The Social Network

When the reviews came out for The Social Network, I really couldn't believe the amount of near perfect scores given by every movie critic. After watching it, now I do. The Social Network must be your movie to watch for 2010. It was funktastic. For those that live under a rock, The Social Network is generally about the founder of Facebook, Mark Zuckerberg and his journey from being dumped by girlfriend Erica (Rooney Mara) to creating one of the most highly used social networking websites in the world. The film moves in a non-linear fashion, with Mark being sued by his best friend Eduardo Saverin (Andrew Garfield) and the Winklevoss twins (Armie Hammer playing both twins) . Mark's testifies to both lawsuits bringing the film back and forth from past and present detailing the start of Facebook with an idea from the Winklevoss and founding the site with best friend Eduardo Saverin.

This film is about Mark Zuckerberg and his journey. There are many who say that the film vilifies him and makes him look like a big asshole who steps on everyone else just to get to the top. I say the film shows him as who he is; human. And Jesse Eisenberg plays Mark with such great consistency, mirroring a man who has everything and yet a man just as average and ordinary as anyone else on the face of the Earth. When Andrew Garfield was slated to take over the role of Peter Parker in the Spiderman reboot, I was in doubt at first. Mainly because the only other film I'd ever seen him in was the Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus but after seeing his performance in The Social Network as the betrayed and dejected Eduardo, my doubts have since disappeared. Even Justin Timberlake put on a believable performance as Netscape founder Sean Parker, playing a slick sleaze ball who we all want to hate and yet admire.

The script, the script really overtakes the entire film with infectious quotes and witty dialogue that you wish you could think of yourself. All thanks to screenwriter Aaron Sorkin who had been involved with writing political based movies like A Few Good Men, Charlie Wilson's War, The American President and of course the television series, The West Wing. The Social Network wasn't even a comedy and yet it made me laugh more times than some comedies I've had the displeasure of laying my eyes on. It was funny, witty and the actors performed brilliantlt.

However, even if a movie had a good script, a potentially untalented director could steer the movie into shitville and that's where David Fincher comes in. David Fincher is one of my favourite modern directors and The Social Network marks a departure from Fincher's other works (Fight Club, Zodiac, Seven) that have a depressing and bleak tone to them. Fincher constructs a story that is so fluid, there is never a dull moment. Usually, a film that operates in a non-linear fashion tend to be messy, but Fincher manages two present cases and interlinks them effortlessly with the past, making the film a joy to watch. The music score is infectious and as of now, is what I'm currently listening to. The vibrant soundtrack kicks in at certain moments propelling the film to a new level of style.

The movie was flawless. Not a hair out of place. Although, it never did feel like a perfect movie in a sense. I felt that the film didn't take the risks necessary to propel it into one of the greatest ever. After watching The Social Network, I could tell that the film was brilliantly good, but not as good as those in my top ten and it bugs me that it could. The Social Network could have been up there with Citizen Kane. However, its great the way it is and all the best at the Oscars. I am thoroughly divided for the Oscars this year.. I want David Fincher to win but at the same time want Christopher Nolan to win as well. Two of the most talented directors to ever be gifted into Hollywood.

Final verdict - Funny, memorable and will change the way you look at Facebook. Its a sad tale of the youngest billionaire in the world. When the movie ends, you don't expect it because you would have enjoyed every minute of The Social Network.

10/10

The Benefits of a Vegan

If what I learned from Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World is true, then I can assume that all hardcore vegans that do not consume meat nor the product of any animal are granted totally awesome telekinetic powers. I wonder why there is no super power admitted to those that require the eat of the meat. Meat is awesome too, but so is totally awesome telekinetic powers.

Which would appeal to me more? The ability to eat meat or the ability to fling people around like ragdolls?

If I went vegan, I wouldn't be able to eat the Beef Bacon Burger at Chili's and that sucks big time. If I ate meat, I wouldn't be able to do awesome stuff like, punch the moon. This decision is as hard as the time I had to decide between manipulating the stock markets and making tons of money at the expense of the world economy (Yes, I caused the Global Financial Crisis by increasing the issuance of mortgage through Adobe).

But if you think about it, can a vegan survive in a post apocalyptic future where food is scarce and the only thing available is human flesh? Thought so. Being vegan is awesome but the reality is, Chili's Beef Bacon Burger is beyond being a vegan.

Let Me In

I hate it when Hollywood remakes good foreign films. For the uninitiated, Let Me In is a remake of Let The Right One In, a Swedish film based upon a Swedish novel. All I can say is that Matt Reeves does a fucking brilliant job at crafting a haunting vampire love story. Let Me In holds its on and is just as good, maybe better than the original.

In a nutshell: Owen (Kodi Smit-McPhee) is a frail 12 year old boy and generally an outcast who is constantly bullied by Kenny and his gang. One day, he spots an old man and a girl about his age move into the apartment unit next to his. The girl is Abby (Chloe Moretz) who to Owen looks to be a weird and mysterious girl. What he doesn't know is that Abby is a vampire who offers a new leap in Owen's life.

I've noticed that a lot of Malaysian's have complained about the film's lack of scare elements and contribute that the film is a bore and offers nothing in the horror genre. Horror doesn't have to be scary, it can mean a lot of other things as well. Let Me In had a thoroughly haunting presence, complimented by an awesome music score, subtle dialogue and the sleepy town itself.

Both Kodi and Chloe play their parts with absolute professionalism and bode a natural chemistry between the two on the screen. You can actually believe there is a bond between Owen and Abby because it is just that good. However, in comparision with the original Swedish version, Lina Leandersson beats Chloe's performance by a slim mile. Let Me In is more violent than the original, the feel of such is produced by Reeves method of making Abby more volatile when it came to making the kill as compared to Alfredson's style of making Eli more subtle in her kill.

