I gave in

[diaphenia]

Even though I wasn't planning on going for a few weeks, I asked D if he liked it, as he saw it on Saturday, and he explained that it was mandatory that I go see it, Sunday night, and no, I couldn't wait until Monday. So I called up another friend and asked her to meet me an hour later at the local cinema, and it was on. 

I'm a very intense movie watcher. I try not to whisper, I turn my phone on silent, and I'm generally a good patron, except that I get really into movies. If you should ever see a movie with me, I have a tendency to grab the hands, knees, and arms of my friends during intense moments. I dive face-first into shoulders when violence, almost any violence takes place. Occasionally I whimper. During this movie I kept curling my arms around my head to keep away the bad images. Actually, I have no idea why people go see movies with me (other than that I'm fun). I spent most of the movie clinging to the hand of my friend S, who took it remarkably well. She was shocked I was surprised by the twists in the movie, and whisper-yelled at me for not having read the books. 



The Violence 

I was shocked by all the violence, and how sanitary it was. I have no idea why this was rated PG-13; it's about child-on-child murder, and I don't care how many quick-cuts you do, that should still mean something. The camera lingered on the lifeless eyes of those kids; it was horrifying. As I said above, I really can't do violence, but the age of these children made it all the worse. I did like that they weren't afraid to make Kat directly responsible for deaths of other tributes; it would have been a cop-out if she hadn't. 

The hand-held camera, moving.

Stop it, movies. 

What the movie said about us as a people

When I got home, I started reading reviews, and I was a little shocked by how many people wanted more violence, and more bloodshed. Did they not get the point of the movie, or ? The casual cruelty of the people in the Capital, who gave their children swords to play with and cheered on the deaths of 23 kids a year was breathtaking. As was the clear divide between the 1% and everyone else; to see the gulf between District 12 and the Capital was amazing. I think that was the most shocking part for me personally, to see that only slightly distorted mirror between them and us. Which is the point of dystopian fiction! But it was all the worst because they were just kids, unlike the Jersey Shore crew. 

The Fashion

Wow. I know it's not the point of the movie, but I really loved all that fashion in the Capital. I want to incorporate all those delicious candy colors into my wardrobe because of course I do. And gold eyeliner. And FIRE. 

Virginity

If I was cast into the Hunger Games, I'd be dead almost immediately, so I don't know why Kat just didn't go ahead and sleep with Peeta in that sweet hotel room. Then I'd gorge myself on pecan rolls. 

Gale

I kept forgetting he was a thing.

Katniss x Peeta

I left the movie feeling very pro-Peeta, and guilty about this. Now, I haven't read the books yet, but my impression is that (highlight to read) there's a sort-of love-triangle between Peeta, Katniss, and Gale, and she never commits to either of them. And that in general, I'm not supposed to want her to pick a boyfriend, because she's an independent woman who just wants to save her people from the bad guys and their awesome facial hair. But I'm a sucker for a romance, so if I'm honest with myself this is what I was most interested in seeing, and I left shipping P/K and feeling like I shouldn't. 

They get together under duress. Does he really love her, or is he just trying to help her win? He seems to realize he's a dead man walking, so I agree with Hayworth, he really did her a favor. And if I was watching teenagers battle to the end, I'd want to see some teen romance play out, so it makes sense that, as he realizes he's not going to make it, he'd go ahead and help her win. 

And she seemed into it, too, but was it all a show for the cameras? The last scene of the two of them, where her face lights up seeing Gale and her sister, seems to imply that he realized she was never really into him. But on the other hand, I don't get the feeling she was going to commit suicide as a gamble that they would stop her, so does that mean she loved him? Or just that she couldn't murder him in cold blood, even when he volunteered himself to her?

So, I ship it... and I'm not sure I should. Because if she only got together with him as a calculated move- not that I'd fault her for that- or if she's really only with him because of the stress and that insanity that is the Games, then I could hardly blame her, but I'd feel really guilty for wanting her to date someone she started dating under duress. 

I asked throwingpens how I should feel about this, and had an excellent response, which I'm going to go ahead and excerpt: I think you’re supposed to [want P/K]. I think Katniss is super conflicted because Gale is like, her dream guy. He’s handsome. He hunts with her. They come from similar family situations (his father died when hers did and now they support their respective families). But Peeta loves her. Peeta would do anything for her. Everything Peeta did in the Games was for Katniss. 

