BEM 350

CINEMA HISTORY I

Critical Review Essay

Due Date:11/30/21

Length: Six (6) full pages in length. Double-spaced, 12 pt. font, Times New Roman, one-inch margins, typewritten, stapled, carefully proofread.

You may write on any of the films screened in class. To write about another film released between 1895-1945, you must get instructor approval.

Your assignment is to write a 6-page Critical Review of one of the feature films viewed in class this semester. For your essay, construct an argument (thesis statement) that addresses the film’shistorical, artistic, formal, thematic, technical, or cultural significance.

For example,

“Citizen Kane” set the standard for A-list film noir motion pictures in the U.S.”

Or

The technical innovations utilized in “Citizen Kane” made it one of the most influential films in U.S. history.

Or

“The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari”contains many conventions of German Expressionistic film of the 1920’s and ‘30’s.

Or

Differences between “Swing Time” and “Golddiggers of 1933” represent the dramatic changes brought about by the implementation of the Production Code in Hollywood.

To support your argument, you will need to use specific evidence/details from 3-5 scenes from your film and you will also need to incorporate fourapproved sources to either support your position or to provide an alternative viewpoint/interpretation as a counter-argument—that you acknowledge before turning back to re-affirm your own argument.

Note:you may only use sources identified on the Sources and Film Journals List(see below)—you may use Mast and Kawin, however, as one of your four critical sources. You must also cite the film and sources in a works cited page using MLA, APA, or Chicago style. Finally, be sure to include a good, creative title, one which lets the reader know what your essay is about.

The paper grade will be based on the following criteria:

1. Clarity and quality of the thesis;

2. Use and analysis of specific, relevant evidence/details from the film to support your argument;

3. Engagement with and understanding of the film’s historical, artistic, formal, thematic,

technical, or cultural significance;

4. Incorporation of approved sources from the sources listed;

5. Proper citation of your film and sources according to MLA, APA, or Chicago style;

7. Addressing the topic/following the requirements of the prompt; and,

8. Overall effectiveness of grammar, mechanics, and spelling.

Suggestions:

1. As you probably know, you will need to establish a strong thesis as the foundation of your argument. In fact, it’s often best for your reader if you state your thesis clearly at the end of the introductory paragraph.

2. I recommend watching your film at least two more times and taking notes as you do. Then, look at your notes and start generating a thesis statement. In your second and subsequent viewings, refine your thesis AND select specific evidence/details from 3-5 scenes in the film that you will use/analyze to support your thesis argument.

3. Revise your first draft, polish it, then proofread your final draft carefully. I expect your writing to be the best you can make it.  You will submit your paper as a hard copy to me on or before 11/30/21.

4. Finally, don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any questions.

Approved Popular and Trade Sources for Critical Review:

Mast and Bruce Kawin, A Short History of the Movies

The New York Times

Entertainment Weekly

The New Yorker

New York Magazine

Salon.com

National Public Radio

Slate.com

Chicago Sun-Times

San Francisco Chronicle

Newsweek

The Nation

New York Observer

The Village Voice

The Atlantic Monthly

Rolling Stone

Time

The National Review

New Times

BBC

The Observer

The Nation

The New Republic

Chicago Reader

Variety

The Hollywood Reporter

The Christian Science Monitor

James Berardinelli – Reel Views

Approved Academic Film Journals for Critical Review

Bright Lights Film Journal

Cahiers du Cinema  
Canadian Journal of Film Studies

Camera Obscura

Chicago Reader Brief Reviews   

CineAction

Cineaste

Cinema Journal (renamed The Journal of Cinema and Media Studies in October 2018)

Cinema Scope   

Cinetext

Continuum

Feminist Media Studies

Film & History   

Film Comment

Film Criticism

Film Journal   

Film Quarterly   

Film-Philosophy   

Framework: The Journal of Cinema and Media  

Historical Journal of Film, Radio and Television

Images: A Journal of Film and Popular Culture   

International Federation of Film Archives   
International Federation of Film Critics (FIPRESCI)   

Journal of Popular Film and Television

Journal of Religion and Film

Jump Cut: A Review of Contemporary Media   

Kinema

KoreanFilm.org   

Literature/Film Quarterly

MCLC Resource Center  

Mediascape

MedieKultur

Movie: A Journal of Film Criticism

New York Times: Movies   

Offscreen

New Cinemas

Post Script: Essays in Film & the Humanities

Reverse Shot  

Rouge

Scope: An Online Journal of Film and TV Studies  

Screen

Screening the Past   

Senses of Cinema   

Senses of Cinema Great Directors Index   

Sight & Sound   

Studies in French Cinema   

Studies in Hispanic Cinemas

Synoptique: The Journal of Film and Film Studies   

The Alliance of Women Film Journalists   

Upperstall.com (Indian Cinema)

Wide Angle

Wide Screen