Word is out that Columbia Pictures is entering “advanced talks” with David Fincher (”Se7en,” “Fight Club,” “Zodiac”) to direct a film revolving around the birth of Facebook, the immensely popular online social network created in 2004 by computer whiz turned-entrepreneur Mark Zuckerberg.

Aaron Sorkin (”The West Wing”) is working on a script based on Ben Mezrich’s yet-to-be released book “The Accidental Billionaires,” which allegedly depicts the scandalous origins behind Zuckerberg’s Internet empire. Shia LaBeouf and Michael Cera have been tagged as strong candidates for the role of Zuckerberg, who left Harvard after Facebook’s meteoric rise and vaulted to the Forbes 400 last year as the world’s youngest billionaire.

Tentatively titled “The Social Network,” the film—set to begin production later this year—would imply a significant change in subject for Fincher (”The Curious Case of Benjamin Button”), whose success as a filmmaker is often attributed to his ability to handle a diverse array of film genres and narrative tropes. Should be interesting; stay tuned for further developments.

Image Source: Reuters

His legacy as an entertainer was hardly limited to the concert stage. In 1986, Michael Jackson starred in the film “Captain EO,” conceived by Disney in the form of a 3-D theme park attraction. With characteristic flourish, the late King of Pop—playing the fearless titular hero—performs a number to convert the icy heart of his alien nemesis (Anjelica Huston). The director? Francis Ford Coppola, of “Apocalypse Now” and “The Godfather” fame.

Song title: “We Are Here to Change the World”

Jackson, Coppola and producer George Lucas on the set of “Captain EO.”

Sources: YouTube / Internet Movie Database

UC Berkeley’s Center for Japanese Studies has released a bevy of new details about Hayao Miyazaki’s visit to the campus next month, and so far it’s looking spectacular. From PFA screenings to a film premiere and rare live appearance from the man himself, the program looks to capture all facets of the filmmaker’s celebrated body of work, including the ideas and issues that drive his cinematic sensibilities. Full details up ahead.

A side note: “Spirited Away” snagged an Oscar for Best Animated Feature back in 2002. Guess who was there to accept the award? Not Miyazaki. (Just to show how significant this US visit will be and, above all, how fortunate we are to have a director of this stature grace the Berkeley campus.)

Without further ado, the program of events: (Click here to read more…)

As has been reported by numerous news Web sites and stations, Michael Jackson, the king of pop, has passed away after suffering cardiac arrest. TMZ broke the story, and as of now, there are not many details to follow.

There is no doubt of the influence Jackson has had on popular music and on college-aged students everywhere, who grew up with the idea of him as the definition of a pop star. Look in Thursday’s arts section Monday’s paper for an article about his influence and accomplishments. For now, all we can leave you with is a simple YouTube of a song that can speak for itself:

EDIT: Updated for accuracy.

Michael Jackson - Billie Jean [YouTube]

It’s tough to say to what degree the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Science’s decision to double the best-picture nomination pool was motivated by some kind of money-making ploy because, honestly, what isn’t these days? Everything feels like a publicity stunt in some form or another, so when the academy claims they’re trying to make the award possible for a broader range of movies or to reconnect with the actual movie-going public, your first thought is probably to cut through the bullshit and figure out what effect this’ll actually have on the film industry.

Does this mean the academy is pandering to a world that would actually pay $10 to see “The Hangover” by nominating a greater number of movies people have actually seen? Or are they truly attempting to give more deserving films–animated, documentaries, foreign or otherwise–a chance at the movie award to trump all movie awards?

According to the academy’s president, Sydney Ganis, the words, “The Dark Knight” were thrown around. Then again, if that particular monster blockbuster had nominated for best picture, how many more people would have tuned in to watch the Academy Awards ceremony? Apparently, back in the ’30s and early ’40s, there were between eight and 12 best-picture nominees per year. But more films came out back then.

In any case, this should make this year’s awards a little more interesting

Image Source: buschap under Creative Commons
Motion Picture Academy Expands Best-Picture Pool to 10 [NY Times]

In January’s Most Anticipated Films of ‘09 post, I had Martin Scorsese’s “Shutter Island” at number 9. Below Quentin Tarantino’s “Inglourious Basterds.” Below Guy Ritchie’s “Sherlock Holmes.” Below (comparatively) modest entries by two of Marty’s most prominent would-be imitators.

I’m taking this opportunity to make a formal apology.

