The Hunger Games - 12A but only just!

Film Review - The Hunger Games

Beware Spoilers



I wasn't aware of the books on which this film is based, so came to it unaware of the themes in the film, only the basic ideas.  I am very much in two minds about the film, it is overall a good film, exciting, lots of threat and a lot of ideas which do make you think.  I was also concerned at some of the violence in the film, mostly because that violence is carried out by and towards 12 - 18 year olds and that the film itself is largely aimed at that age group (as were the books).  I was at one point almost going to leave the cinema as I was quite concerned as to the effect the film may have on Jamie (and yes he did see TWIB but the differences, to me, where the realism of the violence).  So my first conclusion is this film is really not suitable for anyone under 12/13 and then only with extreme caution and much parental guidance.

That said the film is a great story in many ways and for me echoed a world created by Orwell in 1984.  A post apocalyptic world, a Capitol which is wealthy and indulgent for those who live there, surrounded by 12 Districts where there are coal mines, industry etc.  Those Districts formed the basis of a revolt and as a penance for that they must each year send one boy and one girl aged between 12 and 18 to fight for survival in The Hunger Games.  On hearing her younger sister's name drawn out Katniss Everdeen (played exceedingly well by Jennifer Lawrence) volunteers as tribute and heads off to the Capitol with Peeta Mellark as the representatives of District 12.

We see the tributes being prepared for their ordeal and we see the ordeal and that is what it is - the 24 competitors enter an arena - a wood in these games and only 1, the winner, will come out alive.  Some of the Districts train their tributes to a brutal and vicious standard and the start of the games themselves turns into a bloodbath with 12 competitors dying at the start.  Peeta's loyalty is quickly called into question when he joins in with the alpha group, but we are left wondering over his true loyalty as we see part of his backstory with Katniss and their 'relationship' in District 12.

There are several themes which run through the film which bring to mind issues of today - such as how far do you go for entertainment - are The Hunger Games just the logical end conclusion of today's obsession with reality TV?  An interesting thought.  The standard of sci-fi/fantasy of the outcomes of a post holocaust society or perhaps the effects of a crumbling financial system in the western world all struck a chord with me when I was watching it.

The characterisation is good and Katniss and Peeta are both likable as is H , Woody Harrelson's character and Cinna, a stylist/PR for Katniss and Peeta, played by a divinely gorgeous Lenny Kravitz.  Donald Sutherland looms large as the President.  Overall a good film, raising some interesting talking points, but I would urge anyone to think carefully before taking under 12's to this one.

Ciao
Sue
Reading challenge 4/20 - currently reading on Kindle A Town Like Alice by Neville Shute and in print Drop Dead Beautiful by Jackie Collins

She Wolves of England

I am very much enjoying the documentary series written and presented by Dr Helen Castor  and on BBC on Thursday nights - She Wolves of England.  Telling the stories of Matilda, Eleanor of Aquitaine, Isabella of France, Margaret of Anjou and the Tudor Queens (tonight's final episode).  Fascinating stories of some very strong, determined, courageous, at times flawed but very capable women.  Putting the book on my to read list.


Ciao
Sue
Reading challenge 4/20 - currently reading on Kindle TBC and in print Drop Dead Beautiful by Jackie Collins

Film Review - The Raven

The Raven starring John Cusack

Beware spoilers!!



Cinema in the afternoon is such a decadent thing - or seems to be such a decadent thing to do - Mike and I haven't been to the cinema in the afternoon for a long long time.  But we grabbed ourselves a hotdog for lunch and settled down for the film.  The plot of the film is fairly straightforward a series of gruesome murders are being committed each one resembling ones written by Edgar Allen Poe, Poe is at first suspected and then in turn helps the police to solve the crimes. 

The film also taps into reality, exploring what may have happened to Edgar Allen Poe in the four days before he died when he mysteriously disappeared and then turned up ill, bedraggled and bewildered on a park bench in Baltimore.

The film stars John Cusack, and here I am somewhat biased, he gives a creditable performance portraying Poe as the unpleasant, struggling, drunkard which he was by this time, but also manages to pull out of the character some likeable attributes and some humour.  The film is grim and dour and does on occasion some a little reminder of the old Hammer Horrors and fits in well with the current gothic costume horror trend with the likes of Woman in Black and Sherlock Holmes.  An interesting supporting role from Brendan Gleeson who is always good value for money.

Overall not a brilliant film, but still enjoyable.
Ciao
Sue
Reading challenge 4/20 - currently reading on Kindle Tower TBC and in print Drop Dead Beautiful by Jackie Collins (I will finish this book!!)

Tower of Silence by Sarah Rayne

Beware Spoilers!




Literally could not put this book down!!  So ended up with lots to do when I'd finished it - housework, session planning, collecting Jamie from school!!!!  This is the second Sarah Rayne I've read and the second that I have been totally thrilled by. 

