FRESH FROM THE THEATRE: Catching Fire

Since The Hunger Games (click here to read my review!), I have read the trilogy and it has very quickly become my favorite franchise of all time. I never cared really for Harry Potter, and looking up Twilight was purely research - or in other words torture - however, this story was for me! I loved everything in the book and well, if you have read my review you'll know that I loved the movie very much too. What made the books even better was the fact that I read them while imagining Lawrence and Hutcherson so every time a new trailer came out my heart just skipped out of my body and I went insane with excitement! I can't remember the last time I wanted to see a movie this bad, but I have literally been counting down the days until finally:

Catching Fire

The story picks up just a few months after our heroes have returned home. They are currently awaiting the victory tour where they visit all of the districts, give speeches, attend dinners and parties. It seems that Katniss is disturbed throughout the whole trip as she was previously threatened by the President Snow to make sure she acts very much in love with Peeta, even though she loves Gale.

During the tour she gets closer to Peeta, who seems to be the only one who is able to suffocate her nightmares. But those nightmares return once they find out that for this year's 75th Hunger Games - the Quarter Quell - the players for the games will be chosen from the living pool of victors. Katniss, being the only girl from their district, is forced back into the arena, and Peeta takes Haymitch's place. But the stakes are higher this time around, as they are no longer fighting children, but trained killers who themselves have defeated others to be here.

Katniss this time around has a plan - she is going to do everything she can to keep Peeta alive. She fears that if she stays alive Snow will come for her and her family, but there is still hope for Peeta who was the crowd favorite from the beginning. Inside the arena they team up with District 4's Finnick Odair and Mags, and are later joined by District 3's Beetee and Wiress, and finally a young temperamental girl by the name of Johanna - from District 7- who clearly doesn't like Katniss, but it seems that these all were instructed by Haymitch to do as Katniss wished. Beetee comes up with a genius mechanism to blow up the rest of the competition, but Katniss remembers in time who the real enemy is and she shoots an arrow with the wire right into the force-field of the arena - causing it to blow up. Katniss is awoken by Gale, who tells her that the revolution has begun and there is no more District 12 - and that Peeta is still in the capitol.

Although I loved all of the books upon talking about it with a friend of mine, I realized that this was my favorite. I look forward to the ending as I loved how the characters evolved during the pages of the novels, but for now let me just enjoy this for a while!
There is something that I never got to do while I always thought that it was the coolest thing ever - that is, to see a movie during the pre-premiere midnight screening. And I actually managed to get tickets for it so I saw this wonderful movie on Wednesday at midnight and let me tell you, I'm glad it was this movie :D

Where can I begin? First of all, I hate those people who brag on and on about how the book is better than the movie - well guess what? They do not cancel each other out! Just because there is a movie, doesn't mean you can't re-read the book again! And keep that in mind. This movie was as physically accurate as it can get and keep in mind that it was already over two hours long. Visually stunning, green screen was done beautifully and the animation was off the hook! Really the best I have seen in years. Story-wise incredibility accurate and you could see right away what is important in regards to the first movie and what is important for the finale of the trilogy.

I also had to realize that any scenes I made up in my mind are: In my mind. I don't need a director to shoot what I wanted, I want a movie that tries to give me all it can and it did that. The first scene till the last one where all things I already saw before me and I was not disappointed. If I had to bring something as a downside then the only criticism would be timing. And I can't bring that up - of course a movie is shorter than a book! It would be stupid if they kept emphasizing details like: "Two hours later." and therefore the story had to be changed a bit, but it was all for the good. The time in the arena was shorter and some will argue that they didn't starve again... I just hate that - it is made PG-13 for a reason! Yes, they figure out sooner how to get water, who cares? If you want to be hang up on such insignificant details, then you don't know the first rule of adaptations: Cohesion. If it works inside the movie, then it is OK.

