Hunger Games #1

[NDinL.A.]

Lax & Syria, you guys are right. I have not given the books a chance. When the Justin Bieber set is into something, I'm usually not. Ignoring (or trying to ignore) that stuff has worked pretty well for me so far. I did realize that the books set out to tackle some serious topics, but I can't get over the idea that if the books are enjoyed so widely then there can't be anything too sophisticated about them.

That the books were so ambitious is almost worse: they couldn't settle for being just a simple teenage fantasy, they had to try to dress up like an adult book and confront complicated ideas. Goosebumps didn't try to make a grand statement about humanity. I think the author of these books should know her role.

That's such an unbelievably backwards way of thinking, and truth be told requires a much more though-out response than I have time to give right now. I'll just say that you should open your eyes a bit more and not be so narrow-minded. It's one thing to rip something, but to rip something you know nothing about??? Wow.

 

[UmphreakDomer]

Umphreak, does your name mean that you are an Umphrey's McGee fan?

I haven't seen or read The Hunger Games (I almost never go see movies because I usually fall asleep in the theater as a result of my horrible attention span ... which means I paid to take a nap) but your name makes me think I would like you!

Also, congrats on your work!



(Don't take offense to the napping thing, it's not you... it's me. Truth is, I fell asleep during the last two Lord of the Rings and one of the newer Batman movies and haven't been to the theater since.)

i am an UM fan. Jake is my cousin *name drop* lol! ive had 79 plastic surgeries due to face meltings! lol!

 

[greyhammer90]

i am an UM fan. Jake is my cousin *name drop* lol! ive had 79 plastic surgeries due to face meltings! lol!

Careful...

 

[UmphreakDomer]

Careful...

LOL! i never even thought about that before!!

 

[IrishinSyria]

That's such an unbelievably backwards way of thinking, and truth be told requires a much more though-out response than I have time to give right now. I'll just say that you should open your eyes a bit more and not be so narrow-minded. It's one thing to rip something, but to rip something you know nothing about??? Wow.

To be fair, I make similar assumptions all the time. For example, Justin Bieber and Twilight are two things I dislike just based on very small sample sizes. Only reason I gave Hunger Games a chance was because books like The Fragmentation of Afghanistan and Intelligence Analysis: A Target Centric Approach don't exactly make for great conversation pieces on a first date.

 

[Rhode Irish]

Really? You tell the dude congrats and then sh1t all over the results of his work. I don't know what you do for work but I'd like to think that if you created a thread about something you accomplished, people wouldn't tell you you're contributing to the downfall of American culture.

Saw the movie last night and thought it was awesome. Mostly adults in the crowd too.

I just want to point out that I'm not bashing his work - I believe he said he is in production, and I'm not making a comment about the production of the film one way or the other. It could be a perfectly produced film for all I know. And I was being genuine when I congratulated him on the film's success. He didn't write the books, so my criticism was not directed towards him.

That's such an unbelievably backwards way of thinking, and truth be told requires a much more though-out response than I have time to give right now. I'll just say that you should open your eyes a bit more and not be so narrow-minded. It's one thing to rip something, but to rip something you know nothing about??? Wow.

To be fair, I don't have the time to fully articulate my complaints, either. I do think its fair to say that I am a little narrow-minded about certain things, usually when something fits into a larger pattern and I'm comfortable that I know enough about it to be dismissive. In this case, I determined that I did not like the story based on what audience was the driving force behind the books' success, how the movie was marketed, who it was marketed to, what I knew about the story, reviews by critics I respect, etc. So it isn't really fair to say that I know NOTHING about it. This book/movie checked a whole bunch of boxes for me that indicated that it was not for me.

And I disagree with your position that I can't have an opinion about the book/movie because I have not read/seen it. People make assumptions about things all the time based on a combination of factors without actually experiencing the thing for themselves. People do it about food, art, vacation destinations, practically everything. I'm not trying to take on the whole board here. I'm trying to be respectful of others' opinions while honestly presenting mine.