This is a book which draws several stories together and to a conclusion in the isolated community of Inchcape and the Scottish secure hospital for the criminally insane at Moy.  The stories start with the survivors of an Indian kidnapping of the 1940's and the effects it has on the lives of those survivors.  Selina March, one of the survivors comes to live with elderly aunts and uncle whose enclosed lives never allow the little girl to grieve or live so she becomes caught in trying to find some way for her parents who died in the tragedy to safely pass onto the next world.  We meet a lonely, frightened spinster striving to keep all of her secrets from the past hidden and struggling to do this against the need to open her home as a bed and breakfast.

Into this comes Joanna Savil an author in the area to undertake research at Moy, and unwittingly the catalyst to the convergence of the several story threads.  At the hospital there is the notorious, now grown up, teenage killer Mary Maskylene (whose sister was one of those who died in the Indian kidnapping) a wicked and calculating killer and the mysterious patient who will talk to no-one.   

Overall of all of this and drawing people to them are the towers, the round tower just behind Teind House the home of Selina March, the bell tower at Moy (where the bell is only rung is a prisoner escapes) and the Dakhma where the children were held in India.  A Dakhma was used to allow corpses to be cleaned by vultures prior to burial and where the atrocity with the kidnapped children and Selina's parents takes place.


When Joanna Savil disappears, her husband, Emily (Selina March's daily assistant) and Dr Patrick Irvine begin to piece together the story and discover the real identities.  The story is dark, it has its moments of horror, but it is a great read.  Most of the characters are well drawn - although most in this story may not be likeable it is easy to see how the effects of such trauma in childhood can affect those adults throughout their lives, especially when that trauma is not addressed.  A fascinating story and interesting to read about the different funerary rights in other cultures.


Ciao Sue Reading challenge 4/20 - currently reading on Kindle TBC and in print Drop Dead Beautiful by Jackie Collins

The Woman in Black film review - below on same blog as the book review but beware spoilers.



Ciao Sue Reading challenge 4/20 - currently reading on Kindle TBC and in print Drop Dead Beautiful by Jackie Collins

John Walker (The Walker Brothers) and Davy Jones (The Monkees) RIP

(From May 2011)  I have been a huge fan of The Walkers Brothers for many many years and am very saddened to hear of the death of John Walker one of the founding member of the trio.  The Walkers Brothers had their heydays in the mid to late 1960's and had mega hits such as The Sun Ain't Gonna Shine Anymore and Make It Easy on Yourself. amongst many others  The reunited briefly around 1976 and had another couple of hits including No Regrets.

John Walker (John Maus) was the band's original vocalist before Scott Walker took over as the lead vocalist.  After the band split up John Walker returned to the United States and had his own recording studio, eventually returning to live performance in the 1990's.  The Walker Brothers are surely one of the bands of the 1960's and John Walker deserves his place in the history of music.  Photographs from here

Saddened to hear the news, today, of the sudden death of Davy Jones of The Monkees.  I can remember coming home from school and watching reruns of the 1960's shows and they were great - fun and good music.  Yes The Monkees were a manufactured band but oh so much better than those of today.  Sad news

Ciao

Sue

Reading challenge 4/20 - currently reading on Kindle Tower of Silence by Sarah Rayne and in print Drop Dead Beautiful by Jackie Collins

The Family Yearly Scrapbook 2011

Another catch up - one of the things I have been doing for many years has been keeping a scrapbook of all of the different trips, events and general old stuff we do during the year and I have been keeping them in the traditional scrapbook format but last year (2011) I decided to try something a little different and here are the initial results.  I am now in the final stages of finishing off the album and then I'll add a final review over which style works the best and then it will be onto the 2012 version!  I do seem to have so many different scrapbooks and journals on the go at the moment but I hope to share those on these 'ere blog before too long too.

Here's the traditional style scrapbook which I have been using and the work well but have ended up bulging and needing to be held together with elastic bands!!

So I decided to try this style of basic 12 x 12 album where I could decorate the front cover myself - this one is an American Crafts D Ring Album in powder blue ....

I decorated with some My Mind's Eye paper, Stampin Up cardstock, MME rub-on and some ribbons and flowers from my scrap crap - I think the front cover looks quite nice - brown and blue work well together but may when its complete I may add some more flowers and embellishments. 

I also added a pocket inside the front cover to store items which needed to go into the album - its quite deep too so I was pleased with that as I'd never made a pocket with a gusset before!

And a couple of additional items to use in the album to help date pages and store bits - one just simple mini envelopes from Hobbycraft and the calendars were Jenni Bowlin (I think - no 100% though).  Overall pretty pleased with this - now just to complete last year and then start the one for 2012 - I had better get on with it too otherwise items will be starting to build up!!

Ciao

Sue

Reading challenge 4/20 - currently reading on Kindle Tower of Silence by Sarah Rayne and in print Drop Dead Beautiful by Jackie Collins