My main complaint would be Reeves slight change in the storyline by eliminating the Lacke/Virginia subplot as I thought it made the confrontation between Eli and Lacke more profound and emotionally effective as compared with the unnamed Police Detective and Abby. I was also hopping for a more prevalent relationship connection between "The Father" and Abby in Let Me In but I can understand Reeve's decision to cut out those subplots in favour of concentrating more on Abby and Owen.

Props to make up for when Abby's in her vampire mode. Definately unsettling to see Chloe who is normally adorable in a shroud of true horror.

On a super plus side the vampire mythology is back to its basics with sunlight actually killing vampires as opposed to 'you know what'. This is how vampires are supposed to be. They're not emo and certainly not glamorous. They're tortured creatures of the night that beg to be released from their curse and true monsters that won't think twice about ripping out your throat.

Closing verdict: One of the best films of the year

9/10

Back From The Outer Limits

You must have thought to yourself, what happened to Haikal's awesome blog? I know as of now, most of my devoted readers have committed suicide due to the absence of their life essence but before more of you do, I am pleased to announced that this blog is far from dead. The tumour has since been removed and life goes on as the atheist god pleases.

I am back from my harrowing adventures of travelling the countryside searching for the meaning of forgetfulness. Fortunately I wrote it down and gave it to my PA to document within my company but she has since forgotten where she has placed it.

Memo to self: Fire PA

Don't go away, the blogs gonna get the rebirth it needs. Like a jab of microbes in the eyeball of a phoenix. That sounds so rock and roll.

To My Favourite Flower

My heart moves to the sound of your voice

There is nothing in the world that I'd rather hear

Than the love you give me through your choice

There is that notion, there is that fear

That I would one day stand alone atop that cliff

Watching down upon the waves that wash ashore

Remembering that face which captured my heart, wondering if

I would throw myself into the ocean's floor

Before that day comes, I want you to know

That I love you more than life, more than anything in the world

You are my life, you are my beau

You are the treasure I have found, an oyster's pearl

Not one day passes that I don't think of you

Of your smile, your laugh, your beauty

This is not a lie, as what I say is true

You are the everlasting angel that my arms will forever carry

You are my Yoshimi

Update: Dragon Age Poem

Haven't added anything new to the blog probably because of the lack of inspiration, motivation, writer's block and general laziness.. There was supposed to be five more parts to the Dragon Age: Origins epic poem but, my god.. so fucking lazy.

But in brief, this is what will happen. Sacred Ashes quest, defeat High Dragon guarding ashes, take ashes to Arl, heal him, proceed to completing all party members personal quests, kill that bitch from Orlais for Leliana, sex with Leliana, kill that old bitch Flemeth for Morrigan, find Sten's bitch sword, visit Alistair's long lost bitch sister in Denerim, get Ohgren together with bitch at Lake Calenhad, kill bitch assassins going after Zevran, give bitch Wynne closure, proceed to Landsmeet to confront Loghain, Anora crowned queen, Alistair leaves because I fucked up, have sex with Morrigan as perse of ritual, final battle with Archdemon at Denerim, kill that fucker, goddamn fucking hero of Ferelden. And then there would be the epilogue poem that ends everything.

However, I'm not gonna do it cause I'm lazy and shit so.. The End.

DRAGON AGE ORIGINS: As Told By A Blind Poet (Part Four)

Greeted by Zathrian, Keeper of the Dalish

The Warden offers the binding treaty

Only for Zathrian to propose a quest the Warden must finish
The threat to the Dalish lies towards the werewolves

Ferocious cursed beast who stand to destory Dalish livelihood

The Warden must seek Witherfang and take its heart

To cure Dalish infected, thus to kill the wolves brood

The dark Brecillian Forest awaits the Warden's steps

A werewolf who calls himself Swiftrunner shows

Calling the Warden to desist his quest or risk further zeolous traps

The Warden presses on, cutting through werewolves and darkspawn alike

As the Warden reaches the Southern Ancient Tombstone, Swiftrunner reappears

It is learned that the werewolves of the Brecilian Forest bear a deep grudge toward Zathrian

With questions unanswered, the only hint being the Lady's tears

The Warden travels deeper for answers

Entering the Elven Tombs, delving in history

They reach the Lair of the Werewolves, with bloodied armours

Swiftrunner meets the Warden and grants him an audience with the Lady

The curse is of Witherfang, a spirit who calls herself Lady of the Forest

The Lady reveals what Zathrian did not

The curse was called upon by the Keeper against those of evil purest

Hundreds of years before, men fouled the children of the Keeper

Zathrian in vengeance, summoned Witherfang and her curse

Hundreds has passed, those that are werewolves are now those innocent, filled with bitter

The Lady asks the Warden to bring Zathrian to her, to meet

The choice of whatever happens next falls to the Warden

Side with the beasts and kill the Dalish, side with the Dalish and kill the beasts

Or act as paragon, sacrificing Lady and Keeper for the sake of the children

Zathrian, in a ritual, takes his own life as well as the Lady's

The curse is lifted and all is well

Lanaya is Keeper and the beasts, curse uplifted return to their human duties

The Dalish elves honour the treaty and lend their hand to battle the Blight

The Warden sets out to complete an unfinished quest

To retrieve the Sacred Ashes for the Arl

The next clue to the journey bears the royal crest

Brother Genitivi holds the key, the key which lies in the capital of Ferelden, Denerim