Use "Style and Structure in Writing" from A Short Guide to Writing about Film, uploaded under Course Content Week 8 on Blackboard, to help finalizing your paper.
Please
post both the TITLE of your midterm paper and a LINK to it (from your own blog, not from our class blog)
as a COMMENT to this post by Monday October 14 at 8 pm. Your paper should be around 1,000 words
and should present a specific argument with supporting visual and textual evidences from class films and readings.
You key evidences should come from class films and readings. You are welcome to compare other films and readings with class films and readings but are not required to do so. You should pay attention to academic style and carefully cite your sources, (Author full name, page number) with Works Cited in the end works for this purpose.
In order to comment on two other papers, you need to copy the paper link and go to the site where the paper is posted and read it there. You need to come back to this site and REPLY to the link here by Monday October 14 at 10 pm, so all paper titles, links, and comments to papers will be in one place for easy access (Consult my culture class blog http://chi331.blogspot.com/p/first-paper.html as a reference). Comments
should focus on aspects such as argument, visual and textual evidences, and presentation.
Tradition: Gone in a Flash
ReplyDeletehttp://joshuastephentatum.blogspot.com/2013/10/tradition-gone-in-flash.html
I was impressed by your discussion about the film "Once Upon A Time In China." The details for the opening scene are interesting. The Lion Dance is kind of traditional dance, and we can see how wonderful the master's Kung-fu. Yes it is not well developed in the following, which is also confusing me.
DeleteWonderful read, Josh. You make a pretty good point about the march of progress in this film, but what can you say about the fact that Aunt 13 returned to China, about the return to traditional values. The first scene, with the Lion Dance, though it is disrupted, it is eventually completed by Wong Fei-Hong. I think that the message that comes across from the film may be more complex in regards to progress
DeleteAs your point of view, in the film, thirteen aunt in the teahouse, it is indeed, and Wong Fei-hung stark contrast, one is to accept the Western culture, one is absolutely no contact with Western culture, when two people come together, contradiction arises.
DeleteThat is one powerful opening sentence/paragraph, and it sets up the rest of your paper very well. I particularly enjoyed the line, "Progress has overcome even the most rigid." I think this was Tsui Hark's most significant message in the movie.
DeleteAt first, I thought "Once Upon a Time in China" was rather superficial and too fast paced to send any substantial message. After reading this essay, I think I can appreciate some of the more subtle messages Tsui Hark was delivering.
DeletePrevious And Present Life
ReplyDeletehttp://liuchang1005horace.blogspot.com/2013/10/previous-and-present-life.html
Touched by this sentence "He will never catch his her." Fleur has gone without the memories of her love. That is a sad story and we cannot simply say who did wrong when they decide suicide themselves or afterward. It is a tragedy of the classes.
DeleteThese word is pretty touching in last paragraph.good paper
DeleteThe Power of Music In The Film
ReplyDeletehttp://roufei.blogspot.com/2013/10/the-power-of-music-in-film.html
I love your analysis of music in film. I think it almost plays as important of a role as the actors themselves.
Deleteyou have a great point, I think music is very important in movies, different music for the same scene might give us different feelings about the scene.
DeleteIn fact, I very much agree with your point of view, a movie is good or bad, must be separated and the film's music. Like the killer movie, in daily, there will be soothing music, and in the shootout, there will be intense music, and thus make the audience with plus immersive.
DeleteYou brought up some very points about the role that music plays in film. And you did a good job differentiating between the different types of opera, I did not know that there were that many types.
DeleteI agree with your opinion, different types of music in film bring different atmospheres. Only perfect combination of visual and auditory could make a perfect film.
DeleteI thought it was interesting how you pointed out that there were various forms of Chinese opera, which I didn't know previously. I think you did a good job detailing how each music type affects and is used in a film.
DeleteJohn Woo and his films
ReplyDeletehttp://zeshenhuang.blogspot.com/
I like your point about John Woo. his early film is pretty good. I am total agree what his contribution to Hong Kong film. "pigeon", "church" are his label
DeleteI think it's interesting how you sort of compared the killer to John Woo himself. I never thought of it that way, but I can see where you are coming from now that you explained it!
DeleteI also think John Woo is a humane person. The friendship is a very important element in his film. I feel this profoundly in the film. I was really touched by the friendship in the film.
DeleteI liked the second to last paragraph, near the end, when you explained that John Woo attempts to find similarities in Western and Eastern cultures and attempts to use the symbolism that is present in both cultures.
DeleteAestheticization of violence
ReplyDeletehttp://kelvli123.blogspot.com/
Violence is a very important issue in our life, Im not saying that we need it, I mean it happens everywhere, however, not everyone of us can experience it, we can only see it in movies, and through these movies, we know how terrible it is, it ruins people's lives, so we think about what should we do to avoid it. so I think these movies are useful in some way.
