"The Hunger Games"....opinions?

[lgoldsmith]

What is everyone's opinion on this new movie that's all the rage right now....'The Hunger Games". I think it looks creepy & disturbing but there are several Witness kids that are going to see it, or have already seen it. Just curious what everyone's thoughts on it are.

[GoldAussieGirl]

my niece has read the books and said she was going to see the movie. Her mum was taking her.... but i dont know much about it? They are witnesses.

[ReadYourBible]

From IMDB (Movie website)

Set in a future where the Capitol selects a boy and girl from the twelve districts to fight to the death on live television, Katniss Everdeen volunteers to take her younger sister's place for the latest match.

From wikipedia

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Hunger_Games

Inspiration and origins

Collins says that the inspiration to write The Hunger Games came from channel surfing on television. On one channel she observed people competing on a reality show and on another she saw footage of the invasion of Iraq. The two "began to blur in this very unsettling way" and the idea for the book was formed.[5] The Greek myth of Theseus served as basis for the story, with Collins describing Katniss as a futuristic Theseus, and that Roman gladiatorial games formed the framework. The sense of loss that Collins developed through her father's service in the Vietnam War also affected the story, whose heroine lost her father at age eleven, five years before the story begins.[6] Collins stated that the deaths of the young characters and other "dark passages" were the hardest parts of the book to write, but she had accepted she would be writing such scenes.[7] She considered the moments where Katniss reflects on happier moments in her past to be the more enjoyable passages to write.[7]

There is more that I would consider a spoiler, so you can go read the wiki stuff for yourself, myself I'll probably give it a miss. It sounds like every other movie like it, with the same prescription for a happy ending

[zoebarry]

I've read all three books and they were excellent. I plan on taking my kids to see the movie.

Considering what today's bestseller's content is. these books proved that a great book doesn't have to contain profanity or sex to be a great story and a bestseller. I highly recommend them.

[Josie]

I have no personal knowledge of the books or film. However, last week I saw an interview with one of the actresses. The interviewer asked her about whether the extremely violent content was really necessary (particularly as it was being aimed at teenagers). Her reply, basically, was that there would be no film without the violence. That was the whole point of it.

[Greenfield]

I knew we would have a thread on this sooner or later.

This is all I have to say:

D. Speech & Content

1) Matters of Conscience: If there are no clear indications on a subject in the Bible or in the publications of Jehovah’s Witnesses, then we are obligated to show respectfulness towards the conscience decisions of others, both of those that are stricter than ours and those that are less strict. (Romans 14:3) Do not make rules where none exist.

[Bluebell]

Just read these comments about the film:

Yet another story predicated on murder. Am really the only one who is saying "stop the madness"?

The story line is pretty thin, serving mostly as an excuse for the meaningless violence our entertainment industry so heavily relies on for content.

The themes in this story don't glorify the children killing each other; it actually shows how horrific it is and is meant to show how twisted and desensitized we as people can/could be when it comes to reality tv, among other important themes like survival, rebelling against totalitarian gov't etc..

Here we have the idea of the action of killing others is promoted.

Lately in our Western society, there has been a lot of promotion asking our youth NOT to bully, and here we have the paradox of that, killing in a 'game!'

I can hear a youth in court for stalking/assaulting or even killing another youth state, "Well, judge, I saw them do it on the Hunger Games."

Making it just fine in the youth's mind.

So....do we still have the desire to watch the film with your children?

We just had this kind of subject at the weekend.

The talk was about decisions.

He said that Jehovah knows if we are enjoying watching violence .

But he said also our conscience has to make the decision.

The Zone Overseer also mentioned that Jehovah has a law and we can keep it or we can break it.

He gave the illustration of the speed limit. We cant change the speed limit but we can choose to obey or not to obey.

Ps 11:5

Ps 140:1

[loginphp]

Just read these comments about the film:

Yet another story predicated on murder. Am really the only one who is saying "stop the madness"?

The story line is pretty thin, serving mostly as an excuse for the meaningless violence our entertainment industry so heavily relies on for content.

The themes in this story don't glorify the children killing each other; it actually shows how horrific it is and is meant to show how twisted and desensitized we as people can/could be when it comes to reality tv, among other important themes like survival, rebelling against totalitarian gov't etc..

Here we have the idea of the action of killing others is promoted.

Lately in our Western society, there has been a lot of promotion asking our youth NOT to bully, and here we have the paradox of that, killing in a 'game!'

