Law in Film for 2/5

Jeremy Irons in Reversal of Fortune

Reminders for 2/5:
1) Read the NY Times review of Reversal of Fortune.
2) Paper 1, on Legally Blonde, is due by class time, if you choose to write that paper.

Remarks:
Really good discussion of Legally Blonde last class. There are still, however, a few of you who are hanging back and just listening to the discussion. Be warned: We're coming after you!

Zombies & Beyond for 2/2

Night of the Living Dead

Reminders, Announcements and Talking Points for 2/2.

1) Dr. Wang will be lecturing. His lecture is titled: Sexy Monsters: The Psychoanalytical Approach.

2) Remember that if you choose to write the paper on The Birds, it's due at class time.

3) We'll be discussing The Birds in class. Here are some talking points:
  a) For what are the menacing birds in the movie a metaphor?
  b) What do you make of the love birds?
  c) How would you describe the character of Melanie?
  d) How would you describe the town of Bodega Bay?

4) We'll be watching the classic zombie movie, Night of the Living Dead, from 1968.

Law in Film for 1/29

Reminder: Don't forget to read The New York Times review of Legally Blonde before coming to class on Thursday. It'll be a good intro to the film, which may be more complex than you think.

We'll have our usual break around 2 pm, after we see the film. Then we'll discuss the film.

See you in class!

Zombies & Beyond for 1/26

So after a week on and a week off, it's back to work on 1/26.

We'll be watching The Birds, Alfred Hitchcock's 1963 thriller.  It's different from Hitchcock's other films because it's about the supernatural. Normally, Hitchcock is very down-to-earth, but not this time.

We'll also go over some tips for writing your papers. See you all in class!

Law in Film for 1/22

The Paper Chase

Well, we really had a great discussion about law and popular culture last week! We're looking forward to this week, when we'll talk about legal education. Please bring any questions and observations you may have about this topic, especially if you're thinking about going to law school -- and even if you're not.

We'll also watch selected scenes from The Paper Chase, which examines old-school law-school situations.

Adaptation for 12/1/14

Our last day of class is 12/1/14. Your final paper is due at class time that day. (Brad, I'm still waiting for your revised proposal...) If you want your final paper returned with comments, you must bring a self-addressed, stamped envelope with you to class that day.

Also, be prepared to discuss your final paper for about five minutes. You'll need to say which film and literary text you wrote about, what your theme is, why you chose that film, that text and that theme, and something (large or small) that you learned while writing and researching your final paper.

We'll also discuss Adaptation. If you missed our last class, you're still responsible for seeing this film. It's on reserve in the library, third floor.

Talking Points:
  1) What does the film have to say about the adaptation process?
  2) Do you like the film? Why?
  3) Does the film do justice to the book?

Comedy for 12/3/14

Our last day of class is 12/3/14. Your final paper is due at class time that day. If you want your final paper returned with comments, you must bring a self-addressed, stamped envelope with you to class that day.

Also, be prepared to discuss your final paper for about five minutes. You'll need to say which films you wrote about, what your theme is, why you chose those films and that theme, and something (large or small) that you learned while writing and researching your final paper,

We will also talk about Bernie. Some things to think about:
  1) How is this film subversive?
  2) How does this film represent the decade in which we're still living.
  3) With whom in this film do you identify, if anyone? Why?
  4) Does this film remind you of any other film or films we've seen this semester?