Thursday, September 30, 2010

Why Should I Watch "The Social Network"?

Well, the highly anticipated movie "The Social Network" finally hits theaters tomorrow (Friday). I admit that I could be classified as a Facebook junkie, but why should I watch this movie? Times are tough, and I have Netflix. In all honesty, I'm not going to spend money on any movie right now unless it's a really special occasion. So, let's just say that it's months down the road, the "The Social Network" is available on Netflix, and I'm updating my queue. Should I add it? Here are the thoughts running through my head:
"No, just because you use Facebook, doesn't mean a movie about it will be interesting."
"Well, it was directed by David Fincher."
"They basically show the whole plot in the preview, so why go sit through it for 2 hours?
"Well, it was directed by David Fincher."

Obviously, I have this re-occurring thought that I should give the movie a chance because it was directed by, you guessed it, David Fincher. He is a very talented filmmaker. Do you recall the chills you felt during  Se7en as Brad Pitt's character is on the phone yelling, "What's in the box?" What about the last scene in Fight Club where Ed Norton and Helena Bonham Carter are holding hands and looking out the window as buildings come crashing down, all while the Pixies', "Where is my Mind?" plays. I mean, wow! I also heard that David Fincher is directing the English remake of the Swedish hit, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. (Have you read that book yet? If not, you really need to.)

All these reasons to love David Fincher and yet I'm still not 100% sure about this movie. I'll probably wait until the hype fades and I hear what others have to say about it. What do you think? Are you excited about this movie? How do you feel about David Fincher and his films? What's your favorite Fincher film? We want to hear from you. Let's talk about it!

-- Elizabeth Millar, Senior Marketing Coordinator, ABC-CLIO, and former resident blogger for Pop Culture Universe.

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Learn more about David Fincher's films with the new Praeger book, David Fincher: Films That Scar by Mark Browning.

There is a growing critical consensus that David Fincher is one of the most talented filmmakers in contemporary Hollywood. He has reanimated the crime genre, created films that make audiences question the boundaries between art and reality, and challenged Hollywood's crushing commercial drive for narrative closure. What motivates this exceptionally talented stylist?

Film scholar Mark Browning offers the first detailed analysis of the work of David Fincher, director of the critically acclaimed films Se7en, Fight Club, and The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.

7 comments:

  1. I definitely want to see this movie! At first, it looked a little silly, but the more I read about it, the more it grows on me. David Fincher films have always been interesting (I'd have to pick Se7en as my all-time favorite) and I appreciate and respect his cinematic talent. This movie is generating a lot of talk, controversy, and Oscar buzz. Although it wasn't at first, it's now on my Tuesday-bargain-movie-night list!

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  2. @Rachel - when I wrote this post last week, I was feeling much more cynical. Now I'm seeing different previews for the film as they ramp up publicity, and it's growing on me too!

    -Elizabeth

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  3. I felt the same as you at first, Elizabeth, but the reviews are really glowing (97% on metacritic.com; 98% on rottentomatoes.com). I probably won't be able to see it in the theaters, but it will be added to my Netflix queue, so don't post spoilers!

    ~beth

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  4. @Beth Thanks for the reviews update! You won't get any spoilers from me - I don't think I'll be seeing it until it goes to Netflix as well :)

    Now that it's out - has anyone out there seen it? Thoughts?

    -Elizabeth

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  5. Saw this over the weeknd. I thought it was excellent in every respect: acting, dialogue, direction. Who knew there was so much behind the making of FB? Thumbs up!

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  6. @Michelle - thanks for your thoughts! Glad to hear the acting was good. I've only seen Jesse Eisenberg in "Zombieland" and "Adventureland," so I'm curious to see how he is in a more serious role. I dig his smug geekness =)

    -Elizabeth

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  7. I saw The Social Network last night, finally. It certainly lived up to its hype. The writing was fantastic and the storyline was interesting. David Fincher's over-the-top style wasn't overbearing, which was important for the storyline to remain the focus. But he did have some amazing scenes (the club scene/row boat scene come to mind) that were very Fincher-esque and jarring to the eyes and ears. I loved it! Two thumbs up!

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