After leave from a DEA bust gone wrong, Mike Campbell is assigned to act as a mole in a small Texas town family’s life, acting as a body guard for drug peddling head Buck King. As Mike becomes closer with the King family, and a girl named Belle, he finds himself trapped in their downward spiral as he is confronting his own.

Written and Directed by J.C. Nelson

Produced by The Weinstein Brothers

Director of Photography Roger Deakins

Edited by Michael Kahn

Music by Hans Zimmer

Original Songs by J.C. Nelson

THE CAST

Mike Campbell Rupert Grint

Buck King John Goodman

Lee King James Franco

Belle Rooney Mara

Mama Suthern Viola Davis

Walt Mackie Michael Douglas

El Lobo Sanchez Danny Trejo

Yeah, if this was a perfect world!

Stock footage from the snowfall last night in Portland, OR. Shot it with my friends Canon Vixia HF M30. Handy camera, and the video has not been cut or altered.

David Fincher directs the 2011 American version of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, and not only is it a strikingly visual piece that will make you laugh, cry, cringe, or smile, but it holds its own as an adaptation, separating itself from the 2009 Swedish film as a whole new approach to the material, much like the case with Let The Right One In and Let Me In. Daniel Craig and Christopher Plummer are two of the many other actors who contributed grade A performances in both major and minor roles, but no one stands out more than Rooney Mara, who takes a breakthrough role leap and delivers above what is expected, bringing even new layers to the character of Lisbeth Salander, the stories heroine. The soundtrack by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross alone as a musical collection is a great feat, but put it to this film with Fincher’s style and all will sync in beautiful, destructive harmony. ****1/2

(+) Rooney Mara’s performance alone, but also to the cast of amazing actors.

(+) Fincher’s unique positioning and use of the camera, and his direction.

(+) The soundtrack is a great album alone.

(+) The opening title sequence.

(-) At times can be a little slow and confusing, but it deserves many views.

Ratings: ***** (Classic) ****1/2 (Amazing) 

**** (Very Good) ***1/2 (Good)

*** (Pretty Good) **1/2 (Okay)

** (Merely Okay) *1/2 (One or Two Good Things)

* (One Thing Stood Out) 

No Stars (Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen)

Noomi Rapace steals the screen as Lisbeth Salander, a 24 year old hacker with a troubled past, who is hired to work for Mikael Blomkvist, a magazine publisher and author, to solve a series of murders. Dark and grimly shot, only to set the mood for this intense, heart pounding, and very well made film. This movie dares to take you on waters that even in the book may have been much, but unlike most films it is necessary so the audience can truly understand and connect with the characters. Even though Rapace’s Salander comes across as a rough razor by the end of the film I felt I could trust her with my life. ****1/2

(+) Rapace’s performance is groundbreaking.

(-) 15 minutes too long.

Ratings: ***** (Classic) ****1/2 (Amazing)

**** (Very Good) ***1/2 (Good)

*** (Pretty Good) **1/2 (Okay)

** (Merely Okay) *1/2 (One or Two Good Things)

* (One Thing Stood Out)

No Stars (Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen)