I'll keep this short so as not to 1) nit-pick because the book was about.. 873243x better than the movie (as expected for most in the book-turned-film category) and 2) spoil the plot if you haven't read the books or seen the movie yet.
Note: I was already a little biased before seeing the movie since I didn't completely agree with the casting choices.
I tried my best to watch the movie as though I hadn't read the books yet, but who was I kidding? It's impossible not to let that influence how you view the movie.
The movie lacked any sort of depth and was very unclear at points. When you go from first person point of view, you should incorporate other methods of explaining things in the movie. I was wondering how they would achieve this in 142 minutes without compromising some of the major plot points.. but compromise they did! I expected there to be more flashbacks and dialogue to make up for the absence of our heroine's thoughts but, there were less than few. The movie could have benefited from more dialogue, literally even a few additional lines would have made a world of difference in explaining certain things and given the characters some dimension. (I really felt nothing for most of the characters in the movie.)
Someone in our group had not read the book prior to seeing the movie and had to ask a few questions throughout the film about why and what was happening. She enjoyed the movie and chalked it up to being sold as an "action" flick, for which it delivered.
One of the main focuses of the first half of the book went completely unaddressed, likely because it was all in Katniss' mind, and left me feeling empty since it helped readers understand and grow more attached to the heroine. Without this, Katniss just seemed like an empty shell.
I was mostly bummed that the hacker jacker scene was not as intense or colorful as expected! She just looked drugged and the entire scene reminded me of the scene in "Doom" (starring Wayne "The Rock" Johnson) where Reaper is injected with a mutation inducting drug. (If you've seen the movie, you know exactly which scene I'm talking about!)
One positive: the way they kill off one character in the movie, that isn't mentioned in the book, was brilliant.
You can't expect much for a film adaptation of a book and though I was a little lukewarm about this first movie, I will probably see the next three in theater anyway since, after all, it IS an action movie.
My advice: If you see this movie, don't read the book first but make sure you go with someone who has so they can fill in the blanks for you!
3.29.2012
Iconic Legos
A friend of mine shared this on Facebook last night. The original post is by Tony Rush and has had 288 shares since he posted the image on Tuesday with the following message:
This may take you a couple minutes to "get" but once you do, share it! Don't spoil it for others--no give aways in the comments please! Just let me know you got it. (thanks George Takei)
Not sure what the George Takei reference is for, but he's a cool guy in my book and if he had anything to do with this, then more respect to him!
Tony goes on to say:
By the way, when you "get it" -- pay attention to the particular emotion you have.
We all experience it. One author calls it a "sense of knowing". It's that great feeling that you get when something that was previously confusing suddenly coalesces into something that you understand.
It's a cool feeling. :)
I had that feeling one gets when you are part of an "inside joke" but I couldn't figure out the bottom right and second from the bottom on the left. Though when someone told me what they were, I had never heard of one of them and the other one seemed so obvious!
What cartoon cast would you like to see? (Though complicated, Thundercats, The Flintstones, X-Men, Doug, and Tin Tin would have been interesting!)
How many can you figure out?
This may take you a couple minutes to "get" but once you do, share it! Don't spoil it for others--no give aways in the comments please! Just let me know you got it. (thanks George Takei)
Not sure what the George Takei reference is for, but he's a cool guy in my book and if he had anything to do with this, then more respect to him!
Tony goes on to say:
By the way, when you "get it" -- pay attention to the particular emotion you have.
We all experience it. One author calls it a "sense of knowing". It's that great feeling that you get when something that was previously confusing suddenly coalesces into something that you understand.
It's a cool feeling. :)
I had that feeling one gets when you are part of an "inside joke" but I couldn't figure out the bottom right and second from the bottom on the left. Though when someone told me what they were, I had never heard of one of them and the other one seemed so obvious!
What cartoon cast would you like to see? (Though complicated, Thundercats, The Flintstones, X-Men, Doug, and Tin Tin would have been interesting!)
How many can you figure out?
3.16.2012
A Fairy Tale Engagement in Chicago (Not Mine!)