DeleteThe term used to describe the aesthetics of violence, I think Wu's production is more appropriate, because his movie to reflect is violence aesthetic elements, he pays more attention to the form of innovation, and therefore the Hongkong film to a new peak. It can be said that Hong kong is in addition to Hollywood's most successful commercial film production, action is a kind of most attract someone's attention in HongKong films.In my opinion,the director John Woo is very suitable to direct the movie type of hero, he know how to better direct a hero, make its image mighty and brave,make the audience like it!
Deletediffernce between men's love and women's love
ReplyDeletehttp://xuhongxiao316.blog.com/
I think your commentary on the differences between the love of the male character in Ghost and the female character in Rouge is very interesting. I'd like to see a more in-depth analysis of the films themselves and what techniques are used to make these characterizations more apparent. I think that would really strengthen your thesis and make a compelling comparative analysis. This made me interested in seeing both movies in order to compare not only the characters, but the film traditions in which the films were made. Thanks!
DeleteCulinary Connections
ReplyDeletehttp://chi321midterm.blogspot.com/
I think this has a great, enjoyable conversational tone to it. It reads like a professional blogger's review of the movie with emphasis on a particular character. If I were to critique it at all, I feel like I'd start by asking where you've located your thesis. This doesn't feel very "argumentative" to me, in the sense that your exposition can go a lot of different ways. Which film approach was used?
DeleteI agree with Clara, it had a great tone to it, and I enjoyed reading. I especially liked your allegory likening how she handles her life to how one would direct traffic.
DeleteI agree with their responses. Perhaps it is because of the subject matter. The ending especially has somewhat of a comforting feel too it. I agree with Clara, though, in that the argument doesn't make a very strong appearance.
Delete"Character" Profiles: John Woo in Hong Kong and Hollywood
ReplyDeletehttp://chi321-cferry.blogspot.com/
I liked how you used the word "formula" to describe John Woo's films. I think that is a great word to use to try and break apart the different aspects of John Woo's films. I too noticed that he uses elements from the East and the West. I think a lot of that has to do with his cultural upbringing in Vietnam, China and the U.S. I always really enjoy reading your posts, and this paper was no disappointment! You are a great writer!
DeleteI'm glad you compared a Hong Kong film with one of Woo's hollywood's film. I actually almost did that but changed my mind, so that's probably why I did that.
DeleteI think it's interesting how you point out similarities such as fights in churches and doves in each of the movies. These two different movies from two different cultures have similarities, and that is what interests me.
Good job. I agree with Katie, you are a great writer!
By the method of write extension to the “Utopia” for “Woman Demon human”
ReplyDeletehttp://songsug9409.blogspot.com/2013/10/by-method-of-write-extension-to-utopia.html
I really appreciate you giving the background of this idea concerning 'utopia' and how it fits into the film. It seems like a common theme that interested me and it's good to see someone tackling that idea in essay format.
Deletehttp://keskarvan.blog.com/2013/10/14/hello-world/
ReplyDeleteI have a picture on my word document that did not want to load on the blog, but you can still read the majority of it!
The title is The Fate of the XX Genotype
DeleteI enjoyed your essay. Several times you bring up how fathers had the power to decide their daughter's future. For example, when he tells her to go back to acting. And you say that fathers had the ability to tell their daughter to do something, even if they wanted something else.I agree that it was like that during this time period. What's interesting is that China wasn't the only place where Females had no power or decision over their future: It was like that in America, too, and probably all around the world. I think it's important to remember how similar many countries actually are, even if they have completely different cultures.
DeleteI enjoyed reading your piece very much, and it got me thinking about similarities between different cultures.
Right or Wrong åƹäøé
ReplyDeletehttp://nonodontknow.blogspot.com/
I also think Master 12 really fell in love with Ru Hua. He really want to stay with Ru Hua. From the rich to on one's uppers, he really paid a lot for love. His love is just too ordinary in front of Ru hua. He is a brave man. He spent fifty years with guilt. It's very hard for every people. Although you think he escaped reality, I think he is really brave.
DeleteI agree with your opinion,I can see the “Master12” still love “Fleur”, although he was hesitated before him swallowing opium, but he was swallowed it, as we all know the life is precious, who can be easily abandoned? Who can refuse to life? Even as the love, who can be brave to do not hesitate? But “Master12” can do it, he can die for love. On other hand When the “Fleur” stubbornly want to break through the fate, “Master 12” will undoubtedly become the mainstay is not strong, but also to the period of unstable emotions will be a tragedy.
Deletewhen i read this paper , i was completely carried away ,duo to this word,However, if there is no Ru Master 12 for Hua love, I think he didn't have to choose "love". Some people say "stay, is the most painful." i pretty this point.
