"Hunger Games": I'll pass

[Neognosis]

Saw the movie. I thought it was an alright film. Nothing great, but nothing offensive. It was entertaining.

I can see how people would enjoy the books.

There is really no reason that I can see to use words like "rubbish" or "drivel" when describing any bit of literature.



I think that there is something redeeming in every book.


It is a neat story. Not really to my liking, but then again, I'm a 38 year old man. But there is nothing patently offensive about it. It contains some violence, but it is not about glorification of said violence. It's a story.

[Nils]

Happened to pick up this book left lying on a desk just today. Had never heard of it before. Had a quick glance at the back cover and a thumb through. Utter rubbish. I always pass on drivel.

Let's be clear about this: You didn't read it, but you know it is drivel?

[noelekal]

Let's be clear about this: You didn't read it, but you know it is drivel?

The book happened to be lying on a desk where I was seated for several hours. I thumbed through it long enough to clearly determine that it was drivel; the entertainment equivalent to the 19th century dime novel and with all the same staying power. This post is only one person's view. For a different opinion, read the posts with which you agree.

I could certainly write a book that would have nothing redeeming about it. It wouldn't be at all difficult. Authors have been doing it for ages and thoughtful people recognize that.

[pipskicks]

Wish I knew it was such a poor Running Man rip-off BEFORE I sat through this in the theater :( Plus I almost NEVER go to movies!

[cb91710]

If you want to read or view humanity in the face of futility read "Ann Frank" or watch "The Grey Zone". Both based on fact and the latter is especially disturbing.

YMMV

Or Idiocracy. It would be more funny if it were not so likely to become reality.

[Neognosis]

I could certainly write a book that would have nothing redeeming about it. It wouldn't be at all difficult. Authors have been doing it for ages and thoughtful people recognize that.

I'm a thoughtful person, and I think there's something redeeming in every book. Even in every form of communication. ESPECIALLY in a popular book, as they give insight into the culture in which they exist.

Thoughtful people who don't need to put on airs recognize this.

[ouch]

Let's be clear about this: You didn't read it, but you know it is drivel?

Lucky guess?

Or Idiocracy. It would be more funny if it were not so likely to become reality.

I'd argue that it already has. Most of the new reality shows have surpassed the ficticious Ow, My Balls!

[dfigz]

I saw Death Race 2000 on I believe Epix movie channel the other day ....this was a cult classic from when I was a kid.
Low budget ... silly...absurd...but oddly, much more entertaining. (I was forced to go see Hunger Games with the wife her sister and the kids) ... So

[cb91710]

I'd argue that it already has. Most of the new reality shows have surpassed the ficticious Ow, My Balls!

Entertainment? Absolutely.

Politically? WWE hasn't yet taken over Washington, but it's not far down the road. Jesse Ventura did get elected.

Technology is a big driver of our problems. Working with traffic signals, I'm seeing traffic congestion problems increasing with no increases in volume. It's iPhones.
The standard formulae for the initial green time for a signal to clear out the first 10 cars in the queue is no longer adequate.

[Matt555]

The book happened to be lying on a desk where I was seated for several hours. I thumbed through it long enough to clearly determine that it was drivel; the entertainment equivalent to the 19th century dime novel and with all the same staying power. This post is only one person's view. For a different opinion, read the posts with which you agree.

I could certainly write a book that would have nothing redeeming about it. It wouldn't be at all difficult. Authors have been doing it for ages and thoughtful people recognize that.

In this day and age, a book that people actually take the time to read and enjoy is redeeming in itself. Thoughtful people recognize that. I have not read the Hunger Games, Twilight, Harry Potter, etc. because they do not interest me. That in no way makes them rubbish and has nothing to do with thoughtfulness.

And lastly, if you can write a book that contains nothing redeeming (as you claim is the case with the Hunger Games), why don't you? You would become a millionaire.....

[noelekal]

Is this a forum or do we all only get on here to say "it's all good" and sing "Kum Ba Yah" together?

So dissenting opinion is "putting on airs." Some folks think absolutely every book has redeeming value. Some don't share that view. We're all free to hold to our views on the topic and all free to post here.

[Edcculus]

Is this a forum or do we all only get on here to say "it's all good" and sing "Kum Ba Yah" together?

So dissenting opinion is "putting on airs." Some folks think absolutely every book has redeeming value. Some don't share that view. We're all free to hold to our views on the topic and all free to post here.

Ha, you must have never happened into an Apple thread ; )

[CrotalusHH]

Wish I knew it was such a poor Running Man rip-off BEFORE I sat through this in the theater :( Plus I almost NEVER go to movies!

I don't know how you can compare this movie to Running Man. I guess only by not knowing the story in the book. There are a lot of small things in the book that you simply can't pick up from the movie.

Like the significance of the Bird Pin and the girl whistling to the birds in the trees. Both are blood threats to the government. Panem is the future equivalent to The Third Reich that didn't fall or maybe Stalin's Russia.

[Edcculus]

Like the significance of the Bird Pin and the girl whistling to the birds in the trees. Both are blood threats to the government. Panem is the future equivalent to The Third Reich that didn't fall or maybe Stalin's Russia.

Minus the Genocide.

[mayhem]

I guess I'm more familiar with Hunger Games than some because I've been in the book business for a lot of years.. This series of books was a huge success, and they got a lot of kids reading something other than vampire and wizard fluff. The books offer protaganists who can become heros through effort and self-sacrifice, without drinking blood, relying on magic wands, or transforming into super-powerful creatures. They also show that not all villians have super-powers or death rays, but can be associated with out-of-control government or even widely-accepted ideology. I'm all for it.

My kids read all the books, and now want to see the movie - we'll go as soon as we get a chance.

[CrotalusHH]

Minus the Genocide.

No, the genocide is clearly in the books. The districts are kept on a starvation diet on purpose while the people in the Capitol live in luxury. If a District rebels they are bombed out of existence.

[jwcarlson]

Is this a forum or do we all only get on here to say "it's all good" and sing "Kum Ba Yah" together?

So dissenting opinion is "putting on airs." Some folks think absolutely every book has redeeming value. Some don't share that view. We're all free to hold to our views on the topic and all free to post here.

Don't you have to consider the audience when you're looking at a book? This is written for pre-teens to high school age folks... I have read only the first book... while it's not some sort of masterpiece... it is what it is. I think The Cat in the Hat is Drivel for adults... but it was written for three and four year olds... not 40-something literary critics.

I'm just glad to see kids reading... heck my wife read them and she hasn't read a non-baby/fertility book since we got married three years ago.

[icedoverfire]

Touché with the Lord of the Flies!

I will pass on the movie because if I have to go to a theater filled with tweens and teens I would want to kill myself. I love the movies, but hate going to the theater because of the relentless talking and antics of the other patrons.

DVD at home on the big screen with my kicking surround system is the only way to go

+1... And a well-made drink to boot!

I will say, however, that I go to the movies every so often if only to get out of the house.

- ice