The Social Network (Podcast)

We finally found the time to gather together and discuss another one of the most important films of 2010. Fight through the shitty audio with us and join in the discussion. Enjoy.

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Cody's Film Review: The Social Network

One of the best films of the year and defiantly some of the best acting. I was really looking forward to this film because Fincher does a personal pic then a studio pic, and after Benjamin Button (2008) it was time for him to really care about a project. I also have a weakness for films based on true stories in contemporary times, like Shattered Glass (2003). I know this film is a dressed up version of the real thing, but it was realistic and enjoyable. The film represents how business is done today in the fast paced .com industry. Companies are based on fads and software, and are in and out of fashion so fast that Napster seems like a company that existed 30 years ago. The savvy businessman is out the window and young anti social misfits like Zuckerberg are in charge and they come across as cold and deceptive. Are they really bad or just inexperienced nerds thrown into the forefront of a multimillion dollar companies who can't interact with other people? I think David Fincher and Aaron Sorkin bring all of these points to the table and this film will be a time capsule of business in the 2000's, just like Wall Street (1987) was to the 80's. Fincher is also king of how to properly use CGI. He has fun with it wants to fool the audience of it's existence, which is what SFX are supposed to be used for. Great music, smart Sorkin script, and fine directing and acting all around. 4 out 5 stars.

See it again: Zodiac

We will all remember 2007 as one of the greatest years for film in our lifetime. Those of us who contribute to this blog have spent countless hours debating 'There will be Blood' against 'No Country for Old Men' and its what we live for. I've always believed that the best films ever made are ones that compel us to see them multiple times. Lately I've had the fortune of revisiting a film that should have been included on every one's 'best of' list not only for the year 2007, but for all of this decade. I remember seeing 'Zodiac' in the theater and liking it, but at the time I remember needing to see it again. Sadly that never happened and the film got lost in the shuffle of my memory banks until this month when I saw it again....and again....and again. Usually when we hear "David Fincher" images of 'Seven' and 'Fight Club' are what our movie brains show us, because they are movies which stand out on their own (Personally, 'Seven' is one of the best films I've ever seen). They both have a style and voice that distinguish themselves amongst the crowd and will always be remembered. In fact, he hasn't directed a movie that I would classify below the rating of OK, his last film falls into that category. For me, Zodiac winds up far on the other end of the scale because it is nothing short of a masterpiece. Zodiac is a brilliantly crafted film in every technical aspect and is delivered in a subtle, classic style. The real jewel of the movie, i believe, is the structure of the screenplay. Simply put, it's a chronological case study spanning 22 years put in the form of a story...no flashbacks, no narration (These aren't BAD things, it's just nice to see a movie that can pull it off by giving the audience accountability). It's up to you, the viewer, to keep up with what's going on. Every scene....almost every shot gives you something, a small advancement to the story. It's amazing how a two second cut can make me put my hands up in the air as if to cheer on the attention to the smallest detail. In a way, it can make you obsessed with the story the way Robert Graysmith was with the case. Combine these elements with a beautifully lensed picture and you've got a real work of art. Acting: Every actor in this movie deserves to be mentioned. I've always been a fan of Mark Ruffalo, the guy can morph into any character you throw at him and he absolutely shines in this role. Also, John Carroll Lynch, who I most remember as Norm Sonofa-Gunderson from 'Fargo,' is outstanding in the precious few minutes he has on screen, which is also the best scene of the movie. Surely an achievement of this magnitude should attract attention from the Academy, right? Not so much. I won't go on a rant about the academy right now, because we would be here all day. For now, I'll just say this: If you go to the Academy's website (oscar.org), in the lower left hand corner, you can search the academy's database. Type in 'Zodiac' and see what comes up. It's a fucking joke. If you've only seen this movie once, or not at all, and if you have the time (or The Movie Channel) please give it another view...or three. It will be well worth your time to reinvest in an instant classic.

Film Review:The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

If you haven't seen this film then don't read this yet. Benjamin Button was by far my most anticipated film of the year and I may have put it too high on a pedestal. This film was very good, but I wanted greatness and I didn't get that. I think David Fincher is one of the best directors working today and when you put Brad Pitt in his films it's usually gold. The problem I had was that Pitt's character doesn't ever seem to change. Benjamin is the same person from 7 years old to 25 to 50. He changes physically but not psychologically until the end. Cate Blanchett does go through this process which makes it even more apparent that Brad Pitt doesn't. I would have liked to see more struggles of having a child's mind in a old man's body and later the fear of looking and being treated like a child with a old man's mind. The film expresses that people come into this world a child and go out like a child. If a person lives long enough then that is true, but there is a difference between children and elderly people. I also thought the film cut from present day with Blanchett on her death bed in the wake of Katrina to Benjamin's story too often. It ends up being necessary for the ending, but it just does it way too many times and ruins the flow. Fincher could have cut at least 15 minutes of the modern scenes and added more to Benjamin's story and development. The film does look great and is groundbreaking in the use of CG and make-up on the characters aging process. I enjoyed the scenes between Benjamin and his real father(Jason Flemyng) and I would have liked to see that develop more. Tilda Swinton makes a brief appearance as Benjamin's first love and those scenes were very enjoyable and Pitt's best acting in the entire film. Where The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button really shines is the last half hour. As a viewer you begin to really fear for what faces Benjamin as he enters his teen and pre-teen years. You keep wondering what will he look like, how will he support himself, and will his health fail. I thought these issues were fascinating and wish the movie would have dedicated a little more time on this. Although I don't agree that Pitt leaving his wife and kid is really necessary or smart it doesn't hinder the film and even adds mystery to it. Overall a enjoyable film that could have been great if the screenwriter and director would have let Pitt's character progress more. 3.5 out of 5 stars.