THE SOCIAL NETWORK(TSN) THE ROSEBUD CONNECTION

When i first heard that they were doing a FaceBook movie , i was like "how is that going to work?" , "Enough Hollywood come up with something new". I didn't think much of it again, and then the trailer came out and i was mildly interested but flipped off again. Then when it was actually out in the cinemas and i heard Aaron Sorkin(West Wing,A Few Good Men) and David Fincher(Seven,Fight Club) were at the helm and i decided to check it out.

It turned out to be my favorite movie of 2010. The opening scene in phenomenal, it's an x-ray of the personality and world view of the anti hero Mark Zuckerberg. That conversation is a perfect set up and the catalyst for the entire movie and sets the tone for everything that we are about to witness. I say witness because that is what it feels like watching this movie, witnessing the birth of a global phenomenon.

Considering most of the content is developed from the court  depositions and the book The Accidental Billionaires, this is a movie that all things being equal should be a snoozefest . But it is far from being boring, in the capable hands of David Fincher working with the excellent script by Aaron Sorkin it is a cerebral and emotional thrill ride.

The young cast of actors Jesse Eisenberg, Andrew Garfield and Armie Hammer deserve just as much credit for turning in phenomenal performances. This film has dispelled and catapulted Eisenberg out of any comparison he's had with Michael Cera(Arrested Development,Juno). Their deliverance of the rapid fire dialogue will no doubt enter the annals of great cinematic moments. Eisenberg's delivery of Mark's controlled venomous monologue in response to what he termed a "condescending question", goes right up there with Jack Nicholson's  anti social Melvin Udall in "As Good as it Gets" . Same goes for when Garfield finally goes ballistic after he discovers he's been shafted out of the business like  'fresh-fish' in a maximum security prison. No doubt their performances in these roles will open many doors and eliminate any previous type casts they may have faced.

I dare to say that despite the excellent script, in the hands of a less capable director, this  would have fallen flat on it's face and disappeared, proving the skeptics right.

However, TSN is yet another milestone in the stellar career of Fincher, who previously brought thrillers such as Seven & Zodiac, the technically magnificent The Curious case of Benjamin Button, and generation defining Fight Club. The Social Network will make this his third adaptation from a book and his second based on a true story. And although Fincher does not write his own scripts, you can see the personal stamp he puts on each of his films, and the thematic thread that runs  goes through all the projects he choses. Human nature, it's dark side and the exploration of the grey areas we often wish to ignore. A recurring theme in his films is the rarely picture perfect happy ending.

I'm going to say something which may be considered sacrilege amongst movie purists. The Social Network(TSN)  is the 'Citizen Kane' of our generation. Now while steam comes out your ears and you pick your jaw from the ground, while gathering your thoughts to write a flaming retort on my cinematic equivalent of blasphemy, let me explain.

First of all, for those of you not familiar with said movie, Citizen Kane(1941) is a movie considered to be one of the greatest movies ever made. Written,Directed and starring a young Orson Wells. It is a cinematic achievement that till today few can ever hope to achieve, and for many years remained in the top 5 list of greatest films ever made. Now having said that, i don't compare it in cinematic achievement,i.e cinematography etc  but in theme.

Citizen Kane was about a man's rise from power to nothing.He started with nothing and down the line , with getting  ivy league education, become one of the richest men in the world. He made many enemies along the way, lost most of what was dear to him, and ended up lonely. Even closer to Kane, he was against the movie being made about him and denied any similarities between him and what was portrayed on the screen. Sound familiar? That is precisely what TSN is all about. The price of power and achievement. Which begs the question, are we the same people when we arrive at that treasured professional, social of financial destination? Do we change and is it for the better or the worse.? .

SPOILER ALERT
Another similarity is Rosebud, which is the first thing we hear in CK, and it is the last thing we see. It symbolizes Kane's simpler days, days of childhood innocence that he missed and longed to recapture. In TSN, Erica , his soon to be ex, is the first person we see Mark with, the only other human we know him to have some sort of real social connection. He looses this connection and his determination to forget about her is what leads him to create FaceMash which was the snowball that lead to the avalanche that is known as FaceBook. At the end of the movie, when the dust has settled and he sees the wasteland that the legal and emotional battles have left behind, he tries to reconnect to Erica, the last link to a life prior to success and complete isolation. Erica is the Rosebud of TSN.

