Trailer Tuesday: The Hunger Games

After that short teaser earlier this year, The Hunger Games has now launched an official trailer (like, 2 minutes long!) jam packed with everything... except the games, that is. Nope, this trailer is all about the pre-games build up - so the Reaping, the Make-Overs and the Training. Of course, for those unaware of the books, this means nothing to you, so feel free to read this before proceeding to the breakdown, while the in-the-knows should just ride on through:

"Every year in the ruins of what was once North America, the nation of Panem forces each of its twelve districts to send a teenage boy and girl to compete in the Hunger Games. Part twisted entertainment, part government intimidation tactic, the Hunger Games are a nationally televised event in which “Tributes” must fight with one another until one survivor remains.

Pitted against highly-trained Tributes who have prepared for these Games their entire lives, Katniss is forced to rely upon her sharp instincts as well as the mentorship of drunken former victor Haymitch Abernathy. If she’s ever to return home to District 12, Katniss must make impossible choices in the arena that weigh survival against humanity and life against love." - Wikipedia

And the main event, the trailer itself:

Trailer... Thursday?: The Hunger Games

Yes, The Hunger Games teaser has finally arrived. Are you ready for one whole minute of "Strong-minded girl running round a burning forest with a bow and arrow"? Because I surely am! Synopsisation Time:

"Katniss Everdeen takes her sister's place in the annual Hunger Games, a fight to death on live television. The story is in a post-apocalyptic setting in which the country of Panem contains twelve districts, with the Capitol in the center. The Capitol controls the Hunger Games in a reminder of the failed rebellion against the Capitol 74 years ago." - Wikipedia

And some personal points of my own:

Katniss Looks Perfect
Obviously the main part of this trailer is our hero Katniss herself, portrayed by Jennifer Lawrence. Now I for one had my doubts to begin with (Lawrence was a natural blonde, *gasp*), but the film makers have totally nailed the look in terms of what I had in my head when reading the books. And the best thing is she looks grimy; broken, tough, edgy. I had these horrible visions of a "Glamorous" take on The Hunger Games, another dull attempt to take a great series and turn it into another Twilight, but fortunately this trailer looks to be taking it the other, proper, way. Of course, they've left her eyes blue (brown in the books), but I'll cope.

The Little Things
As a big fan of the books, my eyes were peeled throughout the trailer for canonical references and luckily, it didn't disappoint. The orange back-pack, given to each contestant at the start of the games makes a welcome appearance and the mocking-jay pin at the end heavily reflects that of the books. Also, that whistle at the end has got to be Rue's; a young girl Katniss allies with in the arena. Goosebumps a-plenty to be had from that tune...

The Direction Style
I know, I know: it's only a minute long clip, but I think what we're seeing here is deeply representing what else we can expect in terms of direction and style. Just look at how the camera shakes and wobbles and the use of CGI (falling tree). Again, going to the point of "non-glamorising" the production, this holds true here too; shots that look rough and sketchy, mirroring that of Katniss's personality versus that of the perfect Capitol (in which I'm hoping shots there will be all straight up and professional, just to further this subtext). Looking too much in to it? Never!

Gale's Voice-Over
That's certainly Gale (Liam Hemsworth), Katniss' hunting buddy talking over the teaser, most likely taken from a scene just after she is chosen to enter the games. I'm not going to lie, it does sound slightly wooden compared to the dramaticness the dialogue on page might have suggested, and kind of unnecessary. Hopefully the film won't be littered with cheesey voice-overs like this (I doubt it would), becasue I've become very wary of them ever since The Last Airbender. *Shudders*

That's all for today's off-schedule trailer, but keep coming back for more of that informative-movie goodness. Also, whenever a proper, full trailer drops for this (I predict late Oct/early Nov), I'm sure to break it down with tons of background knowledge and all that razzle-dazzle. But for now, tar-ah, and may the odds be ever in your favour.


ATR


Also, fancy new follow button on the left! Ka-ching!

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The Sunday Supdate: 21/08/11

So I've been away for some time now, and while I could just easily write it off to you as me being on holiday or something, I won't because that would be lying. And you know what they say about liars... "That they will burn in a special kind of hell reserved for child molesters and people who talk in the cinema?" Uh, no I was more referring to - you know what, it doesn't matter... So no, I haven't been training with monks in the Himalayas or assembling a team of the greatest bloggers ever known or playing Volleyball in Tanzania with Rolf Harris or even hunting down Nazi sympathisers in Finland. However, if you really want to know why I haven't been blogging lately, then you can watch this rather pointless vlog I attempted yesterday, in which I murder myself. Or if you don't want to know, save us both the embarrassment and skip past this 3 and a half minute video of awkward silences and gargantuanated "Uhm"'s.

