大学英语专业影视欣赏复习资料

1、Appreciating CinemaPart One:Categorization of genresGenreSocial DramaRomanceGangsterWar filmScience fictionFantasyWesternDisasterCrimeEpicActionMusicalBlockbusterFilm noirComedyintended togeneratelaughterHorrorintended to horrifyThrillerintended to thrillPart Two: The basic storiesThere are a limite

2、d number of stories that form the basis for all fictional narratives. Achilles Example: Superman Candide Example:ForrestGump Cinderella Example:Pretty Woman Circe Example:FatalAttraction Faust Example:Wall Street Orpheus Example: Born on the Fourth of JulyRomeo and Juliet Example: Shakespeare in Lov

3、e, GhostTristan The GraduateThe Wandering Jew Example: The English PatientPart Three:The Classic Three-Act Linear Structure (经典三幕式直 线结构)The majority of Hollywood films employs the classic three-act linear structure(or a variation of it). The three-act structure implies that the film can be divided i

4、nto three acts.Act 1 would normally be expected to occupy the first quarter of the film; Act 2 would occupy the next half; and Act 3 would occupy the final quarter. Each act has a different function. For a typical two hour Hollywood film, the act divisions would be as follows.Act TimeFunctionAct 10-

5、30 minutesset-upAct 230-90 minutesdevelopment (conflictandconfrontation)Act 390-120 minutesresolution and denouncement(结局)Part Four: Alternative Narrative Structures Episodic Structure章回式结构Episodic narratives follow the protagonist through aseries of potentially unrelated adventures. As in the three

6、-act structure, there are definite turning points at which the fortunes of the protagonist turn from good to bad or vice versa; however, unlike the three-act structure, the number of such turning points is not limited. Hero s Journey Structure英雄旅程结构The hero s journey narrative forms the underlying n

7、arrative structure of many myths and legends; and it is also to be found in many successful Hollywood films. The narrative occurs in a number of stages, which can be simplified as follows:1. Call to adventure2. Journey through unfamiliar World3. Supreme ordeal4. Reward5. Return and reintegration int

8、o societyPart Five: SubplotMost Hollywood films have one or more subplots. Subplots are additional stories(secondary plots) that are linked to the main plot and have an influence upon it ;they don t require separate protagonists, but they do require separate actions.The relationship between the main

9、 plot and the subplotscan take any one of four forms. These are: Complementary Contradictory Setup ComplicatingPart Six: Symbols and MotifsA symbol is something that stands for or suggests something else, usually on account of a relationship, association, convention or resemblance. A motif is a recu

10、rring feature or idea related to the theme of the film; frequently it will be a recurring symbol.Question:Symbols may have different meanings in China and the West. List some of the differencesDifferent symbolic values of colors, animals, and number symbols used in the Western cultural tradition alo

11、ngside their possible meanings and their different symbolic values in the Chinese cultural tradition.Symbol Meaning in the West Meaning in ChinaRed anger, sexuality, passion good fortune, happiness,prosperityWhite puritydeathGreen envy, inexperience;the peace; the environment environmentYellowroyal

12、power and authorityOwl wisdombad luckLion majesty, strength, braveryDragon evilmajesty, success,goodfortunePhoenix rebirth, resurrection good fortune,preciousTurtle slownesslongevityPeacock arrogance, vanity good fortune3 the Trinity( God, Christ, the Holy Ghost)13 Bad luck666 the Devilgood luck8wea

13、lth4deathPartSeven: Identifying ThemeisIn practical terms, how does one identify and interpret the theme of the film? Since theme is a complicated and variable phenomenonand can be expressed in so many forms, it impossible to give a step-by-step guide. However, it is still possible to outline some b

14、asic approaches: The Title of the FilmFilms will commonly use titles to point out their themes. Names of CharactersScriptwriters may use the names of their characters to suggest both something about the characters themselves, and also something about the overall theme of the film. SymbolismSymbols,

15、motifs, and symbolic settings may indicate the theme of the film. Character ConflictThe theme may emerge from the conflict between characters, especially when the characters are representative of deeper values and attitudes. Speeches and DialogueSpeeches mayalso indicate the themes of a film. In Abo

