The Spectacular Now: The Movie

On Tuesday, the hubs and I attended a special screening of The Spectacular Now complete with a question and answer session with Athens hometown hero, director James Ponsoldt. It was a fabulous evening to say the least! Hubs and I enjoyed our weeknight date immensely. 

The movie poster for The Spectacular Now. 

We started our night by having dinner at The National in downtown Athens, Georgia. This was the first time either of us had been there and it was wonderful! The National is a little fancier than we normally go for (meaning pricey) BUT it was VERY much worth it! Perfect for our pre-Prom dinner! 

AND...The National is right next door to this place...

Cinè hosted the night's event. We'd never been here either but I was impressed. Cinè is an "art house theater" which means they play educational and festival films. It is a great venue. They hosted this event not only to support The Spectacular Now, which was was filmed in Athens and James Ponsoldt, the director, who is from Athens; but they are also raising fund to get digital projectors to use in conjunction with film. (It is a worthy cause if you are interested check the Cinè website for more info!)

Tickets!

Me and the Mister at the Prom Party!

Cheers! Best cream soda ever.

After the movie Q & A with James Ponsoldt (director) on the left.

 

Me with James Ponsoldt who was kind enough to speak with me after what I'm sure was a LONG day for him. You could tell he was passionate about making GOOD movies and that he was passionate about Athens!

Me & Mister. One of the best date nights ever!

Alli's Thoughts on The Spectacular Now movie: 

I'd listened to all but the every end of the audio book. I always love when good books are made into movies; sometimes I am disappointed and sometimes I am truly surprised. I was very pleased by what I saw. The movie stayed true to the feel of the book and I recognized some of the dialogue as coming straight from the novel. Some things were a little different but there was mad respect paid to the original written work by author Tim Tharp.  

In fact, when I got the chance, I told Mr. Ponsoldt I thought he did a good job of representing the book. He told me that Tim Tharp had been on set and was pleased with the movie. (Which makes me happy, I often wonder what authors think once their words become movies.)

Like I mentioned before, the movie was filmed in Athens which is practically my own hometown. So I was super excited to see sights I easily recognized. It wasn't over done with our "major landmarks" but if you are familiar with the area, you'll know it's Athens in the movie! (Hometown love!)

The movie itself is a magnificent coming of age story. It is rated R and appropriately so. There is some nudity in a tasteful sex scene, lots of cussing and underage drinking. All these things were pulled directly from the book. The movie is based of a Young Adult novel that deals with some very real issues some teens face. The movie did a great job of portraying the teen experience.

Miles Teller plays the main character, Sutter. I was amazed. Teller always reminds me of a young Vince Vaughn, fast-talking and funny. He WAS Sutter. 

I was really surprised by was Shailene Woodley, who played Aimee. I've seen her in Secret Life before so I just didn't know what to expect from her. But she really sold me and I'm excited to see her in her upcoming roles in Divergent and The Fault in Our Stars (also based on YA novels!).

I really enjoyed our whole experience. I totally want to see The Spectacular Now again and I can't wait to add it to our own movie collection. 

The Spectacular Now opens in more cities today. If you check it out let know what you thought about it! 

Movie Review: The Host

Last week MrCaptKirk and I were lucky enough to score advanced screening passes for The Host! I was extremely excited about this! I as you know, I am a HUGE Twilight and Stephenie Meyer fan so I was thrilled to get an early peek at The Host, which is based on the book of the same name by Stephenie Meyer.

Here was my initial reaction upon seeing the movie, as seen on my Facebook page:

"The Host movie soooooooo awesomely awesome! I want to see it again asap. So different from Twilight but a great movie in my opinion. (So if you loved or hated Twilight give The Host a try!)"

The Host is about a parasitic alien race that invades Earth and takes over human bodies, turning humans into...Hosts. Get it?? Yeah... :) But as one might imagine, sometimes getting rid of all the human-ness out of a body might be more difficult in some cases and therefore leading to engaging story.