Meanwhile, a few thoughts on the most influential American filmmaker of his era: (Click here to read more…)

Believe it or not, there was a time where the members of N.W.A terrified a good majority of the world’s population. They were called “The World’s Most Dangerous Group,” and for good reason. They kicked ass, took names, and weren’t afraid to tell you about it. Now DJ Yella directs porn, MC Ren has all but disappeared, Ice Cube’s movies are a hit with the family-friendly crowd, and Eazy E (R.I.P.) is a Hot Topic t-shirt staple. And starting June 1st, Dr. Dre will try to sell you Dr. Pepper when you watch TV.

You can say they’ve “sold out” if you want to, but I’d imagine they’re probably pretty content with where they’re at (well … other than E, obviously). After all, wasn’t it Ice Cube himself who proclaimed that “life ain’t nothin’ but bitches and money”? I can’t attest to how many of the former this Dr. Pepper ad will send Dre’s way, but it’ll undoubtedly provide him with the latter.

The real importance of this commercial? Dr. Dre’s supposed final solo album, Detox, has been in the works for almost ten years now, and the mythology that surrounds it only continues to grow.  The song at the end of this spot, “Shit Popped Off” apparently comes from the his upcoming third record. It definitely resembles a Dre beat, but that’s about as much as I’m willing to confirm. To be honest, I can’t really tell what to make of it; it’s just nice to know that music from the album actually exists.

On July 25, Japanese director Hayao Miyazaki will make a rare U.S. appearance to accept a lifetime achievement award from the Berkeley Center of Japanese Studies, joining the likes of Clint Eastwood and Ang Lee as the latest world-class filmmaker to grace the UC Berkeley campus.

In an illustrious career that began in the 1980s (”Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind,” “Castle in the Sky”), prospered through the 1990s (”Princess Mononoke”) and maintains its brilliance through the 2000s (”Spirited Away,” “Howl’s Moving Castle”), Miyazaki single-handedly redefined the possibilities of film animation. Brimming with inimitable wit and pathos, his works are the embodiment of excellence - labors of love with the power to move audiences regardless of age or cinematic preference.

Bottom line: If you’re going to be around for the summer (unlike myself, regrettably), don’t miss out!

Image Source: Tim Boucher

Okay, I lied. Love is hardly the operative word here, but that shouldn’t stop you from witnessing a pair of absolutely riveting trailers: Lars von Trier’s “Antichrist” and Johnnie To’s “Vengeance,” both screened recently at the ongoing 62nd Cannes Film Festival (May 13-24).

(Click here to read more…)

Welcome back to Study Break, a series of discussions featuring study music picks on behalf of the Daily Cal Arts staff. After a brief introduction in last week’s Thursday print edition, we’ve moved this feature to the online blog for your reading convenience; if you haven’t done so already, be sure to check out Sam Stander’s previous entry and stay tuned for more insightful contributions from our team of writers in the near future.

As an intended Political Economy major, I’ve experienced first-hand the challenges of analyzing and synthesizing under pressure. With this in mind, I’ve prepared some of my own study music choices - namely, artists and albums that have not only influenced my appreciation of music, but also proved huge in my own academic endeavors throughout the years. In the meantime, I hope it can be of assistance to those of you mired in the general bedlam of final papers, all-night cram sessions and the like.

Best of luck, and happy listening!

1. The Mission by Ennio Morricone

I’m proud to say that I’ve conquered all-nighters and vanquished research papers with this album streaming through my speakers. Ennio Morricone is one of my favorite composers; the Italian maestro’s compositions are a testament to the power of music in the cinematic medium, providing countless movies with moments of indelible majesty. His work on Roland Joffe’s 1986 film “The Mission” remains a personal favorite of mine. As a shining example of film music, it’s euphonic and grand, cathartic and pure.

Listen to: Ennio Morricone - “Gabriel’s Oboe”
Listen to: Ennio Morricone - “Brothers”

2. Ratatat by Ratatat

Fueled by an impressive combination of driving guitar riffs and laid-back synths, Ratatat makes for superb study music. The album’s remarkable sense of energy and atmosphere not only helps me maintain my concentration, but also drives out the stress and fatigue that build up during crucial stretches of time. It’s a testament to Ratatat’s prodigious blend of electronica and post-rock (à la Daft Punk) that this gem of electronic music refreshes and inspires the way it does.

Listen to: Ratatat - “El Pico”
Listen to: Ratatat - “Desert Eagle”

(Click here to read more…)