Mockingjay: Part 2 - First Teaser

We have our first look at the war moving into the Capitol in The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 2... and it looks pretty awesome.

Lionsgate exploring Hunger Games prequels and sequels

More proof that studios need to beat every living ounce of something great.

Lionsgate announced earlier that Mockingjay - Part 2 will be released in IMAX 3D, but we also got a bit of information from CEO John Feltheimer regarding the future of The Hunger Games franchise. Apparently the studio is exploring options for expansion not limited to sequels and/or prequels to the original trilogy.

The Hunger Games has earned over $2 billion at the box office so far, but it's very unlikely that our main stars would continue doing Hunger Games films even after the second half of Mockingjay is released this November. Depending on how close they stayed to the end of the book, Katniss and Peeta would be long gone by the time any sequels came to be.
This is obviously a get rich scheme and it's disgusting. The focus shifted off Twilight so now they're trying to push forward The Hunger Games. I don't approve.

New trailer for Mockingjay - Part 1

I think after this trailer I'm done, but we shall see.

New poster for Mockingjay - Part 1

I like this one a lot more than the previous one. It's much better than the Catching Fire posters, too.

Why I haven't been blogging as much

If you're a regular reader of this blog you might have noticed that I haven't been posting as much news recently. I have been aware of it, obviously, and I figured I would tell you guys why that is.

The basic explanation is I don't have as much time. I have a job and I went back to school for the semester earlier in August. My days consist of waking up at 6am, going to school, coming home around for like an hour or so, and then turning around and going to work. By the time I get home I am just beat and when I do go online and read news stories and movie sites, I just don't feel like spending the extra time to write something up to share. I have been keeping up and I read my sites just about every day like I always did, but posting on here has been difficult. A good 13-14 hours of my day is eaten up away from my computer so it just is what it is.
In addition to this subject is I don't have the time to go see as many movies anymore. As it currently stands I have only seen 11 movies in theaters this year. By this time last year I had seen 20+ and the year before I was practically at the movie theater every weekend to see something. I had a lot more time and more to talk about and review. At this point a majority of news stories I could keep talking about I don't want to keep focusing on and that leads into this next reason.

I have hopped on board with a group of moviegoers who are sick and tired of spoilers. I watch the YouTube show, Pretty Much It, and they were the first ones I noticed that really started practicing this and I have seen how it changed their views on film. It seems that the studios are fine with releasing 3-5 trailers for each movie along with set photos, promo spots, and viral campaigns to get people excited. However, all it does is ruin the allure of the movie. I used to be one of those people to read and watch just about everything about an upcoming release that I was excited about, but when I saw the movie I would either be disappointed that all the good stuff was something I already saw in the trailers or that the good stuff I saw in the trailers wasn't even in the movie.

Recent examples of things I have limited myself on or stayed away from:

1. Guardians of the Galaxy: I absolutely loved this movie, but I don't think I would have loved it as much if I would have read and/or watched as much as I did on previous Marvel releases. I watched the first two trailers and then decided to stop. I didn't watch interviews, I didn't look at promo photos past the first set that was released, etc.. I went in pretty fresh and I wound up enjoying that movie probably more than any previous Marvel release.
2. Jurassic World: I was cool seeing the posters and the JW cars at SDCC and all that, but when I saw that people were leaking the Jurassic World maps and stuff like that I decided to step away. I'll watch a trailer but after that I'm done until the movie is released.
3. Star Wars - Episode VII: I am curious about this new Star Wars film, don't get me wrong, but I don't want to spoil it for myself. I looked at the first set of photos that were leaked by TMZ but I am not going to look at any more until we get any official stuff. I will watch the trailer when it comes out and I will look at a set of promo photos but I'm stopping after that.
4. Gone Girl: The trailer looked great so I am stopping before I have the entire movie ruined for me by promotions and viral marketing. 
5. Interstellar: Again, the trailers look great and I don't think Christopher Nolan will disappoint with this one. Why keep watching for stuff that will ruin the movie?
6. Mockingjay - Part 1: I am excited as all hell but after fully immersing myself in the marketing for Catching Fire, I want to leave myself some surprises for Mockingjay. 

