'Hunger Games' Quick Studies: All You Need To Learn About Katniss Everdeen and much more

The countdown is on until March 23, when 'The Hunger Games' -- Suzanne Collins' best-selling youthful adult thriller -- hits theaters. Should you haven't seen the awesome trailer or read the three chart-topping books, you might not understand what the 'The Hunger Games' is all about it is not only probably the most anticipated releases of 2012 but it is set being the following Large Movie Franchise. Quite simply, this is actually the latest page-to-screen series having a hardcore built-in following that's stirring up teen and adult fans right into a veritable craze. This is a handy primer of what you ought to know to organize for that giant screen adaptation from the popular series. Watch a clip now WHAT'S IT ABOUT? The dystopian thriller happens inside a bleak, publish-apocalyptic future, where The United States -- now known as Panem -- continues to be split into 12 Districts that serve the controlling Capitol. Throughout a morbid public lottery, 16-year-old huntress Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) takes her 12-year-old sister's spot to compete inside a public fight-to-the-dying contest that starts her against 23 other teens, including her fellow District 12 "Tribute" Peeta Mellark (Josh Hutcherson). Because they train to compete within the titular Hunger Games, it's apparent their developing friendship reduces remarkable ability to kill one another when it comes to. But regardless of their feelings, they're going to have to live the 22 Tributes using their company Districts revisit home. WHO'S WHO Within The CAST The remarkably large cast is brought by Academy Award nominee Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss Everdeen. The 3 most significant males in Katniss' existence are her closest friend Gale Hawthorne (Liam Hemsworth, Miley Cyrus' on-and-off-camera love in 'The Last Song'), her fellow District 12 tribute Peeta (Josh Hutcherson, from 'The Children Are Okay,A 'Bridge to Terabithia' and 15 other movies), and her frequently-drunk Hunger Games mentor Haymitch Abernathy (Woodsy Harrelson). Other important cast people include Elizabeth Banks as Capitol representative Effie Trinket Lenny Kravitz as Katniss' personal stylist Cinna Paula Malcomson as Katniss' mother Stanley Tucci because the Hunger Games' host Caesar Flickerman and Oscar champion Jesse Sutherland as Panem's Leader Snow. Which does not even include all the 22 other Hunger Games Tributes! Jennifer Lawrence on Katniss Everdeen: 'Her Face Can't Be Badass' THE VIOLENCE Is Going To Be INTENSE The Hunger Games is definitely an annual public fight towards the dying between 24 adolescents aged 12-18. You will find 24 "Tributes" -Body boy and something girl from all of Panem's 12 Districts -- who must compete each year for that amusement from the Capitol so that as a indication from the energy the central city holds over its Districts. Think 'The Running Man' meets 'Battle Royale' by means of CBS' hit reality show 'Survivor.' Once when it comes to (the delicately controlled battleground), the Tributes have one goal: to become the final one standing. Which means lots of teen-on-teen murder (hands-to-hands and weapons based, as well as the help of the harmful Arena), because ultimately, there might be just one victor. It Isn't Right For Kids Yes 'The Hunger Games' series is released by Scholastic, but it is certainly for youthful adult visitors -- a.k.a. middle-schoolers or mature tweens. Good Sense Media rates the 3 books as well as for children 12 & up, the like the giant screen the PG-13 film is going to be even more complicated for more youthful fans to process. Even some teens are extremely responsive to handle all the kid-on-kid killing, so consider yourself cautioned. The Offer Using The FIRE You may be wondering exactly what the deal is with the fire within the movie's trailer, key art and posters. Let's explain, although it is a SPOILER: When Katniss and Peeta are brought to Hunger Games audiences within the Tribute Parade, they are putting on ensembles custom-designed by Cinna to represent their District's primary industry: coal mining. The costumes are form-fitting black "unitards" included in synthetic fire, making Katniss and Peeta absolutely memorable in the first moment they are seen. Katniss will be named "The Lady Who Had Been Burning.Inch For the bird emblem, it is a "Mockingjay" -- a hybrid between your mockingbird and also the imaginary "jabberjay," an inherited mutation the Capitol unleashed to get rid of the mockingbird. It is a metaphor for the Capitol can't control as well as the gold pin Katniss' friend gives her to put on throughout the Games. Take A Look At 'The Hunger Games' District Buying and selling Cards This Isn't LIKE 'TWILIGHT' OR 'HARRY POTTER' Although everybody (including us!) loves evaluating this area-office potential and recognition of 'The Hunger Games' towards the worldwide phenomena of 'Twilight' and 'Harry Potter,' the 3 tales aren't anything alike -- aside from the truth that they cope with remarkable teens conquering harmful conditions. The Lady burning doesn't have miracle such as the Boy Who Resided and no requirement for saving like "The Lady Stunned by Vampires of the underworld." Pay attention to Taylor Swift's 'Hunger Games' Song 'Safe and Sound' There Is A LOVE Triangular OK, so there's one tiny-small way 'The Hunger Games' mirrors the 'Twilight' saga: there is a trilogy-lengthy love triangular between your beautiful protagonist and 2 worthy suitors, among whom is her closest friend. Katniss' two swoon-worthy prospects: her fellow hunter and close friend Gale and her fellow Hunger Games contestant Peeta, who's been privately smitten together with her for a long time. Who she'll finish track of we'll never tell, but let us just the fan divide between Team Gale and Team Peeta is really as fierce as Team Jacob versus. Team Edward. In either case, they are both amazing (and gorgeous) men. You Will See TWO SEQUELS It isn't a spoiler to verify that Katniss survives the titular Hunger Games in the end, what protagonist dies within the first story of the series? The 2nd installment, 'Catching Fire,' introduces the crowd to greater than a dozen new figures, the majority of whom are veteran Hunger Games children who can't wait to satisfy the competitor from District 12. Fantasy Casting: Who Should Star in 'Catching Fire'? IT'S Easier To See Clearly, THAN View It If you want to be prepared for the March 23 premiere, start reading through the Scholastic book series now. It's not-put-lower-able, and when you begin reading through about Panem, a brief history from the Hunger Games, and Katniss and Peeta's ordeal when it comes to, you won't stop until you've blazed through 'Catching Fire' and 'Mockingjay.' One tip -- buy or borrow the 3 books at the same time, which means you don't finish up anxiously running towards the nearest Barnes & Noble for the following installment. Take A Look At MORE PHOTOS FROM 'THE HUNGER GAMES' #america online-photo-gallery .pictures .america online-photo-gallery .photos .gallery-headline a .america online-photo-gallery-fullscreen .photos .gallery-headline a 'The Hunger Games' Character Posters See All Moviefone Art galleries » (Photos thanks to Lionsgate.) Follow Moviefone on Twitter Like Moviefone on Facebook

