The Social Network

What does it take to get your life made into a Hollywood biopic? Oh, not much. Just create a website that addicts everyone and becomes essential to the lives of over 500 million people. Then add becoming a self-made multi-billionaire by age 26 and you're a shoe-in for a biopic.

Well, that probably does not describe your life. But it does describe Mark Zuckerberg, the founder of Facebook.

The Social Network stars Jesse Eisenberg as Zuckerberg (who clearly only got the role because of his last name) and tells the story of the creation of Facebook, from its origins at Harvard to its growth into the crown jewel of the social networking movement. The screenplay was written by none other than Aaron Sorkin (The West Wing, Charlie Wilson's War) and the film is directed by David Fincher (Curious Case of Bejamin Button, Fight Club). It also features Andrew Garfield (The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus), Rashida Jones (The Office, Parks and Recreation), and everybody's favorite triple threat, Justin Timberlake.

Sounds great on paper. But is the creation of Facebook really compelling enough for a movie? Watch the teaser trailer below and decide for yourself.

The Social Network is in theatres October 1st.

C&C Presents: The Best of June (Part I)

It has been a big month for Create & Commerce. Not only was June the innaugural month of publication, there were also many high profile events to cover. The announcement by Quebecor that they are launching a new conservative cable news network, Sun TV News, was a perfect platform for C&C's media coverage. The ongoing World Cup is a big one too, as is the BP oil spill. And of course, the G8/G20 Summits and the ensuing aftermath still fill C&C's front page. There was also a slew of new pop hits to review, creative ad campaigns to cover, and even some linguistic commentary.

Yes, June was a good month. So here is the first of what I hope will be many "Best of's" - a sampling of the best moments of Create & Commerce's month of June.

1. Let's all go to the lobby
Monday, June 7
This was C&C's first forray into the editorial pool. I went to see Toy Story 3 last night at the Cineplex Galaxy here in Guelph and it completely reinforced everything I had written in this column. Big cinema chains are sucking the magic out of the movie-going experience and replacing it with fake butter.


2. Daily Quote
Monday, June 7
The unveiling of Sun TV News made this quote by Ted Koppel all the more relevant. When business imposes expectations of profitability, ratings hits, and advertising revenue on the news media, we all suffer.


3. C&C Review: Alejandro
Tuesday, June 8
This was the first review published on Create & Commerce. It is funny how much more attention you pay to a song when you've reviewed it. Since I wrote this piece, "Alejandro" has grown considerably on me. It has found it's way into my iTunes Top 25 and I just can't help but to sing along in the car whenever it comes on, which is a lot, by the way. I you still haven't watched the accompanying music video, you are missing out.

4. Nike Football
Wednesday, June 9
The "Write the Future" campaign has actually come back to haunt both Nike and all the stars who appeared in this commercial. Apparently, karma balances out getting paid millions to be in a Nike spot with utter failure at the World Cup. Who knew?

5. Daily Image
Wednesday, June 9
This photo of reporter Rich Matthews diving into the Gulf of Mexico oil spill still amazes me. And several weeks later, thanks to clumsy underwater robots, tropical storms, and political posturing, BP is no closer to cleaning up their mess.

6. Daily Image
Thursday, June 10
Readers and myself including were extremely touched by this photograph showing a married couple as children on separate trips to Disney World caught in the same frame decades before they had even met. This photograph remains my favorite Daily Image to date.


7. Here's to you, sunglasses!
Thursday, June 10
The unseasonably-wet summer so far has depleted the value of my sunglasses collection considerably. Nevertheless, they remain an essential element of my wardrobe. This piece was especially fun to write.

8. "Fox News North" is actually Sun TV News
Tuesday, June 15
The Sun TV News story was the first big story actually covered daily on Create & Commerce. The implications of creating a conservative news network in Canada are far reaching. We risk creating the kind of polarized political climate here that exists in the US by politicizing the news media. True democracy can only flourish with non-partisan, objective, and unbiased journalism and Sun TV News is essentially spitting in the face of that idea. At least we have some time before it launches this January to enjoy the peace and quiet before loud, obnoxious conservative pundits take to the air.

