Hunger Games: Mockingjay Book vs Movie

Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1 is here, if you are anything like me you have been waiting for this since last year. I was there at 11:00 in theaters on Thursday ready to see the movie.  I will admit no Katniss braid this time, but I did not do a good job with it last year because my hair is short.

Mockingjay Trailers

To get ready for Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1, coming out in less then a month I thought we would look at some of the new trailers that have been released.

The Choice:

The Return to District Twelve:

Final Trailer:

The movie will officially be in theaters on Nov 21, but tickets go on sale today.

Hunger Games Mockingjay: Part 1 Teaser Trailer

The first official movie trailer is out for Hunger Games: Mockingjay: Part 1:

Well, I don’t know about the rest of you but I am excited.  I think they did a great job showing what the issues are in the first part of the book.  Which is how to get Katniss to be the face of the rebellion because no one else can do it.  It was her stunt with the berries that caused the rebellion in the first place, it is she who people have been following.  I like that is what they gave us to start, people who have not read the books don’t know how Mockingjay starts, well now they have an idea.  I like that they showed people being attacked, killed, and the bombings.  How President Snow banned everything to do with the Mockingjay.  It gives people a good idea that things are not well in Panem at this time.  Which would explain all the President Snow videos trying to unite the nation.  A lot happens in Mockingjay, I won’t give anything away but a lot happens in this book, the politics, the character growth, the friendships, Gale or Peeta, hope, love, family, freedom, there is a lot in this book. With that being said, I am excited for this trailer and I am even more excited for the future trailers that will be coming out.

Who is planning on seeing Mockingjay in November?

Mockingjay Teaser Trailer #2

President Snow has released another address to the citizens of Panem, this time with victor Joanna Mason joining President Snow and victor Peeta Mellark.  Check out what President Snow has to say in this video.

Wait a min it that Beetee and he is telling us the Mockingjay is alive.

Ok, everyone who has seen Catching Fire knows that Katniss is alive at the end of the movie.  The citizens of Panem do not know this and President Snow doesn’t, which means that Peeta and Joanna don’t either.  That might change their stance once they know that Katniss is still alive.

I am happy to see that they are doing what I had hoped they would do which is use the propaganda from the book to help promote the movie.  We all know that they can’t include everything from the book, this is a great way to give book fans aspects of the book.  It is also a great way to give just the movie fans something new to draw them in even more.  It would really be fun if they imply/say/or show some of these propaganda’s being filmed.  We all know that they are going to include extra scenes from other people’s point of views so it would only make sense to show some of the filming or the aftermath of the filming especially from the Capitol.  This is a great marketing strategy and one the filmmakers, cast, and studio can have a lot of fun with.

What do you think of this new teaser trailer?

The Hunger Games Mockingjay Teaser Trailer

We have all been sitting here waiting for a Mockingjay: Part 1 trailer, well we have officially gotten our first one.

Well it is a teaser trailer but not the one we had hoped for we had wanted to see more about the movie.  At the same time it was a good trailer to do because the Capitol is all about propaganda, well propaganda plays a big part in the third book (that is the only spoiler I will give you in this).  I am curious how many of these we will be seeing leading up to the movie, but if done right it could be a lot of fun and make us feel like the citizens of Panem.

Now I am sure many of you are wondering why Peeta is standing next to President Snow, while I know why I won’t say, but I will give you my speculations that I had while I was reading the book.  As we all know Peeta was taken by the Capitol at the end of the last movie.  We all know the Capitol is a bunch of sadistic controlling assholes so they probably have something on Peeta because the Capitol always has something on people.  I am better they are telling him that if he helps them then they won’t hurt Katniss or they won’t kill her, etc. Peeta might be playing the Capitol he has done it before ie: the baby comment during the interviews of the Quarter Quell.  Peeta is probably really sure that at some point they are going to come save him because Katniss would never leave him.  It could be a fake Peeta, the Capitol has amazing medical stuff maybe they made someone look like Peeta we don’t know.  Maybe Peeta has really joined up with the Capitol because he is mad that the resistance let him get taken.  He could be tired of just being Katniss’s bf, fiance, etc., maybe the Capitol makes him feel special.  There could be a lot of reasons as to why Peeta is standing up there.  Why do you think that Peeta is standing up there with President Snow?