Producer stops extradition fight

Reality show producer Bruce Beresford-Redman, who's charged with killing his wife within a Mexican vacation, is losing his extradition fight and may stand trial in Cancun, his lawyer mentioned Tuesday.Beresford-Redman's attorney, Richard Hirsch, mentioned the onetime "Survivor" producer has made a decision not to appeal a La federal court ruling maintaining his extradition to Mexico."He feels he will not prevail on appeal, and he'd decide to get happening showing his innocence," Hirsch mentioned.He mentioned producer might be shipped to Mexico within two several weeks following summary of the extradition request by Secretary of Condition Hillary Rodham Clinton. Beresford-Redman, 40, has been around a La federal prison.Monica Beresford-Redman, 42, disappeared in the Cancun resort where the couple was travelling utilizing their two children a year ago. Her body is discovered in the sewer cistern."He's innocent, that is his hope a legal court in Mexico will make sure he reaches be considered a fair trial through which, he's confident, he'll be exonerated," Hirsch mentioned.Your family of Monica Beresford-Redman has mentioned the happy couple visited Cancun to save their marriage. They are saying Bruce Beresford-Redman, the co-creator in the series "Pimp My Ride," was obtaining a extended-term affair with another lady. U.S. District Judge Philip S. Gutierrez upheld an extradition order captured, stating that might be many pages of competent evidence supporting prosecution claims producer destroyed his wife.Beresford-Redman happen to be bought to stay in Mexico after his wife's body is discovered but he left and returned to his home in La. He on your own surrendered to U.S. government physiques carrying out a warrant was launched in Mexico for his arrest.If he's billed of inflammed homicide in Mexico, he faces 12-thirty years in the Mexican prison. Contact the number newsroom at news@variety.com

