Movie Review: The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

Finally! I have seen the movie that I have been waiting for since last year. David Fincher’s The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. I have to admit, I was holding my breath the entire movie (wonder why I’m still alive) but to my dismay I kinda got a bit disappointed on how the movie ended. I don’t want to be biased since I’m a huge Fincher fan from way back The Social Network days. His trace can be seen throughout the movie and with the sound effects you know it’s a Fincher film. Btw, before I proceed, I would not make any comparisons to the Swedish version since I haven’t seen that one. This is purely my take on the American version.

Fincher did a great job in executing the movie. While I was still reading the book, it was playing in my head on how it will be made into a film since there were a lot of tweaks and complicated scenarios in the book. I was really curious on how the series of murder will be laid out and how the characters will be presented. Before I watched the movie, I placed myself in a seat of someone who hasn’t read the book. I pretended to be someone who doesn’t know a thing about the plot of the story.

Good Points:
1. The CAST. Wow! They picked the actors very well! Daniel Craig made a convincing Mikael Blomkvist and Rooney Mara.. oh my goodness, I vouch for her to win the Best Actress in this year’s Oscars, she did an awesome job! She was the perfect Lisbeth Salander! The make over was undeniably brilliant and her acting was raw, edgy and was very much Lisbeth. I just love them as a pair. It worked! No wonder Scarlett Johansson was snubbed of the role. Lisbeth was described to be an unattractive girl and was even said to look like a 14-yr old boy. And with a lot of nude scenes in the movie, with Johansson in it, it could’ve been easily tagged as porn. Sorry ScarJo!
2. The Soundtrack. I am a Led Zep fan. The movie’s OST was a cover of the “Immigrant Song”. It wasn’t bad at all, it was gut-wrenching!
3. Cinematography. Fast, energetic and compelling. That is how I would describe the movie. Everything was just beautifully shot.
4. The flow of events. Even for someone like me who has read the book, i was still struck in some of the scenes. It’s as if I didn’t know what would happen next. I was thrilled, nervous and I was sweating. It was really getting into my skin. Creepy.

Bad Points
1. I wonder why they had to omit Blomkvist and Cecilia Vanger’s love affair, wasn’t that significant enough? Isn’t it that in the book, she was somehow suspected in being part of Harriet’s disappearance? Isn’t it that she was the one who was first suspected as being “the girl” seen in the old photograph at Harriet’s window? I guess the movie time wasn’t enough to include that. Acceptable.
2. Now this is what I was most disappointed with. For me, I believe that Harriet’s expose has to be the climax or the highlight of the movie. After all, it is Harriet that everyone was looking for right? How is it that in the movie, Anita and Harriet are the same people??? When Mikael went to Anita’s house and they managed to hack her computer, I was eagerly waiting for an e-mail or a phone call that Anita would make to Harriet, then they trace it then end of story, they find that Harriet is in Australia. But instead, they killed Martin, talk to Anita/ Harriet then that’s it. Walang pasabog! Anita and Harriet looked alike but they’re not the same person. Unacceptable. The ending of the movie was a bit lousy. The only redeeming factor was Salander’s “dress-up” party. The movie ended exactly how it was written in the book, Lisbeth was furious seeing Blomkvist and Erika Berger happy together.

My favorite part of the movie would have to be:
a. Lisbeth’s revenge to her Rapist Pig guardian. I am fascinated by gore and brutal images.
b. All of Blomkvist and Salander’s love scenes. They have chemistry on screen.
c. Lisbeth’s “dress-up” thing. She was HOT!
d. I also like it every time I see her lit a cig or type on her keyboard. Attitude!

So there, I wasn’t even sure if this is helpful or not. I don’t care. But all in all, I would still give it 5 out of 5 stars. Why? It’s because it’s very rare that I would like a movie this much. The last time I had the same feeling for a movie is when I watched Black Swan. I like movies and stories that haunt me.

I still have one question though, I’m not sure if it’s just me or what.. but why does it seem like Blomkvist isn’t that crazy for Lisbeth? When he got back in Stockholm, he went back to that Berger girl. And just like how the movie ended and how Lisbeth felt, I too, got furious.

