(All these films ARE findable online if you know what you’re doing- with English subtitles where required- and are rentable at your nearest video store that knows what it’s doing)

Inspired wholly by the actually POSITIVE response I got from my last tri-film review, I’ve got a few new ones for you boys and girls to try out :) Today, we’re staying on the vague theme of thrillers. I’ve got a brand new one, a year-old film festival under-exposed success and a sadly overlooked 90s gem that I’ve never seen on any “fav movie list” except of course for mine ;)

The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo

Take one part beautiful Swedish millionairess’ disappearance at the possible hands of her various and nefarious family members, add in a litigiously victimized star newspaper reporter and top it off with an updated and sickeningly Nordic looking version of Veronica Mars and you have the making for an original and thrilling whodunit.

The story starts in Stockholm: technologically savvy and media-obsessed, the urbane backdrop introduces us to the troubled lives of the two protagonists as their intellect and ambition is thwarted by the powers that be in their respective lives. Intertwined but without ever actually meeting, the two find their way to the juxtaposing rural yet abundantly wealthy countryside where microfiche and magnifying glasses still solve crimes. Typically I loathe all things pre-80s (except of course for men), but there’s just something about a spectral shape in the background of a black n’ white “home video” that begs to be solved.

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