Movie Review: The Social Network

I saw The Social Network film Saturday morning and I give it an A-. 

I was inspired to  check it out after seeing the actors (Jesse Eisenberg and Justin Timberlake) on The View talking about the movie. I am on Facebook now, although I resisted for months. Now I'm on it at least 4 times a day. It really sucks you in.

Before the movie came out I really didn't know much about the "co-creator" Mark Zuckerberg. According to him, the movie is fiction and he doesn't intend to see it. Well, I like fiction and I liked this movie. The movie details how Facebook went from being an idea in a Harvard dorm room to a reality, how it launched lawsuits worth millions of dollars and broke apart friendships. 

Here's a trailer:

The dialogue is fast paced in some spots. The acting is flawless. I got drawn in to the film, which was hard since my 6 month old son had a cold and was home with my husband while i went to the movies. I hate spoilers so I'll break it down this way.

Should I let Will disappoint me again?

The last two Will Smith movies I've seen have been lackluster in my opinion.

'I Am Legend' had a horrible ending.

'Hancock' had a good thing going then it took a left turn to Albuquerque.

But now I'm intrigued by his newest film, 'Seven Pounds'. I saw him talk about the film on Oprah a few weeks ago.

And then after I watched this clip from CNN I got the sense that it will have a The Sixth Sense/M. Night Shyamalan type twist to it in the end:

Vote on whether I should risk getting disappointed by Will for the THIRD STRAIGHT TIME - in the poll on the top right!

MOVIE REVIEW: "W"

Add Oliver Stone’s “W” to the list of bad movies I’ve seen in a row this year. (Hancock, The Happening, and The Women were previously mentioned in this blog.)

In fact, it was so long and disappointing TMIL (that’s my acronym: The Man I Love) said he won’t let me pick another movie for us to see. I agree with his description that “W” was like an extended SNL skit. It was an exaggeration of the President, his family, and his cabinet. I found myself squirming in my seat about 40 minutes into the movie. I didn’t like the way Stone flashed back and forward into time. I’m not saying a movie has to be told sequentially to be effective. But Stone’s storytelling was all over the place for the first hour or more. Most annoying - too many scenes where the president eats and speaks at the same time. Stone wanted him to look silly. That’s one mission he accomplished along with giving me a stomach ache as I watched sandwich after sandwich get gobbled by actor, Josh Brolin, while bits and pieces of food fell out of his mouth.

In my opinion, Michael Moore’s “Farenheit 9/11” made a better argument about the president’s mis-steps, than “W.” Oliver Stone’s biopic traced George W. Bush’s poor decision making skills to drinking and womanizing in his younger years, Daddy-issues, a “calling” from God to run for president and being manipulated by Dick Cheney (and others) into the wars in Afghanistan & Iraq in order to control oil in the mideast.

Colin Powell, played by Jeffery Wright, was the only intelligent and honest person in the whole film. He stood by his opposition to the wars in grand, credible style.

But if Condoleeza Rice ever crosses paths with Thandie Newton – watch out! Condi will likely smack the taste out of Thandie’s mouth. Thandie portrayed the secretary of state as a nasal, annoying, unattractive, “yes-woman.”

I’ll save you the $6 -$9 depending on how much movies cost where you live. All you need to know/see is in this trailer OR read the reviews below it:

W movie Waste

Jeb Bush dismisses Oliver Stone film W as 'hooey'

Movie review: 'W.'

MOVIE REVIEW: The Women

I made a horrible mistake in choosing a weekend movie to see. My loving and energetic mother saw "Tyler Perry’s The Family that Preys" and gave it rave reviews. She called when she left the theater and said “See it, see it, see it!” (You really should listen to your mother!) Earlier in the week, I talked to my co-worker, Faith, about going to see Meg Ryan’s “comeback” movie, “The Women”. So we kept our agreement also because Faith had gone to see The Family Saturday and loved it, but I didn’t want her to spend money seeing it again. Another coworker, Perna, joined us to see The Women.

The “dollar store version” of the Sex and the City movie had an array of problems and had pretty high expectations, from the public and me, since it had a great female cast: Annette Bening, Debra Messing (who I loved in Will & Grace), Jada Pinkett Smith, Cloris Leachman, Bette Midler, and Candice Bergen. Oh and there were no men in the entire movie, which I think is pretty stupid.

Faith and Perna weren’t impressed either. We whispered the film’s problems to each other - like how unrealistic it is for THIS group of women to BE friends and have a BLACK friend like Jada’s character. May I add – a forgettable character – like Jada’s character whose name in the movie I don’t even remember. Wait - I don’t remember any of the character’s names really. Jada played a lesbian author. She was loud and outspoken, but that’s really all.

I was sickened when Meg’s character, Mary, took time to “find” herself. TOTALLY UNREALISTIC. Real, everyday people aren’t rich and don’t have months to dissect why their rich, businessman husbands cheated on them with “the spritzer girl at Saks.” Like seriously! I’m over the rich people in my movies. Can we see some real women with real problems and real ways to deal with that crap?!

One hour and 33 minutes into the film I leaned over and said to Faith and Perna, “I hope this movie is over soon.” I/We weren’t so lucky. It lasted another 40 minutes with the typical, victorious, “cheated on woman” ending. No need to dissect it.

The only people who could have enjoyed this were: Saks, Lexus, and Dove thanks to the “over the top” product placement.

This film lacked character development and laughter. Plus it ended with a wannabee funny labor scene when Debra Messing’s character gave birth. This was soooo not even close to the level of SATC (previous review: http://joycebrewer.blogspot.com/2008/06/i-saw-sex-and-city.html) because I didn’t give a who-ha about the broads in this movie and never will. What a waste of $6.50 and two hours of my life.

Meg Ryan – you should have picked a better movie to make your “comeback” movie. Better luck next time!

Movies Etc.

Sorry I haven't blogged since Friday. Had a lot going on. But I actually caught up on some sleep this weekend - which was good.

Also saw M. Night Shymalan's THE HAPPENING: http://www.thehappeningmovie.com/




I could go into a detailed review but I don't want to ruin it for anyone who wants to see it.
Sincerely....don't waste your time. Wait until it comes out on DVD. This movie lacked what Signs and The Sixth Sense offered M. Night supporters.....answers to why weird stuff happens!

But another summer movie I'm going to support because it will help Will Smith's July 4th reign as Big Willy Weekend. Although, I was kinda perplexed by his appearance on Dave Letterman:

I Saw Sex and the City!

I don't wanna spoil the movie for anyone who still hasn't seen it....but I give it a B+ and thought of the movie as 3 episodes edited together. I laughed, I cried, and I still want more. I hear they're already talking SEQUEL!!!! Click here for SJP's take on another movie and here to read Kristin Davis' thoughts.


Here's a great interview with SJP on the movie:



and another funny clip from an online spinoff of the infamous show, "Six in the City":