After months of waiting, fans of The Hunger Games will be descending in droves on theaters this weekend, eager to take in the big screen adaptation of the best-selling young adult novel of the same name.
If you’re one of the uninitiated, the story goes like this: in a dystopian future, North America has been broken up into 12 oppressed districts and one glossy, privileged capitol. Each year, a boy and a girl from each district is selected by lottery. All 24 children are put into an arena the size of a city, where they must fight to the death. The whole thing is broadcast as a month-long reality show in all the districts.
But the movie is about more than science fiction and entertainment. Gender, violence, and, of course, merchandising, are at the forefront of the film adaptation.
Our Movie Date team is here to discuss the Hunger Games. In addition to hosting the Movie Date podcast, Rafer Guzman is film critic for Newsday and Kristen Meinzer is producer for The Takeaway.
President Obama Seeks to Narrow 'War on Terror,' A Closer Look at the IRS Inquiry, Boy Scouts to Allow Gay Members
The DSM and Mental Health in America
Defining Normal After a Diagnosis of Schizophrenia, The Mayor of Oklahoma City, A New Kind of Commencement Speech
Lessons From a Female Union Electrician
Diplomatic Damage Caused by Drone Strikes, In Defense of the DSM-5, Bob Woodruff's Advice for New Grads
The show is a co-production of WNYC Radio and Public Radio International, in collaboration with New York Times Radio and WGBH Boston.
Major funding provided by:
Comments [3]
This is a trend that started with Twilight to take previously covered tropes and repackage them for girls age 10 to 16. Males with effeminate names, 18th century wardrobe... I suspect careful planning to create a world that would attract the aforementioned demographic was the objective.
We have teen-Runningman and daywalking Draculas and kiddie Warlock, it's all wish-fulfillment for children. The commentary isn't in the stories but in the fact that we shower the kids in America with fantasy immersion instead of giving them allegorical enlightenment.
I feel sorry for the the teachers who have to deal with Mr. Hockenberry's tired and restless children this morning.
What responsible parent allows their young children to go to a midnight movie on a school night? The situation regarding the lack of respect for teachers in this country is only going to get worse and parents who let their children stay up all night aren't helping the matter. I know at least three teachers who quit their jobs as teachers because parents "managed' their classrooms - they simply couldn't tolerate the disrespect.
There is a homicide almost every day in the so-called "happy valley" Utah. Prime time shows are all about killing. Computer games are all about killing. Now parents are supporting shows that are about children killing children - let the homicides flourish. Anyone who says there is no relationship between the gun toting high schools kids and the media is obviously well invested in Hollywood. Let the killing go on - as a culture we certainly encourage it!
Allow me to make a prediction - the movie will inspire more teen-age killing, more disrespect for teachers, and more disrespect for authority. It's one thing for parents to teach their children to challenge authority. However, it is just as important to teach them to respect authority.
Respectfully,
Rory S. McLaren
The books, especially the latter two,were subtle and brilliant socio-political critiques. Is the movie?
Leave a Comment
Register for your own account so you can vote on comments, save your favorites, and more. Learn more.
Please stay on topic, be civil, and be brief.
Email addresses are never displayed, but they are required to confirm your comments. Names are displayed with all comments. We reserve the right to edit any comments posted on this site. Please read the Comment Guidelines before posting. By leaving a comment, you agree to New York Public Radio's Privacy Policy and Terms Of Use.