An Introduction to Film

MOVIES DESCRIBED OR ILLUSTRATED IN THIS CHAPTER 33

Questions for Review

1. What do you think of when you hear the word
   movie? Has your perception changed since
   reading this chapter? In what ways?


2. How is the experience of seeing a movie dif-
   ferent from watching a play? Reading a book?
   Viewing a painting or photograph?


3. Why has the grammar of film evolved to allow
   audiences to absorb movie meaning intuitively?


4. In what ways do movies minimize viewers’
   awareness that they are experiencing a highly
   manipulated, artificial reality?


5. What do we mean by cultural invisibility? How
   is this different from cinematic invisibility?


6. What is the difference between implicitand
   explicitmeaning?


7. How might your previous experiences of a
   particular actor influence your reaction to a
   new movie featuring the same performer?


8. What are some of the other expectations that
   can affect the way viewers react to a movie?


9. What are you looking for when you do a
   formal analysis of a movie scene? What
   are some other alternative approaches to
   analysis, and what sorts of meaning might
   they uncover?


10. At this point, would you say that learning
    what a movie is all about is more challenging
    than you first thought? If so, why?

Movies Described or Illustrated in This Chapter

Back to the Future (1985). Robert Zemeckis,

director.

Brokeback Mountain(2005). Ang Lee, director.

Edward Scissorhands(1990). Tim Burton, director.

4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days (2007). Cristian

Mungiu, director.

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002).

Chris Columbus, director.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1(2010).

David Yates, director.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2(2011).

David Yates, director.

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire(2005). Mike

Newell, director.

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince(2009). David

Yates, director.

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix(2007).

David Yates, director.

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban(2004).

Alfonso Cuarón, director.

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone(2001). Chris

Columbus, director. (UK title: Harry Potter and

the Philosopher’s Stone.)

Juno(2007). Jason Reitman, director.

DVDThe tutorials for this chapter analyze

scenes from Junoand the Harry Pottermovies

and they review important concepts covered in this

chapter.

StudyspaceGo to wwnorton.com/movies

to test and expand your knowledge of the key con-

cepts in this chapter.