I must admit that I'm a little surprised I'm on my own on this, though, because most of the guys I talk to (who are mainly all well-educated, worldy, sports-liking, movie-liking guys like I assume most of you all are) will either miss this movie or catch it after being dragged to the theater by their ear by their girl. But you are all entitled to your opinion, and it doesn't have to be the same as mine.

 

[Ndaccountant]

I just want to point out that I'm not bashing his work - I believe he said he is in production, and I'm not making a comment about the production of the film one way or the other. It could be a perfectly produced film for all I know. And I was being genuine when I congratulated him on the film's success. He didn't write the books, so my criticism was not directed towards him.




To be fair, I don't have the time to fully articulate my complaints, either. I do think its fair to say that I am a little narrow-minded about certain things, usually when something fits into a larger pattern and I'm comfortable that I know enough about it to be dismissive. In this case, I determined that I did not like the story based on what audience was the driving force behind the books' success, how the movie was marketed, who it was marketed to, what I knew about the story, reviews by critics I respect, etc. So it isn't really fair to say that I know NOTHING about it. This book/movie checked a whole bunch of boxes for me that indicated that it was not for me.

And I disagree with your position that I can't have an opinion about the book/movie because I have not read/seen it. People make assumptions about things all the time based on a combination of factors without actually experiencing the thing for themselves. People do it about food, art, vacation destinations, practically everything. I'm not trying to take on the whole board here. I'm trying to be respectful of others' opinions while honestly presenting mine.

I must admit that I'm a little surprised I'm on my own on this, though, because most of the guys I talk to (who are mainly all well-educated, worldy, sports-liking, movie-liking guys like I assume most of you all are) will either miss this movie or catch it after being dragged to the theater by their ear by their girl. But you are all entitled to your opinion, and it doesn't have to be the same as mine.

I will offer up why I went, since I was not one of the ones that read the book.

First, let me preface this by saying I hated Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings (except for the south park episode), Twilight and even Star Wars. I generally am turned off by sci-fi or fantasy.

Now, I went to this mainly because I can recall my wife telling me about the book and the social class dynamics behind it, while she was reading it. I was intrigued by the notion of how scarcity of resources is manipulated in the book. In general, I am incredibly interested in how people view social classes moving forward, which is why Atlas Shrugged is still one of my favorite books. It is inevitable to conclude that at somepoint, human kind will have to deal with scarcity of resources to an extent that is much greater than what is experienced today.

Truth be told, that is why I wanted to see this movie. To see how that was protrayed in the film. I was somewhat disappointed that this wasn't more of the movie, but my wife promises me that it will still become a main focus moving forward. (She could be lying for all I know)

In general, I enjoyed the movie, although I am sure that I liked it for much different reasons that the group of teenagers sitting near my wife and I. I think there is enough depth to the story that different people of different interests and intellictual curiosities can take different things away from the film. I liken it to movies from Pixar in that the movie/story is obviously designed for kids, but there are enough jokes in it to keep the parents entertained.

 

[UmphreakDomer]

everyone is entitled to their opinion. i take no offense to people that have not/will not see this movie or the people that saw it and hated it. you'll never convince a vegan how awesome a filet from Ruths Chris is, you know?

i'm happy for our efforts. its one of the hardest projects i've ever worked on. my job does not really allow for pride in the overall film. i would take more offense if someone said, "that extra was there in one shot and then not in another." that would mean i didnt do my job, which i do have immense pride.

i think the source material is interesting. i believe that most people that read it are younger. i think its smart enough content to promote dialog amongst young people beyond, "Team Edward" or "Team Jacob", at least i hope. and possibly adults too.

this is not a perfect movie. few are. but, i do believe this is a 4 quadrant movie.*

*the 4 quadrants is a marketing tool breaking the audience down to male and female above and below 25. the single biggest target quadrant is the below 25 male.

but, to each his own. the best thing about any form of art is the ability to interpret for yourself based upon your own life experiences. at a certain point, even "dude, where's my car" is an art form. it may not have a strong message, it may not need one. it can still be weighed against other films, as pedantic as that may be.

i appreciate everyones kind words and opinions. whatever they may be.

 

[irishpat183]

I opened the book, saw that it was written on an 8th grade reading level, and that's all I needed to know as far as going to see it.