And above all I will award the movie, because it was claimed that it will bring more attention to the love triangle and it really didn't. Yes, of course we get a clearer sign on where Gale stands and where Katniss's heart might actually lie. However, it wasn't like in Twilight where I felt that a big red sign just kept flashing: "LOVE TRIANGLE - YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO CARE!". And here timing comes in again. There is a total amount of two things I wanted from the movie, that I didn't get: A lot of emphasis is put on how Katniss can only sleep without nightmares next to Peeta. A couple more scenes with them in bed would've been nice. And lastly, they do mention the pregnancy, but my favorite bit is when Peeta refers to it inside the arena and they didn't use that.

Ever since I watch adaptations I never really understood why they change the dialogue from the book. I'm sure there is a reason - for example when the scene has to be shorter, but otherwise why? The book clearly sold well, then why? I don't know. And that will always be a mystery. That is always a good counterargument against adaptations, but the changes worked, so screw it! I loved this movie! Elizabeth Banks made so much with her character, that I was amazed; The small hints of Snow's disease? Awesome! The interviews with the tributes? Phenomenal. Prim Everdeen's evolution from small little girl to a hopeful fighter - mesmerizing. Jena Malone, Sam Claflin, Phyllip Seymour Hoffman, Woody Harrelson and the wonderful Donald Sutherland? Do I even need to say anything about Hutcherson and Lawrence? I'm sure you know, you will not be disappointed but either of them!

I'm watching it again this Friday :D Trust me, you'll want this in imax - and you'll want it now! Till then, buy the soundtrack as it is awesome!

Until the next item on my list and May the odds be ever in your favor!

 _ _ _ _ _ _ _

Katniss Everdeen - Jennifer Lawrence

Gale Hawthorne - Liam Hemsworth

Peeta Mellark - Josh Hutcherson

Finnick Odair - Sam Claflin

Johanna Mason - Jena Malone

Primrose Everdeen - Willow Shields

Effie Trinket - Elizabeth Banks

Haymitch Abernathy - Woody Harrelson

Caesar Flickerman - Stanley Tucci

Plutarch Heavesbee - Phyllip Seymour Hoffman

Cinna - Lenny Kravitz

Mags - Lynn Cohen

Wiress - Amanda Plummer

Beetee - Jeffrey Wright

and

President Snow - Donald Sutherland

FRESH FROM THE THEATRE: Thor - The Dark World

I very much enjoyed the first movie, even though I was forced to watch in unbearable 3D (click here to read my review!). Honestly Thor never made me much interested when he is outside of his own universe, and if you have read my comic reviews you will know that I am sick and tired of the heroes destroying famous landmarks! When I read comics I am transported to another world and that's what I want from the movies as well! I get why they feel the need to do it, but I still prefer it this way. Personally I think that one of the reasons why Green Lantern (click here to read my review!) failed was because he came back to Earth instead of staying for a larger part of the movie on planet OA. Either way, when I saw in the trailer that we are in Asgard - I said to myself: Yes, let's see this on the big screen!

Thor: The Dark World

Thor is about to become king, but the harmonic convergence is upon them and he needs to first restore peace. The convergence happens only every 5000 years and during it the nine realms aline and become extremely vulnerable. One man tried to destroy all of the universes during the previous convergence - a dark elf by the name of Malekith.

While investigating the changes the convergence brings about on Earth, Jane Foster shifts to a parallel universe where she finds the Aether - the weapon Malekith needed to bring about his destruction. Although the dark elves were believed to have been extinguished, they are actually awoken when the Aether enters into Jane's body and they return to continue their mission of destruction. After finding out that something isn't right, Thor takes Jane back to Asgard, where the elves in her pursuit attack them, almost destroying the whole city. Not being able to convince Odin of letting him take Jane away again, Thor turns to Loki - locked up in the dungeon - to help him take down Malekith without causing further destruction in the city. Although it seems impossible to stop Malekith, Jane does figure out that if they can distract him for the eight minutes of the convergence than he loses his opportunity to cause destruction. Thor refuses the throne, as he realizes that he will never be happy without Jane and so he returns to Earth to be with her.

