It’s official. Hunger Games fever has hit Casa Petersik.
I actually got it first. I thought I’d take a stab at reading the book before potentially seeing the movie. I had heard it was a quick read, and boy was that right – I knocked it out in 24 hours. Sherry resisted following in my footsteps, thinking she had too much on her plate to squeeze it in. But I convinced her to try one chapter and before she knew it she was closing that book and cracking open Catching Fire (which she finished a few days later, and I’m currently in the middle of). We’re supposed to get our copy of Mockingjay next week. No spoilers!
The reason for devouring Hunger Games? We had planned a movie date night as a belated birthday celebration for Sherry (after our first attempt at a date night was ruined by not getting into our favorite restaurant since it was all reservationed out). So we booked babysitters (my parents) and made our first visit ever to CinéBistro, one of those swanky eat-dinner-while-you-watch-a-movie places. Here’s Sherry making her swankiest face.
We’ve only been to three movies since Clara was born almost two years ago (I wish I was kidding) so we were excited to make an event of this one. Unlike a normal movie theater, this one’s 21 and up only, has seating assignments, and has full in-theater food service (i.e. servers take your order and bring you food right in your big, comfy seats. Here’s me trying to figure out what I’ll order before we get seated.
We decided to get an appetizer – the “Popcorn” calamari. Yes, it’s actually calamari mixed with popcorn. Yum.
We wanted to save room for dessert, but after ordering gut-busters like my chicken & biscuits and Sherry’s meatloaf with mashed potatoes and collard greens (the theme was sort of upscale comfort food) – we were stuffed before the previews were even over. By the way, Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter looks pretty good. Maybe for our next movie night? Guess I should read the book first…
Oh, and as for the movie (I refrained from being the weirdo who took pictures of the movie) – we liked it! Was it the best book-to-movie adaptation ever? No. But we enjoyed it. Heck, we were just happy to be out of the house!
Anyone else Hunger Games-ing it up? Either books and/or movie-wise? Thoughts? Can you turn your last name into a Hunger Games reference like I did with this pun-tastic title or are we just extra lucky?
PS: In the comments, Kim recommended this site called Hunger Names that give you a name and method of death. Sherry was Oregano Amberpoe and had the honor of being a District 8 tribute in the 22nd Hunger Games. She was killed by asphyxiation. I was Huggle Santolina (awesome?) and was a District 7 tribute in the 20th Hunger Games. I was killed by trusting a 12-year-old boy. Never again!
Christina says
I bought the first book to read on vacation and had it finished in the first 48 hours, I am eagerly awaiting the second to come out in paperback but I may not be able to wait too much longer so I may have to head to the library!! We saw the movie just this past weekend and I agree, no moive is ever as good as the book but they did a good job with the characters and explaining things that needed to be to someone who may not have read the book. All in all, not too shabby!
What a fun movie theatre, we don’t have anything like that here!
Christina says
Oh yeah – my name is Posy Cropperdoodle
District 9 tribute in the 12th Hunger Games
I was killed by loving too deeply
Amiz says
I didn’t think it was possible but I love the Petersiks even more!! The Hunger Games is amazing!! I was sad to finish the series. And I think you’re right Abraham Lincoln the vampire hunter looks awesome!! I plan on reading the book before it comes out.
By the way according to the Hunger Names my name is Parsley Rathbone and I had the honor of being the District 3 tribute in the 36th Hunger games. I was killed by taking an arrow to the knee. If I’d had Daryl Dixon with me I bet I would have survived, amirite?
Young House Life says
Hahahahahahhha- the perfect merging of two good stories.
xo,
s
Allyson says
LOVE The Hunger Games! I wish it was required to read the books before seeing the movie… I’ve heard too many people who’ve seen the movie trailer or heard the premise and decided they wouldn’t like the books, but I haven’t met a single person who’s read the books and didn’t love them! I also really enjoyed the Twilight books (movies, not so much), but HG blows them out of the water, in my opinion! :)
Lindsay says
We have a theater like this! I love that you can eat while watching a movie and they serve you. It also has more comfy chairs than a typical theater.
