“Dragon Tattoo”: Rooney Mara rocks

When it was announced that David Fincher (The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, The Social Network) was going to direct an American adaptation of The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo, fans of the bestselling thriller were holding their collective breath. After all, the entire trilogy of novels by Stieg Larsson had already been turned into very successful movies in Sweden, with Noomi Rapace giving a star-making performance in the title role. The films were released briefly to theaters in the U.S., but gained a large following on video. There was some doubt if another version of the story needed to be told. Larsson fans needn’t have worried. Fincher’s film is a moody, well-acted thriller.

Daniel Craig (the screen’s current 007) stars as Mikael Blomkvist, a writer/publisher who has just lost a libel case. He is summoned by industrialist Henrik Vanger (Christopher Plummer) who asks him to solve the decades old disappearance and possible murder of his niece. As Mikael weaves through the strands of family history, he finds some disturbing facts buried beneath the surface. At the same time, Lisbeth Salander, a punkish hacker who is a ward of the state (and has a violent past) is dealing with the loss of her kindly guardian, who has suffered a stroke. A brutish lawyer named Nils Bjurman becomes her new guardian/advisor. When he abuses & attacks her, Lisbeth exacts a horrible revenge. Eventually, Blomkvist’s & Salander’s paths cross, and old secrets & hidden truths are revealed.

In one of the year’s best performances, Rooney Mara fully embodies Salander. It’s an astonishing piece of acting, as amazing & revelatory in its own way as Rapace’s take on the character in the Swedish films. Mara conveys much of Lisbeth’s pain, anger and emotional turmoil with her expressive face, and sometimes with little or no dialogue. Craig is solid as Blomkvist, and familiar faces such as Joely Richardson, Robin Wright and Stellan Skarsgard round out the supporting cast. 

Fincher’s direction is assured and powerful. He was absolutely the right choice for this material, having previously directed the films Se7en and Fight Club. Cinematographer Jeff Cronenweth's excellent work defines the cool, icy look of the film, as does Trent Reznor’s score. They both enrich the stark atmosphere of the story. The film completely evokes the world of Larsson's novels, and is stylish, electric and often unsettling. In some ways, it's a closer adaptation than the Swedish version, though there are some minor changes to the ending of the novel, which work fairly well in the context of the film.

If you’re looking for a powerful mystery that goes down some chilling roads, The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo is worth seeing. But, be warned: If you’re not familiar with the book, this is a dark tale, with some disturbing scenes and imagery. The violence isn’t glorified, but this film fully earns its R rating. If you're a fan of the novels, or even the Swedish film adaptation, this version is recommended viewing, especially for Rooney Mara’s incredible performance; she rocks.

Happy Holidays!

Wishing A Very Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukah & Happy New Year to all who have read posts on my blog this year; Thanks to all for your support! Here's a holiday playlist:

1. Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) by Darlene Love

2. Santa Claus is Coming To Town by Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band

3. What Christmas Means to Me by Stevie Wonder

4. Happy Xmas (War is Over) by John Lennon & The Plastic Ono Band

5. Donde Esta Santa Claus? by Guster

6. Christmas Wish by NRBQ

7. The Christmas Song by Nat King Cole

8. White Christmas by Bing Crosby

9. Let It Snow! Let it Snow! Let It Snow! by Dean Martin

10. Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas by Judy Garland

11. Santa Claus is Back in Town by Elvis Presley

12. Little Drummer Boy by Joan Jett

13. Merry Christmas Baby by Charles Brown

14. Run Rudolph Run by Chuck Berry

15. Do They Know It’s Christmas? by Band Aid

16. Elf’s Lament by Barenaked Ladies

17. Step Into Christmas by Elton John

18. This Christmas by Donny Hathaway

19. Jingle Bell Rock by Bobby Helms

20. Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree by Brenda Lee

21. Sleigh Ride by Ella Fitzgerald

22. Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer by Gene Autry

23. Christmastime Is Here by Vince Guaraldi Trio

24. I Believe in Father Christmas by Greg Lake

25. Christmas is The Time To Say I Love You by Billy Squier

26. Christmas at CBGB’s by The Baghdaddios

27. Please Come Home For Christmas by The Eagles

28. I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus by John Mellencamp

29. Baby It’s Cold Outside by Norah Jones & Willie Nelson

30. Fairytale of New York by The Pogues wth Kirsty MacColl

Bonus Tracks: The Chanukah Song by Adam Sandler 
                       Same Old Lang Syne by Dan Fogelberg

