TEXAS, USA —
THE HUNGER GAMES: THE BATTLE OF SONGBIRDS & SNAKES
When the prequel novel to "The Hunger Games" became an instant bestseller in 2020, it was a matter of time before a movie would go into production.
And here it is.
The games run a little differently 60 years prior to the original movies. Rachel Zeglar, the breakout star from "West Side Story" plays 'Lucy Gray Baird,' the tribute tapped to compete in the games for District 12. Drawing her as a mentor is Tom Blyth plays the young villain in waiting, 'Coriolanus Snow,' who we know grows up to be Donald Sutherland's president of Panem. Viola Davis handles the villain duties for now as the young tributes battle until one survives. But that's not the end, as we also see what happens after the games, involving our two leads.
Francis Lawrence of the last three "Hunger Games" movies directs this one, too.
You can't take your eyes off Zeglar, whose character also sings beautifully in a Patsy Cline way. (A little trivia: she dates co-star Josh Andres Rivera, who plays Snow's buddy.) Jason Schwartzman is funny as the host of the games (Stanley Tucci handled that role in the originals.) I liked this well enough. The production value was high, though the huge swarm of snakes use in the arena weren’t as frightening as they were meant to be, because they didn't look real.
Overall, it didn’t feel like as hearty serving of the ”Hunger” franchise as I’d hoped. Box office earnings will show just how much fans want this origin story!
(Lionsgate. Rated PG-13. Running Time 2 hrs. 37 mins. In Theaters Only)
TROLLS BAND TOGETHER
"Trolls Band Together" is the third in the hit animated film franchise based on those crazy-haired dolls from the '60s!
This time, it's responsible for reuniting NSYNC for the first time in 20-plus years. Justin Timberlake has been creatively involved all along as he voices the lead character, 'Branch.' And here we learn his back story. He's the youngest in a boy band of brothers that dissolved. Years later, a pop duo kidnaps one of his brothers to try to steal his voice, so Branch and now-girlfriend Poppy (voiced by Anna Kendrick) set out on an adventure to rescue him.
Give these movies credit: they don't stick to one locale.
However, this one gets more sparkly and glittery than the others, and I miss the organic feel of the forest from the original. In fact, the original is the best of the three. Cue the new NSYNC single, 'Better Place,' though, and you might find yourself in the middle of a sing-along at the theater.
The movie could take you to a better place, too, especially if you have a sense of humor about '90s boy bands and a youngster to entertain.
(Universal Pictures. Rated PG. Running Time 1 hr. 32 mins. In Theaters Only)
NEXT GOAL WINS
For those of you going through T.L.W. ("Ted Lasso" Withdrawal), you might appreciate the tone of “Next Goal Wins.”
Taika Waititi co-wrote and directed the film based on a true story of the worst soccer team in the world – American Samoa! (They once lost a match 31-0.)
Time to bring in the new coach. So, Thomas Rongen arrives, played by Michael Fassbender. He conducts himself more like Bobby Knight than Ted Lasso as he tries to pull the ragtag national team into FIFA qualifying shape.
This is a heartfelt and quirky film, as you would expect from Waititi. Especially nice is the storyline involving a transgender player. It's good to see one of my favorites, Fassbender, though his casting is a little curious. I've mentioned "Lasso" a couple of times, but, to be honest, this comes nowhere near.
(Searchlight Pictures. Rated PG-13. Running Time 1 hr. 43 mins. In Theaters Only)
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