Film

In this essay you will analyze the film Parasite directed by Bong Joon-ho in its entirety, paying particular attention to its overall narrative structure and how it achieves its effects through filmic language. It is not a plot summary: you will not be discussing what happens, but how it happens. Identity some kind of larger idea or theme tied to the film’s narrative structure and form. For example, maybe you think there’s a connection between Blade Runner’s neo-noir aesthetics and its gender politics.Develop an interpretative argument where you select key moments/scenes/formal aspects of your chosen film that illustrate this idea. Remember, what happens and how. While you will draw on the formal elements we’ve learned—mise-en-scene, editing, sound, cinematography—these are NOT in the driver’s seat in the body paragraphs or thesis statement. The body paragraphs should be organized around subpoints that develop your argument. Your thesis statement should not sound like this: The mise-en-scene, editing, and cinematography in Blade Runner all work together to… A topic sentence should not sound like this: The low-key lighting in Blade Runner creates a… More like this: Blade Runner employs neo-noir aesthetics throughout the film as part of its subversion of the femme fatale trope. The use of low-key lighting in scenes with Rachel…  For this paper, you are offering an interpretation of a film’s implicit meaning (review this concept from the narrative chapter). 1350 words minimum

Viewing: Though I was Dead (????) / Hu Jie, 2006 LINK:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-sIsAF3O7mk Instructions on Assignments  Commentaries • Purpose: to cultivate the habits of critical reading by making arguments and providing evidence • Content: identify an argument (not a topic) from a required reading (with direct quotations and page numbers) and discuss it in relation to the designated film of the day • Focus: your ability to articulate someone else’ argument and state your interpretation of a film in relation to that argument; mere factual information or plot summary won’t count as argument • Length: 200-300 words for each short paper

DO NOT WRITE A PLOT SUMMARY! Assume I know the movie by heart and only use what you absolutely must to set the scene and NO MORE! A) Analyze the universal plot for a movie, i.e. Star Wars Episodes 1-3, (you can analyze Star Wars and Rogue One as well). Answer the questions how the movie’s plots are both different and similar and show the plot’s relationship to the series, even though we are not done with it yet (i.e. how does this movie enhance/detract for the overall plot of the series). B) Chose one of the two movies and analyze one of the following concepts (you may use more than one): (note this is not a free-for-all to trash the movies if you are so inclined) Plot Development: (how well the plot of the movies enhance each other), Characterization: (Compare one character [not the main character] from the movie. Show how is he or she important to the overall plot. Setting and Scene: (Analyze a scene(s) from the movie. Show how that scene’s setting is important to the overall success of the movie and how the scene is indicative of the movie. C) Analyze a character as he or she grows and develops throughout the movies. This development can also be about our understanding of him or her (i.e. this is not limited to just good heroes, but also villains). You should also use important relationships and how they effect the chosen characters development. Specific quotations should be used here to demonstrate the growth. D) Analyze our understanding of the movies placement: Naboo, Tatooine (1, 3, & 4), Coruscant, Earth, or the Universe. Answer the following questions. How is Naboo, Tatooine, Coruscant, or the Universe itself a character? What does that placement “mean” to movie or main characters (i.e. Naboo to Queen Amidala, Coruscant to almost anyone, Alderaan to Liea or General Tarkin)? What does that placement “mean” to the larger world in general? E) Choose a non-reoccurring or minor character and analyze