The Hunger Games Movie

Okay, I've put it off long enough.  I DO NOT like the actors they have chosen for the Hunger Games movie.  I had just high expectations for this movie when it first was announced.  I loved the books so much and I really wanted them to do justice to the movie.  But with the cast, I don't think that it'll happen.  I do have preferences for the actors and actresses I would have liked to see in the roles.  It's a moot point now, but I'll still post it anyway.  Feel free to agree or disagree! (Also, my TOP picks will have a picture)

Katniss Everdeen - The main character of the series.  As told from her perspective, she has the most important role of defying the standards set by the Capital.  I pick:

• Kaya Scolendario
• Hannah Marks
• Caitlin Stasey

Peeta Mellark - The boy that has loved Katniss from afar and would do anything for her and to keep her safe.  I pick:

• Benjamin Stone
• Tony Oller

Gale Hawthorne- Katniss' best friend and hunting partner.  While he seems to like Katniss he never openly admits it to her.  Quiet when he needs to be, brash and somewhat of a lady's man.  He is also a leader in taking down the Capital.  I pick:

• Drew Roy
• Keegan Allen

Primrose Everdeen - Katniss' little sister.  She takes  her place during the Reaping and is everything to Katniss.  She is quiet and like her mother, she likes to try and help.  She is the only person that Katniss truly loves.  I pick:

• Ella Fanning
• Ava Phillippe 

Haymitch Abernathy - The previous living winner of the Hunger Games and the mentor for Katniss and Peeta.  He is constantly drunk, harsh and very comical.  He becomes an important player in the revolt against the Capital.  I pick:

• Philip Seymour Hoffman
• Jeffery Dean Morgan

Effie Trinket - The Capital chaperon who escorts Peeta and Katniss everywhere during the games.  She is described as having pink hair, high-pitched voice and all about manners and presentation.  She is prominent in the first two books and absent from a majority of the third for being a supporter of the revolt.  I only have one pick and she is the only one I will ever accept!  I pick:

• Kristin Chenoweth 

Cinna - Katniss' stylist for the first two games and a trust friend.  He has created the elaborate designs that help to spark the idea that there could be freedom from the Capital. 

• Hugh Dancy
• Cam Gigandet

Caesar Flickerman - The interviewer of the tributes who gets to know them and tries to connect the audience with each tribute.  He is fairly dramatic and seems a bit over the top.  And I will say that I LOVE Stanley Tucci for the role.  And to be honest, I think that either one of my picks would be perfect.  But he was also tied with:

• James Marsden

Feel free to start making comments!

Book-To-Movie News

While I have not had the chance to actually read the book (the premise seems rather depressing and I've filled my quota on depressing books this year already), everyone who has read it said that it was extremely touching, sad and thoughtful.  So I'm interesting to see exactly how they are going to play this out in a movie.  I'm also interesting in seeing Selena Gomez in the role.  She doesn't seem as though it would be a typical part for her, so this should be a new turn for her.

13 Reasons Why movie

Wonderstruck by Brian Selznick

Set fifty years apart, two independent stories—Ben's told in words and Rose's in pictures—weave back and forth with mesmerizing symmetry. How they unfold and ultimately intertwine will surprise you, challenge you, and leave you breathless with wonder.
Ever since his mom died, Ben feels lost.
At home with her father, Rose feels alone.
He is searching for someone, but he is not sure who.
She is searching for something, but she is not sure what.
When Ben finds a mysterious clue hidden in his mom's room,
When a tempting opportunity presents itself to Rose
Both children risk everything to find what's missing. 
(Note: this description was copied from the hardcover description of Wonderstruck written by  Brian Selznick and published by Scholastic Press in 2011.  No copyright infringement was intended).

Amazing. Touching. Wonderful. Inspiring.
I don't know what else I can say about this book. It was truly phenomenal! When I heard that Brian Selznick was coming out with another book similar to "The Invention of Hugo Cabret" I was super excited! First of all, there are really two stories going on in this book. One in words and the other in pictures. In the end, they manage to come together. And all the while, you know that they are related somehow...you just haven't figured out exactly how. Once again, the artwork is amazing. And the story is very interesting. You almost instantly fall in love with the characters and have genuine concern for them as the story progresses. The book ends on an open, but happy and peaceful note. You don't get a solid resolution, but in that moment everything is simply great. I highly recommend this book! It's interesting, captivating and a pretty quick read (even if it is over 600 pages). Just go read it. Right now. What are you waiting for?! Go!

The Prophet of Yonwood by Jeanne DuPrau

This book was actually very good. I was surprised because it's suppose to be a prequel and most of the time, that doesn't go well for the series. It was nice to see how in the end the story actually came together and made a little sense. How the past managed to connect to what is currently happening in the books. I do wish that it would have gone into more detail about what actually happened with the Disasters, yet it only describes the events leading up to it. Overall, the story was really ...mor
Set several years before the events in the first two "Ember" books, this story focuses on a young girl who travels to Yonwood, NC during a very unstable time. The world is verging on war and terrorist from both sides are everywhere.  In Yonwood, NC a woman named Althea Towers has a vision of destruction and the world ending. She stuck in an awake comatose state where she mumbles random things.  The people of the town believe that she is uttering instructions to keep the town from being destroyed.  So everyone, seems to do everything that she says.  Nikki comes from Philadelphia and is helping her aunt restore and sell her great-great uncle's (I can't recall exactly how he is related) old house.  During this time, the "instruction" from the prophet are starting to become more and more absurd.  Or more and more misunderstood. 

This book was actually very good.  It's currently the third in the "Ember" series. I was surprised because it's suppose to be a prequel and most of the time, that doesn't go well for the series. It was nice to see how in the end the story actually came together and made a little sense. How the past managed to connect to what is currently happening in the books. I do wish that it would have gone into more detail about what actually happened with the Disasters, yet it only describes the events leading up to it. I wouldn't say that the story deals directly with the previous two books, but does indirectly.  Overall, the story was really good, characters very well developed and I really enjoyed it.

The People of Sparks by Jeanne DuPrau

The "People of Sparks" picks up right where the "City of Ember" left off.  Most of the city has left their underground home and now are out in an strange and unfamiliar world.  They do not know what many of the things and items are.  The people walk for days until they stumble upon a city called Sparks.  They are treated with concern at first, but more and more, both sides are getting restless.  The people of Sparks want the new visitors to leave..regardless of if they know how to take care of themselves or not.  The people of Ember want help and assistance, even though the town can feel free to say no.  Then a series of hateful events happen that lead to the ultimate stalemate.  

I really liked this one! It was very interesting to see how the people of Ember have to try and deal with life outside of the city. The plot was interesting and the characters were interesting. I found it odd that most of the characters that I did not like were from Sparks. I did not like Torren or most of the leaders from Sparks. I found it a bit odd that most of them came off as jerks. I also found it odd that the people of Ember felt as though the the people of Sparks HAD to help them. It wasn't an option. They were being hospitable and it kind of felt like they were taking advantage of them. I think the point is to see that no matter each group of people have their faults.  It's just about how you deal with them.  Over all the story was good and it had a good plot and resolution.