Gone Girl

Spoiler… Despite beautiful and brooding cinematography and sound Fincher’s film falls Prisoner to lack of suspense and failure to supply source’s surplus of suspects.  Spooky Howser and Madea-at-Law arrive too late to save either story from narrative arrogance and improper pacing, or brilliant Ben from bending over for Rosamund’s Pike.

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2011)

Swedish film (virtually identical shots, character appearance, and pacing) plus Social Reznor score and Finchermatography equals still a great, if very familiar movie. Craig manages to separate this more bookish investigator from the bonds of his repertoire, and Rooney’s Noomi is powerful but very derivative. A difficult but excellent re-watch.

The Social Network

Three names synonymous with cinematic excellence – Fincher, Sorkin, Timberlake – craft action-free courtroom drama (sans court) that’s hilarious, exciting and powerful. Eisenberg follow’s Cera’s Pilgrim on journey out of Cera’s shadow, and Timberlake’s celebrity is used perfectly. Boring title and poster prove you should never judge a book by its face.

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

Fincher uses a gimmick to make slow-moving mundane story enjoyable to watch, and the result is exquisitely beautiful, both visually and emotionally. Blanchett and Pitt both shine through not quite satisfactory makeup and visual effects. Hurt slightly by occasional moments of excessive screen-writer cleverness and by similarities to Forrest Gump.