Write a 200 word response to one of the following topics. Be sure to identify which film you have chosen to view and discuss in your topic sentence.

Question

Choose from one of the 3 choices below. You may need to do a little research on a specific term or element. 

1. Discuss one of the following literary terms and its contribution to the overall message of the film as it pertains to cultural identity. Choose one of irony, satire, foreshadowing, setting, plot. How is a culture being portrayed in the movie? Are there stereotypes? Is it positive or negative? How does this literary device contribute to the development of the cultural identity being portrayed in the movie? Discuss relationships, context, and values.

OR

2. Identify and discuss cinematic elements in the film as they pertain to cultural identity. Cinematic elements include SHOT (framing, angle and camera movement); LIGHTING; EDITING. How is a culture being portrayed in the movie cinematically? Are there stereotypes? Is it positive or negative? How do these elements contribute to the development of the cultural identity being portrayed in the movie? Discuss relationships, context, and values.

OR

3. Identify and discuss theatrical elements in the film as they pertain to cultural identity. Theatrical elements include costume, props, set design, acting choice. How is a culture being portrayed in the movie theatrically? Are there stereotypes? Is it positive or negative? How do these elements contribute to the development of the cultural identity being portrayed in the movie? Discuss relationships, context, and values.

Click here for a sample movie critique.

Click here for an explanation on how to write movie critiques.

Answer 1

Luckily, you have been given several additional questions to prompt your thought processes with this assignment. Depending on which answer you choose, you'll need to start analyzing the content of your film of choice. There are even several ways you can frame your response outside of the provided questions: do you want to respond based on what the filmmaker's intent was? Or would you prefer to talk about how the film resonated with you?

This is a response, not a true or false question, so what you write should reflect your real point of view. Take the time to really study your film from the point of view of the assignment you've chosen. Keep a notebook in hand and jot down your thoughts as they occur to you. By the way, it is okay to answer any of the provided prompt answers directly -- you just want to make sure that your thoughts flow smoothly from one to another. Try looking for common themes, and don't forget the importance of transition words such as "additionally" or "however."

I hope this has helped you! Good luck!

Answer 2

I think you need to go ahead and attempt to write a draft of your movie critique rather than have someone write it for you --- that would not be a good learning experience for you.

If after making an attempt, you have trouble writing the critique and/or want what you have reviewed, please contact me for a tutoring session. I will review what you have before the session to maximize our session time together.

Answer 3

This can be a fun assignment. It helps to choose a movie that provokes a powerful response in you. Even better is if you have a watching buddy that disagrees with you about some aspect of the film—whether a character was likable, did something you think was right or wrong, or how the story ended. If the suggested elements are a sticking point for you, begin by identifying examples of each from the movie—each literary device and each of the cinematic and theatrical elements. If the movie provoked you, you'll have thoughts about some of these.