Why The Hunger Games (movie) is successful
“Happy Hunger Games! And may the odds be ever in your favor!”
Disclaimer: I did not read the book at all, all views were based purely on the movie itself.
The whole story is set up in a post-apocalyptic civilization in a nation named Panem. People are divided into different districts, 1 to 12, from the richest to the poorest.
The Hunger Games event started out to punish the people for rebelling and it is an extremely cruel and inhumane competition for survival. Every year, one male and one female aged from 12 to 18 will be chosen as the “tribute” of their respective district to enter into the survival game where out of the 24 boys and girls, only ONE will live. Imagine being thrown into a televised “game” and all you do is KILL OR GET KILLED, just for the entertainment of the viewers. Sounds sick, isn’t it?
So why is the book such a big hit and the movie so successful?
Easy!
We all need a hero
Believe it or not, we all have the underdog syndrome. We are naturally drawn to people who has potential to turn the tables around in the worst circumstances.
The protagonist, Katniss Everdeen (SHE GOT GUTS AND BRAINS, I TELL YOU!) who volunteered to be in this cruel game to replace her baby sister, along with Peeta Mellark, a timid but surprisingly alluring boy who was chosen, as the tributes for the annual Hunger Games in Panem.
I was pretty disturbed by the idea of playing with people’s lives in a “game” where everyone else that is not involved is so interested in watching. A show that is put out for the audience, a power struggle, a helpless and unchangeable reality to face (for the citizens). Sounds like our reality, doesn’t it? Well, it is. The book, written by Suzanne Collins, was inspired by real wars and reality shows (you know those kinds of competitions on reality shows that makes everyone “each for his/her own” just to win the game).
The reason I love and hate Katniss at the same time was because of her street smartness and the ability to be likable despite her seemingly “underhand” methods. As a female, I really love the fact that the protagonist of this “warfare game” is a tough sweetie. So strong, so smart and so indescribably fragile. She is the underdog from the poorest District 12, but without making use of the love declaration of Peete Mellark, she would not be able to play this game (awww, I feel sad for her real boyfriend back in District 12 waiting for her when she kissed Peete 
).
As the heroine, it was never that easy. Her family was poor and she had to hunt for food, which makes her incredibly good at it. Then, she was in the game of chasing and being chased for lives. It is scary for any other lady. isn’t it? I think I would be terrified and faint in the forest, not knowing what to do if I were her. :/
Yes, she is the heroine.
Aroused emotions
The biggest factor that makes or breaks a movie is always about the audience and box office but how do the production houses lure the audience in?
STORYTELLING!
Having a good and relatable story is not enough and the reason why we could relate The Hunger Games so much to our reality is not just because of the good acting (*applause for the actors and actresses*). Realize how the movie is able to slowly induce the characters’ fears to you right from the start? THAT IS STORYTELLING.
The fact that they were only dressed up for The Reaping was disturbing enough. It is like the Last Supper or something, being dressed to commemorate their death? And then a parade for ignorant audience to see and cheer for their last moments as the most dazzling pair of their respective districts? Right.
So the tension builds up and up and… up.
Till a moment where it goes “SNAP!”
I must say, the cast is so talented. I can feel their fear right from the start and sense their anxiety. (Oh, I didn’t watch the trailer, nor did I read the book before I went into the cinemas. I didn’t know why I was “possessed” to watch this movie but thanks goodness it is not a horror movie :S)
I do feel that there might be more detailed and emotional flow towards the others dying tributes in the book, which is a little pity that the movie is unable to portray that. It has so much more potential! Even though, I cried for the little girl from District 11, called Rue.
Thought provoking
Enough of chick flicks, hollywood blockbusters and crappy arty farty shows. The Hunger Games actually reminded me of Japanese thrillers like Death Note and 20th Century Boys, despite the least resemblance as compared to Battle Royale (but I have not watched it yet so I shall reserve my judgement).
Smart plot that is thought provoking. Audience no longer becomes the brainless couch potato that waste their time watching a crappy movie.
“I wonder if I were Katniss, what would I choose to do?”
“Why did she make put on that show? Isn’t it dishonest?”
“But then again, it’s all for survival. If it were me, what would I do to survive?”
“Do they have to kill each other? Isn’t the show over if no one played the game at all? Why bother?”