16、ut a Boy, for example, the protagonist describes his theory of“ islandliving ” ( i.e.a radically independent lifestyle) in a speech addressed directly to the audience. In fact, this leads directly to the theme:Absolute independence is an undesirable state.SubplotsThe main plot carries the main burde

17、n of the narrative. The subplot, on the other hand, can be used more flexibly to explore the thematic implications of the film. Social ContextThemes can emerge from the interaction of a film s subject matter and its social context.Take Forrest Gump as example Episodic Structure and Repetition（章回式结构和

18、循环）The narrative structure of Forrest Gump is basically episodic: that is, it is madeup of separate, loosely connected situations that occur in the life of the protagonist.What holds together the narrative is not the plot but the figure of Gump himself.Accompanying this episodic structure is a patte

19、rn of repetitions. The scenein which Gumpis bulliedby boys from his hometownis repeated a littlelater in his life, as is Jenny s famous exhortation（ 告诫 ） to Forrest（Run, Forrest! Run）. The act of getting on theschool bus to find no one willing to offer a seat is also repeated when Gumpsets off for V

20、ietnam. Gump s meetings with American presidents occur time after time, as do reports of assassinations of prominent figures in recent history. Perhaps the most profound repetition, though, is the birth of the young Forrest Gump and his own first trip on theschool bus: This time the repetition is ac

21、companied by a change for the better, as the young Gumphas all the charm of his father with none of the stupidity. The overall effect of these repetitions is to create an sense of circularity-the reassuring feeling that history repeats itself.Plot and SubplotForrest Gump is something of an exception

22、 because the storyof Gump s life and the plot of the film are almost identical.That is to say, the main plot is , essentially, nothing morethan the story of Gump s life: Gump is born, goes to school, goes to college, goes to Vietnam, comes home and sets up a shrimping business, meets Jenny again, ru

23、ns across the country, etc.The subplot, which deals largely with Jenny s life story ， is radically different. It gives a lot of clues as to what has happened to Jenny during the course of her life, but very little of this is actually shown. We infer that she has caught AIDS , but none of this inform

24、ation is part of the subplot itself.Exercise Use your knowledge of the different kinds of subplot to categorize the Jenny subplot.The Jenny subplot can be categorized as both: Complicating: Jenny is Gump s love interest, and so is a driving force in the main plot. Contradictory: Jenny s underlying m

25、otivation（intellectual curiosity） and attitude to life（experimental） are opposite to those of GumpVogler s Seven Character ArchetypesChristopher Vogler, formerly story analyst at Disney and now director of Development at Fox 2000 published a book, The Writer s Journey: Mythic Structure for Storytell

26、ers and Screenwriters, which has been called “ the current industry bible ” .Vogler argues that there are seven basic character functions: hero, mentor （导师）,threshhold guardian （关 卡守卫者）, herald （信使）, shapeshift （变化者） , shadow （影子）, and trickster （骗子，魔术师） .These characters functions are really best t

27、hought of as character archetypes: that is , they are mythological types to which humans respond on a deep instinctive level because they represent the basic unchangingfeatures of human experiences.HeroMentor:Threshhold GuardianHeraldShapeshiftShadowTricksterThe Devil Wears Prada comedygenreComedyTh

28、e Devil Wears Prada is a 2006 comedy-drama film, a loose screen adaptation of Lauren Weisbergers 2003 novel of the same name.Answer the following questionsa) Why does Miranda decide to hire Andrea Sachs,a girl who lacks style and seems not to fit in there? B/c Andrea is different from the girls Mira

29、nda always hires who are stylish,slender and worship the magazine, but turn out to be disappointing and stupid.b) What is Andrea sattitude towards her job as Miranda s assistant at Runway?At first ,she does not take the job seriously. Then she realizes that if she wants to survive Miranda at Runway,

30、 she must change her attitude.She starts to respect Miranda s style and puts forth her best efforts in the jobs.c) What is the reason for Andrea to leave Miranda and the Runway? Because Andrea learns that life is made of choices.She does not want to live the way Miranda lives and then she chooses to

