the social network



When I heard a movie about Facebook was being developed I’m pretty sure I rolled my eyes. I thought the idea was ridiculous. I imagined it to be a teen flick about friending, status updates, etc. I had absolutely no interest in the movie at all.

Then a few months back I learned that Aaron Sorkin and David Fincher were attached to write the screenplay and direct the movie, respectively. Hearing this gave me pause. I’m a huge Sorkin fan (The West Wing is one of my favorite shows and A Few Good Men one of my favorite movies) so I knew my first impression was mistaken. Not to mention that based on Fincher’s filmography (Zodiac, Fight Club, etc), this wasn’t going to be just another teen movie. It was going to be original, compelling, substantial…

And it was! I convinced Rob to see it last weekend!

THE SCRIPT IS AMAZING. From the opening scene, I was in awe of Sorkin. The dialogue is his trademark rapid-fire style that’s crisp, smart, and witty. It’s intelligent without losing its sense of humor. And it expects the audience to keep up — it’s not weighted down with any unnecessary expository dialogue.

I hope that The Social Network can overcome the reputation as “that Facebook movie” because the creation of the site is just the means of exploring the larger themes of friendship, ambition, motivation, and betrayal. The movie cuts back and forth between the present-day and flashbacks and tells the story from three different perspectives — Mark Zuckerberg (creator/co-founder), Eduardo Saverin (co-founder, original CFO before his ownership was reduced to nothing), and the Winklevoss twins (who had the idea for Harvard Connection and believe that Mark stole their idea for an exclusive social networking site). I found myself sympathizing with and understanding where everyone was coming from, especially Eduardo. If there’s a tragic party in this story, it would be him. He was just way out of his depth in the whole situation. I know the movie is a dramatization and I’m sure the creators took liberties (I’ve read that the character of Erica Albright doesn’t exist the same way she does in the movie — she’s essentially the reason Mark was motivated to create the site) but it’s so interesting to me how the basic facts of the story are true. How one young person has the ability to change the face of modern communication and bring so many people from different parts of the world together. And does so while simultaneously pushing his own friends away.

The performances from all the actors are also noteworthy. Particularly the two leads. I’ve never seen Jesse Eisenberg (Mark Zuckerberg) or Andrew Garfield (Eduardo Saverin) in any of their previous roles but I’m definitely looking forward to their next projects. Especially the latter who has just been cast as the new Spider-man. I was even impressed by Justin Timberlake (playing Napster co-founder Sean Parker)! I’m a fan of his music but haven’t thought much of his acting (being funny on SNL doesn’t really count) until now. Seriously, everyone was at the top of their game.

GO SEE IT. Highly recommended.

I’m putting some of my favorite quotes under the cut just in case you don’t want to be spoiled. I got a kick out these. 🙂
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star wars, JT + movie meme

Totally random tonight…

I’m so buying the Star Wars postage stamps when they’re released in May. I even voted for the stamp that should get its own sheet here. I’m a DORK. 😀

Justin Timberlake just announced a second leg to his North American Tour. I wonder if I can convince someone to go with me again, hehe. The dates close to me are —

September
01 – Las Vegas, NV – Mandalay Bay
10 – Sacramento, CA – ARCO Arena
12 – San Jose, CA – HP Pavilion
16 – Los Angeles, CA – Staples Center

Carmen/Robyn, if we do girls weekend in Sept, we should totally go the weekend of the JT concert! Never mind, I just looked it up, that’s Labor Day weekend and plane tickets will be INSANE. 😛

And because I’m bored, a movie meme stolen from Alie.

1. Name a movie that you have seen more than 10 times:
Anne of Green Gables/Avonlea, Oceans’s Eleven, and A Few Good Men
2. Name a movie that you’ve seen multiple times in the theater:
Titanic. I think I might have come close to double digits with this movie. *blush*
3. Name an actor that would make you more inclined to see a movie:
Brad Pitt and Matt Damon
4. Name an actor that would make you less likely to see a movie:
Jack Black or Rob Schneider
5. Name a movie that you can and do quote from:
Bring It On. “You’re a cheer-tator, Torrance, and a pain in my ass!”
6. Name a movie musical that you know all of the lyrics to all of the songs:
Rent! Well, I don’t know ALL the lyrics… but most.
7. Name a movie that you have been known to sing along with:
Grease — hee!
8. Name a movie that you would recommend everyone see:
The Lord of the Rings series
9. Name a movie that you own:
I own TONS. See my DVD list.
10. Name an actor that launched his/her entertainment career in another medium, but who has surprised you with his/her acting chops:
Mandy Moore. She’s adorable.
11. Have you ever seen a movie in a drive-in? If so, what?
I think so but I don’t really remember. Maybe when I was younger with my parents. Couldn’t tell you the movie, though.
12. Name a movie that you keep meaning to see but just haven’t yet gotten around to it:
Amelie and Marie Antoinette. I have the DVDs from Netflix but I’ve been lazy…
13. Ever walked out of a movie?
I’ve definitely wanted to but haven’t. The last movie I felt that way about was probably The Last Kiss. UGH.
14. Name a movie that made you cry:
I’m sure there are tons (I cry easily) but the one that stands out is Stepmom. Don’t make fun.
15. Popcorn?
OF COURSE. With a Cherry Coke.
16. How often do you go to the movies (as opposed to renting them or watching them at home)?
Not so much, really. Maybe once a month or so. But when Memorial Day rolls around and the summer blockbusters are released, Rob and I go as many times as it takes to see everything.
17. What’s the last movie you saw in the theatre?
Zodiac
18. What’s your favourite/preferred genre of movie?
Chick flicks! Then dramas.
19. What’s the first movie you remember seeing in the theatre?
Sleeping Beauty. Probably the reason why it’s my favorite Disney movie.
20. What movie do you wish you had never seen?
Any horror movie. They give me the CREEPS.
21. What is the weirdest movie you enjoyed?
Erm, maybe the Kevin Smith movies? Like Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back or Dogma.
22. What is the scariest movie you’ve seen?
Have to agree with Alie here… The Ring. *shudders*
23. What is the funniest movie you’ve seen?
Wedding Crashers and 40-Year Old Virgin come to mind. Also, pretty much any Will Ferrell, Vince Vaughn, or Owen Wilson movies.

