Movie Review- The Hunger Games:Catching Fire

I am able to admit when I am wrong. And I will not hesitate to admit that when the subject of seeing the original Hunger Games movie was presented to me, I turned my nose up at the idea. Initially I viewed it through the same prism with which i viewed things like Twilight. Something that my younger sister would enjoy, but not something that I as a fan of film would not bother with. But, as I said, I am able to admit i was wrong. Extremely wrong. At the urging of my fiance for years and years, I finally relented and watched the first Hunger Games. To say that I was impressed would be an understatement. That first movie had me hooked. Jennifer Lawrence was great, it was extremely well written, and it left me wanting more. So I was more than ready to see this next installment. I have been converted from non-believer to a fan of the franchise. It is not perfect by any means, but it is extremely entertaining. And I am happy to inform you that the sequel is even  better than the first. Director Francis Lawrence did a great job bringing this story to life, and I am very glad he will be directing the next two films. He has a great handle on these characters and does a great job of making us care about them. This film is much tighter in it's execution and keeps us engaged for all except a small portion in the middle. But despite this he never loses the sense of intensity.

Jennifer Lawrence and Josh Hutcherson reprise their roles as Katniss and Peeta, the first ever co-winners of The Hunger Games. This contest, which pits two adolescent citizens from each of the 12 futuristic dystopian districts in a fight to the death, is just as brutal as it sounds. As victors, Katniss and Peeta are forced to go on a victory tour in which they give scripted speeches and offer condolences to the families of the defeated. But in the background, something is brewing in the background. The people of the districts have been inspired by Katniss and are getting the feeling that they can rise up against the capitol. They regarded Katniss' willingness to take her own life at the end of the previous as an act of defiance against their oppressors and want to join in on the rebellion, even at the expense of their safety or well being. To quiet that hope, President Snow hatches a plot to kill Katniss. Part of this plan is to announce that this year's Hunger Games will only draw from a pool of the previous survivors Games.

As someone who has not read the books, and only just watched the previous movie a few days prior, I was completely engrossed in each twist and turn of this story. The script does well with the tension of the story. It is full of surprises and moments that will have you on the edge of your seat. There are some truly terrifying moments that will leave you breathless, wondering what could possibly be coming next. One scene in particular involving a death fog was very gripping. The movie is PG-13, and there is very little blood shown, but that does nothing to diminish the impact of some scenes.

Jennifer Lawrence is truly great in this film. She masterfully navigates a myriad of emotions in this movie, and does so more than convincingly.There is one scene in particular at the end where she runs through a gamut of emotions without ever speaking a word.  She leaps off the screen each frame, and pulls everyone else up with her. That is not to say that the rest of the performances are bad because they are not. Josh Hutcherson does a very good job convincing us of the tortured nature of his character, and makes us really believe he cares more for Katniss than anything else. Newcomer to the franchise, Sam Claflin, was a welcome addition to an already wonderful cast. There is a strength and a vulnerability to his character that he plays very well.Not everyone holds their own though. I am not sure if it is because his character doesn't have much to do in the story, or the way it is edited, by Liam Hemsworth just isn't very good in this. I found him to be very bland and only one scene where I felt he was any good.

But all in all I have to say i would suggest this movie as strongly as I possibly could to anyone interested in heading to the cinema soon. It is a very well executed story and with strong themes that will keep you entertained and leave you wanting more. Luckily we have two more movies to look forward to.

8/10

Brett Royster

Common Life Insurance Mistakes

We're all human, and by nature we all make mistakes. So it is only natural that as a consumer we make mistakes when dealing with or purchasing life insurance. Here at The Storick Group, we understand that some mistakes are more common than others, and we are here to help you navigate through some of these issues.

Not Purchasing It

The number one mistake that is made is fairly obvious, but the biggest possible mistake you could make in regards to this is not purchasing life insurance at all. Life insurance by it's nature is to protect yourself and your loved ones in the event of a tragedy or emergency. To properly take care of your family you have to provide them with a safety net in case something happens to you. You may be unsure as to what exactly life insurance is or how it may benefit you, but do not let that stop you from protecting your loved ones.

Waiting

If you are younger you may be thinking that you have time before you have to begin thinking about life insurance. But really the sooner you purchase it, the better. The younger you are, and the better health you are in, the less expensive life insurance is. Life insurance is based on your age, with the theory being that the older you are the closer you are to death. Buying life insurance when you are younger will help you secure a better and lower premium.

