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This movie is GOING TO RULE.

CANNOT WAIT.

As someone who's not ashamed to admit that I loved the book, the trailer was a profound disappointment.
Wahlberg's 1970s 'do is inordinately distracting, as is the egregiously miscast Michael Imperiolo's Durante schnoz and all
of the inappropriate associations he carries with him to every post-"Sopranos" role. Weisz is the only one who really seems "right," here.
Even Sarandon seems to be playing up the (minor) comic elements of her granny role a tad much. Also don't like the way the trailer is cut to emphasize the "thriller" aspects of the plot which are ultimately secondary to....well, I guess you have to read the book. Everything about it--excepting Weisz--just seems tonally wrong.
Yeah, it looks "pretty," but my first impression is that Jackson
may have really blown it. Damn, damn, damn.
I really hope I'm wrong.

AWESOME: Wahlberg, Wahlberg's wig, Rachel Weisz, Saoirse Ronan, and (usually) Jackson.

Verdict: GOOD MOVIE.

Had I just been going by the trailer, the movie would have resembled a prestige-pic version of The Invisible. Even the afterlife stuff only reminds me how good What Dreams May Come was (I never got how such a sad, dark fable got tagged as 'Robin Williams feel-good syrup'). I'm sure the book is more interesting, and I have faith in Peter Jackson (I still love King Kong), but the trailer by itself looks shockingly run of the mill. That 'Rear Window-ish' final chunk of the trailer... blech. If you've read the book, please reassure me that there is more to offer.

Why do you like this, Lex? Does not compute. Dreary earthtone Seventies, no oiled midriffs or hot cars, sad story.

Is it because it's overdone and in-your-face and completely lacking in subtlety?

The Lovely BONER!

Amanda Michalka is CHARMING.

I have to say I was pretty riveted by the PJ visions of the afterlife but, yeah, I was quickly reminded how lame and trite I found that book. Sorry, Movieman.

There was also some pretty painfully lame dialogue in that trailer. I'm not sure PJ and his team are the greaters writers when they don't have Tolkien to guide them.

Lex you're all wrong. Again. Actually everyone is.

It's the sister Rose McIvor who steals the film. Charming? You have no idea. Everyone will all come back to check this post when she is a major star.

Tonal issues have always plagued Jackson.

Some say the best work in Heavenly Creatures is really the work of all the women who surrounded him on that production. The worst of it.. the clay world stuff .. is the boy in Jackson. Unfortunately in Heavenly it was an imaginary world which no girl on earth could ever envisage. Giant butterflies yes. Claymation? Not so much. Still a fantastic film and I think the dialogue is excellent so not so sure what Slickshoes is talking about.

Sebold was consulted every step of the way so the films narrative is pretty true to the material, though visually it's Jackson all the way boys.

Looks pretty impressive to me. The visuals look beautiful yet kinda weird and crazy. Tucci looks creepy as hell, especially the scene where he's chasing the sister w/ the "Rage cam" on his face. Freaky!

Ronan seems pretty perfect for the role. I was a little worried about a teen-girl voiceover sounding corny or cheesy...but Ronan really nails it.

Yea..there's a lot of stuff going on in the trailer but if Jackson can make it all work...then this could be special i think.

so JBD, when and where exactly did you see the finished movie?

She's magic. She sees movie whenever she wants to see movies. MAGIC, I TELLS YA! FIGURATIVELY! That aside, it's a nice trailer, but it's nothing new. It comes across as a mix of Stir of Echoes and What Dreams May Come. Seeing how people look back on those films. I can see the Lovely Bones making a respectful 100m, then going where films like it go... The USA Network after Burn Notice on Mondays.

I am curious: How many people who have commented so far are parents?

I REPEAT:

This movie is GOING TO RULE ALL and will be a MASTERPIECE.

Though it would especially awesome if WAHLBERG just stood the fuck up to Imperioli and Tucci and made them FEEL THE VIBE:

(Trust me, it's awesome:)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yCAhajtpYZs&feature=related

Oh, and skinny PJ just bugs me somehow. He looks...wrong.

(Wasn't there some portly actor who slimmed down, couldn't get hired and gained back the weight? Durning, perhaps?)

PJ needs to get back up to wrestling weight. He's a wraith.

I have one kid, Joe.

I have no children. Am curious about this movie, but that's all I did read the book, which I liked up until a certain...part. Looks gorgeous, but I'll see what's up as we get closer. I'm not surprised they're changing it to more of a suspense sell. If it stays close to the book, it'll be one damn depressing movie.

Scott, I linked to your Funny People review on my new website: http://theregimen.wordpress.com your thoughts on the film are literally identical to mine.

May I ask what brings about the inquiry about parents, Joe? Just curious. And thanks for the kind words Hopscotch. I'm leaving a comment on your new site as we speak (on a different post, explaining just why Jim Webb is awesome).

Thanks Scott, and yes, Jim Webb is the man, no disputin that.

Frank, I'm sure Peter himself is more than fine not being a big giant fat guy and I'm sure his wife would agree too.

Saoirse Ronan is gonna be perfect in this role...
She's a born actress with a great screen presence,
and so right for this role....
Oscars await this movie!!!!!

I'm sure he's a lot healthier. But I just can't get used to it.

He actually looks like Derek again. So it's call to have BAD TASTE PJ back in the game.

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