Matt Damon Still Bourne - Or Wants to Be, Anyway

Even after the frustration and angst vented by the franchise’s erstwhile star, Matt Damon hasn’t given up hope of reprising his role as super-spy Jason Bourne: “I think if [Bourne Legacy] doesn’t work, we can just ignore it and pretend it didn’t happen, and that’d be fine. But I expect that it will work and only help us if we did another one, which I’d love to do.” With Paul Greengrass instead of Tony Gilroy, of course, but anyway. Hang your hopes accordingly. [THR]

Singer Cesaria Evora dies at 70

EvoraLISBON, Portugal -- Cesaria Evora, who started singing just like a teen inside the bayside bars of Cape Verde inside the 19 fifties and won a Grammy in 2003 after she needed her African islands music to stages around the world, died Saturday. She was 70.Evora, known to as "Barefoot Diva" because she always completed without shoes, died inside the Baptista p Sousa Hospital in Mindelo, on her behalf account native island of Sao Vicente in Cape Verde, her label Lusafrica mentioned in the statement on its website. It gave no further particulars.Evora on in September because of health problems. Lately she'd had several methods, including open-heart surgery a year ago.She sang the conventional music in the Cape Verde Islands off West Africa, a classic Portuguese colony. She mostly sang inside the version of creole spoken there, but even audiences who couldn't know the lyrics were moved by her stirring renditions, her unpretentious manner as well as the music's infectious beat.Her singing style introduced critiques to American jazz singer Billie Holiday. "She goes for the aristocracy of bar entertainers," French newspaper Le Monde mentioned in 1991, adding that Evora had "a voice to melt the soul."Evora's worldwide fame came late around. Her 1988 album "La Diva Aux Pieds Nus" ("Barefoot Diva"), recorded in France where she first found recognition, launched her worldwide career.Her 1995 album "Cesaria" was released in more than twelve nations and introduced her first Grammy nomination, leading to an trip of major concert halls around the globe and album sales inside the millions.She won a Grammy in the world Group from the 2003 honours on her behalf album "Voz D'Amor".Evora, proven to her close pals as Cize (pronounced see-ZEH), was the most effective-known artist of "morna," Cape Verde's national music. It is a complex, soulful appear, mixing a variety of influences developing within the African and seafaring traditions in the 10 volcanic islands.Evora was produced August. 27, 1941, and was elevated in Mindelo, a port capital of scotland - 47,000 people round the island of Sao Vicente, where ocean adventurers from Europe, America, Africa and Asia mingled using what will be a lively cosmopolitan town getting a fabled evening existence.The area musical style given from people cultures, repel attempts to classify it."Our music a great deal of things," Evora told The Connected Press in the 2000 interview at her home. "Some say it's like the blues, or jazz. Others states it's like Brazilian or African music, but nobody will easily notice. Not necessarily the old ones."Evora was a long time old when her father died, departing a widow and seven children. At 10, along with her mother unable to settle the debts, she was put in an orphanage."I didn't appreciate it. I value my freedom," she told the AP.At 16, when Evora was doing piecework just like a dressmaker, a pal convinced her to sing inside the many sailors' taverns in their town. As her recognition elevated, she appeared to become rowed out to the bay to sing on moored ships.She received no pay -- just free drinks. She familiar with smile when she appreciated her fame just like a heavy cognac drinker. And he or she sadly appreciated the particular day -- 12 ,. 15, 1994 -- she required to quit consuming on her behalf health's sake.Evora didn't think lots of her worldwide fame and he or she came back to Mindelo whenever she could. She reconstructed her childhood home, which makes it a ten-mattress room house where pals and family frequently continued to be over, and he or she always made certain she was home for Christmas.Huge smoker for several years, Evora was recognized with cardiovascular disease in 2005. She experienced strokes in 2008 too as with September 2011, when she introduced she was retiring.She'd a boy together with a daughter by different males but never married. Family particulars were not immediately available. Contact the number newsroom at news@variety.com