When it comes time for trailers and promos to come for other 2015 releases such as The Avengers: Age of Ultron, Tomorrowland, Insidious: Chapter 3, and Ant-Man I will be very limited. My first real test with this whole way of viewing movies was Guardians of the Galaxy and I had such a good time that I'm irritated with myself about how I was watching movies before. Movies are supposed to be fun. They aren't supposed to be nitpicked and spoiled before you even walk into the theater. I don't think I even need to go into what happened with The Amazing Spider-Man 2. 
The same applies for television shows at this point. I haven't watched or looked at anything for the fifth season of The Walking Dead other than the initial trailer shown at SDCC. I watched everything leading up to season four and I didn't enjoy it as much as I could have. I've been scrolling right past TWD posts on websites and on Facebook because I don't want the spoilers. I'm limiting myself on American Horror Story promos, too. I am watching the teasers but I don't think I'm going to watch the first full trailer or look at any other promotional stuff.


Now what does this mean for this blog? Well, there obviously won't be as many posts. I apologize for that if you're a regular reader and I appreciate you taking the time to read, but it's just gotten ridiculous lately. I will still post on here but I am being even more selective with what I post.

SDCC: First teaser for Mockingjay - Part 1

I guess I expected more.

Comic-Con poster for Mockingjay - Part 1

We are getting a sneak peek of the exclusive Comic-Con poster for The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 1. The film won't have any real presence at the con this year as Lionsgate decided to forfeit a panel, but we are still getting some pieces of info from the film.

Personally, this poster looks like a freshman Photoshop project but it is what it is.

The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 1 trailer to premiere at SDCC

We finally have confirmation that the first full trailer for The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 1 will premiere at San Diego Comic-Con next weekend. The trailer will air on the Galaxy Tab S as part of the Samsung Galaxy Experience on Friday, July 25th at 12pm. The trailer will be introduced by the cast despite there being no Hunger Games panel this year. The main reason the trailer is premiering this way and not in Hall H is because there is no panel.

Now... actually seeing this trailer right away is going to be a bit tricky if you're not at Comic-Con or don't own a Samsung device. If you are not at SDCC, you can see a short preview of the trailer at participating Best Buy locations. They will also be handing out a limited supply of complimentary tickets for Mockingjay - Part 1 if you watch the preview.
Another way to participate is to download the Hunger Games Movie Pack app. The app will be a free download on capable Samsung devices beginning July 28th and will give Galaxy owners access to exclusive Hunger Games content.

In other words, if you're not at SDCC or don't own a Samsung device you're pretty much screwed on seeing the trailer right away. There isn't any information on when the trailer will be available for everyone to watch, but I am pretty sure something will leak online before the weekend is up. Stuff from SDCC always finds its way out before it should. I also agree with the guys over at Collider in saying that this marketing campaign seems to be more of a Samsung advertisement than one for The Hunger Games. It's a bit of an odd choice.

Second address for Mockingjay - Part 1. The Mockingjay lives!

I got some hefty goosebumps at the end of this one.

New teaser surfaces for Mockingjay - Part 1

We are finally starting to get some teasers for The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 1. Today we received a message from the Capitol and President Snow. You also see a familiar face standing with him. If you read the book you will know why it makes me sad.





It's about time we started getting more than irrelevant promotional posters. I am still somewhat in shock that we haven't received a trailer yet. Give us a teaser or something! Something more than just a message from President Snow. Footage. We need footage! 
But with that said, there are whispers that a teaser will premiere before Transformers: Age of Extinction this weekend, so the wait might be almost over. We will no doubt get a trailer at Comic-Con later in July, too.

The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 1 hits theaters on November 21st. Part 2 holds a release date of November 20th, 2015.

First look at The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 1

It is about freaking time we got something for this movie.



Above we have the motion poster. I apologize if you just got blasted with sound like I did.

Here we have first look pictures featuring Julianne Moore, Woody Harrelson, Jeffrey Wright, and Philip Seymour Hoffman. We also have one featuring director Francis Lawrence.

