'Hunger Games' Haul Sets Hollywood Chasing Female Heroes

21 year old Jennifer Lawrence who plays Katniss in the "The Hunger Games" proves that a female protagonist can be the lead role in a gladiator type story. The female audience over the first weekend was 61% and 56% percent of this female audience was over the age of 25. Although this film stars a female protagonist, Collins stated, "When ever I write a story, I hope i appeals to both boys and girls." The numbers from Box Office Mojo have certainly represented this film as a phenomenon for all demographics.

"The Hunger Games" too gory?

It seems to be that some parents say The Hunger Games is too gory for their kids despite the PG-13 rating. Although, PG-13 means "parents strongly cautioned" and the murder and bloodshed follow in line with the MPAA guidelines. According to the article, there were some cuts of blood splashes, injury detail, along with four other violent scenes. Visual cuts and color darkening helped disguise some violent parts along with a shaky camera. Additionally, Suzanne Collins, the books author and co-screenwriter said she intended for her books to be adapted into PG-13 ratings. How could she not though when it is about teenagers killing each other. Jennifer Lawrence defended the film, "We weren’t going to make a watered-down version of what we love. If you take the violence and brutality out of the movie, you take the entire heart out of it."

Jennifer Lawrence Is Not “Too Big” To Play Katniss

A great article about how ridiculous and disgusting it is that film critics are "bodysnarking on Jennifer Lawrence." I have to agree that it's disturbing that critics would comment they think Lawrence is basically too fat and big for the role. Lawrence is obviously very fit and slim in the movie (as she is in real life), and certainly does not deserve the criticism she is receiving. Plus, the criticism sends a terrible message that in order for a female to be considered beautiful that you have to be a walking stick, and Hollywood doesn't need any help perpetuating that image. Finally, I think the author really hits the nail on the head when she says, "Movie critics suspend their disbelief all the time—and when they suddenly refuse to do so for a female actor whose body looks more like an average woman’s body rather than less, it’s hard to see that as anything but sexist."

Jennifer Lawrence and the Academy?

Lawrence's performance is buzzing with positive reviews and Entertainment Weekly discusses in this article the gravity of such a performance. It references reviews where it is stated that Lawrence is as perfect an embodiment of Katniss as could be expected. Could another Oscer nomination be in her future? It is tough but not unheard of to secure a nomination from a March opening, the test will be if Jennifer Lawrence's popularity will hold out, and with this buzz around the franchise she does not seem to be going anywhere.

Jennifer Lawrence Workout & Diet

What did we discuss today about Jennifer's appearance? That she looks thinner in The Hunger Games than she did in her past movies. I questioned this because in other interviews, Jennifer said that she didn't diet for the film, but rather exercised a lot. After reading through various articles and looking at more pictures, it's obvious that she did diet though. In an article, Jennifer mentions that she did a lot of training, yoga, archery, etc. but that wouldn't make her so tiny. This article talks about her diet and workout. Here is a snippet.

"Looking great, the Jennifer Lawrence workout involves 5 days per week of intense cardio such as Pilates and sprint running coupled with weight lifting 3 times per week. For Hunger Games the Jennifer Lawrence diet and workout includes eating a snack with equal blend macronutrients such as an apple with almond butter or a whey protein shake with natural coconut milk..."

Jennifer Lawrence on Body Image

In Glamour's April issue, Jennifer Lawrence says that she didn't go on "crazy diets or try to change her body."

So, whether or not you think she dropped weight to fit the role, here is what she (briefly) had to say about it.

Edit 3-21-2012: More on Jennifer Lawrence and her dislike of dieting from a THR article about Lawrence at a recent New York screening of The Hunger Games. 

Can There Ever Be a Real Life Hunger Games?

CNN brings to our attention the eerie comparison of our world and the world of The Hunger Games. But is it possible that we face the same destiny we read about in the book? Sadly, even Jennifer Lawrence, the actor who plays Katniss in the upcoming film doesn't think it's too far fetched.