It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

It's Monday, What Are You Reading? is a fun weekly meme hosted by Sheila at Book Journey where we share what we've read and reviewed over the past week and what we plan to read next.

What I Finished Reading

I've just finished reading a book I've been waiting years to get the chance to read: Sweet Temptation by Wendy Higgins.  This series was the one that initially pushed me to start this blog and having the chance to read it through the perspective of Kaidan Rowe...it was so awesome!

What I'm Currently Reading

My friend Tyler has been pushing me to read The Martian by Andy Weir because the movie is coming out really soon and we absolutely have to see it.  And, of course, I can't watch the movie before I read the book!  I'm about four chapters in and really loving it.  The writing style is so deadpan and hilarious!

What I'm Going to Read Next

I started but didn't continue reading An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir a couple weeks ago.  It wasn't because I didn't like it, it was just because I became really busy with moving and getting ready for school.  Now that I'm more settled in, I'm excited to pick it up again!

What are you reading this Monday?  Are you excited to see The Martian?  Have you read it?  Let me know in the comments below!

Movie Review: Catching Fire

Title:  Catching Fire (2013)
Rating:  PG-13
Director:  Francis Lawrence 
Main Cast:  Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth

The Hunger Games saga continues in this sequel that finds a revolution brewing as Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) and Peeta Mellark (Josh Hutcherson) take a "Victor's Tour" of the districts, and President Snow (Donald Sutherland) plots their downfall during preparations for the Quarter Quell, which only occurs every 25 years in celebration of the Capitol's victory over the districts. Hoping to put an end to the growing threat of rebellion, President Snow announces that the Quell's tributes will be reaped from the existing pool of victors -- guaranteeing Katniss a place in the arena. Though Katniss vows to keep Peeta safe even if it means sacrificing her own life, her fellow tributes have a different plan.

My Thought:  Did I like this movie?  Well, I've seen it three times in the past two weeks.  So, no; I don't like it.  I adore it!  Everything about this movie is amazing.  I knew it would be good after seeing the last one and all of the trailers released for it but, wow.  Catching Fire completely blew the first, The Hunger Games, out of the water.  

I think I was most happy with how well they stuck to the book.  I felt as though they had completely done the book justice.  There were only a few parts that were left out but, overall, everything I wanted to see was included.  Everything I saw while I was reading played out before my eyes on screen.  It was a really awe inspiring experience to see how well this story transferred onto the big screen.  Mad props to everyone who played a part in making this happen because they did an absolutely fantastic job.  

The actors.  They are all so great!  I felt as though I was seeing the real Katniss and Peeta and Prim and Finnick and Gale.  They portrayed the characters so flawlessly.   I was completely swept away by their performance.  At times I was heart broken and at others I was laughing out loud at their dialogue and banter.  The emotions I felt seeing these actors play out this story were insane.  I could feel the tension and intensity as I sat in my seat.  I was flailing around and bouncing up in my seat in excitement and happiness at the pure awesomeness.  (I apologize to the people who were sitting around me.  You were all good sports about my freak outs).

I am so anxious for Mocking Jay, the third movie, to release.  With the way this movie ended, I really am going to have a hard time waiting a year to see it.  The tension did not at all die out at the end and I have no doubt that it will carry on into the next movie.  Again, amazing job to those who worked on this movie - it was done wonderfully.  

Five Cards

 

Movie Review: The Hunger Games

Title:  The Hunger Games (2012)
Rating:  PG-13
Director:  Gary Ross
Main Cast:  Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth

In a dystopian future, the totalitarian nation of Panem is divided between 12 districts and the Capitol. Each year two young representatives from each district are selected by lottery to participate in The Hunger Games. Part entertainment, part brutal retribution for a past rebellion, the televised games are broadcast throughout Panem. The 24 participants are forced to eliminate their competitors while the citizens of Panem are required to watch. When 16-year-old Katniss's young sister, Prim, is selected as District 12's female representative, Katniss volunteers to take her place. She and her male counterpart Peeta, are pitted against bigger, stronger representatives, some of whom have trained for this their whole lives. 

My Thoughts:  The first word that comes to mind when I think about this movie?  Shaky.  The shaky camera work in this film was pretty distracting.  I felt as though some person with a hand held camera was just running around in the woods following Katniss and Peeta through the games.  

Besides that, I felt like this was a great movie!  It stuck fairly closely to the book and I really had nothing to complain about while watching.  They did a wonderful job of building up the tension and really making me feel for the characters.  When they did the Reaping and Katniss volunteered - holy cow, that was amazingly done.  Prim calling out for her sister was so heart breaking.  I definitely began to tear up.  I also loved seeing the capitol.  It was super interesting to experience the training room and all of the interviews.  It was so cool to be able to see the outfits that all of the tributes wore.  I felt like the visual effects were decent, as well.  Nothing seemed terribly fake to me and I felt like that could have easily happened had they gone a different way with the effects.  But in all, everything was very realistic looking and easy to believe.  

The actors and actresses did a fabulous job, in my opinion.  I especially loved Woody Harrelson who played Haymich.  He was great comic relief but was also serious when need be.  He fit in wonderfully with the rest of the cast and I felt like they all worked very well together.  Jennifer Lawrence (Katniss) was great as Katniss and I felt for her the entire time she was on the screen.  My chest ached at her story and I was incredibly frustrated and angered by the situation she had been put in.  

I'm definitely looking forward to seeing Catching Fire, the second book to movie adaption in the Hunger Games series.  I'm hoping the director puts some thought into the criticisms of the first book (shaky camera) and work to fix them in the next movie!

     Four Cards

How did you like the FIRST EVER movie review on Wonderland's Reader?  What are your thoughts on this idea?  Leave comments below!