I’m a big hunger games fan. Movie was good, but of course the books were way better. The 3rd wasn’t my favorite but you still gotta know how it ends.
Dona says
I haven’t been seduced by the Hunger Game books yet, though I wouldn’t rule it out. Love to read but who has time?
We have a dine-in theater here in Texas (No age restrictions here). My best friend and I have been known to take our kids, in our fanciest pajamas, to dine and see a movie or just a girls-night sans kids. Can’t imagine how the world got along without full dining room service during a movie…. or a lovely glass of wine.
Brandi @ His Shabby Her Chic says
I LOVED the books! I read them over Thanksgiving break.
And I went to the Hunger Names and it said my name is Portia Amberson and I was killed by Lenny Kravitz. Very interesting…
Jen D. says
WOOT! They have one of those near us in Miami! I have never heard of anything like that before. Now I know what I want to do for the next special date night!
Also, loved the trilogy. I knocked all three out in 72 hours. I may have sacrificed a little sleep, but hey.
And finally:
My HG name is Whip Ficklewood
Congratulations! You had the honor of being a District 7 tribute in the 35th Hunger Games!
You were killed by eating a poisoned apple.
Laura says
We have the fever for sure. I finished the final book last week, and my husband has just started it. We also saw the movie. He said he mentioned at his softball practice (all guys) if anyone had read it and he got weird looks and a sarcastic comment of “Yeah when my 12yo daughter is done with it I’m gonna get right on that.” Then he was mad at me for setting him up to read a teenage girls series without disclosing to him that’s what it was! I disagree that it is.
Also, my name is Stevia Lingenberry and I was killed by drowning in someone else’s vomit. HORRIFIC.
Young House Life says
You’re the second person to say that. So gross.
And if it makes your husband feel any better, when I went to buy the second book with Clara at Barnes & Noble I was VERY embarrassed to be browsing in the teen section (especially since there was a whole section entitled “Teen Supernatural Romance”). To make it even more embarrassing, someone recognized me from the blog while there.
-John
heather says
I’m thankful for a Kindle. I refused to go anywhere near twilight, but this hunger game things has intrigued me. I’m glad if I want to I can download it in the secrecy of my own home haha. Boo yah for my sister getting me an awesome gift!
Michelle says
“Huggle Crumpletoot”. Whaaaa??
Young House Life says
Ha! Go Huggles!
-John
Morgan says
My guy had never read the books and I finished them all in a week. Started wearing my hair in a braid like a dork because Jennifer Lawrence made it look good. lol. We went to the midnight showing when it first came out and I have never been a theatre so quiet and polite as this crowd was. Someone opened their phone and the people next to them jumped on them. My boyfriend thought it was awesome and I thought it was probably the best adaptation for a book ever.
Morgan says
I love the Hunger Games! I read all the books and was so excited for the movie to come out. =) I really enjoyed the movie.
Here’s my Hunger Games name:
Laree Dundermifflin
Congratulations! You had the honor of being a District 3 tribute in the 35th Hunger Games!
You were killed by snake bite.
At least they named a paper company after me. =)
Young House Life says
Although, if Hunger Games is in the future (after present-day Scranton, PA) maybe it’s the other way around? Or maybe Michael Scott is one of your ancestors or something!
-John
Liz from awifeandhercarpeneter says
So, I am Floss Littleton from district 2 in the 11th hunger games. I will die by a failed acrobat?? Anyways, did you think the ending was as horrible as I did? I wanted them to highlight the whole Katniss-pretends-to-like-Peeta-to-win-and-Peeta-finds-out thing.
Ashley W. says
Love em! The hubby just finished reading it, so we need to go see the movie!! Sounds like such a fun date you two had :)
Kristin H. says
YAY!! I’m like BFF with Suzanne Collins! And by bff I mean she lives in my hometown, 2 miles from my parents, and when we drive by her house my husband and I pretend she’s waving out the window to us…. totally normal right? :)
Young House Life says
LOL, totally. Tell her we say “Hi” next time she waves to you.
