The Pros and Cons of Change

We all like to think that we can adapt to change when it happens, but sometimes I wonder when it comes to the really big changes.
Continuity and consistency is hugely under rated, I think.
But what happens when you wake up one day and realise that the comfortable little world you exist in is actually slowly suffocating you?
I reckon that when it comes to life's big changes I an horribly unprepared. Sure, it is hard to prepare for something that you don't know is coming but I think you know what I mean.
My reflexes tend to take a bit of time. When I hit a speed bump it can slow me down. There are times that I feel like a deer staring at the headlights, stunned, when something comes up.
Rarely do I take things in my stride. Minor things, changes of plan for example, are no issue at all.
We all like to think things will stay the same forever, particularly if life is just swimming along nicely. That is an incredibly naive outlook, though.
What if you actively want to change something? Initiating change is still a bit scary because even though you may desire something to be different once it is different how often do you want things back the way they were? I know that's happened to me a few times.
But if you don't do something how are you going to experience a whole bunch of wonderful things out there in the world?
Makes you think....

The Social Network

What is really ironic about The Social Network is how disconnected Mark Zuckerberg (Jesse Eisenberg) is when you consider he established a social networking website.
It's actually very unsettling, even from the first scene where he is dumped by his girlfriend and told girls won't like him ''not because you are a nerd, but because you are an asshole''.

Yes, The Social Network is the story of how Facebook came to be and as lame as that sounds on face value this is a really enthralling and entertaining movie.

Zuckerberg and his only friend Eduardo Saverin (Andrew Garfield) co-found the site after Zuckerberg, spurned by being dumped, unloads on his ex and decides to create a site that rates girls against other girls. This eventually morphs into an idea about a site where you can socialise.

Ths Social Network is essentially the story, told in flashbacks, of Zuckerberg being sued by Saverin and also by some Harvard boys who claim had the idea first and had it stolen from them.

The revelation of the movie is the performance of Justin Timberlake as Sean Parker, the man who established Napster and who befriends Zuckerberg and gets involved in Facebook, much to the disdain of Saverin. What the heck was he doing singing, this guy can act!

This is not a movie about Facebook, despite what appears on the surface.

This is a movie about friendship and betrayal. Zuckerberg is extremely annoying yet mesmerising, no doubt due to an amazing performance from Eisenberg. I sat there wondering how someone who has no idea what it means to be a friend came up with a site connecting people and made it work. He is an absolute jerk and you kind of want to punch him.

But at the same time you kind of feel sorry for him because he had a friend in Saverin who was there for him but totally couldn't see it. He could only see himself. It's actually kind of chilling. Plus I think he's too smart for his own good.

The Social Network is a high quality film and one worth at least another look. A solid 8.5 out of 10. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Buried

At a time when there are far too many remakes and sequels and no originality it is refreshing when a film like Buried comes along.

Having said that, its originality is the only refreshing thing about this tense, disturbing and harrowing thriller with only one person on screen for the entire 90 minutes.

Ryan Reynolds is Paul Conroy, a truck driver who has been working in Iraq who awakens bound, gagged and buried in a wooden box that is slightly longer than he is tall.

His memory of what happened to him is sketchy and time, aside from being buried in a box, is his biggest enemy.

All he has on him is a lighter, a flask and some anti-anxiety pills. Soon he discovers there is also a mobile phone in the box and he uses it to try to raise some help from the world above him. He soon also realises the phone is there for a reason.

The mood from the opening scene, which is black, is very tense and claustrophobic and the lighting is excellent, and largely very believable, considering the confined space.

Reynolds is brilliant, and he has to be, in carrying this movie. He's the only character in the film with the plot moved by voice actors as he makes contact with the phone.

Without going any further with the plot I'll say this is outstanding, it's so good to see something original even if it is uncomfortable to watch. In a way it reminds me of Moon from last year where Sam Rockwell is pretty much the only actor on screen for the whole film.

It just goes to show that risks can be taken with movies, it doesn't have to be all formula, 're-imagining' and sequels. This works through a tight script, a stunning performance and the fact that for the entire movie you're grateful you aren't in that box.

A 9 out of 10. Must-see - if you can stand it.

Circles

I've just been reading some things I wrote a few years ago now and it struck me how, for a large part, things are still the same.
Going around in circles again.
This has got to stop, I have got to find the right way to break the cycle.
I know all the theory, pretty well too, but I have (obviously) found it difficult to put into practice.
It's incredibly frustrating to know that after all this time I may only be a few steps forward from where I was, instead of miles ahead.