I dont' care what "critics" say, as most are in bed with producers/production compaines, after all... a f*cking black and white silent film won best picture this year.

I'll watch it when it hits Blu Ray....not many movies are worth the hassles/costs of the theater experience these days.

 

[rikkitikki08]

I read all three books and i thought they were above average. Nothing amazing but not terrible either, with that being said i thought the movie was pretty good. To be honest i thought it was going to be an awful movie but overall the acting story etc etc were above average....GOOD JOB AND CONGRATS DUDE!

 

[rikkitikki08]

I opened the book, saw that it was written on an 8th grade reading level, and that's all I needed to know as far as going to see it.

I dont' care what "critics" say, as most are in bed with producers/production compaines, after all... a f*cking black and white silent film won best picture this year.

I'll watch it when it hits Blu Ray....not many movies are worth the hassles/costs of the theater experience these days.

I read all three and saying they are wrote at an 8th grade reading level is being very kind. With that being said they story is pretty intresting.....I do agree with you though that most movies arent worth the hassle to go see them in a theater

 

[woolybug25]

I opened the book, saw that it was written on an 8th grade reading level, and that's all I needed to know as far as going to see it.

I dont' care what "critics" say, as most are in bed with producers/production compaines, after all... a f*cking black and white silent film won best picture this year.

I'll watch it when it hits Blu Ray....not many movies are worth the hassles/costs of the theater experience these days.

Every time I read your posts I imagine you screaming it like the dude in your avatar. lol

 

[rikkitikki08]

Every time I read your posts I imagine you screaming it like the dude in your avatar. lol

Charlie is one of the greatest tv characters of all time!

 

[irishpat183]

I read all three and saying they are wrote at an 8th grade reading level is being very kind. With that being said they story is pretty intresting.....I do agree with you though that most movies arent worth the hassle to go see them in a theater

I didn't mean it in a nasty way...it's just that I dont' find books written for high school level or below, very appealing. Then end up seeming very trival and then played out on the movie screens by tween heartthrobs. I don't know...maybe it's just age. Turning 30 has made me an even bigger a$$hole than I already was.

No offense to anyone that worked on the film either. I mean, it takes a lot of work to put together someting like that and I don't like to sh*t on someones hard work. However, it is the entertainment industry, so not everyone is going to like it.

Like I said, I'll rent it. That way, if it does suck, at least I can get hammered while watching!

 

[irishpat183]

Every time I read your posts I imagine you screaming it like the dude in your avatar. lol

IT'S SO HARD TO GET YOU GUYS TO UNDERSTAND!!!!!

lol

 

[rikkitikki08]

I didn't mean it in a nasty way...it's just that I dont' find books written for high school level or below, very appealing. Then end up seeming very trival and then played out on the movie screens by tween heartthrobs. I don't know...maybe it's just age. Turning 30 has made me an even bigger a$$hole than I already was.

No offense to anyone that worked on the film either. I mean, it takes a lot of work to put together someting like that and I don't like to sh*t on someones hard work. However, it is the entertainment industry, so not everyone is going to like it.

Like I said, I'll rent it. That way, if it does suck, at least I can get hammered while watching!

Ohh no man i didnt think you were being nasty, your allowed to have an opinion bud. You are spot on though, a few spots in the book are very tween hearthrobby and i agree its indeed annoying.

 

[irishpat183]

Ohh no man i didnt think you were being nasty, your allowed to have an opinion bud. You are spot on though, a few spots in the book are very tween hearthrobby and i agree its indeed annoying.

Hey, they're making money! So I won't hate.

Know who your audience is...and give em what they want.

 

[IrishinSyria]

I opened the book, saw that it was written on an 8th grade reading level, and that's all I needed to know as far as going to see it.

I dont' care what "critics" say, as most are in bed with producers/production compaines, after all... a f*cking black and white silent film won best picture this year.

I'll watch it when it hits Blu Ray....not many movies are worth the hassles/costs of the theater experience these days.

The subject matter of the book and the level of writing definitely do not match up. But the first few chapters are by far the worst, it gets better (or maybe I got used to it?) after that...

