The Hunger Games was wonderful! Just like the heroin in the tale, this movie was "on fire!" We were so looking forward to this movie that it was hard for us not to love this story. All of us had read and adored the books. The movie was loved also.
The casting was excellent; especially Peeta, Katniss and Rue. (Did you know that Peeta and Katniss are both from Kentucky?) :-) I cried when Rue died.
The nature of movies keeps them from capturing every emotion and detail from the book, but this one does a pretty good job of keeping the important stuff in. They did miss a bit and changed a bit, but I wasn't bothered by that.
My only disappointments came in the form of camera work. I sometimes wish the camera would slow down or stop - I know they were trying to make it exciting by moving so much but I found it distracting. I also didn't like Effie Trinkett's character. I found her too serious and not shallow enough.
My one word description is "WOW!" We really loved it!
The gang: Me, Amy, Key Lime Pie, Michelle, Applesauce and Kotten Kandy
The card reads:
The wildlife was so close...
Key Lime Pie became a part of the bear exhibit...
We actually saw the buffalo running to get their food. This HUMONGOUS beat was definitely king of his group as he pushed the smaller buffalo away.
Our "honorary" Uncle Chris ROCKS! Key Lime Pie and Kotten Kandy love this guy!
Eagles are AMAZING!
Scott and Jeremy demonstrate that Mormons really do have horns! :-)
I just finished reading a GREAT book. It's called Ten Ways to Destroy the Imagination of Your Child by Anthony Esolen. In this book, Esolen shows how imagination is being extinguished in our children all the time. It is being murdered by: raising our children almost exclusively indoors; in reducing love to sex education and hygiene; not allowing children free time and over scheduling them with organized free time; teaching children that EVERYONE is a hero and thus making true heroes not important; distracting children with shallow time fillers and noise; and causing the children to deny the transcendent. He takes aims at the trends that are causing this destruction while offering parents and children clear solutions as well. This book reclaims lost traditions. And it is very witty. It kinda reminds me of C.S. Lewis' Screwtape Letters (another fantastic book that I need to reread soon). I believe this book helps any parent who cares about what childhood has become, and wants to give their children something better.
Monday we woke up to this:
What a difference a day makes!
