Aaron Sorkin crafts what people who have (apparently) read the script, tell as an interesting look at the creation of internet phenomena facebook, and more specifically a telling of mark zuckerburg's story.
Now, I have no freakin idea about anything to do with the conception history of facebook, nor have more of a notion about mark zuckerburg other than 'he was seen to be shy/nerdy but displays a pompous/prick attitude since facebook hit the world.'
I've got to say, the only reason I am interested in this story and the movie that it is becoming is because of its writer, Aaron Sorkin. David fincher also brings much credibility to it, giving you the sense it can't possibly be bad!
Let's focus on the writing though, and if someone doesn't know him? Sorkin has written must see movies and television since his rise to acclaim starting in his first love, theatre, writing plays in the late 80's. His basic credits :
==A few good men (screenplay,story)==The tom cruise film with the famous movie line "You cant handle the truth!"
==The american president (screenplay)==While a somewhat gag-worthy genre for most males (certainly how I felt when i was 14 when the movie came to VHS - yeah back then it was VHS..), if you actually watch it and get immersed in the characters and even the philosophy (whether you agree or not) it is very interesting, plenty funny and at the climax very moving.
==Sports night (TV, creator, writer)==A behind the scenes look at the operating of a sports news program, which focuses on the stories of the characters bonding and interacting in the fast paced and skilled fields of production. This is a comedy/drama as opposed to the other way
The thing about this series which is unfortunate is the network forced sorkin and the producers to have a laugh track. This didnt suit the jokes and tone and can make some awkward watching. They gradually convinced the bigwigs that the track brought down the impact of the show and by late in the first season it was almost gone, and by the second and final season it was gone. This is my favourite season.
==The West Wing (TV, creator, writer Season1-4)==The inner workings of the white house told from the view of the presidential advisors high up in the administration and also the president himself. As opposed to Sports night this is a drama/comedy mix.
At its core it is a showing of the best and flawed parts of the american spirit and system, with an aim of hope, promise and intelligence to face the hurdles. At the surface it is a look at the main characters' triumph and equal struggle of a democratic administration with a republican ruled house/senate, that must grind and muscle grit for any inch of what it believes is the best for the country they are in place to run.
I am not that political, in the sense that I think the world is far too complex and fucked to take one political party and say they are always right in hopes things will improve. But for me, the presentation of the politics in TWW sit pretty much smack on with logic, reason and the intent for improving things home and abroad. I do understand republicans would resent that implication but really whatever
This show is massively fiction.
Epic episodes are plentiful, thoroughly memorable plots and dynamics abound. so many quoteables.
...this wall is curved... -agent casper
...let bartlet be bartlet... -josh
...aint nothin' but a family thing... -leo
...where's the social
inequality in cartography?... -sam
...how do people die from a vending machine... -donna
...It's not a birthday card, its a birthday message... -sam
...lady your god's too busy being indicted for tax fraud!... -josh
...theres literally noone in the world, i dont hate right now...toby
...he thinks I might have an eating disorder, and a fear of rectangles. Thats not weird is it?... -josh
...knock yourself out sam, on second thoughts why dont you go ahead and knock yourself out... -leo
...id say, screw around if you like, but its your money, its about to be my money - and I sleep just fine... -stanley keyworth
...If i cook it inside the turkey is there a chance I could kill my guests?..Im not saying thats necesarily a dealbreaker... -bartlet
hilarious 2006 video
by bradley whitfordStill, I've got to say the bulk of videos, tributes and compilations on youtube absurdly fail to present the show in its true essence. i'm glad I own all the DVD's. It feels as though these TWW noob-fans present lost or prison break that way and just shifted their focus to showing west wing clips.
==Studio 60 : At the sunset strip (TV, creator, writer)==Behind the scenes of a saturday night live type show.
The biggest conjecture about this show is it is sorkin's most unsuccessful project, having only one season. Now at the time I watched this show (2008 on dvd), I didn't know it had been cancelled. As australia doesnt really pick up every US show, only about 70% of the big shows. When i discovered it was cancelled boy I was so dissapointed. This show made me love amanda peet as an actress. I think ALL her previous roles she ever did were not impressive once I saw her in Studio 60.
Also you can't really beat the combo of whitford/perry. They are so so likeable together. And timothy busfield also stars and is directing many episodes of the show also is an awesome inclusion.
I honestly dont know why it didnt continue. Ive read up that it was for some fucked up reason compared to 30 rock in its promotion and given a crappier timeslot after episode 9. I also heard that its only failing was in live viewer numbers. Its Tivo retention INCREASED all the way through the season (by the end being 30% higher than episode 2) and its numbers were HIGHER than 80% of other tv shows of ANY network if you include the recorded viewers.
==Charlie Wilson's War (screenplay)==About a texas congressmen in the 80's who supplies guns to afghans who are occupied by soviet russia, and endows them to defeat the war against the soviets. Obvious historical consequences unforseen arise from this which charlie learns in time.
My least favourite production he got involved in. I've only seen it once, maybe it would grow on me if i gave it another shot..
I just watched the ending episode of season 2 of The West Wing and this reminded me about the writer's upcoming stuff and the hopeful promise of some decent television coming.
At least people have to agree that "the good wife" is a terrible ass show that could be replaced by something Aaron sorkin could write in 30 mins on a piece of toilet paper.So getting back to the subject at hand. He has "The social network" in the can and I'll definitely check it out. There is also on the rumor train talk he wants to make another TV series after this movie run he is on. The TV show would be 2011-12 ETA. I'm intruiged more by that, than these movies coming up.
BTW if anyone wants to share their knowledge of the zuckerburg story or details of the movie they may have,
can you put it in spoiler tags..I don't wish to be given away on the premise or details of the movie and its characters - I want to go in with a blank view. Cheers
