THE HUNGER GAMES: CATCHING FIRE

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 11/12/13 at 4:47pm

Reviews are coming in and they're pretty strong so far. Cannot wait for this...I'll be seeing it at 8PM next Thursday! (So glad they're doing those showing in lieu of midnight screenings.)

http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_hunger_games_catching_fire/

[suestorm]

Posted: 11/12/13 at 4:58pm

So excited as well! The first will be hard to top. JL is the perfect Katniss!!

do you remember the nonsense about her being cast cuz she was blonde and not a real brunette? seems silly now.

Updated On: 11/12/13 at 04:58 PM

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 11/12/13 at 6:26pm

I thought the first movie was just okay (have never read more than three chapters of the first book), but Lawrence is simply one of the most magnetic actresses out there right now. I bought my ticket for the Thursday 10pm showing like three weeks ago. These reviews are great and Lawrence is getting raves; she really has established a new bar for the kind of performances these franchises can reach. I can't wait, especially since this is supposed to be better than the first film.

[DAME]

Posted: 11/12/13 at 6:29pm

We have a afternoon screening this Thursday. Can't wait.

[Tom1071]

Posted: 11/13/13 at 12:58pm

DAME, is it an IMAX screening or just regular? I am wondering if this will be a must-see in IMAX format.

Updated On: 11/13/13 at 12:58 PM

[sabrelady]

Posted: 11/13/13 at 5:44pm

Going next week after i come off night shift. Altho if the trailer is to be believed they've done a WORSE cornucopia than the 1st film- something i didn't think possible!
DAME pls post your review/ experience when u've seen it/have time. Updated On: 11/13/13 at 05:44 PM

[beautywickedlover]

Posted: 11/21/13 at 11:35am

Lionsgate vice chairman, Michael Burns, said that Francis Lawrence hit it out of the park.

http://variety.com/2013/scene/news/lionsgates-michael-burns-catching-fire-director-francis-lawrence-hit-it-out-of-the-park-1200855456/

It seems that he's right because now the movie has a "certified fresh" rating of 95% on Rotten Tomatoes with the general consensus being, "Smart, smoothly directed, and enriched with a deeper exploration of the franchise's thought-provoking themes, Catching Fire proves a thoroughly compelling second installment in the Hunger Games series."

http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_hunger_games_catching_fire/

[boylikethat]

Posted: 11/21/13 at 12:17pm

Saw this last night at an early screening (thank you nephew's Senior class fundraiser).

Such an improvement over the first film. The pacing is great and the running time just flies by. Jennifer Lawrence is magnetic and the chemistry between her and Josh Hutcherson that was lacking in the first film is finally there. Jenna Malone is outstanding as Johanna. She is a scene stealer. I wish they had spent a little more time introducing the other tributes during the training (especially Finnick) but I realize they were limited by time restraints. But they do enough to make you care for the tributes. My one quip is that I felt Phillip Seymour Hoffman was phoning in his performance. It felt like he said "I have free weekend, let's do this line reading in one take." I expected so much more from him. I thought they did a good job of balancing everyone's story (Liam, Prim, Haymitch, even Rue, etc.) in relation to Katniss to make it all really start to come together.

Sorry for the rambling nature. Bottom line, I really liked it.

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 11/21/13 at 11:25pm

Well, it's great. And I really mean that. The first one was strong in its own right, but Francis Lawrence is a much more ideal director for this material than Gary Ross was, and I can't wait to see what he does with the next two installments.

The first 90 minutes or so are all leading up to the Games, as it is in the book, and unlike the wretched TWILIGHT saga, I found myself totally engrossed and entertained simply by the strong writing and even stronger acting. The pre-games stuff doesn't drag and it very easily could have. And of course once we get to the Games, they're just exhilarating and thrilling. They really upped the stakes for this film, as they should have. And if they keep raising the bar like this, the final chapter should be a real doozy. Jennifer Lawrence is even more magnetic and charming than she was in the first film and all of the new cast members are wonderful, particularly Jena Malone as Johanna. I was a bit wary about Sam Claflin. He's nice to look at and all, but he's not as strong an actor as his costars, and it shows at times. I hope he impresses in the final two films, and does Finnick justice on screen!

