#GAfilm Review: "The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 1" (***½)

Jennifer Lawrence stars in "The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 1"

With every fiber in my being, I believe in the power of a story. That’s why I made it my business to study them (UGA, English/Creative Writing); that’s why, since graduation, I’ve made it my business to work within them. That’s why I read and watch them. It’s all for the story. So when I first saw “The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1,” I loved it. I loved it because I love Suzanne Collins’ source material. Well, not all of it, there were some parts that, honestly, I’d rather do without, I didn't particularly love the third book for example, but that’s not the point. Whether or not I like what happens isn’t the point. The story is the point. And, I think, Collins’ story remains true and honest and in this third act of this "Hunger Games" trilogy specifically, she paints a bold and unsubtle picture of modern day warfare. The film itself does a wonderful job reflecting those narratives. That being said, after allowing my love-at-first-sight impression of “Mockingjay – Part 1” to simmer and steam, I no longer love this film. I do, however, like it a whole lot.

"The Hunger Games: Catching Fire" teaser trailer

After "Identity Thief" debuted to huge numbers, despite a critical mauling, "42" marks the next Georgia film release this year to strike gold at the box office. Georgia productions are on a roll, to say the least, and the biggest player in the game doesn't even come out until November. "The Hunger Games: Catching Fire" is the most ambitious Georgia production to date, in terms of budget, spectacle and the expectations of an already massive built-in fan base.

The teaser trailer premiered at the MTV Movie Awards last night, showcasing the first real footage of the film so far. Much like the first film in the franchise, we aren't given any footage of the actual games– a frustrating, but effective suspense tactic. We can spot returning stars like Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Woody Harrelson, Liam Hemsworth, Elizabeth Banks, Stanley Tucci, Donald Sutherland and Willow Shields, as well as newcomer to the cast– Philip Seymour Hoffman. Francis Lawrence's sequel hits cinema screens on November 22nd.

Check out the trailer after the jump!

"The Hunger Games: Catching Fire" teaser posters released

"The Hunger Games: Catching Fire" doesn't come out until November 22nd, but the Georgia-filmed blockbuster-in-waiting is kicking its promotional campaign into high gear. Three new teaser posters have been released for the Francis Lawrence film. Two posters focus on Katniss (Jennifer Lawrence) and Peeta (Josh Hutcherson) on the Victory Tour as winners of the 74th Hunger Games. The most recently released poster (above) showcases Elizabeth Banks as Effie.

We expect the first trailer of the film to be attached to one of the big summer kick-off releases in May. Stay tuned for more "The Hunger Games: Catching Fire" updates and check out more posters after the jump!

Photos from "The Hunger Games: Catching Fire"

Sam Claflin and Jennifer Lawrence star in "The Hunger Games: Catching Fire"

Easily, the highest profile Georgia release of 2013 is "The Hunger Games: Catching Fire." While the first film of the franchise was filmed in North Carolina, the second film was produced in two separate halves; first in Metro Atlanta, then in Hawaii. Stars Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, Elizabeth Banks, Woody Harrelson, Lenny Kravitz, Donald Sutherland and Stanley Tucci all return for the second feature and are joined by Philip Seymour Hoffman, Jena Malone, Jeffrey Wright, Sam Claflin, Lynn Cohen and Amanda Plummer.

Regardless of how the film turns out, it is guaranteed to make an outrageous amount of money and feature Georgia on thousands of cinema screens. Director Francis Lawrence has taken the reigns from Gary Ross and is set to direct all remaining films in the franchise. "The Hunger Games: Mockingjay" will be split into two films but shot back to back. No word yet on if filming will take place in Georgia. "The Hunger Games: Catching Fire" will be released on November 22, 2013.

Lionsgate has released the first images from the movie. Check out two more after the jump.

"The Hunger Games: Catching Fire" officially begins production in Georgia

Elizabeth Banks, Woody Harrelson and Jennifer Lawrence will all reprise
roles in "The Hunger Games: Catching Fire"

Production on "The Hunger Games: Catching Fire" began today in Atlanta. Shooting will take place first at the Georgia World Congress Center. The working title for the film is "The Idiom," but I imagine that cover has been completely blown by now. Filming will take place all over Metro Atlanta before moving production to Hawaii. If you have any pictures or updates from the set, email them to us at reelga@gmail.com.

Recently announced cast-members include Jeffrey Wright as Beetee, Sam Claflin as Finnick Odair, Alan Ritchson as Gloss and Stephanie Leigh Schlund as Cashmere.

"Catching Fire" is just another addition to the list of projects currently filming across Georgia. Shawn Levy's "The Internship" is in Atlanta shooting with Owen Wilson and Vince Vaughn. "Scary Movie 5" also just began filming in Atlanta with Ashley Tisdale, Lindsay Lohan, Heather Locklear, Charlie Sheen and Molly Shannon. "The Walking Dead" is currently shooting in Grantville. First time director Rudiger Von Spies just began filming "Enchanted Amore" in Savannah with stars Rusty Joiner and Nadine Vinzens.