9. Daily Quote
Wednesday, June 16
Ah yes, Miley Cyrus defending herself against those who would call her new revealing image "slutty". This was published before the Much Music Video Awards. Did anybody not see how she looked at the MMVA's? Here's a link. And another.




10. Review: California Gurls
Wednesday, June 16
It's a good thing I reviewed this song because it is looking to be the anthem of Summer 2010. Not that I am complaining - I do love it, but on my way back to Guelph from Sudbury this past weekend, I heard it played on Virgin Radio five times. FIVE TIMES. I still can't make sense of the video, however. But I don't think I'm meant to. After all, Katy Perry is naked. What more do you want?

BOTTOM 10 TO FOLLOW

The Bilz & Kashif

It has been a long week thanks to the G20 Summit violence, and with Canada Day less than three hours away, we all could use a little pick-me-up.

South-Asian-inspired dance music to the rescue!

The Bilz & Kashif is a pop/hip-hop/electronic music group based in Montreal. Its three members are all of South Asian decent: DJ Vicious is South Indian, Master-D is Bengali Indian, and Kashif Khan is Pakistani and their hard-hitting dance sound reflects their ethnic roots.

Originally formed as simply The Bilz (Brothers in Lawz), DJ Vicious and Master-D began collaborating with Kashif Khan in 2006. Since 2007, Kashif has become part of the group. While based in Canada, their greatest success has been in Europe thanks to successful tours in 2009 and 2010. Their new album is called Breaking Barriers.

The Bilz & Kashif have found a perfect balance - hard/fast/melodic dance productions fused with a South Asian flavor that makes for a unique sound that easily cuts through the cluttered and repetitive dance music scene. Edgy electronic riffs blend with Indian and English vocals in perfect harmony. It's Slumdog Millionaire in the Entertainment District.

Listen to the three songs bellow and check out the groups website: Bilzmusic.com

"On the Dancefloor"


"2 Step Bhangra"


"Turn the Music Up"

50 Worst Athlete Style Fails

Professional athletes have a lot of money, and as such, can have some of the most eclectic personal styles. No matter what the sport, on or off the field, sports stars, like their Hollywood celebrity counterparts, spend a lot of time and money on how they look...for better or for worse.

Complex has put together a collection of the 50 worst athlete style fails in pro sports. From Andre Agassi's famous 80's rocker wig, to everything Dennis Rodman ever wore, whether you are a sports fan or a fashionista, you will love this feature.

Read the full feature here.

"Why are you closed?" G20 video is a hit

The video of the irate shopper outside a closed Toronto Eaton Centre after it was locked down on Saturday due to G20 protests has gone viral. Now, as is customary in YouTube success, scores of remixes, re-dubs, and re-edits are popping up all over the internet.

Al Qaeda to launch English-language magazine

No, this is not a joke. Al Qaeda, the multinational organization most famous for its jihadist mission against the West, plans to diversify its operations into new ventures, starting with the new magazine Inspire. The organization has announced the magazine in an online ad. It will be based upon the already popular online magazine Sada al-Malahim (translation: Echo of the Battle).

Inspire will feature guest writer Anwar al Awlaki, the American Muslim cleric blamed for stirring up violence among Western Muslim youth - including the so-called Toronto 18. Articles will include profiles of terrorist leaders and suicide bombers and helpful tips on how to not divulge information if caught or interrogated.

No official launch date has been set for the magazine nor is there any word on whether the publication will be available in North America.

PHOTOS: Top - online ad announcing Inspire. Left - Cleric Anwar al Awlaki.

5-metre G20 fence rule was bullshit

Toronto's Chief of Police Bill Blair admitted today that the so-called "5-metre rule" never actually existed. The much-publicized law was supposedly passed by the provincial government prior to the G20 Summit in secret and allowed police to arrest and detain any individual who came within 5-metres of the security perimeter and either refused to provide identification or would not state their business for being at the fence.

Blair's admission that the law never actually existed comes on the heals of allegations of improper police conduct during the summit that led to hundreds of people being detained for little more than being present at peaceful protests.

