________________________________________________________________________________
Welcome to the '09-'10 school year. This is your source of class information for Callison's Film Criticism
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
Monday and Tuesday, August 24 and 25
Letter to Parents / Suggestions for Success (Handout, signed slip due next class)
Biographical Essay Assignment - typed version due next class: (Uniqueness, Hopes and Expectations, Ideal English Class) 250 word minimum, Times Roman typeface, 12 pt. font, double or 1 1/2 spacing. Save on your USB drive.
Letter to your future self. You seal it in an envelope, I'll hold on to them until May.
Movie Choices / AFI Overview
7th Period got to #69 on the AFI 100 disc
________________________________________________________________________________________
Thursday and Friday, August 20 and 21
Introductions
Biographical Pre-Writing (Uniqueness, Hopes and Expectations, Ideal English Class)
|
|
Final Exams:
B-2:
-Take-home essays are due
-La Haine (1995) to end
- In-class Final Exam
Monday, May 4
A-3
-Take-home essays are due
- In-class Final Exam
Wednesday, May 6
Semester grades are posted on my door. Good luck, you guys.
______________________________________________________________________________________
Monday, April 27
A-3
- Unforgiven, cont.
Tuesday, April 28
B-2
- La Haine, cont to 1:07
- Journals 16 and 17 collected
- Take-Home part of Final (2 Short Essay choices) assigned
- Unforgiven to end; OP Form Due
- Jose's presentation of Lone Star (1995) to :33 in
-Chal and Rhiannon present La Haine (1995) to about :15
B-2:
-Take-home essays are due
-La Haine (1995) to end
-In-class Final Exam
____________________________________________________________________________________
Monday, April 20
A-3
- Elliot's presentation of Bowling for Columbine (2002) to 1:07 in
Tuesday, April 21
B-2
- Toby's presentation of Lone Star (1995) to 1:45 in
Wednesday, April 22
A-3
- Bowling for Columbine to end; OP Form due
Thursday, April 23
B-2:
-Lone Star (1995) to end; OP Form due
- Journal 17 is homework:
-Define “documentary”
-What do you think of when someone says “documentary?”What was the last documentary you saw?
-Is it OK for a documentary filmmaker to have an opinion about what s/he is showing you? Why or why not?
-Do we have ethical expectations for documentary filmmakers?
-Are they supposed to be presenting exclusively factual information?
-Do we have ethical expectations of Hollywood filmmakers?
-Chal and Rhiannon present La Haine (1995) to about :15
Friday, April 24
A-3:
- Journals 16 and 17 collected
- Take-Home part of Final (2 Short Essay choices) assigned
- Unforgiven (1992) to :36
- judging student films
____________________________________________________________________________________
Monday, April 13
A-3
Reyes' presentation of Do the Right Thing (1989) to 1:21 in
Tuesday, April 14
B-2
- Olivia's presentation of Do the Right Thing (1989) to end; OP Form due
- 1st twenty minutes of Unforgiven (1992)
Wednesday, April 15
A-3
- Do the Right Thing (1989) to end; OP Form due
- Journal 17:
-Define “documentary”
-What do you think of when someone says “documentary?”What was the last documentary you saw?
-Is it OK for a documentary filmmaker to have an opinion
about what s/he is showing you?
Why or why not?
-Do we have ethical expectations for documentary filmmakers?
-Are they supposed to be presenting exclusively factual information?
-Do we have ethical expectations of Hollywood filmmakers?
Thursday, April 16
B-2:
Alex's presentation of Unforgiven (1992) to 1:38 in
Friday, April 17
B-2:
- Unforgiven (1992) to end; OP Form due
- Lone Star (1995) to 28:49
_______________________________________________________________________________
Monday and Tuesday April 6 and 7 were testing days for the Juniors
Wednesday, April 8 was an abbreviated day and the conclusion of testing
A-3:
La Haine (Hate) (1995) to end; notecard assignment due
Thursday, April 9
B-2:
Olivia's presentation of Do the Right Thing (1989) to 1:18 in
Friday, April 10 - no classes - Vernal Holiday
___________________________________________________________________________________
Week Six of Six Week Grading Period
Monday, March 30
A-3:
- finished Blade Runner (1982)
Journal #16: re Blade Runner - Why is it on the list, in your opinion?
- Is it a film noir? Argue both yes and no.
- Is there a sci-fi film that better deserves an AFI spot, in your opinion? Why?
