Adaptation: Talking Points & Reminder

About Ghost World:

1) What does the ending mean in the book? In the film?

2) What happens to the girls' relationship?

3) How does the expansion of the Seymour character in the film affect the material?

4) How does the film make its points visually?

Reminders:

1) Test III will be on April 11.

2) The final exam will be on April 25, 1-2:30 p.m.

Expository Writing: Talking Points & Reminder

About The Graduate:

1) What is this movie about? 

2) Is it a comedy?

3) What do you make of the ending?

4) Who's alienated in this movie? How do you know?

Reminder:

This week's final paper conferences on 4/3 are in my office, Orlando Hall 210. Please be at the bench outside my office 5-10 minutes early.

3:20, Sebastian; 3:30, Olivia; 3:40, Jorge; 3:50, Raul & Edwin; 6:30, Danielle & Cale.

Criticism: Talking Points & Reminders

About The Purple Rose of Cairo:

1) Is it funny? What is its genre?

2) What is this movie about?

3) How does this film use B&W and color?

4) What did you find interesting about the sets & costumes?

5) How do you feel about Monk, Cecilia's husband?

6) What does the final image of Cecilia mean?

Reminders:

1) Final paper conferences on 4/2: Alex, 11. John, 11:10. Nicole, 11:20. Nia, 11:30.

2) Bring in TWO copies of your Final paper proposal.

Law in Film: Talking Points & Reminder

About The Verdict:

1) Would you have liked The Verdict better without the verdict?

2) How do you feel about the way it ends?

3) How is music used in this movie?

4) What are the legal issues raised by this movie? How are they presented?

5) Does your opinion of Frank Galvin change as the film goes along? If so, why?

6) Does this movie seem to have been made by the same person who made 12 Angry Men?

Another question: What are some of the legal issues that we haven't thoroughly explored that were raised by films we've seen earlier this semester?  

Reminder: Final paper conferences are on 4/2 in Dr. Dupuis' office, beginning at 2 p.m.

Honors Comedy: Talking Points & Reminder

About Beetlejuice:

1) Is this film subversive? What are its targets?

2) The title character is a supporting character: Why?

3) What does this movie have to say about death?

4) Where is this movie's heart? 

Reminder: Final paper conferences for 4/1: 5:15, David & Felicia; 5:30, Amy & Laurel; 5:45, Ryan & Anna; 9, Geoff & Dominick; 9:15, Jordan.

Conferences will be in my office. Please arrive 5-10 minutes early.

 

Adaptation: Talking Points & Reminders

About The Little Mermaid film:

1) How was watching the film different for you after reading the fairy tale?

2) What did you notice this time or see in a different light?

3) This film shows the story from multiple perspectives: How is that achieved?

4) What are the themes of film? Of the fairy tale?

Reminders:
1) As you read The Long Goodbye, find and mark three passages that offer a vivid description.

2) Finish reading Ghost World.

Expository Writing: Talking Points

About His Girl Friday:

1) Do you like this film?Why?

2) From whose perspective do we view the story?

3) What does this movie have to say about divorce and marriage?

About The Graduate: What does alienation mean? 

Law in Film: Talking Points

1) What is Chicago saying about the legal system, through either song-and-dance sequences or in some other way?

2) What is this film saying about a legal trial, specifically?

3) Is Chicago cynical or just realistic?

4) Why do you think this material has been popular for almost 90 years?

Criticism: Reminder

Final Paper conferences begin this week. When you're considering what to write about, really try to find a topic that you, personally, care about -- and that fits within the guidelines of the prompt. It's OK to come to the conference with more than one idea or with a half-formed idea. But you should put something down on paper and you should be at least part way to finding a topic (and films to go with it).

Honors Comedy: Reminder

Remember, no class for us this Monday, March 23. Use the time to work on your final paper proposals. Some final paper conferences are scheduled for next week...

Adaptation: Talking Points

For Being There:

1) How do you interpret the movie's final scene?
2) What are the film & novella saying about television?
3) What are the political issues raised by this material?
4) The final line of the movie is "Life is a state of mind." What do you make of that?

READING REMINDERS:
1) Please read "The Little Mermaid" by our next class.
2) Please continue (or start) reading The Long Goodbye.

Expository Writing: Talking Points

For Juno:

1) Your next paper concerns "gender issues." What does that term mean to you?
2) How does the term "gender issues" apply to this film?
3) This film concerns a very serious issue. Is it an appropriate subject for comedy?
4) How do you feel about Mark Loring, the man (played by Jason Bateman) who, with his wife, intends to adopt Juno's child?

REMINDER: If you haven't yet read pages 236-259 in your text, please do so.

Law in Film: Talking Points

For To Kill a Mockingbird:

1) What is this film saying about the law? About society?
2) Is this film still relevant today? If you were remarking it today, would you change anything?
3) What issues are raised by the character of Boo Radley?
4) What's the point of presenting the story through the eyes of young Scout?

Criticism: Talking Points

1) How would you categorize A Mighty Wind, in terms of genre?
2) Is it important for a film critic to have a knowledge of the other arts, like painting, music, theater, dance, literature, etc.?
3) A Mighty Wind is largely improvised. Do the major plot events seem random or unprepared for?
4) Do you like A Mighty Wind?

REMINDER: Please read pages 236-259 in your text.

Honors Comedy: Talking Points

For Sleeper:

1) Which jokes or gags didn't you understand?
2) Did any of the comedy in this film remind you of the comedy in any films we've seen before?
3) What are the targets of this films' subversion? (This is a trickier question than it may at first seem.)
4) How does this film hold up as a satire of science fiction?

All My Classes: Spring Break

Have a great Spring Break, everyone! I'll be taking a break from posting for my classes. See you back here when school resumes.