Casablanca

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

Casablanca was released in 1942 and is one of the most recognized movies in American cinema. It takes place during WWII in the Moroccan city of Casablanca. In the movie Casablanca is where refugees fleeing from Europe waiting for their chance to escape to the United States. Main character Rick Blaine, played by Humphrey Bogart, owns a popular upscale nightclub called Rick's Café Américain. One night, a woman named Ilsa walks into Rick’s with her husband, Laszlo. When Rick sees her, he immediately recognizes her. At this point of the movie, everyone in the audience must know what Rick and Ilsa’s relationship. The film goes onto explain their past, and how they fell in love in Paris until Ilsa leaves Rick when they decide to leave Paris, so just when you discover an answer, another question arises, Why did Ilsa leave Rick?

2)  Find a related article and summarize the content.

http://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/great-movie-casablanca-1942

"From a modern perspective, the film reveals interesting assumptions. Ilsa Lund's role is basically that of a lover and helpmate to a great man; the movie's real question is, which great man should she be sleeping with? There is actually no reason why Laszlo cannot get on the plane alone, leaving Ilsa in Casablanca with Rick, and indeed that is one of the endings that was briefly considered. But that would be all wrong; the “happy” ending would be tarnished by self-interest, while the ending we have allows Rick to be larger, to approach nobility. And it allows us, vicariously experiencing all of these things in the theater, to warm in the glow of his heroism."

In his article of Casablanca, Robert Ebert describes the last scene where Rick tells Ilsa to get on the plane with his husband Laszlo instead of boarding the plane with them, and continuing his relationship with Ilsa. He says that the ending is not necessarily "happy" for Rick, but it does do justice to Rick as a character. It shows him as a selfless man who is willing to let go of the woman he loves so she could have a better life with her husband. 

  

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

After reading Ebert's article, I see now how Rick's decision perfectly concludes Casablanca. True, the movie could have ended with Rick and Isla staying in Casablanca to be together, but instead Rick chooses to make a noble decision and send Isla on the Plane with Laszlo. By doing this, Rick take on more of a role of a hero, sacrificing what he wants most for what is best for Isla. 

4) Write a critical analysis of the film

Casablanca is another american classic, but unlike other extraordinary movies, it was made in a rather ordinary fashion, it was just one of hundreds of films produced by Hollywood every year, and no one that was involved with filming expected it to be anything special, but lo and behold it won three academy awards and went down in history as one of the most recognizable films of american cinema.

CHECKLIST FOR PLAGIARISM

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 written 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 only the pages I personally read.

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: Robert Moroz_____________________________  Date: 11/27/2013____________________________

Citizen Kane

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

Citizen Kane was released in 1941. It was directed, produced, starred and was co-written by Orson Welles. The film is about wealthy newspaper tycoon Charles Foster Kane, who was born into a poor family in Colorado. At a young age, Charles was forces away from his mother and sent to the east to be educated, also where he would go into the newspaper business at age 25. However, the film Citizen Kane does not begin with Charles at a young age, but instead it begins with Charles Foster Kane’s death, and with Charles’ final word “Rosebud”. News of his death spreads, and newspaper reporters become determined to find the meaning of “Rosebud” and why it was the last thing he said. The Movie follows Reporter Jerry Thompson as he interviews people close to Kane. Each interview leads to a flashback revealing parts of Kane’s life. Those interviewed includes; his friends, business partners, and his second ex-wife, Susan.  

2)  Find a related article and summarize the content.

http://www.decentfilms.com/reviews/citizenkane

“Visually, Welles and legendary cinematographer Gregg Toland forged a dramatic style combining such techniques as extreme deep focus, varied camera angles including low angles revealing set ceilings, and unconventional use of lighting and deep shadows anticipating the film noir style. Individually, most of these techniques had been pioneered in other films, but Citizen Kane masterfully brought them together with unprecedented acumen and maturity.” -Steven D. Greydanus

In Greydanus’ review of Citizen Kane, he points out Orson Welles’ use of cinematography, which in Citizen Kane, is regarded as one of the best examples of cinematography in all of film history. Welles used things like camera angles and lighting to express the happiness and sadness of the character Charles Foster Kane. Welles also used wide angle lenses in order to keep multiple things in a scene in focus at the same time. Also, Welles utilized shadows throughout the entire movie to add more effect to each scene.

