JOR 115 -- Film Analysis

Your analysis should be no more than 750 words. The assignment is worth 50 points.

-- 8 points maximum for a clearly written introductory paragraph that tells me what aspect(s) of journalism / journalists you observed in the film and which you are going to write about.


-- 7 points maximum for your "plot" paragraph, which briefly explains the plot and how journalism and journalists figure into it.

-- 20 points maximum for the "body" of your analysis, in which you discuss those matters you detailed in your introduction. Where possible, try to relate these to class readings and discussions. 


-- 10 points maximum for your "conclusion," in which you express your opinion(s) about what the film taught you about journalism. I am particularly interested in the questions it raises for you. 


-- 5 points for the "technical" quality of your paper, which means: it uses correct grammar, spelling and punctuation; it specifies the 
number of words; it gives the name of the film, the date you watched the film, who you watched the film with and where you watched it

-- 5 Bonus Points for watching with one or more classmates. [You certainly should feel free to discuss the film afterward, but each of you must write your own analysis.]

By the way, if you are particularly interested in journalism in films, check out the book Journalism in the Movies by Matthew Ehrlich.

Choose your film from the following list:

The Front Page (1931)

Beyond the Headlines (1937)

Foreign Correspondent (1940)

His Girl Friday (1940)Citizen Kane (1941)

Meet John Doe (1941)

Woman of the Year (1942)

Call Northside 777 (1948)

The Big Carnival (1951)

Deadline U.S.A. (1952)

-30- (1959)

All the President's Men (1976)

Network (1976)

Absence of Malice (1981)

The Year of Living Dangerously (1982)

Under Fire (1983)

The Killing Fields (1984)

The Mean Season (1985)

Salvador (1986)

Broadcast News (1987)

Street Smart (1987)

The Paper (1994)

The Pelican Brief (1994)

Up Close and Personal (1996)

Welcome to Sarajevo (1997)

Wag the Dog (1997)

The Insider (1999)

Live From Baghdad (2002)

Shattered Glass (2003)

Veronica Guerin (2003) 

Control Room (2004)

Good Night and Good Luck (2005)

A Mighty Heart (2007)

Nothing But the Truth (2008)

The Soloist (2009)