Luftslottet som sprängdes "The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest" (2009)

This is a very fitting end to the wild ride that this series truly was. Released in the US dubbed in English, I highly recommend watching in the original Swedish and letting the subtitles do their thing. There is not really that much dialogue anyway.

This addition has far less action and violence than the first two - well, except for the last 10 minutes. Don't miss them. Seriously, they tie the entire work together in one of the tidiest endings I've ever seen.

This movie is more of a psychological-courtroom drama than the psycho-thrillers that preceded it. There are plenty of answers to questions raised previously and a few new questions asked that are left for the audience to ponder. Brilliant storytelling.

Don't get me wrong there is plenty in this movie to be uncomfortable about, but less of it.

Do you need to see the first two to get this one? No, but you should see them to truly appreciate the final episode.

Watch this movie with someone who may or may not feel paranoid sometimes.

Flickan som lekte med elden (2009)

The Girl Who Played With Fire (English title) is the second installment of the 3-part story of Lisbeth Salander and Mikael Blomkvist. If you are familiar with the story you don't need to read any further.

An investigative journalist with a knack for getting into trouble teams up with a uber-goth computer hacker with multiple demons in her closet. Noomi Rapace is outstanding as Lisbeth and one wonders has much of Noomi is in the character and vice versa. Michael Nyqvist is the journalist with more than enough on his mind.

This second installment has a few loose ends towards the end, but I expect those will be revisited in the final movie.

How do you prove you did not commit murders when you had motive, opportunity, and means. Oh and your prints are all over the weapon? Well clearly you will need help. Getting there is what this story is about.

This movie is graphic. Sexually and violently. Be forewarned. There are scenes of rape and torture. Don't look if you don't want to see.

While this movie is not as good as the original, it does set up the last of the series perfectly.

Watch this movie with your grip on reality bolted down.

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

Originally, and perhaps more appropriately, titled "Män som hatar kvinnor" or Men Who Hate Women, this posthumously published graphic story told in three parts, is amazing. I'm not sure where to start, but you need to be forewarned about this one.

Scenes of rape and torture are, believe it or not, what this story is based on. Still with me? Okay. A wrongfully discredited investigative reporter and a very punked-out cyber security analyst, the girl with the tattoo set out to sold a 40-year-old murder mystery. They end up scoring much more.

Micharl Nyqvist is again amazing. Fellow Swede Noomi Rapace is at once disturbing and stunning in her roll as what some call the hottest female in fiction these days. Watch the charming interview of her in the DVD extras for that quote.

The DVD comes with English audio or the original Swedish with English subtitles. I highly recommend the latter so you get the original voice inflections. You don't need to read too much to get what's going on.

This movie is long and is not always fast-moving. But there are NO wasted moments. Everything means something now, and more, for something later. Pay attention.

Watch this movie with someone who has either a strong stomach or a high tolerance for things to which the sensors usually say "hell no".

Så som i himmelen (As It Is In Heaven)

After taking a 20 year break from film making this Swedish writer director came back with a winner. Well, at least an Oscar nominated story. Not bad for a guy with a PhD in Statistics.

Michael Nyqvist, a well known face (and voice) in Sweden, delivers a very strong performance here as a gifted musician and director who struggles with his people relationships while searching for his dream or making great music.

The story takes him from international fame back to his rural hometown. There he is lured back into music and surrounded by the typical gathering of quirky townsfolk. In the process he learns to love and make music like never before.

If you don't understand choral music or what it takes to make it well, you may not enjoy this movie. On the other hand, if you appreciate good music, this story could be both instructive and entertaining. For some this movie will be inspirational. For others it will be tragic.

In Swedish, Italian, and English, all with English subtitles, this is a movie you have to pay attention to.

Watch this with someone who may not be able to stand and sing along at the end.