The Crying ‘Games’

This chart from Movies.com summarizes the Finnick casting saga, including my scoop of Colton Haynes’ audition.

As part of a summer of healthy living, I have made it a goal to work out every day. Yesterday, I had my friend Patrick’s birthday party in the evening so I had to move up my work out a few hours. After completing my cardio, I was in the middle of my push-ups when I got the worst text I ever received. My friend Lauren shared the news that rumors were circulating that the role of Finnick Odair had been cast. And, it was not someone I wanted. For those of you who are not members of the Brian Tuft Book Club or live under a rock, Finnick Odair is a character in the second and third books of the Hunger Games series. He has also become the hottest casting property in recent history. A few months ago, I presented Colton Haynes as my pick, I also echoed the wide spread sentiments that Armie Hammer or Taylor Kisch would be fine as well. Other names thrown out included Lucas Til, Jesse Williams and Trevor Donovan, and while I did have my heart set on Colton, all of them became acceptable to me over time. So when Lauren sent me the news that the casting was a dark horse who’s name was never mentioned during the months of rumor mill churning, it came as a surprise. And, an unpleasant one at that.

While it’s hard to overlook that when he is half naked and dirty he does look like Finnick, his previous work makes me nervous.

This dark horse is named Sam Claflin, I know him from “Snow White and the Huntsman” the latest Kristen Stewart atrocity I suffered through. He played her best friend from childhood, who was the story’s Prince Charming. I don’t know if it was that he was playing fourth fiddle after an Oscar winner, Edward Cullens’s baby mama and Thor but he seemed very bland, kind of weak and most certainly didn’t register as a sexy Adonis. The entire role was pointless and didn’t do anything to make it to stand out. So my initial reaction has been very negative. While I was excited about them landing Phillip Seymour Hoffman and Jena Malone as Johanna, this role was the one I was the most excited about. So I feel like my knee jerk reaction of hating the casting of this film with the intensity of 1,000 Cinna made fire capes is to be expected. However, my reaction was similar when I learned of Josh Hutcherson’s casting in the series, and look how that turned out. I can only hope that the casting director saw something in Sam’s audition that I have not seen in his on-screen work thus far. Because, while I concede that some of the edits and changes in the film may not have been great. No one can convince me that the casting was not top notch. From Jennifer Lawerence and Josh Hutcherson, to Wes Bentley and the other 22 tributes. Every single one of those actors took the characters I imagined and made them real. As of press time, Sam Claflin hasn’t made an announcement, and Lionsgate remains mum as well. What should be pointed out is that the casting ofAmanda Plummer as Wires another tribute was confirmed yesterday, after the Finnick story broke so the lack of comment strikes me as odd. I guess only time will tell, and with each day we move closer to the Quarter Quell. Tick tock, tick tock Lionsgate.

The Man Who Knew Too Soon

My pick for Finnick, Colton Haynes and I.

Good news travels fast, bad news travels faster. But, as a fan of “the Hunger Games” I’ve learned casting news travels fastest. However, thus far there has been no news regarding “the Hunger Games: Catching Fire” so as fans we have had to live on rumors to keep us going. Last week, I posted that I had finally gotten a little news from my pick for Finnick Odair, Colton Haynes. He told me that the rumors surrounding Armie Hammer, Taylor Kisch and Garret Hedlund should be taken with a proverbial grain of salt. He also shared that he was meeting with the studio to discuss the project when I had asked if I should hold out hope of seeing him wielding a trident. As soon as my post went public, the story was splashed across every “Hunger Games” blog. That was no surprise, I mean this casting is a huge deal and one that has been very anticipated. What did surprise me was the amount times the words “allegedly” “unsubstantiated claims” and “unfamiliar” appeared in each re-posting.

Trevor Donovan who I first came to love as Teddy on “90210″ is rumored to also be in the running for Finnick.

