The Girl on Fire

“In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining Capitol surrounded by twelve outlying district. The Capitol is harsh and cruel and keeps the districts in line by forcing them all to send one boy and girl between the ages of twelve to eighteen to participate in the annual Hunger Games, a fight to the death on live TV.”

The book of Suzanne Collins has recurring themes that had been explored in numerous books and movies. Because of this, many critics had questioned the originality of her work. But the author offers a fresh perspective about post war District 12. It is the city where people suffer injustice and starvation. They despise the tyranny of the Capitol but all too powerless and scared to even dare to think of a rebellion.

What the author was able to achieve was to connect the readers with the heroine of the story, Katniss Everdeen. Through her eyes, we saw the despicable place that is the Seam. We felt her determination to survive, her love for her family, her hate with the social inequality that the Capitol burdened them with. We shared her burning desire for a reform and her doubt if she can even make a difference.

Katniss’ participation in the Hunger Games was to save her younger sister, Prim, from being the tribute of District 12. She played the game well because of her own skills, tactics and experience on being a hunter. She was the audience’ favorite because she knows how to be charming in the camera. But she still bitterly understands the essence of the Hunger Games when she cradled Rue, sang a song for her and laid some flowers as a farewell gesture to her fallen comrade. In the supposed ‘final showdown’ of the game, her quick mindedness and bravery saved her life and Peeta’s, as she outwitted the Gamekeepers and were finally declared as victors.

It is impossible not to care about what will happen to Katniss after she and Peeta triumphed in the Seventy-fourth Hunger games. It is interesting to know what will President Snow and the Capitol are scheming to save their ruined reputation after Katniss defied them in the arena. It is intriguing to learn if Katniss will still care for Peeta now that they are out from the games or if she was really in love with her friend and hunting partner, Gale. And most importantly, it is a must to know if the people from the districts will take a cue from Katniss to have the courage, to take a chance and start a rebellion. And should they try to finally fight back, how on earth can they win against the almighty Capitol?

Yes, The Hunger Games is just the first part of a Trilogy. I am not even sure if all the hanging questions can be answered in the sequel, Catching Fire. But I am hooked enough to hang on until the finale in the third book.

“Whatta Disaster!”

When planets align in 2012, the world will end in the most catastrophic way possible. The director of the movie showed it in the most gory, detailed and realistic manner. The falling structures, cities and mountains succumbing to mile high water, and people trying to run away but to no avail.

There were no family meant to survive but John Cusack’s. They are lucky to have the best driver in the world, being able to run away from the falling debris of sky scrappers, cracking highways and even a derailed coaches of train. They also have a great pilot, maneuvering the small plane against the fire and poisonous gas spitted by the volcano. Their luck to get away, almost unscratched in the middle of the wrath of the earth was downright ridiculous.

Even the supporting cast of the movie did nothing to save the movie. The supposedly inspirational talk of the president was dowdy. He chooses to be left behind defeating the purpose of him saving what is left to his country. The scientist and the commanding officer had several arguments that failed to capture the interest of the audience to challenge their philosophy about life, survival and humanity.

The movie was detached and unsympathetic with the other faceless and nameless people in the movie. Swatting them like flies, drowning them, finishing them off and there is even no statistics to keep track. As long as John Cusack’s family will be saved, let everyone else be damned. That is not the type of movie that will move the audience; it had been a disaster all along.

Team Jane

There are a lot of reasons why Team Jacob should celebrate in the sequel of the Twilight saga, New Moon. For one, the story almost revolved around the friendship and one-sided love affair of Bella and Jacob. The glorious half nakedness of Jacob with his six packs and ripping muscles has a lot of exposure too. And the performance of Lutner as Jacob was decent, at the very least. Who needs Edward when Jacob’s commanding presence, his steaming on-screen chemistry with Bella and his good acting chops filled the silver screen?

It was Jacob’s time to shine, and he lived all the hyped. But it seems that Bella still needs the part three of the movie, Eclipse, to prove that she can really act well. She was abandoned in the forest by her true love but there was no pain and betrayal emanating from her. Months had passed and Edward did not come back, but there was no anger, longing and hopelessness that the audience felt from her. Most of the time her eyes were blank, her face was expressionless, numb of any emotion.

Perhaps Bella can learn a thing or two from Jane. Even though her airtime was just limited, she nailed her role as Volturi’s princess of torture. She is definitely a scene-stealer and a delight to watch. In just her steeled red eyes and calculated movements, it was already obvious how evil, powerful and dangerous she is. Count me in as a member of Team Jane.