The Matrix

Think of this film through the lens of the Hero's Journey, a term coined by Joseph Campbell (read more here). Think about this quote and apply it to The Matrix. Discuss how Neo's journey is presented to us cinematically. Incorporate the use of special effects in this discussion.

"A hero ventures forth from the world of common day into a region of supernatural wonder: fabulous forces are there encountered and a decisive victory is won: the hero comes back from this mysterious adventure with the power to bestow boons on his fellow man."

Minimum: 2 paragraphs.

Invasion of the Body Snatchers

Choose a scene and discuss it through a feminist lens. Are women portrayed as equal to men? Are they merely eye candy? Are they portrayed as superior or inferior?

Minimum 2 paragraphs.

Pee Wee's Big Adventure

Choose your favorite 5 minute scene in the film and analyze it in 3 paragraphs.

Fight the Power!

Choose one director we've studied over the past year and a half and discuss his influence on Spike Lee's Do the Right Thing. I want you to discuss this in 2 paragraphs. In your third paragraph, I want to hear your reaction to this film, especially the editing. What do you think Lee is trying to say? Do you think he was successful? How did the film make you feel?

Rebel Without a Cause

Please read Roger Ebert's Great Movies essay on Rebel Without a Cause. In 2 paragraphs, please discuss the following quote:

"Like its hero, Rebel Without a Cause desperately wants to say something and doesn't know what it is. If it did know, it would lose its fascination. More perhaps than it realized, it is a subversive document of its time."

Early in his essay, Ebert claims that "the film has not aged well." Do you agree or disagree? Give me a paragraph that tells me why.

Bigger Than Life

In at least 2 paragraphs, discuss the use of color and the use of light in this film. Choose a topic you would like to explore regarding the film and how Nicholas Ray presents this topic cinematically.

Due: Monday, February 11, 2013

Last Train Home

Discuss in 3 paragraphs the relationships you see between Last Train Home and The Story of Qiu Ju and Beijing Bicycle. If you have watched any other Chinese films, you may add them for a little extra credit. I want you to discuss cinematically differences and similarities in how cities, migrant workers, the countryside, relationships (between parent/child, neighbors, etc.), or any other topic you are interested in exploring. Discuss how these topics are presented cinematically through at least 3 of the cinematic techniques we've covered in this course.

Due: Friday, February 8, 2013