Catching Fire (noun): Film with a lot of perks

This week it has been all about the Hunger Games.  I went to the Canadian premiere for Catching Fire (and my first premiere ever) on Tuesday and the marketing team spared no expense to make it a memorable night.  Outside of the Scotiabank Theatre a tent and hot chocolate station was set up on the street for fans who had been there since 5 am.

5 IN THE FRIGGIN' MORNING.

That's all I'm going to say about that.  Inside, the stairs leading up to the second floor was guarded by Capitol guards.  On a normal day I try to avoid taking those stairs (have you seen them - how has no one fallen yet?!) and had less of a desire to do it with ominous figures staring at me on my way up.  But it did make for a cool shot from the escalator.

At the top of the stairs, two drummers dressed like the ones in the movie during the chariot scene stood in front of a huge CF poster, while pounding on huge drums.  I knew one of them from the comedy world but decided against waving at him as to not throw him off his serious beat.

Before the movie started, the actors who play Joanna and Finnick came out to greet the audience.  I'm glad to report that Finnick is not short in person.  I won't get into the details of the movie, but needless to say that it was a great sequel with lots of action, emotion, and special effects.  And Effie's outfits - OMG - I wanted all of them, even the big fluffy lilac dress that hit people in the face as she walked by.

But the PERKS!  That's what it's all about.

Thanks to some awesome work connections, I was given some Hunger Games inspired product including...

A box of 12 Wild Ophelia chocolates, each inspired by one of the 12 Districts.  Infused flavours include Sea Salt & Coconut (District 4- Fishing), Beef Jerky & Smoked Mesquite (District 10- Livestock), and Mined Salt (District 12 - Mining).  Yummmm.

And Covergirl make-up inspired by the many interesting looks in the Capitol.  While I was tempted to grab a gold eyeliner a la Cinna, I decided for more toned down colours.

So basically, I'm going to get fat but have a really dolled up face by the end of the week.  Yay me!

May the odds be ever in your favor to catch the movie this weekend!  Good luck fighting for seats with hardcore teen fans.