I am in-love with Lisbeth Salander. :)

Book Review: The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson

It took me a 8 days to finish reading "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo", the award-winning crime novel and first of the best-selling trilogy which is the Millennium Series by the late Stieg Larsson. The book’s original title in Swedish is Män som hatar kvinnor – "Men Who Hate Women". It was published in 2005 and later in 2008 it was published in English. It was a success in both the European countries and as well as in the United States. Larsson shows a great yet disturbing depth in the book and when I searched him on Wikipedia it clearly explained the reason behind the intellectual book.
(source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Girl_with_the_Dragon_Tattoo): Larsson witnessed the gang rape of a young girl when he was 15. He never forgave himself for failing to help the girl, whose name was Lisbeth – like the young main character of his books, herself a rape victim, which inspired the theme of sexual violence against women in his books.

Here’s how I would describe the book in two words: brilliant mindfuck. I wouldn’t want to spoil you with the story since you can read it yourself and if you’re quite lazy then you can just see the movie. This is just my personal view on the book. I totally loved it! It’s been a long time since I’ve read something that actually had a great effect on me. I remember I was reading it one night and I had to leave the lights open ‘cuz I was paranoid that the killer was just next to me. Yes, there is a killer and that is where the story evolves.

Allow me to give you just a gist of what the story is all about. The book starts with journalist Mikael Blomkvist who was sued with a libel case by a billionaire industrialist Hans-Erik Wennerström. His career and his credibility was at streaks that he somehow agreed on signing a contract with Henrik Vanger of the legenday Vanger Corp. Blomkvist was then assigned to solve a mystery that has been haunting the Vanger family for more than 40 years and that is the disappearance of Harriet Vanger. In his search for the truth which eventually became a case he couldn’t get enough of, he needed the help and assistance of an experienced researcher by the name of Lisbeth Salander who was also a genius computer hacker and had the gift of a photographic memory. So there.. that’s just 5% of the whole story, and the rest you would have to read yourselves. Bitin ba?

I’m not good in giving book reviews, as this is my first. I might end up telling you what happened so let me be more subjective. Larsson’s trilogy is quite addictive. My next read is The Girl who Played with Fire. I love Salander’s character that I feel it sinking inside my skin. I could totally relate to her when it comes to her reaction on certain situations. I actually wanna be like her sometimes. Haha! The book starts pretty well until it gets just a bit boring when it tackled that Vanger family tree. Maybe I don’t have the patience to know who the family members are. Everything turned fast-paced when Salander and Blomkvist were working hand in hand, completing the puzzle in a systematic and dramatic way.

Most parts of the book became a total shock as well. Some of which would be Salander’s unwanted torture from her 2nd guardian. There was also the short relationship Mikael had with Cecilia Vanger which was rather gross to me. And third, is the turning out of the events, the expose of Martin Vanger and the fate of Harriet Vanger of what exactly happened to her. It was a roller-coaster read that for most of the time I had to light a cig to keep me from being too tense with the tweaks of the story. I like it how Lisbeth is such a kickass that most of the problems encountered in the book were solved by her but I simply could not comprehend how it seems to me that Blomkvist doesn’t really like her the way she liked him. He would always tell her about their age gap or he would remind her of their relationship as work partners, which to me is a clear sign that he wasn’t into her.

All in all, the book was pretty much satisfying. And I would recommend it to anyone at any day. I can’t wait to get my hands on the second book of the trilogy. It might take me another week or so, ask why? I only read during my available time at work or any other chance I get except for when I’m at home since that is time devoted to my boys. Oh well, nuf of this shit. Just go read the book and Read to Lead! Hell yeah!

fuck yeah Saab

Ok, it’s actually rare that I would like a local personality. Anne Curtis and Ornusa Cadness are both an exemption since I had an instant crush on them the first time I saw them. So what exactly it is that captures my attention when it comes to women? And btw, I’m straight. Well, I think it’s not only the looks but the "dating" of that person. And Saab Magalona definitely has it!