- started Amadeus (1984)
Tuesday, March 31
B-2:
- Maichae's presentation of Tootsie (1982)
- Instead of an Oral P. Form, we wrote Journal 16:
1.) In your opinion, why is Tootsie on the AFI list?
2.) Both Blade Runner and Tootsie have as one of their themes what it means to be human - please elaborate on this idea
Wednesday, April 1
A-3
Adrianna's presentation of Amadeus (1982) - tech difficulties; no written assignment
Thursday, April 2
B-2
Jen's presentation of Amadeus (1982)
Friday, April 3
A-3
La Haine (Hate) (1995)
___________________________________________ _____________________________________________
Week Five of Six Week Grading Period
Monday, March 16
A-3:
- Due: Saba's OP Form for One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975)
Tuesday, March 17
B-2:
-Due: Self-scored OP Form for Killeen / Blade Runner (1982)
-first 20 minutes of Raising Arizona
Wednesday, March 18
A-3
AJ's presentation of Blade Runner (1982)
Thursday, March 19
B-2
Hunter's presentation of
This Is Spinal Tap (1984)
Friday, March 20
B-2
-finished Raising Arizona (1984)
____________________________________________________________________________________-
Week Four of Six Week Grading Period
Monday, March 9
A-3:
-Network O.P. Forms due
- Journals returned
- Savannah's presentation of Chinatown (1974) 
to 1:18
Tuesday, March 10
B-2:
- Catalina's presentation of Sophie's Choice (1982)
- Review and Two Questions due (no copies of Form)
Wednesday, March 11
A-3:
(Callison out)
-finished Chinatown; OP Forms due
Thursday, March 12
B-2:
-Killeen's presentation of
Blade Runner (1982)
to 1:11
Friday, March 13
A-3:
- Essays returned
- Saba's presentation of One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975) to 1:11
____________________________________________________________________________________
Week Three of Six Week Grading Period
Monday, March 2
A-3:
-
American Graffiti (1973)
to end; OP Form due
- Melissa's presentation of Network (1976) to :45
- Journals 11-15 will be due Weds.
Tuesday, March 3
B-2:
- Journals 11-15 will be due Thursday
- Network (1976) to end; self-scored OP Forms due
- Chinatown (1975) to :29 in
Wednesday, March 4
Reaction/Response to two quotes by filmmakers
- Journals 11-15 due w/ self-score
- Melissa's presentation of Network (1976) ; OP Form is homework
Thursday, March 5
B-2:
- Journal 15:
Reaction/Response to two quotes by filmmakers
- Gavin's presentation of Chinatown (1975) to 1:29 in
Friday, March 6
B-2:
- Journals 11-15 due w/ self-score
- Chinatown (1975) to end, Review and Two Questions due
-Sophie's Choice (1982)
____________________________________________________________________________
Week Two of Six Week Grading Period
Monday, February 23
A-3:
- Journal 14:
Four parts: plans for next year, expectations for college writing, etc.
- Dustin's presentation of The Godfather (1972) - no OP Form collected
Tuesday, February 24
B-2:
- Journal 14:
Four parts: plans for next year, expectations for college writing, etc.
- Cuckoo's Nest (1975) to end; OP Forms for Allie are due
- Network (1976) to :12 in
Wednesday, February 25
A-3:
- Marissa's presentation of American Graffiti (1973)
Thursday, February 26
B-2:
- Jared's presentation of Network (1976) to 1:27 in
Friday, February 27 - Next Step Day - no classes scheduled
________________________________________________________________________________________
Week One of Second Six Week Grading Period
Tuesday, February 17
B-2:
- 'Godfather' OP Forms are due
- Journal 13: Summary / Reaction to pages 397-408 in "Flashback"
- One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975) to :28 in
Wednesday, February
A-3:
- Journal 13: Summary / Reaction to pages 397-408 in "Flashback"
- Raising Arizona to end
- intro to The Godfather (1972)
Thursday, February 19
B-2:
- One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975) to 1:41
Friday February 20
A-3:
- end, Bonnie and Clyde, OP Form due
- Dustin's presentation of
The Godfather (1972)
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Week Six - End of Six Week Grading Period
Monday, February 9
A-3:
-Second drafts of essays are due Wednesday, the 11th
-Bonnie and Clyde (1967) to 1:15
Tuesday, February 10
B-2:
- Revised essays are due w/ self-scored rubric
-
A Clockwork Orange (1971)
to 1:15
Wednesday, February 11
A-3:
- Revised essays are due w/ self-scored rubric
-
Bonnie and Clyde (1967)
had technical problems;
-Raising Arizona (1987) was substituted
Thursday, February 12
B-2:
-
A Clockwork Orange (1971)
to end; O.P. Form due
Friday, February 13 ("B" Day)
B-2:
Evan's presentation of
The Godfather, Part II (1974)
; OP Form to be collected Tuesday
__________________________________________________________________________________
(Week Five, Term One, Semester Two)
Monday, February 2
A-3:
-Journal 12: Half summary and half reaction to the NY Times article
(Handout) "How the Movies Made a President"
-Easy Rider (1969) very nearly to end; OP Form will be due Weds.
