Catfish Review

I read a list of the top fifty must see films of last year and wrote down the ones that I wanted to personally read. “Catfish” was one of those films I distinctly remember jotting down. Being a radio/tv/film major I have a devoted interest to films and love to analyze and review various aspects of the film. “Catfish” had a lot to offer.

One of the major themes of this movie is the topic of gullibility of the current generations. Many young adults and kids will currently believe anything they see on the internet. People do not question the facts posted on the web and will use the located facts to retain misquoted information. The movie shows us how people can be imaginary online even though they seem real, but I know of a website that was created for the sole fact to prove modern internet users’ gullibility. The following is a link to the website that promoted the conservation and awareness of the Pacific Northwest Tree Octopus. The website has sightings, frequently asked questions, and information about this curious creature. The point of the website is for teachers to ask their class to gather information about this incredible animal and then tell their students write a small paper about it. Once they begin research some may question the site, but the majority will accept the facts they have just reviewed. This site also related to Web 2.0 because many students will do all of their research online instead of looking information up in books. More and more students make less treks to the local library and many do not know how to locate a book in one either. The world is becoming dependent on online information. An alternative title for “Catfish” could be “Save the Pacific Northwest Tree Octopus”.

Another way “Catfish” relates to web 2.0 is due to the fact that the film demonstrates how devoted people can be through a social media site. Nev starts a textually active relationship with a girl he has never met and has a conversations and significant interactions with the entire family. If this family really existed and all of the family members were real, it would still be an interesting movie. Nev might have slept with the daughter and started an art business with Abby. Those theoretical things could have easily happen and it is because people these days will invest in online relationships and business plans. Gone are the days where face to face meetings ensured a partnership, that form of communication is no longer necessary in modern society.

I have already recommended this film to multiple friends and housemates and am glad that I finally got the chance to review the film. I can check it off of my “must see movie list” and can move it to my “must recommend movie list”.