"Super" isn't heroic

Super (2010) is a dark, depressing film that never quite gets its tone right. Rainn Wilson (The Office) stars as Frank, a regular guy married to Sarah, a former addict (Liv Tyler). He considers himself blessed to have her in his life, and loves her deeply. When Kate suddenly leaves him for a drug dealer named Jacques, Frank decides to become a superhero and “rescue” her. He starts by taking his anger over the situation out on petty criminals. Frank is aided by Libby (Ellen Page, Juno), who works in a comic book store. She eventually becomes his sidekick. As his quest to save Sarah continues, he becomes even more violent, with tragic results.

Unlike Kick Ass (2010), which has some similar themes, the story, characters and style here don’t mesh. The dark tone is unrelenting, and the violence in the film is ugly; it’s almost too realistic. The characters are under-developed, and not especially likable. Page’s character in particular is off-putting, and it’s tough to empathize with her. And how can we sympathize with Frank when he mercilessly beats on a guy who cuts ahead of him in a line (with a wrench, no less)? When the story ends, we don't feel the same sense of redemption as Frank. By trying to be “real,” the film loses the fantastical tone that energizes most superhero movies. The movie can't have it both ways, and it suffers as result.

The attempts at mixing humor with the story’s darker & more violent moments don’t work. Are we supposed to laugh at the comic book style captions (similar to the 60s Batman TV show) that pop up during the carnage filled finale? The film can’t seem to decide if it’s a straight vigilante tale like Death Wish or a more traditional superhero movie. Unlike films by directors like Quentin Tarantino & Sergio Leone, the balance between the violence & humor isn't as well handled. It’s a shame, because Writer-Director James Gunn has an interesting visual style, and there are a few good satirical moments, including Nathan Fillon as a Bible-inspired superhero who’s idolized by Frank. Had the film’s elements been combined more solidly, Super could have been a minor gem. The film is currently available on DVD & Blu-ray.

What Is The Cosmic Plan For Your Life?

What would you do if you found out there was a mysterious “plan” for your life, but you didn't agree with what fate had in store for you? That’s the premise of the intriguing thriller The Adjustment Bureau (2011). David Norris (Matt Damon) is a popular congressman running for a Senate seat in New York. He ends up losing the race, and must give a concession speech. While preparing for the speech, he meets a carefree woman (who's crashed a wedding in the same building) and is captivated by her. She gives him the strength to go out and give an honest speech that helps him move ahead in the world, despite his loss in the race.

Some time later, a man named Harry Mitchell (who has been following David) is given an assignment: Make sure David spills coffee on himself on the way to work. But Harry misses his opportunity. David boards a bus, and runs into Elise (Emily Blunt), the woman he met earlier. The two strike up a conversation, and she gives David her phone number. He’s excited by the prospect of seeing her again, and heads off to his job, eager to tell his co-worker (and former campaign manager) about his meeting with her.

When David arrives at his office, everyone appears to be frozen in place. A mysterious team of people is walking around, wielding weird devices. He’s chased by the group, and taken to a warehouse. A man named Richardson (John Slattery of Mad Men) explains that he is deviating from “The Plan” and the team (including Harry) is here to set things back on track. The group is called “The Adjustment Bureau.”

They appear to be normal men in business suits and hats, but their job is to make sure people’s lives stay on the proper path, set out by “The Chairman.” They are to be able to predict events, and seem to have power over space & time. Richardson tells David he is not destined to be with Elise, and a different path is set out for both of them. They try to keep them apart, but David fights to make his own choices & control his own destiny. And Harry, who had been assigned to watch David, starts to doubt his role in the plan, and may hold the key to the couples' escape.

The movie raises some interesting questions. Is it better for man to have free will, or should we follow a cosmic “plan?” Are these “adjusters” angels, and is “The Chairman” God? This intelligent, well-written film lets the audience come up with its own answers. Damon & Blunt are well cast as the lovers fighting fate, and Terence Stamp (yep, General Zod from Superman II) is excellent as Thompson, another member of “The Bureau” brought in to deal with the issues David is causing by deviating from the plan. Thompson believes that if man has free will, it can only lead to disaster, as it has in the past, when we were allowed to control our own destinies.