I loved this movie. I tell you, it was better than the Avengers! The serious moments weren't forced or just big clichés - and the comedy? I laughed hysterically at so many things, I don't even know where to begin! Let me say, that the fact that I didn't need to watch it in fake 3D probably added an extra kick of pleasure to the movie. And above everything else I just realized what it was that I missed so much from the Avengers: character traits! I get that Thor is really a secondary character, but when we make his brother the main villain, perhaps we should let him be more in the spotlight? And the same goes with Loki - god of deception my ass, he twice transported and then was beaten to a pulp. And here in the movie they let them be who they are: the God of Thunder and the God Of Deception.

Not to mention that even though London is a famous city, no well known touristic destinations were destroyed during the last battle, which honestly made me simply ecstatic! I could still relate and care about the fact that our heroes are trying to stop someone evil - without seeing famous buildings torn apart. I don't care for Earth, I might have mentioned that before and the fact that we were in Asgard for over half of the movie really made it far more enjoyable. And above everything else I loved that their parents got a bigger role then in the first movie. They are such strong influence on both of them and it would've been a complete waste not to show them in their everyday life.

And yes, Loki was the best thing in all of the movie - and the writers and directors knew that very well. They knew that the fans have grown to love him even though he is the villain and they just let Hiddleston make the best of the character. I've read blogs where people argue that he should be killed off or that he doesn't need to return - but think about it, does he ever die in the comics? He is part of Thor's life even if he doesn't appear on Earth anymore, that doesn't immediately mean that we have to kill him off. We have come to a point where I am pretty sure that people wouldn't mind seeing a whole movie with just Loki in it! And you know what? Villains don't get movies while they do get comics, so how'bout it Marvel? Trust me, your income will increase!

I'm not going to tell you what the ending was, but if you paid attention, I am sure that you already figured it out. That said, I have been trying very hard to come up with something that was wrong in the movie and I have come up with nothing. SPOILER ALERT - the scene in the credits is not for the next Avenger movie, but for Guardians of the Galaxy, so if you are not sure what is going on, just do a quick Google search. I personally I used this article, which helped me a lot: click here to read the article by Drew McWeeny on hitfix.com. An most importantly, the credits end in "Thor Will Return", while three years back it was "Thor Will Return In The Avengers" - so either there is an extra movie somewhere or he will he guest starring in something else? Who knows :)

So, I believe that this movie is completely worth watching in theaters, I don't really see why one should skip it. It is for me personally the best one out of the franchise so far. And I missed Natalie Portman so much and she was great in it! If I get my hands on some more money, I'll be sure to see it again on the big screen!

Till the next item on my list!
_ _ _ _ _ _

Thor - Chris Hemsworth

Jane Foster - Natalie Portman

Loki - Tom Hiddleston

Odin - Anthony Hopkins
Frigga - Rene Russo

Malekith - Christopher Eccleston
Sif - Jaimie Alexander

Fandral - Zachary Levi
Volstagg - Ray Stevenson

Hogun - Tadanobu Asano
Heimdall - Idris Elba
Darcy Lewis - Kat Dennings
Erik Selving - Stellan Skarsgård

What's Next On My List? V For Vendetta

"Remember, remember!

The fifth of November,

The gunpowder treason and plot,

I know of no reason, 

Why the gunpowder treason

Should ever be forgot!"

V For Vendetta

This has to be one of my favorite stories, along with George Orwell's Nineteen Eighty-Four and of course Suzanne Collins' The Hunger Games Trilogy.
Personally I do hate those kind of future stories where the world turns dark and everything is filthy and it is all just one big subliminal message of: We humans destroy everything, because that is what we do with our trash and not caring!

On the other hand the idea of a tyrant government taking over and Parliament completely losing its power and become just an excuse for the people in power appeals to me a lot. And when you think about it, this story was based on a real historical figure by the name of Guy Fawkes - the mask in the movie is based off of his real face - who in 1605 planned the Gunpowder Plot along with others, but failed in the end to blow up the buildings of Parliament. Despite his failure, the King wished to celebrate the fact that he failed and the citizens lit bonfires around London. The present-day Guy Fawkes Night is usually celebrated at large organised events, centered on a bonfire and extravagant firework displays. So, even though I have never taken part in this celebration, I did wish to speak about this movie for quite some time and what better way to do it then on the anniversary of this great historic event!

