Film is one of the most popular forms of art and is often perceived simply as entertainment that may not require much critical thought on the part of the viewer. In previous Arts Education classes, students have learned there are many different types, styles and interpretations of music, dance, drama and visual art. In this module, they will discover that there are also different filmmaking genres, and individual styles and varying aesthetic qualities within each film genre. As an introductory discussion, challenge students to consider whether the most popular films are, in fact, the best. Ask them what they have discovered about popularity and its relationship to the aesthetic value or quality of other art forms such as music.
Citations appear in full in the bibliography, alphabetized by title.
Some films listed do not appear in the bibliography. The country of origin and date are provided to help the teacher locate the film in video stores, libraries, etc. Consult the bibliography for information about public performance rights for films and videos. Throughout this module, students will develop their understanding of film genres and learn about the conventions, innovations and contexts associated with film, to arrive at more meaningful interpretations and critical understanding of the works. Ask students to think about some specific instances when their opinions about a film differed from the opinions of family members, friends or published critical reviews.