HUNGER GAMES TAKES OVER LOBBY AT ARCLIGHT CINEMAS IN BETHESDA (PHOTOS)

ArcLight Cinemas' famous lobby wall of screens is now touting the new Hunger Games sequel, Mockingjay - Part I, on a grand scale. Check it out yourself at Westfield Montgomery Mall.

HUNGER GAMES MARATHON IN BETHESDA THURSDAY - INCLUDES MOCKINGJAY PART 1

Extreme fans of the Hunger Games series can celebrate the grand opening of the book and film phenomenon's latest celluloid installment with a Hunger Games marathon in Bethesda this Thursday, November 20. Starting at 2:00 PM (see exact times below), screen the original, the Catching Fire sequel, and the newest, Mockingjay, Part 1, at several Bethesda theaters.

Buy tickets ahead online for your theater of choice - click on the theater name to order online:

ArcLight Cinemas - all attendees will receive a commemorative lanyard. You can also order a dinner sandwich that day, which you can pick up during the intermission between Catching Fire and Mockingjay, Part 1. First movie starts at 2:20 PM.

Regal Cinemas Bethesda 10 - Regal Crown Club members will receive a limited-edition keychain. First movie starts at 2:30 PM.

AMC Mazza Gallerie - Commemorative marathon lanyard, plus a free poster (only 1 of every 10 posters will be of Katniss, the chain notes for those concerned about that). Not in Bethesda, but worth knowing for memorabilia collectors. First movie starts at 2:00 PM.

WHICH CATCHING FIRE BLU-RAY/DVD PACKAGE IS BEST FOR HUNGER GAMES FANS? (PHOTOS)

Friday is the big day for Hunger Games fans, as the second film installment hits stores across the country. Catching Fire doesn't have quite the elaborate special edition packages the first movie did, but offers more than the average Hollywood blockbuster release in these days of dwindling bonus gifts. For collectors, it's all about the bonus pack-ins, and exclusive content and artwork.

So, which store has the best Catching Fire Blu-ray/DVD package?

In my opinion, it's Target.

The Target Catching Fire set includes 45 minutes of exclusive bonus content:

Target Exclusive (45 minutes of content): 

• “ONE VISION” (A FAITHFUL ADAPTATION)--translating Suzanne Collins' source material to the big screen 

• “THE ALLIANCE” (RETURNING CAST)—an inside look at the close-knit relationships of the returning actors 

• “FRIEND OR FOE” (NEW CAST)--finding the perfect embodiments of the new characters 

And a booklet.

But, wait, there's more!

Pre-order your copy from Target, and you also get this Target-exclusive fabric poster:

Not to mention that the Target edition appears to have the best cover design. And you get all of this for $22.99, more than you pay for many recent Blu-ray releases that had no collectible bonus items.

Walmart

Walmart is second best, if you live near one that is opening at midnight tonight - the first 50 Catching Fire purchases will come with a Walmart-exclusive poster. Find a Walmart midnight opening event near you.  The poster isn't new; it is said to be the IMAX theater poster from last November's opening.

But that's it for bonus items, and Walmart has no exclusive bonus-disc content. The only other Walmart exclusive is a 2-movie set for the completist. Walmart has an online price of $19.96 for the Blu-ray/DVD.

Best Buy

Best Buy's primary exclusive, is offering Catching Fire in the steelbook format. This is best for those who collect steelbooks in general, or, again, for the completist. If you're not near a midnight opening Walmart, bump up Best Buy to #2 on the list. The other 2 Best Buy bonuses that can bump it up to #2 are A) you can pick up the first Hunger Games Blu-ray steelbook version for only $5 when you buy Catching Fire, and B) you also get $8 in Fandango Cash, payable towards Divergent when it hits theaters on March 21. Best Buy's price is the same as Target.

Amazon.com

Zip, zilch, nada. Just the movie, that's it.

MORE DETAILS ON HUNGER GAMES DVD BEST BUY NUMBERED ACRYLIC COLLECTIBLE KEEPSAKE

A lot of people are understandably asking, "What exactly is the 'numbered acrylic collectable keepsake" in the Best Buy-exclusive Blu-ray package?

It was a bit of a mystery before last midnight's release, but here are some new details:  It is a three-dimensional, small paperback book-shaped artwork.  The front panel has the Mockingjay logo art.  The back panel is blank, except for a label that declares it (insert number here) of 47,000.  So there are "only" 47,000 of these.  Finally, the "middle" part of the object - where the pages would be if it actually was a book - is made of a clear material.

So it is mainly a nice piece for those who a) want a collectible not everyone will have, b) like the logo and want to display it or c) all of the above.

WHICH HUNGER GAMES DVD PACKAGE IS THE BEST TO BUY NEAR BETHESDA?

Saturday is the big day for Hunger Games fans.  You can buy the DVD version for around $17, and the 2-disc Blu-ray for around $20, everywhere.

But for the fanatic, the big question is, which of the more-expensive, "exclusive" packages is the one to get?

