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This week's theme is disappearances aka people gone missing, like my writing mood - football is the reason - so here are my picks
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2009)
Journalist Mikael Blomkvist is hired by a wealthy industrialist to find out what happened to his niece who disappeared 40 years earlier. This is the Swedish adaptation of the novel and it's awesome. It's the kind of film that keeps you on the edge of your seat even when you know how it's going to end. And Noomi Rapace is spectacular as Lisbeth, way better than Rooney Mara imo.
Gone Girl (2014)
On the day of his fifth wedding anniversary, Nick returns home only to find that his wife is missing, and he soon becomes the main suspect. Another great thriller, the story is engaging and so creepy I loved it. It's mind blowing how fast Rosamund Pike goes from sweet and lovely to psychopath.
Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens (2015)
Decades have passed since the Death Star was destroyed and Luke Skywalker has vanished. Now everyone is looking for Luke, both the First Order led by Kylo Ren and the Resistance led by Leia Organa. I know a lot of people didn't like it and wanted it to be more original, but I actually like the tribute to the original trilogy. And the hero is a young woman, why shouldn't I like that?
Interesting choices though I've only seen one of them. I've never seen the original Dragon Tattoo only the American redo which I enjoyed. One of these days I'll get to this one. I've never been much a fan of even the original trio of Star Wars so I've never followed up on any of the multitude of sequels, prequels and the like.
ReplyDeleteI have seen Gone Girl and thought it was a rather chilly distant film. To a point I thought that was what the story needed but it kept its distance just a bit too much. Rosamund Pike was excellent however.
My first pick is a huge favorite of mine and my other two are choices that don't get enough attention but are fine films.
Missing (1982)-A young American couple Charlie and Beth Horman (John Shea & Sissy Spacek) are living in Chile while he works as a freelance writer observing the political situation. Suddenly they are caught in a coup and when Beth returns home one day their house is ransacked and Charlie is missing. When word reaches the States his disapproving father Ed (Jack Lemmon) arrives looking for answers. Despite assurances by the authorities that everything is being done an unbelieving Beth and increasingly doubtful Ed begin their own search, as they come to understand each other at last Ed’s eyes are opened to facts that go against everything he believes in. Riveting fact based drama directed by Costa-Gravas earned four Oscar nominations-Best Actor & Actress for Lemmon and Spacek as well as a Best Adaptation and a Best Picture nod.
Without a Trace (1983)-Susan Selky (Kate Nelligan) helps her six year old son Alex get ready and watches him set off on the three block walk to school in their affluent New York City neighborhood but he never makes it. When he doesn’t return home at the appointed hour she slowly comes to the realization that something is terribly wrong and contacts the police. Both she and her husband (David Dukes) are immediately suspected, when it becomes clear they aren’t involved the police follow other leads but the case soon turns cold. For everyone that is but Susan who becomes so determined in her pursuit she pushes almost everyone including her husband and good friend (Stockard Channing) away. However with the assistance of one detective who also won’t give up (Judd Hirsch) she presses on determined to have some resolution whatever that may be. Exceptionally well-acted but a tough watch.
The Seventh Victim (1943)-Mary Gibson (Kim Hunter) arrives in New York City intent on locating her sister Jacqueline who has disappeared. As she starts searching she meets resistance from all quarters including her sister’s husband. As she delves deeper into the mystery she discovers a connection to devil worship and begins to fear for her own safety. Low budget noir produced by Val Lewton has a nice sense of dread and looks at a provocative subject for a forties film. This was future Oscar winner Hunter’s screen debut.
Ha. Pretty much 2 out of 3 matched, though I picked Fincher's adaptation, which I liked a bit more. I think because I found Craig a much believable as Blomkvist.
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't have thought of The Force Awakens for this theme but it fits. I love that and Gone Girl. I was never crazy about the Dragon Tattoo movies.
ReplyDeleteI love that you went with The Force Awakens, it's not something I would immediately think of when it comes to disappearances. Gone Girl is a popular pick this week! I don't remember much from the 2009 Dragon Tattoo, but watching the explicit scenes made me stay away from the Fincher adaptation for a couple of years. I still haven't seen the sequels but it doesn't seem to be as popular as the first one.
ReplyDeleteI have only seen the Smerican version of Dragon Tattoo but have heard the Swedish one is better which leaves me intrigues because I really like the U.S version. Gone Girl is quite the film from a dumb nut Ben Affleck to the OMG psychonut of his wife. This is someone you never want to be married to. She should meet up with the chick from Psycho Swan( Balck Swan) and Fatal Attraction. Great choice for the Star Wars film which I really liked. Much better then the dismal middle 3 which are the first..um...ughh you know what I mean. The only weak link for me is the one who plays Han and Leia's son. He just looked like a spoiled child with daddy issues and needs a good spanking.
ReplyDeleteGreat list! I love Gone Girl. I am also a fan of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, though I've only seen the American version.
ReplyDeleteGone girl is popular today. Not surprised. Great film. As mucg as I like Fincher, I am Glad you went for the orignal Dragon Tatoo (I agree that Noomi Rapace is the better Lisbeth)
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