It looks like this is going to be a huge money maker. They sold a ton of tickets 4 weeks before the premier. I'm not sure I want to see it, but it's intriguing. North American collapse. People poor and hungry. A sadistic government of sorts with an entertainment of young people who fight to the death. Sci-fi with an eerie touch of reality from today and shades of "1984" with "all citizens are required to watch". I think this may appeal to young people more.

Also this tidbit:

On February 22nd, four weeks before The Hunger Games' release, Lionsgate began selling advanced tickets. Not only did the ticket sales break the one-day record originally held by The Twilight Saga: Eclipse, but also accounted for 83% of the ticket sales of the day. 

---

http://www.imdb.com/hungergames/

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Harry Potter! lol  Didn't read the books, but the movies are great. 

I second that! I'm sure some of your kidlets could loan you the movies, sooz. Give in! 

I think The Hunger Games is so popular because the tweens are reading it in school.

It's much better than Twilight, but I think it's a mixed bag.

The female lead is very good.  It's pretty much the same role she played in Winter's Bone, but she is strong and sensitive.   I like her.

The base scenario for hunger games is ghastly and we don't experience the full horror I think we should.  I think it seems back pedaled because the novels were aimed at adolescents. 

Technically, too much shakey cam.

The ending feels like a cop-out.  The hardest decision was removed from the scenario.