-John
Jen M. says
Love it! I had plans to see the movie with a group of people at a similar theater called Cinetopia (we opted to eat dinner at the restaurant instead of in the “living room theater” because it was such a large group of people and we wanted to talk and mingle before the movie). So I busted out the books the week before because I couldn’t put them down! Glad you guys enjoyed yourselves!
Eli says
Read all 3 books last year and loved them! And truthfully, i was just so happy the movie was made by people who can direct and act, not like in other YA franchises! huhum, Twilight, huhum!
Emily says
Loved The Hunger Games! Catching Fire was my favorite. I thought the movie was a decent adaptation. I’m from WV (District 12, woo!) and I thought 12 looked just like a lot of places around here. I was disappointed in the mutts though…they were much scarier in my head. Can’t wait to hear what you guys think once you finish the trilogy!
Young House Life says
My mom’s side of the family is from WV so when I heard the description of District 12 I was excited for them too. The scenery for the movie was pretty beautiful too, though I believe most of it was shot in North Carolina.
-John
Kelley says
Just started Mockingjay last night. I got all 3 books from amazon.com for kindle for under $20 total and have been reading them on my iPad. Haven’t seen the movie yet, but have hear drastically different reviews from folks who have seen it.
Catherine says
What a fun date! My husband and I went to the Alamo Drafthouse in Austin and it’s a similar experience. I loved being able to eat and watch the movie at the same time!
My husband and I love the Hunger Games series! I wrote our opinion of the movie on our blog ( http://is.gd/YxUykp ). I definitely wish they had been a little more accurate, but the Jennifer Lawrence and Elizabeth Banks were spot on!
Lauren@FilingJointly says
Love The Hunger Games books!!
Oh and Toodles Prinnadee, District 4 tribute (I’m a Career?) Killed by slipping on a banana peel and falling on a bear, obviously.
It DOES sound like something I’d do in real life though.
Young House Life says
Haha, I love it!
xo,
s
Mizden says
I was refusing to read the books but from the comments in here I think I just need to read them right now!
My name is Fennel Laggerdeen, I had the honor of being a District 4 tribute in the 68th Hunger Games and I was killed by a mountain lion.
How come no one survives?!…I thought that maybe there were some lucky survirvers out there…I guess dying in the claws of a lion is better than drowning in someone else’s vomit >.< haha
Cinebistro sounds great, wish we had something like that here in Mexico…
Young House Life says
Yeah, I refreshed a few times hoping I’d come out a winner but I guess it’s more fun to hear about the strange way you perished (plus, only 1 in 24 people survive so chances of coming up dead are pretty high!).
-John
Erin says
We have a Cinebistro in Florida, too! I loved the Hunger Games books and the movie… I was really impressed with how it translated from one to the other.
My fiance read Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter, and he really liked it. He said it’s a 50/50 mix of true stories from his life and vampire fiction that they mixed in. Or maybe he really killed vampires, who knows!?
Jenn @My Southwestern Life says
I devoured all of the books last summer! They are so addicting. I have yet to see the movie, but I want to. My fiance is worried that the movie is going to have too much CGI and will be cheesy. I still have to see it!
Young House Life says
The special effects in the movie were all pretty subtle, actually (except maybe the mutts at the end). Since District 12 and the games are both supposed to feel pretty gritty – and they shot a lot in a handheld documentary-ish style – it didn’t feel like some high-tech special effects driven movie most of the time. Well, or at least it didn’t to me.
-John
Jen from Ohio says
I loved the Hunger Games too. I read them last summer on vacation. The thing I loved most is how they cross generations. I was reading them at the beach and the same family was near us all week. When I finished the last book, a 40ish couple, their teenage daughter, and the grandmother all came up and were asking how I liked it. They said they had been dying to ask me all week! We talked for about 45 minutes about it, we had our own little mini beach book club!