his or her relationship to the plot of the movie and to the development of the main characters. This analysis should encompass specific relationships between characters and the importance of this non-reoccurring character. F) Analyze the concepts of good and evil in a movie or movie series. How does our understanding of the “good” or “evil” in the movie’s world change or evolve (or does it)? This analysis must involve complex plot development as well as characterization and analysis. G) Analyze the use of stereotypes in the movies. Relate specific instances where the movie world mirrors the “real world” or doesn’t. i.e. Queen Amidala/Padme plays a mothering role (still, or a wifely/mothering roll) to Anakin, Liea plays an offensive roll (aka Padme) and fights to defend the rebel alliance or she plays a kingly role and defends her country/territory with her life, or something else. Also discuss the reason why the director’s chose to use stereotypes and what effect that use has on the movies, both through characterization, plot, and setting. H) Analyze the use of names. Are names significant or meaningful to the movie character development or the development of the movie in general? Why or Why not? Use specific examples that support your analysis. I) The movies are saturated with religious imagery. Analyze the use of religious imagery in a movie or movie series and explain what meanings this understanding brings to the work(s). J) One argument posed by “experts” is that the Star Wars movies are a replacement for our (the real worlds) disillusionment with the failures of Christianity (or any religion in general) to solve the world’s problems or make the world a “better place.” Argue either for or against this opinion using the movies as support. K) Analyze either Anakin, Obi-wan, or some other person of your choosing in the second two movies for their Heroes Journey. You should use the Hero with a Thousand Faces videos and handouts as references. Show how the character you analyze fit/does not fit the paradigm. L) Pick a character and analyze that character psychologically. What motivates that character to make the choices he or she makes? You must define that character using psychological constructs and demonstrate how your psychological analysis enhances the understanding movies. (This will require outside sources, documented in MLA format) M) Compare two or more characters psychologically, either heroes or villains and from similar or different movies, explaining the interactions between these characters and how their individual psychology defines their interaction. (This will require outside sources, documented in MLA format) N) Pick a theme we have discussed in class and show its development throughout the movies. Explain how the theme is fundamental or important to the overall plot of the movie. Use specific references from the movies. Possible themes include, but are not limited to, the following: Love Death Friendship Time Religion Truth Secrets Mystery Hatred Fame (and loosing it) Family (and the lack thereof) Power (and it various forms) Growth Stagnation Numerology Classical Literary references Relationship to normal life Characterization Imprisonment The hero’s journey Wealth Morals Ethics Justice Right and wrong What is means to be a hero What makes one character a hero What makes heroes different goals O) Analyze a hero’s relationship with their mentor figure (i.e. Yoda to Dooko, Dooko to Qui-Gon Jinn, Obi-wan to Anakin, Darth Sidious to Darth Vader, Ben to Luke, etc.) and those authority figures he respects. How is Obi-wan (Anakin) (or the character) guided (well or poorly) by them and what is their effect on his development? P) Analyze the meaning of the Jedi order’s destruction. Was it necessary for the balance of the force or was it a tragic occurrence that cost the galaxy untold wisdom and knowledge? What revelations do you discover? Q) If you do not like any of these questions, write one down you would like to answer and submit it to me. If I approve it, I will analyze and rewrite it and you may use that question.