We don't have a Wal-Mart nearby in Bethesda.  So here are your three practical options:

Best Buy, 4500 Wisconsin Ave. NW

Best Buy's package is arguably the most deluxe Hunger Games edition

$29.99 Collector's Edition includes 4-disc Blu-ray, DVDs+Digital Copy, "numbered acrylic keepsake," and collectible case.  The case is actually a box with hinged lid and opening flaps.  That acrylic keepsake is a mystery item.  It looks like a book-shaped artwork, with the Mockingjay logo.

Target, 5700 Bou Avenue, Rockville

$24.99 Target Exclusive Edition has only 3 Blu-ray discs, DVDs+Digital Copy. What it does have is the 45 minutes of "Tribute Video Diaries," which are actually video diaries of the actors' experiences while making the movie.

Amazon.com

Amazon doesn't have a special package, but if you pre-order today, you can stream The Hunger Games movie online at midnight tonight (12:00 AM EDT).

What to decide?

Ultimate fans will want all of the packages.  But if money is still an issue, decide what's important to you:

Do you display a lot of Hunger Games merchandise in your home?  Then the Best Buy edition is for you, with the cool box and numbered artwork collectible.

More interested in the actors?  Target's video diaries would be best, and that package does fold out with some artwork inside.

Finally, do you just want bragging rights to be the first person you know to watch the movie at home?  That could make Amazon's offer tempting.

If you buy a lot of these things, you know there'll be future repackagings, and you'll probably end up getting those bonus discs from the other sets one day, anyway.

Which Hunger Games version are you planning to buy this weekend?  Will you host or attend a Hunger Games release party?  Or are you simply tired of the whole Hunger Games phenomenon at this point?

BETHESDA ROW'S BLUEMERCURY CEO SPILLS HUNGER GAMES MAKEUP SECRETS

Marla Malcolm Beck, founder and boss of cosmetics powerhouse bluemercury (and Bethesda resident, by the way), has a few secrets to share with you ladies who've been wanting to steal Jennifer Lawrence's style from the blockbuster Hunger Games.

Here she reveals all, including the products aspiring Katniss Everdeens need to do just that. 

How much do you want to bet you can buy these products at bluemercury at Bethesda Row?

Ladies:  thank me later.

Gentlemen:  proceed to the post about the Burger Month Contest!

HUNGER GAMES

FEVER IN

BETHESDA

Sold Out Movie Inspires Costumes,

Workouts and Hairstyles

When die-hard fans, some in costume, gathered at Barnes and Noble at Bethesda Row the evening before the Hunger Games premiere, fever over the year's first blockbuster was just beginning.

Friday night, fans attended a special premiere at Montgomery Mall, which raised money for Invisible Children - the charitable arm of the Stop Kony movement.

Rain drove more people into theaters this weekend, and preliminary box office numbers are big.

All of this hype is creating opportunities for local businesses to capitalize on the moment.

Washington Sports Club is offering a free "Train Like a Tribute" workout on the next 7 Tuesdays, at their Chevy Chase, DC location (just take the Red Line one stop down from Bethesda to Friendship Heights). This punishing workout will pit you against your classmates until one is left standing. WSC promises to whip you into Jennifer Lawrence shape, including a bow and arrow portion. Maybe you don't want to stand right in front of the person behind you...

A little less taxing offer for ladies who want to look like the Hunger Games heroine is Refinery 29's DIY Guide to the Katniss braid, no hair salon necessary.

As for myself, call me when The Avengers opens.

HUNGER GAMES

BETHESDA

PREMIERE WILL

HELP

"STOP KONY"

Westfield Montgomery Mall Pairs

Movie Excitement with a Cause

Another Robert Dyer @ Bethesda Row Exclusive!!!

Hunger Games fans will be able to enjoy the movie, and boost a cause, at tonight's Westfield Montgomery Mall Theater premiere.

A thought-provoking book series and film - with themes of socioeconomic inequity and violence involving young people - lends itself well to the real-life human castastrophes in Africa today.

Westfield is offering a special premiere package for $20, a portion of which will go to the Invisible Children organization. The package includes one Hunger Games ticket, a medium popcorn, and a soda.

Here is tonight's schedule:

6:00-7:15 Music, "mingling and munchies." Meet the Invisible Children "roadies," and learn more about their organization.

7:30 PM Screening of "Kony 2012"

8:00 PM Hunger Games

You don't have to donate or watch "Kony 2012," however. Simply buy an ordinary ticket and enter at 8:00 for the movie. (Of course, if you're like me, and hate coming in late when all the good seats are taken, you're probably going to have to sit through Kony!).

There are always other theaters. But if the Hunger Games has inspired you to become more involved in politics, charitable causes and the local and world community, Westfield is offering a great opportunity to take action tonight, even as you enjoy this long-awaited film.

Obviously, this screening could sell out, so take my advice and get your tickets early today at http://www.themoviesat.com or at the Montgomery Mall theater box office. Call the theater directly at 301-469-5180 anytime today if you have questions.

Until next time, save us the aisle seats.

The Movies at Montgomery Mall, 7101 Democracy Blvd., Bethesda