Trela says
I started teaching when the first Harry Potter books hit the shelves, and the Hunger Games phenomenon reminds me of that — good lit, gets kids (and big kids) reading and discussing literature… the stuff that makes English teachers incredibly happy. I try to forget the vampires that were the in-between phenomenon, but they just. keep. making. the. movies…. sigh. Super cool movie theater! Wish we had one of those!
Courtney says
I clicked on that site to see what my name was (Anise Abalone from District 2), but it said I was killed by Lenny Kravitz! What a heartbreak.
Karynjewels says
I have read all 3 and then had to listen to them all on audible. Just finished the 3rd one today. Am very sad and wondering what YA novel to read next! Any recommendations are welcome.
Laura L says
I decided to see the movie 1st and I am glad I did. As I am reading the book I get to relive the BEST movie over again. I easily went through 100 pages just this afternoon. I have to say it hasn’t been hard lately to put down movies, but this one was phenomenal!
Ashley says
We LOVE The Hunger Games! My husband convinced me to read it over the summer, and it’s become the centerpiece for our year in school (I teach 8th grade English). We’ve read the series and done social justice projects, looked at the Middle Eastern turmoil, and now we have our students creating fan products for the next movie. So glad you jumped on the bandwagon :)
Laura says
Yep, I ADORE The Hunger Games. I am currently a 28 year old amid a teen fangirl obsession. It’s quite scary. LOL
No but I loved the books when I first read them a year go, and love them ever more now that the film is out. It actually was one of my favourite adaptations because, even though things were missing, I think Ross just ‘got’ the book. If that makes sense.
Okay, I’ll stop now.
PS: Now I almost wish I could incorporate Peeta into MY name! LOL I can almost kinda sort get Katniss into my surname (now that you mention it) but not nearly as well as you guys :)
Lauryn says
Awwwh! What a sweet date night! Was the food good? I’ve always been scared to try CineBistro because I was nervous the food wouldn’t be that great!
Young House Life says
Yeah, it was pretty good!
-John
Bethany Annechino says
“Your name is:
Sofee Amberdeen
Congratulations! You had the honor of being a District 11 tribute in the 40th Hunger Games!
You were killed by thinking it was ok to stroke a snake.”
Hee.
Jyl says
I’m a little more than halfway through the third book. I won’t spoil it for you, but there were plenty of points where I went “WHOA”! Way to get swanky, Peeta-siks!
Elizabeth @wakeandgather says
Crazy timing! I’m reading Mockingjay right now after finishing Catching Fire in 12 hours haha. I’m a Harry Potter gal so I’m used to reading fast. But I just started the series 3 days ago. It’s good if not a tad predictable.
Brittney says
I haven’t read the books but went to see the movie with a friend whose husband didn’t want to go with her. I was personally sick to my stomach within the first 30 minutes. I left wondering why I’d let her talk me into going with her. She said that maybe it was due to not reading the books and having some of the background and character information that the book provides. Maybe I’ll read the books. Everyone else seems to be love them!
Monique says
This movie theater looks awesome! I’ve never been to one that has specific seating and people who bring you food. I’m pretty sure they don’t exist in Maine.
I’ve only read the first one. I want to read the next two but I’m hoping I can borrow them from a friend before I shell out the cash to buy them…. (since I just bought some books recently). I haven’t seen the movie yet either, but I’m hoping to do that soon too!
Alisha Landreth says
I wanted so badly to read the books first, but alas I saw it last Friday with the hubs. I’m sure not reading it made it that much more intense for me. I literally jumped out of my seat a few times,as well I think I squeezed all the life out of the hubs hand. We have an amazing theater here called the Warren. They have a balcony area that is 21 and older, the same concept and its over the auditorium below. They also have a private theater which is smaller and bigger comfy chairs. I wish I would have seen it in IMAX though. You guys should check out the soundtrack, it’s my addiction right now. If I find time to read or listen to the books I surely will!