-YOUR SECOND AFI ESSAY IS DUE FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 6
Tuesday, February 3 -
B-2:
- some finer points on second essays
-
YOUR SECOND AFI ESSAY IS DUE THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 5
-Journal 12: Half summary and half reaction to the NY Times article
(Handout) "How the Movies Made a President"
- MASH (1970) to end
_
Wednesday, February 4
A-3:
-Contest: subject for Valley's Doc Challenge documentary
- some finer points on second essays:
YOUR SECOND AFI ESSAY IS DUE FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 6
-Talia's presentation of Easy Rider (1969) to end; OP Form due
Thursday, February 5 -
B-2:
- Drafts of essays checked and stamped. Classmate Assist assignment:
1. Use the rubric
2. Mark / comment on their paper. Don't forget the positive comments.
3. Repeat comments on a loose sheet and turn in for a grade.
AFI ESSAY FINAL DRAFT IS DUE TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 10
-M*A*S*H (1970) to end; OP Form due
- Jake introduced
A Clockwork Orange (1971)
Friday, February 6
A-3:
- Drafts of essays checked and stamped.
Classmate Assist assignment:
1. Use the rubric
2. Mark / comment on their paper. Don't forget the positive comments.
3. Repeat comments on a loose sheet (full page, rubric format) and turn in for a grade.
AFI ESSAY FINAL DRAFT IS DUE WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 11
-Onward with M*A*S*H (1970)
___________________________________________________________________________________
(Week Four, Term One, Semester Two)
-Journal Eleven: Review your post-1960 AFI choice (three specific criteria)
- The Graduate (1967) to end; OP Form due
Tuesday, January 27 -
B-2:
-Emma's presentation of
The Graduate (1967)
to :55
-Journal Eleven: Review your post-1960 AFI choice (three specific criteria)
Wednesday, January 28
A-3:
-Participation grade for assessing the other class and their Oral P. Forms
-Excerpt of the documentary "Easy Riders and Raging Bulls"
-Talia's presentation of Easy Rider (1969) to the :42 mark
Thursday, January 29 -
-The Graduate (1967) to end; OP Form due
Friday, January 30 -
A-3:
- (Handout) "How the Movies Made a President" (no writing done on it yet)
- Stephen's presentation of MASH (1970) to the 1:06 mark
_________________________________________________________________________________
(third week of second semester)
Monday, January 19 - Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday - No Classes
Tuesday, January 20 -
B-2:
-Sherice's presentation of
The Apartment (1960) Directed by Billy Wilder
to 1:14 mark
Wednesday, January 21
A-3:
-The Treasure of the Sierra Madre (1947) to end; OP Form due Friday
-(handout) Five PowerPoint rules - summary on a notecard due
Thursday, January 22
B-2:
-Sherice's presentation ofThe Apartment (1960) to end; O.P. Form due
- Mariah's PowerPoint presentation of Some Like It Hot (1959)
-
YOUR SECOND AFI ESSAY IS DUE THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 5
Friday, January 23 -
A-3:
-'Sierra Madre' OP Form due
-Mariah's presentation of The Graduate (1967) to the 1:13 mark
-
YOUR SECOND AFI ESSAY IS DUE FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 6
Anne Bancroft, Dustin Hoffman The Graduate
Journal Eleven: Review of your 2nd AFI choice
________________________________________________________________________
(second week of second semester)
Monday, January 12
A-3:
-backside of 'Apartment' Forms due
-Stephanie's presentation of To Kill A Mockingbird (1960)
Tuesday, January 13 - NM State Competency Exam - No Classes
Wednesday, January 14
A-3:
- Stephen's presentation of The Treasure of the Sierra Madre (1947) to 1:09
- Participation grade
Thursday, January 15
B-2:
- Mariah's presentation of Some Like It Hot (1959) to end; Oral P. Form due (15 points only)
Friday, January 16 - Cluster In-Service Day - No Classes
____________________________________________________________________________________
SECOND SEMESTER
Monday, January 5
A-3:
-Journals and Essays returned
-The Apartment (1960) Directed by Billy Wilder to 1:03 mark
-up next: To Kill A Mockingbird, Treasure of the Sierra Madre
Tuesday, January 6
B-2:
-
Journals and Essays returned
