The Hunger Games [DVD]

Product Information

It’s not a good week in terms of box office numbers, as the biggest box office hit to come out this week is Wonder. Conversely, Foxcatcher is award-worthy, but the DVD and Blu-ray Combo Pack doesn't have enough extras to be a Pick of the Week. When 16-year-old Katniss Everdeen's ( Jennifer Lawrence) younger sister is chosen as one of District 12's representatives, Katniss volunteers to be the tribute in her sister's place. Krampus is providing the industry with some surprise post-Thanksgiving, pre-Holiday cheer this weekend, with an opening well ahead of expectations amongst a crowd of slightly disappointing results.

The Hunger Games Movie Review | Common Sense Media The Hunger Games Movie Review | Common Sense Media

Katniss and a team of rebels from District 13 prepare for the final battle that will decide the fate of Panem. Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk had an amazing opening in limited release last weekend, but it will likely struggle as it expands into just over 1,000 theaters this weekend. After President Snow destroyed all except District 2 of the other districts, she currently lives with the rebels in District 13. The third instalment in the series takes on Collins's last book, with viewers following Katniss as she's rescued from the destroyed 75th Hunger Games arena and taken to District 13 – an area isolated from Panem that's full of rebels hoping to take the Capitol down.

This August might match that, while the biggest film this year should top the biggest film from last year. Just as it was on the Blu-ray Sales Chart, there was a tight race for top spot in the DVD sales chart, only the combatants weren't entirely the same. Use the movie's depiction of Panem -- particularly the relationship between the Capitol and the 12 districts -- to discuss how much kids understand about totalitarian governments and dictatorships.

The Hunger Games (2012) - IMDb The Hunger Games (2012) - IMDb

Every year, one boy and one girl from each district are randomly selected to compete in THE HUNGER GAMES, a televised battle to the death for the Capitol's amusement. Sixteen year old Katniss Everdeen (Lawrence) volunteers in her younger sister’s place to enter the games, and is forced to rely upon her sharp instincts as well as the mentorship of drunken former victor Haymitch Abernathy when she’s pitted against highly-trained Tributes who have prepared for these Games their entire lives. No product placements in the film, but the viral marketing and merchandise tie-ins for the movie (and books) include a line of themed nail polish, as well as apparel, jewelry, games, and more. We learn about Katniss’ life in the impoverished area of her district, the Seam, and her family as she makes her journey from her house to the Meadow and, eventually, to the woods, where people from the district are forbidden to go. Several dinner and party scenes show adults and teenagers drinking various brightly colored beverages/cocktails.Katniss gets to experience luxury like she’s never experienced before on the train, and she gets to eat the richest, most sumptuous meals imaginable. Set 64 years before the events of the Hunger Games trilogy, the prequel will focus on an 18-year-old Coriolanus Snow (Tom Blyth), decades before he became the tyrannical leader we see in The Hunger Games.

Hunger Games: The Ultimate Steelbook Collection [Blu-ray] The Hunger Games: The Ultimate Steelbook Collection [Blu-ray]

It's not a bad set of features, and I'm glad Lionsgate isn't doing a bare-bones release for a double-dip, although I wouldn't be surprised if a new edition comes along shortly before Catching Fire opens. Katniss Everdeen ultimately agrees to President Alma Coin and her adviser Plutarch Heavensbee’s request after the bombing of District 12 and becomes the Mockingjay, the rebellion’s emblem.

Because many “Hunger Games” fans are obsessed with such details, director Francis Lawrence paces the picture correctly, allowing spectators time to take it all in, even if it means postponing the great arena confrontation they’ve apparently all come to watch. This means 2014 could continue its winning ways, or at the very least, shouldn't fall behind 2013's pace. In the end, I couldn't chose between any of the movies / TV shows, so I went BabyMetal Metal Resistance, which comes out on CD on Friday. Aided by former winner Haymitch ( Woody Harrelson), personal stylist Cinna ( Lenny Kravitz), and fellow tribute Peeta ( Josh Hutcherson), Katniss embarks on an unimaginable journey to emerge as the Games' sole victor, even though that means 23 others will have to die.