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Photo Courtesy of Lionsgate

The Hunger Games is one of the most talked about and anticipated movies to come out since the ‘Twilight’ or ‘Harry Potter’ series. So what is ‘The Hunger Games’ really about and what has people buzzing so much about this movie?

Movies that are set in a post-apocolyptic world, such as the ‘Star Wars’ trilogy or ‘Avatar,’ have a way of completely captivating an audience, whether it’s because we’re all curious about the future  or we simply enjoy movies set in a world apart from our own. Either way, ‘The Hunger Games’ has some high expectations to live up to.

This particular story takes place after the destruction of North America, in a nation called Panem. Panem is a wealthy Capitol surrounded by 12 smaller, poorer districts. As punishment for a rebellion that took place against the capitol, one boy and one girl between the ages of 12 and 18 are chosen to play in the Hunger Games, each year. Those selected must fight each other until only one person remains living; meanwhile, this entire event is televised for everyone to watch.

Now, there is much more to the story than I’ve detailed above, but I don’t want to give the whole movie away (plus, I have yet to see it, myself). The plot of this movie is so unimaginable in today’s world, which is why I think I will be on the edge of my seat for the entire movie.

If you happen to see ‘The Hunger Games’ this weekend, let everyone at UniversityDecisions.com know whether it exceeded your expectations or it was a letdown at the box office.

Happy Hunger Games!

Winter is the best time to sit down and relax on those long evenings with a cup of hot cocoa and your favorite book to read. This season we picked out the best 10 must read books of 2012.

1. Event Horizon. (Scott McElhaney)

Award winning author Scott McElhaney brings you a tale of science-fiction suspense that will take you on a journey through time and across the galaxy. The main character- Skylar Rains- has made a significant breakthrough regarding the future of time travel. Testing this theory however leaves him stranded 1100 years in the future with no hope of return. He must sift through the clues to learn what became of the world he once knew.

2. Private: #1 Suspect. (James Patterson)

Since former Marine Jack Morgan started Private, it has become the world’s most effective investigation firm.His private’s investigators are the smartest, the fastest, and the most technologically advanced in the world and they always uncover the truth.

3. Steve Jobs. (Walter Isaacson)

Based on more than forty interviews with Jobs conducted over two years as well as interviews with more than a hundred family members, friends, adversaries, competitors, and colleagues, Walter Isaacson has written a story of the roller-coaster life of a creative entrepreneur whose passion for perfection revolutionized six industries: personal computers, animated movies, music, phones, tablet computing, and digital publishing.

4. Bossypants. (Tina Fey)

Fey was just a young girl with a dream, a recurring stress dream that she was being chased through a local airport by her middle-school gym teacher. She also had a dream that one day she would be a comedian on TV. She has seen both these dreams come true. In this Book Tina Fey reveals all, and proves what we’ve all suspected- you’re no one until someone calls you bossy.

5. Strategy For You: Building a Bridge to the Life You Want. (Rich Horwath)

In this book, world-renowned business strategist Rich Horwath provides a five-step plan for building a bridge to the life you want. Using the foundational principles of business strategy, Horwath lays out the five steps you can take to create a more fulfilling and successful life: Discover, Differentiate, Decide, Design and Drive. The book gives you the opportunity to maximize your true potential at work and home.

6. Taking People With You: The Only Way to Make Big Things Happen. (David Novak)

David Novak explains in this book that you can’t lead a successful organization without getting people on your side. You need to encourage them, keep them enthusiastic and focused on the main task. By developing his program “Taking People with You” and teaching it to thousands of business people he managed to improve their success. Fifteen years at Yum! Brands and its extraordinary success (at least 13 percent growth for each of the last nine years) definitely prove his point.

7. Thinking, Fast and Slow. (Daniel Kahneman)

Daniel Kahneman, recipient of the Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences is one of our most important thinkers. His ideas have a great impact on many fields—including economics, medicine, and politics—but until now, he has never brought together his many years of research and thinking in one book. In the book Thinking, Fast and Slow, Kahneman takes us on a tour of the mind and explains the systems that drive the way we think.

8. Pulphead: Essays. (Jeremiah Sullivan)

In this book John Jeremiah Sullivan takes us on a tour of our popular, unpopular, and completely forgotten culture. Sullivan with his laidback, Southern charm makes us realize the the cultural differences and ways of living.

9. The End of Money: Counterfeiters, Preachers, Techies, Dreamers–and the Coming Cashless Society. (David Wolman)

For ages, money has meant little metal disks and rectangular slips of paper. Yet the usefulness of physical money is coming under fire as never before. Intrigued by the possibility that cash will soon disappear, author David Wolman investigates the future of money and how it will affect our wallets.

10. You Should Only Have to Get Rich Once: How to Avoid Toxic Financial Advice and Focus on What Really Matters. (Russel E. Holcombe)

This book will make you think differently about your money. After reading it you will be able to ask your financial advisor more in depth and adequate questions and you will be able to avoid bad and toxic advice. Simply, this book is designed to keep you wealthy.

We hope you’ll enjoy our picks for 10 Must Read Books of 2012! Feel free to also share your 2012 favorites with us in the comments or on Facebook.

