Hunger Games Date Night

Yesterday was action-packed with Tristan's first trip to the aquarium (more on that later). When we got home Brandon made us dinner which is a rare and delicious treat. It usually takes every dish and pot in the kitchen but is always totally worth it. His specialty: burgers. More on that later.

Right now I want to talk about "The Hunger Games" movie.

You might remember that it took me a long time to read the books because I was stuck on it being a rip-off of my favorite Japanese schoolyard slaughter, Battle Royale. In fact, when I began reading The Hunger Games everyone in it was Asian. I was able to snap out of that line of thinking by the end of the series, though Kato has forever remained Japanese. When I saw him as a dashing blond last night I wondered why he wasn't playing Peeta, as he seemed to be more in line with exactly how the book painted him to look.

Back to my thoughts on the movie: I think I will like it better next time. It will grow on me like the books, no doubt. Last night there was too much comparison between the two but there are some things I knew for sure:

• I loved every Capitol scene.
• Effie Trinket was THE BEST and it's a shame they don't call her by name once (what, why??!).
• Cinna's eyeliner didn't shine brightly enough.
• Hater's gonna hate: I swore I wouldn't fall into the group of thinking Katniss was too heavy for the part, but she was! These are the hunger games and her district is starving. They did a great job showing everyone else is poor and starving, though.
• There were plenty of missed opportunities for character development. For example, when she and Peeta are on the train why aren't they stuffing their faces with all the food they're showing off?
• I couldn't tell that Peeta had been in love with Katniss since he was five, nor that she might have feelings for either him or Gale.
• I wish Katniss/Gale/Peeta were all re-cast.
• I LOVED EFFIE!
• The added scenes of the game-makers at work were brilliant! I loved that touch.
• Rue was fantastic, but I wish the line, "They aren't the only ones who can have an alliance," was thrown in for clarity and because it's a good line.
• Where were the mockingjays? I didn't see one!
• The trackerjackers' fall and swarm was so cool!
• I have the same hot pink eye shadow that Effie wears at The Reaping and I finally feel cool for it.
• Haymitch, you have been drinking at Cheers for like three decades, can you do drunk a little better?
• Later in the movie Haymitch/Katniss bonding improved and by the final scene it was great.
• HG, you sold Thresh short. That's like putting Baby in a corner.
• The mutts? They were better than I'd heard, but they could have made them to be like the dead tributes. Given the other special effects I just know they could!
• Effie's wardrobe was outstanding!!!! This is how I know Cinna's liner could have twinkled and Katniss and Peeta could have been wrapped in flames.
• Go, Foxface.
• Everything was so scenic and stunning. Beautiful work. I wouldn't change a thing there.
• Effie.
• More Effie, please! and say her name next time. It's a terrible thing to waste.