Movie Review: The Hunger Games

Title:
The Hunger Games
Cast: Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, Elizabeth Banks, Woody Harrelson, Stanley Tucci, Donald Sutherland, Wes Bentley, Lenny Kravitz
Director: Gary Ross
Writing Credits: Gary Ross, Suzanne Collins, Billy Ray
Distributor: Lionsgate
Running Time: 142 minutes
Philippine Release Date:
22 March 2012

Official Movie Synopsis:
Every year in the ruins of what was once North America, the evil Capitol of the nation of Panem forces each of its twelve districts to send a teenage boy and girl to compete in the Hunger Games. A twisted punishment for a past uprising and an ongoing government intimidation tactic, The Hunger Games are a nationally televised event in which “Tributes” must fight with one another until one survivor remains.

Pitted against highly-trained Tributes who have prepared for these Games their entire lives, Katniss is forced to rely upon her sharp instincts as well as the mentorship of drunken former victor Haymitch Abernathy. If she’s ever to return home to District 12, Katniss must make impossible choices in the arena that weigh survival against humanity and life against love.

Official Movie Trailer:

Review In A Nutshell:
To say that The Hunger Games is one of my most anticipated movies this year would be pretty apt.  But as pre-production kicked in high gear and during the marketing stage, it made me dread seeing it. It was slightly reduced though and made me hope… but it wasn’t enough.

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The Tribute Cast of The Hunger Games (Image c/o Vanity Fair)

To say that adaptation of The Hunger Games is one of my most anticipated movies this year would be pretty apt.  I’ve read all three books in the series and I loved it; it was begging to be adapted for the big screen thus you can imagine how excited I was when I learned that a studio bought its movie rights in 2009. It took two years in pre-production (hell) before things started to go on full throttle, which I expected somewhat from Lionsgate. My interest didn’t wane despite that. However, something happened as pre-production kicked in high gear and in the marketing stage that made me dread seeing it on the big screen. It was slightly reduced though after seeing the official trailer and made me hope… but it wasn’t enough.

"I'm not allowed to bet but, if I could, I'd bet on you." - Cinna
Photo by Murray Close

For all intents and purposes, The Hunger Games will definitely satisfy fans of the book since it was a very faithful adaptation. How can it not be when the author herself, Suzanne Collins, co-wrote the screenplay? Gary Ross, the director and co-writer, partnered well enough with Suzanne to ensure that book fans will not be disappointed while allowing the movie to attract even the non-book readers. Since watching the movie last Thursday evening, I’ve come across more than a handful of people buying box sets of the series. Seeing that made me smile, enough for me to want to re-read the books and start visualizing the actors who played the characters I loved in my head — all of whom did a good job of translating their roles to the big screen despite early misgivings and fan uproar that prompted Gary Ross and Suzanne Collins to write open letters to justify their selection. At the time, it seemed necessary since a lot was at stake given the reception of the book series. Now, if anything, I’d rather get open letters from most of the film’s creative, marketing and technical crew for making me feel as if I read and saw the book the wrong way in my head.

More Film Highlights
(Image c/o The Hunger Games Official Facebook page)

Perhaps the biggest issue I have with the movie is the love triangle among Katniss, Peeta and Gale which is non-existent… I repeat, NON-EXISTENT… in the books.  I’m deeply reminded of the Harmonian tone in the Harry Potter franchise — yes, I’m looking at you, Steven Kloves — that felt utterly wrong. And please, dear Lionsgate, just because you recently acquired a studio that started the Team vs. Team idea gives you the right to use it. It doesn’t work with this franchise and it never will. For someone like me who digs rom-coms and chick flicks, I was squirming in my seat whenever scenes alluding to the love triangle appeared. This overshadowed my other issues — which are relatively minor and forgivable given its somewhat pint-sized budget — like the costumes (Uh, I didn’t realize that Capitol Couture equals the need to exhaust the brightest colors of the spectrum. I was expecting it to be a little more refined, classy yet crazy with the tailoring. Something like the clothes I see on the fashion runways of Paris and Milan), the special effects (I know the fire is artificial but it looks too amateurish.),  the score (To quote any of the AI judges, it was pitchy and off in spots.) and the editing… Oh yes, the EDITING!