This is a blockbuster with real guts, heart, and careful craft to it. And all that comes with the genuinely funny humor, white-knuckle thrills, and lovely romance die hard fans are expecting. I loved it! Updated On: 11/21/13 at 11:25 PM

[SweetLips]

Posted: 11/22/13 at 12:28am

Just come from a screening on a 25.5m screen-kept me engrossed for the entire time--and those costumes and make-up-Wow!

Updated On: 11/23/13 at 12:28 AM

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 11/22/13 at 12:40pm

What a great experience! Like I said earlier, I wasn't a huge fan of the first movie, except for Lawrence's performance and an appreciation for the cast. This time I was so impressed with the work done by everyone, kudos to Francis Lawrence for fully realizing the potential of the franchise. It's a long movie, but I didn't want it to end, especially when they get to the last 30 min or so; it was thrilling. The last shot is wonderful.
Jennifer Lawrence is magnificent, I can't say enough superlatives about her; there's just such a naturalness to her on screen, and she has created such a complex, interesting role. The rest of the cast is top notch, with Jeffrey Wright and Amanda Plummer as welcome additions (along with Malone and Philip Seymour Hofffman--who was more or less in DOUBT mode here). Of the old ones, Stanley Tucci is great, and Elisabeth Banks gives a surprisingly touching performance as Effie. The entire ensemble is handled really well, and as someone who hasn't read the books, I didn't feel like I was missing information (which I'm sure I am, but it's impressive for this type of film to not feel like a "highlights" version of the book). Can't wait to go see it again.

[Wildcard]

Posted: 11/23/13 at 12:54pm

Jennifer's performance is Oscar-worthy. She'll never get nominated for this role because some might consider the film to be fluff. Her facial expression at the end of the film alone was worthy.

[ucjrdude902]

Posted: 11/23/13 at 11:17pm

I thought it was far superior to the first film. When the tribute all hold hands I got chills. There are some things from the book I wish were included but obviously they can't include it all. I'd like to talk about the end. Did you like it? Thought it was too abrupt?

[AwesomeDanny]

Posted: 11/24/13 at 1:20am

Well, it feels to me like I saw a different movie than you guys. I really loved the first film, but this one felt tedious to me. I missed the director of the first one. Where the first one was subtle, this one was so heavy-handed. After the first film, I was ready for the revolution to start. This one felt like it was only there as a link into the next one. And so much of this felt like a repeat of the first one, I wanted to say "I've seen this before!" Above all, leaving the theatre, I felt that I didn't learn anything new about the story that I didn't know already. We saw the startings of revolution in the first movie, yet somehow, this movie ended with the beginning of the revolution. It should have already started before this movie.

I also hated the ending. I understand the purpose of the cliffhanger, but instead of thinking "I wonder what will happen next," I just thought "finally! These last few minutes are going to pick up! Oh, wait, nope." I really didn't care what happens next. That said, I will still see the next film, but only because of the brilliance achieved in the first one.

Now, I have not read the books, and my friends who have loved this film because it stayed more faithful to the book than the first one. If this was the case, they need to take more liberties. I can only hope the next one will be better than this disappointment. But part of me really wishes the first one was left as-is, without a sequel.

[E.Davis]

Posted: 11/24/13 at 1:42am

I thought it was a wonderful film. It was well directed, the pacing was good and everyone was giving very committed and strong performances. I wish they would, but they won't because of the nature of the film; Jennifer Lawrence is nomination worthy in the film. Elizabeth Banks is also giving a very emotional and layered performances, I loved seeing the cracks in her characters facade and how she was waking up from the haze.

[AEA AGMA SM]

Posted: 11/24/13 at 11:57am

"I wish they would, but they won't because of the nature of the film;"

Stranger things have happened, so I wouldn't rule it out 100%. I mean, when Bridesmaids first opened did anybody have any idea that it would produce a nomination for Melissa McCarthy?

Though with the nature of it being a multi-part series they may, assuming the final two turn out to be as well-received, wait until the last movie to nominate her for the role, like with Ian McKellen and the Lord of the Rings series.

Anyway, I'm seeing it this afternoon and am very excited.

