Today, CNN posted an article that predicts, wow! That this Hunger Games thing just might be a big deal. The tone of the article is ridiculously glib, apparently in an effort to deflect from the fact that such an article makes the folks at CNN look further behind the times than the crowd that keeps popping up with “Hey, this Harry Potter stuff is actually Christian! Who knew?” The reporter, who is listed as being “special” is evidently either not familiar enough with the book to get the basics correct (like the relationship between Katniss and Peeta prior to the Reaping) or is trying too hard to be cute. Once again, the mainstream media is missing the real power of this story, thinking that it will be a big hit because of the sex and violence factors, and completely failing to notice (again) the power of this story or its razor-sharp critique of that very gore and smut industry. After all, The Hunger Games uses a story of real, sacrificial love to reveal the tragedies produced by a culture obsessed with violence as entertainment. As the movie’s release date draws near (posters are already up at the local cineplex) we can expect more of this nonsense. But then again, how likely is CNN to get what this story really does? After all, the mainstream media and its news-as-entertainment focus is part of the beautifully woven (and very sticky) web Suzanne Collins has woven. It really isn’t that shocking that they can’t see the message our crafty spider has posted with her riveting tale.
CNN Tries to Catch On with Hunger Games–and Fails Miserably
September 29, 2011 by 6 Comments
Rolling my eyes at that review!
Funny. I read this article before I stumbled upon your blog, and I said the same thing. Did this writer, who by the way is a celebuzz freelancer for CNN, actually read the book? “Her hot friend Peeta gets cast into the games, too.” This is the line that gives it away. Any fan of the book knows they were not friends prior to the games. Let’s hope CNN does a better job covering it for real fans as the movie draws closer.
The first giveaway was that the author was from celebuzz.com, that will show you she is more into whose ‘hot’ than anything else. Elizabeth you said it well when you said, “Once again, the mainstream media is missing the real power of this story, thinking that it will be a big hit because of the sex and violence factors, and completely failing to notice (again) the power of this story or its razor-sharp critique of that very gore and smut industry.” I think about what is being fed into the minds of this generation, that is all about who is the hottest, and the drama and violence and sex appeal of it all and it makes me grieve over the fact that they don’t get to know the bigger picture. How too many people goto foxnews.com or cnn.com and goto the entertainment tab for their current events. Bottom line is that most of the younger generation won’t understand or appreicate the sacrafice that a person makes for a cause greater than themselves. Thanks to teachers like you Mrs. Hardy for teaching beyond the scope!
It is impossible for this “journalist” to have read the book. We are lucky that she read the dust cover!As others have mentioned, Peeta and Katniss were not friends before, and Peeta confessed his feelings before they were in the Arena…
I have to wonder how long it will be before we are again practicing something like the Games. For now we are placated with mock violence and fake blood, but it Collin’s series proves how addicted that humans are to violence and entertainment. We are no better than the citizens of the Capitol; we are following this story as far as it will go and will always make comparisons to the original story.
Hey all,
I just wanted to send out a little bit of hope regarding the ironic nature of the glamorized presentation of the movie. As hard as it is to admit, since I do really enjoy well-crafted fiction, I didn’t read the series until a couple of weeks ago, long after I had been hyped up with the promise of a sexy new, action movie. As a huge fan of some of the lead cast, I thought I’d better catch up on the story, knowing how much more I get out of reading the fiction than seeing Hollywood producers’ interpretations of it.
Imagine my surprise then, when I discovered how BRILLIANT the series was, and how ironic the fact that it’s being groomed as a big blockbuster hit when its primary message is rebellion from the consumerist media driven, glamor addicted culture of our present day.
Be assured, I feel appropriately chastised by Ms. Collins’s logos and look forward to the intellectual discussions I can have with my friends as we leave the movie theater.
Thanks for checking in, Matt, and for your thoughtful comments! I will really be interested to see the responses of readers who come to the books after being drawn in by the Capitol-esque ploys of Hollywood. I look forward to your thoughts in March!