Thursday, January 12, 2012

'Hunger Games' Looking Fierce In Movie Brawl Elite Eight

What's your pick for the must-see movie of 2012? Cast your vote now!
By Eric Ditzian


Jennifer Lawrence in "Hunger Games"
Photo: Lionsgate

Tim Tebow ain't got nothing on the MTV Movie Brawl 2012. Sure, the granter of all-American dreams and thrower of game-winning touchdowns showed some playoff heroics last weekend, but the action in MTV's cinematic tournament had movie groupies alternately sweating, cursing and celebrating just as much as Denver Bronco fans.

To wit, two of Robert Pattinson's upcoming films, "Bel Ami" and "Cosmopolis," faced off in a Sweet Sixteen matchup that was decided by three votes. Tens of thousands of votes were cast, and three clicks launched "Cosmopolis" to victory. On the other side of the bracket, #7 seed "The Woman in Black," an indie horror flick, looked like it didn't have a chance against Universal's big-budget "Snow White and the Huntsman." But Daniel Radcliffe fans came out in force to support the boy wizard's first post-"Harry Potter" flick, showing up Kristen Stewart devotees with a healthy serving of get the hell out of this tournament! When the final tally came in, more than 250,000 votes had been cast, and KStew's fairy tale was headed home with a lot of explaining to do.


Vote For Your Favorite Upcoming Flick In MTV's Movie Brawl 2012!

As least she's still alive in the Brawl, as "The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 2" came through with a commanding victory over "Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace," despite the nefarious meddling of "Hunger Games" fans, who were furiously voting for "Phantom Menace" in an attempt to send the vampires to a humiliating defeat. It didn't work. "HG" fans, though, weren't the only ones trying to pull off a bit of bracket-based strategery. "Breaking Dawn" voters came out in force to support "Prometheus" in its fight with "Hunger Games." Once again, the gambit didn't work. But it showed just how merciless this competition is going to be as we inch toward the finals.

Let's take a look at where we stand as the Elite Eight kicks into high gear.

Upper West Region
It's all Pattinson, all the time, as "Breaking Dawn" faces off against "Cosmopolis." The key question here for Twi-fans is whether they're going to vote for RPattz as he's been or RPattz as he's going to be. Will it be out with the old and in with the new, or will the sparkly vampires reign supreme? If you ask us, "Breaking Dawn" ain't going nowhere, but this tourney isn't up to us.

Lower West Region
It's getting dark up in here! "The Dark Knight Rises" limped into the Sweet Sixteen after a disappointing first-round showing, and we were fearful Christopher Nolan's film would face an early ouster at the hands of "Marvel's The Avengers." That didn't happen, and now "Dark Knight" faces a weakened "Dark Shadows" in the Elite Eight. Johnny Depp's upcoming film surprised us all with an outstanding opening-round performance, leading to a #2 seed. But "Shadows" struggled in its matchup, needing up until the final hours of play to put the match away. Momentum is everything in the playoffs, so we have to say "Dark Knight" is in the driver's seat in this game.

Upper East Region
Were it not for the savvy scheming of "Twilight" fans, "Hunger Games" might have walked away from the Sweet Sixteen with the greatest margin of victory in the entire tournament. As it stands, "HG" heads into the Elite Eight with perhaps the easiest matchup of all. "John Carter" and "G.I. Joe: Retaliation" fought back and forth for days, with leads changing hands and the ultimate victor too close to call until an eleventh-hour surge sent "G.I. Joe" ahead. That leaves us wondering if the sequel has enough left in the gas tank to pull off a win. Actually, we're not wondering at all: shut off the lights and put the kids to bed: "Hunger Games" has this in the bag.

Lower East Region
Voters in this region are still reeling from the unexpected departure of "Snow White." There's no time to rest, though. "Woman in Black" has established itself as a dark horse in the Brawl — one that could threaten "Hunger Games" in the Final Four. Before then, however, Radcliffe's flick will have to battle a resurgent "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey." Peter Jackson's film waged a hard-fought war with Emma Watson's "Perks of Being a Wallflower" and came out with a narrow 3 percent victory. That's some impressive stuff. Can "Hobbit" keep it going? Is there anything that can keep "Woman in Black" from a trip to the Final Four? We've got until January 16 to decide. That's when voting in the Elite Eight ends. There are no excuses in the Movie Brawl. Get busy voting!

What are you waiting for? Your must-see movie needs your support. It's time to show character, poise and heart. Vote for your picks now at MTV Movie Brawl 2012!

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