hunger games – The Hilltop Monitor https://hilltopmonitor.jewell.edu The Official Student Publication of William Jewell College Sat, 01 May 2021 03:15:39 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://hilltopmonitor.jewell.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/cropped-3-32x32.png hunger games – The Hilltop Monitor https://hilltopmonitor.jewell.edu 32 32 Winter Movie Preview https://hilltopmonitor.jewell.edu/winter-movie-preview-2/ https://hilltopmonitor.jewell.edu/winter-movie-preview-2/#respond Fri, 04 Dec 2015 14:00:12 +0000 https://hilltopmonitor.jewell.edu/?p=2423 In recent years, the film industry has found a niche market in the November and December months almost on par with the summer blockbuster season. According to recent estimates, the days in between Christmas and New Year’s Eve in particular have been the highest-grossing week of the year for moviegoing since 2000. A prime time for otherwise lower-end films to shine at the theaters alongside last-minute Oscar hopefuls, this season is one that is often full of hype on both art house and pop culture releases. In addition, many of the more anticipated Thanksgiving releases continue to dominate cinemas across the country, making the decision on what to see a formidable one. There are, however, a few that are particularly capturing reviewers’ and audiences’ attention.

Star Wars: The Force AwakensThe expected franchise to beat in terms of ticket sales is “Star Wars,” with its newest installment, “The Force Awakens,” hitting theaters Dec. 18. “The Force Awakens” marks a new beginning for the film series in more ways than one: not only is it the first “Star Wars” to be released since Disney’s acquisition of the franchise, but it will also be the first not directed by George Lucas. J.J. Abrams, known for his work on the “Star Trek” reboot films and the television series “Lost,” has stepped up to the role of directing all movies in the new projected trilogy, with Lucas staying on the crew as a correspondent. While Disney has kept the specifics of the plotline under close guard, the general premise will follow three new characters 30 years after “Episode VI” and their interactions with the original cast. New players in the saga include Lupita Nyong’o, Adam Driver, John Boyega and Max von Sydow.

The Hunger Games: Mockingjay: Part 2As one franchise reopens in the winter 2015 season, another prominent one makes its curtain call: namely, “The Hunger Games,” which released its final film, “Mockingjay: Part Two,” on Thanksgiving weekend. Projected to stay in the box office ratings for several weeks in the tradition of its predecessors, the film follows Jennifer Lawrence’s now-iconic role of Katniss Everdeen in her final battle against the tyrannical Capitol government, led by President Snow, played by Donald Sutherland. Rumored to have a single major change to the subject material, the finale is being promoted as the action-based counterpart to its predecessor, “Mockingjay: Part One,” which focused more on the behind-the-scenes political battle between the rebels and Snow.

The Hateful EightAnother attention-drawing release, this one far outside the realm of franchise films, is “The Hateful Eight,” the latest Quentin Tarantino Western. Set to release Christmas Day, it stars Kurt Russell and Jennifer Jason Leigh as a post-Civil War bounty hunter and his fugitive. As they are en route to the town of Red Rock, Ark. where Russell is set to bring Leigh to justice, the two travelers come across a group comprised of renegade sheriffs, generals and other bounty hunters. After a snowstorm, all eight take shelter in a haberdashery on a mountain pass and end up stranded in the harsh Wyoming landscape. “The Hateful Eight” is expected to carry the same sort of intense violence and blood-soaked atmosphere Tarantino has become known for and is likely to follow the success of his past films.

The Big ShortAmong the December arthouse releases vying for Oscar nomination is “The Big Short,” based on Michael Lewis’s bestselling account of the 2000s housing and credit bubble. Its plot hinges on a quartet of financial outsiders who attempt to game the system created by the government banking system in the name of profit, played by an all-star combination of Brad Pitt, Steve Carrell, Ryan Gosling and Christian Bale. Geared towards docudrama enthusiasts and intellectual moviegoers, it is set to release Dec. 11 in some theaters before its nationwide release Dec. 23.