 
It's funny, whenever I have a great month of hits (>1000), the next is always a rapid decline. Perhaps I have this subconscious fear of not reaching there by trying, so I just naturally shy away. I should really stop paying so much attention to the Stats really, and that might stop this autonomous cycle.

Alright, enough about me, here are some new (I use that term loosely) movie stills:
SORT OF SPOILERS AHEAD... BUT NOTHING MAJOR... UNLESS YOU ARE ONE OF THOSE REALLY PEDANTIC FANBOYS... IF SO GET LOST... OR DON'T BECAUSE I'M DESPERATE... BESIDES, YOU'LL SEE IT ALL IN THE TRAILERS...

Henry Cavill stands... hunched as the new Superman in Zack Snyder's Man of Steel (2013). Looks like Snyder had some of the 300 costume parts leftover, with Supes' long, flowing cape. You can also see that his costume looks like the "Basket Ball" material that the new Spider-Man is sporting (The Amazing Spider-Man), which I've got no problem with (though some do). The classic S is still emblazoned nice and wide on the chest, but there's no sign of "over the tights" pants, although that could be a trick of the (utterly atrocious) lighting at work here. And hopefully his face won't be this menacing throughout the whole movie when it drops 14th June 2013...

And here with have the lovely Anne Hathaway as Catwoman in The Dark Knight Rises.  The costume's looking very latex-y as per usual with such a character known for her tight leather duds. Seen here on the Bat-Pod, it would seem our feline friend has pinched it from good ol' Bats, either that or she's using it under his digression (perhaps he's in trouble?). Whether those goggles are part of the costume or just simply for when she's zipping round Gotham on the bike, has been the source of many an internet (read: fanboy) debate. I'm a little on the fence on this one... Although if there were alternatives for a face mask, I'd like to see them. Flowing hair's cool though, I'm down with that. For the most part, it looks like they're keeping the costume clean and simple, ditching the cleavage-y look that comes clichéd with Catwoman, and keeping Hathaway's boobs tucked away in there. (But if you happen to want to see them untucked, I suggest Love and Other Drugs). The Dark Knight shall Rise on 20th July 2012.

Yay! It's The Hunger Games! Nothing too overwhelming here, mind. You've got Jennifer Lawrence (X-Men: First Class) as our hero Katniss on the left there, a headstrong girl who must fight for her life in the savage Hunger Games against 23 over kids in this dark dystopian future. Then on the right is Liam Hemsworth (Uhm... He's the brother of Chris Hemsworth (Thor (Oh snap! Double bracket. Wait know it's a triple! This is like...(INCEPTION! Que the giant horn music! BWOARRRRRRRRRR!(Okay, getting a little off topic now... So how many close brackets do I need to put to end this now?))))) (I think that's enough...) as one of two romantic interests, Gale. Now Gale is Katniss's bud from back home, the guy she used to (illegally) hunt with, and both were crack shots with a bow. So this little scene must be before the games starts in their home "District" of 12. Both are very well interpreted from the books, particularly for how I pictured them. My only issue is that Gale looks too shiny, if you know what I mean. A guy who lives in near-poverty and spends his days running through forests shouldn't look so perfect. Where's the rugged edge to him? Anyway, The Hunger Games will be in cinemas March 23rd 2012 and may the odds be ever in your favour.

Well, I'm all "stilled out" after that (not to be confused with "stooled out"). Yeah they're 3 weeks old but who cares?! They're sweet aren't they? 

Happy 99th post by the way! The next one will be celebratory of course, although I've got no idea what it might include. 5000 hits would always be nice... But so would the knowledge that you're all happily reading this and being at least an inkling amused by my internet musings. Ta-rah for now friends, but come back soon, won't cha. Cause if you don't it'll be like leaving me hanging on a high five. Just standing there for hours, hand raised waiting for a sporting clap - that fractional touch that let's me know "Yeah, we cool.". So, are we cool?

ATR

Movie Casting News

It's been a busy week for casting, with roles being designated left, right and centre. So I, being the generous type I am, thought I would share all the news with my fellow peers (that's you). First up, it's the two DC big hitters with the latest actor confirmations...

