Ryan Gosling

This movie tries to be a bit of everything...heartwarming, funny, awkward, bitter, loving, sweet, dark, socially conscious...so much so that it completely loses any kind of focus and makes you cry in 30 minutes, then laugh, then want to wretch at why you cried at a particular scene 30 minutes ago because this movie sucks so much and wastes a talented cast on such nonsense. Other movies I'd recommend besides this, that cover some of the same ground, with much better results, include: The Savages; Girl Interrupted; Dummy; the Virgin Suicides; Went to Coney Island on a Mission from God. Heck, didn't they do this movie already in the 80's, and named it "Mannequin"? (there's even a sequel). Trust me, don't waste 2 previous hours of your life on this, even if you think (as I do) that Ryan Gosling is a deity of acting!

This is a 'multiple viewings' movie; having only seen it once, I am already wanting to see it again to pick up what I missed the first time around. Beautifully, artfully directed story about characters who don't seem to have a grip on what their own reality is. Kind of like Shyamalan, it's hard to describe much else, except to say that it's a stellar cast, riveting performances and mesmerizing to watch.

This is a very heart-warming story about Lars, a young man who is virtually unable to interact socially with other people until he buys a large sex doll online. But the sexual implications of this don't even seem to be on Lars' radar. He innocently brings his new girlfriend, "Bianca," to church with him. He talks to her and he hears her speaking to him. He tells others that Bianca used to be a missionary. He brings her to parties. He finds accommodations for her since "it just wouldn't be right for them to sleep under the same roof." The introduction of Bianca into the film was a little awkward, but that actually worked to bring me into the community's predicament of how to respond to Lars. At first, those around Lars desperately try to figure out what the heck to do with him, and with Bianca, the newest member of the community. The Midwest setting is perfect for this story. This movie would have been completely different if it were set in L.A.. This film leans very heavily on its setting, and only works, for me, because of its setting. For the complete review, visit: <a href="http://braidedthreads.blogspot.com/2008/07/lars-and-real-girl.html</a>!

Ryan Gosling gives yet another amazing performance in this complicated film about inner city youth, education, and drugs. Sounds trite and simple, but this movie is anything but. Think of films like 'Traffic' or 'Requiem for a Dream' meets 'Dead Poets Society' or 'Finding Forrester' (with a darker edge). Gosling and Epps have a great chemistry and its hard to take your eyes off the screen when they interact. Well worth multiple viewings.

While most people think of American History X with its plot about the modern neo-Nazi movement, this film is very different and maybe even more controversial and complex. Ryan Gosling (United States of Leland) is unbelievably good in this, his character's anger is so palpable it seems like he'll explode off the screen. An unforgettable story that examines heritage, hatred, guilt, and violence and its consequences.

great love story.