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””
Tag Archives: media studies
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”
Read This Before You Watch “Hereditary”
The debut film by writer-director Ari Aster, “Hereditary” (2018) was immediately hailed by critics as a cinematic masterpiece of disturbing horror. Even so, a lot of viewers just didn’t quite know what to think of this unsettling film. The end, in particular, confuses people and has prompted many online “explanations” to help people make senseContinue reading “Read This Before You Watch “Hereditary””
Wrap Up of “See You Yesterday”
The recent teen science-fiction film, “See You Yesterday” (2019) establishes its literary and cinematic lineage early with a scene where our protagonist C.J. Walker and her sidekick Sebastian, in time-honored teen movie tradition, conspire to borrow a few science project supplies while their high school teacher seems lost in a science fiction novel he’s reading.Continue reading “Wrap Up of “See You Yesterday””
Wrap Up of “Tigers Are Not Afraid”
Thanks to all those who sent me answers to my discussion questions about “Tigers Are Not Afraid” (2017). You all did an excellent job of exploring of the role tigers play in this film, from the title to the final scene. Like me, one of the things you seemed to most enjoy about this filmContinue reading “Wrap Up of “Tigers Are Not Afraid””
Read This Before You Watch “See You Yesterday”
Welcome the second week of our “Teens in the Twenty-Teens” media studies series. Over Memorial Day weekend, we’re watching “See You Yesterday” (2019), a movie that manages to combine the silly, time-travelling fun of “Back to the Future” with the heavier themes of institutional racism and social justice we’re more used to seeing in filmsContinue reading “Read This Before You Watch “See You Yesterday””
Discussion Questions for “See You Yesterday”
Write a paragraph or two in response to each of the following prompts. First, how does this movie introduce us to its protagonist, C.J. Walker? What sort of a sister, student, and friend is she? What are her hopes and dreams? What are her concerns and her fears? What things make her likeable and relatableContinue reading “Discussion Questions for “See You Yesterday””
Professor Chuck 