The Godfather

1) Relate what was discussed in class or the text to the screening:

In class we discussed the "anti-hero" theme of the movie which is where the audience is rooting for the bad guys even though they are criminals and murderers.  23 murders happen on screen during The Godfather.  In class, we also discussed Roger Ebert's analysis of the film in which he states: "the only officer with a significant speaking role is corrupt".  There is a lot of violence and unlawfulness in The Godfather and it is also the influence for every other gangster mob movie and television show, including The Sopranos and Goodfellas with Martin Scorsese.  We also discussed that The Godfather was one of the highest grossing films of all time.  

2) Find a related article and summarize the content:

http://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/great-movie-the-godfather-1972

The article I chose was Roger Ebert's complete critical analysis of The Godfather.  Ebert stated: "That is its secret, its charm, its spell; in a way, it has shaped the public perception of the Mafia ever since."  The article explains the entire plot of the movie, gives a few trivia questions, and gives people a couple of questions to think about, such as what was the actual name of Vito's wife?  


3) Apply the article to the film screened in class:

Ebert explains that the plot of the movie is in fact ironic because it is about the son, not the father.  The entire movie is Michael knowing never to go against the family, not wanting to get into the life of the mafia, and his struggles when he is "forced" to.  Ebert gives interesting things to think about and look for if you were to watch it again.  Ebert states that: "The screenplay of “The Godfather” follows no formulas except for the classic structure in which power passes between the generations".  He also explains, which you can see clearly in the movie that the writing of The Godfather sets up for events later in the film.


4) Give a critical analysis of the film:

A critical analysis of The Godfather is going to be nothing but positive things, I mean come on, its The Godfather.  The most influential mobster movie for all other gangster/mobster movies, television shows, comedic skits, etc.  Everyone always quotes or wants to be like The Godfather.  The movie gives you an insight to the mafia that some of us may or may not know.  Teaches you the raw, unpleasantness that the mafia has in store, yet the closeness of a family that would kill for each other if need be.  The Godfather is an all around great movie that keeps you entertained and on the edge of your seats, there is never going to be anything quite like it again.  It's one-of-a-kind. :)


(x)  I have not handed in this assignment for any other class.
(x) If I reused any information from other papers I have writing for other classes, I clearly explain that in the paper
(x) If I used any passages word for word, I put quotations around those words, or used indentation and citation within the text.
(x) I have not padded the bibliography.  I have used all sources cited in the bibliography in the text of the paper.
(x) I have cited in the bibliography.  I have used all sources cited in the bibliography in the text of the paper.
(x) I have used direct quotations only in cases where it could not be stated in another way.  I cited the source within the paper and in the bibliography
(x) I did not so over-use direct quotations that the paper lacks interpretation or originality.
(x) I checked yes on steps 1-7 and therefore have been fully transparent about the research and ideas used in my paper.

Name: Laura Mazzola_________________________ Date: 5/12/14_________

The Graduate

1) Relate what was discussed in class or the text to the screening:

In class we talked about the more risky sexual content in The Graduate and how it differed from the movies we watched from the start of the semester.  We also discussed that the camera shots and movements in the film and how they are obvious to the viewer and also how the sound can overlap from one scene to another.  The Graduate is a movie of modern expressionist.  Dramatic changes in time, long lenses, etc., also the movie is supposed to be an artistic expression.

2) Find a related article and summarize the content:

http://www.vanityfair.com/culture/features/2008/03/graduate200803

This article talks about the making of the movie.  The article explains that the director, Mike Nichols, knew who his characters were going to be, or so he thought he did.  He ended up surprising himself by choosing Dustin Hoffman, who was a "little-known Jewish stage actor" and was not the person he had in mind.  It also says that The Graduate was based off of a novel written by Charles Webb.  It briefly gives a synopsis of the movie and the character's in it and focuses a lot on the actors that Mike Nichols chose.

3) Apply the article to the film screened in class:

The article explains that Mike Nichols was used to directing things for Broadway and that the book was funny, but Nichols direction in the film felt like "hand-in-glove fit to me".  The book was not as nearly of a success as the movie.  The movie's humor was subtle and was able to make you laugh, and had you intrigued the entire time.

4) Give a critical analysis of the film:

The Graduate was my favorite movie we have watched so far this semester.  The humor and innocence portrayed by Hoffman was nice to watch.  I felt this movie was more modern than the one's we have watched and was definitely more my style.  Not a normal plot like every other movie, and also a love story to keep us entertained when the affair grew out of interest.  They did a good job of not dragging out certain parts either.  Like knowing when it was a good time to cut off the affair and begin to chase her.  All in all, the movie had me entertained the entire time and I would watch it again.

