The Social Network (2010, U.S.)

I was absolutely immersed in this film within the first five minutes. It amazes me how quickly they made a movie about such recent history, with a wealth of mostly accurate detail. Truly fascinating.

The acting was very strong. I think the only other movie that I've seen Jesse Eisenberg in was Adventureland, which I also loved him in. However, I think he was even better in this. From the very first, his witty, sarcastic, fast talking makes him the picture of the arrogant, insecure intellectual. He was definitely the sun around which all the other actors/characters orbited. Though none of them touched Eisenberg in terms of talent, most of the other actors were fairly strong. Even Justin Timberlake, who I was more than a little wary to watch, wasn't bad.

This is a dark film, both literally and figuratively. Perhaps the dark, mostly nighttime settings were symbolic. (Then again, maybe computer nerd types mostly work at night.) Even the brightest scene in the Facebook offices toward the end of the film didn't seem "light." It was a clinical, lonely sort of whiteness. It's also dark in that there are many betrayals and broken friendships. This has to be the unhappiest movie about a billionaire ever made. (Well, perhaps discounting Marie Antoinette and other non-modern billionaires.)

I can't even think of another movie I've ever seen about such modern history/pop culture, so it's hard to compare this to anything, but I will definitely say that it paints an interesting picture of the world we live in and the dark side of the birth of a company we take for granted daily. I would highly recommend this to anyone.

Rating: 4.0

Adventureland (2009, U.S.)

I loved this movie. I thought it looked like a stupid teen comedy from the previews (and that's probably what they were going for), but it was actually a very serious, sad, funny, touching story about growing up and finding your place in the adult world. It was truly wonderful.

I don't know really what else to add. The acting, mis en scene, scripting, everything was just so well done. I can always live without the use of modern music instead of a score, but it worked pretty well for it.

It's terribly embarrassing, but I really have become a Kristen Stewart fan. Sometimes she's weaker than others, but for the most part, she is absolutely enthralling.

I would recommend this film to anyone and everyone, but especially recent graduates who are having a hard time getting started in life, or people who remember what that was like.

Rating: 4.5