On Netflix I saw the second and third films in the European Girl With the Dragon Tattoo trilogy with Noomi Rapace.  The Girl Who Played with Fire is the second installment taking place shortly after solving the mysteries of the first.   The story digs deeper into the past and motivations of Lisbeth, and her family situation.   The character herself is fascinating and the Rapace portrayal of her is excellent.   The supporting cast is all good and the story moves along well.  I won’t share the details as it is best to see first hand where it all goes.   I don’t know the details of why the US version with Daniel Craig and Rooney Mara wasn’t created, but this covers the next few novels.   The final chapter is The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest where there is an attempt to have a court proceeding to silence Lisbeth and keep her (and her magazine writing friend) from uncovering and publishing the story about some political shenanigans going on.   It is more Swedish based, and could be a reason why an American follow up did not occur.   Most North Americans don’t know the political landscape in Sweden, let alone what they might follow and understand in their own country.  Still it is compelling film making and you don’t need to really know it to understand the forces at play.   Not as much happens in this episode from an action point of view but there is still some intrigue how evidence can be brought forward to support Lisbeth and her contentions.    Query how you prove yourself to be sane, when respected Doctors are claiming exactly the opposite to further their own selfish agenda.   All worth watching and seeing where this story goes.   Note that there is Claire Foy playing Lisbeth coming out this month.  I am not exactly clear where it fits into the trilogy (if it does at all).   It may be post the trilogy, but I guess we will all find out.   Claire Foy is excellent in The Queen.   This would be a new take for her.  Trailer is here:

I also watched on a gag, Smokey and the Bandit, the 1977 chase movie with Burt Reynolds and his mustache, a very young Sally Field, and over the top Jackie Gleason as unforgettable Sheriff Buford T Justice.  Gleason steals the film, and is just hamming it up in every scene he is in!  This is a simple story, with a fun flashback to the 70s with outrageous clothing (check out jeans on Burt and Sally, as well as collars on those polyester shirts).  Funky!   Self-proclaimed show off is challenged by rich guy to pick up and return in a few hours a truck full of Coors beer (which when crossing the Georgia border then was criminal bootlegging).   He and his buddy take the challenge, his buddy in 18 wheeler and he is new hot black Pontiac Firebird, an iconic car.   They drive to Texarkana Texas pick up Coors and drive very fast back.  Along the way Burt gets Sally Field aboard fleeing a wedding, to Sheriff’s idiot son.  They drive fast, have good chemistry and protect the slower truck by keeping the police busy making fools of themselves.   There is CB language and some fun jokes (diners = choke n puke).  In the end this was beginning of a multi movie franchise which morphed into other similar films (also with Burt) like Cannonball Run.  Hot girls, hot cars, drive fast and make police cars crash.   So if you are looking for some nostalgia, check it out.