(x)  I have not handed in this assignment for any other class.

    (x) If I reused any information from other papers I have writing for other classes, I clearly explain that in the paper

3(x) If I used any passages word for word, I put quotations around those words, or used indentation and citation within the text.

4(x) I have not padded the bibliography.  I have used all sources cited in the bibliography in the text of the paper.

5(x) I have cited in the bibliography.  I have used all sources cited in the bibliography in the text of the paper.

6(x) I have used direct quotations only in cases where it could not be stated in another way.  I cited the source within the paper and in the bibliography

7(x) I did not so over-use direct quotations that the paper lacks interpretation or originality.

9(x) I checked yes on steps 1-7 and therefore have been fully transparent about the research and ideas used in my paper.

Name: Laura Mazzola_________________________ Date: 5/4/14_________

Casablanca

1) Relate what was discussed in class or the text to the screening:

We discussed all of the awards that Casablanca and the fantastic cast in the movie.  We also discussed a lot of the romance and the love lost aspect of the movie.  We discussed the setting of the movie which was in the 40's and the self sacrifice in the war.  Casablanca is the exit point to Lisbon and also to freedom. After getting visas to Lisbon, then it is off to the United States.  

2) Find a related article and summarize it's content:

http://www.nytimes.com/movie/review?res=9C06E1DF1039E33BBC4F51DFB7678389659EDE

The article I chose was the movie review written in the 1940's by a NY Times publicist.  "Yes, indeed, the Warners here have a picture which makes the spine tingle and the heart take a leap".  The article has nothing but great things to say about the movie itself.  It summarizes the plot, the characters and the setting of the entire movie.  

3) Apply the article to the film screened in class:

The article describes briefly the entire scenario of the movie Casablanca.  The article states that Mr. Bogart and Miss Berman were truly outstanding performers.  The article discusses the deviousness of the plot and certain parts of the movie.  It tells of Rick and his ownership of Casablanca and where Ilsa is introduced inside of Casablanca.  Rick really shows his true colors for Ilsa because of the strong love he has for her.  

4) The rumor's of Ilsa's husbands death would have never brought her back to Rick.  She knows she could never leave him again and the confusion for her was overwhelming.  All along it seems that Ilsa wanted to escape with Laszlo and in the end she stayed with Rick.  The suspense of the love triangle I think had everyone on the edge of their seats.  Although, her choice of Rick was often obvious and in the end proved true, I think Rick really knew that Ilsa wanted to deep down inside leave with Laszlo.  

(x) I have not handed in this assignment for any other class.

    (x) If I reused any information from other papers I have writing for other classes, I clearly explain that in the paper

3(x) If I used any passages word for word, I put quotations around those words, or used indentation and citation within the text.

4(x) I have not padded the bibliography.  I have used all sources cited in the bibliography in the text of the paper.

5(x) I have cited in the bibliography.  I have used all sources cited in the bibliography in the text of the paper.

6(x) I have used direct quotations only in cases where it could not be stated in another way.  I cited the source within the paper and in the bibliography

7(x) I did not so over-use direct quotations that the paper lacks interpretation or originality.

9(x) I checked yes on steps 1-7 and therefore have been fully transparent about the research and ideas used in my paper.

Name: Laura Mazzola_________________________ Date: 4/20/14_________

Citizen Kane

1) Relate what was discussed in class to the screening:

In class we discussed that Orson Welles had never made a movie before and that this movie he was given complete control over things like the script, producers and directors.  The main character in the movie was Charles Foster Kane who was based off of a real life newspaper creator William Randolph Hearst.  William Randolph Hearst was wealthy from his father's fortune, some of it he made mining.  We then discussed that Hearst's mansion called San Simeon was where Xanadu was based in the film.  

2)  Find a related article and summarize the content:

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/kane2/

This article discusses a couple of things.  It states that before Orson Welles created Citizen Kane in 1941,  "there was a buzz about the movie and the "boy genius" who made it."  The article also discusses that when Hearst heard of the movie being made, to protect his reputation he set out to have the movie shut down.  Hollywood executives which included and was run by Louis B. Mayer tried to fight Hearst to purchase the film to "burn the negative".  The article states that Hearst was successful in keeping his reputation in tact for a quarter of a century before Citizen Kane was brought about.  William Randolph Hearst and Orson Wells were both talented men with strong opinions who were almost too intelligent for their own good.   

3) Apply the article to the film screened in class:

The article explains that Hearst did not want his reputation to be ruined and seeing the events that took place in the movie, you can understand why.  It states that Welles was out to "dethrone" Hearst and he was successful at making him look like an arrogant man that thought many people were below him in life.  For Citizen Kane to be his first movie, it was successful and got the attention he wanted.