It all started this past Thursday when I was talking to one of my best friends, Susan, and she mentioned that her boyfriend, Brendan, made plans for a surprise dinner that evening at 6pm. She was excited and I told her to let me know how it was the next day. (They moved to NY about a year ago from Chicago, where they went to college together at UIUC.)
Now, Susan is always online so when I didn't see her Friday, I was curious. I thought, Maybe Brendan surprised her with more than dinner.. And knowing Susan checks-in on Facebook from time to time, I figured I'd try there instead of texting her and possibly disrupting whatever lovey-dovey thing they could be doing.
Posted at 12:14AM on on March 9th was:
"Got outta work today annnnnnnd B surprised me with a trip to chicago! Hello chitown:)"
How awesome! Go Brendan! And also interesting.. I need to do some more sleuthing.
At 2:20 PM I IMed Susan and Brendan's friend in Chicago, Drew, and asked if he was going to see them this weekend.
He didn't respond for nearly half an hour, during which I was going mad just wondering what warranted this grand gesture..
2:56 PM: Drew finally responds saying Brendan had planned a surprise party for Susan in Chicago that night. A surprise ENGAGEMENT party!!! EEK!!
Susan and Brendan have been together for nearly seven years and he had totally thrown her off with his generous Christmas gift of a Tiffany necklace. (He ever remarked "This should buy me at least another couple years"!)
I debated whether or not I should go since it was incredibly last minute but Susan is one of my oldest (since bus rides in the 7th grade!) and best friends so I sucked it up and booked my flight at 4:00 PM. There was NO way I was going to miss this! (This is what savings is for, right?) With Drew's help, we planned logistics and I was off to Chicago!
10:30 PM: 760 miles later, I walked into Susan and Brendan's engagement party in one piece. Though I missed the initial surprise, I couldn't wait to see the look on her face! Brendan also had no idea I would be there, he hadn't told anyone on the east coast about what he was planning since everything was taking place in Chicago.
When Brendan saw me, he was shocked and said "Susan's going to kill me, I just told her no more surprises.."
He shielded me as we set off to find Susan and when we did, he stepped away and her reaction was absolutely priceless! She cried, I cried, we hugged. She was absolutely glowing with happiness, surrounded by their friends and Brendan's many, many family members. (About time, Brendan!)
Susan's reaction upon seeing me:
----------------
Now on to the most magical engagement story ever!
Their seven year anniversary was yesterday (3/15), so this trip was an early anniversary celebration.
Susan got home Thursday and Brendan called her to let her know there was good news and bad news: the bad news was they were not going to dinner. The good news was they were, instead, going to Chicago! He had already packed her bags (which consisted of many bras and no flats) and had a town car waiting for her downstairs.
Thursday night was a typical night, they caught up with friends who were nearly bursting with Brendan's secret plans.
On Friday, Brendan took Susan out to a romantic dinner and told her they were going to see a show later. They arrived at Auditorium Theater and it was empty. Susan asked who was playing and he handed her a brochure that listed her as the performer. (Susan is a classically trained pianist who has always dreamed of being a concert pianist.) He had rented a grand piano and had his guitar brought to the theater for this.
They ended with a duet of "Layla" by Eric Clapton as the final song. Heart pounding, he then dropped to one knee and proposed.
She said yes.
They then headed to their favorite bar, Halsted Harp, where "a few people" were waiting for them. Susan was overwhelmed when she walked in to see fifty of their closest friends and family waiting to congratulate them.
Amaaaaazzziiiinnngggg!! What a night for them! I can't believe Brendan was able to pull this off, so magical! Love them both and wish them more than the best!
Brendan took this photo at Auditorium Theater that sums up the magical evening leading up to an amazing night:
I had an incredible weekend in Chicago, and am so glad I was able to be a part of their special evening!!
CONGRATS GUYS!! Can't wait for the wedding (and bachelorette ;D)!
Now, Susan is always online so when I didn't see her Friday, I was curious. I thought, Maybe Brendan surprised her with more than dinner.. And knowing Susan checks-in on Facebook from time to time, I figured I'd try there instead of texting her and possibly disrupting whatever lovey-dovey thing they could be doing.