actively engage two (2) screenings (choose from Buffy the Vampire Slayer, “Hush”; Fresh Off the Boat, “So Chineez”; Master of None, “Indians on TV”) and at least one (1) reading (Ron Becker’s “Gay-Themed Television and the Slumpy Class” AND/OR L.S. Kim’s “Be the One that You Want) – please write about the texts that you find most interesting or compelling. Below are a few questions that you may opt to address (though you are welcome to reply in any way that makes sense and about other topics not posed here): How do these shows speak to or counteract the “Slumpy” target demographic that Becker describes in his article? To what social/political effect? In what ways do the episodes reflect a trend toward “niche” programming and/or reinforce the environment of narrowcasting and convergence that developed around 1990s-2010s television? How do the representational politics of these episodes compare with those of 1970s “relevance” sitcoms and/or 1980s “reconciliation/recuperation” programs? In what ways do the shows comment on or engage with television/broadcast history? How do Fresh Off the Boat and/or Master of None align with or contradict Kim’s predictions about Asian American representations/industry engagement in “Be the One that You Want”? How do these shows fit into the historical narrative that she recounts?

As I write this assignment from Manaus, the destruction of the Amazon continues. Venezuelans continue to suffer shortages of basic necessities while facing economic turmoil, instability, corruption, and the difficult choice of whether to leave or remain. Human traffickers in Mexico continue to exploit the trusting and the poor, and the death toll of the “war on drugs continues to grow, daily. All three nations confront, as does the rest of the Western Hemisphere, the dangers posed by COVID-19 – the intersections of deeply rooted poverty, discrimination, health care systems that were insufficient to meet societal needs before the outbreaks, governmental inaction and/or corruption, and other factors. Clearly, in Latin America, the past is present in many ways, and so too are the grave social, political, and economic problems. Yet at the same time, Latin American peoples are thriving, with vibrant, dynamic cultures and societies; there is also throughout this region what Uruguayan writer Eduardo Galeano called a beautiful, “obstinate hope” for the future. Your task in this final assignment is to develop a proposal for a documentary film on Latin America. When envisioning your film, consider a Ken Burns-style documentary (that is, no budget constraints, no limits to travel, and excellent multimedia sources – so, think BIG!) How to proceed: 1. Re-read Skidmore and Smith’s Chapters 13 and 16. Then, re-read your “Forums” posts from the first week of your class – you may find topics that intrigued you then, and that you would like to explore in your documentary. -For inspiration, please view the following clip from the forthcoming documentary “Landfill Harmonic”. It’s one of my favorites, and it illustrates the challenges that those living on the margins of society (in this case, a garbage dump) face every day – as well as their own obstinate hope, courage, and dignity. Please copy and paste this link into your browser. The clip is about 11 minutes long. 2. Use the information in these three chapters and insights you have gained in this course, and select one overarching theme (for example economic dependency, underdevelopment, foreign investment, the environment, dictatorship, re-democratization, immigration, etc.) pertaining two countries that we have not studied thus far, selected from the textbook’s case study chapters. Thus, Brazil, Mexico, and Cuba are off limits for this assignment. You may choose any two Central American, South American and/or Caribbean countries. Do not choose the US or Canada. Similarly off limits: Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia. (I am serious about this. Any papers that mention Nazi Germany even in passing will be returned to you for a re-write.) 3. Describe your documentary: provide a thematic overview. What is your theme? What do you want your viewers to gain from having seen your film? 4. Discuss how you will depict this theme relative to each of these countries. What events will you be including? What individuals, locations, and issues are significant to your theme? Why do each merit inclusion? What will your viewers hear — what music/sound elements will you include? 5. Conclude your documentary – what insights will you provide your viewers in concluding your film? How do these obstinate hopes persist? Additional guidelines/requirements for this final project: -You must provide a works cited page with your completed assignment. -DO NOT use Wikipedia or other online or print encyclopedias. Such may be appropriate for middle school work, but are not appropriate for the level of inquiry and analysis required in university-level work. The text supplies an excellent foundation for your work; I cannot make the same statement for these encyclopedias. Papers that employ Wikipedia or other online or print encyclopedias will receive a 10 point deduction from the final score. -An excellent “master” site to obtain further information is the Latin American Network Information Center (LANIC) at the University of Texas. It is searchable via individual countries, as well as by issues and themes. Although the site is note being updated at present, its links are still valid. I encourage you to consult it: http://lanic.utexas.edu/. Please also see our file “Final Project Resources” on ReggieNet. I am very happy to help you too – in any stage of your project.

Film: Children of Men (2006)a. A plot synopsis complete enough to demonstrate you actually saw the film.b. A discussion of the following elements of mise en scene.1. Story2. Acting performances3. Cinematography2. Discuss the director’s style.3. Discuss your personal reaction to the film.4. Papers should be three to six pages.

Romantic movies are a mainstay of cinema worldwide. Can “Monsoon Wedding” be considered romantic? Paper should include reference to one of the following episodes from The Story of Film-An Odyssey (7, 8, 10,11,12,13 or 15)*. *The History of Film –An Odyssey Episode 7:1957-64 The Shock of the New – Modern Film Making in Western Europe Episode 8: 1965-69 New Waves Sweep around the World Episode 10: 1969-79 Radical Directors in the 70s Make State of the Nation Movies Episode 11: 1970s and Onwards: Innovation in Popular Culture around the World Episode 12: The 1980s Moviemaking and Protest around the World Episode 13: 1990-1998 The Last Days of Celluloid before the Coming of Digital Episode 15: 2000 Onwards: Film Moves Full Circle and the Future of Movies.

Use the quote “This is certain, that a man that studieth revenge, keeps his own wounds green, which otherwise would heal, and do well.” to help construct a point to answer the question “what is revenge tragedy?” Answer this question discussing “The Revenger’s Tragedy” by Thomas Middleton, Discuss one characters in some detail and discuss one […]

View TWO films by director Akira Kurosawa Discuss the development and history of cinema in the country, What is unique, provocative, or innovative about its film history? Discuss the contributions of directors, and films  historically, and OR, to contemporary cinema Can you identify common themes? Cite specific examples from each of the films

The book that needs to be discussed as the movie is “You are worth it” by Kyle Carpenter. Using the text you selected during Week 1 of our class, the final essay asks you to discuss its cinematic possibilities. You will write a four to five page essay (excluding Works Cited) explaining which parts of […]