2nd Quarter Project

Second Quarter Movie Review Project for U.S. History

Glory-Singapore PG, US R
Gettysburg-Singapore PG, US PG
The Alamo-Singapore PG, US PG-13
Amistad-Singapore-NC 16, US R
Far and Away-Singapore PG, US PG-13
The Crucible-Singapore NC-16, US PG-13
The Last of the Mohicans –Singapore PG, US R
Gone with the Wind –Singapore No Rating, US G
The Grapes of Wrath –Singapore No Rating, US Approved.
Dances with Wolves-Singapore PG, US PG-13
All Quiet on the Western Front-Singapore no rating; US Unrated
1776 (adapted from a Broadway musical)-Singapore PG, US PG
The Patriot-Singapore PG, US R
Matewan-Singapore no rating, US PG-13

Some of these movies may not be acceptable for you to watch according to your parents’ standards. Please choose a movie that is acceptable to their standards. This project in no way represents license to dishonor your parents and the standards they believe are best for you and honoring to God.

You may choose from the above list of movies to review. These movies were chosen because they are set in a historical setting that relates directly to the U.S. history that we have covered so far or will study in the coming weeks. You can choose from other movies, but your chances of getting other movies approved by me are slim. You must first get written approval from me.

Your review, however, differs from a typical, “thumbs up” or “thumbs down” review that compels or repels potential movie goers. Instead, your review will be on the historical accuracy of the movie. You will need to watch the movie and then evaluate it in terms of its historical accuracy-the places, the clothes that are worn, the key figures, technologies that are used, etc.

You will need to use sources to help you with this evaluation. The evaluation that you will create based on your analysis of the historical accuracy of the film should be presented in typical MLA fashion with in-text citations and a works cited page. You need to have at least two, non-internet sources (Questia is non-internet) and at least four sources in all. Your sources must meet the standard of the ICS research handbook.

After your report is complete, you should submit, at the same time as your report, a separate two-page double-spaced reflection on what you learned from this project. Movies should be entertaining, but people should not switch to autopilot as they watch movies and uncritically absorb what they are watching. Discernment should not only be applied in a moral sense, but in a historical sense as well. Hollywood production companies are very adept at telling stories, but often they take great liberties with the accuracy of the film. This project is meant, in part, to help train you to think critically about what you watch.

Lastly, if you cannot find a movie to purchase and/or would rather read a piece of historical fiction, you can do the same project by reading a book. Please approve this first as well. Mr. Eiler has Amistad and is willing to loan it juniors who he knows are responsible and trustworthy. Of course, some of your classmates may have some of the other movies that you may be able to borrow. Movies can also be purchased through Amazon.com and can be delivered through VPost, a service of Singapore Post. This may take a while, however, to arrive.

The project is due December 6th. There is not a length requirement because the movies will vary in the amount of material that is historical and whether the material is accurate. However, three to five, typed, double-spaced pages should be adequate space for you to evaluate the movie. If the movie is exceptionally historically accurate, you should discuss how you found this to be true and give the movie its just praise for accurately telling the story.

Students may also work on teams in this project. What fun is watching a movie alone? Have fun watching the movie. The reason I am giving you this project is to give you a chance to enjoy a project and learn some history at the same time. Popcorn stains on the paper, however, will not be accepted, unless of course movie tickets provided for the teacher’s benefit are used to cover up any remains of greasy fingers! Because teams of two are optional, if you decide to work in a team, you must conduct an honest self-assessment and a honest team member assessment and submit this with your paper. These assessments will be a part of your grade.

Please read this: The reflection piece needs to be written by each individual. A rubric will be designed later and provided within the week. Please read the rubric carefully and ask me any questions so you know how you will be assessed!