Awk-berg!

In case you missed it:

Such a great moment!  Also, I think I'm starting to develop a little crush on Mr. Eisenberg . . . 


Update:  Video down.  Go here.

Hang In There Eisengberg

Even though I adored Colin Firth's performance in The King's Speech, I found myself rooting for Jesse Eisenberg during The Golden Globes last night. The success of The Social Network, which won Best Picture, was so utterly dependent on Eisenberg's portrayal of Zuckerberg that I felt he should have won Best Actor. Plus, Eisenberg always comes off as completely awkward and self-conscious, which may or may not be contrived (he's basically the male version of Kristen Stewart), so it would have been fun to watch him deliver a stilted speech.  Oh well, there's still the Oscars.  


Speaking of awkward, check out this interview in which the entertainment reporter thinks that Eisenberg is "doing Zuckerberg" when he's actually just being himself.  Forward to the fourth minute of the interview. So painful. 

Go See The Facebook Movie

So here's the great thing about reviewing a movie like The Social Network (which will henceforth be referred to as The Facebook Movie because that's what everyone is calling it anyway)- I really can't spoil anything for you.  We all know the story, because we're all using Facebook.  Well, except for me.  And we all know that Mark Zuckerberg is a billionaire and kinda comes across like a jerk.  Or at least a little pompous.  But can you blame him? He created Facebook.

The movie opens with Mark and his girlfriend Erica hanging out at a Boston pub.  Their date quickly moves from a conversation about Mark's obsession with gaining membership to a final club to a heated argument that is the result of Mark's offensive communication style. This scene sets up the movie perfectly because we learn five crucial things about Zuckerberg (or at least this version of Zuckerberg): he's ambitious, he's arrogant, he's insecure, he's a genius, and he sucks at relationships.   

From there the film moves at a spectacular pace.  You won't lose interest for a second, and the movie is surprisingly funny- there's a delightful Karate Kid reference as well as a humorous psychotic girlfriend.  

All of the actors do an amazing job.  While Jesse Eisenberg (who plays Zuckerberg) will most likely receive the most attention (he's already getting some Oscar buzz) I thought that Andrew Garfield (who plays Facebook CFO Eduardo Saverin) gave the most emotionally provocative performance.  I know some of you might have concerns about Timberlake playing the role of Napster creator Sean Parker, but he's perfect.  I would also like to add (for those of you who have yet to consider this) that it's poetically just for the most hated man in the music industry to be portrayed as a complete tool by a musician.  

Speaking of music, the soundtrack (thanks to Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross) is perfect.  It's mostly electronic, but somehow seamlessly transitions into poignant tones for the emotional stuff.  

Finally, the best thing about The Facebook Movie is that it attempts to provide us with an understanding of Mark Zuckerberg's motivation for creating Facebook, which as is turns out is something that all Facebook users can surely identify with. 


He wanted to be noticed.