I think it’s a matter of “what you think you want” and “what you want now.” And I think Gale is what Katniss thinks she wants and I think Peeta is what she wants when he’s there, because he’s solid. And he’s loved her from afar for so long…I’ve been Peeta before, and when the other person pays you attention…it’s the best. I’ve also been Katniss, when someone wants you, you can’t help but want to be with them, too.

But when I mentioned the same thing to shornt, she said the movie skimmed over all the reasons why i cant get fully behind Peeta so I think I need to just read the books. 

Overall

I can't wait to see the next one. And S is going to lend me the books (hopefully she brings them by soon) (though I should get some sleep, so really she shouldn't) (but I WANT THEM NOW).

Comments

[rikyl.livejournal.com]

I don't have strong shippy feelings about Hunger Games, but I do have some Peeta thoughts. You read the books, and I'll see the movie, and then let's chat.

[saucydiva.livejournal.com]

Excellent. We'll rendezvous at headquarters. Because I'm not sure to what extent I want them to get together because he's actually good to/for her, and to what extent it's the female gaze of the camera selling me on him as a young sex symbol, because buy magazines, young ones.*


*It worked! I had absolutely no strong feelings about JHutch when I saw him in The Kids are Alright but now I'm thinking he's super hot.

[ballroom_pink.livejournal.com]

See Little Manhattan to fully appreciate him. Not in a sexy way, he's like way younger than me, but talent-wise I've been a fan of his since Little Manhattan. That's a cute, romantic movie and he's in the entire thing selling it.
Gale doesn't do much for me and Peeta only a little more. I'm more interested in this being a movie trilogy about how awesome Katniss Everdeen is.

[saucydiva.livejournal.com]

I would also like to point out that while I assumed everyone involved in the movie was younger, I'm still used to Hollywoods's 28 year old high school students, so I did not realize when I wrote that comment that Josh Hutcherson is only 19, and when I realized that I felt deeply sleazy for even thinking he was cute.

But yeah, this is all so much better than, say, Twilight, where there's some romance, but it's not Kat's sole reason for living, Bella. She even pretty much actively rejects romance, which is neat.

[craponaspatula.livejournal.com]

I agree that ultimately I think we are supposed to ship Peeta and Katniss, though a compelling case for Gale is made. But, I think I disagree with the idea that Gale is Katniss's dream guy. It's been a while since I've read the books but I think she makes it pretty clear she isn't interested romantically (and I think they carried that through in the movie so I wouldn't consider it a book spoiler). Other than, you know, not being interested in that way, I do agree that they are a lot alike and get along together, etc, and I could see them ending up together if the Hunger Games never happened. But I think living through the Hunger Games with Peeta changed all that. I'm going to leave at that until you read the books and then I want in on the chat because there will be more to discuss then without spoiling anything...

[saucydiva.livejournal.com]

Excellent. Now if only my friend would deliver those damn books to me...

I wasn't sure to what extent, in the movies, Gale was supposed to be a thing. She seemed to sort be crushing on him at the beginning (but then, it could have just been friendship as well) but then every so often we'd flash to him looking sad while she was gone. So.... plus, of course, everyone mentions the 'love triangle' which made me think there was a love triangle, but if I didn't know that I'm not sure I would have assumed it.

[craponaspatula.livejournal.com]

Yeah, like Kate said the books are from the first person so we don't necessarily know the feelings of the other characters but you will definitely know a lot more about what Katniss is feeling about everything, and it's more complex than a move can really show. This was one of my big concerns going into the movie- that often there is a big divide between what Katniss is thinking and what she is showing to the world (and on camera). And to make it even more complicated, she is AWARE of that divide. I think the movie does as good of a job as it can, without a lot of expository dialogue. But the books will show a much more complex picture, and I don't know that it is ever very clear cut.

[k8-26-2.livejournal.com]

I think that your feelings will be a lot clearer after you've read the books; since the books are narrated in first person, the movie has to rely on a lot of showing and not telling and leaves a lot up to personal interpretation. I have a lot of thoughts on this, but I don't want to spoil anything for you. I do think that, knowing the final outcome of everything, I watched the movie differently than my sister and her husband (who are on Mockingjay and Catching Fire, respectively) did.

