Catching Fire’ Proves to Be the Stronger ‘Hunger Games’ Film

The events of this enthralling movie, which is based on the book of the same name, follow directly after what happened in the first movie, The Hunger Games. Inspired by the myth of Theseus and the Minotaur, it continues the story of a country named Bread (seriously, Panem is the Latin word for bread) and the world’s most unfortunate lottery.

Not a lot can be said about the plot without giving away too many spoilers. Let’s summarize this way: By not dying in the first movie, Katniss and Peeta accidentally started a rebellion against the government. They are forced into an even more cruel version of the Hunger Games, while outside the arena, everyone is playing the same game ­— with higher stakes. There are moves and countermoves, and nobody is quite sure what anybody else is doing
or why.

The script follows the book pretty closely and gets all the major plot points right, even though this
makes the movie more than two hours long (don’t worry — the last book in the trilogy is being turned into two movies). I was especially happy that they didn’t soften Katniss up and turn the film into an actual romance and that they didn’t shy away from showing some of the violent scenes (like the first movie did).

This installment of the story, unlike the first one, was directed by Francis Lawrence. He usually directs music videos, but his earlier films include the Keanu Reeves vampire flick Constantine, and the Will Smith zombie flick I Am Legend. Oh, and he got an award for making Lady Gaga’s “Bad Romance” video.

Lawrence, the director, does a great job with this movie — I’m glad he’s already been hired to direct the next two installments. In addition, the acting is great, the script is tight, and the action mixes with politics in the right amounts. Besides these big issues, however, one of the main strengths of the film is the way it gets the little details just right — the country of Panem and its cultures seem real. Through dialogue and scenery, you get little glimpses of traditions and events that are unfolding off-screen, in other times. You are woven into the fabric of the tale, instead of watching a flat story. It’s hard to explain this, but it’s one way I can identify a high-quality movie — and this movie has it.

Another sign of a good movie is how everybody can relate to it. On one hand, Democrats have been claiming that the movie is pretty obviously a criticism of our country’s widening economic gap and how social justice doesn’t usually come from the privileged class. On the other hand, Republicans and Tea Partiers claim the movie is obviously about how Obama sucks and how his government is corrupt and ready to be taken down.

I was a fan of The Hunger Games when it was released, and I was nervous that this movie would be ruined somehow. It turns out
that Catching Fire is one of those rare sequels that is better than the first movie.

WhistlePig + Alfa Romeo F1

SHOREHAM, VT (September 13, 2023) — WhistlePig Whiskey, the leaders in independent craft whiskey, and Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake are waving the checkered flag on a legend-worthy release that’s taking whiskey to G-Force levels. The Limited Edition PiggyBack Legends Series: Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake Barrel is a high Rye Whiskey selected by the Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake drivers, with barrels trialed in their wind tunnel to ensure a thrilling taste in every sip.

The third iteration in WhistlePig’s Single Barrel PiggyBack Legends Series, the Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake Barrel is bottled at 96.77 proof, a nod to Valtteri Bottas’ racing number, 77, and the precision of racing. Inspired by Zhou Guanyu, the first Chinese F1 driver, this Rye Whiskey is finished with lychee and oolong tea. Herbal and floral notes of the oolong tea complement the herbaceous notes of WhistlePig’s signature PiggyBack 100% Rye, rounded out with a juicy tropical fruit finish and a touch of spice.

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by Spectrum Medical Care Center

Nurse Practitioner Ari Kravitz

When I started medical transition at 20 years old, it was very difficult to get the care I needed for hormone replacement therapy because there are very few providers trained in starting hormones for trans people, even though it’s very similar to the hormones that we prescribe to women in menopause or cisgender men with low testosterone.

I hope more providers get trained in LGBTQ+ healthcare, so they can support patients along their individual gender journey, and provide the info needed to make informed decisions about their body. I’ve personally seen my trans patients find hope and experience a better quality of life through hormone replacement therapy.

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Descanso Resort swimming pool and lounge area

Descanso Resort, Palm Springs' premier destination for gay men, just received Tripadvisor's highest honor, a Travelers' Choice "Best of the Best" award for 2023. Based on guests' reviews and ratings, fewer than 1% of Tripadvisor's 8 million listings around the world receive the coveted "Best of the Best" designation. Descanso ranked 12th in the top 25 small inns and hotels category in the United States. Quite an accomplishment!

Open less than two years, Descanso Resort offers gay men a relaxing and luxurious boutique hotel experience just minutes away from Palm Springs' buzziest restaurants, nightclubs, and shopping. Descanso has quickly established itself as a top destination for sophisticated gay travelers, earning hundreds of 5-star guest reviews and consistently ranking in Trapadvisor's top positions alongside brother properties Santiago Resort and Twin Palms Resort.

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