2010 - 3/5
***SPOILER ALERT***
Plot: B
The storyline hasn’t changed much from the first two. Some parts seemed over the top ridiculous (Jack using a defibrillator on himself; Greg cutting his hand and squirting blood everywhere; Greg and Jack’s bathroom scene). I actually liked how this movie, although titled, Little Fockers, didn’t have too much to do with the kids, but a continuation of the adventures that occur between Greg and Jack.
Script: C+
This movie reused/recycled the same jokes that originated from the first movie (circle of trust; “I’m watching you”; Jack checking Greg’s vital signs to see if he’s lying), and at times it felt a bit watered-down.
There was a lot of crude humor, so its not necessarily a movie for kids to see.
Acting/Characters: B+
I’ve always liked DeNiro and Stiller together. I would have liked to see Dustin Hoffman have more screen time. I have never really liked Owen Wilson (in this movie or others). I had no idea Jessica Alba was in this movie (as Andi) – some of her parts were funny (when she pounced on Greg), but her tearing her clothes off and jumping into the huge pit was kind of dumb.
Overall: B
Still like Meet the Parents and Meet the Fockers more, but I still got some good laughs.
*My personal opinions* on any movie that I have watched.
December 31, 2010
December 15, 2010
The Girl Who Played With Fire
2010 - 4/5
Plot: A
After some time away, Lisbeth goes back to Sweden to find out that she has been accused of the murder of two people. Mikael is still working for Millennium and he’s trying to expose a sex trafficking scandal in Sweden that involves some big names in high places. Both Lisbeth and Mikael are trying to clear her name of the murders, but unlike The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, the pair isn’t working together. There’s a little less mystery in this movie than the first, but this film focuses more on Lisbeth’s past.
Script: A
Very well written, and again, I watched the version with the English subtitles.
Acting/Characters: A
Just as perfect as the first: another convincing performance by Noomi Rapace. The others were good as well.
Lisbeth’s fearlessness keeps the viewer glued to the screen, waiting to see what she’ll do next.
Cinematography: A
Great shots, great scenery, good editing, and very well put together.
Score/Music: A
The music was added at the perfect times; it also added to the tension/suspense on screen.
Overall: A
Very entertaining and keeps you on the edge of your seat. I still liked the first one a tad bit more, and I can’t wait to see the third!
Plot: A
After some time away, Lisbeth goes back to Sweden to find out that she has been accused of the murder of two people. Mikael is still working for Millennium and he’s trying to expose a sex trafficking scandal in Sweden that involves some big names in high places. Both Lisbeth and Mikael are trying to clear her name of the murders, but unlike The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, the pair isn’t working together. There’s a little less mystery in this movie than the first, but this film focuses more on Lisbeth’s past.
Script: A
Very well written, and again, I watched the version with the English subtitles.
Acting/Characters: A
Just as perfect as the first: another convincing performance by Noomi Rapace. The others were good as well.
Lisbeth’s fearlessness keeps the viewer glued to the screen, waiting to see what she’ll do next.
Cinematography: A
Great shots, great scenery, good editing, and very well put together.
Score/Music: A
The music was added at the perfect times; it also added to the tension/suspense on screen.
Overall: A
Very entertaining and keeps you on the edge of your seat. I still liked the first one a tad bit more, and I can’t wait to see the third!
December 6, 2010
The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo
2009 - 4/5
Although this movie was 2.5 hours longs, it was very engaging right from the start. After the first 30 minutes I wanted it to end – not because it was bad, but because I wanted to know what happened!
***Possible Spoilers***
Plot: A
The main plot of this movie is a thrilling murder mystery: Henrik Vanger (Sven-Bertil Taube) is a wealthy old man that hires a journalist, Mikael Blomkvist (Michael Nyqvist) and a computer hacker with a troubled past, Lisbeth Salander (Noomi Rapace), in an attempt to solve the disappearance of his niece Harriet Vanger, which had occurred 40 years prior. Although her body was never found, Henrik believes the killer was someone in his own family. This compelling story follows the unlikely duo as they try to collect information from the very private Vanger family in order to find out what happened to Harriet.