Not Purchasing Enough

Having insurance through your employer is wonderful. And purchasing it when you are in your twenties is great too. But do not rely solely on those things. Having too little life insurance is a very common mistake and can leave your loved ones with some money but not enough to cover all of their needs. Whenever something big happens in your life, it is important to take a look at all of your finances and make any adjustments that are necessary.

Lying On The Application

This one, like the first, is fairly obvious. In order to get the best and most accurate rates for your situation. Things that you might think it is okay to leave like any and all medical history, along with any and all tobacco or drug use. You are going to have to go in for a medical exam and the report will reveal any lies or things that you may have left out. This could of course lead to the you being denied coverage. Be honest and straight forward on your application.

Brett Royster

4 Unique Thanksgiving Appetizers

As we all are likely aware of by now, Thanksgiving is in a couple days. Now, we're sure you have your entire meal all planned and thought out. But if you don't, have a little extra room at the table, or simply want a fun and delicious way to great your guests to your house, take a look at these fun and tasty appetizers.   

1. Bacon and Cheese Spread

 

A personal favorite, made with both Monterrey Jack and Parmesan cheeses, this is a surefire way to warm up your guests and wet their appetites for what is to come. 

Ingredients

1 unsliced round loaf (1 pound) Italian bread 

2 cups ( 8 ounces) shredded Monterrey Jack cheese 

1 cup (4 ounces) Parmesan cheese 

1 cup mayonnaise

1/4 cup chopped onion 

5 bacon strips, cooked, and crumbled 

1 garlic clove, minced

Directions 

1. Cut top fourth off loaf of bread; carefully hollow out bottom, leaving a 1-in. shell. Cube removed bread and set aside. Combine the remaining ingredients; spoon into bread bowl. Replace top. Place on an ungreased baking sheet.
2. Bake at 350° for 1 hour or until heated through. Serve with reserved bread cubes. 

 2. Cranberry Chili Meatballs 

  Great as an appetizer or as a small side, with it's tangy and sweet sauce, these will delight all who taste them. 

Ingredients 

1 can (14 ounces) jelled cranberry sauce

1 bottle (12 ounces) chili sauce 

3/4 cup packed brown sugar

1/2 teaspoon chili powder 1/2

1/2 teaspoon ground cumin 

1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper 

1 package ( 32 ounces) frozen fully cooked meatballs, thawed 

Directions 

1. In a large saucepan over medium heat, combine the first six ingredients; stir until sugar is dissolved. Add meatballs; cook for 20-25 minutes or until heated through, stirring occasionally.

3. Pumpkin Pie Dip  

 

A rich, creamy pumpkin dip that works great with sliced apples or pears, and as a spread on zucchini bread or nut bread. 

Ingredients

1 package ( 8 ounces) cream cheese, softened

2 cups confectioners sugar 

1 cup canned pumpkin 

1/2 cup sour cream

1 teaspoon ground cinammon 

1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice

1/2 teaspoon ground ginger 

gingersnap cookies 

Directions 

1.  In a large bowl, beat cream cheese and confectioners' sugar until smooth. Beat in the pumpkin, sour cream, cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice and ginger until blended. Serve with gingersnaps. Refrigerate leftovers.

4. Chicken Salad Puffs 

 

Stuffed with chunky chicken salad, these golden puffs are a perfect appetizer that will delight your guests with the sweet tastes of pineapple and crunchiness of celery and pecans. 

Ingredients 

1 cup of water 

1/2 cup of butter, cubed

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 cup all purpose flour

4 eggs 

2 cups finely chopped, cooked chicken

1 can (8 ounces) crushed pineapple , drained 

1/2 cup mayonnaise 

1/4 cup chopped celery 

1/4 cup thinly sliced green onions 

1/4 cup chopped pecans 

2 tablespoons sweet pickle relish 

1/4 teaspoon onion salt

1/4 teaspoon garlic salt 

1/4 teaspoon paprika 

Salt and pepper to taste

Directions 

1. In a large saucepan, bring water, butter and salt to a boil. Add flour all at once and stir until a smooth ball forms. Remove from the heat; let stand for 5 minutes. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Continue beating until smooth and shiny.
2. Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls 2 in. apart onto a greased baking sheet. Bake at 400° for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown. Remove to wire racks. Immediately cut a slit in each puff to allow steam to escape; cool. 
3.  Split puffs and set tops aside; remove soft dough form inside. In a large bowl, combine the filling ingredients. Fill puffs and replace tops. Chill until serving. Refrigerate leftovers 

Give these delicious appetizers a try to spice and change up the typical appetizers and let your guests know they are in for a fun evening! 

