Deck 9: Film Genres

Question 1

Sports films do not have their own plot patterns,iconography,or themes--they only borrow from more traditional genres.

Answer 1

False

Question 2

One characteristic of any given genre is that its form remains unchanged over time.

Answer 2

False

Question 3

Select any film genre that has been discussed in this course.Provide two examples of conventions that are significant to the genre.Now cite two specific scenes from films that provide examples of innovative handling or unique adaptation of those conventions.

Answer 3

Answers will vary

Question 4

Due to their defined formulas for success,genres are unable to respond quickly to broad social trends.

Question 5

The term subgenre refers to

A)inferior examples of a genre.
B)distinct types within a genre.
C)subversive examples of a genre.
D)genres from foreign countries.

Question 6

Most scholars see genre films as pure escapism,with no significant relation to contemporary society.

Question 7

John Ford's The Searchers is a major example of which genre?

A)The Western
B)The detective story
C)The science-fiction film
D)The musical

Question 8

Filmmakers avoid mixing the conventions of more than one genre.

Question 9

Many scholars believe that the cultural explanation of the emergence of the subgenre of family horror films in the 1970s indicated viewers'

A)concern about Watergate and Richard Nixon's crimes.
B)uncertainty about their fundamental beliefs about the world and their identity.
C)lessening interest in television.
D)anxiety about the increase in crime in New York City.

Question 10

Film scholars argue that genre conventions,repeated from film to film,

A)indicate continual studio worries about profits.
B)reflect actors' and producers' resistance to change in film technology.
C)result in audience boredom and demand for innovative ideas.
D)reflect audience doubts or anxieties and therefore vary with history.

Question 11

A genre's iconography consists of

A)its typical plot patterns.
B)its use of recurring themes.
C)the sum of all its editing conventions.
D)its characteristic objects,settings,and stars.

Question 12

The Fred Astaire-Ginger Rogers film Swing Time is an example of the backstage musical.

Question 13

Which of the following is NOT a convention of the romantic comedy?

A)"Cute meet"
B)"Big misunderstanding"
C)Physical separation
D)Flashback

Question 14

Which of the following is NOT a film genre?

A)Western films
B)Black-and-white films
C)Science-fiction films
D)Musical films

Question 15

Based on the genre film(s)screened or discussed or both in class,indicate two conventions of character,plot,theme,or iconography that are distinctive of the genre.Then,for each convention you select,show how the film(s)you select exemplify the genre.As evidence,cite specific scenes that use the conventions.

Question 16

The periods of time during which a given genre is popular are called "cycles."

Question 17

Which of the following is NOT a reason for the recent popularity of the crime thriller with filmmakers?

A)Audiences love suspense and enjoy twists and surprises.
B)It requires the use of popular and elaborate special effects.
C)It is relatively inexpensive to produce.
D)It offers showy roles to actors.

Question 18

The typical Western thematically places the hero between savagery and civilization.

Question 19

Genre conventions include plot patterns,thematic patterns,and stylistic patterns.

Question 20

Social processes can be reflected in genre innovations.For example,films such as Aliens reflect the new conceptions of gender in the 1970s.

Question 21

Drawing on class readings and screenings,describe the kinds of conventions and iconography used to evoke the monstrous forces at the center of the horror film.Suggest some reasons for the enduring appeal of this genre.

Question 22

Beyond the competition,conflict,suspense,and surprise of sports films there is ideological commentary.Choose a relatively current sports film such as Niki Caro's McFarland,USA (2015)or Antoine Fuqua's Southpaw (2015)and investigate the ideological and cultural message of the film.

Question 23

Discuss the common "reflectionist" argument that genres mirror larger events and trends in society.Drawing on examples from class readings and screenings,suggest the strengths and weaknesses of this argument.

Question 24

Briefly describe how ideas about genre are used by people within the film industry,by film reviewers,and by ordinary moviegoers.

Question 25

Film Art suggests that the Western deals with "the conflict between civilized order and the lawless frontier." Drawing on readings and screenings,suggest what conventions and iconography of the Western are associated with that conflict.

Question 26

Select any relatively recent crime thriller,such as David Fincher's Gone Girl (2014)or Jaume Collet-Serra's Run All Night (2015),and discuss how the filmmaker has manipulated the typical characters and narrative structure to refresh the genre.

Question 27

Drawing on class readings and screenings,describe the typical narrative patterns used to integrate song-and-dance numbers into musicals,commenting especially on the importance of romance.

Question 28

In a short essay,discuss the importance of new subgenres and the mixing of genres to changes in genre conventions,drawing on examples from class readings and screenings.