The Official First Look at Alma Coin for Mockingjay Part 1

Lionsgate has released the first look of Julianne Moore as President Alma Coin.

I like the way she looks, it does seem accurate to the books description:

“She’s fifty or so, with gray hair that falls in an unbroken sheet to her shoulders. […] Her eyes are gray, but not like those of people from the Seam. They’re very pale, as if almost all the color has been sucked out of them. The color of slush that you wish would melt away.”

I think it will be interested to see Julianne Moore take on the role of President Coin, it is a rather interested and layered role.  She is a rather good actress, so I have been looking forward to her portrayal of the character.

Lionsgate also released a few photos from the set of Beetee, Haymitch, and Plutarch with President Coin.

What do you think of Julianne Moore as President Coin now that we have seen how she looks?

Anticipated Movies of 2014

The start of the New Year always brings something to look forward to.  One of those things is new movies.  I complied a list of the anticipated movies coming out this year.  Lets take a look at what will be gracing the movie screens this month and the upcoming months.

Legend of Hercules (Jan 10)

Pretty much looks like Gladiator meets 300, unfortunately that is enough to put me off the movie.  I will not be rushing out to see this one.

Lego Movie (Feb 7)

Legos, do I really need to say anymore.

Mr. Peabody and Sherman (March 7)

I grew up watching reruns of Rocky and Bullwinkle as a kid, naturally this movie fascinates me.  Not sure if I am going to see it in theaters or wait for to come on TV yet.  If people are going to see it, I don’t see why I wouldn’t tag  along.

300: Rise of an Empire (March 7)

I will probably be killed for what I am about to say but I did not like the first one.  I found the movie to be over hyped, thus making it a let down when I saw it.  While I am not going to see it, the trailer does look good.  If you liked the first one, then you should go out to see this one.

Need for Speed (March 14)

While I was never a huge fan of the Need for Speed video games (that probably has something to do with the fact I suck at racing games), but the trailer looks interesting.  If you liked the game or like racing movies, then you should probably check it out.

Veronica Mars (March 14)

While I never watched the show, it does have its fan following, which is why I added it to the list.  I have to say the trailer does look rather interesting, it does feel like it can stand alone from the show.

Divergent (March 21)

I have never read the books, but they have been recommended to me since I love Hunger Games.  The trailer and concept look interesting, I not sure if I am going to see it in theaters yet.  If you are a fan of Hunger Games, this is supposed to similar so it might be worth checking out.

Muppets Most Wanted (March 21)

It’s the Muppets, does anything else really need to be said.

Captain America: Winter Solider (April 4)

Seriously who is not going to see this?  Also is it just me or does Winter Soldier look like Sub-Zero?

The Amazing Spiderman 2 (May 2)

If you are a fan of the first one then you’re going to see this.  I like the new approach so I will be checking this out.  I do worry that they might be trying to do too much and we all saw how well that worked out for the 3rd one.  Is it just me or does Harry look a bit emo?

Godzilla (May 16)

This one is an oldie, who has not seen at least one Godzilla movie?  It has been awhile since someone has remade a Godzilla movie (not since 1998).  With all the improvements to CGI and other special effects, I am curious to see how it looks.  I am not anticipating a great story.  I doubt I am going to rush to see it in theaters but I’ll have no problem checking it out when it comes on TV.

X-Men: Days of Future Past (May 23)

Ok, so First Class wasn’t the greatest of movies but it was nice to see things from the beginning (even though is barely followed lore but lets just not get started on that).  I am an X-Men fan so I am going to see this.  I’m curious how they will execute the story line, I am planning keeping an open mind.