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

After reading this article I can recognize how Orson Welles used cinematography in Citizen Kane. In the flashbacks of Charles Foster Kane’s life in his happier earlier years, each scene jumps right on to the next giving Kane a more of a lively feeling. He is shot from a normal angle and with high key lighting, so that you can see his face pretty normally. When he is older, Kane is much more powerful, with that in mind Welles shot him from a lower angle so that it is almost like you are looking up to him. Also in his later years Charles Foster Kane is sad and corrupt, so low key lighting was used to show more contrast.

4) Write a critical analysis of the film

Citizen Kane truly is more that it appears to be. At first glance it is an intriguing movie looking at the life of a wealthy newspaper publisher who learns first hand that money can’t buy happiness. However when you watch the film a few more times, you begin to see all of the little things that Orson Welles did. Everything in citizen Kane has some sort of significance, from the color of the clothing to the scenes inside the palace of Xanadu that seem to drag on. It is this attention to detail that Orson Welles possessed that made Citizen Kane a work of art.

CHECKLIST FOR PLAGIARISM

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 written 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 only the pages I personally read.

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: Robert Moroz_____________________________  Date: 11/20/2013____________________________

Gone With the Wind

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

The novel, “Gone with the Wind” was written in 1936 by Margaret Mitchell and was one of the most popular novels. The book is about a young southern bell named Scarlett O’Hara and her experiences involving the south during the civil war. The book was such a success that a film adaptation was to be released three years later in 1939. The film “Gone with the Wind” would go on to be known as an American classic. “Gone with the Wind” is also an important film from a racial point of view as well, as it was the first movie where a black actor or actress (Hattie McDaniel) was nominated, and won the academy award (best supporting actress). The film would also go on to win a number of other awards that year, including best picture.

2)  Find a related article and summarize the content.

http://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/great-movie-gone-with-the-wind-1939

“It fascinated audiences to see her high-wire defiance in a male chauvinist world, but eventually such behavior had to be punished, and that is what “Frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn” is all about. If “GWTW” had ended with Scarlett's unquestioned triumph, it might not have been nearly as successful. Its original audiences wanted to see her swatted down--even though, of course, tomorrow would be another day.”

In Roger Ebert’s article on “Gone with the Wind” he discusses Scarlet’s, take charge (and slightly arrogant) attitude.  He goes on to point out how Rhett’s famous line “Frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn” is so powerful. According to Ebert, Rhett punishes her for her defiant ways during the entire movie. When Rhett says this to scarlet, it is one of the few times she is denied what she wants in the movie.

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

After reading the article I came to agree with Ebert. Rhett’s last comment he says to Scarlett in a way teaches her a lesson. I found that during the movie Scarlett’s character showed a lot of maturing, but at the same time, she also acted immature at times, like when she repeatedly threw herself at Ashley. At the last part of the movie, she throws herself at Rhett having only just realizing her love for him, In a way it seems like it’s what Scarlett deserves after never returning Rhett’s love after all he did for her.

4) Write a critical analysis of the film

“Gone with the Wind” is thought to be the American classic, and for good reason. The story telling is top notch and the performances given by actors such as, Clark Gable, Vivien Leigh and Hattie McDaniel are nothing short of outstanding. If I were a fan of Margaret Mitchell novel in 1936, the film adaptation surely would have satisfied me as it did for the American public in 1939. 

CHECKLIST FOR PLAGIARISM

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 written 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 only the pages I personally read.

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: Robert Moroz_____________________________  Date: 11/6/2013____________________________