Brett Royster

 

 

Is Life Insurance Necessary For College Students

Life insurance is important even if you are young and healthy, but how much sense does it make for a typical college student to purchase a life insurance policy. You would be surprised to learn just how useful it can be.

The most important thing to consider when deciding if you need a life insurance as a college student is the means by which you are paying for college. If you are are going to graduate successfully with their degree, but also mountains of debt, then setting up a term life insurance policy would be extremely beneficial to helping cover the costs of that long term debt.

Another thing to consider as a young student is, even when you are in college you still have things in life to think about. Many people in college have families and children and things that need to be taken care of in the event of unforeseen tragedy. Even if you are in your twenties, if you have loved ones, you need to make sure they are taken care of. A lot of students use government backed loans to cover both educational and personal costs, but only one in six of those lenders will forgive that debt in the event of the person's death. Also make sure to read the very fine print to determine who is responsible for that debt if something happens. But having a security blanket of a term life insurance policy will alleviate the pressure of other people having to pay down this debt.

As the parent of a college student, if you have taken out loans or borrowed against your home, taking out a life insurance policy will help you pay back that debt. Credit card debt as well. If you have decided to help your child obtain a credit card by being a co-signer, a term life insurance policy would help protect you from any debt incurred by your kid. No matter what age you are, it is beyond important to protect yourself and the people you care about.

Brett Royster

Welcome to Snapshots with Storick

Welcome to Snapshots with Storick. Owned and operated by The Storick Group, where we are dedicated to providing you with the means to take care of your family no matter what the situation. The best gift you can ever give your family is providing them with financial security in the event of a tragedy. There are many what ifs and possibilities in life, and we can't control all of them. But what we can control is how we prepare for them. Investing in life insurance is the best preparation and security blanket you can provide. for those you love.This is a daily blog dedicated to the things you care about. Reasons why you should invest in life insurance, but also things related to family life, children, fashion, entertainment, movies, meal plans and recipes to eat and stay healthy, and many other things that will help you and your family lead happy lives. Today's first post is directly related to life insurance, why you need it, how to choose the right one. Likely if you are reading this you have questions, so we are going to provide you with three tips on helping you decide on the type of life insurance policy that is best for you and best fits your needs.

1. Why Do You Need It?
 Sit down and take the time to really think about why you need life insurance. Is it an income replacement for your spouse or dependents if something happens to you? Do you need it to cover something like a mortgage payment or credit card debt? Most people purchase life insurance to help with income replacement, paying off debts, everyday living expenses, and future expenses like college tuition. Knowing first why you need life insurance will help you with determining which kind of life insurance is best for you.

2. How Long Do You Need It For?
The biggest difference between the three main types of life insurance, is the amount of time the policy is in force for. The three types of insurance are term, whole, and universal life insurance. Term life insurance is a policy that only lasts for a certain length of time, starting at one year and running as many as thirty. Whole life insurance, just like it sounds, lasts for the entire life of the policy holder. Even if they live to see past one hundred, this policy will remain in force. Whole life insurance, also known as permanent life insurance, also includes a savings component. Universal life insurance is best used by someone who has large (but undetermined) amounts of money that they wish to invest. Whole life insurance is ideal for someone who wishes to pay and maintain a set premium for many years.

In order to determine which type of policy works best for you, you must first determine how long you need the policy to be in force for. If you are buying life insurance to cover a large payment like a mortgage, you should consider buying term life insurance for the term length of the mortgage.

3. Do You Need A Savings Component?
If you do go with whole life insurance, you are then offered savings component. A portion of the premiums goes into an account and grows tax-deferred over time. Once you have acquired a certain amount in the account you can borrow from it. Term life insurance does not have a savings component. You simply pay your premiums for the length of the term and if you pass away while the policy is in force, your beneficiary receives receives the death benefit.

Knowing the answers to these three questions, why do you need it, how long do you need it for and do you need the savings component, will help you determine what kind of policy you need. Contact us at the Storick Group so we can work closely with you and help you decide which is the best way for you to go.

Stay tuned for daily updates on more things like this, as well as just every day life things that matter.

Brett Royster