| Posted by Bel | The time is 9.09am here in Wellington NZ |

A film that changed your opinion about something

The Notebook has already been mentioned and debated on this blog - more than once. For many, this film sealed Ryan Gosling in their hearts, if he wasn't there perpetually thanks to his youthful performances on The Mickey Mouse Club.

But not me. I didn't really get it about him. His eyes are a bit close together. He's on the pasty side. His big romantic gesture is taking a lifetime to build a house that no one lives in, or something.

But Half Nelson changed all that.

Here he plays a charming and engaging primary school teacher who has a drug problem. Or, if you like, he plays a waster junkie who works as a teacher.

The duplicity of the character and the way the film also delves into issues of race, education and ambition is captivating. I was unsure why a rom-com star had been cast in a film which dared to present such complex issues - and then I discovered that Ryan Gosling was an actor who will take on a role and truly sink his teeth into it.

Half Nelson is a highly recommended watch. You can also see Ryan Gosling acting his chops off in Blue Valentine if you want further proof, but that film is fairly torturous if you have ever been in a relationship of any kind ever, so it does not come with the Bel-says-check-it-out-now seal of approval.

Posted by Lou. The time is 11.24am here in London, UK.

[clickable title, for those wondering what the fuck these pics are]

Posted by Bel. The time is 9:50pm here in Wellington, NZ.

The official trailer for The Lovely Bones is up. You can go view it over on apple.com (click here for direct link) in either small, medium or whoops there goes our GBs for the month.

I'll wait here while you go check it out.

...

Ok what did you think?

Apparently the release was quite a big deal in the States, with Entertainment Tonight doing a screening of a trailer of the trailer. This however resulted in much online mockery, rather than exultant hype, including some speculation on just how awful Mark Wahlburg's wig is going to look.

For me, it was a narrative heavy trailer, blatantly laying out the storyline as opposed to creating a sense of atmosphere. Peter Jackson has been quoted as saying the optimism of the novel drew him to the project, but there are some pretty cliched horror shots in there. It will be interesting to see how this balances out - but I think many people have forgotten how brilliant a film Heavenly Creatures is, and I hope this will be the same kind of mix.

At least we know it won't be as bad as - you know - that other upcoming film. The other adaptation of which we have vowed to never speak. *wipes away a tear*

PS Here is some speculation on why Ryan Gosling was booted off The Lovely Bones back in the early days.

PPS I can't believe I'm the first to put a Ryan Gosling tag in here.