[saucydiva.livejournal.com]

I can't believe I never commented on this. Yes, I realize I have to read those books and that the moment I have I need to watch the movie to see how that changes my perception of everything. And then we'll get all elaborate in our discussion.

[courtknees1.livejournal.com]

If I was cast into the Hunger Games, I'd be dead almost immediately, so I don't know why Kat just didn't go ahead and sleep with Peeta in that sweet hotel room.

Having a little party right now because I wasn't the only one thinking this.

I would make more thoughtful/intelligent comments but I'm hungry and distracted, so I'll just say that I pretty much agree with everything you said, and also I totally didn't click that Josh was in The Kids are Alright until I saw you mention it in a comment but now it's totally obvious.

[saucydiva.livejournal.com]

I mean, come on. You have a 96% chance of dying. Pregnancy doesn't really matter, because see above. Ditto STDs. So.... seriously. Go for it.

[courtknees1.livejournal.com]

She already went right ahead and flashed her underwear to him when they were sitting looking out the window.

Um, another thing I was thinking and I don't know if it was just me - when they were having their cave make-out, can you imagine how bad their breath must have been? I mean there wasn't much in the way of hygeine and toothbrushes and they were eating roast squirrels.

[saucydiva.livejournal.com]

I noticed that too! Oh honey, do you not understand how nightgowns work?

I actually wasn't thinking about toothbrushes, just that they really should get some soap and wash their wounds, or say their fingers that they're sticking in each other's open bloody wounds.

But I'm a bit crazy; when I read sex scenes I always like to imagine the people involved had time to wash their hands first, because people in stories? Always seem to climb right off a horse/ down a helicopter ladder/ over the dead body of their dearly departed recently exposed to be double crossing them former partner right into bed/ ledge/ car together. AHHHHH DON'T TOUCH EACH OTHER YOUR HANDS ARE CRAWLING WITH BACTERIA AND GRAVEL BITS

[courtknees1.livejournal.com]

Hahaha I've never really thought about that before! Though you seem to be watching far more dramatic sex scenes than I'm accustomed to coming across. But I think I have the corresponding craziness about teeth brushing, because I actually cannot let my brain read fanfiction/imagine scenarios that do not account for proper dental hygiene. Especially in the morning... gross.

Having said that, yeah, the dirty fingers into dirty open wounds part of the hunger games was a tad problematic. Peeta seemed to be into it though. I honestly couldn't stop giggling while he was stroking her bloody forehead, I don't know what's wrong with me.

[saucydiva.livejournal.com]

I've read a lot of romance novels. Wait, no. A LOT.

This is why I don't write morning kisses into my stories. Because I don't want everyone to magically taste minty fresh, but I also don't want to write about them negotiating that landmine of gross words I don't want to have write and rewrite. So it's a good thing, in fic and IN LIFE, that morning sex isn't really my thing.

As for the wounds... I mean, they were both fine, because glitter gel is magic, so that's good. But I think they were trying to convince the twihards to love thg? Maybe? I kept thinking, eh, there's only six of you left, just go by the river and get some water and wipe off your foreheads.

Things they also should have done: had sex in the cave. Why the hell not? Apparently, none of these teenagers ever think about keeping post while the other(s) sleep, so... apparently no one worries about getting caught off-guard.

I'm making fun of this, but I liked the movie so much I went back and saw it again last night. It held up on the second viewing, and afterwards I went to buy gold eyeliner because I'm an idiot. And now all I can think about is fake eyelashes with butterfly wings.

[courtknees1.livejournal.com]

Cave sex: way less comfortable than plush hotel in the Capitol sex. But still preferable to dying a virgin, one would have thought (especially dying a virgin when you have access to a pretty excellent prospect like Peeta). Do you think if two teens started going at it, the gamemakers would fade to black, or show all the footage on a special Hunger Games Up Late Uncensored! late night time-slot? I think the latter. Oh god, can you imagine Gale's face during THOSE scenes?

