I was reading online reviews of a popular science fiction movie. The movie was highly praised by nearly 100 viewers! One lone voice, like a light in a dark place, commented that the movie, aside from its high-tech explosions, handsome actors, and strong plot, was in fact,
highly immoral. Something the other 100 seemed not to notice.
Movies As Literature requires little teacher prep, yet it will have a profound impact on your high school students. The 17 great films summarized in this book were specially chosen from the categories of: western, mystery, drama, history, action, biography, suspense thriller, comedy, and science fiction. These films (many based on novels or plays) are well-written and directed. They feature enough character development to be good storytelling. A good story captivates the imagination and is readily recalled for narration or written essay. That premise is the basis for this biblically based study designed to improve critical thinking and writing skills and make the student more aware of his moral compass. He becomes a constructively critical film observer—not just of the literary elements of the story, or of the acting and directing, but of the message. Sifting through the gray areas of Hollywood morality, glitz, and glamor, he learns to uncover truth through the Christian worldview. Parents will be amazed at how much more students will glean from the silver screen! What is the goal? That our children will become that one perceptive voice in a hundred!
The films are classics readily available from most video services: Shane, Arsenic and Old Lace, The Music Man, Emma, Henry V, To Kill A Mockingbird, Rear Window, Chariots of Fire, etc. Preview any film unfamiliar to you.
The student workbook provides film background and questions for discussion and composition. It includes an outline of how to write an essay. Answers to discussion questions, additional helps, and final exam are in the teacher’s section. Use as a six-month course to meet English requirements or as an elective. 335 pages, softcover from Design-A-Study.
—Dean
Average Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars(4.5 out of 5 stars)
2 of 2 Reviews Showing:
4 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Mary Dotson (Mcalester, OK), June 13, 2008
Very good resource. Liked the selection and the discussion questions. All the information was helpful. The only thing that would have made it better is if it had questions students had to answer as they watched the movie to make sure they were paying attention similar to reading comprehension questions as read each chapter in a novel.
4.5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Jennifer Connelly (Monroe, MI), June 23, 2005
Very good and enjoyable literature curriculum! My 14 year old daughter loves to read, but last summer discovered movies for entertainment. This combines both fun and learning. It is not an easy curriculum, definitely use for high school or advanced junior high students. Our only complaint: for the last movie the questions seemed a bit repetitive. My daughter complained occasionally about the movie selection, but she always was glad to have seen and studied it by the time we finished with it. By the way, the author did an excellent job with the selection: historical, classic, and some modern. The author suggests using two weeks per movie for discussion and essay questions. We rarely needed that much time. Extended studies get you into the actual written works. This is where the two weeks might become necessary.
This is a challenging and unique way to study literature. I highly recommend it.
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