What will happen next?

Rating: 8/10 (13 September 2012)

Suzanne Collins' trilogy begins with the Hunger Games in the futuristic society where every year 24 are selected from 12 districts. Jennifer Lawrence delivers an Oscar worthy performance as Katniss Everdeen who goes in for her sister. She and another boy about her age from their hungry poor village in the outbacks of the capitol. The future looks grim and depressing in Catniss's community. Once she is selected, she and the other guy are sent to the Capitol. I have to say that the make up, hair, and costumes are outlandish, strange, and even bizarre. The people in the Capitol seem to relish the hunger games. While the future has the inevitable society catastrophe of wars, drought and famine, the Capitol city seems untouched. What bothers me about this movie is the violence and children caught in this horrific game of survival viewed by the world. I wonder why others didn't volunteer to enter the hunger games instead of children who stood no chance. It's a brutal film. I am becoming a fan of Jennifer Lawrence who does a terrific job here and deserves a second Oscar nomination. She reminded me of her role in "Winter's Bone."