-Completed Rear Window (1954); Julie's Oral Presentation Form due
-Watched the first 19 minutes of Rebel Without A Cause (1955)
-up next: Some Like It Hot and The Apartment, both directed by Billy Wilder
Wednesday, January 7
A-3:
-The Apartment (1960) Directed by Billy Wilder to end; backside of Presentation Form is homework (Am. Culture in 1960, character development: Baxter or Kubelik)
Thursday, January 8
B-2:
-Justine's presentation o
f Rebel Without A Cause (1955)
Friday, January 9 (also a "B" day):
B-2
-Rebel Without A Cause (1955) to end
-Justine's Oral Presentation Form due
-(handout) Five PowerPoint rules
-Some Like It Hot (1959)
Dennis Hopper, Natalie Wood, James Dean Rebel Without A Cause (1955)
____________________________________________________________________________________
Monday, December 15:
A-3:
-
Signature Slips for R-Rated Movies are due
-Writing Practice for Final Exam assignment based on the review you brought
-Vertigo (1958) cont.
(Final for this class is Wednesday, December 17, 1:00-2:25)
Tuesday, December 16 - Snow Day
B-2:
Your Final Exam Period on Thursday will consist of:
-Final Exam Review / Five Criteria Writing Assignment
-Signature Slips for R-Rated Movies are due
-Journal Ten: In what ways do you think the AFI Top 100 List needs to be updated?
Should they be looking for something different in the movies or changing their criteria?
-Journals 6-10 and your Running List (Self-Scored) will be Due
(Final for this class is Thursday, December 18, 11:25-12:55)
____________________________________________________________________________________
Last day of First Semester is December 16; Finals are Dec. 17-19
Monday, December 8
A-3:
Journal Nine:
How is the impact of films shot in Black and White different from those shot in color?
Give examples of this impact (both positive and negative) from our Running List.
-Rebel Without A Cause (1955) cont.
Tuesday, December 9
B-2:
-For Thursday bring a print review. It should be about a film you really liked or really hated, and it should be, by your standards, well-written. Try to make a choice that no one else has. It shouldn't be too short; the film reviewed need not be either current, or an American release.
-Pegeen's presentation of
A Night at the Opera (1935)
Wednesday, December 10
A-3:
-For Friday bring a print review. It should be about a film you really liked or really hated, and it should be, by your standards, well-written. Try to make a choice that no one else has. It shouldn't be too short; the film reviewed need not be either current or an American release.
-Rebel Without A Cause (1955) to end
-Evan's presentation of
Vertigo (1958)
(1:35 left)
Thursday, December 11
B-2:
-(Handout) Signature Slips for R-Rated Movies - these are due back before Winter Break
-Bring
a print review. It should be about a film you really liked or really hated, and it should be, by your standards, well-written.
-A Night at the Opera (1935) to end
-Julie's presentation of
Rear Window (1954)
(1:15 left)
Friday, December 12
A-3:
-(Handout) Signature Slips for R-Rated Movies - these are due back before Winter Break
-Bring a print review. It should be about a film you really liked or really hated, and it should be, by your standards, well-written.
-Journal Ten:
In what ways do you think the AFI Top 100 List needs to be updated?
Should they be looking for something different in the movies or changing their criteria?
-Journals 6-10 and your Running List (Self-Scored) are Due
_____________________________________________________________________________________
* Week Five of Six Week Grading Period * 
Monday, December 1:
A-3:
-Running Lists- make sure they're current
-Brandon's presentation of On the Waterfront (1954) to 1:15
-Reminder about unexcused absences and participation grades
-Tuesday, December 2:
B-2:
-Sunset Blvd. (1950) to end; Presentation Form Due
-Wednesday, December 3:
A-3:
**Revised Essays Due**
On the Waterfront (1954) to end; New O.P. Form due
-Marlise's presentation of
Rebel Without A Cause (1955)
-Journal 9 ideas for a participation grade
-Thursday, December 4:
B-2:
**Revised Essays Due**
-Diana's presentation of All About Eve (1950) to exactly 1:00 in
-Friday, December 5:
B-2:
All About Eve - conclusion.
