Extra Credit!

For this extra credit opportunity, I'd like you to think back through the varied expectations and techniques of our two central theories of film, Realism and Formalism, as well as the blending of those two extremes in what is considered the Classical style. You can find good discussions of these throughout our textbook, though there are particularly good overviews in Chapters 1 and 11. In your post, reflect on your own expectations of film in the context of these theoretical approaches. What kind of films are most compelling to you and why? From your perspective, what do the best films do and how do they present their subjects? Do they tend toward the more "invisible" style of Realism, their stories developing seemingly at random, framing their film world as if the camera is merely recording "life as it is?" Or are you more interested in films that use the medium to create worlds that could exist nowhere else, or that highlight stylistic manipulations of their filmed material? Do you prefer stories that follow the Classical paradigm or those that operate more mysteriously, perhaps associatively, like the thematic montages of Griffith's Intolerance and Soviet cinema? Do you prefer the glamour of Hollywood's studio era, or the grit of emerging cinemas or low-budget independent works? When you leave the theater (or turn off the DVD player), would you rather be thinking about the rich color and elegant compositions of award-winning cinematography, or about the stunning realism of a computer-generated landscape? Are you more likely to shell out $10 to see a film because of its star or because of its director, and if it's the former, would you pay more for the personality star or the actor star? And what other intellectual considerations contribute to your appreciation of a film? Do you prefer work that has clear political intent, like Do the Right Thing? Do you have a passion for a particular genre, era, or foreign cinema? As you describe your expectations as a filmgoer, provide examples of a film or two that have helped to define your preferences. And, sure, we can all make a "favorite films" list that contains a broad range of stylistic approaches, but even if you start there, see if you can identify a few consistent qualities that might suggest the outlines of your own theory of cinema. Looking forward to your comments!