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Chris Sawin (602 KP) rated Lars and the Real Girl (2007) in Movies
Jun 18, 2019
Writer Nancy Oliver (Six Feet Under, True Blood) wrote the script for Lars and the Real Girl in 2002 after stumbling onto the website RealDoll.com. Directed by Craig Gillespie (the 2011 Fright Night remake, I, Tonya), Lars and the Real Girl is a much more tender and thoughtful comedic drama than you may be expecting. Ryan Gosling portrays Lars Lindstrom; a socially awkward yet decent guy. His brother, Gus (Paul Schneider, The Flowers of War), and his wife, Karen (Emily Mortimer, Transsiberian), worry about him since he spends so much time alone.
Lars not only has a shy and stand-offish demeanor he also tends to avoid people and social interactions altogether. If a woman happens to speak to him, Lars is incapable of responding. Physical contact from anyone seems to physically hurt Lars, but that doesn’t stop his friends and family from encouraging him to get a girlfriend. One fateful day, Lars is shown a peculiar website by a co-worker that sells love dolls. Although Lars is reluctant at first, he eventually warms up to the idea of a love doll as his companion. Bianca soon becomes an especially important part of Lars’ life and her presence not only changes Lars, but the town that he lives in for the better.
It took nearly a year to finally see Lars and the Real Girl after its theatrical release; a statistic that seems like a luxury ten years later when seeing and promoting new releases seems to lose steam after its opening weekend. The concept for Lars and the Real Girl is a strange one. A sex doll tagging along with an extreme introvert doesn’t sound all that appealing at first, but Lars is easy to understand as a character especially if you’re an introvert yourself or have had trouble with the opposite sex at some point in your life. Dating was always this massive hurdle that only seemed to expand and grow with each failed first date or cancellation. With those experiences and that mentality where you find yourself retreating into your own constructed sanctuary, Lars is strangely easy to relate to.
It’s not that Ryan Gosling hasn’t been a part of big budget films, but Lars and the Real Girl was released at a time in his career when he was catering more towards the independent side of things. This is pre-Drive yet post-Notebook Ryan Gosling here; films like Half Nelson and Blue Valentine solidified how talented Gosling is as an actor without all the bells and whistles of a huge cast or blockbuster film. Lars and the Real Girl is the film that made a lot of people realize that Gosling was more than a teenage heartthrob and former Mouseketeer.
Gosling fits the Lars Lindstrom role perfectly as he’s capable of portraying quirks that are as awkward as they are charming. How he’s able to talk to a doll for over an hour and not only make it believable, but also entertaining is incredibly impressive. Part of that is attributed to Bianca being treated like an actual person with her own trailer, getting dressed in private, and only being on set when she was in the scene, but Gosling also contributed quite a bit as well. Gosling improvised the CPR on Margo’s teddy bear sequence and the scene before he and Bianca enter the party.
The film fits that independent film mold a bit too well as it has humor that’s funny but not laugh out loud funny and is dramatic and heartfelt enough to make you invested in something you likely never would without the context of the film. The film shares elements from films like Her, The Perks of Being a Wallflower, and Lost in Translation; that sensation of being lost in what is considered to be normal society but finding something unorthodox that makes you belong and feel comfortable and whole. There’s this overwhelming sense of charm and sentimentality that can only be found in films like this.
Lars and the Real Girl is a comedic drama that relies on awkward situations or even one rare occurrence that triggers unusual peculiarities as it focuses on people’s reactions to these situations that occur. It’s worth seeing if you’ve ever felt like an outcast and to witness Lars’ odd behavior and the snowball effect that it causes. Introverts will likely enjoy it more than the average film lover, but Lars and the Real Girl takes something that seems taboo on the surface and molds it into this genuine motion picture experience that is strangely beautiful.
Lars and the Real Girl is currently available to stream on Amazon Prime, YouTube, Google Play, and Vudu for $2.99 and iTunes for $3.99. It’s also available to stream for free on Amazon Prime if you have Starz with Prime Video channels. The DVD is $8.51 and the Multi-Format Blu-ray is $7.68 on Amazon. On eBay, the DVD is $7.98 and the Blu-ray is $7.95 (or best offer) while both are in brand new condition and both have free shipping.
Lars not only has a shy and stand-offish demeanor he also tends to avoid people and social interactions altogether. If a woman happens to speak to him, Lars is incapable of responding. Physical contact from anyone seems to physically hurt Lars, but that doesn’t stop his friends and family from encouraging him to get a girlfriend. One fateful day, Lars is shown a peculiar website by a co-worker that sells love dolls. Although Lars is reluctant at first, he eventually warms up to the idea of a love doll as his companion. Bianca soon becomes an especially important part of Lars’ life and her presence not only changes Lars, but the town that he lives in for the better.
