Watched: Mysterious Skin

I know these pictures are poor-ish quality, but such is life when you watch movies on Google video. Anyway, Mysterious Skin. I sort of remember this as one of the earliest breakaway performances for Joseph Gordon-Levitt, where he finally stopped being that kid from 3rd Rock from the Sun and started being the actor/entity JGL. And for good reason, since he gives a great performance here. He manages a balance of cavalier and wounded that really makes for an interesting character. The movie is kind of challenging to watch, even though they obviously take great pains to make sure the child actors aren't involved in anything sexual, the subject matter is still right there. It's in your face. You're watching an adult actor pretend to abuse these kids, and even with the distance that cinema and fiction give, it's uncomfortable to watch. Worthwhile, but definitely uncomfortable.

On a lighter note, Gail the Snail shows up! As one of those alien abduction nuts. And if you don't know who Gail the Snail is, you haven't watched enough It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia. You should probably stop reading immediately and go tend to that. Also, Elizabeth Shue. Always a welcome sight.

P.S. Is there anything worse than riding the F while feeling like shit?

P.P.S. Oh yeah, Michelle Trachtenblergh. She's in it too. She tries to do a Southern accent. It goes about as well as should be expected.