Oral Presentation Forms due.
___________________________________________________________________________________
Monday, November 24
A-3:
-'GWtW' Presentation sheets due
-Essay Drafts: (Second Drafts are due Wednesday, December 3)
1.) Get a Stamp (credit for having your draft on time)
2.) Due: a full-page Classmate Assist, following the Rubric format
-Alex's Citizen Kane (1940) presentation
Tuesday, November 25
B-2 :
-Essay Drafts: (Second Drafts are due Thursday, December 4)
1.) Get a Stamp (credit for having your draft on time)
2.) Due: a full-page Classmate Assist, following the Rubric format
-did not finish Sunset Blvd. -
Journal Nine:
Half summary, half reaction to "Offstage, a Beastie Boy Enters the World of Indpendent Film" (handout)
Wednesday, November 26
A-3:
-Alex's Citizen Kane (1940) presentation , continued and into
-Alise's The Third Man (1949) presentation
Thursday and Friday, November 27 and 28 - Thanksgiving Break
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Monday, November 17
A-3:
-
Rubrics for AFI Essay given; typed draft (with sources) on your first AFI choice is due Monday, November 24
-finished and discussed Persepolis
-Callison intro'ed Billy Wilder's Sunset Blvd (1950)- we watched to the :40 mark
Tuesday, November 18
B-2 :
-Esther's presentation of Gone With the Wind (1939)
-Essay on your first AFI choice is due Tuesday, November 25
Wednesday, November 19
A-3:
-Two handouts on footnoting for Monday's essay
-Sunset Blvd (1950) virtually to end
Thursday, November 20
B-2 :
-Two handouts on footnoting for Tuesday's essay
-Ben's presentation of Billy Wilder's Sunset Blvd (1950) to 1:06
Friday, November 21
A-3:
-finished Sunset Blvd.
-Saraya's presentation of Gone With the Wind (1939)_____________________________________________________________________________________
Monday, November 10
A-3:
-The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951) to end ; presentation forms due
-Persepolis (2007) to approx. :30 in
-Essay on your first AFI choice is due Monday, November 24
Tuesday, November 11 - Veteran's Day - No School
Wednesday, November 12
A-3:
Journal Eight:
Half summary, half reaction to "Offstage, a Beastie Boy Enters the World of Indpendent Film" (handout)
Thursday, November 13
B-2 :
-Persepolis (2007) finished and discussed
-Essay on your first AFI choice is due Tuesday, November 25
Friday, November 14
B-2 :
-Rubrics for AFI Essay given
-Monica's presentation of Fantasia (1940)
___________________________________________________________________________________
Monday, November 3
A-3:
Journal Seven:
A review of your first AFI choice (pre-1960) Three parts:
1. Why you like 2. Technical elements 3. Agree w/ AFI?
Monique's presentation of Fantasia (1940)
Tuesday, November 4 - Election Day - No School
Wednesday, November 5
A-3:
Ashley's presentation of The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951)
Thursday, November 6
B-2 :
Journal Eight:
A review of your first AFI choice (pre-1960)
Three parts:
1. Why you like 2. Technical elements 3. Agree w/ AFI?
-Young Frankenstein (1974)
Friday, November 7
B-2 :
-Young Frankenstein to end
-Persepolis (2007) to approx. :30 in
____________________________________________________________________________________
(Week Six of the Second Six-Week Grading Period; Grading Period Ends Nov. 3)
Monday, October 27
A-3:
-Journal Six (Two Parts)1. Are the most popular movies the best?
Are there “good” movies that do poorly at the box office? Why or why not?
2. If you don’t like a film, or don’t understand a film, is that the fault of the filmmaker?
Whose “fault” is it?
-Quick Essay conferences
-Young Frankenstein (1974) to :51 minute mark
Tuesday, October 28
B-2 :
-Citizen Kane to end; Felix's Oral Presentation Forms due
Journal Seven (Two Parts)
1. Are the most popular movies the best?
Are there “good” movies that do poorly at the box office? Why or why not?
