The Hunger Games Review

Katniss is walked to her potential doom in The Hunger Games

The Hunger Games

B+

A Review by Frederick Cholowski

Following the lead of Harry Potter and Twilight the latest teen book sensation, The Hunger Games, is hitting the big screen. The film helmed by acclaimed director Gary Ross (Seabiscut, Pleasantville) has massive expectations to live up to, with legions of fangirls and fanboys hotly anticipating the adaption. Fortunately the Hunger Games manages to pass the level of most teen book adaptation providing a film that has appeal for both adults and teenagers alike.

The Hunger Games is set in a post apocalyptic world in which North America is divided into 12 districts each with their own specific purpose. Each year each district has to give up 2 children ages 12-18 (one male one female) to fight to death in a broadcast battle called the Hunger Games. The lone survivor gets eternal riches and brings pride to their district. Cue Catniss Everdeen (Jenifer Lawrence), a young woman of the extremely poor district 12 who is forced to volunteer after her younger sister Prim (Willow Shields) was chosen. Her and the male tribute Peeta (Josh Hutcherson) are whisked away with their drunken mentor Haymitch (Woody Harrelson) to face the press and then soon enough the games themselves.

The main flaw of the narrative is that it feels rushed up until the actual fighting begins. Despite the film being long (144 minutes) it never gives itself enough time to develop the world or some of the characters. As a result the first hour or so just feels like the filmmakers trying to move forward to all the bullet points of the first two thirds of the book. It’s not bad filmmaking by any stretch of the imagination it just feels a little bit incomplete. The other thing is that most of the tributes just feel like redcoats that are just there to be killed. Katniss never has to make any strong moral choices on whether to kill them she just kind of kills them. Most of them just feel like they have no payoff and are just ghost characters.

Despite these complaints the narrative here is very solid. There is a good screenplay and solid pacing that move the film forward. The direction is solid too using a lot of shaky cam and up-close shots to get a personal feel. The film is never glossy or superficial; instead the shots are personal and gritty and give off a more believable feel. The soundtrack is ambient for the most part, peaking and falling when needed. Nothing stands out as super amazing, although it is nice that no big pop hits are played until after the credits role.

Lawrence as usual is fantastic; she truly is one of if not the best young actress around. She brings vulnerability and innocence to Katniss and for the most part carries the film. Hutcherson is fine here although his relationship with Catniss is hit and miss throughout. The other standout acting wise is Harrelson who is fantastic as Haymitch. He’s dark character who despite the drinking problem rallies behind the District 12 tributes. He also gives the film a true sobering look at what the games can do to the winners and gives the film some well needed atmosphere.

Despite its flaws the Hunger Games is one of the best teen book to movie adaptations. It’s better than the first Harry Potters and significantly better than Eragon or Twilight. The script and acting are solid and the film doesn’t attempt to be flashy. While it misses the mark of greatness The Hunger Games is a great way of starting out this season of blockbusters.

           

The Revised Top 10 films of 2011

The Top 10 of 2011

  An article by Frederick Cholowski

So it’s list time again, time for some fun. I have started revisiting my lists after Oscar time every year because of the fact that I don’t have a chance to see some of the films I wanted to see before the year is over (not being a paid critic and not having access to press screenings doesn’t help). Despite this I still haven’t had the chance to see two movies that might have maybe made this list, Shame and The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (witch when seen will be considered for the 2012 list). So here we go the new, improved (hopefully) best of 2011.

Honorable mentions (films that made the first list but got booted out of the new one): The Adventures of Tintin, Harry Potter 7 part 2, J Edgar, Super 8

10. Midnight in Paris

Woody Allen returns to form with a delightful romp through the wonders of classic Paris. Owen Wilson charms and the city Paris dazzles in this pitch perfect feel good film. Let’s hope this film sparks a streak Allen’s best kind of film, charming feel good comedies with fun inventive scripts.

9. Rango

The only mainstream animated film not offered in 3D also happened to be the best. Surprised? Rango was crazy fun with references of old westerns, fantastic action sequences, and a script that appealed more towards an older crowd. Unique and fun Rango manages to be the best non Pixar animated film that has come around in a long time.

8. Margin Call

One of this year’s little indie films that could Margin Call provided an intense look into a company on the verge of financial collapse. Driven by A list talent (Kevin Spacey and Jeremy Irons to name a couple) and a tightly woven script Margin Call is an excellent example of what first time directors can achieve.

7. Take Shelter

Yet another example of an indie film that turned out to be fantastic. Fueled by a fantastic performance by Michael Shannon and from master direction from Jeff Nichols give take shelter a frightening intensity. The film is easily one of the most intense thrillers and interesting case studies to come out in 2011.

6. Hugo

Easily the best family film to be released this year, Hugo is a wondrous and charming experience. The look, the feel, and yes the 3D all contributed to a fantastic film headed up by the greatest living director Martin Scorsese; Yes a Martin Scorsese film without killing, the mob or Robert De Niro, and yet it is still fantastic. Times have certainly changed.

5. Martha Marcy May Marlene

Despite having a title that doesn’t quite roll of the tong Martha Marcy May Marlene is a thriller that cannot be forgotten. Elizabeth Olsen gives the best female performance this year and first time, writer, director Sean Durkin delivers a tightly woven script and fantastic direction that make this film so mesmerizing. The intensity of this film is off the charts and it builds to an ending that left me absolutely breathless. Frightening and exciting Martha Marcy May Marlene must not be missed.

4. The Descendants

Alexander Payne delivers yet another slice of Drama-Comedy goodness. The script, the acting, and the beautiful cinematography help flesh out what could have been just another film in Hawaii. Payne never fails on giving us a blend of beautiful drama and black comedy and he hasn’t started with this fantastic piece of film making.

3. Drive

Drive is what happens when an action film actually tries to be unique and, well, good. Cult Danish director Nicolas Winding Refn delivers with a brutal action thriller that also has time for characters and plot. It’s refreshing to see an action film that spends its first 40 minutes making room for the things that matter. That doesn’t detract from the action though as it each sequence is pulse pounding and intense. That mixed with the best score of the year (who knew techno pop would make such a compelling soundtrack) creates the best action movie of the year.

2. The Artist

What is left to say about this film that someone else hasn’t already said? Compelling and unique The Artist takes an Idea that has been dead since the era it is replicating and makes it cool again. It also has the best male performance of the year given by the French comedian Jean Dujardin who looks sounds and feels like a silent movie star. My message is don’t be scared of the silence or the black and white because if you do you are missing out on a magical piece of film making that no one should miss.

1. The Tree of Life

Ambitious, powerful and challenging, there is no other film this year like the Tree of Life. The film is an absolute feast of creativity and style all the while challenging the way stories can be told in mainstream media. Mixed in between is a wonderful coming of age story told through memory like wisps of sight and sound. While there are many wonderful films in 2011 none are as masterful or ambitious as The Tree of Life.