🙂

oc 414

Currently watching the Grammys because JUSTIN WILL BE PERFORMING. Yay!

I can’t believe there’s only 2 more episodes of The OC left before it’s OVER. This season has been so great compared to the last two and I’m so sad to see it go. *sob* I’m especially sad that I won’t be able to see anymore of Ryan and Taylor’s story. I never thought about the pairing prior to this season (I can’t help it — I loved Marissa) so I was pleasantly surprised when the show brought them together and I fell in love. They’re so different (Taylor’s overwhelming while Ryan’s passive) yet they just work. And I don’t know that I’ve ever seen Ryan so happy before. The way he looked at Taylor when he said “I love you” in the last episode was absolutely swoon-worthy. Actually, they had a ton of great scenes in The Shake-Up:

— After getting drunk, Taylor says she’s going to sleep and Ryan knows she’s pretending… “Are you pretending to go to sleep thinking I’ll tell you I love you while you’re unconscious?” HEE! *Such* a Taylor thing to do.
— Before Ryan says “I love you,” he sweeps her bangs to the side while looking at her adoringly. GUH. THIS KILLED ME DEAD.
— At the end of the episode (but before the earthquake!!!), Ryan says it again… “I love you… and I don’t want to lose you. So let’s put it all on the table. Berkeley, Paris, Oxford… anything.”

LOVE THEM. Ben McKenzie and Autumn Reeser have great chemistry together.

I should also mention that Willa Holland has totally impressed me this season. I didn’t like Kaitlin at all last season. She had a bad attitude and misbehaved simply because she wanted to get a reaction from those around her. But this season, the writers have really given her layers and Willa’s done a great job of portraying Kaitlin as manipulative (clown porn!) yet caring (all her scenes with the Bullit) and vulnerable (her short-lived relationship with Chris Brown). So I’ve definitely warmed up to the character but in the last episode, when she was yelling at Julie and said “In the last year we lost Dad, Marissa, Dr. Neil…,” that’s when I finally understood her and loved her for it.

Oh, The OC, I’m going to miss you so.

Well, I’ve finally caught up with all 13 episodes of Brothers and Sisters. Just in time to catch Emily VanCamp’s episode next week. I really love this show. From Justin’s rebelliousness, to Kevin’s secret relationship with Chad, and to Nora’s general wackiness… it’s all great. I can’t wait to see how EVC’s character, Rebecca, interacts with the rest of the Walker clan.

A few Grammy comments…
John Mayer, cut your hair, please. Thanks.
I find T.I. kinda hot. Is that weird?
Robyn Troup is SO DAMN LUCKY. I want to HUG Justin too. 😀
Squee! For the shot of Adrian Pasdar as the Dixie Chicks won Album of the Year.
That’s all I’ve got.

future sex/love show

I’M TOTALLY IN LOVE WITH JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE.

(Carmen, you told me so).

Rob and I went to the Future Sex/Love Show on Thursday night in San Jose and it was SO AMAZING. But then again, I didn’t expect anything less. His Justified concert still lives on as one of the best concerts I’ve ever attended. The concert lasted 2 hours and Justin came out in a snappy suit (OMG, SO HOT). He had so much infectious energy — he was bounding across the stage and singing his heart out. GUH. He’s such a great performer.

I LOVE YOU JUSTIN. CALL ME.

The only thing I would change is the center stage. I didn’t like the fact that Justin was only facing my side of the arena half the time. But I guess seeing his backside wasn’t so bad. Heh. 😛

And because I like things like this, here’s the set list for the show (cut in case this is too spoilery for some):

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britney + kfed

I’ve been waiting for this for a long time. Britney files for divorce from KFED. Finally! It took her long enough.

