Bluray/DVD Movie Review with no rants!

The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo (2011)

The American version of the hit and critically acclaimed Swedish film based on the best selling novel of the same name, this film directed by David Fincher, (Fight Club, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Se7en), and adapted by Steven Zaillian (Schindler's List and Moneyball)

This English-language adaptation of the Swedish novel by Stieg Larsson follows a disgraced journalist, Mikael Blomkvist (Daniel Craig), as he investigates the disappearance of a wealthy patriarch's niece from 40 years ago. He is aided by the pierced, tattooed, punk computer hacker named Lisbeth Salander (Rooney Mara). As they work together in the investigation, Blomkvist and Salander uncover immense corruption beyond anything they have ever imagined.

First, let me say that I am a huge fan of the novels and the Swedish films staring Michael Nyqvist (Blomkvist) and Noomi Rapace (Salander) and I honestly didn't think that anyone but Rapace could play Salander. Let me tell you that I was wrong.

The film follows Stieg Larsson's book more closely than the Swedish film and I appreciated that. There is more detail into the life of Lisbeth and Mikael, there lives before they met, relationships, work, etc. I felt like I got to know the characters better in Fincher's film than in the Swedish film.

I'm not saying that Rapace wasn't a revelation in all three films and doesn't deserve the praise she is still getting from her performance, but I think I liked Mara's Lisbeth more. It's a very shocking thing to admit because I honestly have never seen such a performance than Rapace's in the Millennium Trilogy, until Mara's.

Mara's 'take' on Salander is riveting, she all but vibrates with rage. The rape scene isn't as violent as was in the Swedish film and for that, I'm grateful, although if you have read the book, you know just how awful it was. She is strong, yet weak, hideously ugly, yet beautiful, small yet strong and I love her.

Lisbeth Salander is one of the greatest characters in literature/film history. Disagree? Read and watch!

Daniel Craig is a more sexy Blomkvist than Nyqvist and it's a good thing because in the books, Blomkvist is sort of a horndog who has women throw themselves at him. I couldn't see that with the Swedish film, but oh yes, I can in the US film.

All in all, both versions are amazing, well acted and directed. If you are a fan of film and want to witness amazing acting, watch both. You will not be sorry.

Take a look at the trailers for BOTH films

 

The Swedish Film

 

 

The American Film

*Look for more movie reviews to come*

Twilight Saga Breaking Dawn at Comic Con

Here's a scene from Breaking Dawn Part 1 featuring Jacob, Esme and Dr. Cullen.

It really looks great and I'm so excited to see the finished product in November, but where the hell is the other scene shown to all the TwiHards at Comic Con? Come on Summit! Give those of us who either don't have the time or the cash to travel to Comic Con. We still deserve to see the good stuff. Release the other scene already!

The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 1 opens November 18,2011

Cheating Stars

What is wrong with all of these so called stars that are supposed to be happily married and then they are caught cheating? I, for one, am sick to death of these guys screwing anything that moves just because they think they can. Honestly, Tiger Woods should be neutered and Sandra Bullock's husband should be horse-whipped. Why do I care? Because I am a wife. I would be beyond devastated if it happened to me and I can feel their pain.

I don't know much about Tiger Woods' wife, but I'm a Sandra Bullock fan. She seems like a very nice person and I enjoy her films. Knowing (from her interviews and speeches) she absolutely adores her husband and his children and this is what makes it so awful. You can tell SHE is devoted. You can tell SHE is madly in love. My heart goes out to her.


This now brings me to the King of the bad husbands, John Gosselin. He is so gross, so nasty, so lazy and stupid, it's beyond me why any lawyer would take him as a client. Why would any woman want to date him? It's not like the press coverage they'd get would be good. I'm sick to death of hearing about him. And why does everyone hate Kate? What did she do that was so wrong? I tell you: she had to boss her idiot husband around for years because he was too stupid to do anything by himself. I admire Kate, although I think she's a bit annal. I hope she finds a nice, faithful and hardworking man to share her life.

Ok, I think I'm finished ranting on the cheaters for now, but rest assured I'll find something else to complain about very soon.