David Fincher’s English version of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, based on the Stieg Larsen thriller takes a walk on the dark side. Fans of the trilogy about the heavily tattooed computer hacker, Lisbeth Salander waited anxiously to see how Fincher (Fight Club, The Social Network) would handle the movie and how young Rooney Mara would replace Noomi Rapace in the title role.

I am not sure if I can fairly compare the two movies or the two actresses, even though the movies are based on the same book, they are quite different. David Fincher’s Girl With The Dragon Tattoo is much darker and grittier than the Swedish movie.

One of the things I liked about the way Fincher made this movie, is that he didn’t Americanize the story.  Filmed in Uppsala and Stockholm, Sweden, the movie is distinctly Swedish with accents and everything.

Lisbeth Salander

Rooney Mara and Noomi Rapace as Lisbeth Salander

Rooney Mara’s Lisbeth Salander was different from Noomi Rapace’s portrayal of the character. While Rooney’s Lisbeth seemed more like a wounded bird who was mad at the whole world, Noomi’s Lisbeth was just plain angry and hated everyone. You could see the pain in Rooney’s eyes, masked by the dark hair, black eyeliner and piercings. This is a girl who has suffered, but has survived by not letting her emotions get in the way.

During one particularing brutal scene [which made me cry, even though I knew it was coming]. Director David Fincher didn’t pull the camera away from the terror and pain during this scene, which made it all the more brutal. Perhaps that was a good choice, but I could have gone without seeing it.

Mikael Blomkvist

I am not usually a fan a Daniel Craig, but he was perfect for the role of the disgraced journalist.  Unlike his role in the Bond films, as Mikael, Craig was out of his element when he discovers that the disappearance of a young girl is tied to a serial killer.

In the 2009 Swedish movie, the role was played by Michael Nyqvist, seen recently in Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol.

Movie vs. Book vs. Movie

Daniel Craig as Mikael Blomkvist and Rooney Mara as Lisbeth Salander

Mikael Blomlvist has recently lost a libel suit. Disgraced and facing severe financial losses he takes a job with Henrik  Vanger in icy, northern Sweden. Vanger, a wealthy, aging businessman hires Mikael to allegedly write his memoirs, but the truth is he wants him to investigate the disappearance of his niece in 1964. Christopher Plummer plays the older Henrik and Julian Sands plays the younger Henrik in the 1964 flashbacks.

Soon, Mikael realizes he is over his head and needs an assistant to help with the research and he eventually contacts the mysterious girl with the dragon tattoo, Lisbeth Salander. Together, they unravel a decades long trail of murder and torture.

There are very few changes to the movie from the book. However, the change that was made is pretty major. Truthfully, it doesn’t ruin the movie, even if you have read all 3 novels. It just shortens the story a bit. I was not disappointed.

The movie includes scenes which lead into the next story, The Girl Who Played With Fire, hopefully that means they plan to film the remaining 2 movies of the trilogy.

Fans of the 2009 Swedish movie with Noomi Rapace and Michael Nyqvist can pick this movie apart, but I took them as totally different films using the same source material. What do you think?

So, what do you think of this version of The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo? Did you read the novels?

Once in a lifetime the stars align in such a perfect confluence of circumstances that it makes the angels me weep. That’s right baby! Hugh Jackman is Back on Broadway! Oh yeah! The Wolverine is singing and dancing across the stage of the Broadhurst Theater in New York City, from mid-October to January 1st.

In a Perfect World

In a perfect, fair and just world, I would actually be writing this post (on my 27″ iMac) from my luxury, gorgeously decorated penthouse apartment in New York, with a pair of front row tickets for Saturday performance sitting snuggly in my pocket. And I would be thin. But the @#$% Recession is conspiring to keep Hugh and I apart.

I tried talking to several of my closest friends, asking begging them to give me $3000 to go to New York to see Hugh Jackman only to be laughed at and told a few other unkind adjectives. I explained with everything short of an Excel spreadsheet why I need that much money.

Round trip ticket from Dallas to NYC- $800…. hotel room close to the Broadhurst Theater, so I can watch Hugh walk to work – $800….meals, new outfit and taxis – $300….front row ticket for Hugh Jackman Back on Broadway – $350….the rest is either for bribing stage hands, medical attention or bail.

I don’t want you to think I am obsessed with Hugh Jackman or anything. I just happen to be extremely attracted to multi-talented Australian men with buffed up arms and Adamantium claws, who can also host the Oscars and the Tony Awards….just sayin’.

