The movie, “The Hunger Games” debuted Friday with box office sales of nearly $70 million, and is on track to book between $130 and $140 million in its first 3 days. My neighbor’s daughter read the book for school, and has been telling me a little about it. Although she hasn’t come right out and said it, I suspect that one of the reasons the movie, based on the first book in a trilogy by Suzanne Collins, has resonated with young people in particular, is that many of them have a relatively hopeless view of the future and don’t see the premise as all that unrealistic.
There have been apocalyptic/post-America books and movies around for as long as I can remember. What are some of your favorites, and why do you think this latest example of the genre has so captivated audiences?
Blogs For Victory 
I read the series after a friend recommended it and I can see several themes that might attract young audiences.
Yes, it is a future of dreariness and oppression, but I don’t think that is the attraction. It is, at heart, an uplifting story of courage, of loyalty, of the importance of family, and of the need to be free.
And it is a cautionary tale about tyranny and government control.
My question is how true to the books is the movie. Hollywood is known for hollywoodizing books when they are made into movies, to make them comply with Liberal concepts and agendas. If they stick to the books, it could be a valuable as well as a good movie.
I have never heard of this book, you are correct how will hollyweird spin the story?
Actually, I just was informed by my brothers (whose girls made the midnight showing) that it is a Trilogy–so let’s hope Hollyweird does not spin it too far to the left.
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Why am I being asked the question “Do you have something to say about the thread? “// Moderator
Ok, I guess trading insults with Neocon is what triggered the question.
Awwwwwwwwwww, you’re no fun for deleting our witty repartee.
One of my first recollections of a “post-America” story was a made-for-TV movie back in 1968. Based on the novel “It Can’t Happen Here” by Sinclair Lewis, “Shadow on the Land” portrayed a time after a Facist/Nazi takeover of America and resistance efforts to defeat the regime. Great cast, BTW, for those who remember Jackie Cooper, John Forsythe, Carol Lynley, and, of course, a young Gene Hackman who is still around. I was on active duty with the Naval Security Group at the time, and the movie was the topic of conversation among Intelligence/Cryptologic types for quite a while. The premise could actually be pretty close to where we may be heading if we don’t turn around pretty soon.
A Clockwork Orange
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The latest “Sword In The Stone” features a spunky young girl who becomes a heroine. Hollywood PC crap.
Sounds a lot like an updated version of this 1987 movie.
The Omega Man(1971) starring Charlton Heston. At the time it impressed me with its gripping story line. I plan to watch it again to see how well it held up. I am curious because I did not care for Will Smith’s version “I Am Legend”
Canuck,
I saw both, and also preferred Omega Man.
I actually like the film version of David Brin’s novel with Kevin Costner and Will Patton.
The book was great but I liked the movie less…it just didn’t seem to convey the message about the civilizing nature of communication as well. But I really respected Costner for making it.
Just checking to see if my avatar made it back from its secret mission.
All right — he’s back, but it looks like the comment placement gremlins moved him up-thread.
It’s good to see him back
My son was traumatized by the head-lobbing. I’m disgusted.
Whose head got lobbed? So many movies have been listed…..