Written & Directed by George Nolfi, the movie is based on a short story by the late Philip K. Dick. The celebrated science-fiction writer’s stories have also served as the basis for movies like Blade Runner (1982), Total Recall (1990), and Minority Report (2002). It’s a thinking person’s thriller, and a neat mix of science fiction, romance and action. If you’re looking for a thought-provoking change of pace, The Adjustment Bureau is a good choice. The film is currently available on Blu-ray and DVD.

Jason Segel Meets "The Muppets"

The Muppets are back, and Jason Segel’s got them. The gang’s last appearance on screen was in 1999’s Muppets From Space. Enter Muppet fan Segel & co-writer Nicholas Stoller, who went to Disney in 2008 with an idea for a new Muppet film. Segel wanted to do justice to the characters, and make an old school Muppet movie; well, he got his wish. The Muppets (2011) is lighthearted fun in the classic Muppet tradition, with laughs, songs, star cameos, and of course, the Muppet characters we all know & love.

Gary (Segel) lives in Smalltown, USA with his brother Walter (the newest Muppet, created especially for the movie). They’ve grown up loving The Muppets, and are big fans of their shows & movies. When Gary decides to take his girlfriend Mary (Amy Adams) on a trip to California, Walter wants to go along, so he can see The Muppet Studios. But when they arrive, the studio is in dilapidated condition, and the Muppets are no longer together. During the tour, Walter overhears Statler & Waldorf (the hecklers from the TV series) talking with oil magnate Tex Richman, who wants to acquire the land where the studio is located. Unless The Muppets can come up with the 10 million dollars needed to save the studio, the land will go to Richman, who has plans of his own for the property.

In the best “let’s put on a show” tradition, it’s up to Walter, Gary & Mary to help the gang get back together, and put on a telethon to raise the money to save the theater. Along the way, we get re-acquainted with Kermit, Miss Piggy, Fozzie Bear & the whole gang. The slightly off kilter humor that appealed to both adults & kids during the The Muppet Show’s original run from 1976-81 is in evidence here, as are some clever songs & parodies (you’ll never think of “Smells Like Teen Spirit” the same way again). Bret McKenzie of the musical comedy duo Flight of The Conchords wrote the original songs for the film. Segel, Adams and The Muppets enthusiastically perform them, along with a reprise of the classic “The Rainbow Connection.” Oh, and The Muppet chickens get to sing Cee-Lo's "Forget You."

Of course, there are also the cameos, from the likes of Alan Arkin, Neil Patrick Harris, Sarah Silverman, and many others (look fast for Dave Grohl of Foo Fighters). And it wouldn’t be a Muppet movie without some zany humor & bad jokes, a few tugs at the heartstrings, and some lessons learned by all. Jason Segel & Amy Adams look like they’re having the time of their lives, and Chris Cooper is appropriately nasty as Tex Richman, the villainous oilman. In this age of fast paced & video game based movies, The Muppets is a refreshingly retro film, well directed by James Bobin with a sense of joy & sheer delight that is infectious.

The Muppets really is one of the best films of the year. It succeeds at being exactly what you want: an engaging, funny, heartfelt Muppet story that can be enjoyed by children of all ages. It’s a movie made with love by people who really care about & appreciate these classic characters. They’ve really done right by them, and I think the late Jim Henson would be proud. One final note; make sure to get to the theatre on time, as the film is preceded by a new Toy Story short from Pixar, that pokes sly fun at the “fast food toy” trend. It’s a really great night at the movies.

Love & Other Drugs: A Good Movie Struggling For Identity

Director Edward Zwick’s Love & Other Drugs (2011) is an interesting movie, an adult love story that has more depth than most of the romantic comedies we see from Hollywood these days. Jake Gyllenhaal stars as Jamie Randall, who becomes a pharmaceutical sales rep for Pfizer in the mid 90s. Jamie is a smooth talker and a ladies man, and he uses these skills to charm doctor’s assistants into letting him talk to their bosses. He tries to convince them to prescribe Zoloft instead of Prozac, so he can meet his sales goals and get a prime gig in Chicago. On one of his excursions he meets a patient named Maggie, who is suffering from early onset Parkinson’s.

