Movie Analysis. You write a two page paper analyzing a movie on modern world Christianity. You watch the movie and complete research to frame the movie historically and theologically.
Purpose of Assessment: This assessment builds on the scaffolding built throughout the semester, offering students a chance to engage history through film analysis. The assessment offers students an opportunity to choose a topic in modern world Christianity of interest to them, to hone critical engagement of movies, and to practice communication.
Questions for Analysis: Although I encourage you to be creative in your analysis, some helpful analytical questions to engage include:
• Film Analysis:
o Moral Premise or Thesis: What is the moral premise? What messages or people illustrate the moral premise? Does the film have a clear thesis or argument to viewers? (Context of creation may help you discern the meaning: How does the film reflect prevalent issues or developments at the time of the film’s creation? Does the film speak to issues current at its release date?)
o Setting & Story: What is the setting (temporal, geographical, cultural) or meta-story, and how is it established? What is the plot? Is there a hero? If so, what are the hero’s journey and obstacles? In what ways is the hero or other characters transforming (or not) as the plot develops?
• History & Theology Content
o History: What is the historical context of the film? How is the history presented? How does the history illuminate or challenge the course materials? How accurate is the historical content?
o Theology: What theological material does the movie engage? How is God or religion depicted in the film? What theological insight or struggle does the film portray?
Database for Critical Movie Reviews:
mrqe.com (largest index of movie reviews; includes hyperlinks to reviews)
Please, go into the database, type the movie name, scroll down and select the following reviews as sources for the paper:
1. Variety
2. Spirituality and Practice
These sources needs to be cited on the paper.