There is a love triangle but oh man it's got a twist to it! And The Host is not just a "love story," there is so much more going on. It's about survival and what it means to be human. It's about relationships, both romantic and familial, and what that means when your loved ones aren't your loved ones anymore. 

I read the book probably about four years ago now. (Wow, has it been that long!? I want to reread it soon. See more about the book, The Host, on Goodreads.) I remember liking The Host, thinking it was way different from Twilight, and it taking me a while to get into it but once I did, I really dug it. But I don't remember enough to really compare the book and the movie at all. I would say that I thought the movie pacing was very good and I didn't feel any long, disconnected period in the beginning like I remember feeling with the book. 

Saoirse Ronan, the actress that played Wanda/Melanie, did a fantabulous job! I was really blown away. I can only imagine how difficult it would be to play two characters. At once. Ah-mazing.

While I was watching the movie, I did notice (and how I missed this knowing how much I worshiped Stephenie Meyer's work at one point) that Stephenie has a thing for eyes. Stay with me here, in Twilight the eyes were one way you could identify the vampires and you could also tell if they were hungry and if they were "vegetarian" vamps or dined the more traditional vampire way, based on their eye color. Well in The Host you know when the alien soul had taken over a body...by the eyes!! Ahhh, mind blown. And sure like everyone else who has ever been remotely interested in Meyer's work already knew this. But I guess SEEING it on the big screen really made it clear to me. Like the old saying, "The eyes are the windows to the soul." (Clearly there wasn't a real point that rant, but isn't that cool?!)

My only real "complaint" with The Host was it was a little bit cheesy. But it actually kind of worked with the story. Imagine how lame you might be if you were new on the planet. You'd might be a bit lame too. So just go with the cheesiness as it provides some comic relief.

The movie ended at a good point but left it open for a sequel that I'm REALLY hoping for! And hey, it could happen! Stephenie confirmed she was working on a Host 2. See more on that on Hypable.

I asked the Mister what he thought about The Host. (He has also read the book.) Here's what he said, "My thoughts on The Host is that I REALLY liked it, and think that if there are more books coming in the series that it could be the next big series. I loved the character development and the acting.

In summary...WE LOVED IT. We totes recommend going to see it! I wish I could be there tonight for the 9 pm show! (I hate work gets in the way of my non-work interests!) Oh well, to help pass the time til I can see it again, I'll post the movie trailer. Although, watching it again REALLY makes want to watch the movie again. Like now. 

Let me know if you are planning to see The Host! Have you seen it? Leave me some comments, this is one item I'd love to discuss more!

Movie Recommendation: The Call

The hubs and I went to see The Call staring Halle Berry last weekend. I thought it was really good and very representative of 911 to a point. (I think the turning point will probably become clear to you as you watch.)  I was going to try to review it for you all but I kept trying to be more technical than anyone would care to hear.

Basically, I thought it was a great suspenseful, law enforcement, thriller with a twist since it focuses mainly on the 911 operator rather the police officer. The Call kept me on the edge of my seat and my heart rate up throughout. The hubs seemed to enjoy the movie as well.  So the Kirk's say "Go see it!" And let me know if you see and what you think! I'm interested to hear what other people think about it.

Review: Beautiful Creatures

Finally! I'm getting around to writing my review for Beautiful Creatures! Yay! There's really no reason I haven't done this yet. I've been done with the book for a while now. The hubs and I have been pretty busy living life and making memories so that has hindered me some I'm sure. Also, I've gone back to night shift and it always takes me a couple of weeks to really get back into the groove of whatever is "normal" when you are keeping vampire hours.

• Title: Beautiful Creatures
• Series: Caster Chronicles
• Author: Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl
• Genre: Young Adult Fantasy Romance
• Source: Purchased
• Fave Quote(s):

"Everything means somethin'. Don't try to change somethin' wild into somethin' tame." (Amma, page 369)

"I waited to hear the diagnosis for the mental illness Mrs. Lincoln thought Lena suffered from--the state of being different." (Ethan, page 397).

