It’s official: Hunger Games fever has arrived at Casa Petersik.
I dove in first. Curious about the book before seeing the film, I’d heard it was a quick read and decided to give it a shot. I was right — I finished it in about 24 hours. Sherry was initially hesitant, convinced she didn’t have time to start another book, but I persuaded her to try just one chapter. One chapter turned into finishing the whole novel, and she immediately reached for Catching Fire. She finished that a few days later; I’m currently partway through it. We’re expecting our copy of Mockingjay next week, and we are strictly avoiding spoilers until then.
Why the sudden Hunger Games binge? We planned a belated birthday date night for Sherry after a prior attempt was thwarted by a fully booked favorite restaurant. We booked babysitters (my parents), got dressed up, and made our first-ever visit to CinéBistro — one of those upscale dine-while-you-watch theaters. It felt like a real treat to have an evening out together.
Since Clara was born almost two years ago, we’ve only made it to three movies total, so this felt especially special. This theater was different from the usual multiplex: patrons had to be 21 and older, seats are assigned, and full table service is provided. Servers take your order and bring food right to your comfortable, roomy seats. It made the experience feel indulgent and relaxed.
To start, we shared an appetizer they call “Popcorn” calamari — yes, calamari served with popcorn. It was quirky and delicious, a fun beginning to the meal. For our main courses we ordered hearty, comforting fare: I had chicken and biscuits, while Sherry chose meatloaf with mashed potatoes and collard greens. Everything leaned toward upscale comfort food, and it was so satisfying that we were already full before the previews ended. We still saved room for dessert, but just barely.
As a side note, the previews included Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter, which looked intriguing — possibly a pick for a future date night. I should probably read the book first, too.
About the movie itself: we enjoyed it. It wasn’t a flawless adaptation, but it captured enough of the book’s energy to make the evening worthwhile. More than anything, we were simply glad to be out of the house and spending time together away from parenting duties for a few hours. The atmosphere, the food, and the novelty of the whole experience made it memorable.
Have you gotten swept up in Hunger Games mania lately, either by reading the books or seeing the movie? If so, what did you think? Did the films match your expectations from the books? We’d love to hear other fans’ impressions and whether you preferred certain elements in print or on screen.
PS: In the comments, Kim recommended a quirky site called Hunger Names that generates a Hunger Games-style name and a fictional method of death. Sherry’s result was Oregano Amberpoe — a District 8 tribute in the 22nd Hunger Games who met her end by asphyxiation. I was Huggle Santolina from District 7 in the 20th Hunger Games and apparently died because I trusted a 12-year-old boy. It was equal parts hilarious and creepy. So, if you’re in a playful mood, try it — but don’t blame me if your fictional fate is grim!