Good writeups. It seems like you mostly have a similar opinion to me: the book is really engaging and made me want to keep reading, but Suzanne Collins is also really weak on some of the details, like developing the other characters or the setting. You can tell she just didn't bother to think it through very much - like all of North America has only 12 districts, and district 12 is supposed to have just 8000 people in it? She does explain things a little better in the later books, but still. So yeah, enjoyable read, but I wish she had included more details about the other tributes and stuff.
I thought the movie was really good. It mostly captured everything it could, and Jennifer Lawrence did a great job as Katniss. The one thing that kinda disappointed me was the lack of development of the Katniss/Rue relationship. That was the best relationship in the book, and they barely even spoke in the movie. I don't think it was the fault of Rue's actress, I think they just cut out too much. They should have at least had the scene where Katniss offered to ally with her, instead of just assuming it.
On the other hand, I did really like the cut aways to the game makers, I thought that was a great addition.
Admittedly some things had to be cut, and I actually sort of prefer the new origin of the mockingjay pin, so I understand them tossing these guys.
I liked the book version of the pin better. I get why they had to cut Madge out, but the movie version seemed kinda silly to me.
"Hey Prim, I got you a present, it'll bring you good luck."
*Prim gets chosen for the reaping*
"Here Katniss, I think you better take it."
--
I made a living on time trial blowing myself off to cross the finish line at ludicrous speed. -transience