The easy way to teach students about film techniques –
via PowerPoint presentations that you can show the
class or that they can watch by themselves on a computer.
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One of the most idiosyncratic and
original directors working in cinema today.
Notes on all films; detailed notes on three. Two other full film studies to team with
this guide.
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An
entertaining comedy/drama that deals with issues of bullying and
appropriate male behaviour.
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A lean,
uncompromising film about teenagers seeking revenge on a bully and then
facing the consequences of a prank gone wrong.
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American
Beauty
Multi-award
winning drama satire of the 'American Dream'.
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A small
community is turned upside down when two 12-year olds run away
together. Loaded with motifs and
distinctive techniques.
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A brilliant film adaptation of a
brilliant novel. Superb direction,
design, cinematography, screenplay…
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Vivid, colourful, exuberant –
particularly valuable for studying editing and camera technique.
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Excellent
for teaching: high calibre acting and screenplay, and contrasting genre
styles.
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Vincent
Ward's small miracle of a movie – its allusive story, structure and
brilliant use of film technique provide rich areas for study.
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Very accessible tale of London girl who wants to play
football to the horror of her Sikh family.
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Award-winning comedy-drama about a Fijian
matriarch's demand for a feast – today!
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A boy in an English mining town pursues his dream of
being a ballet dancer.
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Brilliant,
entertaining and richly inventive comedy about three escaped convicts in the
'30s.
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An inspirational tale of one boy's
success, and the open-hearted family that helped him.
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Multi-award
winning account of survival in the horrors of Nazi-occupied Warsaw.
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A high interest, well-crafted spy
thriller that rewrote the genre; ideal for the less academic, yet with
plenty to extend the more able as well.
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A comic fable of two
modern kids transported into a 1950s black and white sitcom. Stunning cinematic techniques.
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The best way to introduce Shakespeare to students –
lively, fun and beautifully made.
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The Player
Robert
Altman's dazzling satire is rewarding to study on many levels. A modern classic, it is highly
recommended.
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Brilliantly funny, texturally rich, with all the
techniques of live action. And only
85 minutes long.
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A cult favourite - a superbly entertaining and rewarding
film for study. Includes the best
duel with swords in cinema.
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Visually and cinematically superb, with
powerful and topical themes, this is a good film for study.
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The most acclaimed film of 2006; a
fascinating study of the clash of tradition and modernity, and of the power
of the media.
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Best Picture Oscar winner – a study in racism
and the effects of strangers on the lives of others.
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About the forced integration of an American high school
football team; even for those who don’t like football.
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A wonderful adaptation of Roald Dahl's book, with plenty
of material for theme study and drama.
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Ian McKellen’s triumphantly
cinematic adaptation of Shakespeare’s play.
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Peter Weir's moving and inspiring
examination of life in a boys' school in 1959. Written by Peter Beale.
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A fascinating
and brilliantly cinematic study of rivalry in a sport that can be deadly.
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Charlie Kaufman's highly
original and exciting tale; the film of 2004!
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A
superb and enthralling documentary about a charismatic sportsman. Ideal to team with Rush.
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A brilliant adaptation of Dahl's much
loved book. Aimed more at older
children and adults, it will be a joy to teach. Wide range of techniques employed.
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Perfect to team with the study of Romeo and Juliet, but marvellous on its own as well.
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Thrilling and exciting; superbly acted, directed and
filmed – it has it all.
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The
Shawshank Redemption
Teaching notes by Peter Beale. The classic prison movie about
degradation, uplift and hope.
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Charming, moving film
about the inspiration for Peter Pan.
Excellent for all ages.
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Delightful animated fairy tale, with enough to please
all ages. All 'live action'
techniques utilised.
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The African-American experience through
the lens of an often funny horror movie.
The best film of 2017!
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Scorsese's psychological thriller is a
thrilling example of virtuoso film-making.
Superb cinematic techniques; excellent for narrative structure.
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At a concise 82
minutes running time, this will be ideal and worthwhile for classroom
study.
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Infectious comedy set in the lively and
attractive world of Auckland's Samoan community. Released internationally as Samoan Wedding.
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Peter Jackson’s masterpiece about a real-life murder by
two schoolgirls in 1950s Christchurch.
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The success story of 2008 in cinemas as
well on screen. Brilliant techniques
make for rewarding teaching.
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The Help
Multi-award winning account of the lives of black maids in 1963
Jackson, Mississippi. Addresses issues
of racism, courage and friendship.
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Through a brilliant screenplay, direction
and cinematography, it
explores the founding of the phenomenon that is Facebook.
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Hidden Figures
The inspirational story of the African-American
women who contributed to the Space Race.
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A winning combination of high interest action and cinematography,
with great characterisation and acting.
with Tobey Maguire; dir. Sam Raimi
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Holes
A superb adaptation of
the popular book by Louis Sachar, about a boy who is sentenced to digging
holes in a dried-up Texas lake.
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In this lovely postmodern comedy-drama,
which asks serious questions and has fun doing it, a tax auditor learns he
is the character in a novel.
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I can't think of a better film to teach
young people about story-telling and movie-making.
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Baz Luhrmann's first feature hasn't lost any of its
sparkle or charm. Only 94 minutes
long – perfect for the classroom.
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Character study and
thriller – a weary war journalist returns to his small NZ town for his
father's funeral.
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A lively 1999 update of The Taming of the Shrew, set in an American high school.
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Sean Penn's controversial 2007 account of
the adventures of Chris McCandless.
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THOR
Kenneth Branagh's
character-driven superhero story – surprisingly rich for the genre, with
much to study and enjoy.
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The hit of 2007. A smart, delightful comedy, with plenty
to engage students, provoke debate and study.
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The Truman
Show
Brilliant film about a
reality television programme with a star who doesn’t know he is on TV.
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Inspirational and enjoyable story of how a
reluctant king found his voice with the help of a friend.
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V
For Vendetta
A futuristic thriller, a
dystopian satire, a sci-fi action film, and even a love story. So much to teach that the guide has 139
pages.
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In the Middle Ages, a
thatcher’s son pretends to be a knight.
Deliberately anachronistic and great fun.
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The hugely enjoyable story of Johnny cash
and June Carter is rich in themes, characterisation and techniques.
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A wonderful and charming
comedy-drama about the power of individual and community kindness.
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A wonderful film about a young Maori girl proving her
worth as a leader of her people.
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The comedy hit of 2006, it has much to say about
winning and losing, leadership and co-operation.
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Anthony Hopkins stars in this charming tale of
sexagenarian Kiwi Burt Munro, who broke speed records on his modified 1920
Indian motorcycle.
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A rich, complex and entertaining film. Great for the classroom.
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The most sumptuous film ever of a Shakespeare play –
visually stunning; excellent for teaching technique
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