 

[NDWorld247]

Book readers and parents... I seek your advice...

My daughter turns 9 today (3rd grade) and asked for the first book for her birthday. I haven't read the books, but loved the movies and I've wanted her to watch them when she was old enough.

I've looked online and the opinions on what age is appropriate for the books is divided. There are some strongly opposed to anyone under 12 and others that had great experiences with their younger (9-12 yrs old) kids reading the books. My wife falls into the "she's too young" camp, but we're often in disagreement about these issues and I wear the pants in the house, so I'm doing my research before creating WWIII under my roof.

My daughter is very intelligent and mature beyond her years. I've talked to her as an adult since she was very young and her understanding of the world is quite advanced for her age. She loves to read and has a thirst for learning.

My biggest concern was the sexual content, but from what I understand it's very mild and does not go beyond kissing. As you can imagine, I haven't been as forthcoming with info on this subject as others and she's still very much a 9-year old when it comes to "sex" (i.e. she doesn't know how babies are made and I'd like to keep that way for as long as possible).

So...book readers...what do you think? Do I buy her the book and read it with her or do I wait another year or two?

 

[connor_in]

Book readers and parents... I seek your advice...

My daughter turns 9 today (3rd grade) and asked for the first book for her birthday. I haven't read the books, but loved the movies and I've wanted her to watch them when she was old enough.

I've looked online and the opinions on what age is appropriate for the books is divided. There are some strongly opposed to anyone under 12 and others that had great experiences with their younger (9-12 yrs old) kids reading the books. My wife falls into the "she's too young" camp, but we're often in disagreement about these issues and I wear the pants in the house, so I'm doing my research before creating WWIII under my roof.

My daughter is very intelligent and mature beyond her years. I've talked to her as an adult since she was very young and her understanding of the world is quite advanced for her age. She loves to read and has a thirst for learning.

My biggest concern was the sexual content, but from what I understand it's very mild and does not go beyond kissing. As you can imagine, I haven't been as forthcoming with info on this subject as others and she's still very much a 9-year old when it comes to "sex" (i.e. she doesn't know how babies are made and I'd like to keep that way for as long as possible).

So...book readers...what do you think? Do I buy her the book and read it with her or do I wait another year or two?

You have seen the movie, you said. Have you let her see it? Would you at this point?

I really can't recall any sex in the books. There are allusions to sleeping around in the second book (the one former winner said he used it to gain secrets). For the most part the Katniss is just so lost in her problems and so torn between all sorts of decisions that she not sure who she likes or how much she likes them.

Basically if you think she is mature enough for the violence which isn't very gory in the book either, then she would probably be OK. Many kids who got into Harry Potter after all of the books were out were good for the first adventure, but probably too young for the last if read one right after another...but the violence ratched up in each story so they got used to it step by step.

 

[goldandblue]

No sex in any of the 3 books. Kissing is about as far as it goes. In book two the chick takes her clothes off in the elevator but I don't remember it being descriptive.

 

[Domina Nostra]

Book readers and parents... I seek your advice...

My daughter turns 9 today (3rd grade) and asked for the first book for her birthday. I haven't read the books, but loved the movies and I've wanted her to watch them when she was old enough.

I've looked online and the opinions on what age is appropriate for the books is divided. There are some strongly opposed to anyone under 12 and others that had great experiences with their younger (9-12 yrs old) kids reading the books. My wife falls into the "she's too young" camp, but we're often in disagreement about these issues and I wear the pants in the house, so I'm doing my research before creating WWIII under my roof.

My daughter is very intelligent and mature beyond her years. I've talked to her as an adult since she was very young and her understanding of the world is quite advanced for her age. She loves to read and has a thirst for learning.

My biggest concern was the sexual content, but from what I understand it's very mild and does not go beyond kissing. As you can imagine, I haven't been as forthcoming with info on this subject as others and she's still very much a 9-year old when it comes to "sex" (i.e. she doesn't know how babies are made and I'd like to keep that way for as long as possible).

So...book readers...what do you think? Do I buy her the book and read it with her or do I wait another year or two?

Just throwing this out there as food for thought, but if you have talked to her like an adult since she was younger than 9, you may have a propensity to overestimate her maturity a little. What a kid is capable of handling and how they carry themselves is very different than what is appropriate to expose them to. For example, just because a kid is a lot more mature than other kids her age, doesn't mean it makes sense for her to start dating really young.

If it has to do with what is appropriate for a girl, why not defer to your wife on that one? Taking an insider's advice is not to relinquish decision-making authority.

The Narnia books are really good for that age.

 

[connor_in]

Just as an aside here of comparing book to movie...

Katniss in the movies so far has come across stronger than Katniss in the book. She is still strong in the book, don't get me wrong, but the book you get more of the inner dialogue and she comes across as kind of oblivious to the fact that these two guys are in love with her and how deep. She recognizes they care for her and she cares for both of them, but she is more caught up in the moment as to whom she cares about and when. Also, she seems to places worrying about her family and friends above worrying about love with either of them.

Major props to Jennifer Lawrence for the very last scene of the movie where you see in close up the processing of the information that the Capital has razed District 12. She does a great job of portray a range of changing emotions over a period of about 25 seconds with no dialogue.

Watch from about 3:30 in to about 3:55

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/FDFDytSdzs0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[ND NYC]

having read the books and having a 9 yr old daughter as well, i wouldnt want mine reading the books just yet, not so much due any sexual stuff but the subject matter, main plots: dystopian world, kids killing kids for sport/survival...its just too "dark" for a 9 year old. its a teenagers book IMO. no need to recommend something so dark and depressing...with no happy ending...to a 9 yr old.

 

[connor_in]

having read the books and having a 9 yr old daughter as well, i wouldnt want mine reading the books just yet, not so much due any sexual stuff but the subject matter, main plots: dystopian world, kids killing kids for sport/survival...its just too "dark" for a 9 year old. its a teenagers book IMO. no need to recommend something so dark and depressing...with no happy ending...to a 9 yr old.

THIS is what you want to keep your kids from until they are 30 or so...

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/hCoPbkvyWEI" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Makes the Hunger games look like Romper Room

 

[ND NYC]

didnt some people say hunger games was a ripoff off battle royale the book?

 

[connor_in]

didnt some people say hunger games was a ripoff off battle royale the book?

Yes, people have said that. But the Hunger Games has way more of a story arc to it than just kids killing kids. Hunger Games has a bit of coming of age, a fuller dystopian society, the revolution against that society, etc

 

[Bogtrotter07]

NDWorld, I have an eleven year old (almost) twelve, that is like your daughter. At nine I would have kept it close to the vest. At ten I would have let her. In fact, at 10-11 she read the first two books. No problems whatsoever. Hope I gave you something helpful.

 

[NDinL.A.]

I was teaching 7th and 8th grade English when the books first came out and my students had never heard of The Hunger Games. I would read a chapter a day to them and they LOVED it. Half of them, even though they were poor, went and bought the book bc they couldn't stand the suspense of waiting for me to read it. I read it for 3 years, so I know the book very, very well.

9 years old...I wouldn't allow my daughter to read it yet. NYC said it best...there are a lot of themes she can't even grasp yet, nor would I want my child trying to grasp kids killing kids at hat age. It gets pretty raw...the movie doesn't show it but the book talks about Thresh killing a Career by bashing a rock through his skull.

But I don't know your daughter and I don't want to tell you how to parent your child, so do what you think is best. Perhaps if you have time, read it yourself (its a very quick read). I just think its a bit too much for that age (3rd or 4th grade, I presume), and I think she'll get much more out of it when she's older.

 

[NDWorld247]

Gentlemen... I appreciate the feedback. I decided to hold off another year (thanks, Bogs) and read the books myself before allowing her to read them (thanks, LA). I bought her a gift card to Barnes & Noble so she could pick out some other books she wants, but that paled in comparison to the One Direction concert tickets she got. Even though she told us she wanted the book earlier in the week, it never came up yesterday when opening her presents. Thanks again to everyone that chimed in with their opinion. I knew I could count on IE.