SIDEBAR
For aspiring film maker and screen writers , TSN goes to show that you can make a magnificent and entertaining film that does not have to shoehorn in sex scenes, gun fights and 'money shot' explosions. All it takes is a great story that is turned into a great script, wonderful actors are cast and it is taken up by a visionary and capable director.

THE NAIJA THESPIAN:ARE WE THERE YET

An actor should be able to understand the rhythm of the script, get the joke and sing the lines... people like Sam Jackson and Christopher Walken don't grow on trees..." -Tarantino   
With the cinematic release and festival rave of several films, directed by and starring Nigerians, the Naija movie industry is finally moving in a direction where can be known for more than just mass production of movies. The scripts are improving, the cinematographer is rising, but is finding performers that can NAIL  a role,dialogue,performance still a problem in Naija films?

Look at it this way. We remember certain roles, because of the way they were played and how powerfully they resonated with us. Pacino as Scarface and Michael Corleone, Eastwood as Dirty Harry and Man with no name,Hopkins as Hannibal Lecter,Nicholson as Jake Gittes,Spacey as Keyzer Soze, Brando as Don Corleone,Clark Gable as Rhett Butler,Glen Close as Alex Forrest,Meryl Streep in Sophie's Choice, etc etc. These are roles so iconic that some actors have trouble escaping them, e.g Christopher Reeves is remembered for little else other than his role as Superman, and he was so memorable in the role it took close to two decades before they could cast someone else to fill his shoes on the big screen.

There are lines uttered decades ago, which we instantly recognize if we had seen the movie. "I'm gonna make him an offer he ......" , the greatest trick the devil ever pulled...." , "you wanna play rough,huh, ok say hello....." and so many others that have been immortalized in pop culture.I'm sure many of you completed those lines yourselves.

As much as we like to boast with the title of 2nd largest producer of movies, what is the point if our movies come and go and make no impact emotionally or entertainment wise. Characters that touch us and dazzles us in such a way that we find ourselves adopting their philosophies, quoting them and maybe even dressing up as them. Now not all Hollywood films are like that,they have their turkeys too, but if we make so much more films than they do, shouldn't we have larger odds at great performances?

Fortunately, things are changing from what they used to be. Young film makers are coming out with higher quality of productions, better scripts and better directing, which are getting more international recognition on the festival circuit. But looking at the Tarantino quote, have we reached there quite yet?

Historical African personalities on the screen,have been played so far by African Americans, Mandela by Glover and Freeman,Biko by Denzel , Idi Amin by Yapheet Koto and Forrest Whitaker.A biopic of Fela will soon be coming to the big screen and yet another foreign actor is going to play him. Yes, we can chalk  it up to using the Americans using their own people,bankable stars,recognized faces that will put bums in seats  , and it call it studio casting by the suits, but even many of the minor roles are still played by foreign actors. So let's ask ourselves,If those roles were offered to local actors, can you think of a person that'll nail it as powerfully or more powerfully.The role of Fela, can you name a currently working home grown actor that will nail the role as well as Will Smith nailed ALI or Jamie Fox Ray. Or any of those roles like Idi Amin,Mandela and the others Honestly , can you? I'm not dissing them i'm just wondering if maybe i'm the one missing something.

Isn't acting a lot more than the ability to memorize and recite lines?

I've been on set of a few productions and seen "actors" deliver a beautiful line of dialogue delivered clinically, appallingly flat. No cadence, rhythm or tonality , to emphasize the seriousness, humor or sarcasm that the line is intended to have, wasting it and rendering it useless as a lame race horse.

Maybe i'm ignorant of those out there, or have not watched enough Naija made films to knowledgeable that they exist.But despite the several thousands of films produced annually i'm yet to see a character, that is played so powerfully, that several decades years down the line , people can still be fascinated at how realistic the actor portrayed the role. How powerful, intriguing  or fascinating he/she was .A character that penetrates pop culture

But i'm optimistic, Ten years ago, most people would rather be caught with their pants down than listening to Naija music, and then sometime between 2006 and  2007 it all changed. Just like the there was that drastic change in the quality of music and artists in Nigeria, a somewhat overnight change,from unbearable to global dominating is it possible that the acting could change? That from somewhere , some undiscovered talent could come out of the woodwork. Young actors that can come on the scene and fascinate us, older undiscovered talent that deliver with such gravitas that we wonder why they have never been on screen before.