DeleteI liked that you brought Master 12 into a different perspective, not some evil guy but just a normal person with feeling.
DeleteI am agree with your opinion. If Master 12 does not fall in love with Ru Hua, he will not leave his family. How can a people give up a rich family and live with a prostitute? The only answer is they fall in love.
DeleteWoman Demon Human: Redefining Traditional Feminine Roles in Contemporary China
ReplyDeletehttp://smbe223.blogspot.com/2013/10/seanbell-dr.html
Woman Demon Human: A Case for Gender Equality
ReplyDeletehttp://slazzarichinesefilm.blogspot.com/2013/10/woman-demon-human.html
Women in Time Changing Period
ReplyDeletehttp://yayundai.blogspot.com/2013/10/women-in-time-changing-period.html
Your essay is very interesting and Red Sorghum seems like a really good movie. However, I didn't see the relationship you drew together with Rouge and Red Sorghum. I did like your idea of the red color in Red Sorghum, I think its important to consider color in all films.
DeletePast And Present
ReplyDeletehttp://chi321niu.blogspot.com/2013/10/past-and-present.html
I agree with your thoughts on kung fu and how its modern influence can be attributed to the rise of film as an art, especially on the international scale.
DeleteThe Change of Women’s Rights in Contemporary China
ReplyDeletehttp://joshxxxx.blogspot.com/
Gender gap is always a topic to talk about in today's society. Since it is still a man's dominant society, women has always been fighting for equal treatment. However, in my opinion, men and women are not equal. Like there will always be partial people in this planet live in poverty, and conflicts between humans will always exist, men and women would never be equal. To me, it is either male dominant society or female dominant society.
DeleteSymmetry between Jeff and Li in John Woo’s, The Killer
ReplyDeletehttp://awjo224chi.blogspot.com/
these are some good character comparisons. i wouldnt say that Li killing the guy at the end was him accepting their similarities though. i thought was never really in that state of denial. I thought it was more of a gesture that shows how restrictive he is in his profession. compared to Johns and he just didnt care about the rules anymore, just that his friend was just killed by the guy and is out for vengence.
DeleteThe director did a good job creating symmetry between Jeff and Li, especially in Jeane's apartment as you have noted. You also brought up symmetry that I hadn't noticed before, such as the scenes in which the two sit and smoke a cigarette. I will look out for that the next time I watch the movie.
DeleteTwo characters have totally opposite occupations, killer and policeman. But they have same philosophy. As you mention, when their friend die, they both fell very sad. They both put friendship as an important part in their live. I think this also bring them together.
DeleteOnce Upon a Time: Two Different Approaches
ReplyDeletehttp://tttr222.blogspot.com/2013/10/chi321-midterm-essay.html
I like your contrast that you used with the two films. I think that is was good how you focused on the directors point of view for the most part of you essay because I think that it brought in an additional perspective to the film that most audiences don't consider
DeleteCharacter Analysis – Jeff In The Movie “Killer”
ReplyDeletehttp://xye223.blogspot.com/
You did great job about analyzing the character Jeff, the "Killer". In the moive, Jeff, the character showed us what is responsibility, brotherhood, and justice, not only just gangster cold blood stuff.
DeleteThe Artificial Qualities of Fleur in Rouge
ReplyDeletehttp://chi321han.blogspot.com
I really liked the part when you analyzed Fleur's occupation as an courtesan, especially when you discussed her outer beauty vs. her inner beauty.
DeleteBeyond the Friendship; Father and Son
ReplyDeletehttp://christopherip.blogspot.com/2013/10/beyond-friendship-father-and-son.html
Era of Woo
ReplyDeletehttp://lamraylam.blogspot.com/
Very interesting essay. I find the idea that some aspects of cinema appeals more to Western audiences and others do not. Woo seems to do an interesting job somewhere at the intersection of these things.
Deleteyo my bro ray I like how you compared the fight scene between "The Killer" and "The Matrix". You can really see that similarity between the two scenes and how Woo tried to make his fight scene more appeal to western audience.
DeleteThe Revolutionary Stage
ReplyDeletehttp://amwchi321.blogspot.com/
It is glad to see someone have the same them as me , even we analyse different films.in the Stage sister, women can not get the respect they deserve, and these women are actually silent victims who are denied desire and expression,They are the ruled
DeleteRevolution in the film
ReplyDeletehttp://lze222.blogspot.com/2013/10/normal-0-false-false-false-en-us-zh-cn.html
Woman, Human, Demon: The Plight of Women
ReplyDeletehttp://chinesefilm123.blogspot.com/2013/10/woman-demon-human-plight-of-women.html
Once Upon a Time is Not Enough
ReplyDeletehttp://yda223.blogspot.com/2013/10/normal-0-false-false-false-en-us-zh-cn.html