Stories in “Charlie Bit My Finger”
In this video, I explain how the famous video “Charlie Bit My Finger” has stories in it.” Continue reading Stories in “Charlie Bit My Finger”
Category: Uncategorized
An Experiment on a Bird in the Air Pump
In this video, we’ll look at this year’s Common Question for UW-EC-BC. To approach these questions, we’ll look at one painting in particular, An Experiment on a Bird in the Air Pump. Continue reading An Experiment on a Bird in the Air Pump
Colin Mochrie’s Thoughts on Comedy
I asked Colin Mochrie to give my students his thoughts on comedy and film. Continue reading Colin Mochrie’s Thoughts on Comedy
Leah O’Rourke’s Thoughts on Comedy
Below is a video on Leah O’Rourke’s thoughts on comedy to my film class. Continue reading Leah O’Rourke’s Thoughts on Comedy
Succession (HBO) and Aristotle’s Characteristics of a Tragedy (The Poetics)
In this video, I explain how Aristotle’s ideas of what makes a tragedy help to explain the enormous success of HBO’s hit series, “Succession.” Continue reading Succession (HBO) and Aristotle’s Characteristics of a Tragedy (The Poetics)
Inside Out: Why Can’t We Be Friends and Why Should We Read Medieval Literature?
Warning: Spoilers!!! Warning: Spoilers!!! Warning: Spoilers!!! Inside Out, a 2015 film that is both allegorical and naturalistic, dives into the consciousness of its main character, in ways both innovative and drawing on a 500 years old dramatic tradition. Let’s start with the film’s Emotion characters, who are embodiments of feelings–in other words, concepts depicted as characters. When I first started watching Inside Out, I was … Continue reading Inside Out: Why Can’t We Be Friends and Why Should We Read Medieval Literature?
Abraham Lincoln, “a natural born piggy-backer”: Why “It Happened One Night” is a classic.
I recently learned that a pun I came up with was already well established in the puniverse. You see, my pun went something like Frank Capricorn; it was going to involve a film director, someone born between December 21st and January 20th, a hot dog, and candy corn. But to my chagrin, the term capricorn has been around quite a while, and it refers to … Continue reading Abraham Lincoln, “a natural born piggy-backer”: Why “It Happened One Night” is a classic.
Ten films with “F**k you and the horse you rode in on” speeches
There’s all kinds of movie speeches–the inspirational speech, the redemption speech, the condemnatory speech, and the romantic plea for love speech. But one of my favorites is what you might call the “F**k you and the horse you rode in on” speech. The most typical version of this speech happens towards the end of the film. The protagonist looks to be completely finished, his or … Continue reading Ten films with “F**k you and the horse you rode in on” speeches
Election: Ambition, it’s a blessing . . . and a curse
Warning: Spoilers!!!!!!!!!! Warning: Spoilers!!!!!!!!! Warning: Spoilers!!!!!!!! Tracy Flick is one of those characters whose notoriety exceeds the boundaries of the story they are a part of. There are so many characters who fit this description, including The Artful Dodger, Scarlett O’Hara, Big Bird, Archie Bunker, The Fonze, and The Dude. These are figures who seem to break free of their narrative landscapes. We remember them, … Continue reading Election: Ambition, it’s a blessing . . . and a curse
The Brady Bunch Movie: Those Were The Days Then and Now, and Jan Finally Gets Her Due
The television show, The Brady Bunch seems anachronistic even for its time. Even in the late 60s, the type of wholesome American family of shows like Make Room for Daddy or Father Knows Best seemed passé. The Brady Bunch debuted in 1969, and consider some of the other programs that were on that year that were far edgier. The most popular show was Rowan & … Continue reading The Brady Bunch Movie: Those Were The Days Then and Now, and Jan Finally Gets Her Due
Footnotes for Film Buffs 