As young film makers rise, and screenwriters create fascinating characters and powerful stories, i certainly hope the acting is there to do the scripts justice. As a film maker friend of mine is always saying, Naija films are on the verge of global explosion and this new decade we just entered is a time where the iron is hot, and Naija film makers are going to create a niche and dazzle the world. New film makers, are coming out with new approaches and visions and dynamic story telling abilities, and like the French Nu Wave of the 50's and 60's, there is a Naija Nu Wave rising and like it's French counterpart  if we get it right, we can take the world by storm injecting new energy and visions into a very jaded movie real estate.


Do you think we have performers that fulfill the Tarantino quote, but maybe the right character or role has not been given to them?? Please feel free to say so.

FRIGHTENING ORIGINS OF SOME OF TODAY'S "POSITIVE THINKING" MESSAGES

In previous times i have been a huge proponent of "positive thinking/self development" etc, but i recently came across a sermon that revealed a lot about some of the frightening origins, which has me filtering, deleting a lot of my audio and hard copy libraries.

Some of these popular teaching have seeped into the church... and disguised themselves as "gospel"
I know the initial reaction most people will have to this, but listen to what is being said and then you decide.

Not all authors and speakers will fall into this.But it's important to find out who their influences are.

Not trying to convince of anyone to do this or that. All i can do is reveal what i have come across Listen to the evidence of some of the origins and choose your path.

I hereby with draw any endorsement or recommendations that have links or roots in any of the teaching or authors mentioned here.


Listen and let us sharpen our discernment

http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=14072746

IDEALS: TO HAVE OR NOT TO HAVE

People often question and challenge me about my "unrealistic" ideals on chastity, relationships,integrity and a bunch of other things. Some say i'm naive or delusion.

They Say: That's the ideal, but this is the way it is   
Likely Reality: It's regret speaking or maybe even an excuse to justify their failures or intended failure to live to those standards.

They Say: You can't  except chastity/integrity/character  from .................. this is the 21st century I Think: Based on that theory , by the 23rd Century , what will people then say about the few ideals that you do believe in right now. Is the a statute of limitations on virtue or truth??

They Say: You can't expect anyone to live up to those ideals -   Then i think What's the alternative, Have no ideals?

They Say:You'll end up alone if you expect such ideals from anyone I Think: If you stand for nothing you'll fall for anything, best to shoot for the moon, and if you miss at least you'll land amongst the stars

Or one variation or another of those messages. Im not a perfect person(not using it as an excuse), so i'm not seeking perfection from anyone, but i do like to believe that people should live what they believe and claim.

Eg A person that claims Christianity, should live according to Christ's creed, and not allow what is socially acceptable or what the crowd does to determine the choices you make in character, integrity, relationships,sexuality, social interaction etc

I finally found the answer for them culled from a Joshua Harris Book.

"Ideals are like stars, we will not succeed in touching them with our hands ,but by following them like the seafaring man on the ocean,we will reach our destiny"

CET FINI

http://www.oludascribe.blogspot.com

WORDSMITH MUSINGS- CREED OF A MORPHER:THE TIME OF DECIMATING aka NO MORE MR NICE GUY

WARNING- THIS NOTE CONTAINS SCENES OF A FRANK, AND VERY BLUNT NATURE, READERS USED TO POLITE,GENTLE AND DIPLOMATIC  SUBTLETY  ARE ADVISED 

This is a public service announcement , brought to you in part by Scribe Speak

Friend,Associates,FaceBookers,Bloggers Lend me your ears

The namby pamby , diplomatic

soft spoken 'Hugh Grant bumbling englishman guy

The "let's all get along,

don't wanna rock the boat, 

give in to emotional blackmail/childlike tantrums 

in order the keep the peace 

in a one sided parasitic relationship

run by a vampiric dictatorship"

Guy, has kicked the proverbial bucket

THAT Mary Poppins  twit

downing your spoonfuls of arsenic,

THAT suffering and smiling  SCHMUCK" 

THAT Putz, that let hurtful things slide ALL the time unvoiced

THAT nincompoop that apologized when not in the wrong

THAT Forest Gump, that allowed & accepted all the humiliation

THAT web slinger that ignored his spider sense and got squished

THAT Mumu of previous years 

Has vaporized

He's been given a Viking Burial

sunken to Davy Jones locker

never to return in this lifetime  or the next

The Kofi Annan approach tenure is over

The Royal pardon is abdicated

The kid gloves have been pawned for a Donny Donowitz Baseball bat

The Halo has been sent to the dry cleaners

Not liking it?? 

