Comments on: The Hunger Games

By: Ben Toh

Ben Toh — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 12:41:29 +0000

An amazingly educated and historical 10 min movie review that addresses scapegoating and human sacrifice: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RsFBbS39_z0&feature=player_embedded I got this link from John Armstrong's review: http://johnharmstrong.typepad.com/john_h_armstrong_/2012/04/the-hunger-games-phenomenon.html

By: Ben Toh

Ben Toh — Sun, 01 Apr 2012 14:41:30 +0000

Here’s a free audio book of The Hunger Games: http://bookguys.ca/get-the-hunger-games-audiobook-for-free/

By: Ben Toh

Ben Toh — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 21:49:45 +0000

From a review, an excellent point portrayed in the movie (and book, which I did not read) is that a martyr is the greatest threat to the whole dystopian regime. President Snow doesn’t want a martyr. He needs a reality TV star who inspires just enough hope in the working class to keep them subdued and working, but not enough hope that they rise up.

By: Ben Toh

Ben Toh — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 14:46:09 +0000

Oops! I actually meant to post a less than 2 min youtube video review by some unknown guy whose link I got from Twitter, and now I can no longer find it, because it had less than 70 views yesterday! But here’s a 7 min interview from the lead actress Jennifer Lawrence: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RBuaevxZ9ho

But yes, the reciprocal link was surely my subliminal desire to increase views!

By: Brian Karcher

Brian Karcher — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 14:33:53 +0000

Yes I read that review :) Nothing like a reciprocal link to increase views!

By: Ben Toh

Ben Toh — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 01:38:09 +0000

Here’s a nice 2 min review if you’re still not convinced to go see it: http://www.ubfriends.org/2012/03/the-hunger-games/

By: Ben Toh

Ben Toh — Sun, 25 Mar 2012 03:11:23 +0000

Thanks, Gerardo, for sharing Kolbe’s story of sacrifice for another.

By: GerardoR

GerardoR — Sun, 25 Mar 2012 02:13:24 +0000

Reminds me of Maximillian Kolbe who was imprisoned in a Nazi concentration camp. When another fellow inmate was sentence to death, he volunteered to take his place.

By: Brian Karcher

Brian Karcher — Sat, 24 Mar 2012 20:11:28 +0000

Thanks for sharing Ben, Emily.

“But the rest of her actions, she takes because they seem to be unavoidably right.”

I was planning on skipping this one since the movies my kids like usually are not the kind of movies I’m into…but this sentence makes me think that perhaps I should see it afterall.

By: Ben Toh

Ben Toh — Sat, 24 Mar 2012 06:06:46 +0000

The Christianity Today review with discussion questions on page 2: http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/movies/reviews/2012/hungergames.html

By: Ben Toh

Ben Toh — Sat, 24 Mar 2012 00:19:25 +0000

Thanks, Emily, I felt quite “odd,” but for sure I prefer the word “brave.” Yes, your categories surely are spot on, especially the one individual overcoming the powers and principalities of the world.

By: Emily

Emily — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 23:52:37 +0000

Oh…and I love that you went by yourself on opening day. You are a brave man.

By: Emily

Emily — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 23:51:55 +0000

I think you’ve missed some big categories. These books are appealing because of the
unlikely and reluctant hero,
the conflict between individual and society,
the desire to be able to control our lives and our destiny,
and our desire to be powerful in some way, to have some kind of amazing skill, and to use that power to change society.
At least for teenagers, I think they recognize the wealth of the Capitol as a commentary on materialism. They identify with Katniss and Gale more than any character in the capitol. I also think there is something about Katniss being a reluctant hero, who reluctantly sacrifices. I mean, her sacrifice for Prim is a no brainer. But the rest of her actions, she takes because they seem to be unavoidably right.
Maybe that is what is most appealing, the fact that Katniss can do what is right, in the midst of a society that is completely wrong, and can win.
And the moral of the story? Love wins. Love wins over everything, over corruption, over death.