I myself even had a first-hand experience of the 5-metre rule. While waiting for a Greyhound bus in Toronto on Thursday afternoon, I decided to take my camera down to the fence and take some shots. After about half an hour or so, I was approached at Front & Bay by an RCMP officer who demanded to know why I was there and why I was taking photographs of the security fence. I was fully compliant, showing him my passport, talking about my blog, showing him the photographs. After about ten minutes, he let me go about my business. The revelation that the officer may not have actually had the authority to cause me that minor inconvenience (and I might also add, a rapid heartbeat) has me angered. I can only imagine the anger now welling in those that were detained in the east detention facility for over a day.

Read the reports on Blair's admission by the CBC and the Toronto Star.

The G20: When fear turns to defiance and anger

Guelph Mercury reporter Rob O'Flanagan immersed himself in the chaos of the downtown Toronto "Red Zone" on Saturday afternoon. I urge you to read his riveting account of the scene and the thought-provoking question he poses: which comes first, the riot or the riot police?


Read Mr. O'Flanagan's column here.

Daily Image

Love, it seems, will always prevail - even in the midst of a $1.2 BILLION riot squad. Take that, Paris!

G20 Required Viewing

Well, Toronto is (slightly) back to normal today after a whirlwind weekend of rule and order - G20 style. Here are some select videos from the weekend.


Stay out of my head, Rex Murphy! While Rex's self-voice-loving banter usually rubs me the wrong way, this editorial sums up the G20 perfectly.

Rule #1 of peaceful demonstrations: never, and I mean NEVER, gather to sing the national anthem and then attempt to take a nap in the middle of the street with riot police around. It is like their biggest pet peeve.

No, that is not the set of a Michael Bay movie. It is a riot in downtown Toronto with burning police cruisers in the background. You would think that $1.2 BILLION could've bought some fire extinguishers.

MORE TO FOLLOW

Daily Quote(s)

Today, General Stanley A. McChrystal was fired from his post as the commander of American forces in Afghanistan after a meeting with President Barack Obama at the White House. Obama called McChrystal in for the meeting after he made comments criticizing administration officials and the War in Afghanistan policies in a highly-publicized Rolling Stone article.

While I tried to find one quote that exemplified McChrystal's detraction from the administration, there was just too much gold to choose from. So here is a series McChrystal quotes taken directly from the Rolling Stone article that best exemplify the former commander of American forces in Afghanistan:

"How'd I get screwed into going to this dinner? I'd rather have my ass kicked by a roomful of people than go out to this dinner. Unfortunately, no one in this room could do it."

- Referring to a dinner in Paris where he is to deliver a speech.The article goes on to describe McChrystal as a man who hates anything too "Gucci."

"All these men, I'd die for them. And they'd die for me."

- At an Irish pub in Paris called Kitty O'Shea's, referring to his inner circle of military advisors, who at the time of this comment, the writer of the article describes as "completely shitfaced."

"We've shot an amazing number of people."

- Referring to the civilian death toll in Afghanistan as a result of the war.

"I ask you what's going on in your world, and I think it's important for you all to understand the big picture as well. How's the company doing? You guys feeling sorry for yourselves? Anybody? Anybody feel like you're losing? Strength is leading when you just don't want to lead. You're leading by example. That's what we do. Particularly when it's really, really hard, and it hurts inside."

- During a discussion with two-dozen soldiers in a tent on an army base in Afghanistan.

"The Russians killed 1 million Afghans, and that didn't work."

- Referring to the idea that American forces can not kill their way out of Afghanistan.

"Even Afghans are confused by Afghanistan."

- Referring to the wild, tumultuous history of Afghanistan

Read the full Rolling Stone article by Michael Hastings here.

C&C Presents: a list of things you will not be able to do in Toronto this weekend

As the G20 Summit gets set to rock Toronto this weekend, make no mistake: this is not TIFF or the Virgin Music Festival. Toronto will literally be ground to a halt as 20* of the most important people in the world flood the city.

