The Time Machine Film Review

If you are one of the students assigned to do the film review for The Time Machine, please add your review as a comment to this post. Post your review no later than midnight, Monday, April 30, 2007. A good review will do the following: Start with a short synopsis (summary) of the film (just the basic setting, conflicts and characters) Address at least three criteria for judging a film (see below); explain how good a job you think the film did in each area Include specific examples to support your judgments of the criteria Make your review free of mechanical errors (spelling, capitalization, grammar) Here are the criteria for judging a film that we brainstormed in class. You must discuss at least three of these in your review: · Special Effects · Acting (expression, movement, emotion, believability) · Soundtrack · Plot (depth, complexity, suspense) · Setting (place, time, ex. Space, new planets) · Sound effects · Satirical element · Costumes · Character development · Originality · Staging · References to outside topics/events · Cinematography · Dialogue · Makeup (goes with costuming) · Props (weapons, phasers, etc) · Transportation · Elements of conflict

Planet of the Apes Film Review

If you are one of the students assigned to do the film review for Planet of the Apes, please add your review as a comment to this post. Post your review no later than midnight, Monday, April 9, 2007. A good review will do the following:

Start with a short synopsis (summary) of the film (just the basic setting, conflicts and characters)
Address at least three criteria for judging a film (see below); explain how good a job you think the film did in each area
Include specific examples to support your judgments of the criteria
Make your review free of mechanical errors (spelling, capitalization, grammar)
Here are the criteria for judging a film that we brainstormed in class. You must discuss at least three of these in your review: · Special Effects · Acting (expression, movement, emotion, believability) · Soundtrack · Plot (depth, complexity, suspense) · Setting (place, time, ex. Space, new planets) · Sound effects · Satirical element · Costumes · Character development · Originality · Staging · References to outside topics/events · Cinematography · Dialogue · Makeup (goes with costuming) · Props (weapons, phasers, etc) · Transportation · Elements of conflict

The Silk and the Song

We read the story "The Silk and the Song" in class on March 14 and March 16. If you did not already discuss in class or write response notes -- or if you want to add to what you've already said -- please post a comment here.

I, Robot, Foundation, Childhood's End, A Canticle for Leibowitz

Post your SF reading journal here if you read one of the following books: I, Robot or Foundation, by Isaac Asimov; Childhood's End, by Arthur C. Clarke; A Canticle for Leibowitz, by Walter Miller.

Orphans of the Sky, Stranger in a Strange Land, The Left Hand of Darkness, To Your Scattered Bodies Go

Post your SF reading journal here if you read one of the following books: Orphans of the Sky or Stranger in a Strange Land, by Robert Heinlein; The Left Hand of Darkness, by Ursula K. LeGuin; To Your Scattered Bodies Go, by Philip Jose Farmer.

Neuromancer, Ringworld, Gateway, Beggars in Spain

Post your SF reading journal here if you read one of the following books: Neuromancer, by William Gibson; Ringworld, by Larry Niven; Gateway, by Frederick Pohl; Beggars in Spain, by Nancy Kress.

Ender's Game, Doomsday Book, Red Mars

Post your SF reading journal here if you read one of the following books: Ender's Game, by Orson Scott Card; Doomsday Book, by Connie Willis; Red Mars, by Kim Stanley Robinson.

Down and Out in the Magic Kingdom, Restaurant at the End of the Universe, Singularity Sky, Light

Post your SF reading journal here if you read one of the following books: Down and Out in the Magic Kingdom, by Cory Doctorow; Restaurant at the End of the Universe, by Douglas Adams; Singularity Sky, by Charles Stross, or Light, by M. John Harrison.

Hyperion, Ilium, Perdido Street Station, Spin

Post your SF reading log here if you are reading any of the following books: Hyperion or Ilium, by Dan Simmons; Perdido Street Station, by China Mieville, or Spin, by Robert Charles Wilson.

"Look, You Think You've Got Troubles"

Post your comment about the story "Look, You Think You've Got Troubles" here if you did not discuss or do notes in class.

