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rifa · 07 Oct 2010, 15:08

Inception Vs. The Social Network

Un articol interesant in legatura cu diferentele dintre generatiile de cinefli si critici si nu numai...

"I'm very interested to hear why everyone is hailing The Social Network as an 'amazing' and 'superb' film that's going to be the one to beat at the Oscars. Really? I'm 22, and I've had a Facebook since the site first launched, and I thought the movie was just alright.

"It seems the only people who are really going off about the film are those over 30, who probably just got a facebook last week, or people who have never even been to the site. Fincher is an amazing director and Sorkin an equally talented writer, but get off their dicks, the movie was far from amazing.

"A narcissistic 20 year old steals from his fellow students and leaves his friends in the dust for a couple Billion dollars. Was I supposed to be rooting for somebody in this film? Was I supposed to feel sympathetic for some little asshole who doesn't have to fight to overcome anything because he's got lawyers and big bank account?

"Good movie, not great, definitely forgettable."

Before I misrepresent myself, I can't tell you I interviewed everyone coming out of the film. My experience was completely anecdotal, but based on reactions during the film and the smattering applause at the end of the flick (here in Los Angeles we now applaud at films on opening weekend – and yes I know it's lame) the general consensus was – meh. Maybe only old farts are crazy about The Social Network.

On the other hand there was another film out this year that twenty-somethings went Lady Ga-Ga for even though their elders were not as impressed.
I have rarely met a person in their twenties that didn't love Inception. In case you think my observation in regards to this film is anecdotal, I simply point to the box-office both on the opening weekend and the several weeks that followed. In the case of Chris Nolan's film, young people voted with their wallets and they voted often. If the Democrats can get that kind of hold on November 2nd they'll keep both Houses of Congress.

People I've talked to that are over thirty-five (and I fully understand your experience may be different) almost universally loathe the film. I've been forced to listen to my friends bash Chris Nolan's flick over and over again ever since it was released. The Gen-Xers and Boomers I've talked to, for the most part, just don't seem to "get" Inception. They think it's silly, pretentious and half-baked.

Inception didn't do nearly as well, critically speaking, as The Social Network. It got a solid 87% on Rotten Tomatoes, but The Social Network got a 97% and even films like The Town received better ratings. And some of the good reviews even contained backhanded compliments such as this one from MSN's James Rocchi, "It has all of Nolan's strengths, and some of his weaknesses, and it is undeniably his. It is a $160 million action film about loss and regret, and it is exciting in part because of its flaws." Rocchi did give Inception a good review and 4-1/2 out of five stars, but he gave The Social Network 5 out of 5.

I think this means we are beginning to see a changing of the guard in popular entertainment. It may not be as obvious as when the baby boomers revolutionized popular mediums back in the 60s. It's just as big, though, because 70% of the world's population is less than 30-years-old. And they like the hopeful fantasy of filmmakers like Nolan, Cameron and the Pixar gang more than the nihilism of a director like Fincher. Most of the old guard from the nineties do not appeal to Generation Y. Whether its indie stalwarts like Todd Solondz and Neil LaBute or more mainstream names like Fincher and Sam Mendes. They don't want to watch films that paint the world as a bleak and painful experience. They want Hope and Change. (Or Hope and Crosby at the very least.) That's why they voted in 2008 and why they flock to Chris Nolan films.

Things are bleak in Fincher's world. At the end of The Social Network Mark Zuckerberg is left in his lawyer's conference room hitting refresh over and over again hoping an old flame will "friend" him on his own website. Zuck can change the world but he can't get a BU girl to friend him back. He's in a box like Tracy's head in Seven, only his box is self made. As Teddy says in his Deadline Hollywood post; Fincher's Zuckerberg doesn't "fight to overcome anything." He's even talked out of continuing to fight the lawsuits.

In real life Zuckerberg did have to fight to succeed. Facebook was in a very competitive world, competing with several similar startups. The Facebook story could have easily featured a group of friends dealing with their own human frailties and the mistakes of youth to overcome the competition and conquer the world. Imagine what Chris Nolan would do with that kind of material. Nolan isn't afraid to take on dark subject matter but his protagonists always complete their heroic arcs and learn something from the journey.
I'm not sure Inception is a generational film and don't think for a second I don't recognize Nolan as a director of bleak and nihilistic films. The Dark Knight may speak to a generation louder than Inception considering it's squarely rooted in the world's fear following the 9/11 attacks. However, we're talking 2010 right now and Inception may also be a generational film… More than The Social Network at least.

Inception speaks to the younger generation in a way that hits them where they live and it confounds their elders in a way that makes them scratch their heads. That's what generational films do in my opinion. Whether it's a film like Rebel Without A Cause in the 50's, Easy Rider in the 60's or the Breakfast Club in the 80's. What I do know is the people who will decide these things are 22 year olds like "Teddy", not Baby Boomer critics or Gen-X bloggers like myself.

All of this makes me wonder what everyone else thinks regarding critics proclaiming a film generational? Especially when the critics are older than the generation in question. Does anyone think Inception or The Social Network are generational films or is this generation still waiting for their film? I, for one, would like to know what you think.

Desigur, nu ma astept ca snobii nostri sa inteleaga ceva...

Doar suntem o generatie ratata cum spunea un caine pe-aici...