When I first started reading blogs, it was mostly fashion blogs from who I call the Top 4: Tricia Gosingtian, Laureen Uy, Kryz Uy and Camille Co. Among the four of them, Tricia has to be my favorite. Why? Because she’s pretty smart and I like her writing skills. But it only took me a month to get tired of visiting their blogs. But don’t get me wrong. Yes, I’m impressed by their work ‘cuz I know that blogging is a hard work. And they also deserve respect for their craft and individual success with their expertise. The only problem I had is that I’m not a fan of high-end fashion. I would shop once every 3-4 months or whenever needed. I’m very lazy and low maintenance. So, I appreciate their blogs, I just couldn’t relate myself to it.

Then I learned of Saab Magalona’s blog. Would you believe that I only read her blog last December??? Just exactly where I have been, I don’t know. But the moment I started reading her blogs (http://www.isabellamagalona.com/) I got hooked! Now, I visit her blog everyday! I actually get sad when she doesn’t update her blog. Haha! Demanding much? But since it’s only last year that I’ve learned of her I had to back track all her posts on both her blog account and her Tumblr account on which she would post mostly pictures.

I’m currenty obsessed with Saab. I love her non-conformist sense of style. I like how her fashion sense is very much similar to mine. I’m not saying that I dress up as good as she does but I’m definitely smitten by her. I appreciate how she’s fond of DMs, sneakers like Vans and Keds, National Geograpic bags and MAC lipsticks. She is also effortlessly pretty. Walang arte. Kanto chic. She is very smart, wide-read, excellent in writing, talented as she can sing, act and she’s very indie. I could even relate to her taste in music and choice of books. And I just decided to grow my hair because Saab’s hair cut is so fucking cool and I would definitely copy it! Haha! Gayagaya!

It’s through Saab that I was inspired to blog. It’s funny cuz we’re of the same age yet I feel like she’s a superwoman who has accomplished a number of things. And as I learn more about her, I also got to know more about her family. I’ve always liked the Master Rapper and as a child I had a crush on him. No one can deny the fact that Francis M. was such a cutie and he looked like he didn’t age. But death is inevitable and he succumbed to Leukemia. Then there’s the strong-willed, sophisticated Pia Magalona. I really admire her parenting skills, I mean I don’t personally know her so I really couldn’t tell how she is as a mom but to see that she can handle all 8 of her kids is just awesome! I have one kid and I still stumble on my mom skills, what a shame! She’s just really pretty and graceful and seems to be such a cool mom! So we have the perfect mom and prefect dad who are equally good-looking so no doubt their kids are blessed with enviable genes. I haven’t really seen their eldest ate and kuya that much but let’s start with Frank, then there’s Maxx, Saab, Elmo, Clara and the super cute Arkin. Their family is a good-looking, talented and awesome bunch.

I actually got so much to say because I’ve turned my fangirl mode on but I would suggest you visit her blog and her Tumblr account instead and follow her on Twitter! I swear, it’s no non-sense, it’s very informative and I’m sure you’ll enjoy her book reviews since she is being sponsored by Fully Booked. Go ahead, discover for yourself and get Saab-holic. Haha! <3

Calmoseptine

　

This is going to be short and simple (I’m applying the K.I.S.S. law). As a mom, I just wanna say how happy I am that this brand of ointment was introduced to me. In September of 2009, one of the most devastating typhoons to hit the Philippines was recorded, Typhoon Ondoy. My son is one of the youngest survivors of the typhoon for he stayed on the rooftop of our house for not more than 24 hours. That caused him not only fever, cough and colds but also an extreme case of diaper rash. I’m not sure if I have a picture of it but it was painful to look at. It looked like strips of bacon on my baby’s butt and that was because he was wearing the same diaper the whole time while we were waiting for the floods to subside.

Alkie was confined for four days as he was infected with E-Coli, perhaps because he got exposed to contaminated water. And due to that, he had a frequent bowel movement (paumanhin sa mga kumakain), resulting to the worsening of his rashes. The consistency of his poop was watery and quite acidic so it just didn’t help at all. But thank goodness.. one of his doctors from the hospital recommended Calmoseptine and in less than a month, his once sore, reddish and skinless butt healed. I’m really grateful for that product. Up until now whenever he experiences diaper rash, be it a mild or an extreme rash, I just apply Calmospetine and ta-dah, it resolves all my worries.

So there, I have intended for this to be short so.. I’m ending this with a shout-out to the genius behind the product. Kudos to you whoever you are! =)