Description
Watch one of the films from each list below and write a critically evaluative essay about the film.
1936 – 1945 — Films: Showboat (1936), Dracula’s Daughter (1936), Snow White (1937), The Good Earth (1937), Son of Frankenstein (1939), Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939), The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1939), The Wizard of Oz (1939), Gone with the Wind (1939), BuckPrivates (1940), TheMaltese Falcon (1941), The Wolf Man (1941), Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1941 version), The Phantom of the Opera (1943 version), Meet Me in St. Louis (1944), Casablanca (1942), Double Indemnity (1944).
Your two film analysis papers should look exactly like this:
Your name, college, class, paper number
Film, year, director
Where you found it, how you watched it (TV, laptop, theater), with whom you saw it
Inciting Event: What is the inciting event in the film — that is, what sets the story in motion and how?
Protagonist: How does the main character change throughout the film; do they learn anything?
Is the Plot Important? Does the plot even matter, or is it just an excuse to have funny things happen or have action scenes or show off cool effects? In other words, can you even remember the plot a couple of days after seeing the film?
Unique: What, if anything, was unique about the film: voice-over, non-linear plot, dream sequences, breaking the ‘fourth wall,’ animation, choice of locations, onscreen titles, etc.?
Research: Conduct online/magazine/book-based research about the film. No Wikipedia! Did you learn anything from your research that you didn’t catch when you saw the film? Cite three sources, minimum. Please use the SCC library for research; the website’s link is listed in this syllabus, above.
Like/dislike: What did you most enjoy about the film (if anything) or dislike (if anything)?
Final thoughts: Write anything you want about the film that you think is important to experiencing the film: lighting, music, use of color, costumes, editing, sound effects, etc.
