Posted on 11/21/2014 7:05:34 PM PST by BenLurkin
.... Breitbart.com, for example, John Nolte largely ignores politics in his review of Mockingjay - Part 1, until ending with: “For some reason this feels like the exact right time for a movie about a revolution against a lying, lawless president.”
Likewise, Christian Toto at his conservative site, Hollywood In Toto, largely foregoes politics, though only after opening his review with: “The first two films could be seen as either big government on dictatorial steroids or an Occupy-style lament about the evils of inequality. The franchise's third film … doesn’t change that formula despite the addition of liberal screenwriter Danny Strong.”
... Sarah Seltzer, who laments at Flavorwire: “I assumed The Hunger Games was a rallying cry for like-minded progressives and radicals. This was thanks to its pretty upfront indictment of state-inflicted violence and, in particular, of hunger caused by gross economic inequality. 'Occupy Panem!' I thought. 'Redistribute the Wealth!' But then I learned that the Tea Party dug its message, too, and saw the Capitol as a perfect metaphor for the Obama administration.”
She seems particularly disturbed that, between the release of the first and second Hunger Games films, a group called The Tea Party Patriots held a Hunger Games-themed youth event and even made a short film based on the franchise, where young rebels do battle with statists who try to control the populace through handouts and regulations.
...
And then there’s Andrew O’Hehir, who tried dissecting the politics of the The Hunger Games: Catching Fire a year ago and does likewise with Mockingjay - Part 1.
“There are many reasons to describe The Hunger Games as a work of calculated genius, but one reason is that its parable of Empire and Resistance feels relevant without being specific, and appeals equally to anarchists and Tea Partyers,”
(Excerpt) Read more at hollywoodreporter.com ...
Sorry...not a good movie...totally predictable and not well acted.
I have read all the books and seen one movie. I have always perceived it as the in the old Roman “Bread and Circuses,” where the people had nothing, the tax grabbing totalitarian government grabbed everything and built huge coliseums and conducted bloody circuses for their entertainment.
Just as now, high taxes, totalitarian government, sporting events and reality shows to keep the sheeple dumbed down and entertained.
Panem does mean bread, after all.
In knew you would say that.
I read the books. I think there is hope for the younger generations. These books are a glaring example of what a twisted world derives from an all-powerful government.
I have met some pretty stiff resistance about this series of movies on this forum. But I do see it as an unintentional, but devastating indictment of fascism and the current government,and the rise of the ruling class of Washington over the rest of the country. I have urged us to learn the symbolism of these movies, because this is a cultural moment that can be seized to teach the young. The symbolism is very effective.
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I agree. Just saw part three this afternoon. Gritty revolution!
Sutherland’s quote in the article about tea partiers seeing Obama as a black man not a dictator shows his level of small minded stupidity.
your open mindedness is appreciated.
Yeah, tea partiers would be totally cool with an Obama dictatorship and all of his policies if only he were a white guy. (Do I really need a sarcasm tag on this? )
If you ever read a good book and then the movie comes out...don’t go.
Until you realize that the author sees both sides as faces of the same coin, both equally evil, you do not realize where she was going with it. All the originality was in the first book.
” despite the addition of liberal screenwriter Danny Strong.”
I know this dude personally from writing class years ago here in Hollywood. He’s a libertarian and only writes lefty when someone behind his back “pushes” him aka producer. studio exec etc.
You’re right, so much of this series speaks to our situation.
Gale ‘what if we didn’t watch’ I say what if we didn’t watch Ferguson? This was a comment on the vicious circle between the media and their blood-thirsty audiences, can’t turn away.
Collins captured so much of the propaganda and class warfare of today. And I thought the third book, final twist was brilliant. RINOs??
I read the entire series. The author made the govt a socialist dictatorship. It may not have been her intention but it is what it is.
Bingo!
I agree, and in the third book they even say something about returning to a better way, a republic.
>>> 3-fingered salute
That is certainly something to consider. The symbolism is strong.
Until you realize that the author sees both sides as faces of the same coin, both equally evil, you do not realize where she was going with it.'HUNGER GAMES: MOCKINGJAY - PART 1' REVIEW: ACCEPTABLE BUT UNEXCEPTIONAL PLACEHOLDER
Being the Mockingjay is not a responsibility Katniss wants. Our reluctant revolutionary is worried about her family, paralyzed with anguish over Peeta, and still a teenager for crying out loud. The process of being an effective symbol is also a manipulative one involving "propos," propaganda videos manufactured by Plutarch Heavensbee (the late Philip Seymour Hoffman), who is also the chief strategist for President Coin (an icy, strong-willed Julianne Moore).[...]
What is special is Jennifer Lawrence. Although Katniss is too often sidelined from the action and mopes through almost all 123 minutes, without saying a word, the stunning Lawrence communicates the coiled spring that lives inside Katniss, and that's an explosion we want to see. Another unspoken subplot is her simmering distrust in the rebel leaders. Will the new boss look like the old boss?
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