The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2011)  Thriller

Directors: David Fincher

Writers: Steven Zaillian (screenplay), Stieg Larsson (novel)

Stars:

 Daniel Craig, Rooney Mara and Stellan Skarsgård
THE BUZZ: Has there ever been a more widely accepted remake than this? What excites me most, other than how amazing Rooney Mara looks as Lisbeth, is the fact that David Fincher is releasing two films in as many years, since we all know how meticulous the director has been with his other, earlier films. And, okay, Fincher and Mara (and others) have made it clear their adaptation of Stieg Larsson's novel differs from Niels Arden Oplev's international smash. I love the original film trilogy -- although I feel like the first is the best in the series -- but is it rude to indicate that it's Fincher's version that makes me want to (finally) read the novels ahead of time?


Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (2011)  Thriller

Directors: Tomas Alfredson

Writers: John le Carré (novel), Peter Straughan

Stars:

 http://Gary Oldman, Colin Firth and Tom Hardy
THE BUZZ: Despite the presence of Colin Firth and Tom Hardy and the anticipation of director Tomas Alfredson's follow up to Let the Right One In, all indications point to this being a tour de force for Gary Oldman -- a long overdue proper starring role for one of our favorite actors. Working Title Films/Universal sorta botched their last attempt to modernize a classic BBC mini-series (remember State of Play?), but now that the studio has smartly moved the project over to Focus Features, we're thinking this thriller has serious Oscar potential now that the Best Picture race isn't so uptight.