If you haven't read these 3 books get yourself on Amazon right now and order them. While the writing may not be the most compelling literature I've ever laid eyes on, the story is engrossing and as suspenseful as I've ever read. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo features Lisbeth Salander, an alternative (to say the least) young woman who ends up teamed up with a high profile journalist, Mikael Blomkvist, somehow attempting to solve a murder mystery involving a very creep-tastic family. The book is edgy and definitely has some mildly disturbing scenes but it's nearly impossible to put it down. Lisbeth's complexity keeps you wanting more and rooting for this underdog for nearly 2100 pages in the series.

The Girl Who Played with Fire is much easier to get into, you're familiar with the characters and the story flows from the first book. In this book Lisbeth finds herself accused of three killings. The GIrl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest is even quicker to get into since the first story ends with many questions still to be answered. The third book continues to follow Lisbeth's life and her scandalous past.

As for the movie, The Girl wtih the Dragon Tattoo, the Swedish version was raw, tantalizing and amazing. I fear that when Daniel Craig, the worst Bond since Roger Moore, takes over the lead role of Blomkvist he will dilute the edginess of the book with classic Hollywood crapola.

Has anyone out there seen Paper Heart? I recently watched it and fell hard for Charlyne Yi. The movie is so endearing and Charlyne might possibly be the most adorable person alive. Her giggle is infectious. Her awkwardness is charming. And her personality is just so snuggly. Ever since I saw her in Knocked Up as the high stoner laughing at Heigl I've wanted more. Paper Heart is an unconventional love story told as a faux documentary where Yi and Michael Cera play themselves falling in love while Yi interviews other people in love in an attempt to make sense of it all. You might think it'd be cynical but it's not. It's just so damn cute. Period. She's so funny because she's not even trying to be funny. She is just so beautiful in her own independent way. Does that sound insulting? It's not meant to. She just seems so fun to hang out with. Do I have a girlcrush? Perhaps. But wouldn't it be cool if Charlyne was a rolemodel for girls instead of Lindsay Lohan? Just a thought…

Either way, I will be in the front row of her show in NYC this summer: 

Charlyne, if you read this and you're ever in NYC can I buy you a cup of coffee and a cupcake? If ever there was someone I wanted to interview for Smartypanties, it's you babe!! 

We (paper) Heart You!

I had the pleasure of getting the flu this week, which means constantly sitting still, missing Passover and watching everything you've missed out on in the past 6 months. Here's my Flu-vie Movie Roundup and Review of what's worth watching and what will make you feel sicker…

Did You Hear About the Morgans?

Pretty Terrible. I mean you know, if you know what to expect going into it there are a couple funny moments but most of it is just predictable and def not Hugh or Sarah's best.

New Moon

Depressssssing times 100 but it's still amazing if you've read the books. Just great seeing it come to life. And I mean if Robert Pattinson won't make you feel better I don't know what will. 

Bandslam

Actually pretty awesome. Typical high school happy ending drama. That said. Pretty entertaining and an Indie feel to it. Don't believe me that Vanessa Hudgens could be in a good movie? Check out teh reviews. It did pretty good. 

True Blood

Did you read the Sookie Stackhouse novels? I'm not sure which is less exciting. I'm sorry but this series doesn't hold a candle to New Moon. Nope. nope. Nope. Edward vs. Taylor rocks my world. I mean definitely entertaining but ehh. If you haven't seen Twilight I'd do that first.

The Proposal

Pretty funny for a romantic comedy. Betty White rocks my world. Once you get past the fact that Sandra B is about 20 years older than Ryan it's pretty enjoyable. 

Paper Heart

So adorable there are no words. Charlene Yi is the cutest little pumpkin ever. She's so loveable I want to marry her myself. 

If you are in need of a good book to read, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo is where it's at!

Suspenseful, wonderful writing, intriguing and just awesome! It's a murder mystery wrapped up with a financial scandal about an elitist family and an idealist reporter.

It is a little disturbing…well, a lot disturbing but if you can get past that it's a great story with no gaps.