And one more... here is a video clip with Julianne Moore.



Enjoy!

Michelle Forbes joins Mockingjay - Part 2

We have yet another casting announcement for The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 2.

Michelle Forbes, most often known for her portrayal of Maryann Forrester in True Blood, has been cast as Lieutenant Jackson in the second part of the Hunger Games finale. You also might recognize Forbes from the short-lived series The Killing and Battlestar Galactica.
Mockingjay has apparently wrapped filming already and many are speculating that we will be getting a teaser for Mockingjay - Part 1 before too long. At this time last year we already had one for Catching Fire, so the marketing is a bit behind schedule.

If you aren't familiar with Jackson, she is a soldier from District 13 who is placed on Squad 451 as a sharpshooter alongside Katniss, Gale, and Finnick. She is also tricked by Katniss on numerous occasions while on District 13 missions. She is described as a middle-aged woman who is capable of seeing and shooting objects others can't see without a scope.

First teaser for The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 1

Here it is!

This is a pretty nice change to the mockingjay pin as it shows the wings fully extended as Katniss spreads her wings as the "mockingjay." It is still fairly similar to the Catching Fire poster, though. At first glance you'd probably think it was the Catching Fire poster. There is a similarity between all the posters so far.

Most anticipated films of 2014

With the year wrapping up shortly it is that time to look ahead and see what we have coming to us in 2014. We won't be getting as many blockbusters as 2015 will have in store, but we are still expecting some major releases. Here are my most anticipated films of 2014:

February:

The LEGO Movie
The Monument's Men

March:

Veronica Mars
Nymphomaniac: Part One
Noah
The Raid: Berandal

April:

Captain America: The Winter Soldier

May:

Godzilla
X-Men: Days of Future Past
Maleficent

June:

22 Jump Street

July:

Dawn of the Planet of the Apes

August:

Guardians of the Galaxy
Sin City: A Dame to Kill For
Jessabelle

November:

Interstellar
Dumb & Dumber To
The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 1
Horrible Bosses 2


Not a bad list for what we have official as of right now. A couple movies shifted from 2014 to 2015, like Fast & Furious 7 and Fifty Shades of Grey, so hopefully this list stays accurate and we don't get any surprise delays.

Here's to a better 2014! Happy new year, everyone.

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire - Review

After their victory in the 74th Hunger Games sparks a rebellion across the districts of Panem, Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark return to the arena to fight against other surviving victors in The Hunger Games: Catching Fire.


I just have to start by saying this was a great movie and a pretty decent book to film adaptation. I personally enjoyed it more than The Hunger Games and I found it was a lot closer to the source material. Obviously, there were things left out but a majority of what is in the film was in the book. That was a big breath of fresh air. Especially after The Hunger Games had so much missing and had a lot of new things incorporated into the plot.
Starting off with direction, I think Francis Lawrence did a much better job than Gary Ross. The movie itself had a much better flow and it was a lot smoother than The Hunger Games was. I also think the actors had a lot more purpose than they did before.
As far as acting goes, I thought some people did a better job while some people floundered a bit. I thought Josh Hutcherson, Elizabeth Banks, and Woody Harrelson were fantastic and much better this time around. I'm not saying they were bad in the first movie, but they were more enjoyable and just better this time around. Jennifer Lawrence was the confusing one for me. She was great in The Hunger Games and had her moments in Catching Fire as well, but I feel like she wasn't really trying during the first half of the movie. I don't know if it was intentional to show how damaged Katniss had become or if she is just one of those actresses that has elements she is good and bad at. It was a bit off. I also want to take the moment to say that I cannot stand Liam Hemsworth. They could have cast a much better actor as Gale. I feel like he was cast based on physical appearance and the fact that his brother is Thor.
Regarding the new characters, I thought a majority of the casting was marvelous. Sam Claflin, Jena Malone, Jeffrey Wright, Amanda Plummer, and Lynn Cohen were such great choices, specifically Malone and Wright. I thought Beetee and Johanna were portrayed beautifully. Sam Claflin surprised me a bit, too. I won't say that his portrayal is exactly how I envisioned Finnick Odair when I read the books, but it wasn't necessarily bad. Another newcomer is Philip Seymour Hoffman who I thought did a great job as Plutarch Heavensbee, the new gamemaker. He was very believable as the character.

