In the mid- to late-1990s, most of the vitality in American cinema is found “on the fringes,” in independent films that may or may reach mainstream audiences, for example, the (1990s) work of Quentin Tarantino, Gus Van Sant, and Richard Linklater (Geoffrey Nowell-Smith 765). As we discussed in our final class Monday night (yay!) these [...]

About 70% of your discussion questions focus on Annie Hall‘s nondiegetic addresses (to the camera), nonlinear editing, quirky humor, split screens, and use of subtitles. For instance, you asked, How do these elements affect the story? How do they help to develop the characters? Do these choices connect character and viewer in a way that [...]

We’ll discuss Poitier and In the Heat of the Night on Monday before we delve into Annie Hall and Hollywood’s auteurs. In the meantime, think about two of your favorite films: one from your childhood (age 5-13ish), and a more recent one (released in the last 10 years). Then, discuss with your classmates some or [...]

Two questions for you this time: Question/Tweet 1: How does knowing The 400 Blows is semi-autobiographical affect your reading of the film? Or does it? (If you haven’t already, read about the similarities between Truffaut and Antoine.) Question/Tweet 2: By the end of the semester you will have been introduced to at least 11 foreign-language [...]