We also went to see the movie (which is in Swedish). I know, how cultured are we with the foreign films with subtitles? It was great to see these characters come to life that you imagine for all these weeks as you read a book but as usual the movie just did not measure up to the book, but you know, it never does.

One interesting tidbit we learned was that the book (pre-translation) was called (in Swedish) Men Who Hate Women. Naturally they changed this title before making the book over in English. Oprah def was not going to reck a book with that title. 

I'd def recommend the book but you'll see why you'd want to see the movie after. It's just an awesome thriller. I definitely stayed up way past my bedtime a few nights. It's also seriously scary though, I read it one night when Ross (fiance) was away and I was so scared I had to keep a light on when I fell asleep!

This is It!  makes you want to get up and move your body. It’s such a bittersweet and inspirational behind-the-scenes glimpse into Michael’s on-stage persona. Michael may be 20 pounds skinnier and don Ray Bans while he dances but he  is just as talented as the last time you saw him perform. I was expecting a slower, fragile Michael but he is just as quick as his 20-something back-up dancers. His agility is amazing, he hardly seems fifty. The footage is mostly dress rehearsals but it’s so heartwarming watching his dancers (who were the only other people there) watching him in awe. It’s so obvious how Michael thrives off of their energy and joy from watching him perform.  I would absolutely see this movie in IMAX too. Seeing it on the big-screen made it that much better. Plus they showed the videos that had been filmed for interludes for the concert, which included new footage for Thriller, short films and more. It’s a must see in my opinion if you love Michael Jackson!

For mine and sissy’s last night in the apartment together we thought we’d sit back, order chinese and take in Lindsay Lohan’s latest made for TV movie. I mean, we weren’t expecting Oscar contender but it was pretty bad even given the low expectations we had for it. It definitely wasn’t the bundle of joy we had hoped for. The odd thing is, US weekly, obvs the Bible, gave it 2.5 stars. I was kind of shocked…it probably deserved 1. I mean, it had its moments where I laughed but I def would NOT watch this again, and given my love of stupid romantic comedies and of Lindsay Lohan, that’s saying something.

MORE THAN MEETS THE EYE…

Last night I was lucky enough to be able to see a Prescreening of Transformers 2: Revenge of the Fallen. I must say, I was happily surprised. Initially, I was thinking, 2 1/2 hour movie, I’m going to be starving and bored by the time I get to go to dinner. The thought of being a prisoner in the center of the row in an IMAX theater after downing a huge bottle of water didn’t leave me too optimistic…but as I said, I was WOW-ed!

First of all, has everyone gone to an IMAX movie recently? I hadn’t in a while until BF lived right by the theater. Yes, they’re a little expensive (our theater is $19 instead of $13) but it’s like an event. Like a real show. I really felt like I did something fun afterwards.

The movie itself was wildly entertaining. I mean who would think I could be entertained by 2.5 hours of fighting digital robots…but alas…I was. The movie was humorous and adorable. I found myself laughing at dorky robot humor and very attached to the characters, even the metal ones. Megan Fox looked hot, especially on the IMAX screen (her boobs were enormo!) I’m telling you, ladies, you’ll even be happy at this fabu summer blockbuster.

Seriously, if you’re down for a good fun movie with an eternal battle of good vs. evil you’ll enjoy yourself. I’m not saying it’s Oscar-worthy but, we don’t usually like the Oscar winners (I mean when did good movies become equated with depression, dysfunction and despair. Can one movie be nominated that’s just good clean fun? Cue Leave it to Beaver music…)

To be fair it did get a teeeeny bit long but I was smiling the entire time. Who knew Autobots could be so funny? We liked Bumble Bee the Best! Who is your favorite?

BTW how smoking hot is Megan Fox!?

One shall stand and one shall fall. Go see it! Let us know what you think!

PS Get your tix soon to IMAX, they’re selling out everywhere, the CEO spoke last night and said that many theaters were sold out for the entire weekend already. When we left there was a line that went through the entire theater down 3 flights of stairs. Damn I had no idea people loved Transformers that much.

Thanks Celebrity-Gossip.Net for the pic!