"Muse"

Post your comments about the story "Muse" here. You might discuss what you think the story has to say about the idea of xenophobia, and you could compare it to the story "Puppet Show." Another topic to consider: what does Icky represent in the story?

"Puppet Show"

Please post your comments about Fredric Brown's story "Puppet Show" (which we read in class on February 21) here. You might consider discussing the story's views on xenophobia and whether or not you think the humans in the story passed the "second test."

SF History Update Project -- Final Comment

Now that you have completed your presentation about a modern decade of science fiction history, please write a comment that summarizes your contributions to the group. Every member of the group should comment individually. Be specific about what you did as far as research, writing text, creating slides or pictures, or putting everyone's work together. Once everyone has posted a comment, you should go back to the blog and read the comments by the others in your group. If you disagree with someone's statement of what they did, add another comment in reply.
In addition, you may comment about another group's presentation if you would like to acknowledge the work they have done and offer positive feedback.
Please post your comment by midnight, Tuesday, February 20, 2007.

Forbidden Planet Film Review

If you are one of the following students (Joe A, Matt C, David F, Dan G, Henry H, Ben K, Chad M, Emily N, Cody T, Kevin W, Billy W) assigned to do the film review for Forbidden Planet, please add your review as a comment to this post. Post your review no later than midnight, Monday, February 12, 2007. A good review will do the following:

• Start with a short synopsis (summary) of the film (just the basic setting, conflicts and characters)


• Address at least three criteria for judging a film (see below); explain how good a job you think the film did in each area


• Include specific examples to support your judgments of the criteria


• Make your review free of mechanical errors (spelling, capitalization, grammar)

Here are the criteria for judging a film that we brainstormed in class. You must discuss at least three of these in your review:
· Special Effects
· Acting (expression, movement, emotion, believability)
· Soundtrack
· Plot (depth, complexity, suspense)
· Setting (place, time, ex. Space, new planets)
· Sound effects
· Satirical element
· Costumes
· Character development
· Originality
· Staging
· References to outside topics/events
· Cinematography
· Dialogue
· Makeup (goes with costuming)
· Props (weapons, phasers, etc)
· Transportation
· Elements of conflict

"The Post-Mortem People"

Once you have read "The Post-Mortem People" by Peter Tate, you can add your comments here. Remember that you can earn credit for reading the story one of three ways: comment on this blog, discuss the story in class, or write a response to the story in class. We will be discussing the story in class on Friday, February 2. You should read the story on your own by that date. Think about the extrapolation ideas that Tate presents in the story.

SF History Update Project -- Group Progress as of February 2

Please add a comment that describes the progress your group made on the SF History Update Project this week. You may either have one person report for the whole group, or have each person report his or her own contributions. Either way, every group member's name should appear (first name and last initial only, please) and you should describe what he/she did: research, create slides or pictures, find excerpts from stories, help organize the group, etc. You might also explain the group's overall progress. Include in this comment work done for the week of January 29 through February 2. Please post your comments by midnight, Saturday, February 3.

"'Repent, Harlequin!' said the Ticktockman"

On Monday, January 29 you read the story "'Repent, Harlequin!' said the Ticktockman" by Harlan Ellison in class and had the chance to discuss it. If you have more to say about the story, or didn't take the opportunity to discuss or write notes in class, please add a comment here.

"Sales Pitch"

On Wednesday, January 24 we started reading the story "Sales Pitch," by Philip K. Dick, in class. If you were assigned, please add a comment about the story. You may give your overall reaction to the story, ask some questions about it, or make some specific observations. Remember that we are trying to focus on the idea of extrapolation. PLease post your comment by midnight, Saturday, January 26, 2007.

If you did not contribute to discussion in class or turn in class notes, you should add a comment about the story. You may respond to one of your classmate's comments, or add you own original comment.

SF History Update Groups -- Jan. 22-Jan. 26

If you were selected by your group, please add a comment that describes the progress your group made on the SF History Update Project this week. You should name each member (first name and last initial only, please) and describe what he/she did: research, create slides or pictures, find excerpts from stories, help organize the group, etc. You might also explain the group's overall progress. Include in this comment work done for the week of January 22 through January 26. Please post your comment by midnight, Saturday, January 27.