You saw it again! That's awesome! Gold eyeliner does not make you an idiot. Cinna totally pulled it off, right? And I'm sure you do too! I am still mourning my amazing bronzey-gold one that I bought in Australia and now it's run out and is not available in the UK. False eyelashes with butterfly wings might be taking it a step too far (or just far enough!), but then I just spent £14 on multi-coloured glittery liquid eyeliner so I can't really talk.

[saucydiva.livejournal.com]

Oh, no joke, obviously she should have gone for it in the hotel. And I'm willing to bet there's a million fan fics out there speculating on that.

As for the sex. You live in the UK, where I'm sure people are more normal about sex, but we in America are descended from Pilgrams (well, sort of. And not-- it's not important) and we get super weird about sex. Our ratings for movies, for instance, are always way harsher about sex than violence, giving higher ratings for sex scenes than, say, blood/gore or even high bloodless body counts. Therefore, we would probably be fine with the brick-to-skull stuff, and get weird about the teen-sex. Which, technically, would be child porn, even if they're of the age of consent in their district... so, hmm, I'm going to go with "they'd release it on youtube as an 'accidental' leak."

Eye makeup is one of the few things I'm good at applying, though eyeliner on the top lid eludes me. Gold isn't my color- I'm cool undertones- but screw it, I went with it and I'm only a little ashamed.

[courtknees1.livejournal.com]

Mm, yes, I would read some or all of those fanfics.

To be honest, I don't really know much about the UK attitude to sex, as I grew up in Australia and most of the people I spend time with are antipodeans. But I do notice that even just when it comes to showing the human body, UK and Australian tv shows (say featuring plastic surgery) will show way more than US ones. On a very similar note to what you mentioned - I wonder if you've seen this too? - there's a documentary called This Film Is Not Yet Rated about the MPAA film rating board in the US. It is really interesting and will probably also make you really angry. A ridiculous example was that, to reduce a rating from NC-17 to R (I think), they insisted that a certain movie would have to cut or reduce screentime of a shot of a female's face while she had an orgasm during consensual sex. The brutal rape and murder at end of the film though? Totally A-OK. It's incredibly disturbing how society in general is fine with letting kids watch violence and murder on screen, but faints with horror if they see a pair of breasts.

I really feel the need to end this post on a light note now. Umm I'm going to see Bel Ami tonight and my friend texted me to say she's bringing me a present and it's chocolate! Yayyy!

[ballroom_pink.livejournal.com]

I was getting vibes from Cato and Glimmer before she died. They were sleeping side by side and they were from different districts, right? Or those academies they speak of, did they go to the same one or are there ones from different disticts?

[rebeccavis.livejournal.com]

I'm really torn over whether to go see this or not, because I borrowed the book from my cousin and I kind of wanted to read that first but never got around to it. As far as ships go, I already ship Katniss/Gale due to a friend's influence, and I also know what happens at the end of the series because I'm a spoiler addict.

[saucydiva.livejournal.com]

Don't tell me! Or tell me no don't tell me ahhhhh I need to read those books.

I'll let you know what I think when I finish 'em.

(Movie Gale seems pretty boring, though he's attractive, certainly)

And I will say that I really enjoyed the movie as an experience. I thought it was worth it!

[rebeccavis.livejournal.com]

Please do! And actually, my friend who ships Katniss/Gale ships it in part because she finds Peeta boring, so :P

[saucydiva.livejournal.com]

I think we should get in a shipper fight over a book we've both not read. And should you choose not to engage me in battle, I'll leave you for a Chair shipper mwah ha hah

[rebeccavis.livejournal.com]

CHALLENGE ACCEPTED. (And you must not joke about such things!) I mean, Gale is her rock. She's happy when she's with him and she can rely on him to take care of her family (?) when she goes away. All Peeta did was throw her some bread. (I think.)

[saucydiva.livejournal.com]

But, and this is important, he's a baker, and their country is named Panem, after the Latin phrase for "bread," which means... something. Something important.

[rebeccavis.livejournal.com]

So basically you're saying they should be together because they're epic and destined to be together? Chair shipper :P

[throwingpens.livejournal.com]

IT COMES FROM PANEM ET CIRCENES BUT YOU KNOW THAT NOW. (My two years of college Latin coming in handy!)

