Why did you make this selection? What appealed to you initially about the genre and these films? What did you expect or hope to learn by comparing the two movies?
Briefly identify the elements of the genre as they appear in these films: familiar scenes, stock characters, typical locations, iconic details, stylistic features, and recurring themes. For instance, why do you classify these movies as a Western, a wedding comedy, road film, etc?
Who are the heroes (protagonists) and villains (antagonists) in these films? What conflicts do they face, and how do they confront these challenges?
What do these filmed stories say about the cultures that produced them? What are the underlying beliefs and attitudes toward life? How do local customs, history, and ideologies influence the way these stories are presented on the screen?
Comment on the filmmaking. What special uses does the movie make of lighting, color, framing, motion, or sound? What do the acting, costumes, makeup, and set design contribute to the story? To what degree do codes and conventions change when they go global?
Research the film’s production, distribution, and reception. Check out interviews, books, magazines, bonus features on the DVD, and websites. Who was responsible for directing, producing, writing the script, casting, location scouting, and post-production work (editing, music, and sound effects)? What did you learn from your research about the business side of filmmaking, particularly in a global economy?
Give your final assessment of the films. What are your evaluative criteria? How do you rate these movies compared to others in the genre and as individual works of cinema?
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