An American Haunting

Using one of the questions from your worksheet, write a short answer based on viewing the film, "An American Haunting."

Web Resources for Film Studies

I've found quite a few and list them below. Please share any links you may have the same way as me—as a post rather than a comment so you may use the "Link" feature in the posting box. You might want to check on the links you find at other sites to expand your search. Other topics you might search for are good sites on "storyboarding" or "scriptwriting" etc. Good luck and see you on February 2.

Fourteen Actors Acting: A Video Gallery of Classic Film Types

Press Play Blog (Dark Knight Video Essay Hosted There)

Anatomy of a Scene (multiple scenes in multiple films with directors' discussions)

David Bordwell's Website on Cinema

We have a camera! Here's a link to see its features.

Homework for the Holidays! A Comment on Citizen Kane

When you heard that Citizen Kane is considered the “best film ever made,” what did you expect? Give some detail about what you consider important in a good film (in a general sense for all films you decide to view).

Now that you have seen the film (twice or nearly twice), do you agree with the critics that this is the best film? Some argue that the the film is “as empty and heartless as its central character.” Do you agree or disagree?

Write your thoughts at the blog. Be sure to complete the work before coming to class on January 5, 2012.

Responding to The Wizard of Oz

What accounts for the continuing appeal of a movie released in 1939? Be specific! Make one short comment on a film technique (look at your handout “Film Terms” for examples) used in The Wizard of Oz. Bring your writing to next week’s class.

Responding to Alfred Hitchcock's "Notorious"

Make one short comment on a film technique that you noticed was (look at your handout “Film Terms” for examples) used in Notorious. We will discuss the film further upon my return from Italy, including looking at key scenes that demonstrate Hitchcock’s mastery of film. 

The Great Dictator

Write a paragraph or two that discusses your personal reaction to seeing Charlie Chaplin’s film, The Great Dictator. Please post your response as a comment and bring a copy to class next week for us to discuss together.

My Favourite Silent Film

All the silent films we've watched, "The Kid" by Charlie Chaplin, "The General" by Buster Keaton, and "Nosferate" by F.M Murnaus, were quite remarkable. I picked "The Kid" for my favourite silent movie. It was released in 1921. "The kid" is described as a picture with a smile, and perhaps a tear. This film was one of Chaplin's best. It's very easy to follow and understand because Chaplin shows you exactly what you need to see and nothing else. The film would draw laughs from viewers of any age. It made me laugh where Chaplin and the boy go to work to gather. The boy breaks the windows and Chaplin changes them and never get paid for it. The other part that was quite entertaining was when Chaplin falls asleep and dreams of heaven. Even in his dream of heaven he was in trouble.

The story begins with a women who leaves her newborn baby in a limousine, and hopes that it will have a better future. Two men still the car and notice the baby in the back seat. They leave the baby beside a trash can, next to a house. Chaplin finds the baby and first he wants to get rid of the baby, but can't. He takes the baby home and raises the boy on his own.



The film was very interesting because it was action-packed and it had a climax where there were some happy and sad moments. The most interesting action-packed was where Chaplin is struggling about what to do with the baby, the climax was where he desides to take the baby and raises him, and the sad part was where he lost the boy and tries his best to find him but can't. The film was inspiring because it shows the struggle of a good hearted man whoo works hard and never gives up. Charlie Chaplin is one of the greatest actor of all the time there is no dout about that.