Film – Hunger Games: Catching Fire

I was waiting and waiting and waiting for this second installment to come out because honestly, the first film caught me off guard in the best way. Before the film franchise began, I hadn’t heard of Suzanne Collins – I’m a Penguin Classics person myself. But during my months of unemployment in 2012, visiting the cinema in my hobo PJs to watch some movie or the other, I saw the trailer for The Hunger Games and I was blown away. So I watched it and I was totally hooked. Following that, I read the trilogy in a week. And watched the movie over and over again until I semi got over the epicness of teenagers in a death fight and Peeta romantically touching Katniss’ hair before they take those fatal berries together in the end.

So yes, I was pressed for the second film. Pressed like a drunk girl in a long queue to some festival toilets. On the day it came out – I made all the necessary arrangements. Movies (Cinema visits) are like my Oscars – I pretty much go all out for them. Well, in terms of clearing my schedule and avoiding all who haven’t learnt the art of proper fangirling. I dress a little nicer than usual as well, I think. Catching Fire did not disappoint, AT ALL. The first trick is not to be too much of an ‘I read the book’ snob. No-one cares and you’re making the experience sucky for yourself and no-one else. I mean, sure you’re allowed to notice the irregularities and maybe be hacked – but if that’s your opening reaction, just curtain call your movie franchise life right now. Catching Fire discarded that whole POV, shaky camera thing which bothered a lot of people with the previous film. And because (I’m sure) the budget allowed for a little more fun with graphics and make-up and stunts, everything was blockbuster quality and in your face, suhn.

The general feel was an inquisitive one, and I’m speaking for people who didn’t read the books or wikipedia the rest of the story. Like, what happens next? Will she go and mentor someone else like Haymitch did with her? Like maybe one of Gale’s younger bros, whom she’ll probs make out with to save his life? Will we ever see the arena again? So people went into that one quite hungry for development and, I daresay, the result was a thing of beauty.

There will be minor spoilers from here on out. If you haven’t watched the film yet… skaam!

So in a weird twist of fate Katniss and Peeta find themselves back in the arena but this time they’re fighting other victors from Hunger Games past (ouch) because Katniss’ life sucks and President Snow really truly hates her guts (next to being a creepy old homicidal maniac). So my reaction to an arena with ‘all experienced killers’? FOK JA! But I had to wait a bit because the first half of the movie was quite domestic. Katniss in her new life as a person with all the food she could ask for, rocking some warm looking  and pretty trendy jerseys all the time. And after having Gale ‘Hunk of the Decade’ Hawthorne avoids her for a bit – while she avoided Peeta – they meet at the usual  spot and tonsil hockey. Am I allowed to say that kiss made me feel some kind of way? Like, I wouldn’t mind a coupling of two forest hunting tall people? Please don’t kill me for saying that, Peeta is a great guy. But as Haymitch said, “[Katniss] could live a thousand lifetimes and not deserve him.” *sigh*

Naturally I googled who got cast for which role beforehand and I really liked what I saw, Enobaria, Brutus, Cashmere, Gloss (It’s very important to cast the perfect career pack because they’re also eye candy). I loved them all EXCEPT Finnick Odair. Because I’d fallen so much in love with the character in the book I was really hectic about who portrayed him and Sam Claflin? I just couldn’t. And I was wrong. That young British man slayed that role, as they do. And one of my favourite Hunger Games characters was brought to life in a stunningly charming/tender yet risky/sexy way. Speaking of favourites, Johanna Mason! What a woman! Sidenote: I love her more than I love Katniss. SorryNotSorry. I mean, it’s a known that I love people with friggin cool and unorthodox murder weapons so why wouldn’t I be obsessed with the unapologetic hatchet wielding chick from District 7?

The ending sets us up for a huge thing because firstly, we know there won’t be another arena situation because, wtf Plutarch Heavensbee?! And we know Peeta has gone and gotten himself in another situation where he needs saving. I don’t know how they’re gonna top this movie – they probably won’t – but god speed to them and I can’t wait!

Happy Hunger Games and may the odds be ever in your favour.

Chris Hemsworth’s Loki Battle Cry Impression – So funny!

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Film – Thor: The Dark World

Thor: The Dark World is a must for the everyday Thor fan. This means everyone who loves Thor, the Norse god (as we know him), Thor as played by Chris Hemsworth (Ahem) and Thor because, Marvel. Most of all, you want to see this if you like seeing Loki in all his movie screen glory.