If only the movie editing was as sharp and precise as Seneca Crane's razor...
(Image c/o Capitol Couture)

The editing is my second biggest problem because it made the movie feel numb and flat. Given the rich source material, plus the author’s heavy involvement, I can imagine, even bet, that a lot of it was shot but ended up being chucked in the cutting room, which resulted in a half-baked, almost dry finished product. If anything, the book series had a great emotional depth that a lot of actors would kill to play off it.  Unfortunately, those emotional points didn’t linger long enough.  I was almost hearing someone say “Next!” before it cuts to a new scene. Therefore, I demand a director’s cut DVD or Blu-ray which would contain 30-40 minutes worth of emotional, gut-wrenching material. Heaven knows how I cried when I read the book; the movie didn’t do half as much.  Also, I’m not sure if I’m the only one who finds Katniss not being hungry — I was expecting her to shove food in her mouth when she first stepped on the train — ironic.

I get why the critics loved The Hunger Games and the movie is worth their attention, moreso with its fans.  I think that if I saw it again — which I definitely will — it’ll allow me to forgive the adaptation a little more but I don’t believe it’ll make me change how much I detest the studio’s uninspired marketing strategy and that bizzare love triangle.

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My Rating:
4 out of 5 stars

My Two Cents:
Watch it in a cinema near you. It is worth seeing it on the big screen. And if you haven’t read the books, I sincerely hope you’ll grab a copy after watching it so that you can enjoy Suzanne Collins’ world on a different level.

Other Fun Stuff:

- The Hunger Games B-Roll

- The Hunger Games Unscripted

- Wes Bentley’s shout-out to Seneca Crane’s Beard Facebook Page (lol)

Book News: Lauren Oliver Philippine Book Signing Event

Pinoy fans of Lauren Oliver will be excited to know that she will be coming to the Philippines!  Known as the author behind Before I Fall, and Liesl & Po, Lauren Oliver will be launching Pandemonium, the sequel to her third published book, Delirium. This event is organized by National Bookstore. To know more about the book signing event (pay attention to the fine print), read below:

To add more excitement to her visit, National Bookstore has a contest wherein five (5) lucky fans will be able to get up close and personal with Lauren Oliver. The mechanics are pretty simple: e-mail 5 Questions You Would Ask Lauren Oliver to contest@nationalbookstore.com.ph by March 14, 2012 (Wednesday). The 5 lucky fans with the best set of questions will be treated to… get this… a private lunch party with Lauren Oliver on March 25!

Winners of the contest will be announced on March 16, Friday. Each winner will get two (2) invites so they get to bring their friend along. Isn’t that fun?

To keep yourself updated about this event, follow National Bookstore on Facebook and on Twitter.

To know more about Lauren Oliver, check out her official website: http://www.laurenoliverbooks.com/

Movie Review: My Week With Marilyn

Title:
My Week With Marilyn
Cast:
Michelle Williams, Kenneth Branagh, Eddie Redmayne, Judi Dench, Julia Ormond, Dominic Cooper and Emma Watson
Director: Simon Curtis
Writing Credits: Adrian Hodges
Distributor: The Weinstein Company
Running Time: 101 minutes
Philippine Release Date:
29 February 2012

Official Movie Synopsis:
In the early summer of 1956, 23-year-old Colin Clark, just down from Oxford and determined to make his way in the film business, worked as a lowly assistant on the set of “The Prince and the Showgirl”: the film that famously united Sir Laurence Olivier and Marilyn Monroe, who was also on honeymoon with her new husband, the playwright Arthur Miller.

Nearly 40 years on, his diary account, The Prince, The Showgirl and Me was published, but one week was missing and this was published some years later as My Week With Marilyn – this is the story of that week. When Arthur Miller leaves England, the coast is clear for Colin to introduce Marilyn to some of the pleasures of British life; an idyllic week in which he escorted a Monroe desperate to get away from her retinue of Hollywood hangers-on and the pressures of work.

Official Movie Trailer:

Review In A Nutshell:
My Week With Marilyn is definitely a must-see movie. While it is a biopic at its core, it is also a story about love, growing pains, and the endless, ever-growing fascination for those working under the harsh but bright lights of Tinsel Town.

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Nearly 40 years after the death of Marilyn Monroe, perhaps one of the most iconic actresses in cinema’s history, the fascination still lives on.  She has been portrayed by so many actresses in TV and films – I’ve only seen Norma Jean and Marilyn which I liked – enough to wonder about what makes My Week With Marilyn different.

Michelle Williams (Marilyn Monroe) and Dougray Scott (Arthur Miller)

My Week With Marilyn is based on the diaries of the late Colin Clark, noted British writer and filmmaker, who worked as part of the production crew of The Prince and The Showgirl. It narrates about Marilyn’s struggles and desperation while filming on foreign soil and how Colin offered solace and comfort during those times.