Cry a river , build a bridge and get over it.

Little did you know, upon reading this note, 

you have just consented to this metamorphosis

A rebirth has begun

from  Prince Adam to He Man 

From Clark Kent to Kal El

Care Bear to Thundercat

Johnny No.5 to T 1000

John Q to Alonzo Harris 

There is a new sheriff in town 

running  users, parasites, wasters, negators 

burn ward,whiners, petty complainers,exhibitionists(body dey scratch)

emotional vampires, attention junkie,rebound seekers 

running them all out of town

Coming like the Guns of Navarone
9th Level Lotus is unleashed

Hiroshima don't compare to what's about to happen here

It's get out of Dodge time

the sheriff is packing heat

and in this mexican stand off , 

there's only going to be one man standing

he's gonna strike down with great vengeance and furious anger

so assume the position or prepare to be fired upon

Smile Therapy is over

Good Bye Mr Rogers

Hello Jason Bourne

 ©2010  OLUDASCRIBE   http//:www.oludascribe.blogspot.com

THE AUTEUR SCRIBE- ARSENIC& OLD LACE - MY DREAM REMAKE

One of my favorite all time favorite movies is Arsenic& Old Lace ;made in 1944 and directed by the Legendary Frank Capra, it starred; Cary Grant ,Peter Loree Raymond Massey and a host of others.

PREMISE
  A screwball comedy about Mortimer Brewster, a drama critic ,who goes home to tell his aunts, (who raised him), that he is getting married. While trying to break the news,he finds out that his aunts have a disturbing hobby;  poisoning lonely old men and burying them in the cellar. It gets worse.

MY REMAKE

In a remake savvy industry,
  
ORIGINAL                                          REMAKE

Wings of Desire                                   City of Angels
Infernal Affairs                                    The Departed
City on Fire                                          Reservoir Dogs
Dirty Dozen/Where Eagles Dare         Inglorious Basterds
Rear Window                                       Disturbia
North By North West                           Eagle Eye
It's a mad mad mad mad world            Rat Race
Open your Eyes(Spanish Film)           Vanilla Sky

The list goes on and on, not to mention, the gazzilion Japanese movies that have been  ripped off, err i mean remade, yes Remade by Hollywood, lol.

 I wonder what i would do, if i had the opportunity to remake this brilliant classic  How would i cast it?

Conventional wisdom would be to update the script to fit out “modern minds” but i beg to differ. Some of the jokes and pop culture references naturally would have to be updated, but the original script could still be relevant for the 21st century. The main focus would be casting the roles for this attempt at a brilliant production.

There are three way it could be cast in the event of a remake.

BRIT CAST,written by Richard Curtis     (4 Weddings and A Funeral,Notting Hill)
                                          OR Stephen Merchant (The Office,Extras,Cemetery Junction)

The original role of Mortimer Brewster would be played by

HUGH GRANT. With a string of comedic hits , he is perfect for the comedic gentle man that his namesake played. With his boyish charm he is perfect as a British lead for a Brit version.

The role of towering and intimidating Jonathan Brewster would be played by

VINNIE JONES, the star of Snatch , though some people doubt his thespian skills , he manages to bring a charming performance which people either love or hate, and opposite Hugh Grant it’s screen magic.

Dr Einstein formerly played by the brilliant Peter Loree would now be embodied by 

JOHN HANNAH, another actor who can play the lovable but annoying friend. He would be perfect to play Lorre’s former creepy scientist role, who accompanied the intimidating Jonathan. Pairing Hannah and Jones as a duo, with Hannah playing the alcoholic Dr Einstein on the run from the law would be hilarious.


