The Hunger Games

The Hunger Games (Gary Ross, 2012)

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Rating: Q=7, P=7 / Obsession

Scale 1=3, Scale 2=4, Scale 3=4, Scale 4=3
 

Post-Apocalyptic, Science Fiction, Coming of Age, Survival, Corruption
 

I know, I know... it took me a long time to see this film which was completely my cup of tea. I loved the premise, the symbolism, the many narrative themes. I was immediately reminded of many other stories told about corrupt governments and poverty-stricken people, spying and manipulating systems-- but that's OK. This was also a story about children and how all of the above play out when personalities are still forming. I liked it a lot. And really great soundtrack, too.
 

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The Perks of Being a Wallflower

The Perks of Being a Wallflower (Stephen Chbosky, 2012)

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Rating: Q=6, P=6 / Average OJ

Scale 1=3, Scale 2=3, Scale 3=3, Scale 4=3

Coming of Age, High School, Coping, Complex Relationships

This film had a nice balance of drama and comedy, light-heartedness and serious subject matter. Each character felt real and much of the time I was drawn back into my years as a teenager. It's amazing to me that no matter your particular situation, era, or group of friends, everyone seems to go through the same rites of passage, the same trials, scenes...growing up: it is the same but different.

I recommend this film to anyone who loves a good high school movie but especially to those who like a bit more substance, too. Oh, and great music!

 

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Yet Another Post Delay...

Sorry for not posting any reviews for almost two weeks--still not set up in my new house to watch films yet. I'm confident, though, that Thanksgiving week will see time to get back into my regular stream of movie-viewing. I'm been staring at the DVD cover of The Perks of Being a Wallflower forever, it seems. So look forward to that review first.

Happy Thanksgiving (soon)!

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Ender's Game

Ender's Game (Gavin Hood, 2013)

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Rating: Q=7, P=6 / Can't Get Enough

Scale 1=4, Scale 2=3, Scale 3=3, Scale 4=3

Fantasy, Coming of Age, Future, War, Science Fiction

 

This is a film about HOW. How do I become successful? How can I succeed? How do I gain trust? How do I please my superiors? How do I win? Strategy is Ender's strongest skill and he learns throughout his training that the rules in life are bendable, changeable, and complex.

I loved this story because it is more "coming of age" than fantasy (but still definitely fantasy). Seeing as this film comes from the same director as Tsotsi (2006), I'm not surprised that it is an interesting study of masculinity, war, and fear. Ender is marvelously played by Asa Butterfield, who is quickly becoming one of the brightest new stars in Hollywood. I hope to see the story continued soon.

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