Reaction to Brokeback Mountain

For your final journal entry for the class I want you think about how the characters in "Brokeback Mountain" are defined and limited by society's expectations for the roles men and women must play. Remember as we discussed in class, our culture often has set expectation for masculinity and femininity. How did these expectations limit or define the characters of Jack and Ennis? How were their lives affected by these expectations? Would they have behaved differently if they lived in a different place or a different time? Can you think of other movies or books where the characters behave in a certain way because of what is expected of them as men or women?

Please write at least two complete paragraphs as a response.

Ending of 3:10 to Yuma

The character of Ben Wade (Russell Crowe) quotes Bible verses throughout the film. One verse that may shed some light on how the film version of the story ends is Proverbs 13:3...

Those who guard their lips preserve their lives, but those who speak rashly will come to ruin.

What does this proverb mean in light of the film's ending where Ben Wade is the only member of his gang that survives..leaving Dan Evan's to die by the side of the train tracks after saving his life several times?

Write at least two complete paragraphs as a reaction and take into account the responses of your classmates as you respond.

Comparing the Film and Short Story Versions of The Witness for the Prosecution

After watching the movie version of  The Witness for the Prosecution it should be apparent that there are many differences between the film and the story you read for class. While the plot is essentially the same, there were many elements and scenes added for the film. For example, the character of Miss Plimsoll (the nurse who cares for Sir Wilfrid) is not even in the short story. For your journal assignment this week I want you to identify at least two differences between the movie and the story and explain why you think the changes were made. Do the changes improve the story? What value to the changes add?

A complete response should be at least three paragraphs of 4-5 sentences each. Don't write your entire response in one entry but develop a conversation and respond to what others in class have said.

Would you recommend this movie to a friend?

2001: A Space Odyssey is regarded by many critics and film makers as one of the greatest and most influential films of all time. Steven Spielberg, George Lucas and Ridley Scott have all cited the film as influencing their work and regard the film as one of the best, if not the best, science fiction film ever made. 2001 is included on many critics lists including the American Film Institutes “100 Greatest Films of All Time,” The Village Voice’s “100 Best Films of the 20^th Century” and the Vatican named it as one of the 45 best films ever made. George Lucas said this about the film:

“Stanley Kubrick made the ultimate science fiction movie, and it is going to be very hard for someone to come along and make a better movie, as far as I'm concerned. On a technical level, it can be compared, but personally I think that '2001' is far superior.”

Yet, I sensed a mixed reaction to film as you viewed it in class and there are some critics which do not hold the film with the same high regard. The New York Times film critic described it as "somewhere between hypnotic and immensely boring” and other critics have described it as “dull.”

Given that there is an on-going debate about 2001’s place and influence and that you have read reviews of the film, what is your opinion on how 2001: A Space Odyssey should be regarded? How does the film compare to other science fiction films like Star Wars or the Alien films? Do you think it is a good film, an important film?  Would you recommend it?

The purpose of this exercise is to have an ongoing dialogue or conversation about the topic. When you post your response this week you should not only answer the questions but respond to what your class mates have also said. You may want to post more than once. Complete posts are at least 3 paragraphs of 4-5 sentences in each paragraph. You may want to wait until after our discussion in class on Feb 24 to respond or post.

Analysis of 2001: A Space Odyssey

This week's journal entry is relatively simple simple since we were not able to watch the film or discuss the short story in class due to the weather.  I would like you to find online at least one review, critique or analysis of the film 2001: A Space Odyssey. There are many sources available. I want you to post that article in the community and write a one paragraph summary of the article which you can post as a reply to this blog post. Please include the title and author of your article in your summary / post for easy reference. You should not post an article which has already been posted by someone else in the class.

Reactions to Alice in Wonderland

For this week I would like you to pick one of the two questions on Alice in Wonderland below to write a complete response to in the community blog.

1) Is Alice in Wonderland really about drugs? We discussed this somewhat in class but I want you answer more completely here. Tell me the reason why you do or do not think the story includes drug references. Were these references in the original text or were they added in the film version?

2) Find at least two examples of word play, puns, double entendre, or a riddle included in the text of Alice in Wonderland (the example we discussed in class was the riddle "Why is a Raven like a writing desk?")---you can not use this example.  In your post explain how the puns or riddles you find manipulate the language. Why are they funny or clever? Why did Lewis Carol include them? etc.

You only need to answer one of these questions. A complete answer for this exercise must be three (3) paragraphs long with each paragraph consisting of a minimum of 4-5 sentences each.

Reaction to "Your Arkansas Traveler" and A Face in the Crowd

CLASS...THIS IS WHERE YOU POST YOUR COMMENTS

Class after reading "Your Arkansas Traveler" and watching the film version, A Face in the Crowd, please compose a complete response to two of the three questions below:

1) Is Lonesome really in love with Marcia? Why or why not?

2) Name at least two contemporary celebrities, politicians, news commentators or personalities on TV, radio or the Internet that you think are similar to Lonesome Rhodes or share common characteristics with him. Explain how they are similar and different?

3) If Lonesome Rhodes had not come to his sudden and tragic ending, what do you think would be his future? Would he have been able to continue for much longer?

Note: A complete response for each question is defined as a minimum of two complete paragraphs of not less than five sentences each.