MTV Awards: Teen’s Dreams, But Critic’s Nightmares

Moon ManWhen I was younger, MTV was my saving grace. It had some great programs, good music, and an overall cool vibe. But the best part for me, were the award shows. That was the time where musicians, comedians, and actors were able to step out of their serious roles and just have fun. I remember watching it in 1997 when Puff Daddy (now Diddy, for those who don’t know), along with Sting and Faith Evans did a tribute to one of the greatest rapper’s of all time, Notorious B.I.G.. Of course, at this time, I had no idea who Biggie Smalls was, but it was still a very touching tribute.

Now, I am older and bolder, and a hell of a lot smarter than I was back then. Now, I see both of MTV’s award shows as mere jokes. MTV uses this time to, not really celebrate the mediums it is representing that night, but is advertisements for its own productions. Every time I hear that “The cast of Jersey Shore” is going to present an award, all I can do is drop my head in shame. [Read more...]

Review: The Social Network

David Fincher’s latest is forever going to be known as “the Facebook Movie” but it will also be held up there with his finest works which is a filmography very few directors can touch.

The Social Network is a look at the creation, rise, and legal woes of Mark Zuckerberg and his Facebook in a rare biopic in which its subject is not only still alive, but flourishing.  Facebook is currently worth 25 billion dollars and growing and the story to how it came to be is quite remarkable actually.  From the opening frames of the film we are prepared for the personality of Mark Zuckerberg.; he is smart, sharp, quick, and kind of an asshole.  And that might lose some people along the way, rooting for a guy who shows his brilliance and is deserving of his success but he is fully aware of all it and not afraid to rub it in people’s faces.  Personally, I love this version of Mark Zuckerberg that Aaron Sorkin, Fincher, and Jesse Eisenberg have created.  He is every adjective I have used above to describe him and quite funny to boot.  Eisenberg shines particularly bright in the deposition scenes inter-cut throughout the film as he sits idly by, nodding in agreement, before unleashing a whirlwind of hostility that dissipates as quick as it arises.

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Suggestion Box (July 12 – 18)

Movies:

Centurion Trailer – A film that reminds me of the last King Arthur film with the look of the opening battle in Gladiator, and a story that is probably not really like either.  But ooo, Roman soldiers.  Check it out here.

Devil Trailer – Even after the butchering of The Last Airbender I still have some faith in the fact that M. Night Shyamalan is capable of creating great films.  With Devil he both came up with the story and produced, and I am intrigued as to how they handle a film that looks like the majority of it is taking place in an elevator.  Hopefully it will be able to do what the Descent did and play up the more common fears people have, such as claustrophobia, the dark, etc, and not just play on the story element that the Devil is among them.  Check out the trailer here.

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