Catfish (B): This amazingly simple indie film done by Ariel Schulman and Henry Joost offers a great and meaningful message. The film which stars Yaniv (Nev) Schulamn Ariels' brother, and his quest to meet Megan, a young woman who he has been having a relationship with for several month now over Facebook. Yaniv first comes into contact with Megan after her younger half sister Abbey begins sending Nev photos that she has painted of his photography and they become pen pals. Megan and Nev has this incredible connection and Nev feels that if all the elements fall into place that it would turn into an instant relationship. However, one night while Meg and Nev are talking she begins sending him music she's recorded for him. It turns out that these are other people's songs and she is deceiving Yaniv into thinking she is something that she is not. Nev hurt and angered by this news has a newly fueled desire to meet Meg and see wat else she's lying about. While on a trip to shoot a dance event in Colorado Nev and his brother Ariel and Henry decide that it is time for Nev to meet Megan and get it on film. When Nev and the rest of the crew dig beneath the surface they discover much more than they ever could have imagined. What's so fascinating about this film is that while the inherent message that people aren't who they say they are doesn't just apply to Facebook but in person as well. There is always more to someone than what meets the eye; Not that this is necessarily a bad thing. Another great thing about this is a lot of us by now take for granted that over e-mails or Facebook that we're talking to the exact person we see. The film is definitely worth seeing and surprisingly entertaining for only having Nev as the main focus for the majority of the film.
The Social Network (A-): This fast paced, snippy dialogued film by David Fincher will have your head spinning from the opening dialogue between Rooney Mara and Jesse Eisenberg until the end credits. The film really is riveting! I was left wanting more by the end. Which of course is a good but a little unsatisfying at the same time. The script by Aaron Sorkin is wonderfully written and executed So well by Eisenberg as snarky Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg. The only problem I had with the dialogue was that at time it came off almost forced as if the actors were purposefully trying to have each word drip with bite and disdain. Other than that I haven't had a movie experience like that in a long time! I was engaged from start to finish and overwhelmed with the kind of emotion that lies behind the founding a business. Along with a fantastic story the plot was driven by a hard hitting pulsing score laid out for us by Trent Rezner. Eisenberg along with our upcoming Spider Man Andrew Garfield and Justin Timberlake gave wonderful performances. Rooney Mara was impressive as well and may just have the chops to play the lead of Lisbeth in the Girl With the Dragon Tatoo afterall. Another great surprise was were the Winklevoss brothers (Armie Hammer, Josh Pence) who added a lot of comedic energy to the film. The Social Network is quite the theatrical ride and an experience you won't regret. All in all it is easy to see why it is already an early Oscar contender. One thing that is certain, after seeing both films I definitely have a whole new view on Facebook.