Maleficent (May 30)

Sleeping Beauty is one of my favorite Disney movies, so that alone is enough to get me to see this.  I like the approach of telling a well-known tale from the antagonist point of view.  I am a huge fan of the Wicked book for this reason.  I am looking forward to seeing this when it comes out.

How To Train Your Dragon 2 (June 13)

If you liked the first one obviously you are going to see this one.

Transformers: Age of Extinction (June 27)

Well the 3rd movie was pretty horrible, the 2nd was one was only alright.  I am pretty much on the Michael Bay why won’t you just give this franchise up already bandwagon.  Without a trailer it is hard to make an accurate call, but it really feels like Michael Bay is still trying to capitalize the success of the first one.  Granted this one will have a whole new cast and possibly bring in the Dinobots (I am a fan of Beast Wars) but I don’t think that will be enough to save it.  I am reserving judgement until I see a trailer.

Dawn of the Planet of the Apes (July 11)

I am not a Planet of the Apes person so I am not going to be seeing it.  I just could never get into the whole talking Apes controlling the world.  I do appreciate the fact they have been starting from the beginning and doing prequels.  If you are a fan of this franchise then you should probably check out the new one.

Hercules (July 25)

After seeing the trailer for the first one and seeing many of the Rock’s other movies I am a bit hesitant.  I just can’t help but feel like this is going to be another big money movie with no real story.  I do want to see what the trailer looks like before I make that call.

Guardians of the Galaxy (Aug 1)

I will admit I am not as familiar with this series or story lines, so I have some research to do.  It is a Marvel movie so I will be seeing in theaters for that reason alone.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (Aug 8)

Not really looking forward to this based on everything I have heard about it.  First the turtles are from an alien race, then they are from another dimension.  Shredder is also from another dimension.  OK, let’s be fair we all know the whole ooze thing is completely impractical but we didn’t care.  The ooze is what made them, there was no need to change that.  Megan Fox as April O’Neil, really?  There will apparently no Casey Jones.  Not really looking forward to this, but as a Turtles fan I will check it out – more than likely when it comes on TV.

Sin City: A Dame to Kill For (Aug 22)

Lets be fair the first one was good, but how long has it been since the first one came out almost 10 years.  While I am more than likely going to see this in theaters, I am worried about it.  I am really worried that it will become over hyped and just not live up to the expectation.  Here is to hoping that it will still be as good as the first one.

Dracula Untold (Oct 17)

Luke Evans as Vlad

Not sure about this one yet, since I have not been able to find much about it.  I am a fan of Dracula and vampires, I do like how they are not doing the Bram Strokers tale but instead a story about Vlad the Impaler.  It would be nice to see something about the man who started the legend.

Big Hero 6 (Nov 7)

With Disney now in charge of Marvel they seem to putting out all as many Marvel movies as they can.  Since it is a Marvel movie, I will naturally be seeing it.  I do like the fact that this one will be animated, that will give the movie a different vibe.  I would like to say I am excited for the movie but it is another series/story line that I am not familiar with, so I see a bit of Marvel research in my future.

The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1 (Nov 21)

Since I am a HUGE Hunger Games fan, I will be in the theater on thurs night seeing it.  I just really hope they end it at a certain point in the story so that it will be cliffhanger to all those who have not read the books.  I am also curious to see how much of other people’s point of views they show.  I expect this to be great since Francis Lawrence did a great job with the second one.

The Hobbit: There and Back Again (Dec 17)

With any luck I will have finally seen the other 2 Hobbit movies which I have not seen and I will have read the books by this point.  Hopefully by then I will have gotten into the movies and will want to see this one in theaters.  Better late then never, besides let’s be fair anyone who is a fan of the fandom is going to see this movie since it is the last one.

Here is the movie list for 2014, let us know what movies you are most looking forward to and why?

-Christena