tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7539700916676246998.post7784001754894276699..comments2024-03-13T10:58:10.011-07:00Comments on Streams of Unconsciousness: If I Taught "Introduction to American Film"Richard Hourulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12354136203258901360noreply@blogger.comBlogger22125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7539700916676246998.post-34682313330484325852009-08-20T22:38:44.088-07:002009-08-20T22:38:44.088-07:00And to the anonymous who would take someone else&#...And to the anonymous who would take someone else's class: Good, I wouldn't your likes mixed in with my students.<br />(Anyone else notice that the mean spirited and obnoxious comments always come from people who hide behind anonymity?)Richard Hourulahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12354136203258901360noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7539700916676246998.post-48204628444692826582009-08-20T22:31:22.598-07:002009-08-20T22:31:22.598-07:00Thank you to the anonymous who concluded that beca...Thank you to the anonymous who concluded that because I don't have a Brando film on the list I don't know what I'm talking about. I will now take delete the blog and never write about films again. On second thought, you must just be an idiot.Richard Hourulahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12354136203258901360noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7539700916676246998.post-63452165658925417452009-08-20T21:11:16.821-07:002009-08-20T21:11:16.821-07:00not bad, but i'd show Vertigo instead of Psych...not bad, but i'd show Vertigo instead of Psycho, Jaws instead of Star Wars, and Pulp Fiction instead of Monsters Ball.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11232076273607153673noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7539700916676246998.post-49597559727795479452009-08-20T20:26:42.726-07:002009-08-20T20:26:42.726-07:00I took a basic Film Study in class, and we watched...I took a basic Film Study in class, and we watched movies about filmmaking and exemplifying film and film history:<br />Living in Oblivion<br />El Mariachi<br />City Lights<br />Singin' In The Rain<br />Streetwise<br />Double Indemnity<br />I think that's it. Pretty good choices I think if you wanted to be taught about filmmaking and history.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7539700916676246998.post-30467850923393204252009-08-20T19:59:08.514-07:002009-08-20T19:59:08.514-07:00seriously- there is not one brando film on your li...seriously- there is not one brando film on your list- you don't know what you are talking about.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7539700916676246998.post-53605969650093934672009-08-20T17:02:05.828-07:002009-08-20T17:02:05.828-07:00The Band Wagon not "totally bereft of artisti...The Band Wagon not "totally bereft of artistic merit" ? That sounds like you think it is somewhat bereft of artistic merit. Actually it's one of the greatest musicals of all time. <br /><br />Chaplin but not the far superior Keaton?<br /><br />Psycho as the best representative of Hitchcock, instead of Vertigo, Shadow of a Doubt, Notorious, or Rear Window?<br /><br />I think I'll take somebody else's class.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7539700916676246998.post-43511954092303085102009-08-20T16:11:37.584-07:002009-08-20T16:11:37.584-07:00Citizen Kane is shown in pretty much every intro t...Citizen Kane is shown in pretty much every intro to film class I've ever heard of. Not saying that it doesn't deserve it, though.Catherine Krummeyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02411341487704096701noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7539700916676246998.post-31017988997031632172009-08-20T16:04:20.733-07:002009-08-20T16:04:20.733-07:00Great post.
I agree with the others with your lack...Great post.<br />I agree with the others with your lack of 80s movie. I would have Who Framed Roger Rabbit? on the list, it also touches on animation in American film.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7539700916676246998.post-15945929199015042682009-08-20T15:57:47.810-07:002009-08-20T15:57:47.810-07:00If I were to make changes I'd drop JFK and Mon...If I were to make changes I'd drop JFK and Monster's Ball only to add the theme of modern film and Roger Corman. When a film like Bucket of Blood is compared to Psycho you can see how "independent" films targeted at teens (baby-boomers) and the grindhouse market were able to skirt the code (rather than wink at it as Hitchcock did masterfully) and eventually challenge the code.<br /><br />Short story from Wikipedia. Academic resources should elaborate.<br /><br />A number of noted film directors worked with Corman, usually early in their careers, including Francis Ford Coppola, Martin Scorsese, Ron Howard, Peter Bogdanovich, Jonathan Demme, Donald G. Jackson, Gale Anne Hurd, Carl Colpaert, Joe Dante, James Cameron, John Sayles, Monte Hellman, Paul Bartel, George Armitage, Jonathan Kaplan, George Hickenlooper, Curtis Hanson, and Jack Hill. Many have said that Corman's influence taught them some of the ins-and-outs of filmmaking. In the extras for the DVD of The Terminator, director James Cameron refers to his work for Corman as, "I trained at the Roger Corman Film School." The British director Nicolas Roeg served as the cinematographer on The Masque of the Red Death.