SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE

Reply to this post to write your thoughts on Slumdog Millionaire (and to discuss the film with others).

If you're writing *before* we finish watching the film, you might consider writing about any of the following:
--how the film pictures/represents the slums, and how that representation compares to that of "Salaam Bombay"
--how the film draws you into the lives of its characters, and how it compares/contrasts with "Salaam Bombay" in that regard
--how/what a particular scene made you feel/think

If you're writing *after* we finish watching the film, you might write about any of the above and/or the following:
--your response to the ending of the film (and the film as a whole)
--your thoughts on how the film as a whole compares to "Salaam Bombay"
--your thoughts on how the ending of the film (and the film as a whole) is and/or isn't like a typical Hollywood film.

SALAAM BOMBAY

Reply to this post to write your thoughts on Salaam Bombay (and to discuss the film with others).

If you're writing *before* we finish watching the film, you might consider writing about any of the following:
--how the film pictures/represents the slums
--how the film draws you into the lives of these characters, and how you've responded so far
--how/what a particular scene made you feel/think

If you're writing *after* we finish watching the film, you might write about any of the above and/or the following:
--your response to the ending of the film (and the film as a whole)
--your thoughts on how the film as a whole compares to "Slumdog Millionaire," if you've seen it
--your thoughts on how the ending of the film (and the film as a whole) compares to a typical Hollywood film. (How might Hollywood producers have chosen to end the film/tell this story?)

Make-Up Work

If you've missed any assignments so far this semester, you still have a chance to make up some of the points you've lost.

For major projects--the Batman Begins essay, the Shot-by-Shot analysis paper--simply complete the assignment as soon as possible for partial credit.

For other assignments, see alternatives below:

• for posts on individual films: Find a clip or two online (can you get youtube at home?) or a good review (remember mrqe.com?), then respond on your blog or on paper, commenting on content, techniques, themes… If you write a blog post, include a link to the clip/review.
• for the post on Visions of Light: Google "history of cinematography," do some browsing/reading, and report on something interesting that you find out.
• for the post on Christian responses to Violence, read one of the other two articles on Christian responses to film: this one about profane/obscene language in film--http://lookingcloser.org/more/articles-interviews/wrong-right-and-r-rated-part-two-who-gives-a/--or this one about Christian responses to nudity in film--http://lookingcloser.org/more/articles-interviews/wrong-right-and-r-rated-part-one-naked-truths/ Then post a response following the directions I gave for the Responses to Violence assignment (see below).

"Visions of Light"

Comment on this post with your responses to "Visions of Light," the documentary about cinematography you watch in class.

Write on at least three separate points from the documentary (3-5 sentences per point). One of your points may be a question about cinematography sparked by this film.

The Greatest Film of All Time?

When it comes to film, everyone has his or her own favorites, and--as we've seen in your Top Ten lists--no two people will agree about what films should be at the top of the "Best Films of All Time" list.

Nevertheless, few films have made it to the top of such lists more often than Citizen Kane, by the famous director and actor Orson Welles. The prestigious American Film Institute put Citizen Kane at #1 on its list of the best American films of the past 100 years. And when the British Film Institute polled critics and film directors, both groups voted Citizen Kane to the top of the list.

As we watch the film in class this week, I hope you'll notice lots of things about it, including the striking cinematography of the film. But you might also keep in mind the question, Why do so many film lovers rate this film so highly? At some point this week, post your response here--and note that you should respond not only with your own evaluation of the film but with some thoughts on the question I asked: Why do you think so many others rate this film so highly?

Batman Begins

This week we'll be watching Batman Begins. Later this week I'll explain your next major assignment, which will be to write a critical essay (a "movie review" of a specific sort) about this film.

In the meantime, I want all of you to "discuss" the film online as we watch it. Post your thoughts twice this week, at least once before we finish watching the film. Aim for at least seven sentences for each post. And practice the film reviewer's skill of referring to specific details/examples from the film not as plot summary but as evidence of the points you're making (or the questions you're asking).

Christian Responses to Film Violence

Jeffrey Overstreet, a regular film critic and author of a recent book on faith & film (as well as a great blog, http://lookingcloser.org), has an interesting piece on his blog about how different Christians respond to violence in film. I'd like you to read it over the next few days and answer some questions in response. (DUE by class time on Thursday.)

Read through the entire blog posting (see link below), with these questions in mind:

1. Choose 2-3 points from the article that you found especially interesting or thought-provoking. You may quote directly from one writer’s comments (copy/paste, if you want to) or summarize a broad idea that shows up in several responses. For each point, add a few sentences of your own thoughts on why you find the idea interesting/thought-provoking.
   
2. Find one major point of disagreement in the different responses to violence. Summarize the two or three (or more?) different opinions on the issue, trying to represent each point of view as fairly and accurately as you can. (~6-10 sentences)
3. Where do you stand on the issue of violence in films, after reading many different opinions on the issue? Explain/defend your position.

After reading, type up your responses to these questions and either print out your responses or post to your own blog.

Here's the link to Jeffrey Overstreet's blog entry on Christian responses to violence in film: http://lookingcloser.org/more/articles-interviews/wrong-right-and-r-rated-part-three-killing-the-violence/