English 254
Native American Literature
Dr. Susanne George Bloomfield
Students opting for the “A” or “B” Contract must
choose a movie by or about Native Americans from the list below or one approved
by the professor. Many of the selections are readily available at most video
rentals in the “Classics” section, or they may be ordered through the internet
from websites such as Netflicks (Free Trail or $4.99 a month + free shipping).
After
viewing the movie, students will write a review of it using the following
format. Please double space the whole paper; add section
numbers to each part; don’t begin a new page for each section; and add the word
counts for each section. Submit the Review in the Movie Review Assignment link
on the Class Menu.
The
Movie Review must meet either the “A” or “B” standards (depending on the grade
contract) or be revised until these standards are met.
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. Do Native Americans play
the parts of Native Americans? Is the movie based on a book? What is the
Title? Who is the author? (250-300 words)
II. Critical
Responses
Review what critics have said about
the movie (not amazon.com reviews!), consulting both movie reviews and
critical analyses. Don’t forget to check library and online journals. When were
the reviews or articles written? Does
the time period in which the movie was produced affect the way the movie was
reviewed? Are any of the Native American actors or actresses well known? Have
they starred in any other movies? (250-350 words)
III. Comparison/Contrast
Compare
and/or contrast the Native American aspects of this movie with a book we have
studied in class. Possible areas for analysis might include the authors' use of
theme, symbolism, conflict, and character development; their emphasis on
historical or cultural aspects of the period; or their acceptance of or
deviation from popularly accepted myths or stereotypes of Native Americans or
Euroamericans. Again, choose only one or two areas of comparison and go into
depth. Use quotations from the books as well as scenes from the movie to
support your comparison. (500-750 words)
IV. Personal
Evaluation
What is the major theme of this
movie? How does it portray Native
Americans? Does it have any redeeming social, political, or personal
values? Does it exemplify any universal
truths? Is the movie factual and
realistic? Would you advise others to
see it? Why or why not? On a scale of
1-5, with 5 being best, rate this movie for today's audiences. (250-350 words)
V. Bibliography
***Using the MLA style manual,
compile a bibliography to list the sources you consulted. Below is the correct
citation format for a web site:
Ebert, Roger. Rev. of “Dances with
Wolves.”
Selected
Native American Movies
Bury
My Heart at
The
Trail of Tears: Cherokee Legacy (2007)
Christmas
in the Clouds (2005)
Black
Cloud DVD (2004)
Whale
Rider (2003)
Dreamkeeper
(2003)
Windtalkers
(2002)
Skins
DVD (2002)
Spirit
DVD (2002)
The
Fast Runner (2001)
Spirit
Rider DVD (2001)
Smoke
Signals VHS (1998)
The Song
of Hiawatha (1997)
Dance
Me Outside (1995)
Pocohantas
(1995)
Squanto,
A Warrior’s Tale (1994)
Legends
of the Fall DVD (1994)
Clear
Cut (1993)
Incident
at Oglala: The Leonard Peltier Story (1992)
The
Last of His Tribe DVD (1992)
The
Last of the Mohicans (1992)
Thunderheart
DVD, VHS (1992)
Black
Robe (1991)
Dances
with Wolves (1990)
PowWow
Highway DVD (1989)
Windwalker
(1980)
Little
Big Man VHS (1970)
A Man Called Horse (1970)
Standards
for an “A” Movie Review
1) Each section must clearly
address the suggested topic for discussion. In Part I, briefly summarize the
basic plot of the movie. In Part II, try to find both positive and negative
reviews with preference to Native American viewpoints. In Part III, narrow your
focus to one area of comparison and/or contrast and go into depth. In Part IV,
again narrow your focus to one or two questions posed in the Personal
Evaluation.
2) Each section must be
well-supported by appropriate facts, quotations from reviews, scenes or
dialogue from the movie (as well as textual support from the novels in Part
III) along with personal analysis and interpretation. Quotations should be
correctly and appropriately employed; discussion should be unified and show
depth and complexity of thought.
3) Each section must be
effectively organized with an introduction and conclusion that unifies and
summarizes the material covered in the section.
4) Style should evidence mature,
non-clichéd vocabulary, complex and correct sentences, and smooth transitions.
5) Grammar and punctuation must
be correct with only a few minor flaws.
Standards for a “B” movie Review
1) Each section must clearly
address the suggested topic for discussion. In Part I, briefly summarize the
basic plot of the movie. In Part II, try to find both positive and negative
reviews. In Part III, narrow your focus to one or two areas of comparison
and/or contrast. In Part IV, respond to two or three of the suggested
questions.
2) Each section must be supported
by appropriate facts, quotations from reviews, scenes or dialogue from the
movie (as well as textual support from literature in Part III) along with personal
analysis and interpretation. Quotations should be appropriately employed; discussion
should be unified and show some depth and complexity of thought.
3) Each section must be
effectively organized with adequate introduction and conclusion.
4) Style, vocabulary, and
sentences must be correct; transitions may be sometimes mechanical.
5)
Minor grammar and punctuation flaws are allowed.