The Secret Behind 'The Social Network's Success

Now that almost every movie-going American has seen, or at least has heard of, the new Oscar-contending film 'The Social Network', there may have also been a subsequent confusion that has settled upon the psyche of said population.  That being, most people now know that key elements & details within the film's plot were, pretty much, completely fabricated, or at least grossly over-exaggerated.  Concepts such as the one where the idea is that Mark Zuckerberg created Facebook to either get back at or impress a girl whom had just dumped him (completely false).  Knowing this I would assume most fans of the film would begin to question why people are still buzzing about it, & why most of all they themselves cannot stop talking about it (if I'm the only one please let me know).  Well here you will find the answer; pure, simple, sophisticated, stylish, modern film-making combined with classically epic story-telling (key word = story).  Directed by the one and only David Fincher (responsible for cult master-pieces such as Fight Club, Seven, Zodiac, & The Game), the film provides the audience with graceful & genuine performances from very talented young actors; Jesse Eisenburg, Andrew Garfield, Mara Rooney, & Justin Timberlake (believe it or not he's actually pretty damn good).  One thing that helps produce such genuine performances is Fincher's directing style, for he is known to have his actors do one-hundred-plus takes of individual scenes.   But the actors need words to read right?  Well that's where Aaron Sorkin comes in, who has written dialogue for television's The West Wing & the infamous A Few Good Men (most people remember at least one line from that famous courtroom scene).  The story written by Sorkin deals with themes that are as old as story-telling itself; pride, ambition, friendship, betrayal, status.  These themes set against a contemporary backdrop is a key ingredient to this film's success.  To top it off, Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails teamed up with Atticus Ross to score the film.  This really helped put that seal of Fincher freshness on the package.  Dark, ominous, & yet somehow innocent music helps create a very serious & engaging tone (as opposed to a potential fun college tone).  Did  I mention the actors?! Jesse Eisenburg produces an incredible performance, portraying an emotionally-shallow (or at least closed-off) individual.  But honestly, Andrew Garfield may have been the best in the film, if I were to judge.  He presents to us a person with such a big heart, and we watch him get walked all over, and we really feel his pain.  Andrew was definitely robbed of an Academy Award nomination, but I'm sure one will be coming to him in the near future.  SO, don't be confused by all the fiction & hype, and just treat yourself to an all-around good flick. -

Oh TV commercials, how I hate you so, let me count the ways... (pt 1)

Being that this is my first 'blog' ever, I figured I would write about something that most people can relate to (I apologize to any marketing majors in advance).  There are few things in life that bother me more than advertisements, especially television commercials... aka 'companies trying to sell you things you don't need & things that will also probably kill you over time'.  I know that may sound a bit dramatic, but if you take a step back & really think about what is being advertised on the TV screen in the middle of one of your favorite shows or sporting events, you may find yourself either crying or laughing (depending on your disposition).  For instance, right now I am have the Steelers / Jets AFC Championship game on in the background & the commercials that flash between breaks amaze me.  What I see are commercials for Pepsi, McDonald's, & Subway, all of which feature an NFL player.  Now I may be wrong, but I don't think professional football players make these types of foods a regular, or even peripheral, part of their diet.  (oh now the 'Subway Post-Game Show is on, great...)  Similarly, I find it absolutely incredible that the "Official Food of the Olympics" is McDonald's!  What a joke!  Oh yeah, I'm sure Michael Phelps made sure he had his Fried Mc-Artery sandwich everyday before he got in the pool.  Absolutely not!  Though there probably was a point later in the evening when he was craving some McDonald's, but that's a different topic altogether.  The Olympics,  or any sporting event, should be promoted by products & foods that the players actually use, things that would promote success for a child with hopes of becoming a professional athlete & not have them wind up with heart problems in their forties.  And don't even get me started on the beer commercials! (though some of them are mildly humorous)  Well that's it for now folks, but there's plenty more where that came from.  Till next time... - rjm