CarolAlso vying for an Oscar is “Carol,” a 1950s period romance concerning a topic that continues to dominate modern discussion. Cate Blanchett plays a woman trapped in a loveless marriage who finds a new fascination in a Manhattan department store clerk, portrayed by Rooney Mara. The two women struggle with their increasing feelings for each other and with Blanchett’s husband’s increasing suspicions. Adapted from the 1952 novel “The Price of Salt,” it hit theaters Nov. 20 and is already attracting attention for its depiction of hot-button LGBT issues.

 

Photo courtesy of Ad Week.

]]> https://hilltopmonitor.jewell.edu/winter-movie-preview-2/feed/ 0 “The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1” fails to deliver the excitement that is characteristic of the series https://hilltopmonitor.jewell.edu/the-hunger-games-mockingjay-part-1-fails-to-deliver-the-excitement-that-is-characteristic-of-the-series/ https://hilltopmonitor.jewell.edu/the-hunger-games-mockingjay-part-1-fails-to-deliver-the-excitement-that-is-characteristic-of-the-series/#respond Fri, 05 Dec 2014 22:56:23 +0000 https://hilltopmonitor.jewell.edu/?p=3539

“Mockingjay – Part 1” provided too much setting and not enough action, making it a less dynamic and engaging of a film than its predecessors.

The first “Hunger Games” movie that did not feature a hunger games was, no doubt, a high-pressure film to create. The third installment of the series had to set the scene for the climactic ending of the beloved series.

However, the film did little but set the scene. Despite strong performances from the cast, short action-packed scenes and interesting character development, “Mockingjay” is disappointing. It falls short of the excitement of the previous two films and is not quite deep enough to be the political commentary it strived to be. For fans of the franchise, it is worth the price of a ticket to see the progression of certain plot details. For action movie fans, though, it falls short.

The movie begins with Katniss (Jennifer Lawrence) traumatized after being rescued from her second Hunger Games. She is now being kept safe in an underground camp with the other rebels in District 13. Peeta (Josh Hutcherson) was not so fortunate; he was left in the hands of the Capitol after the games, and Katniss is furious at District 13 officials for abandoning him. The film focuses on the furthering of the rebellion against the totalitarian capital and on rescuing Peeta.

After the juggernauts that were the “Harry Potter” and “Twilight” franchises, it is not really surprising that the studio behind the Hunger Games decided to capitalize on the final installment of the trilogy and release Mockingjay in two parts.

Predictably, this decision hurt the film. The plot points on which it focuses feel insignificant compared to the actual rebellion of which we see little, and the movie does little to advance the story. As a result, the film often feels slow and repetitive. The ending brought a dramatic twist and some anticipated excitement, but the audience is forced to wait a year to see where this excitement will lead.

Despite these problems, the film is worth watching. The little action there is in the movie is gripping, due in no small part to the special effects. I especially enjoyed the cuts in the movie that showed how the rebellion was panning out in other parts of Panem. Additionally, the movie is laden with political allegory and satire concerning both the tactics of both District 13 and the Capitol. However, this commentary goes nowhere and feels disconnected from the rest of the story.

The acting, howevver, in the movie is superb. Julianne Moore is unsurprisingly brilliant as President Coin, who she turns into a frigid yet sympathetic character. Elizabeth Banks makes what could easily be a one-dimensional character commiserative and charming as Effie Trinket. The late Philip Seymour Hoffman, to whom the film was dedicated, brings spirit and deviation to otherwise static scenes. Lawrence is, as always, a captivating hero, and she plays the part of the hardened veteran well. However, the stalled plot gives her little to work with, as her character is running in place much of the time.

While the ending was unsatisfying, the strengths of “Mockingjays” compensate for its faults. It may actually be a perfect precursor to the second part, but it is, of course, too early to make that call. I give this film three out of five stars.

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