The Hunger Games

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Katniss,in the Hunger Games novels and in this big screen version of the first book, is a feisty and strong female character — and she’s the heart and soul of the story. A lot of this tale rests on her young shoulders as she’s about the only interesting character taking on the 1% of the future. No fear here, Jennifer Lawrence plays her confidently.

The Hunger Games movie will please the fans of the book series and it will work as effective entertainment for most moviegoers. Younger teens should find another movie.

Those adults looking for an action movie will be disappointed. The shaky-cam approach leaves the action blurred and distant. I usually hate the shaky-cam approach, but given that any action involves young kids fighting each other to the death, I believe that was a good choice here.

Simply put:  Looking for a faithful adaptation and a thrill ride?  The odds are ever in your favor

Award potential: Jennifer Lawrence pulled a surprise nomination for Winter’s Bone, but she won’t repeat with this action movie

The ten buck review: Worth ten bucks.

21 Jump Street - Really? What Late '80's TV Show Will Hit Theaters Next?

In honor of 21 Jump Street — the movie, which opens today, I wonder what other late eighties TV shows will be coming to theaters soon...

We Need To Talk About Kevin

Lynne Ramsay’s unrelenting thriller is not about a nightmare Elm Street. It’s a about a nightmare on your street — what if your baby boy grows into something terrifying?  Kevin’s mother Eva (Tilda Swinton) wonders about the actions of her son while the audience wonders how much more she, and we, can take.

This is not a domestic drama with depth like A Separation. But if your idea of a scary movie is a psychological, non-gory one like The Omen, Shutter Island or Fatal Attraction, then get the popcorn ready.

Simply put:  Plays great as a chilling horror movie – but this is not an examination of nature versus nurture.

Award potential: Tilda was nominated for a SAG for her chilling performance. Keep your eye on Ezra Miller (Kevin) in the future.

The ten buck review: Worth two bucks. Watch on DVD for scary-movie night.

A Separation

In the first minutes of A Separation, a married couple is faced with a difficult decision. Simin wants to leave Iran with her husband and daughter. Her husband, Nader, wants to stay in Iran and look after a parent with Alzheimer's. When their request for a divorce is denied, they agree to a separation, which sets the stage for a series of events that reveal rifts, lies, and half truths between generations, ideologies, religions, genders and classes in Tehran.

A Separation is a thrilling domestic drama that is compelling as both drama and debate.  

I promise, you won't forget this captivating film anytime soon. Yeh, in a good way.

Simply put: A thrilling domestic drama from Iran with a story that isn't so foreign

Award potential: A Separation won the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film in 2012, becoming the first Iranian movie to win the award.

The ten buck review: Worth ten bucks or 122,592 rial.