The aunts formerly played by Jean Adair and Josephine Hull now played by

MAGGIE SMITH &PATRICIA ROUTLEDGE two British icons to play the aunts Abby and Martha Brewster ,sweet but deadly. I can see them fussing over Hugh, while turning around to serve spiked Elderberry wine. Routledge honed comedic skills, on the brilliant sitcom ,Keeping up appearances. Maggie Smith is a British icon, and no further exposition needed for her case.

RICKY GERVAIS would play Teddy the cuckoo who ran amok and thought he was Teddy Roosevelt, formerly played by John Alexander. The creator and star of The Office and Extras, a wonderful addition to an already brilliant cast. Naturally he would have to play a British historical character, maybe Oliver Cromwell.

RACHAEL WEIZ would cameo in the role of Brewster's new bride, Elaine, played formerly by Priscilla Lane

HOLLYWOOD CAST written by the Coen Brothers
I would cast

GEORGE CLOONEY in the role of Mortimer Brewster, he is the current only actor that reminds me of that aura and charm that Cary Grant exuded along with the Classic golden ear looks. His roles in “Ocean’s 11″ and “Oh Brother Where art Though” show he can play both straight charmer and goof-ball effortlessly ,much like Grant did.

BRAD GARRET in the role formerly played by Raymond Massey. Garret honed his comedy skills on TV sitcom “Everybody Loves Raymond” and at a towering 6 ft 8 he perfectly embodies all that Jonathan Brewster needs to be.

JASON LEE, another comedic performer, who voiced Syndrone on the brilliant Brad Bird animated movie “The Incredibles“ and has honed comedic talents on Emmy Award winning My Name is Earl. He would be great as the wide eyed and dodgy Dr Einstein . He and Brad Garret supporting each other opposite classically handsome George Clooney, that ,would be a priceless trio.

KATY BATES & DORIS ROBERTS, both talented in comedic roles , Katy Bates has also played the psychotic role in the adaptation of Stephen King’s “Misery” and comedic roles in “About Schmidt” and Water Boy. Doris Roberts from hit sitcom Everybody Loves Raymond. Both know how to play the fine line between nurturing and psychotic women, and Roberts already has chemistry with former co-star Garret.

PAUL GIAMATTI in the role of Teddy.The star of Oscar winning indie road/buddy movie Sideways; Giamatti is both a brilliant comedic and dramatic actor,and would fit perfectly in this role.

MARISA TOMEI would be cameo in the role of Elaine, a sweet brand new bride, planted in the middle of the madness of the Brewster family.

A complete alternative approach and turning the whole thing around in terms of casting, it could go the “Tyler Perry” way , casting: written by Christopher Scott Cherot (writer/Director of Hav Plenty)
  
AFRICAN AMERICAN CAST

ORLANDO JONES or CHRIS TUCKER, playing the part of Mortimer Brewster ;going all out comedic, with the role. They both have the ability to play the ;rambunctious fast talking, wide eyed character, the way Cary Grant played it. They are both great comics that can also play it straight.

TOMMY “TINY” LISTER could play the role of menacing Jonathan Brewster. He already has chemistry with Tucker from their roles on the movie Friday, alternatively TERRY CREWS has proved himself to have brilliant comic presence and timing over the past few years on sitcom Everybody Hates Chris

DAVE CHAPPELLE would make an excellent Dr Einstein, and that is all i am going to say about it, his talent is ENORMOUS.

LORETTA DEVINE & ALOMA WRIGHT as the sweet yet homicidal aunts. Both have comedy backgrounds and have played nurturing roles.

REGINALD VEL JOHNSON, star of tv sitcom Family Matters and co star of the Die Hard series he would be a brilliant Teddy.

PAULA PATTON  cameo in the role of the new bride.

There are so many ways this can go, but ultimately there are some movies that should be left ALONE and appreciated in only their original glory. Citizen Kane, The Godfather,Chinatown and though Arsenic& Old Lace is not at the top of peoples minds when classics are mentioned;nonetheless Frank Capra’s comedy of errors masterpiece, is a classic and should remain untouched .

 http://www.oludascribe.blogspot.com

© 2010 OLUDASCRIBE Ltd.
Reproduction of this article without written permission is strictly forbidden. For information on reprint rights please email olu.scribe@gmail.com

BEREAN SCRIBE'S MOMENT OF CLARITY- CONTRADICTION

 
CONTRADICTION, SOMEWHERE B/W REALITY and WHAT YOU SAY
                                                                                                -Mode 9


I want to marry a Godly man/woman who will love and respect me, so i'll go out with anyone who asks me, as long as they are cute. They may lack character,integrity desire for Holiness and any form of Godliness,we may have no future beyond the next 6 months  but wow they're  gorgeous and that is all that matters.

