In-Class Film Reviews

General expectations for the in-class film reviews:

• Purpose: To provide the other students in class with a basic idea of what the film is about
• Content: Includes the reviewers' critical assessment of the success/failure or effectiveness/ineffectiveness of the film, supported by cinematic evidence. Note: A review "is more than a plot synopsis or the enthusiastic blurbs of publicity hype. For the [reviewers it provides] an opportunity to exhibit a critical awareness of the elements of the film as well as to share the delight and pleasure (or frustration and disappointment) the film offers the viewer." (source: AFI Screen Education)
• Format: The in-class reviews will be presented orally and should take up no more than 10 minutes. Otherwise, the format of the presentation is up to you and your partner. Be creative!
• Evaluation: The in-class reviews will count towards the general 10% class participation grade
• Scheduling: Two students will be responsible for presenting on each film, which means that each student will present on at least one film over the course of the semester. The films are grouped in accordance with the units to which they correspond (see below)

UNIT 2: ADAPTATIONS OF THE HOLLYWOOD PARADIGM: MEXICAN MELODRAMAS

12 February (Tues.) Mini film reviews of:

• Doña Bárbara: Mexico, 1943. Emily
• Rosa Blanca, aka The White Rose: Mexico, 1961 (released in 1972). Patricio and Tess
• Como agua para chocolate, aka Like Water for Chocolate: Mexico, 1991 Mónica and Adrianna

UNIT 3: SUBVERSIONS OF THE HOLLYWOOD PARADIGM: LATIN AMERICAN "THIRD" CINEMA

12 March (Tues.) Mini film reviews of:

• Yawar Mallku, aka Blood of the Condor: Bolivia, 1969. Chris and Dylan
• Batalla de Chile: Lucha de un pueblo sin armas, pt. 1, aka Battle of Chile: Struggle of an Unarmed People, pt 1: Chile/Cuba, 1974. Matt and Patrick

UNIT 4: WOMEN FILMMAKERS IN LATIN AMERICA

4 April (Thurs.) Mini film reviews of:

• Miss Mary: Argentina/United States, 1986. Mallaigh and Alex
• Jardín del Edén, aka The Garden of Eden: France/Mexico/Canada, 1994. Nick and Bobby

UNIT 5: TRANSNATIONALISM IN THE NEW MILLENIUM OR, ARE NATIONALIST PARADIGMS STILL RELEVANT?

23 April (Tues.) Mini film reviews of:

• Crónicas, aka Chronicles: Mexico/Ecuador, 2004. Peter
• Sleep Dealer: Mexico/United States, 2008. Caroline
• América: Puerto Rico, 2011. Theresa and Hayley