"The thing about fate is, are you the master of your fate, or are the stars?" (Marian, page 420) 

~~~

More info from Goodreads on Beautiful Creatures.

I've known about the Beautiful Creatures (Caster Chronicles) books for years but I just hadn't got around to reading them. I met the authors Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl at Yall Fest this past year (see below photo) and I knew I'd read the book sometime and with movie coming out the time was right. (See my movie review here.)

I really enjoyed Beautiful Creatures. I thought it was great that the story is told from a teenage boy's, Ethan, perspective. It seems that a lot of YA books or at least the ones I read have female main characters. I found that this change was refreshing and just as romantic as one could hope for.

As I have mentioned before, I'm from the South, y'all! So I loved that I could really picture the setting in my head. I loved that I could really imagine the type of place Gatlin would be. And as much as I love my home and I don't know how it is other places, I know we have tended to shun the unfamiliar, odd, unusual, or different around here. So again, I could really picture how Lena, and Macon too, was treated in a small town. We can all use a reminder not to judge and bully others just because they don't seem to be like us. (Major points for Beautiful Creatures for making us think and challenging us to accept more and hate less!) 

Beautiful Creatures was also literally an inspiring read for me. As I was reading there were many different things I was excited to recreate on my own. For one inspiration look back on that movie review. 

Next, there was mention of buttermilk pie in the book (page 27 in my copy). I wasn't familiar with buttermilk pie but it sounded Southern enough to me and I asked around found that yes this was a dessert and that many grand-mamas have made it plenty. I was assured that it tasted nothing of buttermilk (yuck!) and that it's easy to make! So I was in. Um. Y'all. It's sooooo good and sooooo easy! 

(Just search for "buttermilk pie" online, there are tons of recipes but they are all really similar and I really don't think you can go wrong on this one. The hubs LOVED it and is begging for us to make it again soon!)

Lastly, and probably more common, as I was reading I decided I HAD to have my very own Lena necklace! So I read the description carefully in the book and looked around online for what others had done. Then I made my own and I was very pleased with my results. I wore it when we went to see the movie. I love that it was Lena inspired and yet totally Alli too since I hand-picked my pieces and collected a few of my items from my beloved family members. (BIG thanks to my sis for finding a flattened penny from the zoo from ages ago!)

Me modeling my Lena necklace.

"They aren't really charms, just things that mean something to me." (Lena, page 146)

A "raven" for Lena's mom.

A black glass bead from Lena's aunt for luck.

A tab from a soda can tab like from Lena's first orange soda with her grandma.

The cameo "locket" Ethan found.

A red piece of yarn from Lena's sweater.

A bubble gum machine ring.

A little notebook (because that reminded me of how Lena's always writing in her journal).

Ethan's mom's paper clip star.

A flattened penny.

I gave Beautiful Creatures 4 out of 5 stars. If you are fan of the genre, you will most likely really enjoy this book. It's a good read with inspirations sprinkled throughout. It is on the longish side, almost 600 pages so it may not be a quick read. But I think it's more than worth the read. 

If you saw the movie and you're wondering if you should read the book, I'd say yes. The book has much more detail and therefore movie fans can delve deeper into the Caster world. I'm totally planning on reading the next book (Beautiful Darkness) in the series soon!

Have you read this one? Seen the movie yet? Have any of your own creations from this series? Let me know about them in the comments! If you have links to your projects I'd love to see them!

Movie Review: Beautiful Creatures

As you are getting ready for the weekend, allow me to make a suggestion. The Beautiful Creatures movie is based on the book of the same name by Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl. It makes for a great read and the movie is pretty good too! Hubs and I saw Beautiful Creatures on Valentine's and we both really enjoyed it.

Her thoughts:

