Fans of Suzanne Collins’ book series came out in record numbers to see the trilogy’s first adaptation, “The Hunger Games,” hit the big screen last weekend. Box office domination, however, doesn’t always speak to the quality of the product. Just consider the painful experience of watching even five minutes from “The Twilight Saga.”

“The Hunger Games” is different. It’s the box office smash worth the price of admission, even for those unfamiliar with the series.

The story takes place in a fascinating post-apocalyptic world where a deadly competition separates the rich from the poor. Twenty-four kids go in, only one comes out. Survival requires pandering to a fickle television audience, and, oh yeah, killing fellow adolescents before they kill you.

This story has been done before, but it’s been a while since we’ve seen it done with such focus on character. Director Gary Ross (“Pleasantville”) does an exceptional job not only in visualizing Collins’ dense mythology but also introducing a captivating heroine in Katniss Everdeen, a bow-and-arrow-wielding warrior who could snap poor Bella Swan’s neck with her index finger. (more…)

We can have our good values and we can have our dignity, but sometimes we just need a paycheck.

This is most true in Hollywood, where even the most respected actors and filmmakers work on a project for the sole purpose of banking a few million bucks.

Some actors, however, seem perfectly content taking money for less-than-passable projects. Some are stuck trying to repeat iconic past performances, while others appear to be sleepwalking through every endeavor.

This list is particularly painful, because I love a lot of these performers. But these people are slumming it, and we all should expect more. (more…)

“The Artist” won Best Picture at the Academy Awards – only my eighth favorite movie out of the nine nominees. The ceremony went down pretty much as expected too, with the biggest surprise being “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” winning Best Editing. Exciting, right?

“The Artist” is a tolerable choice for Best Picture, and the Academy at least gave five trophies to Martin Scorsese’s “Hugo” in technical categories. “Hugo” is new this week on Blu-ray and DVD and is most certainly worth your time, by the way.

Rather than griping about the nominees that didn’t win, let’s gripe about the terrific movies and performances that weren’t nominated for anything. A few, in fact, are newly available for your home viewing pleasure. (more…)