Famous People Talked to me: Gone Girl at the NYFF.

Another year, another exceptional New York Film Festival. The big writeup is coming soon, but here's the opening night film, David Fincher's Gone Girl, with its big cast and crew interview/discussion/press conference. The film is exceptional, very Verhoevian, and part of its pleasures are seeing it with an audience being buffeted about by its gloriously sick twists and turns.

Catching Up at The Movies: The Social Network.

Still one of the best films I've seen all year, and certainly one that's resonated with the most people.

Famous People Talked to Me: David Fincher, Aaron Sorkin, Jesse Eisenberg, Andrew Garfield.

A fun day at the Walter Reade, getting to the heart of things.

At the movies: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.

Based on an F. Scott Fitzgerald short story, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button is the tale of a man who is born as an old man and whose body, as it grows older, becomes physically younger. With this unique perspective, Button is able to view the triumphs and tragedies of life in a way that no one else can.

After years of making adventurous films that pushed narrative and technical envelopes, it appears that David Fincher has decided to swing mainstream, and in the process, he's racking up countless critics' awards and praise with effusive comparisons to Forrest Gump and Big Fish.

Sadly, those comparisons are apt, as this Curious Case is stuffed to the gills with vague platitudes and what sounds like wisdom if you don't listen too hard. Brad Pitt gives 110% in the titular role, but so much digital work is involved in his performance it creates a vast disconnect with the audience. I'm happy that David Fincher is getting commercial respect, but let's hope his next film aims for a bit more than, ultimately, twang-y blather.