 Superman: Man of Steel, is Zack Snyder's upcoming reboot of the world most iconic superhero. Already in the role of Clark Kent himself, is English actor Henry Cavill, who you can see star alongside Mickey Rourke in the upcoming Immortals. But on Thursday, it was officially announced that the long rumoured Kevin Costner will play Jonathan "Pa" Kent in the ambitious new take on the Superman franchise. And, if you didn't know already, Diane Lane will be appearing with Costner as faithful wife and mother, Martha Kent. So that's the Kent family sorted, now how about the villain? Well, as a matter of fact it has been rumoured that LOTR star Viggo Mortensen could be in talks to play uber kryptonian baddie, General Zod, the same Zod responsible for the destruction of planet Krypton itself... I'll keep my eyes peeled for any more news on this one.

Kneel before Zod?

  Onto the much anticipated Dark Knight Rises now, Christopher Nolan's final piece of his Batman trilogy. With Anne Hathaway as Selina Kyle/Catwoman and Tom Hardy already suiting up for the role of Bane, this is shaping up to be one hell of a cast, even without the newcomers I'm about to reveal. Joseph Gordon-Levitt, who you may remember from Nolan's mind-boggling Inception, has now been officially cast in some sort of role after months of speculation. Could he be another villain? Azrael perhaps? Or, dare I say it, Robin? Also now being "eyed" for the role of "street smart Gotham Girl" is Indie sensation Juno Temple. Let more speculation reign as fans try to decipher what this mysterious role might mean. Harley Quinn, anyone? Maybe Batgirl (unlikely)? Or, dare I dare say it, a female Robin? ... Only time will tell, but one thing you can be sure of is that Nolan knows what he's doing, so just have faith, people.

Hmmm...

 Finally, the much anticipated (well for me anyway) protagonist role in the adaptation of The Hunger Games books has been confirmed. Jennifer Lawrence is officially Katniss Everdeen, the young penniless girl who must enter into a brutal tournament where kids are pitted against each other in this dystopian future sci-fi thriller. As a fan of the books myself, I was rooting for True Grit star, Hailee Steinfield for the role as I felt her look much more suited the novels description. However I will settle for Lawrence, as it seems she's quite the actress after her many nominations for her performance in Winter's Bone. But we'll have to wait until 2012 to see if it's any good. I've got my fingers crossed.

 That would be all for now it seems, but I'm sure to be doing something or other quite soon. Plus, only 5 more hits until the big 1K! Could this article pull it through to the first thousand views? Lets hope, now hit your F5's people! See you soon.

**********************UPDATE***********************

Hot off the press; the new villain for the Spidey reboot, The Amazing Spider-Man, has been confirmed as Lizard and is being played by Welsh actor Rhys Ifans. The news comes after an actor in a minor role in the film dropped a few too many hints on a radio show this morning.

Think "The Hulk", but with scales and sharper teeth...

 The minor actor, C.Thomas Howell (who may be in a bit of shit right now) revealed that *SPOILERS* he plays a man who's son gets caught up in between a battle with Lizard and Spider-Man on the Manhattan Bridge. Spidey then saves the boy and returns him to his father. However, Howell also said:

    "There is some payback there at the end of the movie. Spider-Man is kind of hurting. I help him when all of the other people won't. Part of the story is, the nation thinks he might be a bad guy. They don't know what to think. Because of my experience on the bridge with my kid, I know he is a good guy. I pitch in and help out at the end. That is the best way."
  
A few beans too many were spilt today, I fear... Oh well, it's always good to get some accidental but official leaks on what's coming up. The new Spider-Man comes out July 2012 in 3D with The Social Network's Andrew Garfield as the famous web-slinger, and by the sounds of it, it's going to rock.


********************************UPDATE******************************


  Joseph Gordon-Levitt's role in The Dark Knight Rises has now been officially confirmed. Robin? No. Riddler? Not quite. Azrael? Nope. Mafia and crime boss Alberto Falcone, ladies and gentlemen. 

Hold onto your seats, because this movie's going to be a hell of a ride!

Son of the infamous former mafia leader, Carmine Falcone, (who you may remember for Batman Begins), Alberto will be another "realistic" villain for Batman to face, and could potentially take the trilogy full circle as it was Carmine who initially triggered Bruce Wayne to go and train. So a nice little battle between the two would tie things up nicely in terms of overarching narratives. Well played, Mr Nolan, well played...