Reel Steel

In lieu of the tuxedo-clad Hugh, I went to see Real Steel, a futuristic boxing movie with Hugh as deadbeat dad, Charlie Kenton. Apparently in the next 10-15 years, life-size Rock Em, Sock Em Robot boxing will be the top sport, putting real boxers like Charlie out of work. After an illustrious career as a human boxer, Charlie is now a down on his luck robot boxing promoter. His on again-off again girlfriend, Bailey is played by Evangeline Lilly (Lost). They make a nice couple, but as I said he is a down on his luck, deadbeat dad [with incredible buffed up arms].

When a former girlfriend/baby mama dies, Charlie finds himself suddenly saddled with his 10-year old son, Max. I don’t mind telling you that I felt slightly mislead by the movie trailers. Real Steel is more about the little boy and his trying to establish a relationship with his long absent father. Real Steel is definitely not a chick flick [unless you count the 60 seconds that Hugh was shirtless.] I think it is more suitable for a father and son movie night or a PG-13 date option.

Sadly, although Real Steel was entertaining, it is a poor substitute for the real Hugh Jackman singing Broadway show tunes, live and in person.

This has been a very good year for Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling. With the much release of The Help, a starring role in The Amazing Spiderman with Andrew Garfield and the recent release of Crazy, Stupid, Love, Emma Stone’s career is on fire. Ryan Gosling, too has had his share of hits this year, starring in Drive and The Idles of March with George Clooney.

Since the  summer  was a  light on the chick flicks,  I was anxious to see Crazy, Stupid, Love. But is Crazy, Stupid, Love really a chick flick? It is a love story, but it’s Steve Carrell’s love story, which puts it into the same category as (500) Days of Summer and even Super 8. I am not sure what to call them…I will have to think of a clever name. Do you have any suggestions?

Crazy, Stupid, Love stars Steve Carrell as Cal, a happily married man who doesn’t realize that his wife, Emily  played by Julianne Moore is not as happily married as he is. After learning that Emily has had an affair and wants a divorce, Cal finds himself at a trendy bar, where he meets Jacob (Ryan Gosling), a charming lady’s man who goes home with a different lady every night.

Night after night Cal sits at the bar, drinking, feeling sorry for himself and telling the sad sorry of Emily’s infidelity to anyone who will listen. Eventually, Jacob takes pity on Cal and takes him under his wing, as a sort of apprentice wingman. He helps Cal with his wardrobe, conversation skills and just like Mr. Miyagi, Cal not only regains his confidence, but also learns how to pick up women.

On The Other Side of Town

Emma Stone is Hannah, a law student with a boring, PG-rated love life. Her friend, Liz (Liza Lapira) constantly encourages her to break out of her shell and live a little. The problem is, Hannah is basically just a good girl. One night, after a disappointing evening with her bland boyfriend and too much to drink, Hannah decides to throw caution to the wind and have a one night stand with Jacob, ‘the cute guy at the bar”.

Just how that one night stand turns out leads to some  crazy, stupid consequences. After watching Crazy, Stupid Love, I left the theater with a nice warm feeling, which doesn’t happen often.  I hope am not spoiling the movie by saying that there is a happy ending. An ending that gives you a little faith in the power of love.  And who couldn’t use a little of that power in their lives. I know I could.

Crazy, Stupid, Love  comes out on DVD Tuesday, November 1, 2011. Check it out and let me know what you think.

Also on DVD– November 1, 2011 

Water for Elephants

Snow Flower and the Secret Fan

The is a Guest Post by Andi Fisher

I love romance, I am a romantic at heart. But I don’t believe love is perfect. It is tough and messy and when it comes to books and films I love messy and complicated. I love The Notebook (although not messy enough for me); Beyond Borders; The Thornbirds, Bridges of Madison County, Same Time Next Year, etc. There is something about love conquering all, even if it takes decades that gets me every single time.

One Day  has it in spades. The basic plot is a story takes place during a single day each year for two decades in the lives of Dex and Em, two people who met in college and cannot seem to get the other out of their lives or minds. They dance around each other for years, circling close at times, very distant at others. There is the drama of the “almosts” the “not quites” and the “just nearlies” that keeps me interested. It is bittersweet filled with romance and regret and frustrating moments when you want to bang their heads together, but that is real love.

The Book vs The Movie

I read the book in 10 hours on two 5-hour flight to and from Boston. I drank it in voraciously and I knew I would not miss the movie. While I enjoyed Love and Other Drugs, I had not really seen a movie that could go toe-to-toe with The Notebook and I wanted this one to try. Unfortunately, I can’t say I love it. This might be another book that should stay a book.