I was still in the process of reading the Beautiful Creatures book when we saw the movie. (Look for that review, tomorrow, maybe, I think.) I knew going into it the book is 563 pages, so there was no way EVERYTHING from the book would make the cut for the movie. It's sad but true. I've learned not to expect books to movie or TV shows to be exactly. It would probably be pretty boring if it was totally the same, right? 

I did notice they tried to stay pretty close to the book and I think if you were really watching you could see little nods to the books. For example, Ethan and Lena drinking orange soda, in the book the can tab on Lena's necklace is from her first orange soda with her grandmother. Also, the town sign seemed to have a pie on it and there was mention of buttermilk pie in book. So I was happy that the movie threw us book lovers a couple of bones!

I enjoyed the movie itself just for being a movie. As some one born and raised in the South, I felt the actors over did it with the accents just a bit but hey, I might be a little sensitive to that. :) I thought that Alden Ehrenreich was a fabulous Ethan. He is cute and sweet and every time he did his little giggle...swoon! I thought the Macon character was pretty spot on. And I'm a long time Emmy Rossum fan so even though her Ridley was a little different than I expected I loved her in the role.

Overall I really enjoyed it. I really want to go see it again before it's out of theaters and I'll definitely be buying a copy for my DVD/Blu-Ray collection as soon as it's out. I wouldn't say it was the best movie ever but it was worthy of our Valentines Date Night. <3

His thoughts: 

Beautiful Creatures, I believe, blended a range of things that will help it appeal to most audiences. Their is a tragic romance, a mystery and a little bit of action and some very supernatural characters. I liked the fact that Ethan seemed real to me, in that he was awkward at first toward Lena. The town that the movie takes place in also reminds me a lot of the small towns around home, and how you can hardly go anywhere without seeing someone you know. Beautiful creatures strikes me as a classic battle between good and bad, and how each sides fights for power. Overall I give Beautiful Creatures 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for anyone who likes a little supernatural mixed in with a teenage love story . I look forward to finding out how the series continues!

Our own nod to the book: 

'"No butter, salt and tossed with Milk Duds. You'll like it," she said, her shoulders relaxing just a little." 

"I already like it."

~From page 150 of Beautiful Creatures~

(Although, we did get butter too!)

Warm Bodies: The Movie

Happy movie release day to Warm Bodies!

MrCaptKirk and I had the chance to see a {free} pre-screening of Warm Bodies on January 17, thanks to Summit Entertainment, gofobo.com, and Regal. (Oh, and Lady Reader) for letting me know about the screening in the first place.) Shout outs complete.

My thoughts on Warm Bodies, the movie: 

I was really excited about seeing this film because 1. It's based off of a book I had heard of it (and read literally RIGHT before the screening, see my review of the book). 2. Zombies. (That's all that needs to be said really.) 3. Summit Entertainment. (I love them, they brought me Twilight and therefore can do no wrong in my eyes.)

The movie was zombie-rific! It was very similar to the book, it stayed true to most of the major elements. There were of course some changes, that is to be expected. *Remember the book and the movie (or tv show, etc) are two separate entities to be enjoyed. They are like companions than twins. Besides, if you read the book then you really don't want the movie to be exactly the same. That would be boring!* 

Also, somehow we can always do MORE with our imaginations than is ever possible on film. Not to sound cliche but there's just no limitations to imagination like there would be in film making. The only real "negative" was the movie did feel a little rushed compared to the book, but again I think that is something that just can't be helped.

I think those who have not read the book will certainly enjoy the movie. It's totally humorous. The main character R has some interesting inner monologue going on. His opposite, Julie, is able to pull off being pretty, strong and little vulnerable all at once. Supporting characters M and Nora provide tons of comic relief. Seriously the whole theater cracked up at M more than once.

