10 Reasons I LOVED The Hunger Games!

It's taken me awhile to put my thoughts together beyond just....GAH! LOVE! EEEEH! AAAH! OOOOH! And you know, like actually say things in an intelligent way.

Well, as intelligent as I ever say anything. And so here are the top ten reasons why I fell absolutely head over heels in love with this movie and went to a midnight showing like a crazy person and then saw it again very close to midnight two nights later (in no particular order).

1. CINNA!

Cinna! Cinna! Cinna! And did I say Cinna? Ok seriously! Cinna was one of my favorite characters in the books but Cinna when he's played by Lenny Kravitz? OMFG! Here is how much I love Cinna Kravitz...

I am fully prepared to write a YA novel with a character based on Cinna Kravitz, practically starring Cinna Kravitz, dedicated to Cinna Kravitz all for the teeny tiny possibility that the book is made into a movie and will thus star Lenny Kravitz. Seriously dude, you need to be in every movie ever made ever! LOVE!

2. The Capitol


Don't get me wrong, I HATE the Capitol, but WOW! The filmmakers nailed the visuals here and the feeling and the attitude. I was so mesmerized and creeped out all at once by their attitudes and fashions and behavior. Actually, they reminded me a lot of what I imagine Hollywood to be like--totally insane and superficial. And all the plastic surgery and fashions we're getting into lately...guys, we are not so far away from the cat woman in Mockingjay. Just saying...

The movie had two amazing subtle moments to show just how magnificent and horrific the Capitol was. The first came when Katniss first stepped onto the train. I mean, here she was starving, going out every day hunting for meager bits of food to spread among her family and Gale's, and then BAM. There is suddenly a disgusting array of overly decorated sweets--far too many for any one person to eat, and a TOTAL waste of resources and money.

The other moment came when Haymitch was watching another family gift their children with toy swords. The children were delighted and proceeded to run around pretending to fight--like it was a game...for kids... Ironic. Meanwhile he can barely get enough money together to send Katniss a life-saving bowl of soup. The art reflecting life in this movie is just out of this world.


3. PEETA

Oh my goodness, PEETA! To be honest, I had a really hard time getting behind Josh as Peeta. Something about his look kind of bugs me, and he looks so much younger than Katniss and is obviously shorter, BUT... Josh so has the spirit of Peeta down that I don't care anymore and I just love him! There were so many great Peeta moments, but the one that sticks out the most in my mind is right after he's been reaped and he's in the car with Katniss and Effie and looking out the window. His lower lip collapses and he has this look of total anguish like "I just saw my family and home for the last time EVER and I'm about to go die in the most brutal way imaginable but I WON'T cry" that kills me and just sold me on him as Peeta for life. Plus you know, there's the way he runs, and kisses and...exists.

4. Rue

Rue was so perfectly cast and adorable times ten and had so much personality and sweetness that I just HOPE you become a super huge movie star and we see a lot more of you in the future! She killed it! I don't even know what else to say. She WAS Rue!

5. Book to Screen
I'm not sure if I would call this the best book to film adaptation of all time, but if I were to make a top ten list, you better believe this would be on it. Maybe even a top three. The feeling of the book was here. The emotions of the book, the characters, the look, the feel, the dialogue, EVERYTHING was there. There were only a few tiny nitpicky things missing (Gale hoisting Katniss onto the stage and saying, "Up you go, Katnip" as well as District 11 sending Katniss bread. But in the end, the additions (seeing Seneca Crane work the games and President Snow being President Snow and Haymitch cutting deals) improved the story in a lot of ways. Which brings us to...

6. Seneca Crane

The extra scenes with Seneca were brilliant. Seneca was brilliant. His beard was brilliant. I just loved every part he was in so much--despite wanting to strangle his neck at the same time that he was gleefully thinking, hmmmm let's have a fire explode right where Katniss is running as she tries not to die. And that last scene with him and the berries---fab!

7. Haymitch
Oh Haymitch, how much do I love you? Not only was his inner turmoil clearly bobbing just beneath the surface, as well as his apparent disgust but acceptance of his place as a member of the Capitol, but he was such a great mentor, and provided some much needed comedic relief.  And you know who else cracked me up?

8. EFFIE!

Nuff said!

Thank you, Elizabeth Banks for coming to work everyday in the hair, makeup and clothes of a crazy person! Manners!

9. The Cave
Katniss joining up with Peeta and helping him to the cave to protect him and take care of him was one of my favorite parts of the book AND the movie. My only complaint was it was too fast. I wanted moar cave time, more kissing, more everything because I just loved it so much. And I was so happy to see that small moment where Gale is watching back home and looking utterly distraught but trying not because..you know, at least she is alive! So well done!

10. KATNISS

Jennifer Lawrence you killed it! Every single scene from taking care of Prim, to going hunting with Gale, to that look of horror on your face when Prim's name was called to your passionate plea to volunteer as tribute to your total shell shock at being on stage and realizing what you've done to...ok, basically I could just run through every scene of the entire movie. This was an utterly amazing performance and I am a total Jennifer Lawrence fangirl! I even read somewhere that during filming somehow a hornet's nest got dropped on set and the actress who plays Rue was getting stung until Jennifer picked her up and ran her to the car. Seriously? She IS Katniss! Every. Single. Moment. Was. Amazing.

My excitement to see Catching Fire knows NO bounds! I cannot wait!

What did you guys think? Favorite moments?