I think the problem is that the book has a lot of detail that was not covered in the book and a lot was left out at every jump (July 15th to July 15th from year to year). Amazingly, with all the jumps the film felt slow and a bit boring. You don’t become emotionally invested in the characters and so you can’t feel what they feel.

Anne Hathaway did a brilliant job but I felt the rest of the cast wasn’t strong enough to support her. When I try to visualize who I would re-cast I can’t stop seeing Jude Law as Dexter. And Kevin James as Ian.

This was a first novel for David Nicholls (Starter for 10), he has written a lot for television and might have needed some guidance for converting his book into a screenplay.

My suggestion is to read One Day  and rent the movie when it comes out on DVD, streaming or blu-ray!

To encourage you to the read the book(it really is good!) Clara and I are going to give a copy  of  One Day  away, you can read and decide for yourself! To enter, just leave a comment telling us (Clara and I) your favorite love story and why. You have until September 9, at midnight PST to leave your comment. We will use Random.org to select a winner.  

Guest post by Andi Fisher.  Andi blogs at Misadventures with Andi covering all things travel related with a large sprinkling of food, France and French culture. She is a huge movie buff and a voracious bookworm.

This is a guest post by Nadia Jones who blogs at Online College about education, college, student, teacher, money-saving, movie related topics. You can reach her at nadia.jones5 @ gmail.com.

Before getting into the movie, I’d like to give a little introduction to the co-writer and leading role, Kristen Wiig. For  the past five years, she (along with Bill Hader) was one of the few reasons I (and many others) watched Saturday Night Live at all. She often played quirky and energetic characters, and her humor usually blended bizarre, off-color ideas or characters with an awkward tint of realism, which results in hypnotically hilarious sketches like this one.

Not A Chick Flick Version Of The Hangover

At its core, Bridesmaids is an extension of Wiig’s excellent sense of sketch comedy and improvisation. Co-written with Wiig’s friend and fellow improvisational comedian Annie Mumolo, the script is packed full of jokes and gags in every scene, often progressing through goldmines of extended out-take, improve material. Bridesmaids also demonstrates astonishing flexibility toward a variety of styles of humor, from a non-stop stream of casual one-liners to the most epic poop and puke scene ever performed by an all-female cast, pushed into the film by producer Judd Apatow.

That being said, there are two types of audiences who will be disappointed by this movie: those who were expecting The Hangover, but with chicks and those who wanted their typical chick flick. Bridesmaids does have elements of both, but is not decidedly one way or the other (sorry Hangover fans, only one poop joke and no full-frontal male nudity). Also, those wanting the female power-posse dynamic (a la Sex and the City) might be slightly put off that the film mostly centers on Maid of Honor Annie, played by Wiig and her bride and best friend Lillian (Maya Rudolph) although there definitely are enough bridesmaid moments to warrant the title.

For those seeking an intelligent, clever, and hilarious flick that portrays women as the diverse and interesting people they truly are, this is a must see. Unlike the slew of boring or plastic female characters that are sold in every other chick flick, Bridesmaids delivers unique and different personalities that still manage to retain a relatable, every woman feel.

Bridesmaids Challenges Sexual Norms

For anyone claiming that this is simply an Apatow bro-fest masked by a female cast, I say you have a narrow definition of what being a woman is. Women can be just as raunchy, vulgar, and pathetic as men, and this film, in a way, sets out to prove that idea. Besides, just by looking at the first scene alone (an extremely awkward and funny sex montage between Annie and her “f***buddy,” as he puts it), it is abundantly clear that this movie is written from a woman’s perspective. Bridesmaids pokes fun at both genders, but I think it’s much better at poking fun at men.

Bridesmaids challenges sexual norms even further by disregarding the typical formula and focus of the chick flick genre. Sure, Annie has a love interest in the movie and the plot pivots on her best friend’s wedding, but her primary motives and actions are driven completely by her friendship with Lillian, which the film really does get right. The other chick flick elements are there for sure, but female relationships seem to have much more importance throughout the movie.

Regardless of what this movie really means or represents under a meticulous feminist scope, it delivers the classic, tilt-and-scratch-your-head-before-bursting-into-laughter humor of Kristen Wiig that so many of her fans have come to know and love. A must see for any fan of quirky, clever sketch comedy.

What did you think of Bridesmaids?

One of the reasons I started a blog about chick flicks is because I love romantic movies. Sad love stories, funny love stories, it doesn’t matter as long as the stories are good and real. There is something incredibly wonderful about the basic human story of boy meets girl that I enjoy. Will they fall in love? Will they stay together or break up? Will they live happily ever after?  It’s the possibilities that make me want to watch the movie. The important thing for me is a good story with real characters, people who make me want to know them and care about them.

