Adventured.net » Thoughts

Erika Berger and The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo Movies vs. Books

Vanessa — Wed, 20 Apr 2011 03:19:53 +0000

I guess there are a good number of things I could write about. Several topical things can happen in the course of one day that occur to me – funny thoughts over something I’ve heard (”it’s an ever revolving beast”) or insights about something I’ve read; maybe even something as straightforward and simple as an opinion formed on a quotation or theme in a book I am reading, a dissenting viewpoint… and yet, I never seem to manifest those ideas into reality. Like so many other ideas, I abort them before they’re fully formed. I often tend to worry or think things to death. I over-analyze most things in an attempt to find meaning, as if there should always be so much more meaning than what is readily available. But there is just a denseness and nothing… Why is it that it seems so often the true meaning of something is so much more easily understood and superficial than it feels like it should be?

At any rate, I’ve read The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo books (including The Girl Who Played with Fire and The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest) and have since seen the movies. The books were enjoyable enough. The movies were not objectionable, but I wouldn’t go so far as to say they were entertaining. I was surprised that the role of Salandar was played in a way so as not to be repulsive or out of character, where I am sure it would’ve been if it had been undertaken by an American studio. I was at first glance put-off by, then found I enjoyed the fact, that the majority of the characters were played by average and less-than-average looking people. We get so used to the crazy idealized Hollywood cookie cutter types that it’s strange to see anything different. As luck would have it, there will soon be a debacle of a Hollywood version of this movie coming out later this year or early next. I don’t think it’s even possible for Hollywood to attempt to make a movie about a female heroine without her being ridiculously sexy and, in the case of Salandar, out-of-character for the film’s protagonist.

Another thing that didn’t bother me about the movies vs. the books was the divergence from the storylines. Parts of the tales and the endings were changed or omitted. This usually really upsets me, but not this time. Probably because the writing in the book was straight forward and the characters weren’t full of depth or transformation.

One thing that struck me as absolutely dismally incorrect and reprehensible was the portrayal of Erika Berger in the movie as a sort of weak, helpless, pathetic character versus the tough female powerhouse generally full of self-confidence that I took her for in the book. Often after reading a book or seeing a movie I’ll go on a Google-spree to see if anyone shares my thoughts. On this point, my search turned up no results. I was pretty surprised that other folks out there weren’t also vexed by the different characterizations of Berger in the books vs. the movies… Even if you haven’t read the books, you have to agree that the character in the movies is obnoxious and unlikeable. Erika’s stance on publishing the issue of Millennium during the Salandar trial was repulsively unlike the position I think the woman took in the book – why was no one on IMDB or any article I could find making the same annoying conclusion I’d drawn? I don’t get it. So, I guess, since I cannot find anyone to collude with, I’ll just have to put my own opinion out there. Was Erika even considered Editor-in-Chief in the first film? She seemed so minor a player. If I had more time and motivation, I’d do a side-by-side comparison between the movies and the books.

One thing I find incredibly surprising is, knowing that people are generally ludicrously selfish, that they don’t mind reading about other sickeningly selfish people. For example, just to stay on topic with The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, the characters of Berger, Blomkvist, and Salandar seem to generally care primarily for themselves and their own well-being. The most outstanding example of vapid selfishness in modern “literature” would have to go to Twilight, but that’s obvious and neither here nor there.

Discard

Vanessa — Mon, 17 Jan 2011 21:05:58 +0000

I feel sad seeing this totally static, decaying site. Wondering if it would be best to just sort of conclude the site and leave up a placeholder page or… something totally different. Either way, it can’t be something that requires a tremendous amount of time and care, at this point. Maybe my days of blogging are over. Hopefully something will occur to me soon.

(outdated)

Vanessa — Fri, 12 Nov 2010 05:11:01 +0000

Staring out the window of my parents’ house, the sky seems a richer, brighter blue than I ever can recall. One aspect of things that doesn’t seem familiar. It’s nice to move through this big house with its spacious, airy kitchen and make myself a cup of coffee. Feels normal. Throwing on a pair of shorts this morning, shorts that I found in the dresser in my room, I was tempted to go for a quick run, like all those mornings so long ago. It felt easy and possible, unlike the burden it is for me, for some reason, in NY. That being well and true, the temperature outside is almost 100 degrees already.

Being here, driving along 35 coming down from Austin and into San Antonio, I am reminded of the ease of life here. At least my life before I was concerned with having a ‘career’ and the type of meaning I was searching for was of a whole different ilk, something far less tangible yet rewarding to the self and… in an ironic way, hollowing at the same time.

