Choose one of the genres we have studied this term, and discuss at least two of the films we watched within that genre, focusing on what each of them contributes to the genre. Some might establish particular conventions, build upon and develop conventions further in interesting ways, defy conventions of the genre in order to broaden its scope, etc. Examine various aspects of the film including camera work and mise en scène (direction and editing), script (dialogue and story), costumes and set design, music and acting.

For each of the two films, you should write at a good three paragraphs; this means your full response should be around two pages. Remember to provide examples to support your claims. Please do not use sources, as you will be graded based on your own thoughts and words.

Avatar (2:42:00)

This film might look silly to anyone who has yet to actually immerse themselves in the world that took James Cameron 10 years to create. It is beyond description. The story is a classic one of colonization and resistance, of assimilation and self-discovery. The story is no doubt reminiscent of Pocahontas, but what Cameron does with this almost mythic tale is uniquely his own.

Inception (2:28:00)

Another film that all but defies description. The IMDB says, “A thief, who steals corporate secrets through the use of dream-sharing technology, is given the inverse task of planting an idea into the mind of a CEO.” Christopher Nolan takes us on an exciting adventure into the subconscious mind, and the layers on layers of plot and meaning will make your head spin. It’s a wild vision of alternate realities that could not have been realized without the tremendous advances in CGI that we’ve seen in the last decade or so.