1098. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
2011
Directed by David Fincher

I'll fess up right now, I haven't the read this novel. In some instances, I think that it is unacceptable behavior (for a full list of unacceptable instances, please privately inquire). Hopefully, I will be forgiven among my Goodreads brethren.

Mikael Blomkvist is a disgraced journalist living in Stockholm (I guess Daniel Craig is supposed to be Swedish but the accent situation is really out of control in this movie). A libel suit was brought against him by Hans-Erik Wennerstrom, who is a shady businessman who was certainly guilty of what Mikael said, but, unfortunately, Mikael wasn't able to prove it. Henrik Vanger enlists Lisbeth Salander, a brilliant hacker, to perform an extensive background check on Mikael. Lisbeth...well, Lisbeth has her own stuff going on. But Henrik asks Mikael to investigate the 40-year-old disappearance of his grandniece, Harriet.

I was looking for something to cheer me up after last week's death squad documentary and I thought a shirtless Daniel Craig might do the trick. I guess this movie satisfies the morbid curiosity we all seem to have about serial killers and brutal murders. I maybe have a little less curiosity than some, and would much rather focus my attentions elsewhere (see above, regarding a shirtless Daniel Craig) than fixate on the sadism of some of these characters.

But it's still a gritty, compelling story that has style; it's David Fincher, after all. Maybe not groundbreaking, but an entertaining movie.

RATING: ****-

Interesting Facts:

All of Rooney Mara's piercings were real.

Scarlett Johansson was considered for the lead role, but she was deemed "too sexy." Even rejection is nice when you're hot.

Daniel Craig gained weight for the role to remind us all that he was not James Bond, and just a normal journalist. Yep, he's just an average schlub like the rest of us... I guess he wasn't considered "too hot" to play an average guy. Hmmm...

1092. The Social Network

The Social Network
2010
Directed by David Fincher

I think social media has made the world worse, even in our scary alone times right now where we might be tempted to draw a face on a volleyball. I actually don't have sports equipment in my house so I've had to improvise. Meet Broomie. Anyway, let's examine the Oppenheimer of our day, Mark Zuckerberg.

The movie begins with Mark getting dumped by his girlfriend. The movie portrays Mark as somebody who should have patented mansplaining, only he doesn't need the money. Apparently, this depiction isn't entirely accurate, but I think it's safe to assume that a billionaire genius is an asshole (no matter what Rashida Jones says!) and I have no problems with it.

So if the film isn't interested in historical accuracy, what's the purpose? I feel like we were promised more growth of Mark's character than we were given, and nearly every character was a dick, so you weren't exactly rooting for one outcome or another. Still, the movie finished strong and had an excellent score.

Certainly not the best biopic on the List, but is well-suited for your next gloomy mood.

RATING: ***--

Interesting Facts:

Mark Zuckerberg has commented that they always got his clothing right.

Armie Hammer studied Jeremy Irons in Dead Ringers to get the portrayal of the twins correctly. I knew there was a reason I was creeped out.

1044. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
2008
Directed by David Fincher

I knew the premise of this story (who doesn't?) and I thought I could pretty easily map out the plot. It didn't seem worth it to sit through a nearly three hour movie when I knew what was going to happen, but hey, Brad Pitt is hot and the List told me to.

Benjamin Button was born with the appearance of old man, but thankfully not the dimensions. His mother still dies giving birth to him, and his father abandons him on the doorstep of a nursing home. He is taken in by Queenie, a woman who works at the nursing home. He ages backwards and is unfortunate enough to fall in love.  You can imagine how well that turns out.

It is super strange to me that this was adapted to be such a serious drama. It's like if Gogol's The Nose or Roth's The Breast were made into epic romances. The somber mood is not entirely successful. I felt like the movie was trying to come up with some great truth that could be observed from Benjamin's story when really, there wasn't one. I mean, aging is the one thing that unites us as life forms; no one is immune to its horrifying progression. What could a character removed from that possibly teach us?

Anyway, it's still a beautiful movie. The performances are incredible (I love my girl Taraji Henson) and I was properly impressed by the special effects. Still, I don't think it deserves a place on The List.

RATING: ***--

Interesting Facts:

Brad Pitt has said it took five hours every day to put on the make up on required for the role.

Originally was going to star John Travolta. Well, that's a relief.

937. Fight Club

Fight Club
1999
Directed by David Fincher

I believe I mentioned this in a previous review, but based on my field research (going out with men and demanding to know their favorite movie then judging them accordingly), this is the favorite movie of a lot, followed closely by Pulp Fiction.  While I certainly wouldn't call this a favorite, I can appreciate it (see the above shirtless picture of Brad Pitt).

Our unnamed protagonist is a lonely office worker who regularly attends support group meetings, I suppose so his suffering is given some sort of credence.  He meets another impostor, Marla Singer, and the two negotiate so they won't attend the same meetings.  On a flight home from a business trip, he meets Tyler Durden and is immediately intrigued by Tyler's philosophies and mansplaining ways.  The two start a fight club, but their idea quickly evolves (or devolves) into something more.

So, like I said, I wouldn't consider this a masterpiece but it is quite enjoyable. The movie seemed to be fueled by testosterone but I still managed to enjoy the ride. The characters are, obviously, fantastic and the gritty cinematography is dazzling. I did think it could do with some trimming, but all in all, a fun movie.  And my enjoyment of it usually helps me with the fellas.

RATING: ****-

Interesting Facts:

The author of Fight Club has said this was an improvement on his novel.

Helena Bonham Carter had all her make up applied by the make up artist's left hand, as she believed her character wouldn't be particularly skilled at applying make up.

Sarah Michelle Gellar was approached for the part of Marla, but was already committed to Buffy the Vampire Slayer.  That would have been epic.

897. Se7en

Se7en
1995
Directed by David Fincher

I find this film extremely upsetting, but I would still consider a great movie.  See?   I can do that sometimes.

In an unnamed American city (that seems to resemble Gotham or Detroit), Detective William Somerset has one week of work left before his retirement.  After a lifetime of dealing with the dark side of humanity on a daily basis, he is ready to move to the country.  It's kind of strange, as a character like Somerset would never want to watch a film like Se7en.  Anyway, he is tasked with training his replacement, Detective David Mills, who has recently moved to the city with his wife, Tracy.  A string of grisly murders based on the seven deadly sins push both men to their limits.

The violence in this film is sickeningly creative.  The Lust death has always stayed with me and almost makes me wish I had never seen this.  I have to give the filmmakers props for never actually making us sit through the crimes (which would surely be a vomit inducing experience) but instead just showing us the gruesome aftermath.  The style of the film perfectly services the theme; I don't think I have ever seen such a dark movie.

Obviously, this isn't an optimistic film, but my favorite moments came from gentler scenes.  I loved every interaction between Tracy and Somerset and when Somerset did research in the library.  I am not sure if that was supposed to balance the movie out or simply to make the ending more shocking, but either way, it worked.

Great cast and a great film.  Still, you might be happier if you don't watch this.

RATING: ****-

Interesting Facts:

The cast includes four Oscar winners.

The actor who played the sloth victim weighed 90 pounds.