In other good news of the day, I got tickets to see Justin Timberlake in San Jose!!! I’ll be sitting in the Upper Level but whatever. If I had known tickets went on sale last Friday, I would have been ON IT. Oh well, it’s JUSTIN. And that’s all I care about. 😀

So I’ve finally decided to let go of the fanlistings I run. I’ve been thinking about this forever and I’m just not interested in running them anymore. It was one of those things that was a huge fad when I started my blog and I hopped on the bandwagon. I’ve already adopted out most of them but here’s what I have left:

The OC: Ryan & Seth
Mean Girls
Everwood: Amy
Everwood: Episode 123 Home
Animation: Nemo

Leave me a comment if you’re interested!

mr. jt

I found a leaked copy of Justin Timberlake’s new album online so of course, I downloaded it. You know me. September 12 is much too far away. 😀

I love love LOVE the album so I thought I’d share a few of my favorite songs.

Right click, save as…
username: cookie
password: monster


FutureSex/LoveSound
My Love
Damn Girl

SQUEE. I hope Mr. JT does another tour… his recent club tour didn’t come to the Bay Area and I *really* want to see him live again.

Yay for 3-day weekends.

heat wave

I’m around. Just being absolutely lazy about blogging. I think it’s the heat wave. It’s seriously killing me. I don’t know what I’m going to do this weekend when I have to go down to LA for my cousin’s wedding. I can’t imagine the weather being any hotter than right now.

Speaking of things that are hot, check out this preview of Justin Timberlake’s new video. WHOA. That’s hot.

justin’s back!

Justin Timberlake’s new single is out! YES. I have to admit that the first time I heard Sexy Back, I didn’t like it. But then I kept it on repeat and it grew on me. Hopefully it’ll grow on you too.

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password: monster

Justin Timberlake – Sexy Back

Thanks Amanda! Link should work now.

I can’t wait for the album! 😀

justin and christina rock

omg, the Justified/Stripped concert seriously blew me away. It was so. good. Even the boyfriend enjoyed it. He went so far as to say that Justin was entertaining. Hee, I think I’ve turned him into a Justin fan. 😛 And our seats were awesome — lower level, 15th row, right smack dab in the center.

Black Eyed Peas opened up with Joints and Jam. Eeeeee!!! <— This was me. Man, this song takes me back to my college days –when I had a crush on my current boyfriend and he would play it in the car when we would go out. *sigh* And my college roommate (Shirley! *waves*) downloaded it and played it in our room sometimes. Ah, memories. Anyway, BEP played a bunch of other songs from their upcoming album and they rocked. They were so high energy and crazy, especially Taboo. What a great way to start the concert. I didn’t even know they were the opening act so it was a total surprise to me and the boyfriend (he really likes them).

Christina was up first with Dirty. I used to hate this song (still despise the video) but after hearing it so many times on the radio, it’s grown on me. Perfect way for her to get the crowd (which was more on the older side than on the teeny-bopper side) up on their feet and dancing in their seats. Good times, good times. Most songs she performed were from StrippedA Voice Within (powerful ballad), Infatuation (definite crowd-pleaser), Get Mine Get Yours, So Impossible, Can’t Hold Us Down (which she sang from a motorcycle), Walk Away (very sexual imagery with a hot guy gyrating in the background), and Fighter. As for her older material, she did updated versions of the most popular 3 — Genie in a Bottle (she came out on a huge “X” with fire shooting from the back –really cool), Come On Over (an acoustic version which I really really like), and What A Girl Wants. She also sang Lady Marmalade and Etta James’s At Last, which I surprisingly loved. Her encore was Beautiful, which she sang to no crazy lighting and wearing only jeans and a white T-shirt that read “God Sees No Color.” I like that she went for the simple ending rather than the typical flashy pyrotechnics that usually signal the end of the show. All in all, I thought she was great — she definitely showcased her tremendous vocal talent.

Justin started his set with Rock Your Body. Eeeee!!! He is really a great entertainer — he has what appears to be boundless energy and has a great rapport with the audience. Not to mention that he is definitely easy on the eyes. 😛 And I love him so much more now because Kelly Kono, only my most *favorite* dancer in the world (and former back-up dancer for Janet Jackson), is dancing with him. Hee. Anyway… Justin also sang Still On My Brain, Seniorita (one of my favorite tracks), Cry Me A River (no Britney look-alike, however, to my boyfriend’s dismay), Let’s Take A Ride, as well as more upbeat versions of 2 NSync ballads, Gone and Girlfriend. The highlight of his set was when he was beatboxing from a contraption that elevated him and moved him slowly from one side of the stage to the other — he beatboxed to Planet Rock!!! And It Takes Two!!! Mmm… Old school. So happy. And finally, his encore was of course, Like I Love You. Ah, I love you Justin.

Other entertainment during the concert included —
1) seeing so many young girls (probably around 11-13) wearing completely revealing clothing. I wanted to scream “It’s really *not* nice to have guys ogle your goods. In fact, it’s creepy! And you should cover up!” Gah.

2) an almost fight between a drunk guy (he hit the girl behind him when she asked him to be quiet and sit down) and some random guy who was annoyed with all his stupid antics

I snuck my camera in via the boyfriend so I may upload some pics… I don’t know if any of them will even look good but we’ll see.

What an eventful start to my weekend — Matchbox 20 tomorrow! 🙂

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ROBYN!