Then yesterday, a bigger website posted that “an insider” had revealed that Armie Hammer, Garrett Hedlund and Taylor Kisch were in fact not being looked at or considered. And, that meetings were being held this week with the final eight in the running. Of course this bigger site’s intel was not questioned or met with shade. But, their report did bestow more validity on my exclusive with Colton and that I am thankful for. So far thehob.org, mockingjay.net and their readers are yet to apologize for being so snarky in their disbelief. Other names on the list of the eight being considered are Trevor Donovan (another BEST Blog fav), Lucas Til and Alan Ritchson. I hope that this little update helps continues to validate my little dog and pony blog. And, once again I want to extend the best of wishes to Colton. I marathon watched “Teen Wolf” this past week and saw many shimmering examples as to why he would kill this role. Good luck Mr. Haynes, and may these new odds remain ever in your favor.

Colton Haynes Bulks Up His Abs AND My Case…

Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, I present more damning evidence in the case for Colton Haynes as Finnick Odair.

Thanks to WordPress and their amazing dashboard, I am able to tell exactly how many people read my blog each day. A recent addition even shows me where my readers are based. Today I’ve attracted eyes from the Philippines, Saudi Arabia and many other far off places. But, today may be the first time I learned that a celebrity might read BEST Blog. This morning I presented my picks for roles in the next Hunger Games film. My dark horse pick Colton Haynes was met with an overwhelmingly positive response. Then this afternoon JustJared.com posted photos of Colton Haynes at the beach. 15 beautiful and slightly creepy paparazzi shots of Colton splashing around in the waves like a certain trident wielding victor from District 4. It was like he saw my post and wanted to provide me more fodder and inspire me to campaign harder. Compared to the photo I included in my original post, it looks like Colton has been bulking up. Bringing him even closer to the Finnick I pictured as I read Catching Fire and Mockingjay. If Colton is reading this, please remember me and my support if and when you get cast. BRB going to photoshop a trident into his hands in these photos.

If you need further evidence, some thinspiration or just want to ogle more eye candy: http://www.justjared.com/2012/04/04/colton-haynes-shirtless-at-the-beach/

Even his friend is like "Damn boy."

The Hunger Games Sequel’s Casting Rumors Catch Fire

A fan made poster that I enjoyed from Tumblr.

“The Hunger Games” pulled a rare trifecta this week, with a number one selling book, a number one selling soundtrack and the weekend’s number one movie at the box office. It is safe to say that it is a phenomenon. And, while Lionsgate counts their money and sends an Edible Arrangements to Suzanne Collins my friends and I along with every other HG fan seem to already be thinking about “Catching Fire”. As a big fan of the book, I don’t feel comfortable discussing it too much. I feel like the book’s plot is so crazy, that reading it and experiencing it for yourself is part of the fun. But, in the course of the book’s events we meet a few new characters. And, just like the internet was ablaze with chatter over who was going to play Katniss, Peeta and the others, this new crop of characters is in the center of a firestorm of speculation. I figured I should throw my opinions out there to stir the pot and so that when official announcements are made, my picks were in writing ahead of time.

Kellan Lutz was my original pick, but the material and a reported ban on Twilight stars in THG made me look elsewhere.

One of the new characters is Finnick Odair. When we meet Finnick he is wearing sea weed and a tuna net, eating sugar cubes and cheekily hitting on our dear Katniss. Upon our first introduction to Finnick we are led to believe he is a sexy, shallow and one note Lothario. He is from District 4, which is where Panem’s fish originate so he is a skilled swimmer and deadly with a trident. When I first read Fire I imagined Kellan Lutz to be Finnick. Collins paints a portrait of a man who is incredibly sexy, very muscular and super cocky. But, as the rest of the story was told both in this book and later in Mockingjay we see the rest of Finnick unfold.

Colton Haynes would be ideal Finnick. Look at how good and how natural he looks in that water.