The film is expectedly better than the last in terms of graphics and all that other technical nonsense that makes it look pretty. And Asgard was a little less gold, which made it less fake cheesy looking and made me happier. Odin’s family is just… Odin is still his allfatherly self, nothing amazing but his lady Frigga? Gods! She stole the show for some minutes there. Loki is in some fancy prison and exuding his usual sexy sass and Thor is just being the noble guy he turned into at the end of the first movie. It’s a little boring but he manages to shed it when he’s slamming Mjilnor into an unwitting victim/enemy. And that’s the kind of awesomeness I love him for. That and his arms and amazingly deep voice, and the fact that he saves lives, of course. Can we talk about that strangely placed topless scene? The cinema literally went dead silent when that happened. I think I heard like one nervous giggle and I remember myself sliding lower down my chair and covering one eye with the Popcorn box. Hemsworth’s body is muting. Muting.

Natalie Portman is an amazing actor and one of my favs. Jane Foster, as a character, is meh – I don’t have anything against her, she’s like any other movie superhero love interest, it’s whatevs. But Jane Foster played by Natalie Portman? I have major qualms. Watching scenes with her felt like pity shagging – so uncomfortable, so awkward, so unnecessary.

And I’m not going to pretend like I even remotely liked the new Fandral. The old one was dashing and looked like he was supposed to be fighting with a super pointy edged fencing sword – I mean, he even plays Prince Charming in that story book series.  Story Brooke is it? I don’t know. They kept Lady Sif and the other gentlemen warriors though which makes me happy – they have good chemistry as a deadly fighting unit. Loved the Sif and Thor undertones because, I love power couples – by this I mean couples who can murder you and your whole floor in under  5 minutes. I can’t wait for that to actually come to our screens. And Heimdall… how badass was that counter attack on the first Elves ship? Masterpiece. You go, chocolate god man!

I have been a huge fan of Bromance for most of my life and while people fan girl over OTPs, I fan girl over brotherhood and friendship. Thor and Loki’s bond as brothers is just beautiful and true and it runs deep, no matter how much Loki tries to pee in those waters.  There were def tears at that point of the movie where Chris has to roar-scream because Loki is dying on him again. I cried. A LOT. I love how Loki loves Frigga. I probably just love Loki (or maybe just Tom Hiddleston – yes, I do).

In the end, I did not like Thor’s decision to go hang out with whiny earth gf – I really wish he’d stayed and taken the thrown on Asgard and went out with Lady Sif and the Warriors Three to quests of beating up random baddies. But he’s noble now and that’s cool, even if I prefer brutes. And wow, they do not call Loki the god of mischief for nothing.

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Film: My life can be summed up in 6 Silver Linings Playbook GIFs

Firstly, Tiffany is my emotional spirit animal and Jennifer Lawrence is a gem.

But let’s zero in on the fact that these (below) almost always apply to how I am feeling at one time or another. It kind of creeps me the hell out, and makes me both sad and glad – it makes sense in my head. [Unrelated, I totes just rhymed 😉 ]. I watched this film a few months ago and repeatedly, and I’d be lying if I said it didn’t make me think of my own personal demons and mental state, and wonder about the unlikelihood and sheer bizarre-ness of finding love and just my self and my actions in the world. Like a true work of art, it made me think. Not pleasant stuff but like, real stuff that I like  to avoid because, oblivion. Let me stop yapping and let this woman speak for me. Ladies and gents, Tiffany taking the words right out of my over-emotional mouth. I’ll try to make this as light-hearted as possible, though.

When being ‘socially awkward’.

Correctly put, this is how I am in social situations where I am not comfortable and might do anything from joining in the fun or storming out. To me, a little Dutch Courage’s never hurt nobody. And I may not be sitting in a corner with my nose in a friggin tablet, but I will stand around the crowd, drinking my confidence. And that’s probably unhealthy.

When meeting a person and being totally convinced they are suffering.

Because sometimes you can see that kinda thing behind smiles and acting civil. Darkness is a real thing and sometimes you ask awkward, inappropriate questions. Plus, I find suffering a little beautiful.

When handling slights.

I take betrayal very badly. It literally ends me. Lol.

When nothing makes you content.

You know the quote ‘Because I’m not the kind of girl guys fall in love with’. That. And mostly, how you can give so much of yourself and give so much to life in general, and know that you’ve done right but still have  huge hole in your existence. That can’t be normal right? Pretty much sums up my whole. 🙂

When you don’t know how to be jolly,ever.

My best friend of 9 years said to me once “Why is your first instinct always to be angry?”. It is, I do melt after a few minutes though. But my first reaction to everything is being angry then laughing maniacally.

When I feign being unapologetic.

And it works for a while, I manage to convince people and myself and then I get home to my lonely four walls and then it’s a f*cking party with Lana del Rey or someone else with a voice that makes you wanna slit your wrists. Because the truth is not nice. And I’m going to ‘lol’ about this post and brush everything off. This is not a serious thing, obviously. This is just life 🙂

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