Kitsch, Hedlund, and Hammer Up for Catching Fire Role?

If you asked 10 different people about The Hunger Games, you’d get 10 different answers, the film which was based on a best selling book, didn’t translate fantastically onto the silver screen.

Between horrible camera work, and some miscast characters, I found the film to be decent at best, the bright spot of the film was indeed the lead actress, Jennifer Lawrence.

The film did well, and with it’s massive following, a second and third film will be happening.

The Hunger Games – Catching Fire is the next book, while the film will simply be called Catching Fire.

With the main characters locked in, one major role is still in question, that of Finnick Oddair. A few weeks back it was rumored that Robert Pattinson, of Twilight fame, w0uld jump franchises, but he has since denied the rumors and said he won’t be joining Catching Fire.

So who will play Oddair?

The three vying for the role right now according to sources are Taylor Kitsch, best known for his work on NBC’s Friday Night Lights, along with John Carter and Battleship, Garrett Hedlund from Tron: Legacy, and probably the best actor of of the three, Armie Hammer, from The Social Network.

The plan right now is to debut Catching Fire November 22nd, 2013, that doesn’t give Lionsgate and Co. much time to get things squared away.

It’s assumed that Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, Woody Harrelson, Elizabeth Banks, Stanley Tucci, Lenny Kravitz and Donald Sutherland will be returning.

Expect a decision on this within the next couple weeks.

Review: The Hunger Games

Happy Hunger Games…

Let me preface this by saying I went into the film blind; meaning I had limited expectations, due to not reading any of the books written by Suzanne Collins.

Being vaguely familiar with the premise due to popularity, I knew this film would be a big deal once it was announced, but I didn’t think it would be this big.

The Hunger Games is set in the future, where once every year a 24-person tournament takes place, in a fight to the death amongst one another until only one man or woman stands. A male and female between the ages of 12 and 18 are chosen to represent their district, 12 districts in all and the participants are chosen at random.

I’d compare the tournament to a more violent, more primitive, and certainly more naive version of television’s “Survivor.” Actually, the concept of the film itself isn’t new at all; the fight to the death tournament style plot has been done many times, albeit different in detail, especially here.

The film is lead by Jennifer Lawrence who plays 16-year-old Katniss Everdeen, a homely looking girl whose a bit of a introvert, but will do anything to protect her sister. When young Primrose Everdeen is randomly selected as the District 12 female, Katniss volunteers in order to preserve the life of her sister.

Josh Hutcherson plays Peeta Mellark, the male to represent District 12 along with Katniss, while Liam Hemsworth plays Gale Hawthorne, and admirer of Katniss.

The supporting cast thrives in the film from Stanley Tucci as the famed blue haired television host Caesar Flickerman, and Wes Bentley who plays Seneca Crane, the guy that calls all the shots during The Hunger Game itself. Try not to be distracted by his cookie cutter-like shaped beard. Elizabeth Banks transforms into the white faced Effie Trinket, you’ll have no idea it’s her, Lenny Kravitz plays a stylist with good intentions, and finally a memorable performance by Woody Harrelson as Haymitch, the mentor to Katniss and Peeta, who enjoys alcohol a bit too much.

At times watching this film, I was blown away thinking to myself (halfway into it) this could be something special, a heart racing sci-fi action film that’ll be the cream of the crop all year. I even sat back and thought, I guess this is what all the hype is about.

But sadly, that didn’t last the duration of the film.

I had three major gripes…

First, and the most apparent was the camera work. I have no idea why Hollywood insists on shaking cameras during action scenes, or running scenes…I know the person is running, I don’t need the camera to bounce around to get an added feel that the person on the screen is in a hurry. Far too often, especially to start the film, my eyes would hurt at the amount of movement in the picture from the camera. It takes away from the scenes in the film, and really gave me a bad taste in the mouth about the film going forward. I don’t want to feel like I’m on a roller coaster in the movie theater.

