, unbeknownst to Katniss, is in love with her.  The results of this love façade played a major role in the life of the characters, literally and figuratively, especially with them both winning the games.  Also, we see the compassion that pours out from many of the tributes, such as Rue and Katniss who made a pact to protect eachother, and did until their fate made them part.

Characters/ Actors

Katniss/ Jennifer Lawrence- It is inevitable to say that Jennifer Lawrence is going to be the new Meryl Streep of our generation. She has already won two awards, a Golden Globe and an Oscar before the age of 25, and has captured the world with her profound talent and likable personality.  It is arguable that her role as Katniss is what sparked her career, but it is fair to say that it did and forever will be the role that made us remember who she was.    Katniss is a very strong- headed upper teenaged girl who has sacrificed her life for her sister to participate in the annual Hunger Games.  From the beginning we see her struggle on the brink of death and continue to do so throughout the movie.  She is fierce and hungry for life, yet vulnerable and very compassionate.  This, as you could imagine creates its own conflicts and Jennifer Lawrence undeniably does an amazing job with displaying both of those characteristics in a way that is believable and realistic.

Peeta/ Josh Hutcherson-  Peeta is also very compassionate yet doesn’t possess the same urge for survival as Katniss. He is more of a follower and hides from danger instead of facing it.  Josh Hutcherson also embodies his character so well and brings the character to life through his great acting and chemistry between him and Jennifer Lawrence. 

Besides Katniss and Peeta, the cast is filled with many unique and important characters. There is Gail (Liam Hemsworth), who is Katniss’ best friend and sort-of love interest that also taught her much of what she knows about hunting. Then there is Effie Trinket (Elizabeth Banks), the escort of the tributes. And then of course the tributes themselves. All are tremendously talented and make this story come alive.

Cinematography

Directed by Gary Ross with cinematographer Tom Stern, The Hunger Games  broke records in the box office and left the audience talking. Though, unfortunately it didn’t get the best rep. as many complained about the changes they made to the story by not following the book and the unfavorable layout of the arena, the film was still very visually appealing.  Gary Ross did a great job telling the story, and Tom Stern did a wonderful job in creatively capturing all of the elements of the story.

Catching Fire has finally hit theatres and I cant wait to see what masterpiece they have created now. I expect that they kept  to the original story based on the backlash of The Hunger Games, as well as will blow all the competition out of the water, like it did the first time too!  Good luck getting a ticket, and may the odds be ever in your favor!

The Draw of Nicholas Sparks

Nicholas Sparks has become a household name all over the country.  He is known for writing some of the most moving stories about love and life.  Yes love, it seems so cliché nowadays.  The perception of love in modern society has been skewed in our minds to being impossible to find or just a journey of constant heartbreak.  For many of us though, this perception seems about right.  However, when I watch one of his films or read his books, I find myself in awe of the beautiful writing and characters that keep me locked in the moments of what we all wish to experience one day.  His most famous books to date are The Notebook, A Walk to Remember, Dear John, The Lucky One, Safe Haven, and The Last Song.  Having seen all of them, I have found myself asking what it is about his works that make such an impact on myself and others that other movies in particular do not.  So in asking that question, I have broken it down into two reasons of why Nicholas Sparks’ movies are so successful.

The Main Characters & Actors

            To state the obvious, EVERYONE IS BEAUTIFUL! You have Ryan Gossling and Rachel McAdams in The Notebook, Shane West and Mandy Moore in A Walk to Remember, Channing Tatum and Amanda Seyfried in Dear John, Zac Efron and Taylor Schilling in The Lucky One, Josh Duhmel and Julianne Hough in Safe Haven, and Liam Hemsworth and Miley Cyrus in The Last Song.  Woah!  Im not sure I know too many people who don’t fantasize about at least one of these actors or actresses frequently which only adds to the impact of the story but of course doesn’t make it.  The characters that each actor or actress plays seem to hold the perfect qualities in a human that every girl or boy wishes they could find. Though maybe not from the start, eventually they evolve and build our likeness for the person more and more throughout the movie.  They help us get lost in their emotions and draw us into their situations so it’s as if we are there.  They seem to represent something we want so badly in our lives personally and makes us feel like it is in arms reach.

Also, not only does he create these beautiful characters that we cant help but love, he creates characters that we cant help but hate or make us sad or mad.  Whether the character is sick, dying, abusive, or you name it, they become this barrier that must be broken down and creates a struggle not only for the characters in the film but also for the audience.  Our connections with these characters make us feel protective of them. Emotions suddenly start building as soon as things don’t go the way we want which brings us on the love journey in the first place.

The Plotline

            After reading several of Nicholas Sparks’ books and watching just about every single movie, of which many he wrote and produced himself as well, I have realized that most of his stories are based on a similar storyline.  There are the two characters who want to be with one another however, someone or something gets in the way. Yes sounds like any other love story, yet each story has these hidden meanings that we don’t initially catch from the beginning that surprise us in the end. Nicholas Sparks has mastered the skill of portraying a scene in such a way that he convinces us that we know what is going to happen and in the end then proves us wrong.  Theres the first meeting, then the connection, the conflict, the surprise, then the ending, and a lot more in between. 

Nicholas Sparks’ ability to write great characters and stories that resonate to many lives is the reason why I believe he is so successful.