Watched The Florida Project (dir. Sean Baker, 2017)

Points of Discussion: 

- How the movie uses film elements to showcase the children's POV 

- The audience's headspace while watching 

- Interpreting the ending  

References: 

- The Florida Project Should've Been Nominated (Nerdwriter1 Youtube Channel/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rXbKeHAoA84&t=361s) 

- ‘The Florida Project’: Director Sean Baker Explains How and Why He Shot That Ending (The Hollywood Reporter article by Ashley Lee/ 2017)

Watched Don't Look Up (dir. Adam McKay, 2021)

Points of Discussion: 

- An allegory for climate change 

- Polarizing film reviews 

- Similar comedic vibes in other films 

- Can humor handle our reality? 

- The evolution of Adam McKay  

References: 

- Don’t Look Up Director Noticed Similarities Between Script & Pandemic (Screen Rant article by Alexander Harrison/ 2022) 

- Don't Look Up Director Celebrates How Netflix Movie Is Dividing Audiences (Screen Rant article by James Osborne/ 2022) 

- Why Are People So Mad About Don’t Look Up? (The Atlantic Article article by Kevin Townsend, Sophie Gilbert, David Sims, and Spencer Kornhaber/ 2022)

Watched Chicago (dir. Rob Marshall, 2002)

Points of Discussion:

- Is all of CHICAGO in Roxie's head?

- The news as a form of spectacle

- Significance of this movie musical in 2002

References:

- The Musical that Saved a Genre - Lemme Review: Chicago (2002) (Wiseclay Youtube Channel/ https://youtu.be/bxYV2cVmG_g)

Watched In the Mood for Love (dir. Wong Kar-wai, 2000)   

Points of Discussion: 

- The hauntings done by lingering love 

- The unique relationship between Mrs. Chan and Mr. Chow 

- Cinematic techniques used to showcase main theme  

References: 

- In the Mood For Love: Crash Course Film Criticism #5 (CrashCourse Youtube Channel/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=98QmnyyIXsY) 

- Criticwire Classic of the Week: Wong Kar-Wai’s ‘In the Mood for Love’ (Indie Wire article by Vikram Murthi/ 2015)

Watched Clerks (dir. Kevin Smith, 1994)  

Points of Discussion: 

- How does CLERKS work? 

- A more honest film as an independent film 

- Any comments on capitalism?  

References: 

- Film Histories Episode 37 - Clerks ( Film Histories Youtube Channel/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BbOjgeSuUJs) 

- Clerks: A Leap Of Faith; video essay (Visual Stories Youtube Channel/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sE8GSv7OyWo)

Watched Shrek (dir. Andrew Adamson & Vicky Jenson, 2001)  

Points of Discussion: 

- Shrek: the anti-fairy tale against Disney 

- A new take on the fairy tale structure 

- This killer soundtrack 

- An actor's effect on a character's voice  

References: 

- Is ''Shrek'' the anti- Disney fairy tale? (Entertainment Weekly article by Lori Reese/ 2001) 

- Why Shrek Has Aged So Much Better Than Other Movies (Nerdstalgic Youtube Channel/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RobmhhAuOHM)

Watched Napoleon Dynamite (dir. Jared Hess, 2004)   

Points of Discussion: 

- How the film's setting is used a template for middle/rural America in other films 

- Film's lasting significance and cult following 

- Does the film have story structure or is it a collection of sketches? 

- Nostalgia of the 1980's and early 2000s

References:

- How 'Napoleon Dynamite' became Hollywood's template for Middle America (Deseret News Youtube Channel)

- NAPOLEON DYNAMITE - story isn't king (MacCosham Films Youtube Channel)

Watched Grey Gardens (dir. Albert Maysles, Ellen Hovde, Muffie Meyer, & David Maysles, 1976)   

Points of Discussion: 

- Background on Big Edie and Little Edie Beale 

- How documentaries were filmed throughout the Direct Cinema movement 

- Exploitation vs. Empathy of the Beales

References:

- Grey Gardens (Wikipedia article)

- Direct cinema (Wikipedia article)

Watched Twilight (dir. Catherine Hardwicke, 2008)   

Points of Discussion: 

- Twilight having "independent-film-ness" qualities 

- Messages of Twilight 

- The rise and fall and rise again of the fandom 

- Why do we hate everything teenage girls like?

References:

- At Its Core, the 'Twilight' Saga Is a Story About ________ (The Atlantic article by Ashley Fetters/ 2012)

- Twilight fandom (Wikipedia article)

- Dear Stephenie Meyer (Lindsay Ellis Youtube Channel)

Watched Shutter Island (dir. Martin Scorsese, 2010)   

Points of Discussion: 

- Neo-noir: style or genre? 

- The psychological thriller and its unreliable narrator 

- Noteworthy score 

- Foreshadowing hints 

- That ending tho

References:

Shutter Island (film) (Wikipedia article)

Psychological thriller (Wikipedia article)