The theme and the basis of My Week With Marilyn is somewhat similar to Norma Jean and Marilyn but both biopics held their own for me. My Week With Marilyn had a lot of strong points thus the accolades it got from critics and award-giving bodies didn’t surprise me. Michelle Williams as Marilyn Monroe is wonderful and fascinating to watch.  While her resemblance is utterly spot on, Michelle’s portrayal is effortless and fluid; it’s like seeing a seasoned prima ballerina take on the stage. Kenneth Branagh, who is often looked at as the Laurence Olivier of this generation, was great; his portrayal of the famed actor was powerful yet restrained. As the wide-eyed, innocent and concerned Colin Clark, Eddie Redmayne matched Michelle Williams perfectly.  It was too hard not to root for him; his emotional performance pulls you in.  It was refreshing to see Dame Judi Dench, Julia Ormond and Dominic Cooper in the movie; while their roles were supportive, their presence were definitely felt. My only regret in this movie is Emma Watson. Lucy Armstrong was a well-written albeit small part: she serves as the moral yet ironic compass to Eddie Redmayne’s star-struck Colin Clark but Emma’s performance was flat; her eyes lacked fire, her line delivery needed more pain and sarcasm. I was expecting to see a bit of depth and emotion but I didn’t get it. I guess I had high hopes for her but after seeing Ballet Shoes and this, I’m quite scared to see her as Sam in The Perks of Being a Wallflower.

Nonetheless, My Week With Marilyn is definitely a must-see movie. Simon Curtis, Adrian Hodges and the rest of the crew did an excellent job of helming this masterpiece. While it is a biopic at its core, My Week With Marilyn is also a story about love, growing pains, and the endless, ever-growing fascination for those working under the harsh but bright lights of Tinsel Town.

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My Rating:
5 out of 5 stars

My Two Cents:
Watch it in the cinema! It is currently on limited release in the Philippines and is exclusively shown at the Ayala Malls Cinemas. To check showtimes and get your tickets, go to Sureseats.com.

Other Fun Stuff:
- Ayala Malls Cinemas currently has a promo in line with the Philippine release of My Week With Marilyn wherein three lucky (3) moviegoers will get a chance to win a trip for two to Boracay. Check out the details here. Best of luck!

- Watch a behind-the-scenes look of My Week With Marilyn

Movie Review: This Means War

Title: This Means War
Cast:
Reese Witherspoon, Chris Pine, Tom Hardy, Chelsea Handler
Director:  McG
Writing Credits:
Timothy Dowling, Simon Kinberg, Marcus Gautesen
Distributor: 20th Century Fox
Running Time: 97 Minutes
Philippine Release Date:
22 February 2012

Official Movie Synopsis:
The world’s deadliest CIA operatives are inseparable partners and best friends until they fall for the same woman. Having once helped bring down entire enemy nations, they are now employing their incomparable skills and an endless array of high-tech gadgetry against their greatest nemesis ever – each other.

Official Movie Trailer:

Review In A Nutshell:
For 97 minutes worth of easy but fun entertainment, This Means War packs a lot and gives you a good dose of endorphins enough to forget some of the movie’s sorry plot points.

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The premise of This Means War is simple enough to grasp: two guys fall for the same woman. However, the two guys happen to be CIA’s best agents who end up using the agency’s resources and their expertise to spy on each other’s dates in a battle of who gets the girl.

An Awkward Meeting (© 2011 - Twentieth Century Fox)

This Means War is perhaps one of the funniest movies I have seen so far. I knew I was in for a laugh fest but I didn’t realize it was that much. I enjoyed the dynamics of the four actors; each held their own ground while on screen. Chris Pine’s FDR reminded me a bit of Kirk.  Reese Witherspoon’s Lauren satisfied my longing for seeing the actress in a romantic comedy again.  Chelsea Handler’s Trish brought that hint of sarcastic wit which was a good foil against Lauren’s indecisiveness.  However, I would have to say that I loved Tom Hardy (Tuck) as I didn’t expect him to be the sentimental, one-woman guy but he pulled it off well. Tom’s acting was convincing enough to the point where I wanted Reese out of the picture and that he sticks with his real love, Chris. Hahaha. I’m sorry but bromance rules.

McG — most known for the Charlie’s Angels movies — knew what he wanted in This Means War and he got it: romance, comedy, action with a bit of drama on the side (of Tom Hardy). It’s a formula I’m familiar with and I’m happy he’s consistent.

