Mr. Hart's Cinema Studies

Rear Window [Psychology and Manipulation]

Please observe how Hitchcock uses the camera as way of psychologically drawing us in to the main character’s point of view. The main character will be doing some shady things; how does Hitchcock use camera psychology to make us feel shady as well?

Rear Window [Utilitarianism]

Do not Murder. Do not speed. Do not steal. These are all categorical, blank-statement rules. You can't speed just because you have to go to the bathroom. You can't bend categorical rules. Evaluate how the law, by being categorical instead of consequential (Utilitarian), is allowing more crime to be committed than would otherwise. Use this film as a case study of this scenario; the primary example this film provides is, "it is against the law to spy on your neighbors." {**For the record, making the law more consequential would have its own tidal wave of negatives as well**}

Rear Window [Dramatic Acting and the Human Spirit]

Examine how Hitchcock uses average shot length as a way of luring us into deeper thought about the subjects being filmed.

Rear Window [Editing and the Truth]

Examine how heavy use of the “Russian Film Experiment” in this film has a way of using our own emotions and feelings against us. How is this aspect alone an intense form of manipulation?

Rear Window [Symbolism and Layered Meaning]

Much has been made about the symbolic value of this film. There is a theory that Jeffries apartment represents reality, his rear window a television, and the courtyard an analogy for television. Examine these possibilities as a way of seeing what meaning Hitchcock gives these characteristics. For example, is he using these symbols as a way of showing us that television screws up our minds? For what purpose does he add extra layers of meaning to these objects?

Rear Window [Research]

This spot is for finding something on the web that could possibly be useful to us as we attempt to better understand this classic masterpiece. 1. Copy and paste small sections of useful information. 2. Put it in quotation marks. 3. Explain briefly why you think that could be valuable. 4. Be sure to copy the web address of the original source so that we can read into it further if we choose.

Rear Window [Random Observations]

Come and See [Random]

Have you noticed anything strange, peculiar, interesting, or confusing that you've made a mental note to remember? In other words, are you seeing things that you think might be important later? Anything stand out? [HS1/HS2]

Come and See [History and Facts]

This is a place for you to mention any background information you personally know or have found on the internet that would serve as helpful background information for our class discussions. P.S. Feel free to google anything you want to about this film. There are some helpful facts out there; there just isn't much of any analysis or interpretation yet. [HS2]

Come and See [Physical]

Come and See [Mental]

Come and See [Emotional]

Come and See [Cultural]

Come and See vs. Truman Show

This section is pretty open ended, but in what ways do "The Truman Show" and "Come and See" share a similar theme/message even though they are remarkably different movies? [HS2]

Come and See [Guard Duty]

How could the scene Florya stands guard in the forest align itself with a theme/symbol you've been asked to observe in Assignment #5? [HS2]

Come and See [Boots]

How does the boot-switching scene align itself nicely with a theme you've been asked to observe in Assignment #5? [HS2]

Come and See [Water]

I'm fairly convinced that water is not used as a major symbol in this film, but I can't help but think of "The Graduate" when Florya is A). looking at Glasha from inside a watery cauldron, B). shaking water out of the trees with Glasha, C). slogging through the bog with Glasha behind him, and D). Waking up in a fog. What are your thoughts on the matter? Is it a coincidence, or is Elem Klimov drawing on the Jewish/Christian concept of the transformative powers of baptism? [CR]

Come and See [Glasha Pull]

How could the scene where Glasha pulls Florya around align itself with a theme/symbol you've been asked to observe in Assignment #4? [CR]

Come and See [Elderly Woman]

How does the Elderly woman fit in with an important theme we've seen during the film? What does it seem like Elem Klimov is trying to tell us by the addition of this event? [CR]

Come and See [The Torch]

An ominous man with a long shot take comes running at the Russians, torch in hand. He arrives. A massacre occurs. He quietly, steadily, drops the torch, and it is snuffed out in a dirty puddle. I'm not confident in a single answer, but I feel there is something there. What are your thoughts? [CR]

Innocence Lost

There is a big difference between Florya's mother and his twin sisters. What happens to us as we age? What do we lose? If you believe that children are happier, then what should we do as a society to protect innocence? [CR]

The Garden of Eden Vs. The Godfather

How does "The Garden of Eden" pertain to "The Godfather"? [CR]

Come and See [Infant Hitler]

Here's another baby/innocence connection. If you've spent all this time and energy filming what will end up being your masterpeice, why end it with a reverse montage of WWII followed by a picture of baby Adolf? This is the part of the movie where the director solidifies why the movie is made... and this is pretty open-ended and confusing. What are your thoughts? [CR/CQ]

Come and See [Existential Adulthood]

**I'd like to help out with this one, it may be too hard.** Existential is a term that pertains to someones ability to assess what life means, or what it could mean. Now the question is, how could the phase existential be placed in the same category as physical, emotional, sexual, etc. in regards to the process of coming-of-age??? Piece together ANY thoughts you may have, whether or not they are complete thoughts. WE NEED YOU!!! [CQ]

Come and See [Symbolic Death]

If this movie is about Florya's transition into manhood in a variety of psychological ways, then one could argue that two symbolic moments are somehow not like the others. First of all, if the gun is an indicator of his transitions into adult-like thinking, then why would it break? Did some characteristic of his coming-of-age get damaged or die? Secondly, you could argue that when the picture was taken of Florya, and he slumped over, something inside him died; a Nazi soldier even thought he was dead and moved on. Obviously this doesn't symbolize a physical death--Florya is still alive-- but does it symbolize that some other part within him did not make it? Which part? Mental? Emotional? Existential? [CQ]

Contents

This forum is for the following purposes: 1. To talk through and help formulate your ideas 2. To earn credit for thinking 3. Networking our minds together allows us to achieve more than we would separately 4. Not everyone likes verbal discussions, so this is a way to helpfully participate 5. This is a way to reduce the amount of papers we have to write

Rules

1. Create a new post and reply to an old one. 2. Only post under your own name 3. Do not bash people for their ideas. Say something like "I follow what you're saying, but I think that the film is about coming-of-age, not about Assassin's Creed IV. 4. Comments are subject to the BHS Handbook. They should be treated as homework submissions and not chat-room entries. Violators will be banned and/or written up. 5. Do not save your best ideas for yourself. This implies that you have it all figured out and cannot improve. If you have a real gem of an idea, it inspires the thoughts of others. Inspiration breeds inspiration, and we'll be into new territory together. 6. Until I figure it out, you must hit the NEUVEAU (New) button to post something new. The REPONDRE (Respond) button is what you hit if you'd like to respond. There is also a quotation (") button that you can click if you'd like to quote someone's exact words in your response.

Grading

1. This online system is a way of trying to reduce work without reducing thought. 2. I've given some guesswork as to how difficult the categories are, but that doesn't mean that a grade-level category can't become collegiate, or that a collegiate topic can't be answered in a substandard way. 3. The categories are CQ=College Quality, CR=College Ready, HS2=At grade level. 4. Getting banned is permanent, and you'd probably end up doing a paper. So don't do anything on this website that is a violation of BHS handbook policy.