Speaking of time, there used to be so much more of it. Working and planning an event was a real possibility. Val’s graduation party came to mind as I rode home last night. The ease of meeting people at boutiques to shop for dresses, taking responsibility of getting the cake, the flowers, of gathering photos and videos to display to the crowd the night of the grand event. So much more possible planning a graduation party then than even being involved with any wedding planning now. Sometimes I can see it’s taking a toll on Justin, but more often I have to be told. Last night he was in a foul mood over my lack of availablity, and on the train into Manhattan yesterday morning he described a conversation he’d had with someone about the wedding planning. They, asuming stereotypical gender roles and relationship dynamics, asked him how much if at all he was involved with the planning. He frankly told them he was doing almost everything himself. Things like that are heavy weights on my chest, yet I am stubborn and persistent, often in a single-minded way. Somehow, though, despite my work constraints I need to be around more for him, invovled more for him, for us.

How divergent these streams of consciousness can be. A bird bouncing playfully from tree limb to tree limb out front once more distracts me from my sinking thoughts. I’ve been awake for half an hour now with my cup of coffee and my note pad. With my father’s cowboy hat on my head and my clothes selected from the time capsule of my room. Green umbros and a black and silver spaghetti strap xs tank top from Express. Used to adore that store, but think this shirt may’ve been Val’s. As I rummaged through my chest of drawers this morning, I discovered 2 swimsuits I like. I’d been wondering about their fate for a while. Should’ve occurred to me they were in the time capsule. Though coming home has a slightly less bizarre and and eerie affect than it used to. For years, the calendar hanging in my bathroom displayed Oct. 2006, the month we packed up and left for New York. A few visits ago I decided it would be best to change it. Who needs a reminder anyway. Coming home causes one to reflect enough as it is, to remember, to compare – to see how different things are now , how different oneself is now – for better or worse. The floors need to be swept, need to be vaccuumed. My father’s office is a disaster of debris – a miserable thing to walk across. Not that he ever cleaned it. I suspect the culprit of its state lies in the fact that his doting mother, who lives no further than the length of two football fields from here, has distanced herself a bit lately. Family is an interesting game to play.

Anywho – Dad’s 60th birthday party is tonight. Today, my Aunt Sha Sha and cousin Sheila are throwing a bridal shower for me. It is very sweet of them, but there’s still a small, introverted creature inside me that’s not looking forward to the situation.
Ironic human that I am, craving attention while also despising the thought of being the center of it. Time to get ready to get.

Filling My Solitary Time

Vanessa — Sun, 13 Jun 2010 22:15:49 +0000

I have to admit, I was none too happy about the idea of spending the weekend alone. On Friday evening, Justin left for Texas to fetch his nephews who will be spending the next week with us. On top of the fact that I’ve been sick with a sort of cold for the last week, I just didn’t know what I would do with myself. I figured I’d be bored and hermetic. In actuality, my solitary weekend has been a sort of lovely ‘vacation’ of sorts.

I’ve been able to do whatever I felt like without consulting a soul. It’s been rather nice not to have to speak to someone – not to ask “what would you like for dinner?” or “can we watch a boring documentary tonight?” or “can we open a bottle of wine?” I don’t have to ask myself a single thing. Yes, we can do all of those things. I didn’t feel guilty about spending hours at a salon having my hair done. Granted, that’s one of my least favorite past-times, more so when I don’t feel well, but I didn’t feel like I was taking my time away from anyone else. It was mine alone to squander. I read a ton. I watched two movies I doubt Justin would have much interest in. Granted, we called each other perpetually and I sent him lots of photos. I definitely wouldn’t prefer this more isolated lifestyle long-term, but it actually was a fairly pleasant respite. The puppies didn’t seem to mind too much either, as they had practically the entire bed to themselves.

I also had some time this weekend to add a small feature to our website, which I hope to build on. I simply changed my “2010 Goals” page to a “Randomness” page and added sections for readings + quotes. Hopefully this will allow me to share more literary findings with you, my loyal readers. ;) Though there isn’t much there now, it’s sort of meant to send you off on an entertaining, time-squandering internet expedition. I hope you enjoy! Now I am off to the airport to pick up my weary travelers. Adieu!

Thoughts of a Random Variety – Yesterday

Vanessa — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 13:39:56 +0000

Who knew that brie was the cheese of kings? (Seen at the Lenny’s in Rockefeller center concourse.)

The good thing about where I work is it’s very easy to focus on just work and not get confused about friendships or comfortability.