This Means War doesn’t market itself as anything else than what can be inferred from the official trailer and while it doesn’t really fare well with critics — check out its rating over at Rotten Tomatoes — I think movie goers will generally enjoy it.  For 97 minutes worth of easy but fun entertainment, This Means War packs a lot and gives you a good dose of endorphins enough to forget some of the movie’s sorry plot points.

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My Rating:
4 out of 5 stars

My Two Cents:
Please do your stressed self a favor and watch it in a cinema near you. Watch it with your friends, family members (except kids, of course, due to the language used), co-workers, etc. We all need to be entertained once in a while and this movie is definitely worth the ticket.

Other Fun Stuff:
- This Means War Interviews (or where Tom Hardy looks extremely adorkable)

Music Review: It All Belongs To Me by Brandy & Monica

Title:                                   It All Belongs To Me
Artist:                                 Brandy & Monica
Genre:                                R&B
Writer/Producer:     Rico Love
Label:                         RCA Records

Release Date:
The single will be appear in the soon-to-be-released albums of both singers in March 2012.

Track Preview (Courtesy of DailyMusicJamsTV):

Song Lyrics (Painstakingly Transcribed By Moi):

Lovin’ you is hard
I feel like I’m about to hurt myself
And I don’t wanna do it baby

I’m loving you so hard
And the way you’ve acting been no help
No, no, no sugar
Yeah, you got it sweet, don’t you?

You must be glad
You must be dumb
You must be trippin’
You must be crazy
To think that I’mma let you off that easy

I know you’re mad
Can’t take no more
But put that back
That ain’t yours
Have a fit
Slam the door
Don’t leave a mess on the floor
That sh*t belongs to me

Those clothes
Those cars
Those rings
And that Macbook
That sh*t belongs to me
So log off your Facebook
It all belongs to me

All you do is talk
Never knew you to do nothing else
You ain’t good for nothing, baby

It’s like you got no heart
Cold as ice
And nothing can make you melt
No, no, no baby
Hold on one minute baby

You must be glad
You must be dumb
You must be trippin’
You must be crazy
To think that I’mma let you off that easy

I know you’re mad
Can’t take no more
But put that back
That ain’t yours
Have a fit
Slam the door
Don’t leave a mess on the floor
That sh*t belongs to me

Those clothes
Those cars
Those rings
And that Macbook
That sh*t belongs to me
So log off your Facebook
It all belongs to me

Ain’t nothing leaving this house
Unless it’s over my dead body baby
So pack up all the things you came with
‘Cause lovin’ you is just too dangerous

I know you’re mad
Can’t take no more
But put that back
That ain’t yours
Have a fit
Slam the door
Don’t leave a mess on the floor
That sh*t belongs to me

Those clothes
Those cars
Those rings
And that Macbook
That sh*t belongs to me
So log off your Facebook
It all belongs to me
To me

And that belongs to me
To me

It all belongs to me
To me

It all belongs to me

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Review In A Nutshell:
“It All Belongs To Me” is a fairly modern attempt at empowerment, with hints of a scorned woman who is trying to regain herself, but it lacked the elements that I loved so much in their first collaboration.

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This reunion took fourteen years to happen. Fourteen. Long. Years. If you loved The Boy Is Mine like I did, I bet you’ve been itching to hear the duo collaborate again. The big question is: has the wait been worth it?

“It All Belongs To Me” talks about a woman who sends off her good-for-nothing ex-lover to the streets without any of her stuff and making sure of it. It’s a fairly “modern” attempt at women empowerment: modern in the sense of references to a gadget and a social networking site; women empowerment… well, the ex-lover was called “dumb” and “crazy” and was not being let off easy.

“It All Belongs To Me” is a straightforward dumping song but it hints of a scorned woman who is trying to regain herself.  The arrangement is catchy enough, with a few beats here and there, but it sounds more mellow than pop.

Inasmuch as I do not like to compare both collaborations, I miss the cattiness and vocal power of both singers which they showed effortlessly in The Boy Is Mine. While I’m glad “It All Belongs To Me” brought both singers back, it lacked the elements that I loved so much in their first collaboration. I was expecting a lot more, I guess, as there have been a slew of more awesome collaborations from other artists and other songs speaking about women empowerment since then.

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My Rating:
2 out of 5 stars

My Two Cents:
Honestly, I’d just download it. However if you’re fans of Brandy and Monica, do them a favor by picking up a copy of their new albums when these hit the stores in March 2012.

