‘Catfish’ Trailer Proves Internet Is Still Creepy, But It’s Cool, Bro
When I went to see Easy A today, the trailer for Catfish was among the previews. First of all, Easy A was alright enough. Emma Stone continues to own a part of my heart by being hilarious and effectively relatable. Second of all, I want to see Catfish.
I’m kind of bummed I hadn’t heard anything about it before now, because it’s definitely the sort of movie that appeals to the internet creeper plus meta-loving wretch in me. At first I thought it was some kind of surprise new trailer for The Social Network, but no, it’s actually a movie that just proves again how much social media has infiltrated all aspects of life, namely Facebook and, more recently, Twitter. (The best part of the VMAs last Sunday was how every correspondent in the pre-show got a lower third with their names and then their Twitter handle under that.) This movie also, in its way, celebrates the continued amateur/DIY aesthetic people love about the 21st century with — bonus! — a voyeurism angle.
Watching other real people hook up is the foundation for modern media. That’s what The Real World and XTube have taught me. And it’s repeated a hundred times a day that we live in an age where everyone can be a creator. (My new iPod Touch apparently shoots 720p HD video. An exclusive first look at my major motion picture will be online tomorrow.) Add in a little Paranormal Activity-esque suspense and Catfish seems like a pretty perfect amalgamation of what gets people going these days. It’s also just a really nerdy endeavor, this indirect indicator of how much film, social networking, and reality media have merged, but that’s also part of what makes it seem interesting.
Although it doesn’t make a great case for internet dating. It’s hard out here for digital love.
