The Hunger Games Training, Day 7

Since I know Jennifer Lawrence, I've followed her acting career from her first gig as teenage daughter Lauren on The Bill Engvall Show to her Academy award nomination for feisty, determined Ree in every moment of Winter's Bone.  I've also watched countless YouTube videos of her interviews for various projects.  To get to know her and the rest of The Hunger Games cast better, check these out:

The Hunger Games Training, Day 6

As soon as I heard that THG was being made into a movie, questions about Katniss' famous "girl on fire" dress flooded my mind.  I had no idea how the costume director would create such a fanciful, high tech, futuristic garment.  If you watch the trailer, we catch a glimpse of it, and to be honest, it looks like a little bit of a letdown.

But I'm trying to maintain a positive attitude.  Here's Katniss' description of it from the book:

“I am dressed in what will either be the most sensational or the deadliest costume in the opening ceremonies. I’m in a simple black unitard that covers me from ankle to neck. Shiny leather boots lace up to my knees. But it’s the fluttering cape made of streams of orange, yellow, and red and the matching headpiece that define this costume. Cinna plans to light them on fire just before our chariot rolls into the streets.” —Katniss in The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

InStyle magazine asked several fashion designers to sketch their interpretation of the dress.  Here's what they came up with:

Christian Siriano.  Fierce, just like him.  Pretty true to the description.

Tommy Hilfiger.  Did he even try?  

Rachel Roy.  Love it.  Especially the inclusion of THG logo on the boot.

Tadashi Shoji.  I would absolutely wear this, but it looks way too red carpet.  

Charlotte Ronson.  Possibly the most accurate and appropriate.  Love.

Nicole Miller.  I really appreciate her attention to detail.  Maybe slightly too crazy with the headpiece.

Christian Cota.  Very fanciful.

Tibi.  Love Tibi, but I'm sorry, no.

Eric Fetherston.  Like it, but I imagined the cape as longer.

The Blonds.  Pretty crazy (what is up with her face?)  but would be really cool.

BCBGeneration.  Very true to the BCBG style.  Once again, looks like something I would wear.  Since the ruffles look literally like fire, I just don't know how that would be executed.

What is your favorite?  Thoughts on Jennifer's actual dress?

The Hunger Games Training, Day 5

Many people are referring to The Hunger Games as "the next Twilight."  There are so many things wrong with that comparison.

1. I do not know a single male who read all of the Twilight books.  I guess the movie is another story because it's way less of a commitment for a man to get dragged to see a movie instead of deliberately choosing to devote time to reading.  Still, I do know several guys who have read all of The Hunger Games trilogy and loved them!

2. Let's take Twilight for what it is: a love story.  Somewhat terrifying and twisted but a love story nevertheless.  THG is no love story.  Yes, there are some romantic elements, but the focus is elsewhere.  The theme of THG is how young adults cope with violence and war.  You read Twilight and leave pondering whether you'd like to be seduced by a vampire or werewolf.  You read THG and leave contemplating the world's future and the necessity of war.

3. In Twilight, the majority of character development centers around the love triangle.  The reader/audience learns just about everything there is to know about Bella, Edward, and Jacob, yet details about the more minor characters are often omitted.  One of my favorite things about THG is how attached I became to several of the minor characters when reading, including Rue, Cinna, Haymitch, and some of the other tributes.  I'm hoping the movie can achieve this, as well.

Okay, I guess those are the only three major differences that I wanted to point out.  Bottom line is: if you're considering not going to see THG movie because you think it's going to be like Twilight, I wanted you to know that they are two completely different beasts.

They do have one major element in common...
The love triangle.

I was firmly on Team Edward when reading Twilight because they just seemed to be so drawn to one another.  When I saw the movies, however, I quickly flip-flopped because Robert Pattinson just doesn't do it for me.  Anyway, in this case, it's not the typical good guy vs. bad boy debate that we see in THG.  Because, let's be honest: they are both dangerous monsters who could rip Bella to shreds at any moment.  I'd say they both qualify as bad boys.

Peeta vs. Gale is so much harder for me because I was obviously far more invested in THG books while reading them than I was with Twilight.  I found Peeta, the good guy, to be somewhat annoying and clingy at times but so sweet and devoted to Katniss.  Gale's passion for change was inspiring, but I feared that could overshadow his feelings for Katniss.  If I were truly forced to choose, I think I would side with Gale based on the books.  I think my sentiment might change after seeing the movie though.  Josh Hutcherson was so perfectly cast as Peeta, and I think his self-deprecating mannerisms will garner my sympathies.  I also just don't think Liam Hemsworth (Gale) has much of a personality, which will be hard for me to get over.

What do you think?  Is The Hunger Games the next Twilight?  Edward or Jacob?  Peeta or Gale?

The Hunger Games Training, Day 4

Entertainment Weekly once again featured THG on the cover of last week's issue.

In an interview, producer Nina Jacobson reveals four elements of the book that won't be included in the movie due to time constraints.

1. Madge, the mayor of District 12's daughter.  Jacobson says they wanted to make sure viewers who didn't read the book would be able to understand the intensity of Katniss and Prim's relationship.  Instead of Madge giving the mockingjay pin to Katniss before the games, Prim does.