I can hear a youth in court for stalking/assaulting or even killing another youth state, "Well, judge, I saw them do it on the Hunger Games."

Making it just fine in the youth's mind.

So....do we still have the desire to watch the film with your children?

We just had this kind of subject at the weekend.

The talk was about decisions.

He said that Jehovah knows if we are enjoying watching violence .

But he said also our conscience has to make the decision.

The Zone Overseer also mentioned that Jehovah has a law and we can keep it or we can break it.

He gave the illustration of the speed limit. We cant change the speed limit but we can choose to obey or not to obey.

Ps 11:5

Ps 140:1

Bingo Jenni.

Apparently each person is on a different spiritual maturity. Some of us can look at a vampire movie and think "It won't affect me?", ok well, it's not about you it's about Jehovah so how does HE feel about it?

There's no way I'd watch it. It's about people kids killing each other for food. I don't know about everyone else but a huge bell goes off in my head when I hear about movies like this. "Sure let's go enjoy watching child violence.. oh oh! and the kids have to fight and kill each other too to eat! let's watch! Jehovah will be there too" lol I can't picture that. Unless Jesus would watch it with me. Some movies are just too obvious to avoid. They were watching Hunger Games at my daughters school on the last day, and I even let her miss school because of that!

We might as well watch vampire movies too, right?

Sorry if I sounded a bit critical. I wasn't trying to sound mad or anything. I just wasn't going to water down how serious it is.

Anyways, it's not really how I feel, but what if Jehovah doesn't like it? I'd think it does matter what he feels :/

[Bluebell]

Just read these comments about the film:

Yet another story predicated on murder. Am really the only one who is saying "stop the madness"?

The story line is pretty thin, serving mostly as an excuse for the meaningless violence our entertainment industry so heavily relies on for content.

The themes in this story don't glorify the children killing each other; it actually shows how horrific it is and is meant to show how twisted and desensitized we as people can/could be when it comes to reality tv, among other important themes like survival, rebelling against totalitarian gov't etc..

Here we have the idea of the action of killing others is promoted.

Lately in our Western society, there has been a lot of promotion asking our youth NOT to bully, and here we have the paradox of that, killing in a 'game!'

I can hear a youth in court for stalking/assaulting or even killing another youth state, "Well, judge, I saw them do it on the Hunger Games."

Making it just fine in the youth's mind.

So....do we still have the desire to watch the film with your children?

We just had this kind of subject at the weekend.

The talk was about decisions.

He said that Jehovah knows if we are enjoying watching violence .

But he said also our conscience has to make the decision.

The Zone Overseer also mentioned that Jehovah has a law and we can keep it or we can break it.

He gave the illustration of the speed limit. We cant change the speed limit but we can choose to obey or not to obey.

Ps 11:5

Ps 140:1

Bingo Jenni.

Apparently each person is on a different spiritual maturity. Some of us can look at a vampire movie and think "It won't affect me?", ok well, it's not about you it's about Jehovah so how does HE feel about it?

There's no way I'd watch it. It's about people kids killing each other for food. I don't know about everyone else but a huge bell goes off in my head when I hear about movies like this. "Sure let's go enjoy watching child violence.. oh oh! and the kids have to fight and kill each other too to eat! let's watch! Jehovah will be there too" lol I can't picture that. Unless Jesus would watch it with me. Some movies are just too obvious to avoid. They were watching Hunger Games at my daughters school on the last day, and I even let her miss school because of that!

We might as well watch vampire movies too, right?

Sorry if I sounded a bit critical. I wasn't trying to sound mad or anything. I just wasn't going to water down how serious it is.

Anyways, it's not really how I feel, but what if Jehovah doesn't like it? I'd think it does matter what he feels :/

Thank you Marcus

I agree with you......

[ava]

I will not be taking my teenagers to see it.

[carribbeangrl01]

Since this is an opinion forum, here's where I'm at.

First I have not read the book so know very little except for previews. My brother who is not a witness and is currently in the army went to see it yesterday. He knows kind of where I stand as far as movies go. When I asked him if it would be something I would like, he said most likely not. There is a 10 yr old girl that dies in the movie and he almost cried at that and even felt sorry for the jerk character that dies also.. On this one I have to agree on the fact that is it a movie I would take jesus or Jehovah to? There are action movies out there that I like but there is not so much violence and killing.

