Watched The Florida Project (dir. Sean Baker, 2017) Points of Discussion:  - How the movie uses film elements to showcase the children's POV  - The audience's headspace while watching  - Interpreting the ending   References:  - The Florida Project Should've Been Nominated (Nerdwriter1 Youtube Channel/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rXbKeHAoA84&t=361s)  - ‘The Florida Project’: Director Sean Baker Explains How and Why He Shot That Ending (The Hollywood Reporter article by Ashley Lee/ 2017)

Watched Don't Look Up (dir. Adam McKay, 2021) Points of Discussion:  - An allegory for climate change  - Polarizing film reviews  - Similar comedic vibes in other films  - Can humor handle our reality?  - The evolution of Adam McKay   References:  - Don’t Look Up Director Noticed Similarities Between Script & Pandemic (Screen Rant article by Alexander Harrison/ 2022)  - Don't Look Up Director Celebrates How Netflix Movie Is Dividing Audiences (Screen Rant article by James Osborne/ 2022)  - Why Are People So Mad About Don’t Look Up? (The Atlantic Article article by Kevin Townsend, Sophie Gilbert, David Sims, and Spencer Kornhaber/ 2022)

Watched Chicago (dir. Rob Marshall, 2002) Points of Discussion: - Is all of CHICAGO in Roxie's head? - The news as a form of spectacle - Significance of this movie musical in 2002 References: - The Musical that Saved a Genre - Lemme Review: Chicago (2002) (Wiseclay Youtube Channel/ https://youtu.be/bxYV2cVmG_g)

Watched In the Mood for Love (dir. Wong Kar-wai, 2000)    Points of Discussion:  - The hauntings done by lingering love  - The unique relationship between Mrs. Chan and Mr. Chow  - Cinematic techniques used to showcase main theme   References:  - In the Mood For Love: Crash Course Film Criticism #5 (CrashCourse Youtube Channel/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=98QmnyyIXsY)  - Criticwire Classic of the Week: Wong Kar-Wai’s ‘In the Mood for Love’ (Indie Wire article by Vikram Murthi/ 2015)

Watched Clerks (dir. Kevin Smith, 1994)   Points of Discussion:  - How does CLERKS work?  - A more honest film as an independent film  - Any comments on capitalism?   References:  - Film Histories Episode 37 - Clerks ( Film Histories Youtube Channel/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BbOjgeSuUJs)  - Clerks: A Leap Of Faith; video essay (Visual Stories Youtube Channel/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sE8GSv7OyWo)

Watched Shrek (dir. Andrew Adamson & Vicky Jenson, 2001)   Points of Discussion:  - Shrek: the anti-fairy tale against Disney  - A new take on the fairy tale structure  - This killer soundtrack  - An actor's effect on a character's voice   References:  - Is ''Shrek'' the anti- Disney fairy tale? (Entertainment Weekly article by Lori Reese/ 2001)  - Why Shrek Has Aged So Much Better Than Other Movies (Nerdstalgic Youtube Channel/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RobmhhAuOHM)

Watched Napoleon Dynamite (dir. Jared Hess, 2004)    Points of Discussion:  - How the film's setting is used a template for middle/rural America in other films  - Film's lasting significance and cult following  - Does the film have story structure or is it a collection of sketches?  - Nostalgia of the 1980's and early 2000s References: - How 'Napoleon Dynamite' became Hollywood's template for Middle America (Deseret News Youtube Channel) - NAPOLEON DYNAMITE - story isn't king (MacCosham Films Youtube Channel)

Watched Grey Gardens (dir. Albert Maysles, Ellen Hovde, Muffie Meyer, & David Maysles, 1976)    Points of Discussion:  - Background on Big Edie and Little Edie Beale  - How documentaries were filmed throughout the Direct Cinema movement  - Exploitation vs. Empathy of the Beales References: - Grey Gardens (Wikipedia article) - Direct cinema (Wikipedia article)

Watched Twilight (dir. Catherine Hardwicke, 2008)    Points of Discussion:  - Twilight having "independent-film-ness" qualities  - Messages of Twilight  - The rise and fall and rise again of the fandom  - Why do we hate everything teenage girls like? References: - At Its Core, the 'Twilight' Saga Is a Story About ________ (The Atlantic article by Ashley Fetters/ 2012) - Twilight fandom (Wikipedia article) - Dear Stephenie Meyer (Lindsay Ellis Youtube Channel)

Watched Shutter Island (dir. Martin Scorsese, 2010)    Points of Discussion:  - Neo-noir: style or genre?  - The psychological thriller and its unreliable narrator  - Noteworthy score  - Foreshadowing hints  - That ending tho References: Shutter Island (film) (Wikipedia article) Psychological thriller (Wikipedia article)