I think I posted a similar thread a real long time ago, but I couldn't find it, and I do need more ideas, so I figured I'd go ahead and do this....


i'm creating a new class for my school and need ideas for films my seniors could watch dealing with the following three themes:

courage
myth/reality
transformation.

Thanks!

I recommend the movie Ladyhawk. That was one of the movies that we watched in my mythology class in high school.

Can you give me more specifics? I'm not sure what you mean by 'courage' or 'transformation.' I was thinking Labyrinth for myth/reality, but not sure if that's exactly what you mean.

For transformation do you mean physical like Portrait of Jennie or emoitonal/mental like The Three Faces of Eve? Or am I confusing you? :crazy:

Can you give me more specifics? I'm not sure what you mean by 'courage' or 'transformation.' I was thinking Labyrinth for myth/reality, but not sure if that's exactly what you mean.

For transformation do you mean physical like Portrait of Jennie or emoitonal/mental like The Three Faces of Eve? Or am I confusing you? :crazy:

No you're not confusing. You're exactly right. The themes are supposed to be vague so the students can create their own definitions. So, any type of courage or transformation, especially non-obvious ones, would be good.


Basically, as a class, they will read 1 novel and watch 1 movie, then they have to select one movie to watch individually. Based on these three, they have to artistically compare and contrast their depiction of the theme.

The in-class works are as follows:
Courage: Read The Fountainhead/Profiles in Courage; Watch Amistad
Myth/Reality: Read The Canterbury Tales; Watch Truman Show
Transformation: Read 1984/Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde; Watch The Color Purple

I'm going to pimp my favorite movie again, but I think Stand By Me is an excellent example of transformation. The whole movie has this element of how this journey (both literal and figuratively) they're going on transforms them from boys to feeling like adults.

Just be warned, though--the language is a little bit on the foul side, but it's nothing most kids haven't heard nowadays ;)

I loooove that movie! :)

No you're not confusing. You're exactly right. The themes are supposed to be vague so the students can create their own definitions. So, any type of courage or transformation, especially non-obvious ones, would be good.

Okay, that makes sense. I was thinking, Portrait of Jennie might really be a good one, in dealing with the obvious transformation (Jennie's growing up) and the non-obvious one (the artist finding his muse).

Courage, I gotta plug my favorite movie, The Best Years of Our Lives. Harold Russell got an honorary Oscar for inspiring courage among his fellow vets :)

For myth reality, I just got a really good idea: Sunset Blvd. Now that's a movie about a fantasy world :crazy:

I was thinking Best Year's of Our Lives because I've heard a lot about it...but I've never actually seen it.

Do you think that high school seniors would like it?

I was thinking Best Year's of Our Lives because I've heard a lot about it...but I've never actually seen it.

Do you think that high school seniors would like it?

I first saw it when I was a freshman in highschool. I was sick with the flu and it was the first b&w movie I watched all the way through - and it really made me feel a heck of a lot better. I loved it. I haven't met anyone that saw it and didn't love it.

But it definately has great elements of courage. Its main theme is 3 WWII veterans (army, navy, and air corps) returning home right after the war, and how each of them has to rebuild their lives. Something that is worth noting - this is a movie that both guys and girls love. That doesn't happen very often! :wave:

Sounds good. I'll def. put it on their list and check it out here soon! I wanted to throw Mr. Smith goes to washington on there, but they watch that the year before, so I didn't think they'd' actually re-watch it.

Transformation: Read 1984/Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde; Watch The Color Purple

I think this is a great choice for transformation. Whoopi Goldberg really captures Celie's transformation.

Thanks. I think it'll be neat to see how the kids can respond to diff. types of courage or transformations.