Paper: Entering a Conversation about Ethics and Film Violence
Assignment: Use at least two published reviews of the same film to help you answer the question, what does it look like to take an ethical position on the use of violence in films? To do this assignment well, summarize how at least two professional film critics view the violence shown in the same film: what violence, if any, does each critic consider reasonable and responsible to include? How do you know? Do the critics make the same points and use the same tone? Next, explain how their opinions differ. Then, based on those opinions, clarify your own perspective on this topic.
For further guidance, review Chapter 12, Analyzing and Synthesizing Ideas, from Allyn & Bacon, taking special note of how summary, analysis, and synthesis differ. You should choose a film to focus on, though it need not be famously violent. Consider the following possibility
To find published film reviews, click on the external reviewers link on imdb.com or visit rottentomatoes.com. You should print the published reviews that you analyze and attach them to your final draft.
In your paper, you must follow MLA or APA conventions to cite the film and the published reviews that you summarize, paraphrase, and/or quote.
Your audience consists of people who have not given much thought to the choices that filmmakers make when dealing with violent content. Enlighten them.