English 254 CD & WI
Literature of
Dr. Susanne Bloomfield
MOVIE REVIEW FORMAT
I. Synopsis
Briefly summarize the narrative--be sure to tell the name of the movie. Give the names of the director, the producer, the actors and actresses in the leading roles, and the date the movie was released. Is the movie based on a book? What is the Title? Who is the author? (250 words)
II. Critical Responses
Review what critics (not amazon.com reviews!) have said about the movie, consulting both movie reviews and critical analyses. Use quotations from the reviews. When were the reviews or articles written? How did the time period affect the way the movie was reviewed? Have attitudes towards the movie changed today? (500 words)
III. Myths and Sense of Place
Which aspects
of the Western Myth inform the narrative? Manifest Destiny?
Conflict between savagery and civilization? The American Dream? What is the author's attitude toward
these myths? Is it different from that of the characters? Does ethnicity or
gender affect the story? Do the characters have any preconceived attitudes
toward other races, religions, gender, or the land? Do these attitudes change
by the conclusion the narrative? Discuss the importance of "Place' and/or
"Displacement." Do any characters undergo a Rite of Passage or
Initiation? (* Be selective;
consider only one or two questions appropriate to your movie. Use quotations
from the work to support your interpretation. 500 words)
IV. Personal Evaluation
What is the major theme of this movie? Does it have any redeeming social, political, or personal values? Does it exemplify any universal truths? Is the movie factual and realistic? How would you evaluate this work in terms of entertainment? Did you like the movie? Would you advise others to see it? On a scale of 1-5, rate this movie for today's audiences. (250 words)
V. Bibliography
***Using the MLA style manual, compile a bibliography to list the sources you consulted. Below is the correct citation format:
Ebert, Roger. Rev. of “Dances with Wolves.”
*** Double space whole paper; don’t begin a new page for each section.