It took nearly a year to finally see Lars and the Real Girl after its theatrical release; a statistic that seems like a luxury ten years later when seeing and promoting new releases seems to lose steam after its opening weekend. The concept for Lars and the Real Girl is a strange one. A sex doll tagging along with an extreme introvert doesn’t sound all that appealing at first, but Lars is easy to understand as a character especially if you’re an introvert yourself or have had trouble with the opposite sex at some point in your life. Dating was always this massive hurdle that only seemed to expand and grow with each failed first date or cancellation. With those experiences and that mentality where you find yourself retreating into your own constructed sanctuary, Lars is strangely easy to relate to.
It’s not that Ryan Gosling hasn’t been a part of big budget films, but Lars and the Real Girl was released at a time in his career when he was catering more towards the independent side of things. This is pre-Drive yet post-Notebook Ryan Gosling here; films like Half Nelson and Blue Valentine solidified how talented Gosling is as an actor without all the bells and whistles of a huge cast or blockbuster film. Lars and the Real Girl is the film that made a lot of people realize that Gosling was more than a teenage heartthrob and former Mouseketeer.
Gosling fits the Lars Lindstrom role perfectly as he’s capable of portraying quirks that are as awkward as they are charming. How he’s able to talk to a doll for over an hour and not only make it believable, but also entertaining is incredibly impressive. Part of that is attributed to Bianca being treated like an actual person with her own trailer, getting dressed in private, and only being on set when she was in the scene, but Gosling also contributed quite a bit as well. Gosling improvised the CPR on Margo’s teddy bear sequence and the scene before he and Bianca enter the party.
The film fits that independent film mold a bit too well as it has humor that’s funny but not laugh out loud funny and is dramatic and heartfelt enough to make you invested in something you likely never would without the context of the film. The film shares elements from films like Her, The Perks of Being a Wallflower, and Lost in Translation; that sensation of being lost in what is considered to be normal society but finding something unorthodox that makes you belong and feel comfortable and whole. There’s this overwhelming sense of charm and sentimentality that can only be found in films like this.
Lars and the Real Girl is a comedic drama that relies on awkward situations or even one rare occurrence that triggers unusual peculiarities as it focuses on people’s reactions to these situations that occur. It’s worth seeing if you’ve ever felt like an outcast and to witness Lars’ odd behavior and the snowball effect that it causes. Introverts will likely enjoy it more than the average film lover, but Lars and the Real Girl takes something that seems taboo on the surface and molds it into this genuine motion picture experience that is strangely beautiful.
Lars and the Real Girl is currently available to stream on Amazon Prime, YouTube, Google Play, and Vudu for $2.99 and iTunes for $3.99. It’s also available to stream for free on Amazon Prime if you have Starz with Prime Video channels. The DVD is $8.51 and the Multi-Format Blu-ray is $7.68 on Amazon. On eBay, the DVD is $7.98 and the Blu-ray is $7.95 (or best offer) while both are in brand new condition and both have free shipping.
Suswatibasu (1703 KP) rated Naïve. Super in Books
Aug 27, 2017
Can't empathise with main character, seems a bit pointless
This is one of those random quirky Scandinavian books that leaves you scratching your head, asking what was the real point of it. The book called "Super naive" pretty much sums up the main character, a 25-year-old university dropout who is contemplating the meaning of life. He seems to have some difficulty grasping his existence and time, coping by playing ball and using a hammering toy to stay calm. I felt his sense of privilege made him slightly irritating, jetsetting, buying cars on a whim - you can't really sympathise with his plight, he just seems like a layabout. But I think he had some underlying mental health issue that was never explored. There could be a translation issue causing it to lose its original tone.
Sue Beynon (7 KP) rated The Favourite (2018) in Movies
May 9, 2019
What was that about?
Contains spoilers, click to show
After my nagging my husband to take me to see this, I was disappointed with both the fanciful plot and the completely mystifying ending - the film just appeared to stop for no good reason, and everyone in the theatre where we were watching this went "Eh?" or "What??!" as one man/woman, because they couldn't understand it either. There were a few amusing scenes but overall, I was expecting so much and was left just feeling confused.
I will probably have to go and get the book it is based on to make any sense of it, from what I have looked at it wasn't really historically accurate in any way, other than the characters existing in real life.
I will probably have to go and get the book it is based on to make any sense of it, from what I have looked at it wasn't really historically accurate in any way, other than the characters existing in real life.
Dana (24 KP) rated Border Bandits: Hollywood on the Southern Frontier in Books
Mar 23, 2018
This book primarily focused on films set on the border of California and Mexico, specifically in Los Angeles and San Diego. Again, it was interesting to see how films document or change real life in their creations. Immigrants who want to get into the industry are often type casted and not given many opportunities to do much else. Some of the films discussed touched on that subject. This book focused less on the crossing of borders than what happens after. Fojas wanted to inform her readers about the struggles immigrants continuously have to deal with even after they get across the border. The chapter that was most interesting to me would have to be chapter four because it made me think more about how films mirror the issues going on today more than I had expected.
Hugh Jackman singing. (2 more)
Amazing circus acts.
Super catchy songs!