Chris Grissom and Matt Brown, two young filmmakers from Dallas, TX made a love story like that. Between Notes is the story of  David and Annie, two musicians who meet in the park and start a friendship and start to  fall in love with each other. With the addition of some lovely songs from Austin musician, David Ramirez, Between Notes is a not really a musical, but music definitely plays a part in the story.

On my way to see Potiche at the Angelika Film Center for the Dallas International Film Festival, I met a couple of guys who invited me to see the movie they made. The movie was Between Notes. I am glad they convinced me to stay late for the premiere of their movie. It was one of my favorite films of the entire festival.

Made in and around Dallas in two weeks, with a budget of $10,000, Between Notes “ is a classic love story with a not so classic ending.  It  makes  people ask questions, and it features some of the best music you will  find in any  film.”  Like Once and (500) Days of Summer, Between Notes is a love story from the guy’s point of view, where music plays an important part in the story. And like those movies, you will want to buy the Between Notes soundtrack. David Ramirez wrote and sang many of the songs, with Summer Ames as the voice of Annie.

A Love Story Set to Music

David Ramirez plays David, an aspiring singer who gave up his own dreams of pursuing a musical career for his girlfriend.  He leaves his music behind, takes a job in corporate America to please her, but she pursues her dreams and leaves him broken-hearted in Dallas to further her career in New York City.

Brandi Price plays Annie, a girl with a similar story. Recently, back in Dallas after living for a while in Chicago, Annie too has had a bad experience with love. The two recently wounded people meet one day in a local park  and soon a friendship starts. But Annie wants to keep the friendship casual, so they leave notes in on the park bench for each other. The park becomes their special place. Things get complicated when she unknowingly moves into the lofts as David.  Shelby Cook is delightful as David’s roommate, Will and Britney Joyner plays Jen, Annie’s roommate.

As a Dallas resident, it was cool to recognize some of the locations in the Dallas neighborhood of Deep Ellum, where they lived and sang their beautiful songs. It made the movie feel familiar and real to me. As though I might run into the movie’s characters at Starbucks or West Village. However, I have no idea in which park the stone bench is located.

Will they fall in love? Will they stay together or break up? Will they live happily ever after?

Between Notes Teaser Trailer from BFM Creative on Vimeo.

Those are the questions you will ask in this movie. Love, finding ‘the one‘, someone to love is something we all long for.  But what if this is the right person comes along at the wrong time? The questions and the answers are what make the love story interesting and they are found between notes.

Between Notes has not been released in theaters yet. For more information about the movie, visit the Between Notes Facebook Page and follow them on Twitter.

This is a Guest Post by Andi Fisher.

Last week on the advice of a co-worker I picked up the book Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen. She said it was a fantastic love story that she couldn’t put down. And while the love story is definitely appealing, with the boy hero, damsel in distress and evil villain, the surprising element was the fascinating circus history.

Like all novels that get turned into movies, it was with some trepidation that I went to go see Water For Elephants over the opening weekend. I am happy to report that despite some slight adjustments in the screenplay adaptation, the film is equally exhilarating.

Train movies are great, but very few show the history of the day-to-day life of living on a train, particularly a circus train that depicts a fascinating underworld most people aren’t familiar with. Life was hard, it really was “the show must go on,” but despite that, or maybe because of that, bonds between people are made quickly and deeply.

There are not a lot of fancy movie-making techniques, the film lets the story and the performance of the actors shine. The acting is top-notch. I hope there are Oscar nominations coming out of it, because all the actors were exceptional, but I fear it is too early in the season. If there are acting nominations (which would be a shame) then there MUST be ones for costume design. The costumes are beautiful. Exquisite. I want the entire wardrobe that Reese Witherspoon had!

The Cast of Water For Elephants

All three of the main characters gave splendid performances, particularly Reese Witherspoon. Her role as Marlena is quite complex and she effortlessly switches between the dutiful wife and the tempted seductress and survivor. If I hadn’t read the book, she certainly would have had me as confused as she did Robert Pattinson. Her character further illustrates what the performers and workers, especially the women, had to do to survive in the circus world.

Heart-throb, Robert Pattinson (Twilight) is Jacob, the veterinary student who literally runs away to join the circus and falls for the circus owner’s wife. Christoph Waltz (Inglourious Basterds) is  a wonderfully evil villain as Reese’s jealous husband.

The other female star of the show was Rosie the elephant who you quickly develop a relationship with by virtue of the plight of her story and how she connects all the characters. I have read in several articles that Robert thoroughly enjoyed “acting” with her and slathered himself in peppermints to keep up her affections. I can understand that, as she was delightful.