These later developments take the character into deeper territory, and while I love Kellan, I am not sure he has the dramatic abilities to portray the heavier elements. In the discussions I’ve had I have heard Grant Gustin, Armie Hammer and countless others mentioned. The two people who I would throw my weight behind are Taylor Kisch of “Friday Night Lights” and “John Carter” fame. From those I know who watched FNL, I’ve heard Taylor has the chops for the role and with his history of modeling we know he has the torso for Finnick. The other pick is a bit of a dark horse and was suggested by my friend June, “Teen Wolf’s” Colton Haynes. From what I have seen of “Teen Wolf” he could handle the role. Plus his Abercrombie and Fitch ads will show you he not only has the body for Finnick but also seems like he would be totally comfortable talking to Katniss in a net and leaves. While I feel Kisch is a safer pick, Haynes is closer to the Finnick I imagined. Plus, I like Colton and think this project would boost his profile.

Kristen Bell discussed her passion for the series a few weeks ago on Jimmy Kimmel.

Our other character in need of casting is Joanna Mason. We meet Joanna in this book, but she is mentioned in the Hunger Games novel. Katniss tells us about watching Joanna, a girl from District 7 in an earlier games. She cried and appeared cowardly in the weeks leading up to the games, but as the tributes lessened Joanna revealed her true nature as a cold blooded killer who wields an ax and takes no prisoners. As with Finnick, this character has a dual nature so the actor cast has to be able to nail the weakling side and the tough killer side. Some of Collins writing may be clunky, but her ability to tell stories and develop characters is magical.

With her chic style and sweet face, Mia Wasikowska could nail the seemingly weak but lethal Joanna Mason.

Kristen Bell has been campaigning for the role of Joanna since I can remember. While I love that she is a big fan of the books, even admitting to throwing a HG themed birthday party. I am not sold on her as Joanna. Other names I have heard are Naya Rivera and Anna Kendrick but, my pick would be Mia Wasikowska. She has proven herself a wonderful actress in “Albert Nobbs” and “the Kids Are All Right”, plus we know she can do a blockbuster after her work in the $1 Billion grossing “Alice in Wonderland”. I think she is someone who could absolutely pull off the weak coward side of Joanna and also be a total bad ass who is a thorn in Katniss’ side.

Sadly, my pull at Lionsgate is minimal and as of yet they haven’t asked me for my take on whoever they’re thinking about. But, I wanted to share my opinions and hopefully get a good debate going on who will eventually step into the roles alongside Josh Hutcherson and Jennifer Lawrence. “Catching Fire” is scheduled for a November 2013 release and according to my dream BFF, JHutch, is expected to start shooting this summer. So hopefully we will have a casting scoop soon. I feel like these two characters are such a huge part of the story from here on out and think the pressure is on. The world will be watching Lionsgate, so may the odds be ever in your favor.

Hungry For More…

I am not sure when exactly I decided to get into the Hunger Games. A film adaptation had been announced and the argument raging on the internet over who should step into the roles of Katniss, Peeta and Gale intrigued me. Then one day, while I was buying some books off Amazon I added it to my cart. Within hours of its arrival, I was deeply immersed in the world author Suzanne Collins designs. A few hours after that, I was ready to make myself a Nightlock and Yogurt parfait over my idiotic decision not to buy books 2 and 3 when I ordered the first. I then suffered for days as my order processed and shipped from Amazon. Do you know how hard it is to try and read Anderson Cooper’s memoir when all you want to do is find out what is going to happen to Peeta Mellark? My obsessive and constant tweeting about the books sparked a wave of new readers in my friendship circle. My friend Anne went first, then my friend Lauren, then my friend Kathleen, and then… you get the picture. As I was about 100 pages shy of finishing the first book the casting officially went public. I had envisioned someone darker for Gale, I wanted Hunter Parrish for Peeta but Katniss was just right.After I finished Mockingjay last summer, it felt like the wait for the movie version of the Hunger Games was forever away. And, after months of waiting, its finally here.

Liam and I at Good Morning America. Team Gale has never looked so appealing.

Leading up to the film’s midnight release there was a press blitz of crazy proportions, so avoiding spoilers, clips and sneak peaks was nearly impossible. But, I wanted to leave it all a secret until midnight. Thanks to the press blitz, the opportunity to meet our favorite tributes was ours for the taking. Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson and Liam Hemsworth were all set to appear on Good Morning America leading up to the film’s release. I went to meet Liam and Josh and have to say the both of them were ready and excited to greet the crowd of fans. Jennifer seems like she’s going to need some time to adjust to her new super star status. The most amazing part of going to Good Morning America on Thursday was seeing the crowd and how it multiplied since Josh’s last appearance last Fall when he debuted the trailer. Back then, there were under two dozen of us, and Josh spent 10 minutes outside. On Thursday morning there was closer to 75 people, Josh was still as nice but had to manage his time a tad wiser.

