Movie Review: ****Hunger Games Mockingjay Part 1

I have enjoyed the presentation of the "Hunger Games" books in the theaters.  I went and saw the third installment, which is the first half of the third book.  Again it was very entertaining.  We are now past the arena, and the sinister game of the capital, and into a real revolution.  Katniss (Jennifer Lawrence) is recruited to serve the rebellion as a spokesperson.  She finally accepts, and is drawn into the conflict, and is the favorite target of President Snow (Donald Sutherland).  Peeta (Josh Hutcherson) is held captive by the capital, and his captivity is a major focus of this film, his torture and his eventual rescue.  However, the torture has influenced his mind to the point where he has been brain washed and manipulated, first as the spokesman of the capital, and then as an assassin. 
However has Peeta really been turned, because he does get a warning through to the rebels in District 13 that they are due to be bombed.  The other person prominent in the movie is Gale (Liam Hemsworth).  Gale is Katniss' first love, who has now joined the rebels.
The idea of this movie is very good.  It is very tense. The back and forth between Snow and Katniss is very well down, as President Snow tries to break Katniss, by sending white roses, and by manipulating Peeta, and finally by making Peeta into a killing machine.

Movie Review: ****Hunger Games

The thought of children killing children is eerie, and I was hesitant to watch this movie as a result.  I think the bloodshed was done as tastefully as it could be, but still it leaves you with a bad feeling. This movie stars Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss Everdeen who is good with a bow and arrow, and volunteers for the Hunger Ganes to save her sister.

I keep mulling in my head, what is the theme of this movie?  What is it trying to say?  Is it saying something about governments and power?  Is it saying something about relationships when there is an over bearing government?  When there is the chance that your child will be picked for a game that will most likely leave you child dead, how do you react?  They try to glorify the contestants, giving them fancy clothes to wear and good food to eat, but there is the ominous presence of death in the room.  The presence of death is engrained in the society through the games, and in this manner the Capitol controls the provinces.

The story goes that they have been playing the “Hunger Games” for the past 74 years—ever since 12 of the provinces rebelled against the government.  The war was won by the government, and the game helps keep this in everyone’s mind, that the provinces were defeated and the central government is supreme.  This is a punishment for the rebellion, but also they say good will from the government as they take only two children from each province each year, rather than the greater bloodshed which would be caused by war. 

The two children Katniss and Peeta (Josh Hutcherson) from district 12 survive the games, having to show everyone they are a couple so as to avoid the wrath of the government.  However there is another boy who loves the heroine, Gale (Liam Hemsworth.) 

The President, portrayed by Donald Sutherland, is in a position to be very evil in the next movie, at least so it appeared at the end of the movie.

Movie Review: ****^Hunger Games: Catching Fire

It is hard to critique a movie after watching it for the first time, because you are still moved from the emotion of the movie and feeling violence of the movie.  This is the continuation of "Hunger Games."  In this movie, we are introduced to Katniss (Jennifer Lawrence) as the spark of revolution.  Her boyfriend Gale (Liam Hemsworth) is invited to runaway with a few.  However, how would the protect the entire community.  She is given the task by President Snow (Don Sutherland) of convincing the people that she and her pretend boyfriend, Peeta (Josh Hutcherson) are madly in love, as was given for the reason they would both take the berries in the first movie.  This is agreed to, but things have already been put into play, and this is something that will be hard to stop.  The provinces are restless, after the last games and Katniss, whether she meant to or not is the reason.  I like the trip to District eleven, and the spontaneous speeches from Katniss and Peeta.  It causes a riot, but was very well done and moving.
And so for the 75th games, she and Peeta are back into the arena.  Again Haymitch (Woody Harrelson) is their mentor.  The new games master is Plutarch Heavensby (Philip Seymour Hoffman.) However this time things are different.  The president, and the empire are still ruthless, putting down the masses, and living a life of extravagance, while those in the provinces starve.  This ruthlessness can became their own undoing however as more and more people turn against them.
This is a great ride, it is a bit bloody, but tremendous fun.  One thing for sure, it keeps you on the edge of your seat.