[ballroom_pink.livejournal.com]

I just got back from seeing The Hunger Games and I enjoyed it. I went with co-worker I'm chummy with (he loves Parks almost as much as I do so he's good people) and he'd not read the book. It was a warm day but I brought along a hoodie just in case I the theater was chilly. I'm so glad I did because all the scenes with Prim at the Reaping did me in. District 12 gave me chills and it was staged so wonderfully real. I felt like with Jennifer Lawrence there, we were back in A Winter's Bone or something. My pal and I were HIGHLY amused by Stanley Tucci, and even when shows up at the most revolting/violence/harrowing scenes I let out a laugh over his fake blinding teeth and his general awesomeness. FACT: Stanely Tucci is a national treasure. We also chuckled over Elizabeth Banks and her mahogany line and her general bizarreness. Marie Antoinette as dressed by Alexander McQueen.

I didn't think so as I read the book but I definitely believe that Foxface killed herself. She knew too much about flora to not know those berries were poison. I'd be a Foxface. I know about plants. But I'd die the first day.

Things I was disappointed that they changed: instead of a gift of bread from District 11 we get a revolt. The bread from District from 11 to Katniss' death was my favorite part of the book! I was touched by the handling of Rue's death (in the book) and so by the time Katniss gets that gift, I went unhinged. Bawling at 1 in the morning. I also didn't care for K getting the pin at the Hob and then giving it to Prim and then getting it back. I wanted it to be from Madge (especially after finishing Catching Fire). Have they erased its significance or made a different backstory?

I have more to say ...

[saucydiva.livejournal.com]

The Reaping was probably the best scene in the entire movie. Gut-wrenching, really. The way the Peace-Keepers frog-march them both up to the stage? The way Effie seems so out of place? Great scene.

I think the movie, if not the book specifically, thinks Foxface killed herself. I would; it's either Cato or the lovers from District 12, and the likelyhood they'll all destroy each other is slim. (I would die the first day too)

I told myself I wouldn't cry when I read the book since I knew Rue's death was coming, and I was in my car, crying anyway.

[ballroom_pink.livejournal.com]

Oh, and am I a horrible person for wanting a screen within the screen of Caesar commenting on what Katniss was doing?

[saucydiva.livejournal.com]

No, you're an awesome person! I really liked Caesar as a character; I think he's just fascinating in the books, for how he's both a cog in the grim machine, and yet really trying to put those kids in a good light, to help them as he can. And I agree that S. Tucci is basically a national treasure- in this and in many other ways, Meryl Streep and I are in total agreement- and I thought he embodied the whole thing perfectly. If they could get him to record a dvd commentary track in character- including occasional mentor interviews- I would probably die.

[ballroom_pink.livejournal.com]

I was also amused that Toby Jones was Claudius Templesmith but I didn't know he was CT until he said so in the arena, I just thought he was the other guy in the booth.

[ballroom_pink.livejournal.com]

Also, I'm buying that soundtrack (with BN giftcard) now.

[ballroom_pink.livejournal.com]

Did the movie have an explanation for Peeta teaming up with the Careers in the arena? He ran like he was told in beginning unlike Katniss. So when did he join up with them? The book explains it a bit but I don't think the movie did. I was waiting for Katniss to wink to the tree camera she found and she never did!

[saucydiva.livejournal.com]

I don't think so, specifically. Obviously we know, even if she doesn't, that he's leading them away from her, and clearly he doesn't want to kill her, but I don't think we know how exactly he ended up tangled with their group. I have some headcanon for the whole thing (help, stop me from having THG headcanon)

[ballroom_pink.livejournal.com]

I'm not going to stop you!

[saucydiva.livejournal.com]

Oh sure, it starts with a little headcanon, and then you're moving on to the harder stuff. Soon, you're writing one shots and then you're onm the really tough stuff, the multichapter fics. No, no,I need to not have headcanon for these things.

[ballroom_pink.livejournal.com]

Save that part of the brain for Parks and Rec.

[saucydiva.livejournal.com]

Right? I mean, what the hell would I write for the THG? . I don't write sad; I barely write bummed. It'd be some really happy AU where Katniss goes to prom with Peeta (they double with Gale and Johanna, I think) and Cinna is the neighbor who helps her pick out her dress and Haymitch is their math teacher and Prim is a babylesbian. The main conflict will involve kissing, possibly with tongues. No one will stab anyone.