Sara and I all done up as Katniss and Peeta. Luckily, it was not my first time dressed as a total flamer.

To further amp ourselves up for the release,my friend Sara and I decided to go all out and dress as Peeta and Katniss. I had figured the hype and craze was big enough to warrant such a decision. While the reaction was overwhelmingly positive, there were very few people dressed as citizens of Panem at the theater. The odds were in our favor though, as Sara and I were interviewed by Good Morning America and got the vote of GMA anchor Cameron Mathison as best dressed. After interviews, several photos opps and an eternity spent waiting for refreshments the movie was about to start.

My hesitation over Josh's casting was stupid. His Peeta was funny, sweet, charismatic and absolutely flawless.

Without giving too much away, I have to say the film was amazing. A gold standard for book to screen adaptations. Nailing the excitement, emotion and action of the book. Even a movie adaptation like the Help which was one of my favorites last year and was nominated for Oscars could learn from the Hunger Games adaptation. The screen writers take the story out of Katniss’ point of view and allow you to see the Games from every angle. Bringing you into the game makers control room, the living rooms in district twelve and everywhere in between. This change really fleshes out the universe that Collins built. There are also some new additions that really make the best of the characters you know and love. Game maker Seneca Crane becomes a major character, the brutish Cato is humanized and special attention is paid to make sure Catching Fire’s sparks are laid out for us. What’s so amazing to me, is that usually after an event film of this nature the afterward feeling is sad. But, in this case the feeling is elation and excitement at least for the fans I’ve spoken to. Even if you haven’t read the book series, I think the movie is worth checking out. If not for how excellent a story it is, you should see it because it is a pop culture moment right now and you don’t want to be left behind.

All in all, I feel lucky that the book series I obsessively talked several friends into reading is off to such a great start in the film world. While Catching Fire is set to be released on November 22nd, 2013. I am already ready to go see it now. Until then I will just have to monitor the progress of the film’s jump from page to screen. Speaking of… have they cast Finnick yet?

The 25 for 25 Project Week Six Update

This week was light in progress, thanks large in part to Fashion Week taking over New York City. You can read all about my adventures in Fashion Land on Monday when I post the full recap. As you may remember, number 16 on the list is to attend a fashion show. While I did attend a few events this week, including a fabulous party and a Cougar Town panel I did not make into any shows. But, there are two more NYFWs before the project ends so there are more chances to come.

As for the Oscar list, I made some progress but not as much as others weeks since I was out almost every day. Turner Classic Movies has been doing their 31 Days of Oscar in a geographical theme showing you all of the places Oscar films have taken place, this week we hit Greece, New York and the American south. In New York we crossed off Going my Way and The Apartment. Both of which I really enjoyed. Going my Way was a little shmaltzy, but Bing Crosby was excellent in it. Crosby plays a young priest who moves to a bankrupt parish overseen by an old priest and with a few youthful injections turns things around. The movie should be watched by today’s holy officials, who seem to have lost an entire generation of church goers with their archaic views and practices. The Apartment was also excellent, Jack Lemmon lends out his apartment to upper management men for their extra marital affairs. One of the bosses is having an affair with Shirley McLaine who is of course the woman Lemmon likes. The end of the movie looks as if it is going to end with a suicide and in that moment I got really nervous, that’s when I know I truly enjoyed the film when I am nervous or upset about the death of a character. The week also took me to the South where I crossed a political film All the King’s Men and In the Heat of the Night off of the list. I thought Heat was great, with an amazing mystery and a performance nothing short of incredible from Sidney Poitier. This week I also revisited Tara in Gone with the Wind. Wind was actually one of the 14 Oscar winning movies I had seen before starting off on this project, but I couldn’t help but re-watch it. It’s long, it’s epic but it’s a masterpiece and I just adore Miss Scarlet O’Hara. Tonight, TCM will be taking us viewers to Paris with GiGi so I’ll report back next week.