The movie is based on the graphic novel by the same name. The story is about V, an experiment gone wrong who sets on destroying his makers along with the tyrants that decided to rule the country. The government itself is proven to be responsible for a catastrophe that lead to the death of thousands and it was used as a tool to infer fear upon the rest of the population. During his plan of destruction, V encounters a young girl by the name of Evey who too is lost in the world as she was orphaned during the catastrophe. V takes her in and teaches her not to fear anything and she learns to live the way she had never before. Thankful for V's help, she helps him in achieving his goal and the movie ends in fireworks as the building of Parliament blows into pieces.

"People should not be afraid of their governments. 

Governments should be afraid of their people."

As sad and disturbing as it sounds, I always believed that a man's want of power is a much stronger force than anything else in the world. As in, if there is anything that will cause chaos in the future, it will by the hand of tyrants and not by us not recycling properly! That is why, as horrible and creepy they are, I still love these twisted stories. I am currently reading the graphic novel and I gotta say that it is very dark. Not necessarily darker than the movie - that is actually one of the things I loved about this movie. Finally you have good material - and mostly movies have great source materials - and they use it! They realized the potential and also understood that by using that material you can creat something that will appeal both to the fans as well as the new audience.

I do admit, that graphic novels that have a set start and a finish are easier. With other comic books you can hardly recreate a story without some background or the necessary, but very boring origin story. Yet when you look at Watchmen, again you had a great source material and well it cannot be put next to each other. Perhaps I am crazy to say, but I believe that graphic novels are a way better source and people can be more picky if it is screwed up, rather than with comic books, where really any interpretation is as good as the original!

"Beneath this mask there is more than flesh. 

Beneath this mask there is an idea, Mr. Creedy, and ideas are bulletproof."

I really love this movie. I don't know why, as it is terrifying in the sense that it gets into your brain and messes you up really good - still, there is some serenity in it. You immediately find the likable characters and you know who your hero is and who is just a casualty in this war. Also, I find the idea of just a single man standing up for his belief and taking down a tyrant to be exhilarating! Why should someone be able to control others? Who gave them the right, really? The story teaches you to hope and to stand up for yourself - even if you do it behind a mask to protect the ones you love: Governments come and go, people stay.

Happy November the 5th to you, if you would like to read up on the this holiday, Guy Fawkes Night, click here for the Wikipedia article! I, on the other hand, will put on my own mask and scare the crap out of my sister!

Until the next item on my list!

_ _ _ _ _ _ _

Evey - Natalie Portman

V - Hugo Weaving

Finch - Stephen Rea

Deitrich - Stephen Fry

Adam Sutler - John Hurt

Creedy - Tim Pigott-Smith

Dominic - Rupert Graves

Delia Surridge - Sinéad Cusack

Lewis Prothero - Roger Allam

Homework Assignment: History Of The USA I.

Az egyetemen eddig volt négy órám, amit élveztem is, és mind a négy előadás. Ez konkrétan teljesen megváltoztatta az érzéseimet a történelem iránt, mint tantárgy! A félév folyamán mindent megtettem, hogy pontos és jól használható jegyzeteim legyenek, mert sok barátomat segítettem ki, akik nem tudtak bejárni óra ütközés miatt. A jegyzeteim őket már átsegítették a vizsgán, remélem neked is tudok segíteni!
Jó szórakozást a tanuláshoz! (a dokumentumhoz a link-et lent találod meg!)

At the university I had an overall of four classes that I actually enjoyed so far, all lectures, and this one in particular completely changed the way I feel about history as a subject. Over the course of the semester I made sure to have very accurate lecture notes as I have given them to a lot of friends of mines who couldn't attend. My notes helped them, I hope they will help you too!
Have fun studying! (the link for the document is at the bottom!)

