The Hunger Games: Mockingjay

As the war of Panem escalates to the destruction of other districts by the Capitol, Katniss Everdeen, the reluctant leader of the rebellion, must bring together an army against President Snow, while all she holds dear hangs in the balance.

Director: Francis Lawrence

Writers: Peter Craig (screenplay), Danny Strong (screenplay), 2 more credits »

Stars: Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth | See full cast and crew » 

 

 

 

Storyline

As the war of Panem escalates to the destruction of other districts by the Capitol, Katniss Everdeen, the reluctant leader of the rebellion, must bring together an army against President Snow, while all she holds dear hangs in the balance.

User Reviews

 The Hunger Games Mockingjay part 2 is the lackluster finale to the Hunger Games franchise. Because it's the new awful trend in Hollywood now to split the last book of a series in two parts, Hunger Games did the same to Mockingjay. This is the film where everything finally comes to a head. The districts band together, everyone hates the Capitol, and the uprising of the Capitol finally commences. Katniss is in the middle of it all trying to rally everyone together and stop the evil President Snow. To me Part 1 was a very unnecessary movie and I really thought it was a big waste of my time. This book did not need to be two films. The biggest issue with Part 1 was how slow moving. There was so much filler to make a two hour movie that on some points it was dreadfully slow and went no where. The same happened here. There was so much filler that half of this movie was a waste of time. The pacing in this movie is so awful that at some points it's really hard to watch. Sometimes that slowness works but only for a few scenes. Every other time it's to fill in the gaps of the hour of the movie that actually mattered. You just sit in your seat and beg that something will happen. Unlike in part 1 things do happen. The action scenes in this film are fantastic. (Frankly there was one scene that made me feel like I was watching Aliens but I digress.) They unfortunately don't last long. The action scenes are great but there just isn't enough of them to make up for the painfully slow movie that is the rest of the movie. A serious tone can be good in some aspects but it goes from a very realistic film to summer blockbuster action sequences, to sometimes taking itself way to seriously that I got sucked out of the film in a lot of areas and had o re-immerse just to get sucked out again. Honestly the only real positive that I can give where it was like it the entire series was the acting. The acting in the entire series is great. Especially Jennifer Lawrence. She is great as always. She is really the only redeeming quality of these films. If you are a Hunger Games fan it is definitely the conclusion you wanted and you will probably enjoy it a lot. Overall, Mockingjay part 2 is pretty mediocre. It is super dark with not a lot of hope or happy attached to it. The acting is great and a few action scenes are terrific. However between all of the filler areas and the horrible pacing and the things that really do not matter at all it really kills the movie. It is however better than part 1 so at least there's that. What did you think about Mockingjay Part 2? Message me your thoughts and comments on the movie.

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Mad Max: Fury Road

A woman rebels against a tyrannical ruler in post apocalyptic Australia in search for her homeland with the help of a group of female prisoners, a psychotic worshiper, and a drifter named Max.

Director: George Miller

Writers: George Miller, Brendan McCarthy,

Stars: Tom Hardy, Charlize Theron, Nicholas Hoult

 

 

 

 

 

 

Storyline

An apocalyptic story set in the furthest reaches of our planet, in a stark desert landscape where humanity is broken, and almost everyone is crazed fighting for the necessities of life. Within this world exist two rebels on the run who just might be able to restore order. There's Max, a man of action and a man of few words, who seeks peace of mind following the loss of his wife and child in the aftermath of the chaos. And Furiosa, a woman of action and a woman who believes her path to survival may be achieved if she can make it across the desert back to her childhood homeland.

User Reviews

We have not seen Max Rockastansky (Tom Hardy) on movie screens in 30 years. This is a welcome return to Max and the crazy, post-apocalyptic world of George Miller (Mad Max, Babe). Max lives an existence of sheer survival. As a former police officer and family man, he is now a tortured shell of the man of justice he used to be and merely wants to survive. After being captured by the leading cult forces of this futuristic wasteland, he finds himself in the middle of a pursuit of Furiosa (Charlize Theron) and the wives of the masked Immortan Joe (Hugh Keyes-Byrne). Max becomes the pivotal force to assist in Furiosa's escape and redemption. Mad Max: Fury Road becomes a race for life, redemption and hope. Shot in the barren desert of Namibia, the fight for life becomes an adrenaline charged chess match that in making the wrong move will cost you your life. No summary can do the action justice, except to say to is a new visual standard that needs to be experienced.

Mad Max: Fury Road is a lesson in conveying depth with minimal dialogue. George Miller delivers a masters class in story telling and stunt driven effects that successfully convey back story, cultural nuance and the justification of these desperate acts of disobedience and violence. Even as the fourth outing for this character, we are given a fresh storyline and wealth of new characters for a new generation. It is not necessary to see the original films to enjoy this chapter in Max's adventures, but it might be worth going back to watch the first two films in this anthology. The cast is captivating and effective in their roles, but they have to take a back seat to the energetic stunt work and effects. This world seems to be a maniacal and messy existence, but becomes an enjoyable, orchestrated primal experience. Who would have thought that through the Mad Max franchise Miller would be able to convey his cinematic brilliance and deliver this visceral masterpiece. Not to dismiss the acting, Hardy is brilliant as the tortured lead character and delivering a believable portrait of his desire to survive the present while mentally enduring his past. He is given minimal dialogue, but is able to become the heart of this post-apocalyptic tale. Interestingly, Hardy is not the primary lead in the film that bears his name. Charlie Theron's shining portrayal of Furiosa is the literal and figurative driver of the film. She manages to redefine feminine heroism for film makers. She has strength, purpose and a sacrificial depth that presses the story beyond a mindless chase scene. In a genre that tends to victimise or sexualise the female leads, Miller portrays a strong female led without any unnecessary feminist underpinnings. In masking her natural beauty, Theron is allowed to develop her strengths and vulnerabilities without making a political statement. Both Hardy and Theron are supported by an excellent supporting cast that moves this experience from a mere adrenaline rush to a story of fighting for your right to live, seeing that sacrifice is part of freedom and ultimately for the hope for redemption. 







On many levels, Miller seems to realise that action without reason loses its purpose. In adding a spiritual component to Mad Max: Fury Road he allows for a narrative depth in the script. Immortan Joe (Hugh Keays-Byrne) is the cult leader in this dark, twisted world. His character delivers a dark and demented message of the need for effective leadership and that leaders need to provide people with purpose for their sacrifice, even if it is misplaced. This story shows that there is basic need for something beyond our material needs that gives society drive and direction. Also, the flower on this desert wasteland is hope. Even the jaded heart of Max is turned and assists in getting those under his charge to their promised land and in giving them hope in the bleakest of moments. This is an essential cinematic vehicle when placed against the backdrop of the depravity of mankind. Miller manages to capture this element and allows for the story to consider the realities of mankind's history and future. If the film does have a weakness, it would be in the conclusion. In all that they desire to achieve and find through this film maker's journey, the finality has an empty satisfaction. After watching a film like Mad Max : Fury Road it might be worth reading through Revelation. Fortunately, with the God of the Bible there is more we can hope for in the future.

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