Wednesday, February 27, 2013
2013 Oscars' Misogyny
Here are some interesting pieces of cultural criticism regarding this year's Oscars, all addressing the host's misogyny:
From The New Yorker.
From Vulture.
And from Buzzfeed.
Note the various formats, lengths, media usage. Is one more effective than another? Did one grab your interest and hold it more than another?
In other words, how has media technology affected popular arts criticism?
You know, a little question.
From The New Yorker.
From Vulture.
And from Buzzfeed.
Note the various formats, lengths, media usage. Is one more effective than another? Did one grab your interest and hold it more than another?
In other words, how has media technology affected popular arts criticism?
You know, a little question.
Tuesday, February 5, 2013
Sherlock Holmes reviews to check out
Since the last thing you all saw together was Sherlock Holmes at the Civic, I thought you might be interested in the reviews that have been published.
Here's what The Western Herald had to say about it, and here's what the Kalamazoo Gazette printed.
When we convene again next week, I'd like us to dissect these reviews. What would you have done differently? What are their strengths and weaknesses as reviews? Did they cover the right elements? Appropriate structure and evidence for their argument(s)?
Please feel free to use this as a prompt for your informal blog post this week.
Make sure to make lots of comments on each other's blogs this week.
Hang in there, everyone, and please come see me during office hours.
Here's what The Western Herald had to say about it, and here's what the Kalamazoo Gazette printed.
When we convene again next week, I'd like us to dissect these reviews. What would you have done differently? What are their strengths and weaknesses as reviews? Did they cover the right elements? Appropriate structure and evidence for their argument(s)?
Please feel free to use this as a prompt for your informal blog post this week.
Make sure to make lots of comments on each other's blogs this week.
Hang in there, everyone, and please come see me during office hours.
Wednesday, January 30, 2013
Fourth into Fifth Week Prompt
So you've been to the Kalamazoo Civic Theatre and been the first ever audience for their production of Sherlock Holmes: The Last Adventure. If you were to "Go with your gut," as McLeese urges, "But do your research," how would you approach a review of this show?
I didn't assign a formal review for this show because it's a conflict of interest in oh so many ways for you to review a show for which your professor plays a central role. However, I would like for you to reflect upon the experience in an informal blog post. You may or may not exclude my performance--it's up to you.
What I'm really interested in is how you would approach the review. What kind of context would you put the show in? There are so many adaptations of Sherlock Holmes--and this is but one of them. Can or should you compare them?
What expectations did you have of the show and why? Did the show meet, exceed, or fall short of them? How?
What about the various elements of the show: the script, the acting, the blocking (the positions and large movements of the actors, generally set by the director), the sets, the lighting, the sound, the costumes, the directing? Can you separate them from each other as they show up on stage?
Would reviewing theatre be more challenging for you than reviewing film? Why or why not? Would you feel a different responsibility with the power you might have? And what kind of standards would you hold the shows to? Given, for example, that the Civic is a community theatre staffed largely by volunteers, would you review their work differently than, say, Broadway touring company shows put on at Miller Auditorium? Why or why not? Does the role of the critic change given a different medium/art form? Feel free to reference the chapter in McLeese as you see fit.
Please post no later than Wednesday at noon. Really looking forward to reading what you have to say about this. And remember, you're welcome to use first person in this informal blog post, but do make sure to edit and proofread your work before publishing online, OK?
What I'm really interested in is how you would approach the review. What kind of context would you put the show in? There are so many adaptations of Sherlock Holmes--and this is but one of them. Can or should you compare them?
What expectations did you have of the show and why? Did the show meet, exceed, or fall short of them? How?
What about the various elements of the show: the script, the acting, the blocking (the positions and large movements of the actors, generally set by the director), the sets, the lighting, the sound, the costumes, the directing? Can you separate them from each other as they show up on stage?
Would reviewing theatre be more challenging for you than reviewing film? Why or why not? Would you feel a different responsibility with the power you might have? And what kind of standards would you hold the shows to? Given, for example, that the Civic is a community theatre staffed largely by volunteers, would you review their work differently than, say, Broadway touring company shows put on at Miller Auditorium? Why or why not? Does the role of the critic change given a different medium/art form? Feel free to reference the chapter in McLeese as you see fit.
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
Fourth Week Assignment
1. Write your 400-word review of "The Queen of Versailles" and turn it in by EMAILING it to me by 8 a.m. on Monday. Please embed the text in the body of your email and attach it as a WORD (.doc) file, double spaced, Times New Roman, 12-point font. Also, post it to your blog.
2. Read Chapter 5 on theater in McLeese.
3. Read the New York Times Arts sections.
4. By Wednesday, write and publish an informal blog post. Make at least two comments on other class blogs.
5. Figure out how and with whom you're traveling to The Civic Theatre on the corner of Park and South Streets. Remember that's where class meets fourth week Wednesday. Plan to arrive at 7:10 p.m.
6. Come see me during office hours!
2. Read Chapter 5 on theater in McLeese.
3. Read the New York Times Arts sections.
4. By Wednesday, write and publish an informal blog post. Make at least two comments on other class blogs.
5. Figure out how and with whom you're traveling to The Civic Theatre on the corner of Park and South Streets. Remember that's where class meets fourth week Wednesday. Plan to arrive at 7:10 p.m.
6. Come see me during office hours!
Wednesday, January 16, 2013
Assignment for Third Week
1. Read the Arts sections of the NYTimes every weekday. Pay particular attention to the reviews. Read and analyze them for craft. Note what you think is effective and what is not and why.
2. Read Ch. 6 in McLeese.
3. Based on what you learned in class, the feedback you received in workshop, and the knowledge you gained from reading Chapter 6 in McLeese, thoroughly revise your film review. Post your revision on your blog and email it as a .doc attachment (and embed in the body) to me by Monday at 8 a.m.
4. Read NYTimes defenses posted by Britt and Maggie, and Joe and Patricia.
5. Come see me during office hours!
2. Read Ch. 6 in McLeese.
3. Based on what you learned in class, the feedback you received in workshop, and the knowledge you gained from reading Chapter 6 in McLeese, thoroughly revise your film review. Post your revision on your blog and email it as a .doc attachment (and embed in the body) to me by Monday at 8 a.m.
4. Read NYTimes defenses posted by Britt and Maggie, and Joe and Patricia.
5. Come see me during office hours!
Thursday, January 10, 2013
Oscar Nominations Announced!
Dang, Lincoln!
Given this, I'm adding Lincoln, Life of Pi, and Zero Dark Thirty to the list of movies you can review for Monday. Just remember: you need to freshly view whichever film you choose to review for class.
Given this, I'm adding Lincoln, Life of Pi, and Zero Dark Thirty to the list of movies you can review for Monday. Just remember: you need to freshly view whichever film you choose to review for class.
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