Hot & Cold Snack Size Reviews

I've had the pleasure of going to the movies a few times recently to see Catching Fire twice (yes, twice!) and Frozen. While I know it's quite possible to write rather lengthy reviews of both (especially Catching Fire), I thought I'd just share some simple thoughts and point out a few details that stood out to me. Thus, I bring you a hot and a cold snack size review! Enjoy them while they're hot...or frozen. ;)

Catching Fire

In a word: intense! This 2½-hour movie version of the second book in "The Hunger Games" trilogy is extremely well-done, capturing all sorts of emotions and vividly bringing the story to life. I was surprised at how much I liked the movie, as Catching Fire wasn't my favorite book of the series - and I had been worried about the increased level of violence. Yes, I did end up closing my eyes frequently, especially in the second half. But yes, I still saw it twice in theaters. What really hit me was the contrast between the horror/fear and some powerfully tender and poignant moments. (I have to add that Finnick endeared himself to me much more in this movie than in the book. Great actor!) Moments of sacrifice. Glimpses of love. It wasn't just hope of survival that carried the story - it was the survival of hope. And it was those moments that really made the story stand on its own rather than become a "sagging middle" with no purpose other than moving the plot along. As Johanna says, "Love is weird." Indeed it is. Indeed it has to be, for it to be given to such lost people. And oh, how we need it...

Frozen

In two words: frozen fun! Corny? Well, yes, it definitely has its moments. (If you find musicals somewhat silly with their random outbursts of song, this often follows in that vein. There are times you wonder why they can't just express their feelings without music...but I digress.) Still, the animation is generally quite splendid, many of the songs are quite catchy, and the oft-told but important message is sweet. The highlights for me were the beginning with the ice harvesting scene and song about frozen hearts, the twist that I didn't see coming (kudos!), and, of course, the romance with its humor and girl-carrying (I'm a sucker for a guy carrying a girl). I appreciated the sister theme, but I doubt my sister appreciates how much I now love to sing, "Do you want to build a snowman?" LOL.