31、 pursue her own lifestyle.Character AnalysisMiranda Priestly:demanding, a dragon lady, powerful, bossy,merciless,sophisticated, career-obsessedAndrea Sachs: na? ve, idealistic, smart, perceptiveFashion runs through the movie as the overriding factor. A fashion magazine and its editor-in-chief provid

32、e the movie with the fundamental storyline.The cardinal rule dominating the fashion realm is thinness ，which is ingeniously revealed in The Devil Wears Prada. Behind this obsession with one s body image lies a pervasive problem of anorexia( ie, loss of the wish to eat)one of the main types of eating

33、 disorders.Cast? Anne Hathaway as Andrea Andy Sachs :? Meryl Streep as Miranda Priestly :? Emily Blunt as Emily Charlton:?Stanley Tucci as Nigel:?Simon Baker as Christian Thompson:? Adrian Grenier as Nate Cooper: Andreas boyfriend? Tracie Thoms as Lily: Andreas close friend, who runs an art gallery.

34、? Rich Sommer as Doug: A college friend of AndreaMemorable Lines1 .Fashion is not about utility. An accesory is merely a piece of iconography used to express individual identity.2 .For 72 years, Runway has been more than a magazine. It has been a beacon of elegance and grace. Miranda Priestly is the

35、 finest possible guardian of that beacon. Setting a standard that inspires people across the globe.About a BoyCharacter AnalysisWill Freeman( a bachelor in his thirties): a loner, a slacker(懒惰的 人),selfish,self-centered, shallow, cool, trendyMarcus(a 12-year-old boy): a misfit(不适应环境的人),weird, gloomy,

36、Fiona(Marcus mother): a hippie, depressed, near-hystericalAnswer the following questions1. What , according to Will, makes it possible for modern people to lead a comfortable island life?2. why does Will refuse to be the godfather for Imogen?3. Why does Will see single mothers as perfect prey?4. How

37、 does Marcus feel after his mothers suicide attempt?5. Why does Marcus decide to sing a song in the school auditorium?Answers1. According to Will, with the right supplies such as TV, CDs, DVDs, videos, home espresso makers and more importantly, the right attitude, everyone in the modern society can

38、be an attractive island.2. He thinks he is a careless man and he will drop Imogen on her head（在头上洒水施洗礼）at her christeningand forget all her birthdays.Butdeep down, he refuses to be Imogen s godfather because he does not want to take any responsibility.3. They will think Will is a wonderful guy simpl

39、y by comparison to the“bastard father” of their children. What s more, Will can have briefaffairs with them without a commitment. They are easy to dump.4. He feels worried about his mother and afraid that she will commit suicide again. He realizes that two in a family is not enoughand heneeds a bavk

40、up person.5. Because his mother once tells him that when he sings he brings sunshineto her and he wants to make his mother feel better bysinging.6. In the movie Will and Marcus are the two unlikely friends who have formed a close bond. Do you think that two people will develop a close friendship des

41、pite great difference in age?Memorable lines1.Setting: At the beginning of the movie, Will expresses his opinion that all men are islands. He believes that this is an island age and explains the reason.A hundred years ago, for instance, you had to depend on other people. No one had TV or CDs or DVDs

42、 or videos or home espresso（蒸馏咖啡）makers. As a matter of fact, they didn t have anything cool, whereas now, you see, you can make youself a little island paradise. With the right supplies and more importantly, the right attitude, you can be sun-drenched （充满阳光的）, tropical, a maganet for the young Swed

43、ishtourists2.Setting:On the dead duck day Fiona overdoses and is sent to hospital.Will drives Marcus and Suzie home from the hospital at night and he doesn t want to experience such things again.The thing is, a person s life is like a TV show. I was the star of the Willshow. And the Will Show wasnt

44、an ensemble( 合奏，合唱，整体)drama.Guests came and went, but I was the regular. It came down to me and me alone.3.Setting: At the end of the movie, Will changes his attitude.Every man is an island. I stand by that. But clearly some men are part ofisland chains. Below the surface of the ocean theyre actuall

