CMN 650w weekly paper

Choose two. Write a 1-2 page review for the films you choose, then write a discussion in response to the prompt:

Land Without Bread (1933)
(free YouTube)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=at-xnnNT8N8 (Links to an external site.)

Why did Spain ban distribution of the film? How favorable or unfavorable are reviews of the film nowadays? (Independent research)

A Hard Day’s Night (1964)
($2.99-$3.99; YouTube, Google Play, Vudu, Amazon Prime, iTunes)

After watching the film, describe what you saw in “a day in the life” of the Beatles in 1964. Feel free to express your opinion about the Beatles and their music as well.

Real Life (1979)
($2.99 YouTube)

What did Roger Ebert say about “Real Life” when it was released? Compare what Ebert said with a more recent review that takes a more favorable view, that you find online. What seems to have changed in the critics’ view of the film & why do you think it is now viewed differently?

The Atomic Cafe´ (1982)
(free YouTube)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lF0r1OdDIME (Links to an external site.)

Vincent Canby, a highly respected film critic, though not quite as famous as Roger Ebert, wrote the review linked here, about The Atomic Cafe´. After watching the film, discuss what you agree with and disagree with in his review, and why.

This Is Spinal Tap (1984)
($3.99; YouTube, iTunes, Google Play, Vudu, Amazon Prime)

Director, Rob Reiner is a giant of American comedy. By the time he directed Spinal Tap, he had already established himself from his work on the TV series, “All In The Family”. Write a 2 page bio on Rob Reiner. Be careful to put quotes from your sources into your own words.

Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan (2006)
($3.99; YouTube, Google Play, Vudu, Amazon Prime, iTunes)

As I discussed in the video lecture, “Borat” caused a lot of anger from several different directions. What’s your opinion; In your opinion, was Sasha Baron Cohen mocking any of the groups of people more than others I mentioned in the lecture? All of them? None of them? Site specific moments from the film to support your discussion.

Sandy Passage (2015) ($1.99 rent YouTube)

The moments when Sandy Passage is parodying Grey Gardens, almost verbatim, are obvious to those who have watched Grey Gardens. How does the director parody Cinema Verite?