Posted at 12:14AM on on March 9th was:
"Got outta work today annnnnnnd B surprised me with a trip to chicago! Hello chitown:)"
How awesome! Go Brendan! And also interesting.. I need to do some more sleuthing.
At 2:20 PM I IMed Susan and Brendan's friend in Chicago, Drew, and asked if he was going to see them this weekend.
He didn't respond for nearly half an hour, during which I was going mad just wondering what warranted this grand gesture..
2:56 PM: Drew finally responds saying Brendan had planned a surprise party for Susan in Chicago that night. A surprise ENGAGEMENT party!!! EEK!!
Susan and Brendan have been together for nearly seven years and he had totally thrown her off with his generous Christmas gift of a Tiffany necklace. (He ever remarked "This should buy me at least another couple years"!)
I debated whether or not I should go since it was incredibly last minute but Susan is one of my oldest (since bus rides in the 7th grade!) and best friends so I sucked it up and booked my flight at 4:00 PM. There was NO way I was going to miss this! (This is what savings is for, right?) With Drew's help, we planned logistics and I was off to Chicago!
10:30 PM: 760 miles later, I walked into Susan and Brendan's engagement party in one piece. Though I missed the initial surprise, I couldn't wait to see the look on her face! Brendan also had no idea I would be there, he hadn't told anyone on the east coast about what he was planning since everything was taking place in Chicago.
When Brendan saw me, he was shocked and said "Susan's going to kill me, I just told her no more surprises.."
He shielded me as we set off to find Susan and when we did, he stepped away and her reaction was absolutely priceless! She cried, I cried, we hugged. She was absolutely glowing with happiness, surrounded by their friends and Brendan's many, many family members. (About time, Brendan!)
Susan's reaction upon seeing me:
----------------
Now on to the most magical engagement story ever!
Their seven year anniversary was yesterday (3/15), so this trip was an early anniversary celebration.
Susan got home Thursday and Brendan called her to let her know there was good news and bad news: the bad news was they were not going to dinner. The good news was they were, instead, going to Chicago! He had already packed her bags (which consisted of many bras and no flats) and had a town car waiting for her downstairs.
Thursday night was a typical night, they caught up with friends who were nearly bursting with Brendan's secret plans.
On Friday, Brendan took Susan out to a romantic dinner and told her they were going to see a show later. They arrived at Auditorium Theater and it was empty. Susan asked who was playing and he handed her a brochure that listed her as the performer. (Susan is a classically trained pianist who has always dreamed of being a concert pianist.) He had rented a grand piano and had his guitar brought to the theater for this.
They ended with a duet of "Layla" by Eric Clapton as the final song. Heart pounding, he then dropped to one knee and proposed.
She said yes.
They then headed to their favorite bar, Halsted Harp, where "a few people" were waiting for them. Susan was overwhelmed when she walked in to see fifty of their closest friends and family waiting to congratulate them.
Amaaaaazzziiiinnngggg!! What a night for them! I can't believe Brendan was able to pull this off, so magical! Love them both and wish them more than the best!
Brendan took this photo at Auditorium Theater that sums up the magical evening leading up to an amazing night:
I had an incredible weekend in Chicago, and am so glad I was able to be a part of their special evening!!
CONGRATS GUYS!! Can't wait for the wedding (and bachelorette ;D)!
3.11.2012
3.05.2012
Dum Spiro Spero
I met a girl this weekend with Dum Spiro Spero, which is "While I breathe, I hope, in Latin, tattooed down her side. (I wanted my first tattoo to be a quote down my side, too, but things happen haha.)
I absolutely love this quote.. it sums up much of my trying to stay positive the past few years. Feeling very enlightened after hearing this!
I absolutely love this quote.. it sums up much of my trying to stay positive the past few years. Feeling very enlightened after hearing this!
3.03.2012
Statue of Liberty
went to NYC a few weeks ago to meet up with Yosh's cousin, who was visiting from Japan. We took him to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. It was freezing and insanely windy, but a great time!
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