Flashback Alert:
- Official Music Video of The Boy Is Mine

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Source/s:
- News courtesy of Billboard.com
- Image courtesy of Rap-Up.com

Book News: The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater

While I still have to pick up a copy of her books… which I really plan to do, so pretty please enough with the dagger looks, thank you… I have heard a lot about Maggie Stiefvater from my book blogger friends who adore her. Thus, I was happy to learn of her announcement via her blog that she is starting on a new series this year, Raven Cycle, with Book 1 entitled The Raven Boys to be released on September 18.

Here is the official synopsis:

Filled with mystery, romance, and the supernatural, The Raven Boys introduces readers to Richard “Dick” Campbell Gansey, III and Blue Sargent. Gansey has it all—family money, good looks, devoted friends—but he’s looking for much more than that. He is on the hunt to find Glendower, a vanished Welsh king. Legend has it that the first person to find him will be granted a wish—either by seeing him open his eyes, or by cutting out his heart.

Blue Sargent, the daughter of the town psychic in Henrietta, Virginia, has been told for as long as she can remember that if she ever kisses her true love, he will die. But she is too practical to believe in things like true love. Her policy is to stay away from the rich boys at the prestigious Aglionby Academy. The boys there—known as Raven Boys—can only mean trouble. When Gansey and his Raven Boy friends come into her life, Blue realizes how true this is. She never thought her fortune would be a problem. But she was wrong.

And here’s the cover, which looks somewhat similar to The Scorpio Races style-wise:

To all Maggie Stiefvater fans out there, mark your calendars. Signed and doodled-in copies of The Raven Boys, as well as her other published works, are available for pre-order from Fountain Bookstore for US/Canada residents (lucky ducks); for the rest, including moi, you can always pre-order at Amazon.

The Raven Cycle series seem very promising and intriguing; I can’t wait to get a copy.  If your book appetite hasn’t been teased enough with the synopsis and the cover, the author gladly shared some clues on her blog announcement – two songs — to give her fans an idea on what the book is going to be like.

News Source:
The World According To Maggie – And My Next Project Is…

Image Credit:
Maggie Stiefvater’s Flickr Photostream

Music Review: Hot Couture by Manila Luzon

Title:                                   Hot Couture
Artist:                                 Manila Luzon
Genre:                                Pop/Dance
Label:                                 KNS/Manila
Release Date:                8 November 2011

Review In A Nutshell:
Hot Couture is fun, fabulous and fierce!  It gives a good glimpse of what Manila Luzon wants offer as a recording artist, should she continue down that path.

Official Music Video
(Released 26 January 2012)

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I have a confession to make: I haven’t watched a single episode of Ru Paul’s Drag Race. I know… I know that it’s a must-see reality show so pretty please don’t kill me, I beg. Despite this, I have heard of Manila Luzon from Ronald, a friend of mine who loves the show. While I still have to find time to catch re-runs of the three seasons, it is really good to know that a Filipino American joined and became the runner up for Season 3! And wow, isn’t she pretty…

Darn it, don't you just envy her legs? Sheesh!

You can imagine my surprise when I learned through my news feeds that she released a single called Hot Couture. And, gauging from the official music video, she had fun, fun, FUN!

Hot Couture is a pretty straightforward pop/dance track: upbeat with catchy (repetitive) lyrics.  I would describe it as an “introduction” or a “here-I-am-so-make-way-for-me” song minus the “in-your-face” factor, which I liked.

Let the streets be my runway tonight
In the fashion show we call life
Got this fire burn… burning inside
And I’m serving… serving…
Hot Couture!

As I listen to the song further, it makes wonder why there is an “explicit” tag to it over at Amazon and iTunes when I only heard one word that would qualify such. Also, some argued in my feed that the word “couture” is so overused and misconstrued. While it is true to some measure, frankly I don’t mind it with this single. That’s the beauty of artistic freedom: whatever floats your boat, go ahead. And Hot Couture is just that: fun, fabulous and fierce!  It gives a good glimpse of what Manila Luzon wants offer as a recording artist, should she continue down that path. :)

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My Rating:
3 out of 5 stars

My Two Cents:
Download it! For three minutes of tap-your-Louboutins-to-the-beat fun at $ 0.99, it is worth it.  Click on the following links to buy the single:
- Amazon
- iTunes

Credit:
Image above c/o Manila Luzon at http://www.manilaluzon.com

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Other Fun Stuff:
- Download the Hot Couture ringtone (mp3 format) here.
- Watch the behind-the-scenes of the music video below: