The Hunger Games

After reading "The Hunger Games" novel, I gave it a solid 4 stars out of 5. I had a very similar reaction to this movie, an indication of the faithfulness of the book-to-film transfer.

For a basic plot summary, "The Hunger Games" sees Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) & Peeta Mellark (Josh Hutcherson) thrown into a battle-to-the death with 23 other young people as a result of a "1984"-like dystopian society bent on total population control. Living in a society completely controlled by "The Capitol", Katniss & Peeta struggle to survive in the deathly competition while at the same time sending a message of hope to the thirteen districts watching the Hunger Games event.

In terms of being faithful to the book, this movie succeeds tremendously. Director Gary Ross takes a great written story and adeptly adapts it to the big screen. All the major events happen as written by Suzanne Collins, while even the minutiae is, for the most part, accurate. There's really nothing to get upset over in the translation, besides (of course) the usual pairing down of some background dialogue to keep the film from going even longer than its 2 hours, 22 minute runtime.

The casting/acting is also quite well-done. About the only cast member that didn't potentially live up to the billing was Liam Hemsworth as Gale. Other than that, I really enjoyed the two leads as well as the auxiliaries such as Donald Sutherland, Woody Harrelson, & Elizabeth Banks, to name a few.

Basically, "The Hunger Games" movie succeeds because of the strength of the original story and the faithful adaptation of that story. Because this is (at heart) a young-adult story, a lack of deeper character development & plots prevents me from giving it a full five stars (fair or not). Other than that, though, there is nothing else negative I can say about the experience.

Safe

 I really liked this movie. It had an interesting story about a little girl who has the ability to memorize everything she sees and has a code in her head that the Chinese mob, Russian mob and almost the entire New York City police department want. It seems they are all willing to destroy a city to get her and if not, kill her.

Ex bad cop Luke notices everyone chasing her in a subway and somehow grabs her and they get away only to be chased by everybody.

This movie does not lack action and violence. It's over the top but not in a way where it looks stupid.

If you're looking for a movie with non stop action this is it. Pair that with a likable loser ex cop and a cute little girl that can shoot a gun and you have a movie worth seeing again.

What To Expect When You're Expecting

Inspired by the perennial bestseller, WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN YOU'RE EXPECTING is a hilarious and heartfelt comedy about five couples whose intertwined lives are turned upside down by the challenges of impending parenthood.

• Starring: Cameron Diaz, Jennifer Lopez
• Directed by: Kirk Jones
• Runtime: 1 hour 50 minutes
• Release year: 2012
• Studio: Lionsgate

Doctor Who, Season 7, Ep. 2 "Dinosaurs on a Spaceship"

 If you look at the title "Dinosaurs on a Spaceship" and think "That's silly. I won't like it," then you won't. If you look at that title and think "F*#$ yes I want dinosaurs on a spaceship. And throw in some Egyptians," then you will. As a bonus, Mitchell and Webb!

The Five-Year Engagement

I've never written a review on Amazon before. I can't say much about this film other than for what should be a knockout comedic cast, it is amazingly boring and slow. I think the director imagined the humor would be found in the characters' quirky, offbeat dialogue, except the dialogue isn't funny or quirky. It's like watching the life of two semi-funny people, minus any interesting parts. I want my 3.99 back.

Battleship

I can remember as a younger father playing the Hasbro game with my kids. I also have a vague recollection of playing a version as a kid myself using a pencil and paper but that could be just dead brain cells floating around. Speaking of dead brain cells...with a movie like "Battleship" it is usually a good idea to set the bar low (pick a Michael Bay movie) and just relax. For me, I use the second "Transformers" movie "Revenge of the Fallen" as my standard.

Here we have some early scenes that actually aren't bad and begin to flesh out the characters. The focus is on bad boy, Alex Hopper (Taylor Kitsch) who somehow becomes a U. S. Navy officer at the insistence of his big brother, Stone (Alexander Skarsgard) who already is a Commander. Unless memory again fades, having been in the Navy myself it is unlikely that they would accept a drunken felon into their officer corps (i.e. Alex) but maybe things have changed.

While this is a minor nit not worth picking, there are so many other flawed technical aspects of the film, it can't be taken seriously. The good news is that the movie is wildly, if absurdly, entertaining. It is decently constructed with a beginning, middle and an end. The movie is extremely loud at times, especially when the alien visitors take offense at being threatened and launch their razor sharp ball bearing thingies. I mean, the Earthlings did invite them, right? All is well that ends well, especially when you have the mothballed (yet battle ready!) U.S.S. Missouri easily launched with a skeleton crew (pun intended).

Breaking Bad Season 5, Ep. 8 "Gliding Over All"

Spoiler Alert: Immediately after Walt went for his PET scan for cancer, punched the paper towel holder in anger I assume, things started to change fast. He did a 180, gave Jesse his money, and told Skyler he is out (of the drug business). He is acting like he's trying to go back to his old life, as though he knows it's over--but then again, who knows?? Walt has become such a good liar and schemer, it's hard to tell if he has something else up his sleeve and a plan for all that money in the storage space. The cancer is back and he knows he no longer is going to be able to be 'Gus" after all??? Yes, Hank then finds out about WW, but don't forget about the first scene of episode one when Walt is in a diner, having breakfast, with a wig or hair and using a fake name. What is that about? I think Hank confronts him in the next season, and Walt goes 'on the run'...but keeps his Czech Rep. connections. This show is so amazing, it keeps you guessing and trying to figure out what will happen next. How can we wait til next Season??