I went to see The Social Network, and I really enjoyed it. I reckon that a lot of people will go to see the ‘Facebook Movie’, because they use facebook a lot, and I think they will probably come away disappointed. The movie was quite business, and technology orientated, and while that will appeal to some people (like me), I think it might bore others.

What I am really interested about the movie, is how much truth is actually in it. ‘The Social Network’ is a movie, based on the book, ‘The Accidental Billionaires’, which is based on Eduardo Saverin’s account of the history of Facebook.

Having read a few blogs and articles about the movie before going to see it, I was of the opinion that it was going to be more or less a fabrication, and imagine some of it was, but I also suspect there was a good deal of truth in it.

The movie is focused on two lawsuits that founder, Mark Zuckerberg, was involved in. One with Facebook co-founder, and former best friend, Eduardo Saverin, and one with the Winklevoss twins. Mark comes across as a bit of a jerk, who stabbed his best friend in the back, and stole his big idea from other students at Harvard. However I think he is portrayed as a worse person than he probably is. I think the person that is to blame for the damaged relationship between Mark and Eduardo, was Napster founder, Sean Parker, although Mark still has responsibility for his own actions.

Regardless of the negative way that Zuckerberg was portrayed, the film did still portray him as driven, smart guy. It has also made Mark Zuckerberg a celebrity to millions of people who otherwise wouldn’t have heard of him, even though they use his creation every day.

What I would really love, would be if Zuckerberg, Saverin, and the Winklevosses, all published their own books, with their version of events. I have no doubt that all 3 books would have conflicting stories, but it would be interesting to see the differences.

I think now that I have seen the film, I will re-read the articles I have read, and I want to also want to read ‘The Facebook Effect’ by David Kirkpatrick, and ‘The Accidental Billionaires’ by Ben Mezrich, to gain a bit more insight into the origins of the the site that now has over 500 million members.

I do recommend the film, but being a little bit geeky I am somewhat biased.

I only heard about the ‘Facebook movie’ a couple of weeks ago. If I’m being honest my first reaction was not positive. I think my exact thought was “Are you serious?! Why make a movie about Facebook”

But having seen the trailer, and read a couple of blogs about it, I am intrigued by the movie. It appeals to my geeky side a bit, to see the story of how Mark Zuckerberg built his empire. There is an article about the movie in the latest edition of Wired UK, once I have read this and seen the movie I will post my thoughts.

Have any of you seen the movie yet? What are your thoughts?

As I watched The Blindside, I was really struck and captivated by the story. The fact that it is based on a true story is even more amazing. I can’t speak for the real Leigh Anne Tuohy, but Sandra Bullock’s character was portrayed as a white, rich, conservative Christian from Memphis. Right in the bible belt of America. Sound familiar? Similar to some of the religious attitudes in Northern Ireland. I don’t want to give too much of the film away, but essentially she takes in a homeless kid, who she knows nothing about, from the ‘other side’ of town. She raises him along with her biological family and and totally changes the course of his life. 

Why did she do this? It seems strange that she would take this guy in. Her peers, other rich, white, conservatives mock her and are patronising towards her. ‘Another one of your litte projects’ is how they described her act of kindness. 

As I watched the movie it struck me that this is the kind of love that Christ showed, and that we are to show to others. Christians in NI, and I include myself in this, are so quick to judge others, ‘They are homeless for a reason’, ‘if they wanted to get our of poverty they could do it themselves, meanwhile we sit in our nice homes, watching our TVs, playing our xboxs. While there are people who we could be helping. 

One of the ways you could help is by sponsoring a child. I have been sponsoring, Emorutu Ronald, who lives in Uganda, for a few years now, through Compassion International. It’s great to write to him and get letters back, hear how Compassion are making a difference in his life. Compassion work with children all over the world, some who are in need of help. It isn’t a big deal for us here to sponsor a child, even in this economic climate, most of us are doing ok, but there are kids who have nothing. 

Check out Compassion UK or Compassion International, for more information on what they do, and how you can sponsor a child. 

Normally when Lorraine and I go to the cinema I get to pick the film. I think my choice is usually pretty good, movies ranging from Shutter Island, to American Ganster, to Up. Lorraine tends to pick things more like Sweet Home Alabama, or How to Lose a guy in Ten Days. So when she suggested going to see The Blindside, starring Sandra Bullock, I was skeptical. I am aware that this was an oscar winning performance from her, but I am not a fan. I did manage to avoid going on Friday night, but promised that I would go on Saturday night instead.
So we went to the cinema on Saturday night to see The Blindside, and I went in with a closed mind, determined not to like it. 

However, I am now eating my words. Lorraine was right about the movie. The Blindside, is quite simply fantastic. In case you haven’t heard of the movie, basically it is the story of NFL player, Michael Oher, and the family that took him in through his youth. It is based on the true story of Oher and the Tuohy family. Have a look at he trailer. 

I would really recomend going to see this movie if you haven’t already. It is a poignant and moving film. Quinton Aaron, portrays Michael Oher so well, and engages you with the character. Post number 2 coming soon, dealing with my thoughts on the underlying themes in the movie.