THE HUNGER GAMES (PG-13)
RUSS
If you’ve never heard of “The Hunger Games,” welcome back from Mars. The big screen adaptation of Suzanne Collins’ mega bestseller is poised to become the biggest box office draw of the year.
SHAWN
Source material rejoice! This adaptation is more faithful than Ward Cleaver and Heathcliff Huxtable.
RUSS
Agreed. Jennifer Lawrence stars in this story of the ultimate TV reality show. Set in a dystopian future, “The Hunger Games” pits 24 poor young people against one another in a survival match to the death, all for the amusement of the wealthy ruling class.
SHAWN
“The Hunger Games” is sadistic and intense thus not for young children. I stress not for young children. It’s kids killing kids brutally murdering one another as it all plays out like the “Real World” on steroids, “The Truman Show” in the woods and “Gangs of New York” without the gangs.
RUSS
Although this 2 hour and 22 minute epic takes its sweet time to get going, it manages to be involving and intense as our teenage combatants struggle against the elements as well as one another.
SHAWN
Not sure the brutality is muted enough. Let’s not sugar coat things. This is a savage premise. Period. Sure there are movies that are way more violent. But watching young kids do this type of damage is un-nerving.
RUSS
There are plenty of socio-political themes at play, as well as a scathing criticism of pop culture. But all of that takes a back seat as we root for our heroine to survive and for young love to prevail. Like the “Twilight” series, “The Hunger Games” might turn out to be a guilty pleasure.
SHAWN
Nothing guilty about it. And the Twilight comparison isn’t fair. But overall “The Hunger Games” is a bit socially, politically and emotionally heavy. Hated the super slow start and cartoon finish but loved Jennifer Lawrence, she’s a star and Woody Harrelson who adds real zeal. There’s a lot to like and perhaps even more to be cautious about.
RUSS
4 Popcorn Bags
SHAWN
3 Popcorn Bags
WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT KEVIN (R)
Tilda Swinton gives a riveting performance in the disturbing drama, “We Need to Talk About Kevin.” An update on the “Bad Seed” theme, this creepy film deals with the age-old debate about nature vs. nurture. Swinton is devastated when her disturbed adolescent son goes on a “Columbine-style” killing spree. Is she guilty of poor parenting or is Kevin simply evil? The movie is self-consciously stylistic and artistically suspect. But Swinton’s performance makes it almost bearable.
RUSS: 3 Popcorn Bags
IN DARKNESS (R)
“In Darkness” is a workmanlike, well-meaning drama from acclaimed filmmaker Agnieszka Holland about a group of Polish Jews who hide out in the sewers during the Nazi occupation. It’s an inspiring story that serves as a stirring tribute to the people who endured unimaginable suffering, but “In Darkness” fails to give us real insight into the lives of the individuals involved.
RUSS: 3 Popcorn Bags
CORMAN’S WORLD: EXPLOITS OF A HOLLYWOOD REBEL (R)
Roger Corman, often called the King of the B Movies, is the subject of the documentary “Corman’s World.” It’s an entertaining look at the career of the creator of drive-in fodder who gave many of the current Hollywood greats their start.
Those who chat about their mentor include Martin Scorcese, Ron Howard, Jonathan Demme, Robert De Niro, Peter Bogdanovich and David Carradine. Most amusing (and touching) is the contribution of Jack Nicholson. In a very rare interview, he talks about the considerable impact that Corman had on his career.
RUSS: 3 Popcorn Bags
Also opening this week, the French comedy “Declaration of War,” a documentary called “My Reincarnation,” and a Japanese sci-fi flick from 2000 called “Battle Royale” that bears more than a passing resemblance to “The Hunger Games.”
