Thursday, January 26, 2012

Samantha Hoh: Japanese Culture and Memoirs of a Geisha

After a full week of Japanese culture and the viewing of Memoirs of a Geisha, offer your complimentary feedback to Samantha and also feel free to suggest ideas that may have enhanced what was already presented for her project.  Evaluate how well each segment in all five days of presentation have blended together to highlight a taste of the exoticism that we witness. How well does the film, Memoirs of a Geisha, illustrate a segment of Japanese culture?  What have you learned about Japanese culture that you did not know earlier?  From your American perspective, what are some of the aspects of Japanese culture that are significantly different from our own?  Does the film portray these details accurately?

Friday, January 6, 2012

Alexandra Coppolo: Film Genre: Drama: The Count of Monte Cristo

In our last film presentation of this third quarter, Alexandra has presented us with an interesting representation of the genre of "drama" which often has a blurring of the boundaries among other genres. A drama film is a film genre that depends mostly on in-depth development of realistic characters dealing with emotional themes.  Your task is to relate how the film, The Count of Monte Cristo has accomplished this.  How has the presentation by Alexandra enabled you to understand the distinction between drama and other genres of film? 

Wednesday, January 4, 2012

Kathyrn Ordiway: Genre (Musical): The Phantom of the Opera

After being introduced and entertained by the film version of the Phantom of the Opera, we are left pondering the numerous parameters of such a fine production.  One of the areas that might be valuable to explore are the multi-layered points associated with the psychological appeal of the production.  Consider how the audience psychologically responds to the film and/or the stage production if you have seen both.  Also, consider the psychological extremes that are evident on the part of the phantom himself.  How does his psyche contribute to his own failure to "force" Christine to love him?  Finally, how does Kathyrn's presentation unveil the characteristics of a musical production and how has your understanding of a musical production been enhanced as a result of her choice in film?