English 3345 - Angels, Vampires and Monsters or the Human and Its Others

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the decision. Topics in Cinema: English 3345 - Angels, Vampires and Monsters or the Human and Its Others

Portfolio Homework # 3: Frank Capra’s It’s a Wonderful Life (1946)

Food for thought: The Japanese filmmaker, Akira Kurosawa, maker of Seven Samurai, once said…

If you want to be a great artist: “Do not avert your eyes!”

Part I:

1. Find biographical information on the director, Frank Capra, and his work. What does it mean that It’s a Wonderful Life went into the “public domain” in the 1970’s?

Frank Capra (1897-1991) was an American film director. He became one of the most powerful directors during the Great Depression. He won 3 Oscars as Best Director. In the 1970s due repeated television showings at Christmas-time when its copyright protection slipped and it fell into the public domain in 1914 and TV stations could air it for free.

2. Find biographical information on Donna Reed and James Steward. Be brief!

Donna Reed (1921-1986) was an American film and television actress, she is also known as Donna Stone. She worked a lot on television and had shows. She received a Golden Goble Award for Best TV Star Female. James Steward (1908-1997) was an American film and stage actor. He starred in many films considered classic and got nominated for five Academy Awards.

Part II:

1. George Bailey’s Character: What does “George” mean? Do you think “George” is a good name for the main character? What does “Peter” mean? Does the name “Peter” fit his father’s character” What are George’s dreams? Does he achieve his dreams?

The name George means good father. I think that George is a good name for the main character because he was a good father and a tremendous person; he helped a lot of people in his town. George’s dream was go to college and travel the world. The name Peter is adequate for his father. Even though he does not achieved all his adolescent dreams everyone loves him.

2. Mr. Henry F. Potter: Is he a type of “Scrooge”? Who is Scrooge in 19th C. literature? (Hint: Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. Watch: Robert Zemeckis’ A Christmas Carol, 2009 or Brian Desmond Hurst’s 1951 version.) Which symbols of power surround Potter? (Hint: Napoleon’s bust) What does “Henry” mean? Do you think the name “Henry” is appropriate for this character?

I think that Mr. Henry Potter was a “Scrooge” type because he is completely cynical, horrible and mean. “Henry” is an appropriate name.

9. In screenplay terms, what is an INSERT? Give 2 examples of INSERT used in It’s a Wonderful Life.

An insert is used to bring something very small into a full frame. For example a letter, a sign, a newspaper, etc. In the movie they used the stuff on Mr. Potter’s desk and the word “wonderful” as an insert.

Topics in Cinema: English 3345 - Angels, Vampires and Monsters or the Human and Its Others

Portfolio Homework # 4: Wim Wenders’ Wings of Desire (1987)

and Brad Siberling’s City of Angels (1998)

Food for thought by Shakespeare: “And flights of angels sing thee to thy rest!”

Horatio about a dying Hamlet in Shakespeare’s Hamlet, V.ii.360 (17th C.)

Part I:

1. Find biographical information about the directors: Wim Wenders and Brad Silberling.

Wim Wenders was born in 14 August 1945 and he is a German film director, playwright, author, photographer and film producer. Wonders have been the President of the European Film Academy in Berlin, since 1996. He had won the Golden Lion with The State of Things (1982), the Golden Palm for Paris (1984), Silver Bear Jury Price for The Million Dollar Hotel (2000). Bradley Mitchell Silberling was born in 8 September 1963 and he is an American television and film director. He is married to the famous actress Amy Brenneman and has two childrens.

2. Find biographical information on two (2) of the following: Bruno Ganz, Solveig Dommartin, Otto Sander, Curt Bois or Peter Falk.

Bruno Ganz was born in 22 March 1941 and he is a Swiss actor. He was known for his roles as Damiel in Wings of Desire and Adolf Hitler in Downfall. In 1973 won Actor of the Year in German magazine Theater Heute. In 1976 win the German film Award, in 1996 win the Iffland-Ring, etc. Otto Sander was born in 30 June 1941 and he was a German film, theater and voice actor. He is married to the actress Monika Hansen. His career is closely connected with the Schaubühne theatre in Berlin. In 1990, he was a member of the Jury at the 40th Berlin International Film festival.

Part II:

1. Provide short plot summaries for Wings of Desire and/or City of Angels.

In Wing of Desire is about two angels wandering how is about to being a human. They’re where invisible to human and they help them. One of the angels was unhappy because he felt in love with a woman and makes a decision to be a human.

2. Comment on the different styles of Wings of Desire and City of Angels. Do you consider either of them upsetting or disturbing? If yes, why?

The two movies are very different styles. Wings of Desire is more of an artistic film and more bored for some people. While City of Angels is more entertain and commercial because have famous actors in it. The movies are not upsetting or disturbing, they make you believe on angels that watch us and a heaven.

4. Berlin & Los Angeles: Would you consider the cities of Berlin and Los Angeles to be “characters” in Wings of Desire or City of Angels? How do Berlin and Los Angeles, and the distinctive history of each city, add to these movies?

I don’t consider the cities of Berlin and Los Angeles to be character in Wings of Desire or City of Angels, but they have an important role in the movie. Berlin has a big wall that separate the city in two, the wall has a lot of graffiti. In Los Angeles is the “land of freedom” in the United States.