Fashion Week is no time for cupcakes, so I didn’t cross any recipes off of the list. But, I did finish Catcher in the Rye my second BTBC selection. Just like in high school I found Holden to be an annoyingly negative boy with homosexual tendencies. Unlike high school, I pushed through it and finished the book. While I did not learn as much from Holden’s three days of loneliness in New York city as I did from Mockingbird, I did get a good reminder. When I read Catcher in my sophomore year of high school, I had just started a new school after being tossed out of St. Francis Prep. I was 40lbs overweight and a closeted homosexual. I was the very picture of a lonely, isolated outcast. To say I related to Holden would be an understatement. However, no amount of kinship could help me overlook his cynical narration. While I barely know that person today as a celebrated and important member of my social circle, it was a good reminder how lucky I am to have such great friends and such a wonderful relationship with my family. I also think the pivotal message at the story’s heart about how we all grow up is similar to children playing in a field is true. No one ever decides to grow up, we all take certain duties or commit certain acts and one day we wake up and we’re grown up. It’s an accident, really. Overall, I really enjoyed the book and am glad to have been given a reminder how fortunate I am to be past that dark, lonely phase of my life.

Like I said, TCM is taking me to Paris and I have started Catcher’s successor Lord of the Flies and procured a copy of Emma for after that. And, with my sister home I finally have an audience to bake for so I hope to cross a few recipes off the list.

How I Grew Up to Become Scout Finch

For the first selection in my classics I skipped in high school and never got around to reading since I picked Harper Lee’s “To Kill a Mockingbird”. After completing the book it shames me to admit that I struggled to find my way through it twice. Both times I had the best of intentions but got bored and put it down. I don’t know what I was missing, but during this reading it all clicked. I tore through the book and finally understand what friends, family and even Jake Gyllenhaal meant when they all raved about the book.

Set in the depression era South, the book tells the story of Jean Louise Finch, better known to us as Scout. She lives with her brother Jem and father Atticus who is a lawyer. Over the course of the two years featured in the book she learns several important lessons. Put yourself into other people’s shoes, don’t kill mockingbirds, always do your best even if you’re going to lose and the idea that life is unfair are just a few of the big ones. She struggles with each one of these lessons, but over time she and her brother learn them through growing up and through their interaction with a recluse named Boo Radley and watching the events of a rape trial unfold. Just to give you an idea how deeply I was pulled into the book, as I approached the end and the events of Halloween night unfolded I found myself crying as I read. In a sense I was happy that I had waited to read this book, there’s no way I would have allowed myself to enjoy it this much reading it in the 9th grade. Even if I tried, no one ever wants to enjoy assigned readings. We are genetically engineered to hate them.

The book taught me a valuable lesson about my relationship with my own sister.

Another reason I am glad that I waited to read it is because it reminded me of something I had forgotten. While growing up, I had been the older sibling Jem in my sister Brittany and I’s relationship. Five years older than Brittany, I would be the one who grew up and hit certain mile posts first. As we all know when we hit puberty, or enter high school or go to college we all think we are grown up, that our friends are everything and that we can’t be too closely associated with anything un-cool.  Well since I was older of us two, my sister was the one who fell victim to this when we were kids. However, this past September when Brittany went off to college the shoe was put on the other foot. My sister is now the one who has outgrown me, and this allowed me to really relate to Scout in a new way I never would have been able to if I read this book at any other point in my life. When Scout complained about Jem avoiding her, spending all of his time with his friends or even hanging out with their mutual friend Dill without her I saw such parallels to my relationship with Brittany. Obviously a majority of the time she’s six hours away, and when she’s home she has such a busy social calendar she barely has time for me. But, as Atticus tells Scout, this is a phase and all phases end. They just seem like they go on forever. I had assumed this would be the case for my sister and I, but it was nice to hear it from someone else. Even if they are a fictional character.