"Hi!
If you have found my notes, it means that you are preparing for your exams at some University or you have recently picked up a course by a similar name. I uploaded my notes and you are completely free to use them, there is, however one request I make of you: You are allowed to use, print, share these notes, but please, do NOT upload it or the link to any forums or facebook groups! 
Please accept my wishes and have fun studying! 
Good luck on your exam, thank you:
The author"

The file is not available at the moment, it will be re-uploaded shortly!

My Top 15 Halloween Television Specials

You might have discovered that I really love Halloween and every year my sister tries to gather the TV specials so we can watch as many fun stories as we can - even with the shows we don't watch. Among them we have some that have the funniest and most original stories I have ever seen. Others? They are simply good fun for the holidays!

15) Norm
Season 3, Episode 5 - Norm vs. Halloween

I grew up in Hungary, where the TV stations buy all of the sitcoms - even ones that are cancelled. Thankfully, the one we are talking about now lasted over a season and it was one of my favorites. In the Halloween special, everyone dresses up to impress somebody and end up doing a horrible job at it. But, at least they all get enough candy to enjoy the party! Not many people know this series, and that is a shame. This special will always be one of my favorites!

14) SpongeBob
Season 1, Episode 13 - Scaredy Pants

Who doesn't love SpongeBob? And the time when he finally gets to celebrate Halloween? It's about the funniest thing you can ask for! SpongeBob tries really hard to scare the citizens of Bikini Bottom by dressing up as a ghost. Not succeeding he accidentally reveals how he trimmed his sponge to fit in the ghost costume and his brain is revealed and he actually manages to scare every single friend of theirs! It is one of the dumbest and funniest cartoons I have ever seen :D

13) One Tree Hill
 Season 8, Episode 6 - Not Afraid

I was really mad at One Tree Hill because it never had a single Holiday special for seven consecutive years! You'd think that a series that is so focused on family would at least have a Christmas special! So you can imagine my delight when finally they had a Halloween special that was actually about Halloween and not just a masquerade party. The eight season wasn't nearly as good as the first ones, we all know that, but it made a great special with candy, costumes and even a zombie gag in the beginning! I love it!

12) Everybody Hates Chris
Season 1, Episode 6 - Everybody Hates Halloween

This TV show is way underrated. It is actually a diamond in the rough and the holiday specials are even better! Chris needs to take his brother and sister trick-or-treating even though he wants to go to a grown up party for once and he almost manages, but as always he is caught by his suspicious mom. The punishment, however is completely worth it! My favorite part about the episode is Chris' dad who tries to give the children cheap candy and keeps fighting with his wife about it. They are really hilarious!

11) Freakazoid!
Season 1, Episode 2 - Candle Jack

Another very stupid - but hilarious cartoon that I grew up with. There is one episode in particular, which isn't directly Halloween related, however it is very spooky. I mean foolish. It is simply idiocracy, but a very fun one :D The boogeyman Candle Jack snatches kids on a camping trip. He can only get them if they say his name, and well...

"- What are you gonna do to us?

- I'm not sure. I've never gotten so many at once... Not a very bright bunch, are you?"

10) ER
Season 9, Episode 5 - A Hopeless Wound

The whole crew refuses to dress up, with the exception of Abby and Carter - who become the butt of every joke during a very chaotic night in the ER. In the focus is Doctor Corday, who has no time to get to home to trick-or-treat with her daughter as she has to jump from surgery to surgery. I do no want to reveal the main storyline, but there were a total of four Halloween themed episodes during the 15 seasons and this is my favorite of all. All of the episode is focused around Halloween night and that makes it excel above the other specials - also these were my favorite cast members!

