"Hunger Games"

I enjoyed it and recommend seeing it, if not in your friendly neighborhood theater, then in the comfort of your home a few weeks from now.

It's a fine story of loyalty, sacrifice and love in the face of oppression. These values are highlighted throughout most of the film, though at times, the message got a little muddy, though not in any terminal way.

It's about 20 minutes too long; I found myself getting slightly bored by a mostly repetitive plot - kill or be killed, though the lead character played by Jennifer Lawrence is spared most of the killing.

The lead actor (Lawrence), though touted in the media, lacked the emotive power essential to the story.

The same for her fellow Tribune (Josh Hutcherson). They're young actors and may yet mature, but their lack of intensity was slightly disappointing, though the story itself has plenty.

I haven't read the books, so it's hard to say, but the Hutcherson character, Peeta Mellark, was played ambiguously - is he trustworthy? I don't know it that was the intent, but that's how it came across to me. If he's not to be trusted, that was played a bit too weakly. If he's to be trusted, that really didn't come across all that well.

Elizabeth Banks and Jennifer Lawrence in
The Hunger Games

Lawrence's character has strength of mind and soul, but her lack of emotional intensity never quite delivers. Does this hamper the story? I don't think so, but a more mature actor might have made the role more memorable.

Stanley Tucci is the Hunger Games Host, and he does a fine job, along with Woody Harrelson who is a former games' winner, a mentor to the new contestants, and now mostly a drunk, who reluctantly takes an interest in our heroine, Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence). Donald Sutherland portrays President Snow, a dangerous and calculating man who uses the games to entertain the nation and reinforce the power of the state.


These three actors bring a considerable maturity to their roles, compensating for the younger cast.

While the film has plenty of violence, it's well choreographed to enhance the story rather than being the story.

Filmed in North Carolina, the glories and mystery of the Eastern Mountains and Forest are front and center, along with some last-minute mutants created by the high-tech computers employed by the Games.

In some ways, the film had the feel of a sci-fi B movie, but all that aside, I enjoyed it.

Worth seeing in the theater?

Sure, if you want to see it now and be able to talk about it with your children or grandchildren.

But it'll be fine on your TV, too.

Journey to the Center of the Earth

Though I saw it in non-3D, the movie is obviously all about visual effects which might be pretty good in 3D.

"Journey" is an interesting story marginally developed - Brendan Fraser portrays a scientist in search of his brother who disappeared somewhere in Iceland while looking for Jules Verne's portal to the center of the earth. The quest is initiated when his brother's son (Josh Hutcherson) comes to stay with him for a bit of a vacation and some quality time with his uncle. Brendan's bro, the boy's father, was a Verneian - someone who believes that Verne's novels are based upon fact, and while reading his brother's copy, and deciphering his margin notes, Fraser makes some quick comparisons about seismic activity being monitored by equipment set up ten years earlier by his brother.

To his surpirse, the readings correspond to his brother's notes, indicating that the time is good to seek the volcanic tunnel leading to the center of the earth.

So off they go to Iceland. They find his brother's dilapidated lab and a lovely young lady (Anita Briem) now living there. As it turns out, her father was also a Verneian and disappeared with Fraser's brother.

There's an ore car mine scene similar to Indiana Jones - the whole film has the feel of Indiana Jones lite, very lite.

Did Fraser have his heart in this one?
In previous Mummies, he seems to be enjoying the camp, but this film lacks conviction - was it all about the 3D?

I found myself clenching a time or two what with flesh-eating plants snapping away and a special effects T-Rex hungry for the boy.

I wonder if Jules Verne's story can be successfully translated to the screen.

This film doesn't succeed on that score ... it's an adventure story, with folks using the Verne book as their guide, discovering that, in fact, Verne's story isn't a novel at all.

As for seeing all of this set to film, I guess we'll have to wait for another try.

Here is a classic illustration of special effects being the star, and everyone else so-so.

Worth seeing?

See it in 3D - otherwise stay home and wait for Fraser's next Mummy installment.