Term
| How to evaluate the theme of a film |
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Definition
what is the film's basic appeal? - intellect/funnybone/moral sense
look at how the protagonist and antagonist are alike and look at how the protagonist and reflection character are different - this can show you the theme |
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Term
| 5 major elements that might be emphasized to reveal the theme |
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Definition
| Plot, emotional effect/mood, character, style/texture/structure, ideas |
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Term
| Types of "Ideas Theme" films |
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Definition
| moral implications, the truth of human nature, social problems, the struggle for human dignity, the complexity of human relationships, coming of age/loss of innocence, a moral or philosophical riddle |
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Term
| moral implications - ideas theme |
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Definition
| convince us of the wisdom of the moral principle so we do it ourselves - ex. Big (wishes to be a grown up) |
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Term
| the truth of human nature - ideas theme |
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Definition
| focus on universal characters (types) - significance beyond themselves - ex. Lord of the Rings |
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Term
| social problems - ideas theme |
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Definition
| criticizing social institutions - want to say there is a problem - ex) Dead Man Walking |
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Term
| the struggle for human dignity - ideas theme |
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Definition
| sports movies - ex. Rocky |
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Term
| the complexity of human relationships - ideas theme |
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Definition
| romantic, friendships, familial - ex. Casa Blanca |
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Term
| coming of age - ideas theme |
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Definition
younger characters that are always dynamic
ex. American Graffitti, Clueless, Sixteen Candles |
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Term
| moral or philosophical riddle - ideas theme |
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Definition
response at the end tends to be confusing
ex. Being John Malkovich |
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Term
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Definition
tends to be an action film - fast paced plot
meant to entertain
not much depth
ex. Fast and Furious, Speed |
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Term
| emotional effect/mood theme |
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Definition
suspense, thriller, horror, romantic film
combination of mood
ex. Notting Hill, Psycho |
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Term
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Definition
the character is extraordinary
ex. Forrest Gump |
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Term
| style,texture,structure theme |
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Definition
a unique tone, presentation, style, rhythm
ex. 500 days, Eternal Sunshine |
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Term
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Definition
¡Communicates an idea by stimulating, triggering, or arousing previously associated ideas/notions/ impressions in the mind of the person receiving the symbol. Thus, the symbol acquires a significance beyond itself |
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Term
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Definition
| universal (the flag), natural (a vulture) |
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Term
| 4 ways to create symbolic meaning |
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Definition
| repetition, value, context, special visual or aural elements |
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Term
| examples of symbols in film |
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Definition
The Outsiders - the scar on Pony Boy's face
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Term
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Definition
Critiqued capitalist culture in the 19th century
Social, political, economic consequences
Saw conflict between working and owning classes until classless society came about
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Term
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Definition
Stated that the ruling classes maintained their power and control by producing an ideology that fooled the masses into believing the place they occupied was the best it could be, and so discouraged change
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Term
| Problems Marxists have with film |
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Definition
tend to reaffirm the dominant ideas
individual characters solving their own problems through their own efforts (marxists like group work)
the mechanics/camera hides the authenticity
presents time and space as real even though its not
films are made to make money - marx hates profit
ex. - Crash (racial tensions) |
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Term
| two successful women directors during WWI |
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Definition
| Francis Marion and Dorothy Arzner |
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Term
| feminist film critics want to: |
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Definition
show how traditional film langauge reflects a masculine ideology
reveal that portrayals of women in film are male fantasies, not reality
show where male protagonists are active while women are passive |
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Term
| examples of feminist films |
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Definition
| Shakespeare in Love, The Graduate, Fried Green Tomatoes, Thelma and Louise |
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