Scarlett Johansson shows Black Widow spin-off

Scarlett Johansson continues to be speaking about her ongoing participation within the Marvel world, recommending that they could be available to filming a Black Widow spin-off film when the chance would arise."I really like playing the Widow," she told Superherohype. "I believe she's got a really interesting past, lots of story lines to understand more about, and definitely Kevin [Feige] loves that character.""I believe that Marvel includes a very personal relationship using their fans," she ongoing, when requested about the potential of a Black Widow movie. "I believe when the fans need it, and also the audience wants it, nothing's impossible."I would like to explore that option too,Inch she states. "Like I stated, I really like the smoothness and it might be nice to determine something nice gritty."Along with the chance of her very own spin-off (maybe exploring her relationship with Jeremy Renner's Hawkeye?), additionally, there are the little few Iron Guy 3 coming. However, based on Scarlett, a look and feel for the reason that film does not look likely at the moment."I have heard nothing," she confesses. "You are aware how it is going. Sometimes 2 days before, it's like, 'And here is your next mission.' I've no clue." A minimum of we all know without a doubt that Black Widow is going to be showing up within the Avengers, which comes to United kingdom movie theaters on 27 April 2012.

'Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol 's' Anil Kapoor on Balancing Bollywood and Hollywood (Q&A)

"Words With Buddies" originates towards the defense of Alec Baldwin.our editor recommendsBig & Rich's John Wealthy Began Southwest Flight for Alleged IntoxicationGreen Day's Billie Joe Remedy Began Flight for Sagging Pants On Tuesday, the actor required to Twitter to announce he'd become in danger with an American Air carriers flight while sitting in the gate at La Airport Terminal. PHOTOS: Busted! 12 Celebrities Who Got in danger on Air carriers "Flight attendant on American reamed me out 4 playing WORDS W Buddies in the end sitting in the gate, not moving. #nowonderamericaairisbankrupt," he tweeted, before following track of "But, oddly, 30 Rock plays inflight on American. #theresalwaysunited." Former MTV COOMichael J. Wolfwas also on the airplane,and tweeted the actor had really been began from the plane, showing he might have been to blame. STORY: American Air carriers Files for Personal bankruptcy Following the news broke, the Zynga word game launched a photograph to TMZ that has the saying "Let Alec Play." And also the score on the overall game reads: A Baldwin 1, American Air . STORY: Southwest Air carriers Boss Defends Leisha Hailey Removal Company Touts GLBT Outreach Baldwin also tweeted the photo to his nearly 600,000 fans, together with the hash tag #theresalwaysunited. The 30 Rock star is only the latest Hollywood player to become began an industrial flight, following country star John Wealthy, L Word actress Leisha Hailey, Eco-friendly Day singer Billie Joe Remedy and director Kevin Cruz. PHOTO GALLERY: View Gallery '30 Rock': Behind the curtain Related Subjects Alec Baldwin

Zac Efron Talks New Years Eve Hug Wants On Glee

First Launched: December 6, 2011 11:06 AM EST Credit: Getty Images Caption Zac Efron and Michelle Pfeiffer cope with towards the premiere New Years Eve at Graumans Chinese Theatre in Hollywood, Calif. on December 5, 2011 La, Calif. -- When Zac Efron got the telephone call about co-starring with Michelle Pfeiffer inside the approaching ensemble movie, New Years Eve, according to him he'd a near-dying reference to excitement. Michelle Pfeiffer produced a voicemail message message on my small mobile phone and mentioned, If only to make it happen, if you want to make it happen, Zac told Access Hollywoods Billy Rose rose bush within the movies premiere on Monday evening in La. My heart skyrocketed, which i had been like, Im in! Im carrying it out! I like her. She made my year. (*Spoiler Alert!*) However, if the found the pairs kissing scene, the actor mentioned acquiring lips along with his silver screen leading lady didnt go just like a easily while he wanted. People the situation is easier to do spontaneous. Have a great time and be inside the moment. I certainly considered the actual way it would come down. In my opinion, the means by that we pictured it, it might be perfect, very romantic, very leading guy, he referred to. Then clearly, after we visited film it, immediately after i visited dip her, a massive little bit of confetti went straight into my mouth. I didn't desire to finish the hug such as this, therefore i spit and went with this. Thats really inside the movie. Michelle told Billy the confetti moment wasnt Zacs most widely used silver screen moment, nevertheless it ended up working. It had been not so sexy, nevertheless it was cute, the actress mentioned. Initially, our figures did not finish off together. Its type of an unlikely pairing, really. Nevertheless it was sweet. But we thought enables enhance a little and enables take action unforeseen. Zac, who walked the flicks red-colored-colored carpet solo, told Billy that hed prefer to appear along with his New Years Eve co-star Jum Michelle on Glee. Im a massive fan of Glee together with an enormous fan of her work, Zac mentioned. It seems so fun. I must [show up on this program. And what might the 24-year-old actor go through the FOX series? They've stood a killer yet? Zac suggested. Itd be fun to sing about. New Years Eve hits theaters on December 9. Copyright 2011 by NBC Universal, Corporation. All rights reserved. These elements is probably not launched, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