<br /><br />Actors who obtained their career breaks working for Corman include Jack Nicholson, Peter Fonda, Bruce Dern, Michael McDonald, Dennis Hopper, Talia Shire, and Robert De Niro. David Carradine, who received one of his first starring film roles in the Corman-produced Boxcar Bertha (1972) and went on to star in Death Race 2000, later noted: "It’s almost as though you can’t have a career in this business without having passed through Roger’s hands for at least a moment."R. Earl Grantnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7539700916676246998.post-88225127582175285502009-08-20T14:23:55.190-07:002009-08-20T14:23:55.190-07:00Nice post. Totally agree with Chaplin for the earl...Nice post. Totally agree with Chaplin for the early shorts, but Birth of a Nation definitely deserves a place in the first couple of weeks.<br /><br />I'd also like to see at least one Preston Sturges film in there, as he was one of the most popular directors of the 1940s and 50s. Maybe Sullivan's Travels or Miracle of Morgan's Creek.<br /><br />As far as the 80s go, maybe Raging Bull, The Dark Crystal or Fast Times at Ridgemont High (i think this predated any of the John Hughes teen films). If you need to use a Hughes film, Sixteen Candles is probably the best example.<br /><br />I still don't understand the use of Monster's Ball. And the lack of independent 90s films is a little bizarre. You need something like Reservoir Dogs, Dazed & Confused, or something of that sort.<br /><br />Still, on the whole, good list. Just needs some tweaking...Yodapollonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7539700916676246998.post-50719753391348698112009-08-20T13:42:10.952-07:002009-08-20T13:42:10.952-07:00Peter, Not a fan of Hitchcock? Don't think Bon...Peter, Not a fan of Hitchcock? Don't think Bonnie & Clyde was a good movie? JFK "just plain wrong"? And your use of the tired "did we se the same movie?"<br />If I taught such a class you'd really benefit from it. I mean seriously, not liking Hitchcock..goodness me.Richard Hourulahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12354136203258901360noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7539700916676246998.post-73867082633485179212009-08-20T13:02:02.642-07:002009-08-20T13:02:02.642-07:00I agree with your format completely. I also agree...I agree with your format completely. I also agree with your inclusion of Chaplin. He's better than Lloyd or Keaton when it comes to comedy. I also agree with Baby Face, Citizen Kane and Star Wars, but the rest of your choices are suspect.<br /><br />No noir, no gangster movies, no crime drama?<br /><br />Rather than The Big Parade, why not All Quiet on the Western Front? If you want to engage your students, why not a WB gangster film rather than the (sappy) melodrama of Jezebel?<br /><br />While we're at it, Singin' in the Rain is more entertaining (and in my opinion a better movie) than The Band Wagon. I'd take High Noon or Red River over The Searchers.<br /><br />I'm not a fan of Hitchcock and I really don't like either Psycho or its modern day equivalent. However, I have no ideas for possible substitutions in that genre.<br /><br />I don't care if it was cute and revolutionary, Bonnie & Clyde is not a very good movie. Factually it's all wrong, meaning it's just a vehicle for pretty people. Fast & Furious anyone? How about a movie covering the 60s, like Harold and Maude or even Easy Rider?<br /><br />JFK is just wrong. I mean, JFK is a conspiracy nutcase, couched in non-fact and innuendo. It's not socially relevant or cinematically important. Wall Street says more about America than JFK.<br /><br />Monster's Ball? Did we see the same movie? I don't know what your angle is here, but that was not an especially good or significant movie. I don't like them very much, but the Matrix or Pulp Fiction would be better than Monster's Ball.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11705581078303556914noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7539700916676246998.post-18356187296319040932009-08-20T10:56:06.633-07:002009-08-20T10:56:06.633-07:00Where is "Birth of A Nation" it did afte...Where is "Birth of A Nation" it did afterall, regardless of content, establish the close-up. Pretty good list though.Joshnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7539700916676246998.post-90500980420625901832009-08-20T10:30:34.950-07:002009-08-20T10:30:34.950-07:00Great choices. I'd briefly mention the 80'...Great choices. I'd briefly mention the 80's however, specifically John Hughes's Breakfast Club or Pretty in Pink. Very iconic, and introduced a whole new genre geared toward a demographic that has since been targeted with a vengeance in the film world.