FILM: The Social Network

The Social Network: Jesse Eisenberg, Andrew Garfield and Justin Timberlake

FACEBOOK, everyone knows about it and most people use it. Whether or not you have one, you’re bound to know what it is. But how did ONE social network get so popular? The Social Network works around the two law-suits that Mark Zuckerberg had to face when Facebook became one of the biggest social networks running online. Fighting against the people who claim that Facebook was their idea and his own best friend, who felt he was cheated out of his rights.

THIS IS A MUST SEE! Who knew that the phrase, “Facebook me” would mean so much just seven years after its creation? Who knew that the idea of being “exclusive” would cost 27 billion dollars down the track? But the question is, “Is Facebook just another great idea, or is it the epitome of or social standing today?” That question is what this film is trying to answer. I love it when Mark says, “The (twins) are suing me because for the first time in their lives, things aren’t going their way.” Paying off 65 million dollars for a suggestion that turned into the biggest thing seven years after it was spoken about is one half storyline of this film. The other half is about trust, loyalty and friendship; wrapped in this story of “who’s right” and “who owes who recognition” (and money) is a story about self-definition.

Today, Mark Zuckerberg is known as the youngest billionaire in this world, but this movie traces out the codes that brought life to Facebook. Behind all the attitude and all the computer lingo, Mark was just look for something that would get him in – in with the cool kids, in with the cool parties and in with the right girls. Taking the idea of exclusivity, what Mark was able to re-create was the social structure of universities in the US – only the elite were invited to the most prestigious houses and clubs; only the cool kids got the great recognitions; and all those who could afford were walking targets because they were also walking ATMs. That’s the second half of the storyline, behind the cool new updates and statuses, Facebook is just another way to highlight the haves and the have-nots.

It makes you think huh? Facebook is part of us that we don’t even consider how it began. All we know is that it’s there and it’s useful. Walking out of that movie, it made me think, “What would happen if one by one, people stopped using Facebook and all those other internet sites? What would happen to people like Mark Zuckerberg? What would they do with their billions?” I even seriously thought about deleting my Facebook page (which would probably cut down my internet usage). But that movie really made me think. It’s not about who’s idea it was, which is probably why he was happy to pay the 65 million, because let’s face it, the idea of having social networks to be exclusive is really nothing new; it’s about re­-creating life and halving the unwritten rules of society written. Like the Ericka character said, “Things on the internet aren’t written in the air, they’re written in ink.” – Which probably where the “HIDE” option originated from – but it’s the truth. (I love the fact that every application has a story.) When you watch this film consider these three things:

1. How often do you use Facebook?
2. What do you use it for?
3. Why do you use it in the first place?

sL star rating: 5 stars

Next on sL: Taylor Swift – Speak Now (New Album)

FILM: Eat, Pray Love

Alright, so my mum, my sister, my (friend who entertains the thought that she's my) adopted sister and I went to see the new Julia Roberts film, Eat Pray Love. So obviously from the trailer it's about a woman trying to find something to fulfill her life. This, my friends, is her journey and why the film is called "Eat - Pray - Love".

Before the Title
So before Liz (Roberts) goes into her big epiphany-spurned adventure, she has to deal with all the clutter of her life. Realising she's not living the life she wanted she make her way out her marriage bed into another man's. But when her divorce is final and the guys she thinks is a good fit for her starts becoming square, she realises that enough is enough. Throwing everything she's ever known away, she buys three tickets and head of for a year...

Eat
Italy: Rome, The Eternal City.

There's nothing like a good bowl of past and a massive serve of pizza on the side, not to mention the number one therapist - wine. Here, Liz discovers the art of doing nothing. She has the freedom to do what she likes and explore the wonders of one of the greatest cities in history. Here, she is able to just be Liz - to attachments, no complications, just Liz and her food.

Pray
India: The Guru's Temple

Switching pesto and dough for spices and a little bit of elbow grease, Liz finds herself in India. Trying to calm her spiritual journey, she commits herself to the hands of an Indian guru. But in the midst of the cleansing, she finds that in order to clear out the clutter, you have to deal with the dirt. Starting with David (James Franco) and eventually Stephen (Billy Crudup) too. In dealing with her clutter, Liz finds her inner peace in wishing her young friend a good and happy marriage.