Here are just some of things you will not be able to do in the city this weekend:

• The CN Tower: it'll be closed to the public but the elaborate lighting effect system that was added a few years ago will be used to display the flags of visiting nations. Wonder how much that'll cost? Expect rolling blackouts as visiting delegates snap a salute to their 553-meter flag.

• The Rogers Centre: closed too, but we can hypothesize that should city jails become overcrowded, Rogers will be quick to offer up their massive containment facility. Katrina, anyone?

• See a show: all Mirvish theatres will be curtained for the entire week, and many others will be dark this weekend. Not such a downer, since the streets of Toronto will likely be dramatic enough for any critic's tastes.

• The Art Gallery of Ontario: closed for the weekend. However, thanks to protesters, the AGO will be presenting a selection of defaced public spaces when they reopen with a new collection entitled "Fenced Out."

• A club: Yeah, Richmond will be closed off this weekend, so anyone looking to let lose in the Entertainment District will have to settle for Guvernment, Queen West, College West, or if you're feeling really adventurous, Dundas & Sherbourne. There aren't any clubs there - just a lot of crack and guns.

• Go to work: if you are one of the thousands who work in the King & Bay towers, stay home. The Financial District will grind to a halt this week - ironic, considering the G20 Summit is all about finance and economics. Oh well, Canada's economy is doing better than most.

• Second City: it lies within the security perimeter "Red Zone" as it is being called, so there will be no laughs in Toronto this weekend. But hey, I hear that Karate Kid movie is good.

• Drive around: as if Toronto couldn't get any worse for motorists. Well, it will this weekend so DON'T DRIVE!

• Travel: since all the world leaders are expected to arrive and depart through Pearson International, the airport is expected to be a zoo. Union Station is also closed, with some GO and Via trains rerouted to Oakville - but not all. The TTC expects intermittent delays along all lines above and below ground, the PATH system will be closed, and as already mentioned, driving is out.

• Walk about freely: with thousands of cops on the streets, expect random bag checks, security check points, street closures, snipers, helicopters, and those are in the safe areas. If you happen to find yourself in the midst of a protest, expect sound and water cannons, riot police, tear gas, pepper spray, rubber bullets, and Tazers. Careful, RCMP, you don't need another one...

That's just a short list of some of the things you will not be able to do. I should also mention if you are looking to catch a glipmse of your favorite celebrity world leader, you will be out of luck. Thanks to the 3-meter high security fence, you won't be able to see a thing. I guess we'll all just have to rely on the fair and impartial media to provide us with the details of these G20 meetings.

Oh God, it's going to be a long week.

*CORRECTION: Although the G20's name would suggest twenty major leaders, there are in fact 25 nations (including six guest nations not typically part of G20 events), 2 regional organizations (the European Council and the European Comission), and seven international organizations participating in this summit. For a detailed list of participants, click here.

Daily Image

The Great Fake Lake was unvieled today at the Direct Energy Centre at Exhibition Place. The lake, with a price tag of $57,000, is part of the $1.9 MILLION Experience Canada tourism pavillion in the G20 media centre. The outrageous cost of the media centre, and specifically the fake lake, became a contentious issue in the House of Commons in past several weeks. The lake itself became the icon of the controversial $1.2 BILLION cost of the G20 Summit.

Full story here.

The Prize: The Epic Quest for Oil, Money, and Power

The Prize is an incredible eight-part documentary series that tells the story of petroleum from its first discoveries through its critical role in industrializing the world. Based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning book of the same name by Daniel Yergin, the series follows the history of oil from the 1850's when oil was first extracted and marketed in the United States through the 1990's and the first Gulf War.

It is an incredibly fascinating tale and could not be more topical. As the industrialized world struggles to come to terms with volatile oil prices, dependency on foreign sources, oil depletion, climate change, and of course, industrial spills, The Prize offers enlightenment on a subject that we are all completely dependent on for our way of life yet most of us know little about.

The Prize is narrated by Donald Sutherland and contains hundreds of candid interviews, scientific data, and historical footage. Watch the complete series on Google Video.


