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If you haven’t heard of The Hunger Games, chances are strong that you have either been living under a rock or have not been using the Internet. The young-adult novel-turned-film that is the talk of the town portrays heroine Katniss Everdeen as she participates in a barbaric competition with 23 other young citizens where only one can come out alive. These carefully orchestrated “games” are a concoction of a futuristic and dystopian version of the U.S. and are watched by everyone like a reality show. With a cast full of young, fresh faces like Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, and Liam Hemsworth, and more established players like Donald Sutherland, Stanley Tucci, and Elizabeth Banks, it’s no wonder that the movie was a huge hit in its first weekend.

Not only did loyal fans of the book praise the film’s adaptation (despite a few omissions), but the film has had the  3^rd best opening weekend at the box office of all time. Of course there are comparisons to Twilight, but in my eyes it’s no contest. Jennifer Lawrence’s Katniss is a strong and powerful character against Bella Swan’s damsel in distress. I saw the movie opening weekend (full disclosure: I have not read the books) and absolutely loved it. Lawrence puts up a stellar performance (she’s definitely a new “It-girl”) and the film is an edge-of-your-seat action thriller with well-developed characters and beautiful cinematography to boot. So, if you’re not into the buzz yet, I’ll be the first to say that yes, even with all the hype, it’s worth seeing. I’m no fangirl, but I do wish that I had thick enough hair to rock an awesome tribute braid. 

-Kelly 

A photo still from the hotly anticipated film, The Hunger Games emerged over the weekend and buzz has been going through the roof!

Based on a New York Times best selling book series, the film features actors Elizabeth Banks (in all her Effie Trinket regalia), Woody Harrelson, and Jennifer Lawrence. Taylor Swift, Arcade Fire, and The Decemberists have all jumped on board for the soundtrack and the film has even been attracting a celebrity fan base.

The Hunger Games is a fictional, dystopian love story featuring a brave girl from a hardscrabble life, selected and forced into a vicious, nationally-sponsored fight to the death with a peer who just so happens to be the object of her affection. It’s been well received by critics and the public alike; many are praising the teenage female lead Katniss Everdeen’s character as a positive influence on young girls. Without giving any spoilers, suffice to say that Katniss is a refreshing break from the status quo of romanticized damsels in distress; she is a strong survivor who provides for her family.

Lionsgate, which announced on Friday that it is purchasing Summit Entertainment, hopes the film will be as successful as the Twilight series (although some argue that the two films should not be compared). Either way, excitement about the film’s release has definitely spread; tickets will go on sale a full month before the official release date.

With the overwhelming popularity of the book, plenty of readers are looking forward to seeing how the suspenseful story will translate to cinematic form. As a fan myself, I’d say from the trailerthat the odds appear to be in our favor.

The Hunger Games is the first novel in a trilogy and this film is the first of what is likely to become four films, with the final installment being shot in two parts. The academy award winning screenwriter of Slumdog Millionaire is already on the project for the second movie, Catching Fire, expected to be released in November 2013.

-Angelique

Everyone loses games; few change them. This is the story of a Major League Baseball general manager and his decision to set down his checkbook, and pick up the Moneyball.

The 20th century had just come to a close, and the Oakland Athletics were becoming a desperate franchise in Major League Baseball. It seemed that every emerging star the A’s could get their hands on would eventually get poached by the major market giants like the Boston Red Sox or the New York Yankees. They once had Jason Giambi, Johnny Damon and Jason Isringhausen on their roster, but lost all three of them to free agency simply because they had less to offer when it came to convince players that Oakland was on the rise.

Oakland had to look for a new strategy to compete with the big spenders in the game. In order to find success, they would have to wipe the slate clean, and do it a different way. General Manager Billy Beane and his staff had the answer, and they took the unbeaten path to find it.

Moneyball is their story. It is a film based off of the non-fiction book by Michael Lewis and today it will hit movie theaters all across America. In the film, star actor Brad Pitt plays the role of Beane, and critics have been raving that he truly has knocked one out of the park with his latest performance.

Still need a little more convincing? Check out the Moneyball Trap for commentary, reviews and articles that delve into background of Beane, a man that pioneered an entirely new perspective on how the game of baseball is dissected.

-Geoff