My hands are a little dirty.

It's been some time since I've seen something that I unabashedly enjoyed. Tonight, I was afforded the opportunity to catch the intriguingly-badass flick, Drive. Now, I generally like to wallow in a good movie for a few days, but I really want to let this one consume me. I'm trying to replay some of the nuances over in my head, but it all keeps coming back to one scene in particular. I won't ruin anything for you, but it takes place in an elevator and it's incredible. And for me, it sums up everything that is utterly brilliant in this ridiculously-awesome movie.

Best film with Drive in the title? It's not New Jersey Drive. Sorry, Heavy D.

Let's just get this out of the way: Ryan Gosling is the frickin' man. Say what you want about the film itself, but his performance in The Notebook was excellent (for the record, I thought the movie was great). The only other role I remember him in was the lead in Lars and the Real Girl , but he was solid there, too. Yes, I know he is Oscar-nominated, but none of that matters. This role cements his legendary status. The math is simple. Very little dialogue plus toothpick times awesome scorpion jacket minus any hesitation in absolutely destroying someone equals unrivaled awesomeness. You can't take your eyes off this guy. Amazing.

There's something else, too. The vibe of this movie is all-consuming. The music and the visuals create this picture of L.A that is very intense. I haven't felt the city this much since the first time I saw Collateral. I think the soundtrack in this movie could potentially polarize some, but I was enamored with it. I honestly don't know how to describe it.

This lady can't catch a break with the fellas.

What I can describe, is the sheer brutality of the violence. Some of it is seared into my brain forever. Goodness. It takes a bit to get going, but when it starts, no punches are pulled. People get what's coming to them in very raw ways. If that Cajun guy thought Harry Brown was 'rough' - he's going to actually die watching this one. The shotgun scene alone was mind-blowing (hi-yo!)! And despite how graphic it may be, it never seems unnecessary. It just fits.

Really, I don't even want to go on with this. I'm barely making coherent points (shocking) and all I want you to do is see this film. I don't even know what genre this is. I don't know anything anymore. Except I will never lay hands on anyone that Ryan Gosling loves. Because he will kill me. A lot.