On a separate note there is a lot of other good movies especially some of the older ones. Better stories with little to no violence

[Bro.David Drake DeLaurento]

Just read these comments about the film:

Yet another story predicated on murder. Am really the only one who is saying "stop the madness"?

The story line is pretty thin, serving mostly as an excuse for the meaningless violence our entertainment industry so heavily relies on for content.

The themes in this story don't glorify the children killing each other; it actually shows how horrific it is and is meant to show how twisted and desensitized we as people can/could be when it comes to reality tv, among other important themes like survival, rebelling against totalitarian gov't etc..

Here we have the idea of the action of killing others is promoted.

Lately in our Western society, there has been a lot of promotion asking our youth NOT to bully, and here we have the paradox of that, killing in a 'game!'

I can hear a youth in court for stalking/assaulting or even killing another youth state, "Well, judge, I saw them do it on the Hunger Games."

Making it just fine in the youth's mind.

So....do we still have the desire to watch the film with your children?

We just had this kind of subject at the weekend.

The talk was about decisions.

He said that Jehovah knows if we are enjoying watching violence .

But he said also our conscience has to make the decision.

The Zone Overseer also mentioned that Jehovah has a law and we can keep it or we can break it.

He gave the illustration of the speed limit. We cant change the speed limit but we can choose to obey or not to obey.

Ps 11:5

Hermano DDD

I ageee with Jenni and this is my opinion. I come from a very violent life where murders, rapes and atrocities were the norm. I saw experienced the gang violence, drive bys and the innocent victims in its wake. I feel the way Jehovah feels the way n Psalms 11:5. I steer my kids away from that to prepare themselves for the new system.

[Gideonssword]

Bravo, sister. I'm not sure how this could even be questioned. A movie about killing as a game, wow. I wonder if Jesus would go and watch it?

[loginphp]

Bravo, sister. I'm not sure how this could even be questioned. A movie about killing as a game, wow. I wonder if Jesus would go and watch it?

Exactly. I notice that it's easy for some of us to misunderstand what "conscience decisions" really are.

A conscience decision does not mean "Well, it's kids killing kids but it doesn't bother me, my conscience is okay!". A conscience decision is one based on the fact that the movie we watch doesn't really have no clear indications of "right" or "wrong". What we're trying to do is form a "Bible based" conscience. Let's say for example, if I watched Hunger Games, a movie dedicated to glorifying violence and death... well let's think, it didn't bother my conscience but does that mean it was a conscience decision? No. What's clearly wrong is clearly wrong and therefore it's not really a conscience decision. It's wicked and we avoid it.

So, it depends on ones definition of "conscience decision". We could have the wrong idea of "conscience decision" and say "Well I'll watch this movie here of fornication and adultery on my screen, BUT it doesn't bother my conscience yet!". In THAT case there is a "right" and "wrong"; not a "conscience decision". Why? because obviously being entertained by those things are wrong, yet if one doesn't have a 'properly' trained conscience, then that conscience could be guiding him in a wrong way and that's dangerous. Is this being dogmatic or unrealistic? No, it's being Christian. But in the case of a movie that clearly holds wicked thoughts on high, it is not a "conscience decision" but a matter of how much we care about Jehovah's feelings.(Psa 78:41) Hopefully we use the term "conscience decision" properly. It would be in the case that there is no clear "right" or "wrong" answer, then it would really be up to ourselves. However, violating Bible principles is never ok.

I know it's really hard! Sometimes we may start ripping and tearing at ourselves because we feel like we have no freedom, but trust Jehovah. (2 Corinthians 3:17)" . . .Now Jehovah is the Spirit; and where the spirit of Jehovah is, there is freedom. . ." So we're not trapped but we are protected with boundries. Hope that helps.

[LuanaGlobal]

I will not let my 12 yr old see this film. She will have to choose something else

[stuagu]

i think vampire movies are different ... as well as hary potter, demon stuff, we have recieved strong counsel about them, so they cease to be a conscience decision is my view? is that right?

whereas other films are a conscience decision ?

i would say that i have no plans to see the hunger games but that isnt for conscience reasons... takes a lot to get me to cinama these days!

but if you go brothers and sisters, i hope you enjoy it and its the correct decision. and for those that decide against it? i love you just as much as the ones that do go!

[Brother_Bliss]

I've read all three books and they were excellent. I plan on taking my kids to see the movie.

Considering what today's bestseller's content is. these books proved that a great book doesn't have to contain profanity or sex to be a great story and a bestseller. I highly recommend them.

