HALF NELSON

I dug it. I'd give it 5 out of 5 stars.  Ryan Gosling is one extremely talented actor, who absolutely deserved the 2006 oscar nomination he received for this amazing role. Ryan was also wonderful in LARS AND THE REAL GIRL. I don't know how HALF NELSON (directed and co-written by the talented Ryan Fleck) ended up in my Netflix cue, but I'm happy it did! What I loved most about this film was it's seamless feeling of being contemporary and yet classic at the same time!  It definitely felt like a modern piece with the faux documentary, hand-held-camera feel, and yet parts of the film felt like they could have been right of out the 70's.  There was a wonderful juxtaposition that kept happening with the two main characters which were skillfully crafted by little montages.  I also loved the interspersing of the kid's speeches in the classroom.  It was profound. Something about this reminded me a bit of the film GEORGE WASHINGTON, although it's completely different.  I was riveted and captivated by every moment of this film.