My thoughts: Understandable.  Madge is a very likable character because her family is powerful in District 12 yet has compassion for the lowly residents of the district.  However, I think Jacobson is correct in assuming that audience members might need an extra reason to understand Katniss' connection with Rue in the arena as a reflection of her relationship with her sister.

2. Avoxes, capitol servants who were punished by having their tongues removed.  They will be present in the film as Katniss and Peeta's servants, but elaboration will be lacking.  I doubt they will develop the story of how Katniss recognizes her red-headed avox from the woods outside District 12, which causes her a major freakout before the games.

My thoughts: Katniss' connection to her avox serves as one of her first realizations of the horror that will occur in the arena.  I'm sure that they will find other ways to convey the terrifying nature of the Capitol though.  Impact on the overall story is likely minimal.

3. The prep team.  Similar to the avoxes, we will meet them, but their characters will not be developed.  

My thoughts: Ultimately, the prep team will have to become more major characters because of their role in the third book.  I'm not entirely opposed to holding off on the development, but they will have some work to do in the second movie.  Cinna is obviously the star of the show.

4. The high tech gadgetry of the Capitol.  Jacobson cites the example of having a hot meal appear at the press of a button.  She says they wanted the Capitol to seem menacing and terrifying, not fanciful.

My thoughts: With the omission of details about the avoxes, there is a need for making the Capitol seem frightening.  However, I don't think the gadgetry detracts from that.  The Capitol is fanciful to its residents, and the tributes get a taste of what life as a Capitol resident is like on their way to the games.  Out of all the missing elements, this is the one I will miss most.  I was looking forward to seeing some impressive special effects.

Thoughts?  What do you think you'll miss most?

The Hunger Games Training, Day 3

It's no secret that T. Swift has a few haters.  I used to be one of them.  I told you I can be a little judgy sometimes.  But, if you remember, when I saw her in concert last fall, I came around.  I even bought her latest album, Sparks Fly.  

So, you can imagine my excitement when I heard she was teaming up with the folksy Nashville native duo The Civil Wars for a song to be featured in THG!  I especially love it because it doesn't really sound like Taylor (so I guess that makes me a bad fan).

Watch the official music video...

In THG fan world (in which I am embarrassingly very involved), there is great debate over when the song will be featured.  It's fairly obvious that it will either involve Katniss' relationship with Rue, the District 11 tribute, or with Peeta.  SPOILER ALERT.  (I warned you, even though you should have already read the books).  I'm really torn between the moment when Rue dies or when Katniss is nursing Peeta back to health in the cave.  There's also talk of playing it when Katniss says goodbye to Gale or during the credits, both of which I highly doubt.  What do you think?

The Hunger Games Training, Day 2

I first planned on dressing up as the girl on fire but have scaled back my premiere plans to only include sporting one of the China Glaze Hunger Games nail polish colors.  (Go to this link.  The author of All Lacquered Up reviews all of the polishes, and provides photos of how they actually look on your nails).

Usually I'm strictly an O.P.I. girl, but I think I'll have to cave for this special occasion.  My first instinct was to go with "Fast Track" (unofficially named for District 6-Transportation), which is the color I actually like and can see myself wearing on a regular basis.

Photo courtesy of alllacqueredup.com

But in the spirit of dressing up for a midnight premiere, I'm tempted to opt for getting into character by wearing Katniss' color, Smoke and Ashes (unofficially named for District 12-Mining).  We all know I go all-out in costume for midnight premieres.

As Captain Jack Sparrow for Pirates of the Caribbean 3.  Yes, that is indeed a beard.

Photo courtesy of alllacqueredup.com

Decisions, decisions.  I'll let you know what I choose.  The collection has hit Sally Beauty Supply ($5.99 or $4.99 with Beauty Club Card) and ULTA ($7 a bottle) stores already.

What do you think about the collection?  Did they capture the essence of each district accurately?  Which color is your favorite?

The Hunger Games Training, Day 1

Remember when I told you to read The Hunger Games series?  If you did, I don't need to tell you how great the books are.  If you didn't I bet you're kicking yourself now that you know about the next big cult series to hit the theaters.  This post is in honor of the world premiere of the soon-to-be blockbuster, The Hunger Games, which hits theaters near you on Friday, March 23rd.  There's still time to join the club!  I beg of you; read the book before you see the movie.  THE BOOK IS ALWAYS BETTER THAN THE MOVIE.

Don't get me wrong.  I'm literally counting down the days until midnight next Thursday (I've had tickets for about two weeks now).  The best part of all, my childhood church friend, Jennifer Lawrence, is the star of the show as Katniss Everdeen.  So you can see why I might be slightly obsessed.

You too can prepare yourself for this epic experience.  And feels like home can be your guide.  Think of it as training for the arena.  Come back every day for a THG tidbit.  By next Friday, you'll be as ready for the games as I am, guaranteed.

Let's start with the basics, shall we?  I'm assuming everyone who owns a TV has seen the trailers, but if not, for your viewing pleasure...

See you tomorrow for more!