45、y connected.Forrest GumpQuestions1. The movie begins with a feather flying in the air and ends with it, too. What does this suggest?2. How did Forrest get his name?3. How do you understand the following quotations?Life is a box of chocolates. You never know what you,ve gonna get.Stupid is as stupid

46、does.4. Do you think everyone has his own destiny or we re just floating around accidentally on a breeze?5. How do you understand the roles of the two women-Mrs. Gump and Jenny-in Forrests life?Blind Side dramaCast? Quinton Aaron as Michael Big Mike Oher? Sandra Bullock as Leigh Anne Tuohy? Tim McGr

47、aw as Sean Tuohy? Kathy Bates as Miss Sue? Lily Collins as Collins Tuohy? Jae Head as Sean S.J. Tuohy, Jr.? Ray McKinnon as Coach Cotton? Kim Dickens as Mrs. BoswWho is The BlindSide about?The Blind Side is about Michael Oher, who was homeless before being adopted by theTuohy family. He now plays in

48、 the National Football League (NFL) for the BaltimoreRavens.Why is the movie The blindside called the blindsideMemorable linesI.Dont use the a-word. 毫无疑问2.I got u back.我会照顾你的3.I hear Mrs. Tuohy I look over my shoulder for my mother-in-law.4 .-Why do u need a drivers licence when u dont even have a c

49、ar?-Something to carry.With my name on it.5 .You should really get to know your players. Michael scored in the 98th percentile in protective instincts. ”6 . Dont u dare to lie to me.别想对我撒谎！7 . Courage is a hard thing to figure. You can have courage based on a dumb idea or mistake, but youre not supp

50、osed to question adults, or your coach or your teacher, because they make the rules.8 .-So u want me to go to Tennessee?-I want u to do whatever u want. It is your decision, Michael. Its ur life.My Fair LadyQuestions1. What have you learned from this movie about therelationship betweenship between p

51、ronunciation and social status? Language and identity?2. Why did Mr. Higgins want to carry out this experiment ？ Why did Eliza agree to be the subject of this experiment?3. List some strategies that Mr. Higgins employed in his teaching.4. Was Mr. Higgins a good teacher?Why/why not?5. Why did Eliza d

52、ecide to leave Mr. Higgins?The Wizard of OzQuestions1. What is the social ideology reflected inthe film? In the film we are exposed to the socialideology that relates to the values of the 1930 s era and ofsmall town rural America. Family, home and hard work arepromoted. This was the depression and t

53、he yellow brick road symbolized gold and we all know what is found at the end of the rainbow- the pot of gold.2. What is the cultural meaning of thefilm? The cultural theme is that we must work hard, keepthe family together and in the end we will have prosperity.If we hold firmly onto our values, th

54、e family will remain strong. This was very important during that period of economic struggle.3. give a plot summary of the film.4. Analyze the character of Dorothy. Provide examples ofher characteristics from the film.Give an analysis of the Cowardly LionPhiladelphia (film)Directed byJonathan DemmeJ

55、onathan DemmeProduced byEdward SaxonWritten byRon NyswanerTomHanksDenzel WashingtonJasonStarringRobardsMary SteenburgenAntonioBanderasMusic byHoward ShoreCinematographyTak FujimotoEditing byCraig McKayDistributed byTriStar PicturesRelease date(s)December 24, 1993Running time125 minutesCountryUnited

56、StatesPhiladelphia is a 1993 American drama film that was one of the first mainstream Hollywood films to acknowledge HIV/AIDS, homosexuality and homophobia. It was written by Ron Nyswaner and directed by Jonathan Demme. The film stars Tom Hanks and Denzel Washington. It was inspired in part by the s

57、tory of Geoffrey Bowers, an attorney who in 1987 sued the law firm Baker & McKenzie for wrongful dismissal in one of the first AIDS discrimination cases.Answer the following questions1. What makes Andrew Beckett decide to sue the law firm which he haspreviously served?2. At first glance, Miller is a world apart from Beckett interests: he is a personal injury lawyer, better known for television commercials than for legal talent, and has had conflicts with Beckett in the courtroom before(Miller lost). Why does Beckett ask Miller to represent him?3. Wh