These questions keep popping into my mind when I watched it. I felt disturbed and perplexed at the same time, yet… I know it is darn good movie. Classic, to be exact. All because it makes me think and sometimes, relating to those situations to my reality world and cornered my imaginations until I found a solution. What would I do if I were them?
It makes you feel good about yourself
Oh yes, you did not read wrong. After the movie, you DO feel good about yourself because
a) If you are the president of the country, you would not continue this cruel game. Or if you were Katniss, you would not make use of other people’s feeling just to survive. Or… you would do this and that to destroy the game and save everyone’s lives. BUT NO! That’s not how the story goes, which is why you can feel so smart and “moralized” the story in your own imagination to create a “better world” for yourself.
b) “How fortunate we are!”
At least, our world (in the more developed countries of course) is a much better place to live in. We should be grateful.
Haha. Or maybe it is just me, because I do feel fortunate that I don’t have to face that kind of cruelty like the characters in The Hunger Games. At least, I will not put myself into a situation where someone else has to fail in order for me to be successful.
[Movie] ATM / Er Rak Error (2012)
Title: ATM เออรัก เออเร่อ (Er Rak Error)
Director: Mes Tharatorn
Language: Thai (with English subtitles)
Release Date: 29 March 2012
No no no… It is not the horror thriller movie with the same name, ATM, from the USA! Nor is it another horror movie from Thailand (I know they are good at it but that’s not all they are good at)! It is truly and surely a romantic comedy from Thailand. And boy, don’t I just love romantic comedies! *GRINS*
We simply just cannot stop laughing throughout the movie! It is just too cute and too funny. This movie has officially become my second favourite Thai romantic comedy after Crazy Little Thing Called Love (2010)! 
It all started with a faulty ATM and a workplace couple in an underground relationship + battle of who is going to quit his/her job after marriage. The entertaining part of the movie is how they make it so hilarious with all the characters being linked to each other and the interaction between ALL of them is really damn good. I personally think that it is a really good plot and I certainly have to take my hats off to the crew to make so many “impossible” props and gags possible to show in the movie.
All I can say is, you will be surprised! 
I can watch this all day because it makes me feel really happy! All the eyecandies and hilarious gags~ Hahahaha! <3
P/S: Remember to stay still till the credits roll! The funniest part is at the end of the show! ^^
[Movie] Salmon Fishing in the Yemen
Synopsis (quoted from IMDB):
A fisheries expert is approached by a consultant to help realize a sheik’s vision of bringing the sport of fly-fishing to the desert and embarks on an upstream journey of faith and fish to prove the impossible possible.
I actually have a high expectation for this film to be extremely funny and intriguing like The Invention of Lying or The King’s Speech or even the artsy fartsy The Beginners (Ewan McGregor is the main character here too), because I really love how British movies are. One of a kind and their accent is extremely cute!
Visionary is really a big word and I really admire those who have the abilities to be one. Like the sheik in this movie, he has plans, he thought about it and make everything workable despite it might seem impossible. All the hard work, all the effort and all the objections do not stop them from pursuing their goal, for a better place to live in.
I love that they succeed in the end even though there’s terrible sabotage from people who don’t believe in them.
So when the movie was a little slower and mild-tempered (if I would to describe the movie in temperature, it is lukewarm) than I expected (I need more drama and climax in the movie!!!), I was a little disappointed. Don’t get me wrong, I love the humor in their conversations and it feel as if we (the audience) are living in a simliar space as the characters. Work life, relationships, passion, a goal and growth… It is just so… real.
Despite me being disapproving about the relationship changes in this movie (oh yah, I am that kind of old-fashioned blockhead) even though it happens everywhere in reality, I believe it is a good movie with passion (of the grown-ups, i.e. maturity and the logical planning of getting to their goal).
Love this character’s comic relief effect! haha.
In my personal opinion, it feels the best to watch this alone at home. Munching on comfort food, thinking about life while watching the movie, which you probably would not feel anything when there’s so many more people around (it’s distracting, especially if they were the noisy ones).
#104 The Lion King <3
Can you feel the love tonight? <3
Awww… I feel like watching it all over again!!! I LOVE KOVU!
HAKUNA MATATA
One of my favourite scenes in The Lion King! <3
*sings along with Timon and Pumbaa* “Hakuna matata, it means no worry~”
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