Whether you have used Apple products or not, you have probably not escaped the influence of the computer and mobile device company’s well-known co-founder Steven P. Jobs. He was considered an interesting, innovative, and controversial man. Even after his death in October 5, 2011 after a somewhat public fight with pancreatic cancer and its after effects, not everyone seems clear exactly what type of person he was. Some call him a genius and the inspiration for a the modern technology we use today, while others deem that he was simply a stealer of ideas and a dishonest businessman. Myths surrounding his personal life and methods of management cloud some truths about the man. One thing is for sure, Steve Jobs was a visionary leader and a man of action and legendary marketing prowess. For most of his career, Mr. Jobs was often doubted by the higher echelon of businessmen, and as part of his style he keenly used smoke and mirrors to deny then later reveal fruitions of his ideas, both of which built him quite a reputation. That changed after his triumphant return to Apple in 1996 later on in his life, and after multiple successful new categories of technology starting with the new iMac in 1998 to the iPad in 2010. After that, the whole world would hold out an ear every time Steve Jobs spoke. Since his death, financial analysis and stockholders have shown doubt in Apple without his “gospel” to guide the company. During his life, he always seem to be looking for something greater, and the ultimate combination of art, humanity, and technology, making him well respected among his peers and forever a legend of the computer age to the whole world.
Soon after his death, Hollywood immediately began clamoring to realize the figure of Steve Jobs to a wider audience, so two films quickly began to take shape. Sony pictures acquired the rights to Walter Isaacson’s biography “Steve Jobs” completed shortly before his death, and is currently still in preproduction. Another group of independent filmmakers entered the 2013 Sundance Film Festival with their take on a younger Steve Jobs, played by Ashton Kutcher, originally title jOBS. Unfortunately, the critics were very mixed as well as other attendees, most notably because of some inconsistencies with the acting and overall blandness of the film. Originally to be released in April, 2013, these responses seemed to cause a second look at the feature from it’s creators so the release date was moved to August 16, 2013, although I can find no confirmation whether any alterations have been done to the film since its Sundance release. This new trailer takes on a different polish compared to the one released before the festival as well as introducing the simplified title of just Jobs. If the movie reflects the personal story which led to his influences that it seems to be telling within these 2 minutes, 20 seconds, then this could perhaps turn out to be a very KOOL movie to watch, especially for us geeks.
Steve Jobs’s early career with Apple was also depicted in the 1999 TV movie Pirates of Silicon Valley on the USA network. The film focuses on Jobs, played very effectively by Noah Wyle, and his founding of Apple versus the Breakfast Club’s Anthony Michel Hall, portraying nerdy programmer Bill Gates, founder of Microsoft. The made-for-television special has long been regarded as a well-done and mostly accurate depiction of the rivalry between these two power houses of the technology world. I definitely recommend you trying to find it if you have not had an opportunity to see it or perhaps may be worth revisiting in anticipation of this new film.
