The Time Machine Film Review

If you were assigned to do the film review for The Time Machine, please add your review as a comment to this post. Post your review no later than midnight, Monday, November 17, 2006.

A good review will do the following:

 Start with a short synopsis (summary) of the film (just the basic setting, conflicts and characters)
 Address at least three criteria for judging a film (see below); explain how good a job you think the film did in each area
 Include specific examples to support your judgments of the criteria
 Make your review free of mechanical errors (spelling, capitalization, grammar)

Here is the list of criteria we brainstormed in class:

• Setting -- relative to the story
• Likeable and unlikable characters:
• Villain -- evil, cunning, stands above others
• Hero – saves people, super, courage, good, muscles
• Comedy/Comic relief
• Good Plot-easy to believe, good sequence, a lot happening, eventful, surprises/twists, good flow
• Special Effects -- believability, not overusing, relevant
• Camera angles/work (cinematography)
• Drama
• Editing/sequencing scenes
• Action
• Acting skills
• Sweet subtitles

Planet of the Apes Film Review

If you were assigned to do the film review for Planet of the Apes, please add your review as a comment to this post. Post your review no later than midnight, Friday, November 3, 2006.

A good review will do the following:

 Start with a short synopsis (summary) of the film (just the basic setting, conflicts and characters)
 Address at least three criteria for judging a film (see below); explain how good a job you think the film did in each area
 Include specific examples to support your judgments of the criteria
 Make your review free of mechanical errors (spelling, capitalization, grammar)

Here is the list of criteria we brainstormed in class:

• Setting -- relative to the story
• Likeable and unlikable characters:
• Villain -- evil, cunning, stands above others
• Hero – saves people, super, courage, good, muscles
• Comedy/Comic relief
• Good Plot-easy to believe, good sequence, a lot happening, eventful, surprises/twists, good flow
• Special Effects -- believability, not overusing, relevant
• Camera angles/work (cinematography)
• Drama
• Editing/sequencing scenes
• Action
• Acting skills
• Sweet subtitles

Planet Project Evaluations

If you were assigned, please comment on the Planet Project presentations from October 16 and 18. This group includes: Aaron A, Maggie C, Bryan D, Jake F, Garrett H, Sara M, Ben N, Brandon S. Choose the two presentations you thought were the best and explain for each one what made it outstanding. Please post your comment by Friday, October 27, 2006.

Orphans of the Sky

If you are reading Orphans of the Sky, post your comments below. Remember to post a comment after you read each third of your book. Each comment should include the book's title, the portion of the book you read, and at least 10 response sentences. (Take a look at the list of Response Starters on this blog.) Your responses should show that you are reading and thinking about your book. When you finish the book, do a Final response. (Refer to your handout or the copy posted on the class web page.)

The Hitchhiker's Guide Series

If you are reading any of the Douglas Adams Hitchhiker books, post your comments below. Remember to post a comment after you read each third of your book. Each comment should include the book's title, the portion of the book you read, and at least 10 response sentences. (Take a look at the list of Response Starters on this blog.) Your responses should show that you are reading and thinking about your book. When you finish the book, do a Final response. (Refer to your handout or the copy posted on the class web page.)

Ender's Game and Ender's Shadow

If you are reading Ender's Game or Ender's Shadow, post your comments below. Remember to post a comment after you read each third of your book. Each comment should include the book's title, the portion of the book you read, and at least 10 response sentences. (Take a look at the list of Response Starters on this blog.) Your responses should show that you are reading and thinking about your book. When you finish the book, do a Final response. (Refer to your handout or the copy posted on the class web page.)

Ringworld

If you are reading Ringworld, post your comments below. Remember to post a comment after you read each third of your book. Each comment should include the book's title, the portion of the book you read, and at least 10 response sentences. (Take a look at the list of Response Starters on this blog.) Your responses should show that you are reading and thinking about your book. When you finish the book, do a Final response. (Refer to your handout or the copy posted on the class web page.)

Hyperion and Down and Out in the Magic Kingdom

If you are reading Hyperion, post your comments below. Remember to post a comment after you read each third of your book. Each comment should include the book's title, the portion of the book you read, and at least 10 response sentences. (Take a look at the list of Response Starters on this blog.) Your responses should show that you are reading and thinking about your book. When you finish the book, do a Final response. (Refer to your handout or the copy posted on the class web page.)

I, Robot

If you are reading I, Robot, post your comments below. Remember to post a comment after you read each third of your book. Each comment should include the book's title, the portion of the book you read, and at least 10 response sentences. (Take a look at the list of Response Starters on this blog.) Your responses should show that you are reading and thinking about your book. When you finish the book, do a Final response. (Refer to your handout or the copy posted on the class web page.)

A Canticle for Leibowitz

If you are reading A Canticle for Leibowitz, post your comments below. Remember to post a comment after you read each third of your book. Each comment should include the book's title, the portion of the book you read, and at least 10 response sentences. (Take a look at the list of Response Starters on this blog.) Your responses should show that you are reading and thinking about your book. When you finish the book, do a Final response. (Refer to your handout or the copy posted on the class web page.)

Perdido Street Station, The Left Hand of Darkness, Light, To Your Scattered Bodies Go

If you are reading any of the following books, post your comments below: Perdido Street Station, The Left Hand of Darkness, Light, or To Your Scattered Bodies Go. Remember to post a comment after you read each third of your book. Each comment should include the book's title, the portion of the book you read, and at least 10 response sentences. (Take a look at the list of Response Starters on this blog.) Your responses should show that you are reading and thinking about your book. When you finish the book, do a Final response. (Refer to your handout or the copy posted on the class web page.)

News Project Evaluations

If you were assigned, please comment on the News Project presentations from September 18 and 20. Choose the two presentations you thought were the best and explain for each one what made it outstanding. Please post your comment by Friday, September 29, 2006.

Forbidden Planet Film Review

If you were assigned to do the film review for Forbidden Planet, please add your review as a comment to this post. Post your review no later than midnight, Sunday, September 24, 2006.

A good review will do the following:

 Start with a short synopsis (summary) of the film (just the basic setting, conflicts and characters)
 Address at least three criteria for judging a film (see below); explain how good a job you think the film did in each area
 Include specific examples to support your judgments of the criteria
 Make your review free of mechanical errors (spelling, capitalization, grammar)

Here is the list of criteria we brainstormed in class:

• Setting -- relative to the story
• Likeable and unlikable characters:
• Villain -- evil, cunning, stands above others
• Hero – saves people, super, courage, good, muscles
• Comedy/Comic relief
• Good Plot-easy to believe, good sequence, a lot happening, eventful, surprises/twists, good flow
• Special Effects -- believability, not overusing, relevant
• Camera angles/work (cinematography)
• Drama
• Editing/sequencing scenes
• Action
• Acting skills
• Sweet subtitles

Forbidden Planet -- Shakespearean Origins

Add your comment here if you think you know which Shakespeare play served as the inspiration of the film Forbidden Planet. Please also include how you figured this out -- what was your source or reasoning? The first to provide a correct answer will receive bonus points.