9) The Neighbors
Season 1, Episode 5 - Halloween-ween

I don't really know this show, but during the special I just kept on laughing hysterically! The new family tries to explain to the alien neighbors what Halloween is all about and it seems that they don't want to understand it, even if the idea of it really appeals to most of them. On the same hand, the family is struggling in dealing with the fact that perhaps the children don't need them anymore. You are in for a treat, so make sure you get this episode on you list of specials! (There was one in the second season as well, that was great too!)

8) Supernatural
Season 4, Episode 5 - Monster Movie

I don't actually watch Supernatural, my sister used to before the series changed around and took a more... let's say catholic route. And even though there is an episode that is considered to be a Halloween special, it is actually this one from season 4 that hit all the right spots with me. The guys investigate a person who can change its appearance - and he decides to change into Dracula... the one that Bela Lugosi portrayed! This leads to several comedic moments and the whole episode is in black and white, to add to the feeling.

7) Modern Family
Season 2, Episode 6 - Halloween

Here is another series that I don't watch, but it has the best specials ever! The first one I saw was from the second season and quite honestly it very quickly became a favorite. The families are preparing for a haunted house, but everybody seems to have had the worst day ever and they try to compete over who has the best excuse to drop out from the haunted house. Of course, in the end it all comes together, and well... "Enter, if you dare!"

6) Don't Trust The B---- In Apartment 23
Season 2, Episode 2 - Love and Monsters...

This has got to be my new favorite as it has absolutely nothing to do with any of the other Halloween specials I have seen in my life! It is downright hilarious how stupid it is. There is only one party in it and even that is about happiness, as the host doesn't like scary things... Have you heard anything so stupid before? It's genius! I can't tell you more, because it is so different than any other special - you just have to see it!

5) The Middle
Season 3, Episode 7 - Halloween II

Actually one special is better than the other, but I think the story-lines in this one appealed to me the most. This is one of the funniest families and in the specials they all do something extra sweet that really touches the heart. Mike convinces Sue to update her wardrobe, but he is scared by what he sees. Meanwhile, Frankie takes Brick's social group to trick or treat, and Axl takes his friends are not sure if they want to let go of trick or treating. The last one is the best story!

4) Roseanne
Season 2, Episode 7 - BOO!

 

This is one of my family's favorite series growing up. Every year there was a Halloween specials and each one is better than the other but the first one has got to be the best! The first of the annual Halloween episodes finds Roseanne doing her best to scare Dan who is waiting to hear about an important business deal going through. The fact that they keep pranking each other is so cute and to me it proves a very special and strong bond that not many sitcoms have.

3) Community
Season 2, Episode 6 - Epidemiology

The study group is left to fend for themselves by Dean Pelton during a rabies outbreak due to tainted food at Greendale's Halloween party. It is all one fun zombie special and it is unique as no other sitcom has tried this before. They had a holiday episode for each season, but as you get to know the characters better you appreciate the specials even more. No exception when it comes to this series! Just watch them, trust me!

2) Happy Endings
Season 2, Episode 5 - Spooky Endings 

Jane and Brad spend a scary Halloween house sitting for friends in the suburbs, while the rest of the gang heads to a warehouse party, where their respective costumes don't quite have the effect they anticipated, especially for Alex and Dave. They try to dress up as iconic characters, but everything seems to go bad when nobody gets their costume. It is again, out of the ordinary and ads something extra to the holiday and it is very very funny!

1) Gravity Falls
Season 1, Episode 12 - Summerween

A town that loves Halloween so much: They have it twice a year! Do I need to say more? I eternally love this cartoon and well, each episode actually has something creepy and scary about it that makes it very Halloweenie! And what is awesome, is that they used that opportunity to make a special for themselves, even though the series aired during the summer! You need to see it, even if you don't watch the others, trust me when I tell you that this cartoon tops every special you have ever seen!


I actually watch plenty more specials that are absolutely fantastic, but the 15 I shared are the ones I actually do re-watch every single year. But some others may be to your liking too - for example Last Man Standing, Cougar Town, My Little Pony and some awesome specials in Dawson's Creek.That said, I need to go finish my costume, I've got a party tomorrow night :D

Coming up, a very special comic-movie review, until then!