Chapter One


Chapter Two


Chapter Three


Chapter Four


Chapter Five


Chapter Six


Chapter Seven



Chapter Eight

Daily Quote

"Sprayed with reflective paint, this barrier shimmers in the sun, making it impossible to take pictures of things on the other side. On the elevator a colleague and I were discussing the fact that it was impossible to shoot through. I felt compelled to explain to the other passengers that I meant "shoot" as in video camera. Though I suspect these metal fences would do a good job of deflecting bullets as well."

- Don Pittis, CBC News reporter
Describing the G20 security fence that now surrounds the Canadian Broadcasting Centre (headquarters of the CBC).

Read the full article here.

Daily Image

A city worker puts the finishing touches on the three-meter high security wall surrounding the Metro Toronto Convention Centre in preparation for the G20 Summit this weekend (June 26-27). The wall is just one of the more visible signs of the intense security being put in place in Toronto, which includes thousands of uniform and plain-clothes offices, snipers, traffic diversion, a sound cannon, and now a water cannon.

Michael Jackson worth more dead than alive

Yes, it's true. Michael Jackson's estate has grown by over $250 MILLION since his death almost a year ago on June 25, 2009. The executors of his estate, John Branca and John McClain, have used some of that revenue to pay off Jackson's remaining $70 MILLION worth of debt. The rest is payed to his children and various children's charities.

As was the case of the estates of both Elvis and Yves Ste. Laurent, Jackson's death has spurned renewed interest in the King of Pop's music. A Sony Music deal to distribute unreleased tracks by the late artist worth $200 Million over seven years has already contributed $125 MILLION to the estate. The Jackson film This Is It grossed $252 MILLION worldwide last year. Sony Pictures paid the estate an advance of $60 MILLION with more to come from DVD sales. Merchandise deals and a Ubisoft video game have added $26 MILLION. Jackson's music catalogue made $25 Million over the last year. And the Beatles' catalogue, of which Jackson's estate owns 50%, made an addition $11 MILLION. There is also the $25 MILLION from the rerelease of Jackson's autobiography, Moon Walk.

The months leading up to Jackson's death, when his mounting debt became much publicized, led many to speculate that he would be worth more in spirit than in the flesh. It would appear that this is indeed the reality, making this fallen icon of pop culture and entertainment an even more tragic figure dead than he already was alive.

How ironic.

Daily Image

I was going to post a photo of Graeme McDowell winning the US Open yesterday, but this shot trumped it.

As Tiger Woods was hitting his second shot out of deep grass on the Par 4 third hole yesterday at Pebble Beach, this banner flew overhead. I was glued to the broadcast of the US Open all day yesterday and I definitely don't remember seeing this. Apparently Tiger did however, because he wound up shooting a 75 in the final round - disappointing after his very impressive 66 in Round Three on Saturday.

Personally, if I was a caddy and saw that plane flying over head, I would be doing everything in my power to prevent Tiger from looking up. EVERYTHING.

Lamborghini Reventón

Yes, it has been a day of automobiles here on Create & Commerce. Here is another mouth-watering machine: the 2010 Lamborghini Reventón. Lamborghini makes the most beautiful supercars in the world (according to me) and the Reventón is no different. It is an edgier, meatier, more powerful beast in the vain of the now retired Diablo and more modestly-priced Murciélago, and one of the most expensive models by the Italian automaker to date - with a base price of around $1.25 MILLION US.

Could somebody please hand me a towel?

Audi A9 concept car

Here is an incredible concept car design by Spanish commercial/music video director and graphic designer Daniel Garcia, the Audi A9.

Sprint "Firsts" commercial

I first saw this commercial for Sprint's new 4G network during the broadcast for Game 7 of the NBA Finals and it has also been getting a lot of airplay during NBC's broadcast of the US Open. The ad is visually-stunning and excellently conceived, although slightly anti-climactic in the end when you learn what the product is. Comparing the Sprint EVO 4G network to, say, the Saturn V rocket is a bit of a stretch, but still, the commercial is excellent.