A Warrior's Heart

Kellan Lutz and Ashley Greene in "A Warrior's Heart" Credits: A Xenon Pictures discharge of a Xenon and California Pictures presentation in colaboration with Camelot Entertainment of the Family Prods. production. Created by Erectile dysfunction Richardson, Bob Bassett, Tommy Manley, Martin Dugard, Steven Istock, Marc Spizzirri. Executive producers, James Patterson, James Yount, Robert P. Atwell, Jamie R. Thompson. Directed by Mike Sears. Script, Martin Dugard, from the story by Dugard, Marc Spizzirri, James Yount.With: Kellan Lutz, Ashley Greene, Adam Beach, Gabrielle Anwar, Aaron Hill, William Mapother, Chris Potter, Chord Overstreet.As the sheer novelty of the aspect of lacrosse might be enough to create some aud fascination with "A Warrior's Heart," this respectably crafted but completely foreseeable indie rarely deviates in the game plan then numerous other dramas about self-absorbed youthful hotheads who obtain a shot at redemption around the playing area. Still, fans from the "Twilight" franchise might be attracted through the marquee worth of attractive leads Kellan Lutz and Ashley Greene in non-vampiric roles. Limited theatrical run began 12 ,. 2, however the pic is more prone to score as VOD and homevid fare. Senior high school lacrosse player Conor Sullivan (Lutz) results in being an egocentric showboater before his family moves from San Juan Capistrano, Calif., to Arlington, Veterans administration. But after his Marine-officer father (Chris Potter) is wiped out in Iraq, Conor rapidly devolves into something far worse: a sullen rageaholic whose unnecessary roughness off and on the area will get him began they at his new school and lands him, briefly, in jail. Enter Sgt. Major Duke Wayne (Adam Beach), an old comrade-in-arms of Conor's late father. A complete-blooded Iroquois, Wayne knows a great deal about lacrosse -- which, because the pic frequently stresses, is really a team sport of Native American origin -- and much more about harsh discipline. He bails the troubled teen from jail and whisks him off and away to a Six Nations work camping where at-risk youths undergo tough-love rehab. There, Conor is built to work off his anger by singlehandedly destroying a cabin having a sledgehammer, so when he attempts to go ballistic on Wayne, the Marine easily chokes him into unconsciousness. Which serves to create Conor a far more focused team player, before his Arlington high-school coach (William Mapother) to make use of him, unwillingly, inside a national title game. Better yet, Conor also will get an opportunity at romance with Brooklyn (Greene), an attractive student who just is actually the coach's daughter. Working from the script by Martin Dugard, who seems to possess viewed and carefully analyzed every pic about high-school sports available, helmer Mike Sears keeps "Warrior's Heart" moving in a reasonably brisk pace. He relies way too heavily on montages set to unremarkable pop tunes and from time to time outings within the many cliches that litter the excessively familiar scenario. But his well-cast gamers (including Gabrielle Anwar, who helps make the the majority of her small role as Conor's mother) assist the pic sustain interest. Special credit is going to Beach's very easily macho underplaying because the beer-swilling, aphorism-spouting taskmaster who helps Conor be everything he is able to be. Strangely enough, nobody ever remarks around the irony of the Native American being named Duke Wayne, however again, maybe the viewer should really think other people would take one understand this badass and know much better than to create snarky comments, as well as polite queries. Production values are sufficient.Camera (color), Thomas L. Calloway editor, Ellen Goldwasser music, Alec Puro production designer, John Livesay art director, Morgan Runyon set designers, Traci Kirshbaum, Lori Mazuer costume designer, Jayme Bone seem (Dolby), Theo Kerhulas assistant director, Chris Edmonds casting, Jesse Paul Pemrick, Dean E. Fronk. Examined on DVD, Houston, November. 28, 2011. MPAA Rating: PG. Running time: 95 MIN. Contact the range newsroom at news@variety.com