My Current 'Catching Fire' Obsession

Ever since I saw Katniss and Peeta participate in the Quarter Quell for the 75th anniversary of the Hunger Games on opening weekend, I cannot stop thinking about “The Hunger Games” books and the “Catching Fire” movie. In fact, I had to see it again over the weekend — which was just as entertaining. And since “Catching Fire” has become an itch that I cannot seem to scratch, I turned back to the books for a good reread and something surprising happened.

The books are better upon a reread

While I have always been a fan of the first book, I think the cliff hanger nature of the second book always turned me off…except for this reread. I truly enjoyed the book and was not even bored reading the book so close to having seen the movies — twice. I even loved “Mockingjay” this time around. Perhaps the slew of dystopian novels that have come along since the publication of “The Hunger Games” gave me better perspective on the writing and the story. It is just leaps and bounds better than most of what’s out there. Someone remind me to go change my Goodreads ratings.

Nothing is really missing from the book

Bringing high-waisted garments for men back in style

Oh Hey Finnick, RAWR

Sure, I agreed with many friends about “Catching Fire” being one of the best book-to-screen adaptation done (perhaps ever?), but since it had been about 4 years since I read “Catching Fire,” I couldn’t really remember if anything was missing. Now that the book is fresh in my mind, I cannot identify any true scenes that are missing that I’m sad about. Sure, would it have been cool to see Katniss and Peeta watch and learn about Haymitch in 2nd Quarter Quell and understand a little bit more of his back story? Absolutely! However, realizing the movie was already a 2.5 hour run-time, I think cutting that scene is a smart solution. I also liked the fact that Katniss, Peeta and Haymitch started to train themselves like ‘Careers’ before the reaping, but did not really move the story along for the purpose of pacing for the movie. If these are really my only two “it would have been cool, but not upset” from the book to the movie, I say a job well done!

Obsessing Over Details

What were the other wedges of horror at the Quarter Quell? Katniss and crew could have easily ended up in the bug wedge and that visual is just plain wrong. I would have had to flounce the movie so quickly as flesh-eating bugs are my hard limit.

Click to enlarge for maximum geekiness about the 75th Annual Hunger Games

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Youtube Diving for “Catching Fire” Interview Gems

Nothing wastes a good couple hours better than the endless nature of youtube diving with related video posts. Lesson learned? Josh Hutcherson could give Peeta a run for his (lack of) money as most charming at talk show interviews.