I hate when people say flushing out when they mean fleshing out.

I find it highly amusing that my coworker is sitting there playing brick breaker during this meeting.

Does it ever really freeze in Montauk? (I was thinking about Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.)

“Iran sends rocket with animal menagerie into space” was a headline on the news monitor in the office elevator. I thought it was pretty interesting word usage. First, I thought of the animals done up like circus animals, then I thought of the Tennesee Williams play, and finally I landed on the glass case in my grandmother’s house that has it’s own animal menagerie inside.

Always at Odds

Vanessa — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 18:15:34 +0000

Why are my thoughts continually diametrically opposed to one another? I would say that it’s because I am at a unique point in my life, being one year from thirty, and trying to decide what I want to do and who I want to be, but this is the same question I face on-and-off without it being relative to the year or anything else.

At this specific moment, my mind flits between ideas such as staying in New York and working hard where I am, which everyone seems to believe is best for my career. I consider moving back to Texas, specifically Austin. I consider checking out the west coast. I fancifully think about traveling through South America to really learn Spanish, possibly finding a graduate school in Argentina in which to enroll. Maybe it’s because of boredom. I don’t really know. I doubt, at moments like this, that I have the capacity or drive for actual lasting happiness, although I realize it is a common belief that happiness is not lasting – that there are only moments of it. Satisfaction, then. Contentment. I wonder if that’s where I am right now. I suppose it could be. So then, if so, perhaps it is not enough.

A couple of weeks ago I had a meeting with a director of a different department from mine. He travels frequently for work. I commented that it must get tiring. He responded that it didn’t really bother him because he loves his job. I think that must be a really fantastic feeling. Granted there are so many different types of people in the world, but I wonder why I don’t feel that same level of fulfillment and whether I possibly can. I wonder if I should have majored in something else, or should have become a programmer, or what to do, now, knowing that I haven’t been terrible ecstatic with anything I’ve done, minus working those relaxed, low-paid hours in the studio, perhaps.

I wonder why so many other people seem content working for years at a job which doesn’t make them happy and I quickly try to change my position. Once again, it brings me back to feeling that perhaps I am wired wrong for society, but I don’t know. Today, I don’t feel any deep depression. I don’t feel that fear of being terrifically out of place. I just wonder if there is something better out there. I guess that’s the trouble with me. My mother told me many years ago that nothing is ever enough for me. I think about that often – about how right she must’ve been.

Camping Out in Taconic State Park

Vanessa — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 04:04:23 +0000

Camping in Taconic State Park

The Sunday of Labor Day weekend, Justin and I loaded up our two pups and headed north with the intent to camp. Naturally, we made no campsite reservations what with it being one of the busiest camping days of the year and all. We hoped to grab a spot at Taconic State Park. Oddly enough, luck was on our side! Not only did we receive the last available dog-friendly spot, our neighbors never showed up! We ended up having a fairly private campsite at the far end of the park near the singular puppy friendly hiking trail. Yay!

Check out our photos and videos >>

View Justin’s video – The Running of the Pups! YouTube | Vimeo

Should you go, this stuff is definitely worth checking out:

The now abandoned Harlem Valley Psychiatric Center which has been purchased with the intent to transform the property into The Knolls of Dover (I found video and photos inside the Harlem Valley Psychiatric Center).
Rosemary’s Texas Tacos – This woman has bright purple hair and zany makeup! The tacos were okay, the sweet tea was delicious, and the interior decor was other worldly. Check out Rosemary’s Myspace for fun images and general insanity.
Bash Bish Falls State Park – super beautiful falls! This park was a perfect stop for us because we were able to take the puppies on a little hike before driving all the way back to NYC. Check out the park’s website or read an article about it if you’re up for it.
Taconic State Park – of course! It was nice and peaceful, and I expect we’ll head back someday! Check out the park’s Wikipedia entry. :)

The Julie/Julia Movie

Vanessa — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 06:05:40 +0000

So I saw Julie and Julia. I can’t actually say I liked the movie. There were parts I liked. I probably would’ve preferred the movie to just be Meryl Streep’s rendition of Julia Child, but the modern Julie story had some good points to it. When Julia was describing how happy she was to get up at 5:30 in the morning to head to cooking school I practically burst into a crying fit because I wish that’s how I felt about *my* life. Maybe one day.