Love
Bali: Ketut

At the end of the year, Liz has had all the adventure she can take. Settling in a condo and taking her lessons with Ketut, everything is just utter bliss. When it comes time to love again, Liz's heart isn't too sure whether it should remain guarded or let romance take the lead. Has everything boiled down to the point where she can really love again?

***

The thing about this movie is that it shows a really great journey. I knew from the start that it's not about finding God at all, these films are always about finding something new about yourself or re-discovering who you are apart from every body else. Why am I saying this? Well, I walked out pretty pleased with the film, good story great cast, entertaining...etc..

But my mother and "two" sisters started talking about how, "The ethics were wrong" and "She wasn't looking for God in the right way", valid points of course. My sister pointed out that, "she was never really looking for God," which I think is true. She never really found God, or if she did, the "I am" that she did find was the "I am...". What's the difference?

God is undoubtedly the "I Am" - the almighty being and creator of all. The "I am (dot, dot, dot)" is the prefix to a sentence where we describe our wants, needs and feelings. "I am going to buy a new TV", "I am going to get something to eat", "I am sick". It's the definitive "I am...", so when Liz says, "God is in me, as me," she's really saying, "I am god."

Besides that concept, the entire film was great! Leave me a message on what you thought about the film or the concept of "God is in me, as me."

sL star rating: 4.5 stars

Next on sL: TBA (Exams coming up - BUT: Watch this spot!)

FILM: Charlie St. Cloud // Moa's Last Dancer // Diary of a Wimpy Kid

By far, this was the most disappointing movie that I have seen this year - and as you know, I've seen A LOT with you guys this year. But what was so disappointing was that it was just so linear! What I mean was I felt like I was sitting in Amityville Horror back in 2005! I literally could pinpoint what was going to happen as I sat in my seat. It's was so straight forward that I have no shame in telling you the entire story, but I won't because I'm sympathetic to all you "Efrans" - yes that's probably not a new fan name.

But it's not even about bad acting or bad casting or whatever, you can have the best cast and still have a bad movie. I don't know, leave me a comment about a movie you saw that was bad and tell me why it was bad.

sL star rating: 1.5 stars (Sorry Efron fans.)

What was really great about this film was that there was a great balance of politics and ballet - it wasn't one or the other. I really loves the fact that everything happens in two separate spheres - Lee's past life and then he's future - and then how the two spheres are bound by the climax. It was really heart wrenching and it was a movie that kept you interested. If you like Canter Stage and War/ Political films this is for you.

sL star rating: 5 stars

Yes ladies and gentlemen, I have managed to score a ticket to see yet another PG film, but, in my defense, this (after Toy Story 3) is one of the BEST films you will see this year. Believe me! The humour in this film isn't your usual I'll-laugh-because-it's-a-family-movie, but it's genuinely HILARIOUS! The story, characters and cast are just so believable that you sit literally thinking, "That's so true!"

With Kick Ass's Chloe Moretz and rising star, Zachary Gordon. This is one film you can't miss regardless how old you are!

sL star rating: 5 stars

Next on sL: Eat, Pray, Love – the journey of finding God, only to find out you were looking for yourself instead.

BLOG: McFly's SUPER CITY

They're always saying how the kid of today have been born into the "Information Age" - a world where everything we want to know is at the click of a button. What they never really say, but too often think, is that kids are born into the world of "Virtual Alternatives" - a world where fantasy is better that reality.

With the birth of the internet also comes the birth a parallel universe. If we thought getting to know a person face-to-face was hard, imagined trying to get to know a person screen-to-screen. In a place where you private life is not so private, the world just gets smaller and smaller.

McFly's Super City - the ULTIMATE band site (2010)

I clicked on this video because I'm an active subscriber of McFly. Since the screening of Just My Luck I have loved their music, and if I was being honest I even had a crush on their lead guitaris, Danny. But I was a bit put off by their upcoming website launch. Their new band site is not the typical "get your paraphernalia, subscribe and win competitions", it's a whole new social website. It operates like any other social site where members can chat to other members, make friends with everyone and get the perks of anything the can earn (like Farmville).

