Break in the Bend: On-campus movies

If you're looking for an action-packed adventure with dynamic characters, intense plot and violence then stop by DeBartolo Performing Arts Center on Fall Break to see "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" and its sequel, "The Girl who Played with Fire." The Los Angeles Times called "Dragon Tattoo" a "mind-bending and mesmerizing thriller that takes its time unlocking one mystery only to uncover another, all to chilling and immensely satisfying effect."

The two movies are adapted from Swedish journalist Stieg Larsson's internationally best-selling "Millennium" trilogy. Larsson died at the age of 50 before his novels were published

The movies were originally filmed in Sweden and have English subtitles. The filming of an American version of "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" began recently in Sweden starring Daniel Craig ("James Bond") and Rooney Mara ("The Social Network").

In "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo," known as "Men Who Hate Women" in its original Swedish version, computer hacker Lisbeth Salander (played by Noomi Rapace) and journalist Mikael Blomkvist (played by Michael Nygvist) team up to solve a murder mystery.

Forty years ago, Harriet Vanger disappeared from the island her powerful family owns, and her uncle is convinced a family member murdered her. He employs Lisbeth and Mikael to investigate.

As they delve into Harriet's disappearance, they uncover a number of grotesque murders and reveal dark secrets about the Vanger family. The movie has an ample supply of violence, sex and gore, and it explores the themes of feminism and sexual violence against women.

"The Girl Who Played with Fire" is the next installment in Larsson's trilogy. Mikael, the journalist, is about to publish a story that will link many well-known Swedish society members to an extensive sex trafficking operation between Sweden and Eastern Europe. Lisbeth wants to get involved in Mikael's story because she is a rape victim, but she is unexpectedly accused of three murders.

As Lisbeth and Mikael separately try to clear her name, the first movie's themes of violence and sex become prevalent once again.

Highly dramatic and provocative, these movies are racy and fast-paced thrillers, and a good way to close the sleepy fall break if you're stuck on campus.

For more information about upcoming events at DeBartolo Performing Arts Center, including "Halloween Bugs," a tribute to classic Halloween-themed Warner Brothers and Looney Tunes cartoons, visit performingarts.nd.edu.