Lanewatch: Lane Change?

Things seem to have changed for Anthony Lane, a film critic for The New Yorker -- and a proud Brit. I like the magazine, but I've been irritated (and also amused) by Lane's totally Anglo-centric perspective on American movies. In fact, I was able to construct a 10-point checklist of mainly British topics (Shakespeare, Dickens, etc.), at least one of which (and usually about three of which) Lane would feel compelled to reference in nearly every piece he'd written on movies. But he may have changed. He has now written three substantial pieces in a row in which I could not detect excessive Anglo-centricity. I wish I could take credit for this shift, but I have to assume other forces are at work. Anyway, "jolly good!" for Lane. (But I'm still watching...)

Office Hours Change

Comedy & Cinema Criticism Writing

Something came up at the last moment and I couldn't be in my office for my 2 pm office hours on Tuesday (9/11). Hope this didn't inconvenience anyone. I also have to skip those hours next week. Please message me if you'd like to make an appointment.

JB

Talking Points: Back to the Future

Composition

1) What is the name of the mall where Doc Brown and Marty first test the time machine?
2) Who is the central character of this movie?
3) When does the camera movement or position contribute to the comedy?
4)  When does that tinkling sound occur? What does it mean?
5) What is the major theme of this movie?

Talking Points: Roxanne

Expository Writing

What is the point of the scene with the boy on the roof?

What do you like – and what don't you like – about this movie?

What do you think about how C.D.'s nose is revealed?

What sort of a sense do you get of the town (and its people) in which the film is set? 

What's the point of the scene in the bar in which C.D. makes many jokes about his nose?

Describe C.D.

Describe Roxanne.

 

Talking Points: A Night at the Opera

Comedy



1) Who's your favorite Marx Brother? Why?
2) What targets are being subverted in this film?
3) Why do the Marx Brothers' characters care about the movie's young lovers?
4) To which social class do the brothers' characters belong?

Talking Points: Fargo

Cinema Criticism Writing



1. Where is this movie set? Why is it called Fargo?
2. Is there a point to the scene in which Marge meets her old friend at the hotel?
3. Why does the movie declare itself a true story when it isn't?
4. Marge's husband is named Norm. Is that significant?

As Time Goes By

Composition

I always wonder about the reactions of students to a classic movie like Casablanca. Does the film hold up "as time goes by"? We watched Casablanca this week and I heard a lot of laughter in the room, which is usually a good sign. Some of the laughter, however, seemed to be in places where the movie used old-fashioned filming techniques, like having a fake background when the characters are seen riding in a car while talking. This was necessary back when practically everything in a movie had to be shot on a sound stage. Should be interesting to hear everyone's comments next week and to read the students' reviews of the film.