Our chronological series moves into new territories of Black representation with “Tales from the Hood” (1995), directed and co-written by Rusty Cundieff (with co-writer Darin Scott) and executive-produced by Spike Lee. With this film, we finally encounter a commercially successful horror film not only aimed at Black audiences but one with a Black director, BlackContinue reading “Read This Before You Watch “Tales from the Hood””
Tag Archives: horror movies
Discussion Questions for “Tales from the Hood”
From its opening scenes, this film feels different from the other horror movies in our current series. How? Why? Describe our narrator, the mortician Mr. Simms. How is this framing device useful for the collection of short tales that follow and how does it link them together into a coherent narrative? What is the significanceContinue reading “Discussion Questions for “Tales from the Hood””
Read This Before You Watch “The People Under the Stairs”
Like his fellow white horror George Romero did with “Night of the Living Dead” (1968) writer-director Wes Craven places a Black hero at the center of his 1991 horror film “The People Under the Stairs”; however, unlike Romero, Craven clearly wrote and cast the lead role for a young Black actor, Brandon Quintin Adams asContinue reading “Read This Before You Watch “The People Under the Stairs””
Discussion Questions for “The People Under the Stairs”
Write a paragraph or two in response to each of the following prompts. What is the significance of the title “The People Under the Stairs” both specifically to the narrative of the film and looking at the term from a broader cultural context? What sorts of people are “under the stairs” and why? As theContinue reading “Discussion Questions for “The People Under the Stairs””
Read This Before You Watch “Night of the Living Dead”
This week we start our exploration of Black representation in horror films by watching “Night of Living Dead” (1968), the feature debut from George A. Romero who went on to become of the horror genre’s great directors and to create his own cottage industry of “living dead” movies. Romero famously said he co-wrote the movie’sContinue reading “Read This Before You Watch “Night of the Living Dead””
Discussion Questions for “Night of the Living Dead”
Write a paragraph or two in response to each of the following prompts. The main protagonist of “Night of the Living Dead,” Ben (Duane Jones) is the first Black lead in a major American horror film. How would you describe Ben as a character? How does he dress and act? What are his main traits?Continue reading “Discussion Questions for “Night of the Living Dead””
Black Representation in Horror Films, Part 1
Professor Chuck announces a new five-week horror film series exploring Black Representation in Horror Films from the late 1960s to the mid-90s. This sequence forms the first half of a horror film series exploring black horror films to the present day. Those interested are invited to participate in Part 1, Part 2, or both. EnrolledContinue reading “Black Representation in Horror Films, Part 1”
Read This Before You Watch “Lovecraft Country” Episodes 9 & 10
Welcome to the final installment of our five-week trek through the thrills and spills of HBO’s “Lovecraft Country” (2020). This television series and our exploration of it have taken us through a wide range of topics. We’ve examined how the show and the 2014 Matt Ruff novel upon which it’s based draw from the cosmicContinue reading “Read This Before You Watch “Lovecraft Country” Episodes 9 & 10″
Discussion Questions for “Lovecraft Country” Episodes 9 & 10
Write a paragraph or two in response to each of the following prompts. In your responses, remember to consider the significance of the titles of these last two episodes, “Rewind 1921” and “Full Circle.” Consider the questions of history, scars, and healing posed by “Rewind 21” (episode 9), which sees Tic, Leti, and Montrose travelingContinue reading “Discussion Questions for “Lovecraft Country” Episodes 9 & 10″
Read This Before You Watch “Lovecraft Country” Episode 7
This week in our continuing exploration of HBO’s “Lovecraft Country,” we again encounter one more-or-less stand-alone episode followed by one that steers us back into the main narrative arc of the series. That said, both episodes include important advances in the overall story of the series, but in each case we get to learn moreContinue reading “Read This Before You Watch “Lovecraft Country” Episode 7″
Professor Chuck 