Now I want to talk about aspects of the movie that have spoilers, so if you haven't seen Catching Fire yet and/or didn't read the books I encourage you to come back once you have. You don't want it ruined for you.

Wes Chatham and Elden Henson join Mockingjay

Wes Chatham and Elden Henson have joined the cast of The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Parts 1 & 2. Chatham will play Castor and Henson will play Pollux.

You have seen Chatham in films such as The Help and W.
Henson looks more familiar as he has been seen back as far as the Mighty Ducks trilogy. Since then you've seen him in Idle Hands, The Butterfly Effect, She's All That, and most recently in Jobs. He has been formerly billed as Elden Ratliff and Elden Ryan Ratliff.

Now to the important stuff... Castor and Pollux aren't huge characters, but they do serve their purpose. The two are brothers and work closely with Cressida (Natalie Dormer) and Messalla (Evan Ross). They are both Capitol cameramen who join the rebellion and film propaganda pieces by following Katniss. Pollux and Castor are each a former Avox*.

*If you don't know what an Avox is, they are basically runaways from the Capitol and have been punished for rebelling. They have their tongues cut out and are Capitol servants who serve the tributes and Capitol citizens.

Julianne Moore confirmed for Mockingjay Parts 1 & 2

I could have sworn this already came out (UPDATE: It did), but we have confirmation that Julianne Moore will play President Alma Coin in The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Parts 1 & 2.

Without giving too much away, Moore will play the President of  District 13 who you will soon find out is a lot more complicated than it seems. Click the jump for some spoilers on Coin.

Evan Ross cast for Mockingjay Parts 1 & 2

The Hunger Games casting seems to be going a bit wild right now. This is the third casting announcement in the past couple of days.

We got word via Twitter today that Evan Ross (CW's 90210) has been cast as Messalla, the video production assistant to Cressida. Messalla is a Capitol native who later joins the rebellion and is part of a television crew who follows Katniss to film short propaganda films. He is valuable to the rebels because he knows the secret hiding spots of supplies within the Capitol.
I don't know anything about this kid, but after a quick Google search I learned he is the son of singer Diana Ross. That's about it.

The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1 hits theaters on November 21, 2014 and Part 2 hits on November 20, 2015.

Stef Dawson joins Mockingjay Parts 1 & 2

Australian actress Stef Dawson has joined the cast of The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Parts 1 & 2. She will be playing Annie Cresta, a former victor and love interest of Finnick Odair.

If you need some catch up on Annie:

She was the winner from District 4 at the 70th annual Hunger Games entering as a career tribute.
She went a bit insane after witnessing her District 4 partner get beheaded.
Is the one true love of Finnick.
Described to have green eyes and flowing brown hair.
She avoided the Quarter Quell (in Catching Fire) after Mags volunteered to take her place.


Not really who I pictured as Annie, but oh well. I've honestly never heard of this girl so I don't know what to expect.

Natalie Dormer joins Mockingjay Parts 1 & 2; Sharni Vinson for Adi Shankar

We have some casting news for the day.

First up is that Natalie Dormer (Game of Thrones) has signed onto The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Parts 1 & 2 to play the role of Cressida. If you're unaware of what part Cressida plays, basically she is a resident director of the Capitol who joins the rebellion. She assists Katniss throughout the rebellion and uses her to create anti-Capitol propaganda. You can see Dormer in two films coming up; Ron Howard's race car drama Rush and Ridley Scott's The Counselor.

Second, we have some casting news about Adi Shankar's all female Expendables project that was announced a while ago. In addition to Gina Carano and Katee Sackhoff, it was released that Sharni Vinson has joined the film. Don't know that name? Neither does anyone else!
Vinson is in the upcoming horror film You're Next and has appeared in Step Up 3D. She was also a series regular on the Australian television series Home and Away. Her casting shows that the movie is progressing and moving toward an actual production date. Who knows, it could even technically be The Expendables 4.