This forum is for all the topics that don't fit anywhere else. Post anything from Hello's to Web Links.
 #92402  by Key
 
Of all the book series I've been told to read, the Hunger Games was the first that I went into without skepticism. Firstly, there weren't any bad things that people had to say about it. Unlike Twilight, which most guys I'm sure would give a cold shoulder. My uncle, a biology teacher, recommended the book. I knew my mom and sister had both read the series. Since the movie came out this week, I started reading the book Monday. My friend lent it to me. I got to about chapter 4 and that was all - by the time I knew it, it was Friday.

I just got done watching the movie.

I am here right now to express my feelings about the movie; the realizations I have come to and the emotions it has evoked from my inner person. For all of you who have not seen the movie, don't worry - I won't be giving out too crucial of information. If I do, I will give a spoiler alert ahead of time. Honestly, I do hope you read this all because it's very personal to me.



The most prominent feeling the movie gave me, remember I only got to chapter 4, is depression. I have this depression for several reasons. The first and foremost is that the people of District 12 (and all the other districts really) are so enfeebled by the power of the Capitol. They cherish everything, they value everything. This ties into my perspective as pity for myself - I'm given so many things in my life. Opportunities, possessions, friends - all of which most of the time I disregard as inconveniences. This and that could always be better. I know it's only natural to want what we can't have (which is truly why I am writing this in the first place). But my point is, I try to be as thankful as possible for what I have either way. Whether it be friends, enemies, fortunes, misfortunes - everything. It's truly hard, but it helps me sleep at night. I've come to learn there's a reason behind everything. If you're reading this and you don't agree with me - give it a couple years. I didn't believe it at first either. Maybe it's just a way of making myself feel better when something bad happens but I don't want to think in a negative manner.

My second reason for being depressed, is obviously because of the Hunger Games. SPOILER ALERT The children in the movie died so easily - the 12 year-old's that is. It was intensely saddening, just to see them be wasted like that. SPOILER ALERT END Such innocent children, being killed. It's an incredibly emotional experience just seeing it on TV or on the internet. Or reading about it. There's never a moment when the death of children is a pleasant thing. This is how I am relating this movie to real life because obviously this is a fictional story. But this happens everywhere around the world, children are killed daily. Of course not in more civilized countries, but it does happen. We are ALL so lucky to not have to live in an environment like that, and it's just another thing to truly be grateful for.

Third reason for being depressed, is because of Katniss and Peeta. SPOILER ALERT They are brought together by the experience of the Hunger Games. I don't think they would have really found each other had this not happened, and for that reason I don't like it. They were pretty much forced into it when you think about it. But the reason I'm depressed about this is because it reminds me of my own life somehow. SPOILER ALERT END I think it's why I enjoyed the Twilight Series so much - because it put a sort of romance in my life that hasn't been present for a long while. I don't care if you think of me differently for liking the Twilight books - they were actually readable. I am 100% sure that if you read them, you would probably agree - most guys would not like to admit this either way because they're embarrassed. Embarrassed for the reason I mentioned a few sentences ago, strictly because it's associated with feminism. All of us LOVE to be loved - it's just such a great feeling. All of us want attention, want to be known, we want to matter to other people, we want to be cared about. My romantic life has never been perfect. I've never had a girlfriend I regret breaking up with or one that I actually miss. Twilight provided me with a similar feeling. Of course it was just a book - I know. That's why I don't have TEAM CULLEN tattooed across my back. How I'm tying this in with the Hunger Games is that the relationship present in the characters really brought it upon me to think of this all.

Final reason for depression, is it made me feel really bad about myself. It made me realize that I'm not really good at anything in my life. I'm always one step below. Sure I can play a few classic guitar riffs, but hell I can't tell you how to play the simplest of guitar chords and I sure as hell can't play the rest of the song for you. Sure I'm good at reading/writing Spanish, but I can't speak it or understand it very well when it's thrown at me. It also really made me look at myself as I was driving home. It made me question who I am, and what importance I have in this world. I couldn't really think of any responsibilities I have to maintain for others in my community or life to continue functioning. I also noticed how weak I am, especially since I quit playing baseball and wrestling. I've lost at least 20 lbs since I stopped working out on a daily basis. Ironic? Meh. I'd like to be positive and say that there's a reason for that too, but I honestly can't think of one. I think naturally I am just a depressive person. I am most able to think clearly when I am, as opposed to when I'm much happier. I've known misery for so long that all other feelings seem alien, I just know how to put on a good mask.


Now it's your turn, please do a few things for me.

1. Please read the Hunger Games.
2. Value your family, friends, enemies. Even if they don't do the same.
3. Value what you are given, be happy for the things in your life. For your shelter, your food, your clothes, your body.
4. Give yourself time to rest and review your day and how it really all was something to truly be grateful for experiencing. Even if it was a bad thing.



One last thing before you go - remember who you are and that there is no one else in the world like you, and that you are a vital asset to my life. If you're reading this, chances are you are a very good friend of mine.

On my Certificate of Membership for the Isshinryu World Karate Association, they spelled my middle name wrong and crossed out the improper letter. An F was put where the P should go (Stephan) because they assumed that it was one and the same. Just goes to show how unique every fine detail that makes you who you are really is. If I can't be happy, so be it. I will live to see a brighter day. I just want you all to be happy. Making others happy is all I need to satisfy myself.


PS If you think of my differently for liking the Twilight books - please note I do not care what you think about me. At all. Good day to you!

 #92404  by Archaic
 
There's nothing to be ashamed of by what books people like lol, "A Song of Ice and Fire" series is my personal favorite, I could care less what others think about it.

Hm I've heard mention of this Hunger Games deal here and there for the last month or so, but I have no idea what it is. I've recently seen the T.V. trailers for it as well, and I still have no idea what it is. I don't know if I just missed the whole book sensation while I was deployed or what, but this seems like it just came out of no where to me.

So, could you summerize what all this is about?

 #92422  by Key
 
The Hunger Games is about 12 districts in a post apocalyptic world that are forced to compete in annual "Hunger Games" by the Capitol. The Districts are poor and are at the mercy of the Capitol (a gigantic supertech city.) District 12, where Katniss is from, is known for it's coal exports. Each year during a "reaping", a boy and girl tribute are drawn randomly from the population of each district and put into a TV show (The Hunger Games). Their goal is to be the last to survive. They're put into gigantic outdoor arenas. The ages that can be drawn range from 12 to 18.

I do warn you, it's a really long movie. I went in at 10:30 PM with my friend and we didn't get out till 1:06 AM. Still good though. You don't really need to read the book because the movie did an EXCELLENT job of being similar and including about 90% of what happened in the book.