One thing I think they should have spent a tiny few minutes on in the film is showing where the title Water for Elephants came from. Unless you read the book, the film does not solve the mystery, which I think is a shame. But it does not prevent you from enjoying the movie.

Water for Elephants is a beautiful film  full of conflict and fantasy and at the heart of it a beautiful love story. I highly recommend it. It has romance, and action and animals and history. Good versus evil and the trials and tribulations on men and its classes. Seriously something for everyone!

Guest post by Andi Fisher.  Andi blogs at Misadventures with Andi covering all things travel related with a large sprinkling of food, France and French culture. She is a huge movie buff and a voracious bookworm.

I saw Swan Lake performed on TV when I was a little girl. American Ballet Theater, New York City Ballet, The Bolshoi. I don’t remember which company and I am not sure of the dancers’ names either. Maybe Suzanne Ferrell? All I know is from that moment to this, I thought ballet was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen. I begged my parents to discontinue my much hated piano lessons so I could study ballet. They didn’t listen to reason, so the piano lessons continued.

Years later on a trip to New York City, I saw my very first Broadway musical, A Chorus Line and  heard the song,   At The Ballet.

“Everything was beautiful at the ballet.

Graceful men lift lovely girls in white.

Yes, Everything was beautiful at ballet. Hey!

I was happy… at the ballet….

Everyone is beautiful at the ballet.

Every prince has got to have his swan.

Yes, Everyone is beautiful at the ballet.“

Everything Is Not So Beautiful in Black Swan

Black Swan director, Darren Aronofsky shows us a dark and extremely competitive world as we peer backstage at a prominent New York City ballet company, starring Natalie Portman, Mila Kunis and Vincent Cassel.  Ultra thin ballerinas with bruised,deformed feet, bleeding toes and aching muscles,  desperate to gain the favor of the ballet master, Thomas Leroy, played by French actor Vincent Cassel (Ocean’s Eleven).

Natalie Portman transformed herself into a talented, but very troubled ballerina in Aronofsky’s movie, Black Swan. As Nina Sayers, Natalie studied ballet for a year and lost an incredible amount of weight for this role and has been rewarded with multiple award nominations, including a Golden Globe for Best Actress.

The arrival of a young, new dancer, Lily (Mila Kunis) and  Thomas’s decision  to mount a production of Swan Lake, using one ballerina to play both the White and the Black Swans sparks emotions in Nina that play on her deep insecurities and lack of confidence. It is this lack of confidence, Thomas tells Nina that keeps her from becoming the perfect Black Swan.

Nina is a fragile and sensitive girl who lives with her mother in a small apartment. Nina’s home life only adds to her emotional instability. Barbara Hershey portrays Nina’s overly possessive, smothering mother, a former ballerina who feels she gave up a budding career when she got pregnant. Now she lives her life vicariously through her daughter’s  career. Their relationship is strange and leads to some creepy and disturbing questions. You be the judge.

The opposite of Natalie Portman’s Nina, Mina Kunis is Lily, the free-spirited, sexy and talented new dancer who evokes fear and a curious mix of feelings in Nina.  Lily  and Nina are opposites even in their wardrobe. While Nina dresses in white, pinks and pastels with her hair in a tight bun; Lily wears black lace with free-flowing hair.

As rehearsals for Swan Lake continue and  Nina and Lily’s strange friendship progresses, Nina goes deeper and deeper into her dark side to dance the Black Swan role. She steals little momentos from the dressing room of the company’s prima ballerina, Beth Macintyre (Winona Ryder), goes out partying with Lily and picks up strange men.  She even explores her sexual side in a lesbian relationship with Lily.

Natalie Portman gives an outstanding performance. She seems to be on verge of breaking into tiny white feathers and blowing away at any minute. You would wonder how anyone so emotionally fragile could survive in such a competitive environment? I also wonder why Nina’s mother painted so many pictures of her daughter when it is obvious that painting was not her talent? And why didn’t she go out and get a job or a life of her own? Maybe I thinking too much. Darren Aronofsky’s Black Swan is a study in contrasts and insanity.  It is unnerving, raw and emotionally jarring. It is everything, but beautiful.

My Favorite Ballet Movies

Tchaikovsky – Swan Lake with Margot Fonteyn and Rudolf Nureyev

The Turning Point starring Mikhail Baryshnikov and Shirley McClain

Baryshnikov Dances Sinatra with choreography by Twila Tharp

The Red Shoes The quintessential ballet movie.