I'm clearly not a movie critic but I really dig this movie. If you like zombies and/or love stories and/or comedy, I think there is a good chance you'd enjoy the Warm Bodies movie too. I don't think it'll be a critically acclaimed award winner but I'd totally pay my $8 and go see it again! There is some adult language and violence. This movie should be ok older teens (keep in mind I'm not a parent so you'll have to make your own judgement calls there ;).


MrCaptKirk's thoughts on the movie:

When I first saw anything on Warm bodies, and found out that it was a zombie movie I was expecting a typical zombie movie... the living vs the dead.  Although Warm bodies does have that, I would almost classify the movie as a romantic comedy.  The story follows a zombie name R, who is...different.  I can only describe him as a zombie who wants more than just brain.  After running into Julie on a 'hunting trip' R falls hard for her.  As the story continues there are the ups and downs in the relationship... but I don't want to ruin anything for you, so moving on... 

On of the main thoughts I got from Warm Bodies, is that hope is a powerful emotion, one that I would say one of the most important emotions to the human race.  In the movie, the really the only thing that separates humans from zombies, besides the obvious, is hope.  Humans have hope, zombies are just there, they don't have any drive other than hunger.  As the movie progresses R finds hope, he falls in love with Julie and has hope for something between them.  I think this is one of best adaptations of a zombie movie in recent past.

I give this movie 4.5 stars out of 5 because it makes you think.

*****

So...there you have it folks. The Kirks say GO see Warm Bodies and enjoy the zombie goodness! Let us know if you see and what you think!

Book Trailer Thursday

In honor of the movie coming out tomorrow, today in Alli's World we are watching the BOOK trailer for Warm Bodies! Did you see my review of the book yesterday? And stay tuned the Mr's and my review of the movie will be up tomorrow!

The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 2

Edward hanging out in front of 

Cullen House in Forks, WA 

from our trip this past August.

If you know me at all, you know know I am a huge Twilight fan. I've been a fan since I saw the first movie. I know I was late getting into the game but better late than never right? So anyhow, I saw the movie and I was smitten. I almost immediately went out and bought the entire box set of books and proceeded to read them. Repeatedly. I was going through such a bad time personally in my relationship at the time that I clung to the series like a life line. I really don't know why. Maybe I wanted a love story in my real life, wanted to live it, for it to be real. But alas, it was not but somehow the books and movies reignited a passion in me. After I read The Twilight Saga, I went in search of similar books I would like and from there reading, movies, tv shows, and general geeking out have become such a huge part of my life. So, even as the Saga as we know is coming to a close, I will forever be grateful for what it represents for me.

From Our All Day Twilight Movie Marathon!

 

My hubs and I went to the Twilight marathon on Thursday, November 15. Yes, that's right 12 plus hours in the movie theater watching ALL the Twilight movies. (Does that man love me or what?) It was the first time I saw the first, original Twilight on the big screen! And I LOVED it. Of course I've watched my DVD 100s of times but the nuances on the big screen...ahhh! It was so good. Then we watched New Moon, Eclipse and Breaking Dawn Part 1 gearing up for Part 2. What a great way to spend a day, in a dark movie theater with my sweet hubby and my fav movies of all time!

 

Jackson Rathbone (Jasper Hale) & Me 

at the Breaking Dawn Part 1 Tour Stop

 in Atlanta, GA from last year.

Finally, we got Breaking Dawn Part 2. Ah-ma-zing!!! It was soooo good! The perfect ending to a wonderful series. They did a good job of tying up the loose ends yet leaving a few open ended scenes that left me wishing there was going to be more. I think that's the right way to end something, where you still want more. I've heard lots of people talking about how they "changed" the end, it was a little different from the book but not in a way that detracts from the story. In fact, I kinda of loved it. I totally thought Part 2 was better than Part 1 but that's probably because there is more "action" in Part 2. Take that as you will. ;) I thought the movie was very will done and it made me proud to be a TWI-Hard fan!

 

I give Breaking Dawn Part 2  five stars out of five! It was EPIC! I simply MUST SEE IT AGAIN! SOON!!

 

Have you seen yet? What did you think? Let me know in the comments below!