I want to have a really intimate and special sex life when i get married with, really special just between the two of us, so i'll sleep with everyone i date on the way to marriage. i need all the practice , comparisons and unwanted memories i can gather and bring into our marriage bed, brilliant recipe for Marital Bliss, don't you think.

You're a great friend thank you for the kind words, complements and praise you shower me with, I'm overwhelmed no one appreciates me like you do , Huh, Did i hear you just  chastise me peasant, suggest a correction you simpleton , OFF WITH HIS HEAD


I am a child of God and my life is in his hands, i pray to him and believe him for my future,family, business success ,career promotion and safety, but when it comes to business, the end justifies the means, cut whatever corners, necessary. AND as for dating!!!, Put the Bible aside,pragmatism is King, pick up Harlequin ,Tabloids,turn on E,the soaps they have more pleasant and fun advice to give.

 
I'm a "christian", i attend church and believe in the Lord, but you really are naive to expect purity, modesty or chastity in this 21st century world, where's the fun in that, besides ,it's just not realistic,are u not getting any?? As for me, Not ,getting laid!!!, puh leez body no be wood


 

I'm always here for you, i've got your back all the way,   but just don't expect me to support what you put your blood ,sweat and tears into , strangers can do that.Im really busy with petty things,and i reserve my right to complain about that POST IT  you left on my door telling me to come support your performance.
 
I miss you, you make me feel good about me, but now you're speaking, you're really excited. For once,the conversation is not about me, your  concentration has stopped  orbiting me for these few seconds ,So now im bored  prattle on ,as i go search for my next attention fix,stand there as i walk past/away from you and turn you into the invisible man/woman, i can't stand not being the center of everyone's universe, every moment of everyday.


I  worry about you ,i really think you need to  relax adjust to accommodate , other peoples nuances and idiosyncrasies.Thanks for heeding my concerns i say it cos i care  WHATTT!!!, How dare you, who are you to ask me to change, i love being cynical, it gives me an edge,, goodbye ,have a nice life

I claim the promises of God, the cattle on the hills are mine, Solomon, was wealthy, Abraham's blessing are mine, Jabez and i are kindred spirits . God wants me to be rich, my God is a rich God, how can he have poor kids Take up a Cross!!!, What cross, OH ,that one. Sorry i have a bad back, no heavy lifting, doctor's orders. Whose Kingdom come?? What about MY Kingdom come??? Deny myself!!!,I just found myself,come back in a few decades.  Follow who? Go into what world, sorry, too much commitment ,  i'll have to pass...... ,catch you later, i have to go sign a 10 year contract..i'll make a donation though

 I like talking to you, it's really feels good to have a friend like you ,someone  i can share my heart with,and all these years you've been there. BUT You're irrelevant, immediately someone i just met fires off my hormones,i'll ignore you ,disappear for months and tell you bluntly how insignificant this platonic friendship means to me in exchange for a whirlwind romance that will have me coming back to cry on your shoulder

I want to have pure thoughts, intentions about the opposite sex and not have to constantly battle lust, so i'll fuel it by watching TV  shows & movies that trivialize sex and mock chastity, show gratuitous scenes and people prancing around in their birthdays suits. I'll listen to music that glorifies bed hopping by artists that can't stay off drugs or in a relationship.I'll date people that are temptation on legs whose only feelings for me are the one's north of their belt line.
 
I'm a christian , i love God and i believe the Bible , but  the fickle ever changing  "values" of what  is socially acceptable overrules that book ,which btw is over 2000 years old, and was written by men.  

It condemns what??  What's a living sacrifice?   Did  1st Corinthians 6 :9 really say that? 

That's all semantics and obviously something got lost in translation, those are modern words from our generation and not the original Hebrew, so you have no proof that is disapproves certain orientations and lifestyles

Point it out, show me the scripture that says i can't smoke, drink,dress,talks act sensually , cuss like i wanna, and shack up with my lover, have consensual sex, these are modern times, and that's an ancient book that contradicts it's self.