07 Oct 2010, 15:08	#302
rifa Guru Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 338	Inception Vs. The Social Network Un articol interesant in legatura cu diferentele dintre generatiile de cinefli si critici si nu numai... "I'm very interested to hear why everyone is hailing The Social Network as an 'amazing' and 'superb' film that's going to be the one to beat at the Oscars. Really? I'm 22, and I've had a Facebook since the site first launched, and I thought the movie was just alright. "It seems the only people who are really going off about the film are those over 30, who probably just got a facebook last week, or people who have never even been to the site. Fincher is an amazing director and Sorkin an equally talented writer, but get off their dicks, the movie was far from amazing. "A narcissistic 20 year old steals from his fellow students and leaves his friends in the dust for a couple Billion dollars. Was I supposed to be rooting for somebody in this film? Was I supposed to feel sympathetic for some little asshole who doesn't have to fight to overcome anything because he's got lawyers and big bank account? "Good movie, not great, definitely forgettable." Before I misrepresent myself, I can't tell you I interviewed everyone coming out of the film. My experience was completely anecdotal, but based on reactions during the film and the smattering applause at the end of the flick (here in Los Angeles we now applaud at films on opening weekend – and yes I know it's lame) the general consensus was – meh. Maybe only old farts are crazy about The Social Network. On the other hand there was another film out this year that twenty-somethings went Lady Ga-Ga for even though their elders were not as impressed. I have rarely met a person in their twenties that didn't love Inception. In case you think my observation in regards to this film is anecdotal, I simply point to the box-office both on the opening weekend and the several weeks that followed. In the case of Chris Nolan's film, young people voted with their wallets and they voted often. If the Democrats can get that kind of hold on November 2nd they'll keep both Houses of Congress. People I've talked to that are over thirty-five (and I fully understand your experience may be different) almost universally loathe the film. I've been forced to listen to my friends bash Chris Nolan's flick over and over again ever since it was released. The Gen-Xers and Boomers I've talked to, for the most part, just don't seem to "get" Inception. They think it's silly, pretentious and half-baked. Inception didn't do nearly as well, critically speaking, as The Social Network. It got a solid 87% on Rotten Tomatoes, but The Social Network got a 97% and even films like The Town received better ratings. And some of the good reviews even contained backhanded compliments such as this one from MSN's James Rocchi, "It has all of Nolan's strengths, and some of his weaknesses, and it is undeniably his. It is a $160 million action film about loss and regret, and it is exciting in part because of its flaws." Rocchi did give Inception a good review and 4-1/2 out of five stars, but he gave The Social Network 5 out of 5. I think this means we are beginning to see a changing of the guard in popular entertainment. It may not be as obvious as when the baby boomers revolutionized popular mediums back in the 60s. It's just as big, though, because 70% of the world's population is less than 30-years-old. And they like the hopeful fantasy of filmmakers like Nolan, Cameron and the Pixar gang more than the nihilism of a director like Fincher. Most of the old guard from the nineties do not appeal to Generation Y. Whether its indie stalwarts like Todd Solondz and Neil LaBute or more mainstream names like Fincher and Sam Mendes. They don't want to watch films that paint the world as a bleak and painful experience. They want Hope and Change. (Or Hope and Crosby at the very least.) That's why they voted in 2008 and why they flock to Chris Nolan films. Things are bleak in Fincher's world. At the end of The Social Network Mark Zuckerberg is left in his lawyer's conference room hitting refresh over and over again hoping an old flame will "friend" him on his own website. Zuck can change the world but he can't get a BU girl to friend him back. He's in a box like Tracy's head in Seven, only his box is self made. As Teddy says in his Deadline Hollywood post; Fincher's Zuckerberg doesn't "fight to overcome anything." He's even talked out of continuing to fight the lawsuits. In real life Zuckerberg did have to fight to succeed. Facebook was in a very competitive world, competing with several similar startups. The Facebook story could have easily featured a group of friends dealing with their own human frailties and the mistakes of youth to overcome the competition and conquer the world. Imagine what Chris Nolan would do with that kind of material. Nolan isn't afraid to take on dark subject matter but his protagonists always complete their heroic arcs and learn something from the journey. I'm not sure Inception is a generational film and don't think for a second I don't recognize Nolan as a director of bleak and nihilistic films. The Dark Knight may speak to a generation louder than Inception considering it's squarely rooted in the world's fear following the 9/11 attacks. However, we're talking 2010 right now and Inception may also be a generational film… More than The Social Network at least. Inception speaks to the younger generation in a way that hits them where they live and it confounds their elders in a way that makes them scratch their heads. That's what generational films do in my opinion. Whether it's a film like Rebel Without A Cause in the 50's, Easy Rider in the 60's or the Breakfast Club in the 80's. What I do know is the people who will decide these things are 22 year olds like "Teddy", not Baby Boomer critics or Gen-X bloggers like myself. All of this makes me wonder what everyone else thinks regarding *critics proclaiming a film generational? Especially when the critics are older than the generation in question.* Does anyone think Inception or The Social Network are generational films or is this generation still waiting for their film? I, for one, would like to know what you think. Desigur, nu ma astept ca snobii nostri sa inteleaga ceva... Doar suntem o generatie ratata cum spunea un caine pe-aici... Last edited by rifa : 07 Oct 2010 at 15:16.