Mockingjay Part 1 (2014)

I admit that the third Hunger Game book devolved to a very dark level, but this movie has sucked the life out of a very talented actress in Jennifer Lawrence.  I can see that she has to see the series through, and anyone who read the books would know what they were in for when they signed up for the series, but it is not a pretty sight.

Katniss wakes up after the shocking end to the tournament of winners to find herself in a bunker deep below the earth in District 13.  Her home has been decimated by the government, thousands of people burned to death in the streets, with Gabe and her family amongst the survivors.  Peeta has been captured and is being brain washed.  The tow of them share a connection that is born of killing and surviving, and there is no saving either of them really.  A part of them has died. 

The story progresses to the rebels having someone who they can rally around, and the symbol of the revolution being torn apart by it all.  Phillip Seymour Hoffman is still a player in this, and Julianne Moore plays the president--but again there is very little room for good acting to be found.  I regret that they divided the movie in two, because I won't be able to not watch it, but don't hold out high hopes.