Shaun of the Dead

Choose one of the two options to address in your blog post:

1) Give a thorough examination of both the screwball comedy and zombie genre conventions in the film Shaun of the Dead, and how the two work together put any new spins on those conventions. Please use specific examples from the film with your analysis. You may compare those elements to either of the films we screened in class or any other films from the two genres that you are familiar with, but this is not required. If you quote any of our reading please be sure to cite accordingly.

2) In the essay “Slacker Bites Back: Shaun of the Dead Finds New Life for Deadbeats” Lynn Pifer argues that the film is a commentary on society’s “willing workers” who have been “deadended by their jobs” in a capitalist society, and “provide[s] disenfranchised slackers like Shaun and Ed with a situation where they can not only survive, but also succeed in winning others’ respect (167).” Pifer goes on to try and prove that the movie celebrates the slacker lifestyle and allows for all that are in Shaun’s way to be zombified so they are no longer a bother in his slacker lifestyle, and that though he learns how to manage a life with a best friend and girlfriend he is still a loser and a slacker to the end.

Do you agree with Pifer’s thesis and understanding of the story, or do you have your own theories about Shaun's journey? Though I find a lot of the points and examples to be dead-on, I don’t completely agree, and in fact see Shaun’s journey as one that changes him quite a lot, and that the loss of the people in his life is what wakes him up to appreciate the things in his life that he once took for granted. Throughout the film, once Shaun finally realizes what is going on, we see him quick on his feet, calling for teamwork, and sticking his neck out for everyone else. We see others acting selfishly, being uncooperative, and putting everyone at risk. In fact, most of why Shaun’s plans go awry for them is from the mistakes of the others in the group. Sure, Shaun's plan is not as good a Yvonne's, but it's a plan. As Liz says when she forgives him: “You tried. You did something, that’s what counts.” So I would say the film is about how the zombie apocalypse is what it takes to make this slacker appreciate what is important in life, which, yes, sometimes includes simply playing a video game with your best friend.

What do you think? And no, you do not have to agree with me. Perhaps you have your own thesis to prove about the film.

Be sure to support your thoughts, whether you agree with Pifer or not, with plenty of examples. You can also cite from the essay as you would like, but make sure you do so properly.

As always 400 words MINIMUM for either choice, but remember to fully explain your points or the minimum still won’t cut it. Original posts are due Friday, April 5^th. Response to at least 2 blog posts due by Tues, April 9^th. 

Night of the Living Dead

The Museum of Modern Art screened Night of the Living Dead to recognize its cultural as well as historical value, citing that:

"Released at a time when disillusionment was running rampant in the country--spurred by the Vietnam War and the recent assassinations of Martin Luther King Jr. and John F. Kennedy--Americans identified with the film's shocking suggestion: death is random and without purpose. No one dies for the greater good or to further the survival of others. Instead, people die to feed faceless, ordinary America. A metaphor for societal anxiety, the sight of America literally devouring itself and the representation of the desecration of the wholesome American family...served as a release for the country's repressed trauma."

What are some specific examples in the film that you see support this interpretation? Please be sure to explain your examples clearly and fully.  Post is due Wed, April 3rd. No comments required. 

Some Like it Hot - Screwball Indeed

Although Some Like It Hot was not made during the classic Screwball Comedy period of the 30s and 40s, it still includes many of the key elements of the genre. In your post please explain how those specific conventions are used in the film. Your post should definitely include an examination of the ways that male and female roles are explored in the film. You may also want to write about how the film could be seen as a bit of a mixed genre film - as it incorporates aspects of the classic gangster film.

Here's a great article on the film, with a lot of background information. Worth a read.

As usual at least 400 words minimum. But make sure that you thoroughly explain your points and examples and have a solid intro and closing. 400 words does not always mean a complete post.

The post is due Wed, March 13th. No comments are required.

Joss Whedon's Firefly

After reading Fred Erisman's article "Stagecoach in Space" please choose ONE of the following questions to address in your post. You only need to speak to the first episode that we watched, Serenity, but if you have more familiarity of the series you are welcome to bring up other episodes. Please be specific with any examples, and as always if you quote the reading make sure to cite it.

1) What are some of the specific conventions of the western and the science fiction genres that show up in Firefly, and how are these conventions handled (are they a continuation of the genre, do they put a new twist on things, etc)? Make sure you think about setting, character types, specific iconography, audience expectations and even thematic questions. You do not need to bring up every single convention, but you should speak to both genres in this mixed genre piece.

2) According to Erisman Malcolm Reynolds is a prime example of the Fordian Community's leader. What are some specific examples from Firefly (not brought up in the reading) that help to illustrate this point? How does Mal compare as the western hero to Ethan and Josey or any other western heroes you are familiar with?

3) Although Firefly heavily borrows from the western genre, it is not a story that could be told in the old west. How do the setting (time period included), the use of technology, and the concern for "the social chaos, the man-made disruption of social order, and threat to the harmony of civilized society going about it's business" affect the film as a part of the western genre?

Your original post is due by end of block Friday, March 1st. You should respond (using the ladder of feedback) to at least two other blog posts by Tuesday, March 5th.

Outland

Many have called Outland a film that is basically High Noon in outer space, borrowing key elements from the classic western and placing them in a futuristic space mining station. In fact, at one point the doctor says "here comes the calvary." What elements, if any, do you see as correlating to the western genre? How are the science fiction aspects handled in the film - in particular how is the space station (in lieu of the space ship) treated and what does it represent in this film? How is this film a part of the science fiction lexicon, and how are other aspects of technology handled? What conventions of either genre help to build suspense in the film?

For your post please make sure to address all questions, though do so in a complete and cohesive manner (please do not just answer them without explaining the questions somehow).  You should also note that for your blog posts for this class, you are welcome to do half of them in an more untraditional manner - for example as Vlog posts instead, though you should make sure that their content is still equal to the requirements of a written out post.

As always 400 words is the minimum. Post is due by Friday, Feb 22nd.

The Western

Before you write this post please make sure you've read the article "Clint Eastwood's The Outlaw Josey Wales" by Robert C. Sickles, which is posted up in our Aspen page.

In his article, Sickles argues that The Searchers' Ethan and Josey can be compared as two very different versions of the western hero, and through examination tries to prove that the two characters and films therefore reflect the cultural values of the time periods they were made in.

Having watched both films do you agree with Sickles' points, and do you find his evidence compelling? Why or why not? Please be specific (and remember if you quote anything to be sure to cite accordingly). What other conventions, characters or iconography of the western can you compare/contrast between the two films, and how would these affect his argument? What about considering the comedic elements in both films and how they are handled?

Please be sure to write your post as best you can so that someone who has not seen the films or read the article could still follow your post.

Minimum word count is 400 and the post is due by end of block on Friday, February 15th. You need to read and respond using the ladder of feedback (Clarify, Value, Concerns, Suggestions) to at least two other blog posts by end of block on Tues, Feb 19th. Please also make sure to only respond to blog posts that have two or fewer responses already (so don't be the third to add a comment).

MPA BLOGS

Welcome to the MPA Blog Homepage - check out the MPA student blogs (clink the links on the right side of the screen). Scroll down to see the assignments that have been given for the blog posts.