Soffia@ HeartSweetHome says
I sooooo know what you mean, three movies in two years! Our daughter was born 6 years ago and I think that maybe we´ve been to the movies 5-6 times since then. Buuuuut on the plus side we have seen countless Disney and Pixar films in the cinema that we can then add to the list ;)
Also I think you have to call it a Sherry-bration, instead of a celebration – hohoho!
Young House Life says
Uh oh, it could be dangerous if Sherry catches wind of the idea of a “Sherry-bration” – let’s hope she doesn’t see this comment. :)
-John
Elizabeth says
I was the same! I read the book in less than one day, and then started Catching Fire about a week later and finished that in a weekend. I kept telling my boyfriend how good it was so we saw the movie together. I thought it was good, but the book was much better! I am now in the middle of Mockingjay but had to put it on hold until I finish school in April!
Natasha says
Welcome to The Hunger Games!! I just couldnt put the books down! Thanks for the link, apparently I’m from district 10 and named Tug Mask… Ha
JSi says
My 12 year old dived into those books and then got my husband and I to jump on the bandwagon, too! I was thrilled that he was so excited about reading :)
Anna says
I am currently sitting in an airport gate lounge waiting to board a plane and have the second book ‘catching fire’ in my handbag waiting to be read on this flight. I read the first on a flight from London to Sydney a few weeks ago – perfect plane reading material!!! thanks for not offering any spoilers (i didn’t read other peoples’ comments because I didn’t want to risk it). I really enjoyed the first one but I’m quite proud of my self-control until waiting for another flight for the second….!!!
Hillary says
Too funny…my husband and I are going to Cinebistro to see Hunger Games for my 29th birthday on Saturday. We have a will-be-3 year old on Sunday (not a fun b-day for ME 3 years ago!) so haven’t seen more than 5 movies in 3 years! We’re getting ready to have our 2nd child in July so the adult time is much needed.
Molly says
When I was incapcitated with morning sickness, I borrowed the Hunger Games from a friend and read them all to myself in about two days. My husband and I were looking for something to do *together*, so after I finished we bought our own set and took turns reading a chapter out loud to each other (and baby) at night. It was really nice bonding and time together that wasn’t watching TV, and we both got really into the series. You guys should try it with the third!!
jenn aka the picky girl says
Yea! I love it when you guys talk books since my blog is actually a book blog. I really loved the movie, and this comes from someone who almost always finds fault with book-to-film adaptations. It was SO fantastic, and I’m so glad you guys got to get out and watch it – and in such a cool theater!
paintergal says
I read the first book last week. But now I have to wait for books 2 & 3 to become available from the local library. I’m 6th on the waiting list. No spoilers, indeed!
Abigayle says
I read the first book years ago and have loved the series ever since. I’ve actually read all of the books 2 times each. I got my husband to read them as well and we’re planning on seeing the movie soon. What I really wanted to comment was that you guys should YouTube the Beanie Baby Hunger Games. I’m kind of obsessed with it (I’ve water the 12 minute video 4 times already and it kills me every time). Just something I thought you guys would get a kick out of!
Young House Life says
Just watched the first minute of Beanie Baby Hunger Games and it’s awesome. Gotta get some work done and then I’m gonna treat myself to the other 11 minutes. Here’s the link if anyone else is interested: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N2lRxqWbTec
-John
Katie says
One of the bad things about having a Kindle, is when I devoured the first book of the Hunger Games I HAD to buy the next two right away.
That Hunger Names site is hilarious. My name was Thicket Thistlemitch, and I was a District 4 tribute in the 35th Hunger Games. I died by falling out of a tree onto a bear. How lame is that!?
Jenn Rush says
I remember reading Hunger Games long before Catching Fire was released and I immediately fell in love with the characters and writing. It was torture having to wait for the other two books to come out!!
If you liked Hunger Games, your should totally check out DIVERGENT by Veronica Roth. Equally brilliant dystopian and has been optioned by Summit!
kim says
Divergent was great can’t wait for book 2
Jessica says
I am OBSESSED with the Hunger Games! I’ve read the trilogy 3 times already. I absolutely love it. I can’t wait to hear what you think of Mockingjay!