Far better than Swedish version
938757
There is no comparison between this one and the Swedish one. This version is much better. Chloe does a brilliant job here.
1049120
It may be an english version of `Uskon Puolesta', BUT it is more heavy metal than the orginal and most of us Americans don't speak Finnish! I own Pkallonpaikka as well as English versions The Jesus Metal Explosion and The Battle of God. I will buy them all, because I love the band, but the later English stuff is more rockin! I am quickly moving up Time of Silence (Eksynyt-Lost) to my fav repalcing The Jesus Metal Explosion (which I also love). Not to mention, the lyrics are different in the English version of theis song.
438585
Steven Zaillian wrote a superb screenplay and David Fincher did a great job of directing this improvement over the original English dubbed, Swedish film adaptation of the TV series.  Unlike the Swedish film, this was much easier to watch and understand as the story followed the book more closley and was allowed to flow more effortlessly. Daniel Criag looked comfortable and credible as Mikael Blomkvist and Rooney Mara gave a powerful and moving interpretation of Lisbeth Salander. Rooney had big shoes to fill after the incredible performance by Noomi Rapace in the Swedish version of this movie, but she certainly proved herself to be up to the task.  I have this uncomfortable feeling, after watching the Swedish film, that Noomi Rapace is, in fact, Lisbeth Salander.

If you love this story, and the book, as much as I do, you owe it to yourself to see both of the movie interpretations.  They are very different and show the characters differently, so boredom is not a likely consequence.  I loved both films, but, all in all, the David Fincher film was my favorite.
4130770
Great read.  Very suspenseful.  Recommend watching the Swedish version (English dubbed) after reading the book.
3241085
really good --i could even compare it with wallander. it amuses me how the nordic writers go on all the time about the snow and cold weather, maybe the english writers do the same about the rain
4398128
After reading some of the reviews I contacted Amazon to ask them to source the correct edition of this book rather than the defective one. They were most obliging and have sorted the problem. So I am now the happy owner of the correct edition. It's a shame Rick seems to ignore a lot of Southern Sweden but I guess there is only so much you can fit in a book trying to encompass all of Scandinavia.
1951327
I lived in Sweden for a couple of years as a child, and this movie was a nice return there, to see what life might have been like for me in an alternate universe if I had grown up there. I enjoyed just hearing the language and watching the Midsommar celebrations that were all too fleetingly part of my life. My extended family spent there summers on an island much like this one, and I did for a brief time as well. There was a nice feeling seeing this movie that not much has changed in Sweden's way of life. Summer is definitely the best season in Sweden. Although, Christmas is quite nice, as well (but the winters are dark).
3019257
I found this in the foreign language section in its original Swedish.  Then I needed it in English to help me learn Swedish better.  but it's turning out to be extremely compelling.
58358
There is a book on Swedish film in the 1st half of the 20th century which has a title which could be translated as "The Outward Journey and the Homeward Journey" (see Ingmar Bergman's _Wild Strawberries_ for a prime example of the latter).  This film begins with a homeward journey, but gradually shows a whole range of characters gradually turning outward from the egocentric shells, while fulfilling the Gospel admonition that "you must become like little children," which I think would be a great alternative title.  The ability of the pastor's wife to express pent-up rage in a perfectly convincing manner while one of the other choir members portrays repressed jealousy with quiet glares are both outstanding, if polar opposites, and we should not think the men are bad actors for their coldness -- they're just acting as Swedish men are usually stereotyped.  The singing voice of the "abused wife" character is also beyond wonderful.

I also was happy to see a portait of the realities of life in rural Sweden which showed how very much like life in small town America it is.

I need to add a disclaimer that I am reasonably conversant in Swedish, and so I'm not sure whether those who are dependent on the subtitles will get as much out of it.
3825537
This is the Swedish epic that tells part of the story of Arn, who helped to forge Sweden into a real nation. In Sweden this was two films that ran to over 250 minutes. Here they have been melded down to 130 minutes. So I have some sympathy for the negative reviews that have called this a mish, mash etc. However, it is still a ruddy good effort.

Arn is schooled in a monastery as a way of thanking God for saving his life after an illness (not uncommon practice). He leans more towards archery and sword play than Bible study and so his path to serving God as a soldier is pretty much mapped out. He falls for the daughter of a rival clan and as punishment she gets sent to a nunnery and he has to go off to the Holy Land and serve with the Knights Templar. This is not the story of the Crusades but does deal with it in part, but not very well for historical purists, but the real story here is the love story between Arn and Cecilia, and I felt that there was chemistry and thoroughly enjoyed it. The acting is all pretty much on the money and the cinematography is excellent. And it is epic in the cast and also battle scenes, though I have seen better, but that is a small point. Joakim Natterqvist and Sofia Helin are both excellent and Simon Callow is there for us Brits. Whilst there is the usual 'poetic licence' taken with the plot, this just adds to the narrative and helps sweep yopu and the plot along.