Script: A
When watching foreign films, I prefer to watch them in their native tongue and read the subtitles; that way I’m watching it as the director intended. I think the dialogue was really good and there wasn’t ‘filler’ just for the sake of it. I haven’t had a chance to read the book yet, but I’m assuming the screenplay was written with the book in mind.
There was one line in the movie that I really enjoyed: Mikael saying (to Lisbeth) “Do you have a photographic memory?” – not because it was a great line on its own or anything, but only because it reminded me of the episode of The Big Bang Theory in which Sheldon said “Photographic memory is a misnomer. The correct term is eidetic memory” (haha!).
Acting / Characters: A
All the characters in this movie were well developed and the actors in these roles were incredible. Noomi Rapace (as Lisbeth) was by far the best. Roger Moore said it best, “Lisbeth has issues, and we see them graphically detailed” – Lisbeth is damaged goods, but she’s a complex character and she has a powerful presence on screen. A reviewer on IMDB wrote, “Without changing facial expressions, Rapace is somehow able to show anger, fear, love, sadness and embarrassment at the appropriate times”. Rapace was spot on with her portrayal of Lisbeth, and she was defiantly the most memorable character in this movie.
Cinematography / Editing: A
The cinematography was perfect; each shot captured the landscape, the bridge, the buildings and the people beautifully. There were some really good transitions between scene and great use of flashbacks (to further clarify a particular part).
Overall: A
Some scenes were disturbing, some suspenseful, and some violent; overall, it was very intense, beautiful and terrifying. Lisbeth was a fascinating character, and Noomi Rapace did an amazing job portraying her. As each clue is found, it leaves the viewer wanting more and it never lost my attention. I didn’t really go into this movie with any expectations, but I came out wishing I had watched it sooner!
I don’t think I’ll ever figure out why Hollywood needs to do a remake of this movie, but one thing is for sure: it won’t be as good as the original.
***Possible Spoilers***
Plot: A
The main plot of this movie is a thrilling murder mystery: Henrik Vanger (Sven-Bertil Taube) is a wealthy old man that hires a journalist, Mikael Blomkvist (Michael Nyqvist) and a computer hacker with a troubled past, Lisbeth Salander (Noomi Rapace), in an attempt to solve the disappearance of his niece Harriet Vanger, which had occurred 40 years prior. Although her body was never found, Henrik believes the killer was someone in his own family. This compelling story follows the unlikely duo as they try to collect information from the very private Vanger family in order to find out what happened to Harriet.
Script: A
When watching foreign films, I prefer to watch them in their native tongue and read the subtitles; that way I’m watching it as the director intended. I think the dialogue was really good and there wasn’t ‘filler’ just for the sake of it. I haven’t had a chance to read the book yet, but I’m assuming the screenplay was written with the book in mind.
There was one line in the movie that I really enjoyed: Mikael saying (to Lisbeth) “Do you have a photographic memory?” – not because it was a great line on its own or anything, but only because it reminded me of the episode of The Big Bang Theory in which Sheldon said “Photographic memory is a misnomer. The correct term is eidetic memory” (haha!).
Acting / Characters: A
All the characters in this movie were well developed and the actors in these roles were incredible. Noomi Rapace (as Lisbeth) was by far the best. Roger Moore said it best, “Lisbeth has issues, and we see them graphically detailed” – Lisbeth is damaged goods, but she’s a complex character and she has a powerful presence on screen. A reviewer on IMDB wrote, “Without changing facial expressions, Rapace is somehow able to show anger, fear, love, sadness and embarrassment at the appropriate times”. Rapace was spot on with her portrayal of Lisbeth, and she was defiantly the most memorable character in this movie.
Cinematography / Editing: A
The cinematography was perfect; each shot captured the landscape, the bridge, the buildings and the people beautifully. There were some really good transitions between scene and great use of flashbacks (to further clarify a particular part).
Overall: A
Some scenes were disturbing, some suspenseful, and some violent; overall, it was very intense, beautiful and terrifying. Lisbeth was a fascinating character, and Noomi Rapace did an amazing job portraying her. As each clue is found, it leaves the viewer wanting more and it never lost my attention. I didn’t really go into this movie with any expectations, but I came out wishing I had watched it sooner!
I don’t think I’ll ever figure out why Hollywood needs to do a remake of this movie, but one thing is for sure: it won’t be as good as the original.
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