As Hollywood prepares to roll out the red carpet and paparazzi check into nearby hotels, movie-lovers huddle up to swap opinions and predict the winners of the 2012 Academy Awards. It’s hard to imagine that this glitzy annual production started out as private brunch at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, but that’s exactly where the prestigious Oscars were presented to their recipients, nearly 85 years ago. Each year since then, audiences have tuned in to see the spectacle, which has seen nearly as much growth as cinematography itself – and from silent films to special effects, it’s impossible to deny that film has come a long way.

The 84^th Academy Awards, scheduled to air live on Sunday, February 26^th, promises to be an incredible show, and based on two of the nominations for Best Picture, it seems as though Hollywood will be paying special attention to its own history.

Photo Courtesy of ABC

The Artist, a black and white film shot almost entirely without sound, is up against Hugo, Martin Scorsese’s recent drama which boasts incredible 3D graphics and special effects. Aside from receiving stellar reviews on rottentomatoes.com, it might seem like the two have absolutely nothing in common. Yet, even separated by an entire dimension, these critically acclaimed films also share a common theme, paying homage to the history of film.

The Artist, which is again a black and white silent film, tells the story of George Valentin, a movie star who resists the rise of the “talkies” and inevitably falls out of the public’s graces and limelight as a result. The not-so-subtle theme is elegantly supported by superb acting and simply beautiful camera shots.

The second movie accentuates the wonderful history of film as well, though it could be said that it goes about it in a more delicate way.  Hugo tells the story of a young boy whose search for a message from his deceased father leads him to a drawing of a scene from an old movie and eventually to the film’s creator, George Méliès (best known for his 14 minute science fiction A Trip to the Moon).  Scorsese’s film is said to be a tribute to Méliès, who is cherished a pioneer in the film industry, using the most modern techniques available.

It comes as no surprise that The Artist and Hugo have both received enviable Oscar nominations in this year’s Academy Awards, and with any luck, one of the two might just take home the prize!

With the show a month away, there’s still time to check out these two greats…or if you’re the creative type, longing for your turn behind the camera, explore the possibility of an education in film!

Dodge Dart

The first portion of the Detroit Auto Show, officially titled the North American International Auto Show, began yesterday in Detroit, Michigan, open only to those with exclusive media credentials. Although not open to the general public until Saturday, sleek pictures and technical details from the Detroit Auto Show have been whetting the appetites of car aficionados across the country.

In recent years, the American auto industry has been hard hit by rising gas prices, leading to decreased consumer demand and the increased cost of raw materials. The ‘Big Three’ – General Motors, Ford and Chrysler – are generally seen as the barometer of the American industry. Having faced criticism during the Auto Bailout, and for perceived failure to provide consumers with fuel-efficient options, it seems that 2012 could be a turnaround year for the industry.

Cadillac ATS

Here’s the first glimpse from the Detroit Auto Show:

Ford: Unveiled the 2013 Fusion. Features include a redesigned front, and an engine that touts an automatic stop-start feature to save energy. The car will be offered in hybrid, and hybrid plug-in designs.

General Motors: Showcasing its 2013 Cadillac ATS. According to www.motortrend.com, this new project was considered such a crucial business development that it was among just a few original plans kept during GM’s bankruptcy. Highly touted as an answer to BMW’s luxury cars, the Cadillac ATS will debut in a sedan model, weighing just over 3300 pounds.

GM is also promoting the new Chevrolet Code 130R, a vehicle appealing to younger consumers that also includes technology to recapture brake energy with an automatic stop-start feature.

Chrysler: Issues the new concept Dodge Dart – the first joint creation of Chrysler and Fiat. The re-invented design from the 60s keeps its original compact build, but now touts 40mpg efficiency and a price below $20,000.

Ford Fusion

Interested in designing the car of the future? Check out University Decisions and find an engineering course to get you up and running!

*Photos courtesy of North American International Auto Show and Motor Trend.

The day many of us thought would never come, has arrived. Van Halen has announced that its 2012 tour will feature front man David Lee Roth.

And so, for one brief moment, set your plans for the New Year aside, forget the party planning and shelve your resolutions. The brand new, responsible you can wait. With news like this and four days left in 2011, there’s just enough time to celebrate in true rock star form – and even if your conscience prevents you from tearing up a hotel room or smashing a guitar, standing on your desk shouting, “Go ahead JUMP!!” is certainly forgivable. In fact, it’s mandatory.

Yet, music fans aren’t the only ones salivating at the mention of the tour. Just as old school rockers are dusting off their leather jackets, journalists are digging out their notepads and stocking up on batteries for their handheld recorders, hungry for the headlines the band is likely to supply. Since its formation in the early 70s, the members of Van Halen have seen both highs and lows, and from dramatic breakups and celebrated reunions to amazing achievements and acknowledgements, music journalists have stuck with them every step of the way. Judging from the onslaught of news articles recently covering the Van Halen tour 2012 and David Lee Roth’s return, the press won’t be turning a blind eye to the movements of this wave-making band any time soon.

For now, however, it appears there will only be more good news ahead for Van Halen fans, who, I might add, should all be singing from atop their desks…

Want to write about Van Halen? Pursue a career in journalism. It can be challenging, but if you’ve got a knack for the written word and a passion for chasing down the latest story, it can also be highly rewarding. Whether you’re a music-elitist wanting to educate the nation on what is and is not “disposable music” or your interests are in politics and current events, make 2012 the year you follow your dream. Visit UniversityDecisions.com, and make it happen!