4) Give a critical analysis of the film:

Citizen Kane was not truly something I would ever watch again.  I think that the plot was interesting, finding out what the underlying meaning of his last word was, but the events that took place felt dragged on and uneventful.  Even though I found it not something I would watch again, the actors were quite talented and he did a great job at choosing a cast while having full reign over the movie.  The mystery aspect could keep someone actively engaged.

   (x) I have not handed in this assignment for any other class.

    (x) If I reused any information from other papers I have writing for other classes, I clearly explain that in the paper

3(x) If I used any passages word for word, I put quotations around those words, or used indentation and citation within the text.

4(x) I have not padded the bibliography.  I have used all sources cited in the bibliography in the text of the paper.

5(x) I have cited in the bibliography.  I have used all sources cited in the bibliography in the text of the paper.

6(x) I have used direct quotations only in cases where it could not be stated in another way.  I cited the source within the paper and in the bibliography

7(x) I did not so over-use direct quotations that the paper lacks interpretation or originality.

9(x) I checked yes on steps 1-7 and therefore have been fully transparent about the research and ideas used in my paper.

Name: Laura Mazzola_________________________ Date: 4/13/14_________

Stagecoach Entry # 3

1) Relate what was discussed in class to the screening:

In class we discussed the "Monument Valley" which is where stage coach was filmed.  Many films were shot there because of the scenery and the openness.  The view is also amazing.  We also discussed old western movies and John Wayne.  Stagecoach made John Wayne's career really take off.  This movie was also John Ford's first western movie with sound.

2)  Find a related article and summarize the content:

http://www.filmsite.org/stagec.html
This article gives a brief overview of the movie and it also gives a review of the movie.  It discusses Ford's career and how the movie Stagecoach was nothing but a positive asset to his career.  Stagecoach made his career very successful and made him a lot of money.  Stagecoach was nominated for seven Academy Awards for its quality.

3) Apply the article to the film screened in class:

The article states that the sophistication in this film is outstanding, which you can see when watching.  It was very classy and all the characters had a level of sophistication, but not necessarily perfect.  It also discusses how John Wayne was played such a great role in this film.  It says that Stagecoach helped reinvent western movies and could get people to enjoy them more, which since it had such great reviews and was nominated for seven Academy Awards, it proves that it did.

4) Give a critical analysis of the film:

Considering I am not a fan of old western movies, I was actually surprised that I liked this one.  I absolutely loved the love story in it and of course, that kept me actively engaged.  The humor throughout the movie with the Doctor was very entertaining but I wish that they made it more clear what the fuss was between the two women were.  If someone was coming into the movie a little late, they may not have understood why there was so much tension.  Overall, John Wayne was very entertaining and not hard on the eyes, either.

 (x) I have not handed in this assignment for any other class.

    (x) If I reused any information from other papers I have writing for other classes, I clearly explain that in the paper

3(x) If I used any passages word for word, I put quotations around those words, or used indentation and citation within the text.

4(x) I have not padded the bibliography.  I have used all sources cited in the bibliography in the text of the paper.

5(x) I have cited in the bibliography.  I have used all sources cited in the bibliography in the text of the paper.

6(x) I have used direct quotations only in cases where it could not be stated in another way.  I cited the source within the paper and in the bibliography

7(x) I did not so over-use direct quotations that the paper lacks interpretation or originality.

9(x) I checked yes on steps 1-7 and therefore have been fully transparent about the research and ideas used in my paper.

Name: Laura Mazzola_________________________ Date: 3/31/14_________

It Happened One Night- Journal #2

1) Relate what was discussed in class or the text to the screening:

We discussed in class the beginning of film with sound.  After Charlie Chaplin's big silent films started to fade away, they started producing movies with sound, starting as a silent film with sound sequences because at this time the radio was very big.  Debuted in 1934, It Happened One Night, had sound and had two famous actors Clark Gable and Claudette Colbert.  It Happened One Night was successful with the use of synchronization and amplification, unlike the first few movies with sound due to muffled sound quality.  Microphone placement quality was enhanced. 

2) Find a related article and summarize the content:

http://www.rogerebert.com/far-flung-correspondents/looking-back-at-it-happened-one-night

This article says that It Happened One Night was the ultimate romantic comedy. The fact that was discussed in class was that the sales of undershirt sales decreased after this movie came out because Clark Gable did not wear one.  Extremely interesting when you think of the role models to people in this world.  It says that not only was the movie interesting, but it was nice to look at.  The director had to shoot in very small places (bus, hotel room, etc.) and did it flawlessly. 

