Monday,+March+12

Anchor Text
"High-School Confidential: Notes on Teen Movies" by David Denby //Rebel without a Cause //

Socratic Discussion
Spend 10 minutes preparing for discussion. Suggested Discussion Topics:
 * Thoughts on characters, conflicts, themes
 * Similarities and differences in teen movie genre between 1955 (assuming this is a fair representation) and the last 15 years
 * Connections to Denby's essay- Think about his claims about the teen movie genre.
 * "Do genre films reflect reality?" Are the characters of teen movies realistic or merely literary constructs- stock characters designed to portray broad generalizations, emotions, fears, fantasies, etc. of a generation?
 * Denby suggests that the teen movies from the turn of this century reflect the secret wishes- and geekiness- of their screenwriters and directors. What does the film //Rebel without a Cause// (1955) seem to say about the filmmakers of that era?
 * Denby argues that "geeks rule" (para. 13). Is this true? Think about your own experiences, books, and movies you have seen. (A good argument timed write!)

Assignment- Be a Film Critic!
There are actual jobs out there that let people evaluate texts and media for a living! I want you to play the role of a movie critic today. Like Siskel and Ebert, you will give //Rebel without a Cause// a "thumbs up" or "thumbs down."

Watch Siskel and Ebert discuss the particulars of being a film critic. media type="custom" key="12931254" //Pulp Fiction// Siskel and Ebert Review media type="custom" key="13051814"
 * On your blog, write a review of the 1955 film //Rebel without a Cause//. This should be a well-written, multi-paragraph essay which includes the following information: basic film information (release date, main actors, director, studio, screenwriter(s), etc.); a BRIEF plot summary; a discussion of major characters and themes; and an evaluation based on portrayal of reality, depth, and overall effect.**

Examples of Film Reviews
//John Carter//- //LA Times// //A Thousand Words//- //NY Times// //Never Been Kissed- NY TImes// //Mean Girls- NY Times// [|//The Vow//- //Chicago Sun Times//, Roger Ebert] [|//Rebel without a Cause- Chicago Sun Times//, Roger Ebert]

Deadline
This review is due on your blog by Thursday, March 29.