Hunger Games vs Battle Royale

Right, before I start I need to say that I have not read The Hunger Games or seen the film. I will I'm sure read the books and see the film eventually, but at this moment in time I'm too riled to even contemplate doing so.

So, on hearing about The Hunger Games movie being released, I immediately thought...mmm, this looks quite interesting. I then watched the trailer and and immediately thought...er...Hollywood rip-off of Battle Royale!!

It's clear that HG (Hunger Games) are children's books, just like how the Harry Potter books were for children. Yep, I said it. If you've read BR (Battle Royale), you know this is not for kids, and the film isn't either.

Looking at the similarities and differences  it's hard to believe that Suzanne Collins, author of HG, hadn't heard of BR or know of it's existence.

From an interview with New York Times:

When I asked Collins if she had drawn from “Battle Royale,” she was unperturbed. “I had never heard of that book or that author until my book was turned in. At that point, it was mentioned to me, and I asked my editor if I should read it. He said: ‘No, I don’t want that world in your head. Just continue with what you’re doing.’ ” She has yet to read the book or to see the movie.

Um, I don't believe that for a second. If you're writing a novel, screenplay, anything and your editor says to you, 'this reminds me of so and so story', you would want to investigate to make sure you're not plagiarizing someone's work knowingly or not.

But that's just my opinion...

 

 

 

 

Tumblrs to mention...

Discovered some interesting Tumblr blogs today. If We Don't, Remember Me has been running since 2010 and captures moments of film in fluid gifs.  

Psycho gif from IWDRM

three frames (now defunct) used three frame gifs to preserve classic movie stills that seem almost 3D. Love stuff like this. If you know of any others, let me know.

Harold and Maude gif from three frames

50 Most Hated Movies Ever Made...??

Total Film Magazine recently posted their "50 Most Hated Movies Ever Made", you can read their feature here.
I have a couple of issues with this list...

Firstly, at 43 we have Resident Evil (2002).

Now don't get me wrong, I can completely understand why this is hated. The game franchise is well loved by loyal, avid gamers and since it's conception it's spawned a number of hideous sequels (Apocalypse, Extinction, Regeneration, Afterlife and Retribution out later this year). 
Saying that, this average horror has some pretty gruesome death scenes and some decent performances, especially from Michelle Rodriguez and the creepy Red Queen...children in horror movies get me every time.




Lastly, at number 3 we have Forrest Gump (1994).

Total Film's reason for hating it is as follows:

"The chocolate-box sentiment, hiding a reactionary vision of American society in which protest is punished and stupidity reigns.  Oh, and beating Pulp Fiction and Shawshank to the Oscars didn't help."

I'm sorry, but that's not a good enough reason for me. Winning an Oscar is a great accolade yes, but there are plenty of movies and actors who have won Oscars who are then forgotten. Pulp Fiction and Shawshank have massive cult followings and are usually featured in Top movie lists all over the globe. Hanks, Fields and Sinise give extra-ordinary performances and I don't think this film deserves to be on this list at all.

Note to the industry, the majority of films on this list are either terrible remakes, sequels or comic book adaptations and most of them were made in the 2000's and were undoubtedly made on budgets of millions. Where's the art? What a waste.