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 11/24/13 at 1:01pm

Actually, Ian McKellen got nominated for the first LORD OF THE RINGS. I think it's more likely that Lawrence gets in for supporting for AMERICAN HUSTLE as a reward for both performances; I agree I just don't see them nominating her for this, no one from HARRY POTTER ever got in and apart from McKellen, the LORD... franchise was notorious for not reaping acting nods for the cast. Lawrence is incredible in the role though, and I think her performance will always be remembered.

[AEA AGMA SM]

Posted: 11/24/13 at 1:10pm

You're right, ray. I was mixing up his nomination and the best picture nomination. Thanks for catching that.

[beautywickedlover]

Posted: 11/24/13 at 1:47pm

The film has broken the crappy 'Twilight Saga: New Moon's record for the highest weekend debut in November and if estimates hold up it will break 'The Dark Knight Rises's record for the highest weekend debut for a 2-D film. I can't wait to see it this Wednesday.



Box office report: 'The Hunger Games: Catching Fire' breaks November record with $161.1 million debut

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 11/24/13 at 2:13pm

No problem, AEA, I just remember being pretty shocked that for a movie that didn't lose in a single category in which it was nominated, RETURN OF THE KING didn't land any of the actors a nomination.
Those numbers are outrageously good for CATCHING FIRE. Kudos to everyone involved.

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 11/25/13 at 10:48am

This one felt like it was only there as a link into the next one.

Which is exactly how the book reads. I actually enjoyed this film a bit more than the book because the focus of the plot had shifted and it seemed less like a rehash of the first novel.

I mean, when Bridesmaids first opened did anybody have any idea that it would produce a nomination for Melissa McCarthy?

I certainly did. I thought she had a good shot at winning as well. I do think Jennifer Lawrence is giving a nomination-worthy performance, but considering the work that earned her the first nomination and then the actual award, I think the Academy may perhaps throw her a nomination bone for one of these films, but probably not an award. She's good, but they've seen what she can do with far better material.

[Roscoe]

Posted: 11/25/13 at 11:25am

I saw the first one on Netflix and found that the great Jennifer Lawrence and the great Donald Sutherland managed to elevate their scenes from banal to brilliant. Ms. Lawrence especially, my God she's just a joy to behold, and Donald Sutherland has reached that zen state where he just IS onscreen in way that few actors ever really reach, he's able to suggest menace by simply rising from his chair and crossing to a microphone.

The buzz around this sequel is such that I'm considering seeing it in a theatre rather than waiting for Netflix.

[SonofRobbieJ]

Posted: 11/25/13 at 11:41am

There will be spoilers:

I saw it in IMAX last night. I liked the first movie...but I found myself completely engrossed in this breathlessly paced sequel. The sequence with the turkeys was truly disorienting and set up Katniss' PTSD beautifully. I bought everyone a little bit more this time around, even Liam Hemsworth. The growing connection between Lawrence and Hutcherson was palpable. I didn't find Hoffman uncomfortable, and Tucci was magnificent...especially in the interview section right before the games. And brava, Jena Malone! Gettin' all touch and sh*t! I also loved that they found a way to drop two f-bombs without them actually being heard. Well done.

I found the Games themselves far more intense. I still had a little bit of a hard time accepting that Katniss wouldn't totally figure out that people were there to save her...but much less so than in the book. I felt the Capitol was more grotesque than low camp this time around, much the better. Banks is allowed to show far more colors (literally and figuratively...THAT MONARCH BUTTERFLY DRESS!!!) and winds up delivering a very moving performance. How wonderful to see Jeffrey Wright, Amanda Plummer and Lynn Cohen in a major blockbuster. Seeing it on an IMAX screen was intensely fabulous! Especially when it's reserved seating at Lincoln Square. So very civilized!

[adamgreer]

Posted: 11/26/13 at 12:15am

I'm not a huge fan of hyperbole, but...

I really think Jennifer Lawrence is going to end up being regarded as this generation's Meryl Streep. She's that good (not just in this, but in general).

[beautywickedlover]

Posted: 11/26/13 at 5:17pm

Justin Chang of Variety gives his thoughts on why he believes the movie is better than the novel.


Why the ‘Catching Fire’ Movie Is Better than Suzanne Collins’ Novel