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The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2 – Nothing Can Prepare You For The End

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The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2 – Nothing Can Prepare You For The End

HungerGames.2

This closing film to The Hunger Games trilogy shows Katniss Everdeen, the reluctant leader of the rebellion leading an army against President Snow. Her tragic journey finally comes to an end with this emotional finish. KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Clayton P. comments, “The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2 is surprisingly more creative and suspenseful than all the prior films in the franchise.” See his full review below.

 

The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2

Clayton P., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 16

Clayton

Video review

 

The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2 is surprisingly more creative and suspenseful than all the prior films in the franchise.  However, there are a couple of things about the film that are not fantastic. I don’t think that Jennifer Lawrence does a great job in this film. It seems as if she was asleep throughout the movie.  This film again stars Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss Everdeen and Josh Hucherson as Peeta Mellark. They are supported by Julianne Moore, Woody Harrelson, Donald Sutherland and Phillip Seymour Hoffman.  The film is directed by Francis Lawrence, who directed all the Hunger Games films except the first.

 

At the beginning of the film, Katniss is recruited by Commander Coin (Julianne Moore) to lead the rebellion. They really want her to be the “face” of the rebellion and film fake skirmishes for the ever present media. Katniss plays along but her intent is to assassinate President Snow.  Snow is ready for the rebellion. His generals plant POD traps (obstacles designed to release a weapon that can range from a bomb to a group of mutts) all over the Capital, which are motion sensitive.  When someone comes near, flame throwers engulf them or huge machine guns appear and blow them up.  The PODS are planted every few feet, so it is a deadly obstacle course for the rebels to try to make it through into the heart of the Capital.  In the face of all this, Peeta, who had been psychologically tortured and brain-washed by Snow in Part 1, is now ordered to join Katniss on this mission.  But, he is unstable and doesn’t have a grip on reality.

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The best part of this film is the ending, which I can’t tell you about because of spoiler alert. But, rest assured, it is a great ending.  The middle of the film is very action-packed, scary and suspenseful.  Katniss, and the rebel force work their way through the PODS.  I love this part of the film and the locations that were chosen.  At one point, the rebel force goes down into the sewers to escape detection, adding a bit of horror to the action film setting. The supporting cast is great, especially Julianne Moore, who plays Commander Coin with great conviction.

 

The screenplay is interesting, especially the dialogue between Katniss and Peeta.  Peeta keeps asking Katniss and the others if things are “real or not real” since he has a tenuous grip on reality, due to his brain-washing.  I also like the song that plays during the end credits.

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Unfortunately, there are some drawbacks to the film besides Jennifer Lawrence’s performance.   I feel that some of the fight sequences are not realistic.  One last point I would like to make is that the uniqueness of The Hunger Games is the idea of the games themselves.  There are no games in this film and I miss he whole survivalist concept of that.

 

Overall, I think this film is a great ending to The Hunger Games franchise.  I give the film 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it to kids ages 11 to 18, keeping in mind that there are some rather violent, scary scenes in the middle of the movie. This film opens November 20.

Why We Garden Part 2, Digging Deep-Gardening with Cynthia Brian

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Why We Garden Part 2, Digging Deep-Gardening with Cynthia Brian

 

winter arrangement

“In the depth of winter I finally learned that there was in me an invincible summer.” ~ Albert Camus

After zero precipitation in January, we reveled in the rains of early February. Soon thereafter, the sun shone brightly again and spring appears to be arriving a month early. My flowering peach, plum, and pear trees have all completed their burst of color and my landscape is alive with blooming daffodils, tulips, iris, freesia, magnolia stellata, and periwinkle. Somehow we’ve managed to skip the normal dreariness of February and jump right into Camus’ invincible summer. A reader in Norway was shocked to read that bergenia blooms here in California in January while it doesn’t show it’s pretty petals in Northern Europe until May. Which brings me to more reasons why I love to garden…

walking ferns

Part 2

Surprises
As gardeners we know that we are not in charge. No matter how much we attempt to control the outside forces, Mother Nature rules. We can no longer say that daffodils bloom in March or gladioli in summer. Our climate is changing and we are constantly surprised at what pops up, when. Gardeners are stewards of the earth and we adapt to her unpredictability.