There have been complaints about the language and I see that might be a problem for some, it is mainly English, but with dialogue in Swedish, Arabic and Latin; I found the subtitles very good and in no way detracted from my enjoyment. However both the Amazon description and the DVD box do not mention the foreign language which has upset a few people. As I said I did not find this a problem and think this is a must for fans of foreign cinema especially if you like a great big dollop of historical action.
2968605
This tiny amplifier sounds a little brighter (in the treble) and softer (in the bass) than the original Asgard. But it is more vivid and dynamic.
It sounds very alike to the original big brother Mjolnir excepting smaller soundstage and less extended low-bass.
Right now I don't know if paying $600 more for the Mjolnir was a rationality. :(
Good job Schiit!
4596940
my cousin brought  me  vanilla  sugar  from Sweden  so I am rating it  according with their vanilla  sugar.
the  Swedish sugar  was  more  flavorful.  More  of the  vanilla  taste.
700304
A strange thing I noticed in Singapore is that there are many "greatest hits" bands here. Certainly, all of the one hit wonders of the 80s are represented there - Spandau Ballet, A Flock of Seagulls, Alphaville - but so are mega-groups like the Beatles or the Eagles and the Police and whatever. Try to find their albums if you dare, but if you want a greatest hits package you have half a dozen to pick from. ABBA is the same thing, so that's why I was quite happy to finally get a true ABBA release, not just in its regular version, but in a deluxe version with unreleased songs and a bonus DVD.

Ever since seeing Bjorn Again recently, my interest in ABBA has picked up somewhat, and I wondered what it would be like to hear ABBA songs that aren't among the 20-30 songs regularly regurgitated in greatest hits packages, or the Mama Mia song track, or even on the Bjorn Again set list. And yes, it was eerie hearing songs that sound like "Dancing Queen" and "Voulez Vous," but have titles like "When I Kissed the Teacher" (my son gets a kick out of those lyrics), "My Love, My Life," and "Dum Dum Diddle." Bonus songs like Spanish versions of "Dancing Queen," "Knowing Me, Knowing You," and "Fernando are good fun, so is the Swedish version of "Fernando" from Frida's solo album.  Apparently the lyrics are not about a partisan but just a regular old love song (but I just have to take the liner notes' word for it since I'll probably never learn Swedish).

The accompanying DVD is fantastic, with all sorts of yummy bits in it, like the ultra-crappy animated version of "Happy Hawaii," which is a slowed-down version of "Why Did It Have To Be Me."  There's a scary version of Fernando and Dancing Queen, then some good scenes in the stdio during the recording of "Dancing QUeen.  The highlight of the DVD is "ABBA-Dabba-Dooo!!!" TV special from Swedish TV (subtitled as there's very little English) that talks about ABBA's difficulty in getting appreciation from local fans.  Apparently the haughty, intellectual Swedes found their biggest cultural export to be pap, at least in those days.
4281443
Knowing how to say "hi" and "thank you" is a simple courtesy when visiting another country. This CD will give you that in 20 minutes.

Beyond that, you probably won't need much Swedish. Within the major tourist districts, English is a mandatory job skill for those working there.

I was surprised at the ubiquity of English in Scandinavia. Any working-class Swede in a small-town train station can give you directions in good English. Only immigrants to Sweden have any trouble conversing in English, and that includes some of the taxi drivers.

For those situations, you probably want an actual phrasebook. The small reference guide that comes with the CD is not sufficient (nor intended) for those situations.

"iPod compatible" means you can import the CD through iTunes and sync the tracks to your device, like ripping any music CD, if you're comfortable with that process. The CD does not contain MP3s.
3285620
My perspective is that I have read and enjoyed the Millennium series books, and I also know a bit of Swedish.  Therefore, I know the storyline and very much like to watch Swedish movies with subtitles to practice and learn more of the language.  If you find subtitled movies a chore to watch, then I would skip this and watch the dubbed version - although I have not seen that version and can't comment on it.

Overall, the story stayed pretty close to the book - of course many details from the book were left out, but what made it into the move was largely unchanged.  There were some minor differences in order to make the movie flow - and only one change that I was really disappointed to see near the end.  I won't spoil it for you.

Not sure what else to say - the HD quality is very good and the subtitles seemed to be a pretty good translation although I am no expert.  If you are offended by language or themes of sexual nature, then I'd skip this movie.
4953681
I've been doing genealogy for several years but have hesitated trying to research my grandfather's Swedish family history. It's hard enough researching in the U.S. but the Swedish language is so different, it's so far away, and handwriting is doubly tough not recognizing the parts of words. This book is the best I've seen at trying to help you work through all of the issues you will have. The book explains where to look for all of the Swedish records (they kept great records). It explains the child naming traditions that were in effect until the 20th century. It explains the Swedish alphabet. The book explains why people left Sweden in the first place. And it takes you through an example of tracking down the history of a specific Swedish family. The book even prepares you for a trip to Sweden if that's your plan. It has a list of the most common words you'll find while researching and their translation. Most all of the records I've been looking at so far are handwritten Swedish and in photocopy form, not indexed but this book does a good job helping you work through the problems. A great book!.
3023330
I actually adore this keyboard, but I was sent a Swedish keyboard when I ordered a German one!! This is not a huge issue for me as I can touch-type, but for special characters it's a pain in the neck. Europe  one interchangeable country.! The German keyboard differs for , , ^, , ,, @, , . , , , , #, , ... just to name a few. Very frustrating.