Barnum long before Bailey.
I honestly wish that I would have paid the money to see this film in the theaters. Some of the scenes were larger than life and deserved to be viewed that way. The cinematography was amazing. The storyline had a few glitches here and there, only somewhat following the real history of PT Barnum. I found myself singing along with songs that I couldn't even tell you how I already knew the words to. I wanted to watch it again the minute I'd finished it and that hasn't really happened to me in a long time. I fully recommend watching this. Even if you aren't typically a fan of musicals or circuses, you're likely to find something about this film that pulls at your heart strings.
Cumberland (1142 KP) rated Bohemian Rhapsody (2018) in Movies
Nov 6, 2018
Like but not Love
I liked this movie, but I didn't love it. Queen was before my time, so I really didn't know much about the band. The story was interesting, and I loved the attitudes of the wannabe rock stars. I think the only true downside for me was that it took Freddie way to long to realize he was being a jerk. I realize that is probably at least somewhat how things happened in real life, but it's still frustrating to watch.
My favorite part was realizing how many songs I knew throughout the movie. Going into I thought the only one I knew was we will rock you. It turns out I know most their songs. I feel like that is really a testament to how well their music has continued to stay popular over the years.
My favorite part was realizing how many songs I knew throughout the movie. Going into I thought the only one I knew was we will rock you. It turns out I know most their songs. I feel like that is really a testament to how well their music has continued to stay popular over the years.
Matthew Krueger (10051 KP) rated Wes Craven's New Nightmare (1994) in Movies
Jun 19, 2019
A movie that horror fans should watch
Contains spoilers, click to show
Wes craven's: new nightmare takes a different approach in the nightmare of elm street franchise. After freedy's dead bombed, but grossed money and killed Freddy. Wes craven came back with a new take. What if reality and fiction came togther? What if fiction happened in reality? What if Freddy hunts the actors and the director of a nightmare on elm street? What if reality and fiction collided? New nightmare is 2 hours long but its a perfect length of time to tell a story that horror fans should watch. Wes toke elements from real life and put them in the movie. Like heathers stalker, heathers husband and kid, wes craven's nightmares, earthquakes and more. This one to me is the best one in the franchise. I think horror fans should watch this film.
Lee KM Pallatina (951 KP) rated The Wrestler (2008) in Movies
Jun 22, 2019
The show must go on...
This wonderful tale tells the story of Randy "The Ram" Robinson (Mickey Rourke) who was once one of the biggest names in the industry who now struggles with daily life but is still ready and rarin' to go on the pro-wrestling circuit. After a brutal beating, Randy hangs up his tights, pursues a relationship with a stripper (Marisa Tomei), and tries to reconnect with his daughter (Evan Rachel Wood). But with that fire still burning within, prepares for comeback....
This gritty look at the reality of wrestlers from the past is a real eye opener, hearing and reading about their struggles after years of entertaining millions to be tossed aside when they can no longer commit to the performance is a humble experience and inspiration.
Some solid acting, good casting genuine tone.
This gritty look at the reality of wrestlers from the past is a real eye opener, hearing and reading about their struggles after years of entertaining millions to be tossed aside when they can no longer commit to the performance is a humble experience and inspiration.
Some solid acting, good casting genuine tone.
ClareR (5996 KP) rated The Cruel Prince in Books
Jan 16, 2019
The second book is lined up and ready to go!
I really enjoyed this, contrary to a lot of reviews I've read. Perhaps it's because it was so hyped in the lead up to it being published, and I left it a year before I read it? I don't know: perhaps I'm easy to please? Stick in some fairies, magic and a bit of danger, and I'm happy. Entertain me, help me to escape from real life - we've all wanted to be a fairy or elf haven't we? Well, maybe that's just me then...
Anyway, I loved this story of human sisters abducted after their parents were murdered, and brought up in Faerie by the murderer. Lots of intrigue, fairy Princes, Kings and spies. And the ending was pretty unexpected too. I'm looking forward to reading the next in the series!
Anyway, I loved this story of human sisters abducted after their parents were murdered, and brought up in Faerie by the murderer. Lots of intrigue, fairy Princes, Kings and spies. And the ending was pretty unexpected too. I'm looking forward to reading the next in the series!
Lenard (726 KP) rated Richard Jewell (2019) in Movies
Jan 6, 2020
Richard Jewell is a mixed bag of timeliness and a victim of the country's short-time memory. It was 23 years ago that a security guard in Olympic Park at the Atlanta Olympics discovered a bomb. Hailed as a national hero until he became the prime suspect, Richard Jewell's simple world was torn asunder. Sam Rockwell and Kathy Bates give great performances as Richard's friend/lawyer who tried his best to keep Richard from constantly signing his death confession and Richard's mother respectively. (Imagine if the two had played the other's role!) Richard fought every day to protest his innocence against the two most powerful forces in the world, the American government and the American press. Eventually, the real culprit was found, but not before a man's life was nearly destroyed in pursuit for being "right."