2. If you don’t like a film, or don’t understand a film, is that the fault of the filmmaker?
Whose “fault” is it?
Wednesday, October 29
A-3:
Young Frankenstein (1974) to end
-Watch your Pre-1960 AFI choice (again) over the weekend, and be prepared to write about it.
-Discuss Journal # 6
Thursday, October 30
B-2 :
-Josh G's presentation of the original
Frankenstein 
(1931)
-Watch your Pre-1960 AFI choice (again) over the weekend, and be prepared to write about it.
Friday, October 31
Next Step Day - No Classes Scheduled
_________________________________________________________________________________________
(Week Five of the Second Six-Week Grading Period; Grading Period Ends Nov. 3)
Monday, October 20
A-3:
Connor's presentation of Mr. Smith Goes To Washington (1939)
Tuesday, October 21
B-2 :
The Asphalt Jungle to end
Check out Sterling Hayden (Dix) as General Jack D. Ripper in
Dr. Strangelove as the deranged army officer who sets off a nuclear war.
Wednesday, October 22
A-3:
finished 'Mr. Smith' - Oral Presentation Forms due
Grade given Friday for AFI signup being complete
Thursday, October 23
B-2 :
Felix's presentation of the #1 film on the AFI list: Citizen Kane (1941).
Be sure your two AFI choices are approved and in place for a grade by the end of class today.
Friday, October 24
A-3:
-Be sure your two AFI choices are approved and in place for a grade by the end of class today.
-Andrew's presentation of the original
Frankenstein (1931)
_____________________________________________________________
(Week Four of the Second Six-Week Grading Period)
Monday, October 13:
A-3
-Journals returned
-finished Night of the Hunter and discussed
Tuesday, October 14
B-2 :
Journal 6: based on Spike Lee article that was a handout - half summary and half your reaction to the article.
Be sure you touch on Birth of a Nation (p.56) Do the Right Thing (59,60), and the success of Inside Man (p.62)
We watched The Asphalt Jungle (1950) to the :49 minute mark
Wednesday, October 15 (PSAT testing in morning, all 4 classes in afternoon)
A-3: 25 minutes of the Film Noir documentary Darkness Into Light
Thursday, October 16 - Teacher Training - No School for students
Friday, October 17 (A "B" Day)
B-2: 30 minutes of the Film Noir documentary Darkness Into Light
-Senior meeting (graduation announcements, caps + gowns)
MLA style footnoting for electronic sources:
______________________________________________________________________________________
(Week Three of the Second Six Week Grading Period)
Monday, October 6
A-3:
-Journals 1 - 5 are due with self-scoring and word counts
-Annalisa's presentation of Bringing Up Baby (1938) to 1:12 mark
Tuesday, October 7
B-2:
-Second drafts of Silent Era Essays are due today
-Discussion of Film Noir - What are the elements of a Noir?
Night of the Hunter (1955) to :53 minute mark
Wednesday, October 8
A-3:
-finished Bringing Up Baby; Oral Presentation sheets for Annalisa are due
-Discussion of Film Noir - What are the elements of a Noir?
- Night of the Hunter (1955) to approx. :20 minute mark
-Fire Drill to end the period
Thursday, October 9
B-2:
Finish Night of the Hunter
In-class reading of Spike Lee profile in The New Yorker (handout) or link:
Friday, October 10
Fall Break - No School
__________________________________________________________
(Week Two of the Second Six Week Grading Period)
Monday, September 29
A-3: finished Swing Time
Second drafts of essays are due Wednesday
- Homework was to look up the use of blackface (as seen in Swing Time);
assignment collected on a notecard
- We started The Hustler (1961) in honor of Paul Newman's death (36 min. in)
Discussion: Why might a film made in 1961 be made in black and white?
Tuesday, Sept. 30
B-2: Not attending on a day when essays are due = bad choice.
- Make sure your absence is excused, or don't bother asking for makeup work.
