Netflix Pick: The Hunger Games

Since this sequel is coming out this weekend, us slow-to-the-theater folk found this to be the perfect time to catch the first installment of this all-the-talk franchise.

And we really did like it. It had a little bit of 1984, a lot of Lord of the Flies and even a hint of Romeo and Juliet. And I know a lot of people have probably said this repeatedly, but it is nice to see a strong female lead with a moral compass and strength who cares about her family and doing the right thing and not so much about her lip gloss.

E-Roc had noted that these books and movies didn't seem to get the backlash that the Twilight franchise has gotten even though they have a lot of the same readers. My guess is that these books and movies are just a little bit, uh, smarter. The Hunger Games makes you think about societal pressures, our celebrity-obsessed culture, the fracturing of delicate childhood, social inequity, etc. Twilight makes you think about, uh, vampires. Sparkly vampires!

(And then of course you have Fifty Shades of Grey which is a messed-up fan fiction off-shoot of Twilight, but I won't even get started on that right now!)

Sheesh. I guess now I'm going to have to go back on my word and actually read the book! And from what I hear, it's actually a good one......

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Becky's Greatest Hits Vol. II

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