Love
Gardens evoke love. The birds and bees are making love and passion is in the garden air.
How many of us chose a beautiful garden for our wedding nuptials or as the setting for birthdays, showers, graduations, and other celebrations? Since I was a child, our family gatherings were always held in a garden, weather permitting. My husband and I, as well as all of my siblings, held our wedding receptions in the spectacular gardens of our ranch. My mother planted for months creating an artistic palette using the colors each of us had chosen for our special day. Now that is love!

Responsibility
After several decades of marriage, whenever I am asked how to maintain a relationship, my advice has always been to become a gardener. It takes responsibility to be a gardener. We have to be attentive to the needs of each individual specimen. We need to know when to water, when to prune, when to fertilize, when to transplant. This is responsibility. If you want to grow a relationship, start with a plant. For first timers, I recommend a spider plant. They don’t demand much, and they prosper with neglect. Or, if you prefer a colorful connection, orchids are not fussy prima donnas, yet they are radiantly beautiful.

Patience
A tomato can’t be rushed. Nor can a carrot, or a rose, or a petunia. We could stand on top of the vine all day long shouting, prodding, encouraging, but our efforts will not yield a faster growth. Every plant is going to grow in the time it takes to do so. Patience is the keystone of a gardener’s life. Gardening is especially good for children to teach them the value of patience. For every time, every season, there is a purpose, and it is worth waiting for.

Spontaneity
Seeds fly through the air and grow where they fall. Vegetables, weeds, and flowers are bed-mates. No matter how carefully we curate our creations, the birds, bees, butterflies, and wildlife always have something else in store for us. Just today I found holly growing under my camellia tree. I didn’t put it there and it will need to be transplanted, but I was so excited I kicked up my heels and wanted to fly a kite!

Curiosity
The garden is a world of wonder and exploration. Discovering the tiny salamander or croaking frog by the pond, or the odd color in the parsnip excites us. Get down on your knees and investigate the insects or take a closer look at the stamen in the cala lily. Stick your nose in a Daphne bloom and inhale the perfume. Be curious…there is so much to learn.

Spirituality
We don’t have to be religious to be spiritual. The greatest cathedral in the world cannot match the temple of Mother Nature. I am forever in awe and wonder at the miracle of our natural world. When I am in the garden I feel as one with all living creatures. I understand that we are all connected-the rocks, the water, the plants, the sky, the animals. We are all living, breathing, magical creations united in a giant prayer of glory.

Mistakes
Perhaps one of the most important lessons from the garden is that there are no mistakes. Failure is fertilizer. We heap our failures on the compost pile to grow a new garden. Gardens give us permission to be human, to make mistakes and to grow stronger and smarter from our errors. Life is never quiet or dull, and everything is a blessing and a lesson in the garden.

May you discover love in the garden and appreciate the spontaneity and generosity that nature offers.

Happy Gardening, happy growing.

white tulip magnolia

Cynthia Brian’s Mid Month Reminders
PURCHASE summer bulbs of your choice, but don’t be tempted to plant until the ground warms.

AERATE lawns while the ground is wet to allow for moisture to sink to the roots.

FERTILIZE citrus, specifically our beloved Meyer lemons, by the end of the month.

PLANT bare root roses and bare root fruit trees through the end of February. Many are now on sale so make sure to check the plant carefully for damage or dryness before purchasing. Prune back any damaged or dry root, soak in water for at least a day before planting.

SHARPEN tools in preparation for spring.

CONTINUE to pick up or rake fallen camellia blooms to keep your bush healthy.

cala lily-jan
©2015
Cynthia Brian
The Goddess Gardener
Starstyle® Productions, llc
Cynthia@GoddessGardener.com
www.GoddessGardener.com
925-377-STAR
I am available as a speaker, designer, and consultant.
Read the full article here!
Cynthia Brian is a New York Times best selling author, speaker, coach, and host of the radio show, StarStyle®-Be the Star You Are!® broadcasting live every Wednesday from 4-5pm PT on the Voice America Network.. She also is the creator and producer of Express Yourself!™ Teen Radio and Executive Director of Be the Star You Are!® 501c3 charity.

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