-Essay first drafts are due. Classmate Assist assignment in class for a separate (equally weighted) grade
-Second drafts (final for some of you) are due Tuesday, Oct. 7
- We started The Hustler (1961) in honor of Paul Newman's death over the weekend (32 min. in)
The Hustler (1961)
Wednesday, October 1
A-3: Second drafts of essays are due
The Hustler, cont. to 1:47 mark
Thursday, October 2
B-2:
-The Hustler, cont. to 1:15
-Second drafts of essays are due Tuesday, the 7th
-Example of Updated Oral Presentation Form handed out;
Callison used as an example (not collected) during technical difficulties w/ The Hustler
Friday, October 3
A-3:
-Example of Updated Oral Presentation Form handed out;
Callison used as an example (not collected)
-finish The Hustler
-Journal Five: based on Spike Lee article that was a handout - Half summary and half your reaction to the article. Journals 1-5 are due Monday; Self-scoring expectations were gone over. Here's a link to the article:
_______________________________________________________________________________
film terms to define:
sentimentality (in screenwriting)
elegance (in comedy)
Film Noir
femme fatale
_________________________________________________________
(Week One of the Second Six Week Grading Period)
Monday, September 22
A-3: Essay first drafts are due Wednesday - be sure we've agreed on your topic
Turtles Can Fly wrap-up (notecard assignment)
Swing Time (1936)
B-2: Essay drafts for the "B" day class are due Tuesday, Sept. 30
-Turtles Can Fly, to end. Discussion not wrapped up
Next Five AFI films we will watch are: Frankenstein, Fantasia, Stagecoach, Citizen Kane and The Third Man
Wednesday, September 24
A-3: Essay drafts are due. Classmate Assist assignment in class for a separate grade
Swing Time from approx. 30 minute mark
Next Five AFI films we will watch are: Frankenstein, Bringing Up Baby, Mr. Smith Goes To Washington,
The Best Years of Our Lives, The Third Man
Final Drafts of Essays are due Wednesday, October 1
Thursday, Sept. 25
B-2: Journal #5: From Turtles Can Fly: Was this a political film? What is a political film, in your opinion? Why do you think the director used children as his primary characters? What did you notice about 1) the acting 2) the plot / story / action, and 3) technical elements: camera movement, lighting, sound, editing, music.
Journals are due tomorrow, Friday.
Begin Swing Time (1936) - #90 on the AFI list.
Friday, Sept. 26
B-2:
Journals are due
Swing Time
First Drafts of Essays are due Tuesday, Sept. 30
______________________________
(Week Six of the Six Week Grading Period)
Monday, September 15
A-3: Your Silent Era Essay Proposal is due
Jared C.'s presentation of Chaplin's Modern Times (1936)
Tuesday, Sept. 16
B-2 : Your Silent Era Essay Proposal is due
Julie B.'s presentation of Chaplin's The Gold Rush (1925)
Wednesday, 9/17
A-3: finished Modern Times
Revised Essay Ideas due
Journal #4: In your opinion, what makes a movie appropriate for children?
- Is that the same as a kid’s movie?
- What does a film have to do to get / keep a “G” rating?
- In your opinion, what is it most important to protect children from, as far as subject matter?
We started Turtles Can Fly (2004), a film by the Iranian director Bhaman Ghobadi, which is in Kurdish with English subtitles, and got to the 31 minute mark.
Thursday, 9/18
B-2 finished The Gold Rush ; Julie B. did her presentation
-Revised Essay Ideas due
Journal #4: In your opinion, what makes a movie appropriate for children?
- Is that the same as a kid’s movie?
- What does a film have to do to get / keep a “G” rating?
- In your opinion, what is it most important to protect children from, as far as subject matter?
We started Turtles Can Fly (2004), a film by the Iranian director Bhaman Ghobadi, which is in Kurdish with English subtitles, and got to the 20 minute mark.
Friday, Sept. 19
A-3 Essay ideas continue to get refined.
-Reminder - writing on an unapproved topic drops your grade 25% off the top.
-Essay first drafts are due Wednesday the 24th
-We finished Turtles Can Fly
Here is another perspective on the AFI Best 100 list:
_________________________________________________________________
(Week Five of the Six Week Grading Period)
Monday, September 8
A-3:
Check Journal Three
Finish It Happened One Night (30 min.)
Savannah M's presentation of Charlie Chaplin's City Lights (1931) - up to 24 min. mark
Oral Presentation Scoring Sheets - revision ideas
Tuesday, September 9
B-2:
Journal #3 (Three parts)
a. In your opinion, what is a film critic's job, anyway?
b. Is it different from a film reviewer? How?
c. Other than word of mouth, how do you learn about movies?
Print? Online? Trailers? Blogs?Be as specific as possible.
We discussed the difference between a film reviewer and a critic, and also what makes an oral presentation more interesting to listen to. The section on oral presentations was written and turned in as a participation grade.
