I think one of the coolest things about being a 'city' girl now is having so many different opportunities that you don't find growing up in a rural area. Sure, being a country kid has its perks. I played for the high school basketball team, the softball team, I was on the Quiz Bowl, in every school club, the darkroom editor for the yearbook and on the dance team and flag corps for the marching band, while sitting first chair in the flute section my Senior year. I was those things because you had to be. If you didn't take part, there weren't enough people for our school to participate. But by doing all that, I was able to build confidence, personality and poise, which I'm not sure I would have developed if I was just another face in a huge student body crowd. Who knows though? I think I could talk to a fence post if I had to.
My favorite 'new opportunity' has been the chance to see advanced screenings of movies! Apparently, Albany is a market the film producers release movies in early to generate buzz and for critics to review. We first came across tickets on Craigslist and then realized you could sign up for your own by searching websites for advanced screenings in the Albany area. The tickets are free, the movies aren't even released yet and you're sitting front row! How cool is that?? With nine hours of film study in college, I fancy myself practically a legit critic. Who knew those easy A's in "Science Fiction & Horror Films" and "Alfred Hitchcock Films" would ever pay off?
When tickets to The Social Network came our way, we loaded up and headed down to the Regal Theatres at the Colonie Center. Screenings take piracy seriously, so if you ever find yourself at one, plan on brown bagging your cell phones and getting the security wand once over. Promoters at this advanced screening tossed out The Social Network t-shirts and mini movie posters but sadly, we weren't able to snag any flying prizes.
Lots of thumbs up "Like" buttons on this one!
The film follows the rise of the website Facebook and is the unauthorized biography of creator Mark Zuckerberg (played by Jesse Eisenber). Produced by Kevin Spacy, the script is based on the book The Accidental Billionaires. Portrayed as almost a Shakespearean protagonist character, Zuckerberg's mesmerizing story is blending into a mash-up of fact and fiction. The world's youngest self-made billionaire denies in a recent interview with Oprah that his life is as dramatic as portrayed in film.
Justin Timberlake shines as Napster creator Sean Parker while Andrew Garfield plays Zuckerberg's FB partner/CFO Eduardo Saverin. But the irony is that it was a female that sparked the catalyst that ultimately led to the creation of Facebook. With the stank of rejection still on his clothing, Zuckerberg begins a bender than ends with a crashed Harvard website. Trouble gives way to attention and soon Zuckerberg attracts the interest of BMOC, the Winklevoss Twins. (FYI: not played by related actors) The Twins want Zuckerberg to create Harvard Connection, but the idea stalls. The movie features sharp editing that flashes back and forward between the legal battles that ensued afterwards and the events that led up to Facebook's creation. The how, the who and the what at stake become the pressing matters.
Someone once said life imitates art and art imitates life. The Social Network may be a perfect example of that. As a sign the times, this movie is for our computer using generation. Only invented in February 2004, it's amazing that a single website has been able to do so much socially. From reconnecting with long lost friends, sorority sisters, classmates and family members...to even tracking down lost loves and adoptive parents, Facebook has changed lives. But it can be a double edge sword as well. Information found on Facebook has torn apart families, ruined relationships, destroyed reputations, prompted changes in legislation and even been responsible for heinous crimes. Was it Superman or Spiderman that said "with great power comes great responsibility"? Read on Facebook and you'll find that it was Spidy...turns out Andrew Garfield/Eduardo Saverin is going to play the title character in Spiderman 4. What a small world.
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Two thumbs up!
All you super cool kids out there might be asking is The Social Network just going to be another movie for nerds? Well, I'm thinking if one out of 14 people have a Facebook account, then that must mean that those worried "cool" kids are probably still on MySpace.
Here's a peek at the trailer if you haven't made up your mind yet:
Heather Flanigan
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