Over all, I enjoyed Mockingbird tremendously. I also am so glad that I was right in my intent. When I added the item about reading classics I never read, I hoped that I would feel like I was gaining something other than a sense of satisfaction at how fast I could read high school level material. And, with this book I have. I feel like I have learned a few things, been reminded of a few things and somehow joined a nonexclusive club. I loved the book so much, that I feel like it is a book I may revisit in the future. My father has said that his favorite childhood book Huck Finn is the type of book where you can revisit it from any stage of your life and find a new lesson about life in the story. It may be premature but I feel that Mockingbird is the same kind of read. I look forward to seeing what else I learn from Ms. Lee’s classic when I revisit Scout, Atticus and Boo in the future.

25 for 25 Project Week Five Update

Wings is the first Best Picture winner and the only silent film to win the prize... for now.

This week began Turner Classic Movie’s 31 Days of Oscar, I’ve always been aware of TCM’s annual Oscar love fest but this year I am really coming to appreciate it. I’ve been watching and tweeting my reactions all week and my tweets have gotten TCM’s attention and they now follow me. So the appreciation seems mutual. Thanks to  TCM I crossed four Best Picture winners off of the list this week with another two watched thanks to speedy delivery from Netflix. There probably would have been more progress had it not been for my Downton Abbey marathon. I am OBSESSED! Its so amazing, if you’re not watching it we have nothing in common and should cease being friends. Anyway, back to the movies, Wings is one of the films I crossed off thanks to Netflix, it is the first movie to ever win Best Picture and is also the only silent picture to ever win. (For now.) The film actually holds up pretty well for a movie that is 84 years old. The story line involving a love triangle that’s really a rectangle is great and the bromance between the two pilots fighting in the great war is also really sweet. Over the course of the war, two men go from worst enemies to best friends. What really surprised me about the film was how beautifully it looks, there are shots during the climactic fight scenes where war planes look like they’re flying out of the ground, the amount of extras in wide shots just create a magnitude I didn’t expect in 1920′s cinema. Even compared to today’s war blockbusters it still looks expensive and so very beautiful.

Mrs. Miniver, Grand Hotel, My Fair Lady and In the Heat of the Night were all part of TCM’s 31 Days of Oscar and all were wonderful. The Heat of the Night has a great murder mystery and an amazing performance from Sidney Poitier. Grand Hotel is what I would consider the original Ocean’s 11 with an all-star cast in a movie about different lives overlapping while staying in Berlin’s Grand Hotel. While not my first Joan Crawford film it was the first time I saw her so early in her career. She is a wonderful actress and very fierce. It’s no wonder Greta Garbo didn’t want to share any scenes with her. The fabulous Ms. Crawford would have rendered her insignificant. Mrs. Miniver was my favorite of the group, a film about a woman from a middle class British family detailing how her life and the lives of her family change as they enter WWI. There’s an amazing message about how in times of war sometimes the most innocent and unexpected civilians become soldiers in the fight against evil. My Fair Lady was probably my least favorite, it felt a little bloated however I did enjoy how beautifully it was shot and it obviously harbors some great songs. Last but not least, was American Beauty. It shocks a lot of people that I had never seen this film as it was released in my lifetime and was very popular. I enjoyed it tremendously and thought it was amazing, but at the same time I felt guilty for feeling that way since elements of it seemed a little corny 13 years after first being released. Especially the bit about the plastic bag in the wind, which was amazingly parodied by Not Another Teen Movie.

The second selection of the Brian Tuft Book Club.

As for the Brian Tuft Book Club, I finished To Kill a Mocking Bird this week and loved it. I hope to do a full post regarding my reactions to it. But, let’s just say I am so excited to have finally finished it and don’t think I would have enjoyed it or related to it as much as I do at this very stage of my life. I am now well into my second BTBC selection Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger. I have decided that my Classics I Skipped in High School series will be made up of 10 Classics. I hope to include Emma, Animal Farm, Lord of the Flies and other books that are very important and very popular literary classics that my shortsighted high school self deemed unimportant at the time.