Finished It Happened One Night,
started City Lights (1931) - up to 15 min. mark
Wednesday, Sept. 10
A-3:
Finish City Lights ; Presentation Evaluations (w/ two new questions on back) are due
For Monday: Bring a paragraph with your idea for an essay connected to the silent era of film. It doesn't have to connect to Chaplin or Keaton, or even The Marx Brothers.
Thursday, 9/11
B-2: A few minutes of City Lights, then a Senior Meeting in the PAC. We'll try again tomorrow.
Friday, Sept. 12
B-2:Finished
City Lights
Your Silent Era Essay proposal is due Monday - Bring a paragraph with your idea for an essay connected to the silent era of film. It doesn't have to connect to Chaplin or Keaton, or even The Marx Brothers.
________________________________________________________________
(Week Four)
Monday, Sept. 1 - Labor Day Holiday
This had its American premiere at the Telluride Film Festival...
Tuesday and Wednesday, 2nd and 3rd:
A-3: The General to end
B-2: It Happened One Night (1934)
Thursday and Friday, Sept. 4 and 5
B-2: It Happened One Night to 1:37 mark
A-3: It Happened One Night to 1:07 mark
Journal #3 (Three parts)
a. In your opinion, what is a film critic's job, anyway?
b. Is it different from a film reviewer? How?
c. Other than word of mouth, how do you learn about movies?
Print? Online? Trailers? Blogs?Be as specific as possible.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
(Week Three)
Tuesday and Wednesday, Aug. 26 and 27
We finished The Cameraman and Journal #2; Period A-1 started Keaton's The General
Thursday and Friday, 28 and 29
A-3: The General
B-2: Power outage, sub, nothing done
Buster Keaton
----------------------------------------------------------------
Week of Aug. 18-22 (Week Two)
Monday and Tuesday, August 18 and 19
Comedy essays (Duck Soup, 300 wd.) are due, and you should have emailed me (convincing me that you've had a look around the website) already. If you haven't, do it now.
We started looking at the AFI survey, which shows clips of the AFI Best 100 American Films.
Journal #1: short summaries of 10 from the AFI list that look interesting, and why. Then you will choose your final two from this list. These should be films you haven't seen yet, but are interested in.
To get your 200 words, describe what looks interesting about your choices. Remember, one should be prior to 1960, and one after 1960. If you want to choose The Apartment (1960) that's fine.
Where is the elegance?
Weds and Thurs Aug 20,21:
Onward with the AFI 100 Best American Films, Journal #1 continued.
Friday Aug. 22 (B-2) and Monday, Aug.25 (A-3)
We finished the AFI overview, and all students signed up for their two AFI films to become experts on.
Journal #2: What are your expectations for a silent comedy? / Notes on The Cameraman
We started The Cameraman (1928) Directed by and starring Buster Keaton.
-------------
Week of Aug. 12-15
Tuesday and Wednesday, August 12 and 13:
Both classes are too large, and schedules are predictably messed up. We did a Q and A about the class, and about me, the instructor. I will have handouts with the complete rundown of suggestions and guidelines for you in a week or so. On the first day I also asked each of you to write me a short biographical introduction. The reason for that is to give me a better sense of who's in the class, and to help me learn your names more quickly. I mentioned that we will be working mostly from the American Film Institute's Top 100 American Films list; jump to the AFI site here http://www.afi.com/
You might also look at the Links page off my homepage. You will be selecting two movies off the AFI list, one pre-1960, and one post-1960 to become an expert on. Forrest Gump is off limits because you all have seen it, and I'm sick of it.
. We started watching the Marx Brother's Duck Soup (1933), and I mentioned you will need a thumb drive / memory stick as part of your supplies for this class. It should be 256 mb minimum; more capacity than that is fine, too. Don't spend more than $20.
Thursday and Friday, August 14 and 15
We finished Duck Soup, and I assigned your first paper. For our first meeting next week, bring 300 words, typed, Times New Roman font. Always bring your rough draft, too. The subject is comedy - be sure you include a recent favorite of yours, what specifically you like about it, and a comparison with Duck Soup. Please have your Composition Book for this class by our next meeting if possible. All assignments in my classes need to be written in ink. Your other homework for the weekend was to do what you are doing right now: reading the info on this site. Once you've had a glance around, don't forget to send me an email with your full name and class period number as the title. For the body of the email, simply convince me you've had a look around, and know where to find our class information (right here).