I had high hopes for this one. I recently read the book by Jo Nesbo. He has written seven other books that feature Norwegian detective Harry Hole. The book was no “Girl With the Dragon Tattoo,” but was still an interesting read. I wish the movie had been even 1/10 as good as the novel! I wonder how people who didn’t read the novel were able to follow the plot, because I was confused and I knew what was happening….kind of. The action jumped around a lot, and they did not develop the characters well. You don’t find yourself interested or invested in them, even the main people! Michael Fassbender is a great actor, but even he couldn’t imbue the character of Harry Hole with any real life or interest. You never find yourself getting behind him as an investigator. Toby Jones and J.K. Simmons were wasted in their roles, as was a rather debilitated looking Val Kilmer. This was another movie where those involved made inexplicable changes to the plot that added nothing to the story. For what it’s worth (and no spoiling here) the main story is that a serial killer is killing promiscuous women and sometimes using their heads as a topping for his snow creations. Detective Hole and his new partner are on the case. Who is the killer? What is going on? Who cares? This is definitely not one that I would recommend.
Atomic Blonde
I will cut to the chase, this kind of movie is just not my cup of tea. I am not a fan of unrelenting violence. This is saying something as I religiously watch Game of Thrones and The Walking Dead, so I am no shrinking violet. However, the violence, for me, gets in the way of a story that I found somewhat interesting. Charlize Theron plays an elite MI6 British spy who uses her considerable skills in Berlin right before the Berlin Wall is demolished. She is sent into Berlin and makes contact with another spy played by James McAvoy. The plot also involves a search for a missing list of double agents, a ruthless espionage ring, nudity and enough blood to fill a bathtub or two. Even though this movie is not my kind of movie, that is not to say it is bad. If you like John Wick, Jason Bourne and Jack Reacher, I think you will enjoy seeing a woman playing this kind of character. Plus, she looks good in all of those different costumes and can do one thing all of those other characters can’t do; fight in and with three inch heels! Plus, any movie that throws in John Goodman and Toby Jones can’t be all bad.