Please write a paragraph of two in response to each of the following prompts. What is the significance of this film being titled “Us”? How is the idea of “us” complicated by the emergence of uncanny doubles in this film? “Us” has a lot of complicated elements, but sometimes it can be helpful to brieflyContinue reading “Discussion Questions for “Us””
Tag Archives: film studies
Wrap Up of “The Half of It”
Teen romantic comedy “The Half of It” (2020) draws it title from the ancient Greek notion that humans were once more complete beings but were divided into halves by the jealous gods, with the effect that humans began to spend their lives searching for the other half of themselves. While we may no longer thinkContinue reading “Wrap Up of “The Half of It””
Wrap Up of “A Quiet Place”
The title of “A Quiet Place” (2018) refers to the themes of sound and hearing that are so central to this film. Set in a near-future dystopian world where humans seem to have been mostly eradicated by otherworldly monsters with super-hearing that attack any sound they hear with deadly speed, the narrative follows a singleContinue reading “Wrap Up of “A Quiet Place””
Read This Before You Watch “The Half of It”
This week we’re watching another Netflix original, the clever and charming teen romantic comedy “The Half of It” (2020) written and directed by Alice Wu. The core dramatic narrative is a familiar one, the sort of tale that goes back at least as far as Shakespeare and probably much farther, but these days we wouldContinue reading “Read This Before You Watch “The Half of It””
Discussion Questions for “The Half of It”
Write a paragraph or two in response to each of the following prompts. Maybe you thought this would be the week I let you off the hook and didn’t ask you to explain the title of the movie, but you’re wrong. That’s exactly where we’re starting. What is the meaning of this title, “The HalfContinue reading “Discussion Questions for “The Half of It””
Read This Before You Watch “A Quiet Place”
For this week in our series on current trends in horror movies we take a look at “A Quiet Place” (2018), John Krasinski’s directorial debut. The film got a lot of attention on its release in theaters a couple years ago. Since then it has gained even more popularity with online viewers, and rightly so.Continue reading “Read This Before You Watch “A Quiet Place””
Discussion Questions for “A Quiet Place”
Please write a paragraph or two in response to each of the following prompts. What is the significance of this film being called “A Quiet Place”? How are sounds important to the narrative? How are they important to the characters? How are sounds used to separate and/or to connect characters and plot elements? Compare andContinue reading “Discussion Questions for “A Quiet Place””
Wrap Up of “Hereditary”
I’ve been delighted to hear how much you all seemed to enjoy “Hereditary” (2018), Ari Aster’s feature debut. He’s certainly emerged as a filmmaker to notice. I would also strongly encourage you watch his latest horror film, “Midsommar” (2019). This follow-up film is no sophomore slump. If anything, it builds on and expands the themesContinue reading “Wrap Up of “Hereditary””
Read This Before You Watch “The Space Between Us”
This week we’re watching “The Space Between Us” (2017), another teen romance, this one including some minor sci-fi elements. Whether this movie actually counts as science fiction is debatable, but I’ll leave that for you to decide. After the heavier social issues at the heart of last week’s film, this one might feel pretty light,Continue reading “Read This Before You Watch “The Space Between Us””
“The Space Between Us” Discussion Questions
Write a paragraph or two in response to each of the following prompts. You know by now that I love to start by looking at the title of a work. What the significance of this title, “The Space Between Us.” Obviously, it’s a bit of a pun, but does it go farther than that? What’sContinue reading ““The Space Between Us” Discussion Questions”
Professor Chuck 