The second thing that bothered me all film was Hutcherson as Peeta. I felt like he didn’t fit the character they wanted to portray on screen. Now, once again I didn’t read the book, but he didn’t translate well on screen from what director Gary Ross wanted you to see. There was no chemistry with Lawrence, he lacked charisma, and fortitude, and his acting did nothing for me. This seems to be a case of poor casting, I know they were looking for younger-ish looking actors, this was a swing and a miss, really didn’t enjoy him.

Before I continue to get all gloomy, let me just say that Jennifer Lawrence is tremendous. She’s beautiful and heartfelt in all her scenes, portraying the role of Katniss perfectly. While being a bit too old to play a 16-year-old I think she actually pulls it off due to her soft features, usually something like this would be a distraction, but this time, age really is only a number. If people didn’t know her before The Hunger Games, (and if you didn’t shame on you!) they’ll know her now. She is the face of this franchise, and Lionsgate will ride her all the way to the bank.

For someone new to this epic tale, the story is told pretty well, there is good enough character development where the audience becomes attached. This is most prominent in my opinion with Katniss of course, but also in Amandla Stenberg character Rue, a young girl who becomes attached to Katniss and tries to protect her. Stenberg’s acting was subtle, but I have a feeling she could be a big young star.

My third gripe comes with the last 15 minutes of the film. The climax to the tournament wasn’t enough of a big deal. It was like – okay there’s a winner, time to move to the next scene. There didn’t seem to be an importance put on the grand finale. It felt empty; the two hours leading up to the big finish seem almost like a waste.

I know there will be two more movies – that’s not a spoiler – there are three books – and they are all becoming films, but there was no setup to the sequel, and the final scene itself was very anticlimactic.

The Hunger Games tells the riveting story of survival. During battle, friendships are tested, alliances are made and only the strong will prevail. Lawrence leads with vigor and passion, truly putting her stamp on Hollywood and this series.

From the makeup and colorful costumes that should see Oscar nominations, to cast of supporting characters seemingly out of a Dr. Seuss book, The Hunger Games, is rather unique.

The books target demographic were the teens, mostly females, but the film does appeal to a larger audience. And while there were a handful of sobbing teenage girls around me at certain times in the film, that never deterred me from the action on screen, I’m only saying this to let people know not to believe in the preconceived notion that you have to be 15 and female to enjoy/watch this film.

A handful of mishaps doesn’t really change the fact that for the most part this is an enjoyable film, but certainly could have been better. Perhaps this is a stepping-stone and the second film will be, hopefully, much improved.

The Hunger Games shockingly stays away from tiresome cliches, and becomes equal parts The Running Man and The Truman Show, but softened a bit for the PG-13 audience.

This is the next blockbuster franchise for Lionsgate, it’s clear to see that, and while I don’t think this first installment totally lived up to the astronomical expectations, with tweaks here and there, the next two films should be just as entertaining.

Rating: 7/10

Trailer: Rampart

This looks pretty awesome.

Woody Harrelson stars in Rampart as a corrupt cop, who thinks he owns the streets.

One of the tag lines in the trailer is that Harrelson plays “one of the most corrupt cops ever,” and that’s awesome, even in the trailer it comes off as bad ass.

Maybe even more so then Denzel Washington in Training Day.

The film also boasts a cast that is tremendous starting with Ben Foster, Steve Buscemi, Sigourney Weaver, Robin Wright, Anne Heche, Ice Cube and Cynthia Nixon.

Rampart hits theaters in limited fashion on November 23rd, 2011.

Trailer: The Hunger Games

Here is the new theatrical trailer for the highly anticipated film, The Hunger Games.

This is another awesome trailer, and this should be a hell of a fun film.

A while back we got a teaser trailer, but now the full dose is out.

The film is lead by Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, Wes Bentley and Elizabeth Banks.

Also including  Stanley Tucci, Woody Harrelson, Lenny Kravitz, Toby Jones, and Donald Sutherland.

