Writing As an Arts Critic for 10/1/15

Robert De Niro and Anne Hathaway in The Intern

The current plan for our class on Thursday, 10/1/15, is to meet inside the auditorium for The Intern at Regal's Winter Park Village.

You should be there by 4 pm at the latest, a bit earlier if possible. [The film is now listed as starting at 4 pm, so please allow enough time. Of course, there will be about 15 minutes of previews before the film itself actually begins.]

We will all try to sit together.

After the film, for those who can make it, we'll have a short, impromptu discussion of the film. If you have to leave right after the film, that's OK.

Your review of the film will be due the following Thursday (10/8/15).

But here's something else to consider: Your new class schedule lists 6 short papers. However, your syllabus says you only have to write 4 short papers (and a final paper). So what's going on? The deal is that you only have to write 4 short papers, and you get to choose which 4 you write. If you write more than 4 short papers, I'll only count your 4 best grades for them. You still have to see all the movies, plays, etc. that I assign. But you only have to write about 4 of them.

[If you can't make it to the film with the class, be sure to see the film at some other time before our next class. And if it's one of the 4 you choose, write your review by 10/8/15.]

Expository Writing for 9/28/15

1) Great discussion of Some Like It Hot! We really made a lot of progress.

2) This week we'll be workshopping your papers on that film. Be prepared to listen, ask questions and make comments.

3) We'll also see the original Frankenstein movie from 1931. It's not a comedy, but you may find parts of it funny.

Writing As an Arts Critic for 9/24/15

1) Please remember to bring in your Fargo papers again, whether or not you've re-written them. I want us to workshop them.

2) We'll be discussing The Third Man. Here are some Talking Points to consider:
  a) What do you make of the zither music?
  b) How is information conveyed visually in this movie?
  c) What, basically, is the film about?
  d) What do you make of the ending?

3) Don't forget that your review of The Third Man is due at class time this week.

Expository Writing for 9/21/15

1) The final line was somehow left off the syllabus schedule.  It should read:

    12/7. Final paper due. General discussion. Goodbyes.

2) Remember that your paper on Some Like It Hot is due by class time.

3) Talking points for Some Like It Hot:

  Did you like it? What did you like? Dislike?

  Final line of dialogue: What does it mean?

  Why is this film in black and white?

  Why did Marilyn Monroe become such an icon?

Expository Writing for 9/14/15

Tony Curtis (l) and Jack Lemmon in Some Like It Hot

Marilyn Monroe in Some Like It Hot

Hope everyone had a nice Labor Day. Now don't forget to come back to class!

We'll be watching Some Like It Hot this week. If you do miss class, remember that the film is on reserve in the library.

Be sure to have read pages 1-16 in your text before class.

Writing As an Arts Critic for 9/17/15

The Third Man

Great discussion of Fargo last time. Original thinking. Subtle insights. Awesome!

It turns out, BTW, that the last line of the syllabus was unintentionally left off. We will meet on Dec. 10. Here's what it said: 12/10. Final paper due. General discussion. Goodbyes.

In a week or two, I'll have a revised syllabus for you.

Don't forget to read Chapter 6 in your text for 9/17.

We'll be watching The Third Man on 9/17.

Writing As an Arts Critic for 9/10/15

1. Remember, we are NOT following the schedule on the syllabus. Please follow what I tell you here and in class instead.

2. Bring in your review of Fargo. It is due this week. Also be prepared to discuss it. (If you missed class last week, don't worry about the review right now. We will work something out. But if you can arrange to see Fargo before this week's class, please do. It's on reserve in the library.)

3. Remember to bring to class a review you've found somewhere of something. Be prepared to say what you like or do not like about that review.

4. Remember to read pages 1-8 and Chapter 1 in your text before class.

5. Talking Points for Fargo:
 a. Do you like it? Why? Why not?

 b. What's the deal on Paul Bunyan in the film?

 c. Does the restaurant scene with Marge Gunderson and her old friend Mike            Yanagita belong in this film?

 d. How do you feel about Norm Gunderson (Marge's husband)?