I’ve never been one for movies with lots of hype. Though I will always see the latest James Bond flick the weekend it releases. But compared to the Twilights and Batmans of the world, even James is kinda underground.
I waited until Hunger made its way to my local dollar theater for me to actually watch it. Granted, I could have waited a few more days for it to leak onto www.Piratebay.org, but I figured it needed to be seen in a theater.
I’m a huge fan of Josh Hutcherson (The Kids Are All Right, anyone?) so I expected him to be great in it, which he was. And Jennifer Lawrence has a pretty great resume with Winter’s Bone and last year’s Like Crazy among others. She was great too. And Miley’s boyfriend Liam Hemsworth wasn’t bad. Though I do wonder why they dyed his hair brown and Josh’s blonde when they could have kept their natural hair colors and been different but that’s just me.
Stanley Tucci can do no wrong in my book. Which is why this deserves its own paragraph. Slash can we just applaud him for taking a breather and playing Emma Stone’s dad in Easy A? Perfection.
The acting, directing and cinematography were all great in Hunger. The first few scenes had a very indie/Oscar movie type feel which was refreshing for a big budget flick.
Overall it was a good time at the theater. I’ve never read any of the books and frankly, I hadn’t heard a single plot point before watching it. For all I knew people got dropped off on an island and had to beat hunger.
That’s not what it’s about. 24 people get chosen to kill each other. Yes. That’s what it’s about. Of course there’s a lot more to it, but that’s the main idea. Towards the end of the film and as I left the theater I found myself feeling very disturbed. I couldn’t believe it was rated PG-13. Thirteen year olds really went to see this? They read this? I honestly find that mind blowing.
My main issue isn’t with this movie, it’s with our culture and how violence is no big deal. I frankly would love the 60’s back. No, I don’t love bell bottoms. Yes, I love navajo prints. But that’s not the point. I just want to see more people standing up for peace.
Why do language and expressing love make a movie R rated when people murdering each other is accepted for young kids to watch? It baffles me.
Whatever the case, the movie wasn’t bad and I’ll probably end up watching the other eight they make. Though I’m sure I’ll be covering the eyes of the thirteen year old next to me.
On another note, the two hour and twenty minute length was surprisingly not terrible. I’m a big fan of the 90 minute RomCom so you understand where I’m coming from. And I love Julia Roberts. I hope someone is writing a RomCom for Viola Davis. OK I’m starting to babble.
