AP United States History                                                                                                                                                             Dr. VA

VA's Far Out 3rd Quarter Extra Credit Bargains (Almost ) Unlimited

            ("Thanks a milllion, VA!!!  Without that film e.c. last quarter, our grade point averages really would have been down the toilet.  You really are the best!!!!!!

            True enough, but let's think ahead a little.  How are you going too stay above water next time around?

            ("Oh yeah.  Golly!!!  You're right, as usual.  So, bring it on, VA.  What's on the docket for this quarter???)

            Well, how about this: for yet another whole 2 points each, you may have any or all of these, up to a limit of THREE:

            Shane (Maybe the greatest "Western" of all time.  Farmers vs. ranchers on the Great Plains.  Symbolism galore.  See whether you can figure out what the Shane character represents.)

            The Age of Innocence  (A super film--real thought provoker.  Based on an Edith Wharton novel of the same title.  Starring Daniel Day Lewis, as in "Last of the Mohicans" and "Gangs of New York"  Say no more!) 

            Inherit the Wind (You must see the 1960 black-and-white version--no other will be accepted for credit.  That one stars Spencer Tracy, one of the truly great actors, in the famous 1925 courtroom battle between two of the most famous lawyers inn the country regarding the theory of evolution.)

            Reds (You betcha!  All about American early 20th century Commie John Reed [played by Warren Beatty] and his girl friend Louise Bryant [Dianne Keaton].  Not just a love story, however.  Some great oral history material incorporated, too.  Gotta see it to find out what I mean.)

            There Will Be Blood (Ah yes.  Yet another Daniel Day-Lewis film for our list.  This one the fictional story of Daniel Plainview, independent oil man looking for prospects in California at the turn of the 20th century.)

            Chariots of Fire (True, it's not American History exactly, but it is a great film about some post-World War One English athletes trying to prove their fitness to serve their country and achieve some lofty ideals.  Fits extremely well with your reading of Clifford Putney's Muscular Christianity.

            ("FAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRR out, VA!!!  Video rack here we come, just as son as we finish cracking open volume II of Inventing America, our favorite history text of all time.  Now how many pages of sparkling prose did you say we have to turn in to collect our points?")

            Same as last time, only let's be sure the reviews are at least 500 words (two or three word-processed pages.  Some of them were a a little light last quarter.  And please, analyze each film--its strengths and weaknesses.  No more mere summaries.  A summary just isn't acceptable as a review.

            ("Got it, VA.  Vaaaary hayveeeee, as usual!  And can we turn in these hot masterpieces of film criticism any time before the end of the third quarter?")

            Right again.  But lets think seriously about getting them in before the last minute.  The suspense was a little rough on me last time.  Why not do them less than a week after seeing the film, for Pete's sake, while it's still fresh in your mind?

            ("What's that, VA?  Sorry--wasn't listening.  Too immersed in this new Far Out list  Something about turning stuff in early ???????Oh well--we you at the movies VA.")

            USUAL FRIENDLY WARNING: IT IS NOW THE HISTORY DEPARTMENT'S POLICY THAT ANY WRITTEN WORK SUBMITTED FOR CREDIT MUST BE CHECKED ELECTRONICALLY FOR PLAGIARISM.  ANYONE FOUND GUILTY OF THIS OFFENSE MAY EXPECT PUNISHMENT UNDER BRUNSWICK AND GREENWICH ACADEMY DISCIPLINARY POLICIES.