Adaptation: Talking Points for 2/24

A Room With a View
1) How do do feel about Mr. Beebe (in the film and in the novel) and why?
2) How do you feel about Charlotte Bartlett (in the film and in the novel) and why?
3) How do you feel about Mr. Emerson (in the film and in the novel) and why?
4) Do you like this novel? This film? Why?

Being There
1) What is the final scene of the film about?
2) What is the movie about? Is the novella about the same thing?
3) What does the title mean?

4) Do you like this novel? This film? Why?

Law in Film for 2/24

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Due to circumstances beyond our control, we're making a change in the class schedule. Instead of having a class on 2/24 that's mostly devoted to lecture and discussion, we're going to have a discussion of Chicago and then we'll use most of the rest of our time to watch The Verdict.

Your Chicago papers are still due on 2/24. And it would be a good idea to read the NY Times review of The Verdict before class.

The following week, 3/3, is during Spring Break. On 3/10, our first week back from break, we'll have a class that is mostly lecture and discussion.

TALKING POINTS, CHICAGO:

1) What is this film saying about the legal system, through either its 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?

Law in Film: Paper #4 Prompt

Paper #4 is due 2/24

Chicago is a musical; like many musicals, it presents a great deal of information through its song-and-dance sequences.

For this assignment, explain what this film has to say about the legal system by backing up your thesis with at least four examples from those musical sequences.

To make your points, you will need to quote some song lyrics, describe the sort of melodies that accompany those lyrics and describe how some musical sequences are staged and performed. As always, be specific.

Adaptation: Announcements & Reminders for 2/17

1) Remember to bring your copy of A Room With a View.
2) Remember to have three passages marked in the novel that say something interesting about a character or characters.
3) We'll be watching Being There this week, which run 130 minutes. Because it's so long, there won't be time for more than a five-minute break.
4) Your REQUIRED short papers on A Room With a View are due by class time on 2/17.

Law in Film: Talking Points for 2/17

12 Angry Men:

  1) What legal issues does the film raise?
  2) How do you feel about it being mostly set in a single room?
  3) How does the director single out individual characters?
  4) Does the room seem to change as the film moves along?

Law in Film: Talking Points for 2/10

The real Von Bulow

The real Dershowitz

Reversal of Fortune:
1) If you had been one of Prof. Dershowitz's students, would you have joined his team to defend Claus von Bulow? Why or why not?
2) What legal issue is involved when Dershowitz attempts to introduce new evidence into the court case?
3) How and when is humor used in this movie?
4) What is the point of the movie's final scene, in which von Bulow asks a clerk for a syringe?

Adaptation: Reminder & Talking Points for 2/10

Reminder: Bring in "Stage to Lordsburg" with two passages marked that show how information is presented indirectly.

Talking Points for Stagecoach & "Stage to Lordsburg":
1) How does each character in the movie end up? Does he or she "earn" that fate?
2) What are the film & short story about?
3) Which version of the material do you prefer?
4) What major changes are made for the movie?