McFly have given their fans the ULTIMATE gaming experience, social networking and fan access. Don't get me wrong, I mean the site isn't launching until November 1, 2010, but this is slightly over the top. I may have to review this site after the launch to give you McFly fans a chance to either agree or disagree with me. I personally think it's a bit over the top for both the band and their fans, I mean we're talking about 24/7 access to the band, the world does not wake and sleep at the same time - but I suppose they've already figured that out. :P

sL star rating: TBA - I'll have to see the FREE section first, so I'll re-evaluate the site in exactly a month. :D

NEXT on sL: Playjerise [Review no longer available.]

BOOK AND FILM REVIEW: House Rules - Jodi Picoult // Easy A

So I've been meaning to post a blog for a while. Well, since I finally have time to do so, I will talk to you guys about TWO amazing things that I enjoyed simply for my leisure.

1. Jodi Picoult's (author of My Sister's Keeper) novel:

House Rules

2. New Release:

EASY A

Let's start with...

House Rules by Jodi Picoult

Ever thought you were, strange, odd, estranged, detached…DIFFERENT? Well, "different" doesn't even to begin to describe Jacob Hunt. He's an eighteen year old with a mind of a genius. He can name several known facts in a drop of a hat and he has a fascination for crime fiction. But what really makes Jacob different from all the other kids is his medical diagnosis.

Jacob is diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome. It's a syndrome on the other end of the Autistic Spectrum. It practically means unlike other children with Autism, he wants to be in “our” world rather than being in his own imagination. But for Jacob being in our world is a little difficult because it's full of sarcasm and odd sayings that he takes literally.

If you told him to "get lost" he wouldn't know what you meant because he knows where he is at all times. He wouldn't understand that you're not asking him to "go away", he'd think you're asking him to place himself in a situation where he doesn't know where he is – that, in it's irony, is where the complication lies. If he "gets himself lost" how did he do that in the first place? Wouldn't he simply re-trace his own steps to be "found" again? Hence NEVER really being lost in the first place.

But when his obsession with criminology gets him into trouble. If he thought "getting" lost was hard, how about being tried for murder? Accused for being his tutor's murder, Jacob has to find a way for the judge, jury and even his own lawyer to believe his story. He has to paint the picture in black and white where the grey lines have been blurred by fancy colours of well manipulated sentences and over analysed scenarios.

***

I'm a big crime buff myself and I loved the concept the moment I read the blurb in BORDERS. I thought it was a fresh take on the usual CSI, NCIS, Law and Order cases, I mean you get the odd bipolar cases or someone with a mental disorder, but I thought the concept of "innocent until proven guilty" is well weaved into this novel.

I love the incorporation of past crimes that have been recorded in time to suit the plot of the story. I love how you receive the entire action through every single character. I also enjoyed knowing the truth and having to read the book through Jacob's eyes, but at the same time I was asking, "Oh, but did he do it?" The novel gives the reader that kind of suspense that constantly has you questioning, “What's going on?”, but it also drives you keep reading until the end is how the other characters see how the story unfolds. It reflects Jacob's own ritual of watching his Crime Busters show, hoping that the results are different each time he watches the same episode. As the reader you hope that someone will pick up the clues that you’ve picked up a long time ago.

The ending is the most chilling part though...but I won't spoil that for you!

sL star rating: 5 Stars

***

Easy A starring: Emma Stone, Amanda Bynes, Penn Badgley and Alyson Michalka

The thing about this movie it that it is freaking H-I-L-A-R-I-O-U-S!!! What makes it so funny is that it epitomizes high school. You have the annoying people, the anonymous people and the outcasts. A few things that I loved:

1. There were no distinct "popular" people - they were mentioned, but never really "put out there."
2. They took a concept - "the absolute truth" - and allowed it to develop the plot line.
3. They took literary works and made them understandable and let those readers out there know that they're not the only ones who do the ancient way of opening what we now call, "a book". :P
4. How satire was used to exaggerate Christians.

Call me a blasphemer, but I love laughing at how the world portrays us Christians; it just reminds me how so many people out there refuse to really get to see what we're about. But at the same time it makes me think, if satires exaggerate the truth there must be people out there who really get into peoples' nerves just for the sake of it. As Christians we have to remember that offending someone is never a good thing, but in saying that, there will be someone who will always be offended. We have to remember that everything has to be done with love, and characters in these movies that portray all Christians as "You're going to hell" should reminds us to do everything out of love.


sL star rating: 4.5 Stars

Next on sL: The New McFly "Super City" website