"That poor girl"

I feel so bad for Lisbeth Salandar, the heroine of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. Yes, it's a brutal movie and an exceptionally well-crafted thriller. But I spent much of the movie thinking, "That poor girl." And not Harriet, the girl whose disappearance is the catalyst for the action. Lisbeth. The hacker, the human weapon, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. I was unprepared for how much I would care for her. Especially since she so clearly wants to no sympathy or understanding.

There is a moment when she is playing chess and says, with quiet pride, "I have made a friend." I almost cried.

I'm not eager to pick up the trilogy that gave Lisbeth life. The violence is too much for me. At times I viewing this movie felt like an ordeal and I don't imagine that I'd be any more comfortable with the subject matter on the page.

But I appreciated the movie on its own terms. And I don't know if it was the screenplay, Rooney Mara's performance, or the way Daniel Craig responded to her, but the character of Lisbeth Salander touched me.

BTW, I really cannot stand Robin Wright. I don't know why. She's very pretty and is aging gracefully. There's just a soullessness about her that gets on my nerves. Even when she was Princess Buttercup. Oh well, her role in this movie isn't that big and she does no real damage. I just wonder what it is about her that annoys me so.

Happy Birthday, Your Highness

Today is the birthday of America's only king. Hope you observed it accordingly.

Sunday Stealing

Sunday Stealing: The Never Ending Meme, Part One

Cheers to all of us thieves!

1. Song that always makes you sad? "Have I Told You Lately" was "our" song, only we didn't last.

2. Last thing you bought? A cardigan from Old Navy.

3. Last person you argued with? My friend in the Keys. We agree to disagree on Mass. Sen. Scott Brown. While we both hope Elizabeth Warren wins that seat, my friend thinks that Brown made up the stories of childhood sexual abuse he recounts in his biography to make himself more sympathetic, that it's suspicious Brown told no one about these incidents at the time. I believe Brown and know my friend is being unfair. 
 
4. Do you put butter before putting the peanut butter on? Yes.

5. One of your stuffed animals’ names as a kid? My Lassie dog was my best friend and confidant.
 
6. Did you ever at one time own a Barenaked Ladies CD? Maybe You Should Drive.

7. Favorite day of the week? Friday.

8. Favorite sundae topping? Hot fudge.
 
9. Did you take piano lessons? No.
 
10. Most frequent song played? I completely love this song by Amy Winehouse, and was thrilled to discover her original version on her newest (and, alas, last) CD.





11. T.V. show you secretly enjoy? People's Court. I watch it whenever I'm home from work on a weekday.

12. Would you rather play basketball or hockey? No, but thank you for asking.

13. Date someone older or younger? Yes.

14. One place you could travel right now? Chateau Elan in Atlanta. I'd love to go back some day

15. Do you use umbrellas? There are people who don't?

16. Do you know all the words to the Canadian national anthem? "Oh, Canada, my home and native land ..." That's it.

17. Favorite cheese? Cheddar.

18. The Smith’s or The Cure? No, but thank you for asking.

19. Do you prefer blondes or brunettes? I like boys with dark eyes and dark hair.

20. Best job you ever had? I loved working on new product launches for a hair care company. It was fun.