3) Apply the article to the film screened in class:

The article talks about the great romance in the movie and that looking back on it now really proves how great It Happened One Night was.  We forget with all of the movies around today the credit to be given to Frank Capra for the joy that is brought to people when watching this movie.  Many (if not all) people wanted to feel the love that Gable and Colbert displayed.  It was truly a joy to watch with all of the innocence, yet hidden erotic gestures made.  

4) Write a critical analysis of the film:

Personally, watching this film had me laughing and smiling.  Sometimes, I caught myself in shock when hearing the way the actors in the movie interacted with each other with Gable being very dominant and controlling.  I forget that it was in 1934 and the roles they were playing with the dominance and him "running the show", was normal then.  Once I understood that times are now very different then they were then, I understood a lot.  The film showed a great romance yet did a great job of having the comedic aspect to it.  It had me wanting them to be together and wondering greatly what was happening next.  I did not live in the 30's, yet I feel like it was sort of an unrealistic plot.  Meeting a stranger on a bus and spending the same night in a hotel room with him is not realistic to me.  But it did keep me engaged and laughing.  I am really a sucker for romantic movies.   

    (x) I have not handed in this assignment for any other class.

    (x) If I reused any information from other papers I have writing for other classes, I clearly explain that in the paper

3(x) If I used any passages word for word, I put quotations around those words, or used indentation and citation within the text.

4(x) I have not padded the bibliography.  I have used all sources cited in the bibliography in the text of the paper.

5(x) I have cited in the bibliography.  I have used all sources cited in the bibliography in the text of the paper.

6(x) I have used direct quotations only in cases where it could not be stated in another way.  I cited the source within the paper and in the bibliography

7(x) I did not so over-use direct quotations that the paper lacks interpretation or originality.

9(x) I checked yes on steps 1-7 and therefore have been fully transparent about the research and ideas used in my paper.

Name: Laura Mazzola_________________________ Date: 3/22/14_________

The Gold Rush 1925

1) Relate what was discussed in class or the text to the screening:

-In class we discussed the details to making a silent movie and that it was a lot of improvisation to make it.  When you are watching, you can tell that improvisation was used to make it when the characters are interacting.  Charlie Chaplin was a big name in the silent movie era during that time and that it was really a jump-start to his career as well as Keaton.  Since a silent movie is mostly visual except for some music streaming through, the maker needs to keep the audience entertained.   Charlie Chaplin liked to use comedy in his silent films.  In the Gold Rush, he really used comedy as well as comedic gags to display his character. 

2) Find a related article and summarize the content:

http://www.nytimes.com/movie/review?res=9C03E7D61531EE3ABC4F52DFBE66838E639EDE

This article was written in 1925 after the premiere of the Gold Rush and mentions: “the hungry days in London, the times when he was depressed by disappointments, the hopes, his loneliness and the adulation he felt for successful actors.”, speaking of Chaplin.  The article describes Chaplin’s pride while watching the movie and the struggles he has overcome.  It is a summary of the movie and explains that Chaplin is more sympathetic in this silent movie.

3) The article changed my opinion because I didn’t know that Charlie Chaplin was more sympathetic in this movie than his others.  It also states that this movie was a big time paying job for Chaplin, which I also did not know, I thought he was very popular at the time and made a great deal of money. 

4) I was very apprehensive about watching this movie because as a 21-year-old in 2014, I had never even seen a full silent film.  The movie was actually quite entertaining and I found myself laughing a lot.  This movie was very effective at portraying the comedic effect through gags and improvisational scenes.  In class we discussed how gags defined Chaplin’s character, which the viewer could tell he was good at, but in the Gold Rush, he also had the romantic effect of his character of falling in love.  Which was also stated in the article.  Overall, the movie balanced a great amount of comedy, romance and drama.

1.     (x) I have not handed in this assignment for any other class.

2.     (x) If I reused any information from other papers I have writing for other classes, I clearly explain that in the paper

3.     (x) If I used any passages word for word, I put quotations around those words, or used indentation and citation within the text.

4.     (x) I have not padded the bibliography.  I have used all sources cited in the bibliography in the text of the paper.

5.     (x) I have cited in the bibliography.  I have used all sources cited in the bibliography in the text of the paper.

6.     (x) I have used direct quotations only in cases where it could not be stated in another way.  I cited the source within the paper and in the bibliography

7.     (x) I did not so over-use direct quotations that the paper lacks interpretation or originality.

8.     (x) I checked yes on steps 1-7 and therefore have been fully transparent about the research and ideas used in my paper.

Name: Laura Mazzola_________________________ Date: 2/28/14___________________