Or demons and the occult (ie. Harry Potter, Twilight).

I know nothing about this story, but they say the book is always better than the movie.

[Brother_Bliss]

I have no personal knowledge of the books or film. However, last week I saw an interview with one of the actresses. The interviewer asked her about whether the extremely violent content was really necessary (particularly as it was being aimed at teenagers). Her reply, basically, was that there would be no film without the violence. That was the whole point of it.

Or rather, not that it was the point, but the obvious consequence of the story. It's kinda like Gladiator, or the Last Samurai or something similar. Hard to tell a story about a war without showing the war.

Something like Natural Born Killers, however.... violence is the point of that.

[GoldAussieGirl]

Hmm reading the replies im surprised the witnesses i mentioned took their daughter to see it as they are a very spiritual family. Im very picky with what i watch and wouldnt see it myself going by what i read on here.

Guess each of us answers to Jehovah ultimately so its between them and Jehovah

[Brother_Bliss]

I am by no means defending this movie. Based on the descriptions I have read in this thread (never even heard of it before) I have about zero interest in seeing it.

However...

A conscience decision does not mean "Well... it doesn't bother me, my conscience is okay!". A conscience decision is one based on the fact that the movie we watch doesn't really have no clear indications of "right" or "wrong".

This is correct, generally speaking.

So, it depends on ones definition of "conscience decision". We could have the wrong idea of "conscience decision" and say "Well I'll watch this movie here of fornication and adultery on my screen, BUT it doesn't bother my conscience yet!". In THAT case there is a "right" and "wrong"; not a "conscience decision".

And even that depends.

For example, does the story depict fornication? Like graphic portrayal leaning towards porn?

Is the story solely about fornication, depicting it as something justifiable?

Or, is the story about something else, and there happens to be some characters in it that are alluded to as fornicating at some brief point in the movie?

So many things will factor into the conscience decision-making of our brothers and sisters, and we may perceive something as flat out wrong, but it is not within our rights to outright label someone else as spiritually immature for making a different decision than you.

Why? because obviously being entertained by those things are wrong, yet if one doesn't have a 'properly' trained conscience, then that conscience could be guiding him in a wrong way and that's dangerous. Is this being dogmatic or unrealistic? No, it's being Christian. But in the case of a movie that clearly holds wicked thoughts on high, it is not a "conscience decision" but a matter of how much we care about Jehovah's feelings.(Psa 78:41) Hopefully we use the term "conscience decision" properly. It would be in the case that there is no clear "right" or "wrong" answer, then it would really be up to ourselves. However, violating Bible principles is never ok.

Correct! Nice comments.

[GoldAussieGirl]

So many things will factor into the conscience decision-making of our brothers and sisters, and we may perceive something as flat out wrong, but it is not within our rights to outright label someone else as spiritually immature for making a different decision than you.

.

Good point, its hard at times, but its really not up to us to judge. Lets leave that to Jehovah

[Joelferr]

from what i remember seeing is this little girl was standing over her little brother that was killed by another player and a min later the little girl got her head chopped of by this teen girl..............i was done

[Bluebell]

The most controversial 12A films

Success of The Hunger Games reignites debate over controversial BBFC rating

The question is though, with scenes of kids (some as young as 10) slaughtering each other with spears, throwing knives and - at one point - killer bees, should youngsters even be allowed to watch it?

According to the BBFC, 12A means children younger than 12 must be accompanied by an adult to buy a ticket. At one point ‘Games’ was set to be a 15 before the studio nixed seven seconds of particularly gory footage.

Despite the cuts, some parents have complained about the rating on Mumsnet, saying that “it was really stretching the 12 rating” with one child becoming “so distressed” that they had to leave the cinema. Another said that “some death scenes are quite shocking” claiming that “you see a lot of dead faces and it's very realistic”.

http://uk.movies.yahoo.com/the-most-controversial-12a-films.html

[Taneisha]

What is everyone's opinion on this new movie that's all the rage right now....'The Hunger Games". I think it looks creepy & disturbing but there are several Witness kids that are going to see it, or have already seen it. Just curious what everyone's thoughts on it are.

That movie has a whole bunch of killing in it. The girl in the movie has to kill whoever she's fighting against to stay alive and in the girl. My student was reading the books but I helped her to see that Jehovah probably wouldn't approve of that movie.

[Taneisha]

I will not be taking my teenagers to see it.

I will not be seeing it either. I have no desire to watch a bunch of kids kill each other.