"This is OUR TIME!" - What Hollywood and the Facebook Generation Have In Common

How many Harvard guys does it take to screw up a network?

The quote in the title of this entry comes from my favorite movie of 2010. Entrepreneur Sean Parker says it as he surveys a vibrant L.A. night club in David Fincher's drama, "The Social Network." Although Parker's motives in the film are more than slightly sketchy, I can't help but think that he might have hit on something.

As a Hollywood-obsessed media student, the Oscars are my Super Bowl. I never miss them. Over the years, I have noticed an increasing trend involving Best Picture nominees and winners - timeliness. More than ever, it seems like the movies that take home the most statuettes are the movies that speak for our times. One recent instance was the 2005 upset "Crash," which explores the problems of racism in America through several intertwining stories. Other examples of this trend include last year's war-themed Best Picture winner, "The Hurt Locker," and the critically acclaimed film "Up in the Air," which comments scathingly on the current job market. 

This year, the trend of timeliness continues with "The Social Network." If this movie wins Best Picture, I will be absolutely overjoyed. It's not just of the time, it's of my time - and it's pretty freaking thrilling to watch a historical movement that I witnessed play out on the big screen. I am a proud member of the Facebook generation. We are a people that prioritize connectivity, accessibility, and living in the moment - kind of like the makers of today's most compelling movies. 

If you haven't seen "The Social Network" yet, rent it now. We can Facebook chat about it afterwards.