Blog Assignment #2: Plato's Cave or the Trick's On Us?

Have all the critics completely missed the point of this film, or has Woody Allen been swallowed by Hollywood?

Group Two: Due by Friday at 3:00 pm

According to Braudy, the "illusion of reality" depends on our belief in the reality created by the filmmaker. He suggests that the spectator returns to an infantile state of naive belief when watching film. If this is Woody Allen's purpose in Midnight in Paris, then we can just take the film at face value and be "entertained." However, when examining the ironies within Allen's film, it appears that this particular film is more complicated than it first appears. Using the "moment" approach, pick one moment from the film that stood out to you to discuss this question: Do you believe that Allen is suggesting that we embrace the illusion of Hollywood filmmaking, or that we should question the subversive illusions presented within even the most banal films?

Group One (due Sunday by noon):

After group two has posted their entries, your job will be to play devil's advocate. Choose one post to address; read it, asking yourself, "What is s/he not considering here?" Your post will not be on your own blog, but in the comments section of the person to whom you are responding. Posit a counter-argument, using either the film or something we have read for class to support your point. Add your name or initials to the bottom of your comment so I will know who posted it.

Blog Assignment #1: Godard on Film

Group One (due Friday by 3:00 pm):

Using the "moment" approach, pick one moment from the film that stood out to you to discuss this question: According to the techniques used in this moment, what do you think Godard believes film should be? Analyze the moment chosen to support your claim. Post MUST be 300 words minimum.

Group Two (due Sunday by noon):

After group one has posted their entries, your job will be to play devil's advocate. Choose one post to address; read it, asking yourself, "What is s/he not considering here?" Your post will not be on your own blog, but in the comments section of the person to whom you are responding. Posit a counter-argument, using either the film or something we have read for class to support your point. Add your name or initials to the bottom of your comment so I will know who posted it.

Welcome to ENG 3115: Intro to Film Theory and Criticism

Course Description

In general, film theorists pose the question, "what is film?" while film historians ask "what has film been?" and film critics ask "what is the significance of this film and its relationship to others?" This course will serve as an introduction to fundamental texts and concepts in the last century of film production and theoretization. Each week will be devoted to the development and practice of a critical approach to understanding film. We will read a variety of publications from film theorists, historians, and critics in an effort to understand the objectives of different modes of writing about film. Film screenings will both compliment our readings and provoke new questions about topics raised. Our approach will involve investigating the conjuncture of theoretical issues with an experience of specific film texts and the function of these texts in past and present workings of film history.

Both film theory and film criticism inherently involve written communication. This course will be reading and writing intensive. We will use existing theory/criticism not only as a springboard to develop your own reflections on the above questions, but also to evaluate different approaches to writing about film. You will develop your ideas and your writing style throughout the semester. Written assignments include an on-going personal blog as well as two major papers.

Course Goals

(1) to understand the conditions and motives that led to each stage of re-thinking film media,

(2) to initiate theoretical strategies in your own work, and

(3) to learn to think critically and write elegantly about film

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Setting Up Your Blog

Step 1: Create a Blogger Account if you do not already have one and create a new blog for this class.

Step 2: Name your Blog. You can be as creative as you want with the title, but for grading purposes the first part of your blog's name MUST include your first and last name. (E.g., Lauren Glenn's Fantastic Film Forum)

Step 3: Design your blog. You can be as creative as you want, the only requirement is that your blog includes two tabs at the top of your blog (see below)

Step 4: Create Two Tabs for separate pages: (1) Home Page, which will include all of your blog assignments, and (2) Screening Notes. To do this, go to Design, click "Add a Gadget," and choose "Pages." Add new pages by clicking on "New Post," and then on "Edit Pages" and "Add New Page."