Movie Assignment

Here's what I just whipped up for my comp students' fifth assignment:

Movies
General assignment description: This assignment is based on your opinion of what you think makes a “good” comedy, drama, etc—based on which category gets the most votes. Think back to the critique: You’ll build and clearly stated criteria—or necessary elements—for whichever type of movie we watch.

So, if "parody comedy" is picked, you’ll tell me what you think makes a good parody. Based on that criteria, you’ll look at both movies and judge whether or not each movie succeeds your strict test. Since this requires criticism, you’ll assess the “argument”—how the writer/director attempts to succeed at being funny/dramatic/etc. Then, you’ll respond to their “argument” with your opinion. Remember me yelling a lot about keeping your opinion out assessment? Yeah: It applies here too.

Allz I’m asking for is three full pages. After these last two assignments, you should be able to shit three pages. The assignment sheet on Friday will be way more in-depth than this. I promise. Use www.imdb.com (The Internet Movie Database) to check out these movies if you’ve never heard of them. I’m going to try to find the screenplays for the chosen pair of movies for you to reference during the writing process. You have until Thursday, 7 pm to choose. Email me your choice of pairings. You cannot mix-n-match: These movies are paired together for a reason. Happy choosing.

Dark Comedy versus Slapstick:
Rushmore (’98, Jason Schwarztman versus Bill Murry) vs. Tommy Boy (’95, Farley physical genius)

Parody:
Blazing Saddles (’74, Mel Brooks, western) vs. This is Spinal Tap (’74, Christopher Guest mockumentory, rock)

Romantic:
Garden State (’04, Delicious Portman, dark) vs. As Good as it Gets (’97, Old Jack romantic comedy, lighter)

Personal Journey:
Rocky (’76, Sly versus the world) vs. Good Will Hunting (’97, Damon, Robin, and Lousy Affelck)

Cop/Drugs:
Heat (’95, Pacino versus De Niro) vs. Blow (’01, It’s Depp—‘nuff said, cop/drugs)

Family:
What’s Eating Gilbert Grape? (’93, aloof Depp) vs. Meet the Parents (’00, Stiller awkwardness)

Psychological:
The Shining (’80, Young Jack) vs. One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (’75, Even Younger Jack)

Re-do:
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (’71, Gene Wilder genius) vs. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (’05, Depp genius)

Re-do:
Yojimbo (’61, Toshiro Mifuné, samurai) vs. Last Man Standing (’96, Bruce Willis, gangster)

Existential:
Total Recall (’90, Ahnold) vs. The Matrix (’99, man vs. machine)



Here's the problem: I don't own any of them. Hmm...