The Hunger Games

Director Gary Ross returned after decade for this solid adaptation of the Suzanne Collins bestseller set in a dystopian society that's separated into twelve districts but connected through television where every year two teenagers from each districts fight to death on live television until one wins. A young girl volunteers to take her younger sister's place in the games which takes her on a journey of survival and self-discovery. Ross and his solid cast and crew hit the right notes that makes for entertaining and thought provoking film. While the story is set in a fictional world, it's many similarities to the US and raises interesting questions about its constitution, reality tv shows and violence amongst others. A perfectly cast Jennifer Lawrence stars along with Josh Hutcherson and solid supporting cast that includes Wes Bentley, Stanley Tucci, Elizabeth Banks, Woody Harrelson, Lenny Kravitz and Donald Sutherland. 1001 Films' coverage of films on DVD.