Anyhow, because I am a curious (or obsessive?) person, I came home to google the movie and see if I could find Julie’s original blog. (I did – feel free to read it here.) After her blogging project was complete, she wrote the book Julie and Julia, on which the film is based. I think they probably made the character in the movie a little more likable and normal. The actual blogger was a snake owning atheist. Not quite the same wholesome character. Although, being that she was born and raised in Austin, you have to give her a little credit. Also, I don’t feel like I can form a fully educated opinion on the woman being that I’ve only read a week’s worth of her blog posts so far. And anyway, I like this line: “I had never in my nearly thirty years of life eaten an egg, but I ate one today. So that’s where I am. In a week of this experiment, I have cooked 14 recipes, but mostly I ate my first egg.”

The length and detail of the blog posts really hearken back to an earlier time in blogging history, before we all had ADD and, certainly, before Facebook and Twitter. Off to bed with me now. Much more to read at a later date. :)

PS: Can you imagine this scene in Park Slope nowadays? I feel like things must’ve been different 7 years ago!

I suppose I should be feeling at peace with the world standing in a long grocery line standing behind a skinhead mother buying organic fruit leather for her adorably dreadlocked son and in front of a couple with matching blue hair buying soy milk and Rao’s marinara sauce, but instead I feel mostly like climbing the walls.

Not Dead Yet

Vanessa — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 04:06:42 +0000

No, we are not dead yet — though you may think it judging by the lengthy absence. Sadly, you’d be wrong to believe this update would bear much substance.

BigP and Roger with Ruby and Eve

I’ve been work a lot at my new job as a web producer which is much more project management than plain web production. I am still figuring things out. Not much more to report there.

My friends from Switzerland, BigP and Roger, visited us for two weeks just recently. It was very nice to have them here. I so hope they come back before too much time passes. Hopefully I’ll get around to making a photo gallery of their visit soon.

Justin recently lost his job at JetBlue – total bummer. It makes being in NY far less positive, I think. The only consolation is the gentle tug of Autumn which has been lingering around the edges of the early morning or late evening hours…

Nothing is concrete.

Time Flies! 1 Year Already

Vanessa — Fri, 08 May 2009 22:28:43 +0000

Wow, it’s really hard to believe Justin and I have already been engaged for a whole year!
Justin surprised me today with a pair of earrings to mark the occasion (What a sweetheart!). They’re not any old earrings, either. They’re Swarovski earrings that perfectly match my engagement ring. Super awesome!

Maybe we’ll actually plan a wedding… one of these days…

Let’s recap the year:

May - Engaged on the River Walk in San Antonio!
Val! and I went out to celebrate the engagement
June - Justin and I started off the summer right with a picnic in Flushing Park (photos)
We headed to Montana (photos and more photos) for my work and spent a day in Denver, which was a lot of fun (photos from Denver)
Justin, Mom, Val!, (Joey), and I had a misadventure while hiking in the Catskills which resulted in stitches for me (photos)
July – We had a great trip to Puerto Rico with Marisa and Alex (photos)
Justin, Val! and I all turned 28
August – Justin and I were stressed because Ruby developed Cherry Eye… but we got it fixed and she’s been great since!
I got to see Sheila’s new house and Justin and I spent time with lots of family and friends in August (photos)
September – I was back in Montana for work and Justin visited me for one amazing weekend (photos)
JetBlue was completing work on T5 and Justin and I went to the Chili Pepper Fiesta in Brooklyn (photos)
October – Justin and I celebrated our 4th anniversary by taking a vacation to Poland (with a stop in Vienna)! (photos)
We met up with Jenny and Cody in Vieques, Puerto Rico! (photos)
We celebrated Halloween properly by having a Pumpkin Carving Party (photos) and heading to a Halloween Party (photos). The puppies also got in on the action (photos)
We took a day trip to Maine to check out fall foliage (one photo)
November – Justin and I took off for two weeks in Australia, including Thanskgiving!
December – We returned from Australia to enjoy snowy weather in NY and Christmas in Texas (photos)
We drove our car alllll the way from San Antonio to New York! (photos)
January – Not my favorite start to the new year. Justin and I found out I was being laid off from my job.
February – I left for a week in Switzerland to visit Val! and BigP (photos)
We visited Eric in LA (photos) and had a lot of fun with friends here in NY
March – Sheila’s baby shower was this month (photos)
Our friend Thao got baptized (photos)
We went to Puerto Rico (El Yunque and Fajardo photos and Culebra photos) with Alex, Marisa, Tom, Niki, and Emily. Fun times!
April – Brennan, Sheila’s baby, was born (photos)
We took Alex and Marisa to Texas for the weekend (photos)
May - Ruby and Eve, our puppies, turned 2 years old (photos)