Synopsis:

“The Hunger Games” chronicles a dystopic Capitol which requires its twelve subjugated districts to pay tribute in the form of a teenage boy and girl, forced to participate in the annual “Hunger Games,” a fight-to-the-death live televised event. Katniss Everdeen’s little sister is chosen in the lottery to participate and Katniss volunteers to take her place. Although persevering through hardship is commonplace for Katniss, she must start making choices that weigh survival against humanity and life against love in order to win the games and return home.

The Hunger Games hits theaters March 23rd, 2012, while its follow-up Catching Fire is already dated for November 2013.

Caine and Freeman Join Now You See Me

You may know these two best from all of Christopher Nolan’s Batman films, and rightfully so as they are an intricate part of the film, but now the two will be in a film together without a super hero.

One of the films I’m really excited about in the future is called Now You See Me. The film follows a team of FBI agents against the Four Horsemen, a squad of the world’s greatest illusionists who pull off a series of daring bank heists during their performances, then shower the profits on their audiences.

The initial cast is already impressive, and has gotten exponentially better with the additions of veterans Morgan Freeman and Michael Caine.

Jesse Eisenberg, Mark Ruffalo, Isla Fisher, Melanie Laurent, Woody Harrelson and Dave Franco were already signed on to the film.

Caine is taking the role of Arthur Tressler who sponsors the team of Robin Hood-like magician thieves.

No word yet on what role Freeman will have.

I’m a big fan of magic and illusions and any film that involves the two with an exceptional cast, I’m all in.

 

Review: Friends With Benefits

Yes, we have seen this movie before, a couple months ago.

So it’s Ashton Kutcher vs. Justin Timberlake and Natalie Portman vs. Mila Kunis…ready…fight!

I loved No Strings Attached it was one of my favorite romantic comedies in a long time, so when I heard about Friends With Benefits I was hoping the similar plot, would yield similar results.

Friends With Benefits asks the age old question once again, can a guy and a girl simply have sex with no strings attached whatsoever? (see what I did there?)

The best part about No Strings Attached aside from the comedic chemistry of Portman and Kutcher was the supporting cast, something that really lacked in Friends With Benefits.

Aside from Woody Harrelson and Patricia Clarkson, there was no one else who stood out or was even worth remembering. Even Clarkson and Harrelson weren’t all that special.

The story is simple, Kunis plays Jamie, a headhunter for GQ Magazine, and in a search for new talent she recruits Dylan (Timberlake) to assume the role of a new online developer. During this time the two get fed up, begin to miss sex, and figure they should just take advantage of each other with no emotions involved.

Well that always works out, right?

The biggest problem with this film is that it completely ran away from what it was suppose to be about, and what it was advertised as.

Initially, the set up for the sex between friends was done well, but when it actually came down to it, it was over with quickly, and the premise was abandoned for a completely sappy and unoriginal romantic comedy way of doing things.

The actual “friends with benefits” part of the movie and or story doesn’t last more than 15 or 20 minutes, which is a bummer because if done right, can be really funny and a high point for the film.

Instead the audience is left confused and sort of taken for granted because that’s what the movie is titled and that’s what it’s made out to be.

Instead for the majority of the film we see Kunis and Timberlake battle there oh so shocking feelings for each other, and once family gets involved things get complicated.

The direction of the film was just so poor, and for being a comedy there were hardly any noteworthy laughs. A real bummer, since so many people said this film was a great balance of funny and romantic.

I found neither to be prevalent.

Friends With Benefits boarder line cheesy romantic comedy that lacks the two main ingredients to make it fit that category, a real romance and laughter.

Timberlake and Kunis don’t make you feel anything throughout the film, you don’t end up rooting for them nor do you feel any chemistry between them.

If you want to watch a film about friends with benefits, don’t waste your time with Friends With Benefits, I suggest you skip it and watch No Strings Attached instead.

Rating: 5/10