A Foray into Forks

In honor of The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 2 movie coming out TODAY (10 pm in theaters!) I'm going to post a few of our pics from our trip to Forks, Washington from back in August. I have to tell you, being able to go to Forks, see were Bella, Edward, and Jacob could have lived was sooooo awesome! Forks is a small, sleepy little town but I loved being able to feel like was living in the Twilight world! The sites in Forks are more similar to the descriptions in the book than what you see in the movies but still AMAZING! We did a tour of the town with Team Forks. They were knowledgeable, showed us all around and provided plenty of cheesy photo ops! This is just a few of our photos but hopefully it'll help us all get in the Twilight spirit! 

Edward, Bella, Clayton, Allison, Jacob and Mama at 

the iconic City of Forks Welcome sign!

Me and Edward in front of the 

Cullen House.

Jacob, Me, Hubs, Bella

hanging out in the back of Bella's Truck.

The Forks High sign as seen in the movie!

At the Treaty Line. No vamps past this point!

Me & Hubs sitting on a drift wood tree at

First Beach, La Push, Washington on the Quileute Indian Reservation much like Bella and Jacob might have done!

Well hubs and I are off to enjoy the 

Twilight Marathon!!!

Are you going to see Breaking Dawn Part 2 too? 

Any Twi-hard fans out there besides me?

Upcoming in Alli's World: November

It seems like November is going to be a great month. We all know, it is the month of THANKSGIVING! Great food, family time, a day of reflection for all the things you have to be thankful for...that's awesome. But there are some other great things happening in my life this month in addition to Thanksgiving, am I blessed or what?

1. Today hubs and I are planning on playing "tourist" close to home. We are going to go to Toccoa, Georgia to see Currahee Military Museum. You know, like from the TV show Band of Brothers. I'm really excited to see this after my recent leadership class where we referenced the show on multiple occasions. We are also planning on visiting historic Travelers Rest. And whatever else we can get into during our day trip outing. 

Band of Brothers on DVD from Amazon.

2. This Sunday is the Athens area local bloggers meeting. If you are a blogger in the area, I really hope  you come out! It's at Avid Bookshop in Athens, GA. For info on the event click here.

3. Saturday, November 10th is YALLFest! This is the first time hubs and I have gone to this and I am soooo super duper excited. There are ton of amazing Young Adult authors scheduled to be in attendance. And it's in beautiful Charleston, SC. (Yaaaaaay!)

4. At the earliest, November 15th, "The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 2" will be in theater! (Ahhhhhh!) O. M. Geeeeee! I have been loving this series for years. It's so bitter-sweet, I hate it's coming to an end but I'm so ready to see it already! Click here for more info on the movie. 

Poster from imdb.

That's all I know about for now but wow, doesn't that sound like a great month already!? And of course we are going to have to start Christmas shopping at some point! I've got plenty of good books to read and I'm sure I'll be getting lots more for YALLFest. Just seems like a lot of goodness to me! (And it's my mom's birthday month! Whoo-hoo, Mama!)

So what have you got planned for this month?

The Perks of Being a Wallflower

Wow. This book. I read it one sitting. Granted it is short, only about 211 pages. But it is really good. It is uniquely written in a series of letters, addressed "Dear Friend," almost like diary entries. It made me literally laugh out loud in some parts and cry in earnest in others. Since this is Banned Book Week, this book is an excellence choice. It has been on the challenged book list several times and I understand why, there is teen aged drinking, sex, drug use, and homosexuality. BUT that being said, I think it perfectly captures the feelings that I know I had when I was a teen, heck sometimes still experience even though I didn't/don't participate in those types of actives. That feeling of loneliness in a crowd of people that should be your peers. The feeling of not having friends and being willing to do just about anything to gain one, much less many. I think we just need to realize that people in general, especially teens are dealing with some, if not, many of the issues presented in this book. Being an adult, you realize that it is a passing phase of life but when you are going through it hurts and those pains are REAL.  I really don't like reading sad books but if they are wonderfully written then they have the potential for becoming the best books.