Ad agency Goodby Silverstein & Partners under Creative Director Aladino Debert has conceived a great 30-second epic reminding us of the milestones leading up to our way of life. Art Director Nick Spahr has then visualized the concept as a domino-effect: each "first" breeds the next, and the next, and so on. Truly a brilliant campaign for Sprint.

Vernacular Hero: "blogosphere"

Vernacular Hero is a new series targeting the worst offenders in the English vernacular - words, phrases, slang - anything overused, abused, outdated, or just plain stupid that should be completely stricken from the language altogether. I am very excited to launch this new series because it lets me exercise my editorial muscle while doing some serious venting. Boom.

First act of vernacular heroism is:

blogosphere
n. The social network made up of the blogging community.
Example: "It caused quite a stir in the blogosphere."

I hate this term despite the fact that I technically exist in it. It sounds amateurish and gives off this pretentious vibe as if the blogging community has somehow reached a level of atmospheric importance.

It also sounds like a quote from Apollo 13: "Houston, we have cleared the blogosphere."

The word is essentially creating an organic entity out of bloggers, which is redundant, except it is a lot easier for pundits to say than "it caused a lot of controversy in the blogging community." If "blogosphere", than why not "webosphere," or "pornosphere," or "newsosphere?"

It is time to retire this snobby term and call the "blogosphere" what it is - a bunch of people that write blogs. I'm cool with that. I don't need some fancy title to feel self assured of what I do here. I just throw some words and images together and post it on the internet. It really is not that glamorous.

Effen Vodka

I don't like vodka - at all. I never drink it, except when it is heavily veiled in a chocolate or lychee martini. But I do love good branding.

Effen Vodka is good branding. Imported from Holland, the name "Effen" is actually Dutch slang for "smooth." It is distilled, designed, and marketed specifically for the club scene - the original 120 year-old recipe was given to a panel of bartenders to refine into a blend that young people would find most appealing and the bottle has a rubber non-slip sleeve around it for when the bartender's hands are wet, which also acts as an insulator, keeping the bottle colder longer.

And let's face it, the name is brilliant. It is the kind of brand name that is so universally-appealing, you can just hear anyone ordering it. Frat boys: "Bro, let's do another Effen shot!" Snobs: "Oh my God, I totally need an Effen cosmo right now!" Or even our favorite vodka connoisseur, James Bond: "I'll have an Effen martini - shaken, not stirred." I think we can all hear ourselves waking up the next morning: "Oh man, I had way too many Effen drinks last night."

Pure genius!

Daily Quote

"I found that Mr. Dziekanski had been compliant and was not defiant or resistant, did not brandish the stapler, did not move towards any of the officers. I concluded that the constable was not justified in deploying the weapon and that neither the constable nor the corporal honestly perceived that Mr. Dziekanski was intending to attack any of the officers."

- Thomas Braidwood, B.C. Court of Appeal justice, ret.
Today, upon releasing his report on the Taser death of Robert Dziekanski by RCMP officers at Vancouver International Airport on October 14, 2007.

Read the full story here.

Rick Mercer turns down job at Sun TV News

Apparently trying to score a coup for the new network, Quebecor Vice-President of Development Kory Tenycke offered Rick Mercer, the wildly-popular host of CBC's Rick Mercer Report, a job at Sun TV News, Mercer confirmed today.

Mercer seems like an unlikely personality for an openly-conservative news network, which will launch in January, but considering he hosts the highest-rated Canadian show in prime time, it is not so surprising that Tenycke would try to get him to jump ship. Mercer says that after considering the offer, he decided that he had no desire to part ways with CBC, a network he has been a fixture of for 15 years.

Of Tenycke, who he describes as a "smart fellow", Mercer said, "I never thought Kory had such good taste until he offered me a job."

Read the full story from the Toronto Star here.

Daily Image

LAKERS WIN!

Kobe Bryant celebrates after the final buzzer as the Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Boston Celtics 83-79 last night at the Staples Centre to win their second consecutive NBA Championship and 16th in franchise history.

After trailing for most of the game and a weak performance by Bryant through three quarters, the Lakers came from behind in the 4th Quarter to edge out Paul Pierce and the Celtics in a surprising victory.