The two have a one-night stand, and initially, neither partner is eager to pursue a relationship. Jamie has never been able to commit, and Maggie doesn’t think anyone can either see past her illness, or deal with the issues associated with it. Meanwhile, a new drug called Viagra is developed, and Jamie becomes a great success selling it. As he develops deeper feelings for Maggie, Jamie tries to show her his feelings are genuine. Maggie tries to come to terms with her feelings about her illness, and finds some empathy and kindred spirits while attending a medical convention with Jamie.

Gyllenhall is good as Jamie, a guy who’s coasted by most of his life on good lucks & charisma, who now has to deal with a real relationship for the first time in his life. Hathaway is excellent as Maggie; she gives a three dimensional portrait of a person struggling with an illness, and the perceptions society has about ‘sick’ people. The script is co-written by director Zwick, Marshall Herskovitz & Charles Randolph. Zwick & Herskovitz were the co-creators of TV’s Thirtysomething (1987-1991), and their writing here has the same strengths (such as strong dialogue & realistic situations) that were the hallmark of that series. An additional note: while the movie is based on the book Hard Sell: The Evolution of a Viagra Salesman by Jamie Reidy, the love story portrayed in the film is nowhere to be found in the book. However, the details of how the pharmaceutical industry trains its salespeople, and markets its products, add another interesting facet to the story.

Sadly, the movie is saddled with a pointless subplot about Jamie’s well to do brother, who moves in with him after being kicked out by his wife. Essentially, the character allows the movie to indulge in the crude humor and silliness that are more at home in recent films like Bad Teacher or Hall Pass. There’s nothing wrong with that type of comedy, but it has no place in this film, and it hurts the rhythm of the main story. You feel like you’re watching two movies, and the hybrid just doesn’t gel. The movie is still worth a look for the performances of Gyllenhaal & Hathaway, and the fine supporting cast, including such familiar faces as Hank Azaria & Oliver Platt. Director Zwick also makes good use of music in the film, using songs of the period from groups like the Spin Doctors & Fatboy Slim.  But the movie's struggle to balance its two sides ultimately makes it a near miss. The film is now available on Blu-Ray & DVD.

The Darkness Inside Us All

Stephen King has long been acknowledged as a master of horror fiction, but what makes his tales resonate with readers is that you can identify with his characters. They are often ordinary people who find themselves in extraordinary circumstances; some are good, some evil, but King gets inside their heads in a way few authors do. Some critics may vilify him as an author of popcorn fiction, but I think that description sells his best work short. In Full Dark, No Stars, his 2010 collection of short fiction, we get four novella length tales, as well as a bonus short story in the paperback edition. Here’s a brief rundown of the stories:

1922: The opening tale finds a farmer contemplating the murder of his wife, over their disagreement about selling some land. How he accomplishes the murder, with the help of his son, is a scene worthy of some of King’s best short fiction. And what follows is a Poe-style tale of conscience, guilt and terror that could only come from King’s pen. There are some truly chilling scenes in this dark tale.

Big Driver: A mystery writer avenges a brutal attack in this dark tale. Some interesting interior monologues, and a likable main character distinguish this story that asks: how far is too far to go when you decide upon seeking revenge?

Fair Extension: This story is perhaps the closest in style to King’s earlier short fiction, as a cancer-stricken man with bad luck makes a deal with a devilish figure to extend his life, and bring himself some good fortune.  But there is a cost to making that deal, and the man must decide if he’s willing to have success at someone else’s cost.

A Good Marriage: A happily married woman discovers a dark secret about her husband in this story. Do you really know the person that sleeps beside you at night? And what would you do if you found out your spouse had another side you never knew about?  This is an intriguing story that answers that question.

Following a brief Afterword by King, the paperback edition features a bonus short story titled Under The Weather: Just why has Brad’s wife been ill for so long? And why hasn’t anyone seen her? This short tale will give you the answer.

The characters in these stories are all well drawn; some are likable, some are not. But as you read you find yourself wondering if you would make the same choices these people do, given the same circumstances. We may all be just a step away from opening that dark door inside our own souls. It’s to King’s credit that he continues to write compelling fiction that has gone far beyond the “horror” label. If you’re looking for a book that will draw you in, and have you turning the pages all night, Full Dark, No Stars is a worthy addition to your library.