"We accept the love we think we deserve."

In action. Signing books and 

posters for us fans!

Hubs and I had the chance to attend a screening of the movie version of The Perks of Being a Wallflower with the author of the book/screenwriter and director Stephen Chbosky. The movie is AMAZING! I think it is awesome that Chbosky was able to play such a major role in the book to movie adaptation. That rarely happens but he did it wonderfully. I think the movie was a little lighter than the book. Obviously some scenes couldn't be in the movie because of time and flow constraints but I think all the important parts were included. This is just a really good coming of age movie (and book) and I totally recommend them both!

“And in that moment, I swear we were infinite.”

Stephen answering fan questions after the movie.

I was so excited to get to go to this event, I really didn't plan well and I forgot to take notes. But I remember Stephen saying something like, it was important to do a movie like Perks because you can be sitting in the movie theater and know that the people beside you, in front of you, and behind you are all experience the same emotions you are while watching the movie. The point being you are not alone. Most of us have felt the way you are feeling. Especially for teens, I think this is important to realize. He said as you get older you forget how big things feel when you are younger. Once you are older you can see how things do work out, but it is important for parents to try to remember what that was like.

Stephen did say that he working on another book, YaY!!

“He's a wallflower. You see things. 

You keep quiet about them. And you understand."

Signed book!

If you a person who has ever experienced the feeling of loneliness and not fitting in please read the book or at least see the movie! I give this book (and movie) 5 out of 5 stars. I totally recommend it.

Other bloggers I like that encouraged me to read this book:
elizziebooks
smashattackreads

Happy Hunger Games!

And may the odds ever be in your favor!

So, The Hunger Games movie is finally out on DVD today! We only went to see it twice at the theater. I can't flipping wait to get my own copy of the movie! I loved the books and I thought the movie was very good, one of (my) best of 2012. It kept all of the important elements of the book. Granted there were a few things that were different. (I'm thinking the bread scene. Anybody agree?) I think that is just going to happen when going from pages to screen. Just because the author can imagine it, doesn't mean the movie people can make it happen on film. Anyhoo, I think that the film adaptation of the book was wonderful in The Hunger Games. 

One thing I will say though, is that it really bothers me when people are like, "Oh, I saw the movie, so I don't have to read the book." I know people do this, heck I've done it but don't disregard the book just because you saw the movie. Books give you the chance to exercise your own imagination. You don't have to let Hollywood do that for you! (Sorry about that soap box, I just overheard a little girl say that while leaving the movie the last time and it just broke my heart a little!)

Back to the topic at hand...In celebration, I'm sharing some photos from The Hunger Games Mall Tour I attended at Lenox Square Mall in Atlanta. Some of the movie cast members went on tour before the movie came out back in March. These pics maybe kind of grainy, they were taken on my cell. (True to our nature, when we went to this event, both hubs and I failed to put the memory card back in the real camera. And neither of noticed until the actors were taking the stage.) Nonetheless, we had a great time and it was good times getting to see the actors before the movie was even out! And I sure have enjoyed looking back at these pics! Hope you guys like!

Hubs and Me. Waiting.

(We waited from like 5 am til like 2 pm

to meet the actors.)

Me. :)

After meeting the stars.

See that poster? It is signed

by all the stars in attendance.

Unfortunately, no photos were allowed

during the signing.

That's Gale,

in real life:

Liam Hemsworth.

And here we have tributes:

District 1's Marvel-Jack Quaid

District 1's Glimmer-Leven Rambin

District 11's Thresh-Dayo Okeniyi

District 11's Rue-Amandla Stenberg

The whole crew:

(left to right)

In purple is the MC Jenn Hobby from The Bert Show on Q100,

Jack, Leven, Dayo, Amandla, and Liam.