"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).