Comparison/contrast
is a mode of writing in which you point out the similarities and differences in
related subjects in order to illuminate something significant about the two
subjects or the area shared by those subjects.
Choose
one of the following:
1)
Compare and contrast Lone Star (1996), directed by John
Sayles, with Touch of Evil (1958/99), directed by Orson Welles, in the
way the films present and deal with border issues.
2)
Compare and contrast the narrative structure of Citizen Kane
(1941), directed by Orson Welles, with that of Velvet Goldmine (1998),
directed by Todd Haynes. How does the
narrative structure affect the films’ stories?
How does it affect our perceptions of the main characters, Charles
Foster Kane and Brian Slade? What is
the role of the reporter in the two films?
3)
Compare and contrast the presentation of the media, especially
television, in A Face in the Crowd (1957), directed by Elia Kazan, and Network
(1976), directed by Sidney Lumet.
4)
Compare and contrast It Happened One Night (1934),
directed by Frank Capra, and The Runaway Bride (1999), directed by Garry
Marshall. Consider the similarities the
films have as part of romantic comedy genre and the differences in the films
resulting from changes in the genre over the last 65 years. Or consider gender roles and the
relationship between the sexes in both films.
5) Compare and contrast at least two of Dangerous Liasons 1960 (1959), directed by Roger Vadim; Dangerous Liasons (1988), directed by Stephen Frears; Valmont (1989), directed by Milos Forman; and Cruel Intentions (1999), directed by Roger Kumble. There are many possible avenues to consider when comparing these films—gender roles, the character of Valmont, how the changes in setting affect the story. Remember to pick a focus; don’t try to cover everything.
6) Compare and contrast the novel Ragtime with the film version (1981), directed by Milos Forman. Remember to focus on a thesis statement. You don't need to discuss every similarity or difference.
7) Discuss the depiction of priests, the Roman Catholic church, and religion in general in Priest (1994), directed by Antonia Bird, and El Crimen del Padre Amaro (2002, currently playing at Cantera and Marcus Addison), directed by Carlos Carrera. Consider which characters and institutions are ultimately portrayed as sympathetic or as corrupt.
8) Compare and contrast the presentation of the Leopold/Loeb murder case in at least two of Rope (1948), directed by Alfred Hitchcock, Compulsion (1959), directed by Richard Fleischer, Swoon (1992), directed by Tom Kalin, and Murder By Numbers (2002, available on video and dvd), directed by Barbet Schroeder. You may want to consider the focus of the films; their depiction of the crime, violence, philosophy, and the relationship between the killers; their settings; and ultimately the films' sympathies.
*Remember
to consider differences in time of production as it affects your discussion.
Points
to remember:
1)
YOUR PAPER MUST BE
ORGANIZED AROUND A STRONG THESIS STATEMENT.
2)
Balance your discussion:
talk about the same aspects for each film.
3)
Fully develop each point.
4)
Focus your discussion.
Don’t stray from the thesis statement.
5)
Make sure your paper is logically organized. Make sure paragraphs are connected with
strong transitions.
6)
Pay attention to proper grammar, especially proper sentences.
Paper
Due: Wednesday,
December 4