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7539700916676246998.post-58279852298122408922009-08-20T07:56:39.287-07:002009-08-20T07:56:39.287-07:00I would have Birth of a Nation as the week 1 film....I would have <i>Birth of a Nation</i> as the week 1 film. Regardless of it's subject matter, it was the first true feature with modern editing techniques. <br /><br />Some one mentioned 80s films, the one that really sticks out as exceptional is Die Hard. Simply in the way it subverted the action genre of the time.Mitchnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7539700916676246998.post-63255479330608796852009-08-20T07:21:02.977-07:002009-08-20T07:21:02.977-07:00I have to agree with Shanerology, you have 2 films...I have to agree with Shanerology, you have 2 films from the 1930's, 1950's and 1960's, while leaving out the 1980's. Additionally, all of the films presented seem to be what I'll call "adult cinema", in that none of them are targeted at a younger audience. Perhaps you can rectify this in the addition of an 1980's film by adding a teen drama, or the like. But perhaps that's my bias from growing up in the 80's.The Ringleaderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01346190714363380228noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7539700916676246998.post-7027079206660836892009-08-20T06:52:18.013-07:002009-08-20T06:52:18.013-07:00No Clerks, Pulp Fiction, or sex, lies, and videota...No Clerks, Pulp Fiction, or sex, lies, and videotape? If you're going to use Taxi Driver to express the auteur filmakers of the 70's, you have to include at least one of those films which revolutionized independent film in the 90's. Also, I'm not sure why Monster's Ball is included on this list. Other than a very raunchy sex scene I've never found this movie to stand up against others of its ilk.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15077820721247708560noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7539700916676246998.post-89812951983884949772009-08-20T04:47:59.328-07:002009-08-20T04:47:59.328-07:00Quite honestly I've always wondered why teache...Quite honestly I've always wondered why teachers don't occasionally just offer to teach people online in some way, with webcams or something, so those willing and eager to just learn.<br />I understand the financial aspect, and how it could never replace a true teaching environment and interaction between students or student and teacher, but with such restrictions on how what is taught, it just seems if you really wanted to do such a thing, as a side project for fun or something, or as a test run for a "real course" you just could.<br />Excuse the run on sentences, I haven't slept in over 28 hours and I tend to babble.<br />Personally, I'd snap up the opportunity to just learn subjects like this to simply learn. The graduation and piece of paper after so long of being graded and etc isn't so important as the process of being educated. <br />... I believe I had more of a point in here somewhere but I think it's wandered off. Sorry.Sillyweaselhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04655486964497828422noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7539700916676246998.post-4630096333063029772009-08-20T04:11:35.969-07:002009-08-20T04:11:35.969-07:00In my "U.S. History Through Film" we did...In my "U.S. History Through Film" we did watch "The Searchers" accompanied by a gret deal of lively conversation. I might also suggest "Birth of a Nation"Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7539700916676246998.post-24001520634169872782009-08-12T12:57:39.022-07:002009-08-12T12:57:39.022-07:00Why Chaplin over Keaton?
Also, you totally skipp...Why Chaplin over Keaton? <br /><br />Also, you totally skipped the 80's. There had to have been at least one film from that period that was the cinema at its finest: probably a Speilberg film? <br /><br />I concur with every choice of yours with the exception of Monster's Ball. Rather than that choice, though good, I'd have taken Magnolia.Shanerologyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02426610764766515726noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7539700916676246998.post-12367432545021988862009-08-12T07:00:06.215-07:002009-08-12T07:00:06.215-07:00Only 13 movies? our classes here at college meet ...Only 13 movies? our classes here at college meet 3x a week during the regular sessions and 4x during the summer. You have the opp. to show up to 26 movies or more if they are shorts. True this makes it tougher to choose but you can include women directors, the Brits, war films, more silents, different genres, etc...I took a film history class once, of the 26 films I had seen all but 3 and if I never see blowup again it will be alright.<br /><br />AS for my class; I'd show some Chaplin, Keaton, Sennett, Arbuckle, Busby Berkley, John Ford, Ida Lupino (both starring and directing) and of course Mable Normand! I think showing the best of all the studios (and some of their worst) might be difficult but worth while.GoddessJJLhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14776261547385616589noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7539700916676246998.post-60412100531866941482009-08-12T00:10:16.912-07:002009-08-12T00:10:16.912-07:00Terrific post-- thanks for sharing your views. I&#...Terrific post-- thanks for sharing your views. I've often thought about which movies I'd choose if I were ever to become a film teacher. Definitely Chaplin, definitely The Big Parade...good pick with Bonnie and Clyde. Really illustrates the change from Old to New Hollyood. Thanks again-- I liked you're response to CK. :)Juliette.https://www.blogger.com/profile/02779055836350808401noreply@blogger.com