November 13, 2009Sunset Blvd.
Read the Great Movies article by the film critic Roger Ebert and answer FOUR of the following questions in at least one paragraph each (a paragraph is AT LEAST six sentences).
ROGER EBERT'S GREAT MOVIES ARTICLE ON SUNSET BLVD.
1. What did you think of Sunset Blvd? What were its strengths? What (if any) were its weaknesses? (you do not need the article to answer this question)
2. After watching Sunset Blvd, which is a "film noir," what do you think are some of the characteristics of a film noir? Do you think you would enjoy other film noir movies or is this a genre that doesn't interest you at all? (you do not need the article to answer this question)
3. What do you think about black and white films as a whole? What are some of the advantages of black and white over color? What are some of the disadvantages? Were there scenes in Sunset Blvd that would have been better had they been in color? Which ones and why? (you do not need the article to answer this question)
4. Which performance does Ebert think holds the film together? Why? What are some of the parallels between this actor's real life and the character he plays?
5. Ebert states, "In one of the greatest of all film performances, Swanson's Norma Desmond skates close to the edge of parody." What does he mean by this? Do you think Gloria Swanson's performance went too far (or not far enough) or did she strike the right balance? Why?
6. Ebert discusses Joe's issues of self-loathing. What does he mean, and what are some examples of why Joe ought to hate himself? Did Joe deserve to die? Why or why not?
7. Describe the ending of Sunset Blvd. How is it sadly ironic?
This post is due by Thursday November 19th by midnight.
