Cinema appreciation courses?

[jsteinhauer]

Anyone know of any courses online where one who loves movies of all kinds could learn how to watch them analytically, critically technically, etc? I don't want to learn how to make films, write screenplays, direct, act or whatever, but I want to be able to watch a movie, identify techniques and styles, innovations and detect errors. I want to be able to say more than I simply like it. It doesn't have to be cost free, but I'm not looking for a film degree, either. Thanks in advance for any assistance.

[Jeremy1983]

I would recommend finding a community college in your area and taking a course of Film Appreciation. The often have one a week classes or weekend classes, and it's fairly cheap!

[42041]

I think the best way to appreciate cinema is to watch good cinema
I can only speak for myself of course, but for me deconstructing any work of art rarely enriches the experience.

[Sussudio]

Instead of a class, I would recommend browsing the Film theory book selection on Amazon...you'll not only learn about film criticism, but many books will reference and discuss several films which you can go on to check out yourself...you'll save some $$ and learn a good amount in the process

Edit: This is one I've read....a little pricey (I would go with a used copy if you decide to get it), but a great read.
http://www.amazon.com/Introduction-F...7145451&sr=8-1

[jsteinhauer]

Originally Posted by Jeremy1983

I would recommend finding a community college in your area and taking a course of Film Appreciation. The often have one a week classes or weekend classes, and it's fairly cheap!

Thought along these lines, but I can't fit this kind of thing in. I just can't commit the time with my other responsibilities.

Originally Posted by 42041

I think the best way to appreciate cinema is to watch good cinema
I can only speak for myself of course, but for me deconstructing any work of art rarely enriches the experience.

This is not universal. Take beer, wine a spirits, example. Once I learned something about ingredients, production, storage, conditioning, styles etc. of some of these adult beverages, I learned to enjoy some of them I used to be averse to. If you are ignorant, you can't have realistic expectations.

Originally Posted by Sussudio

Instead of a class, I would recommend browsing the Film theory book selection on Amazon...you'll not only learn about film criticism, but many books will reference and discuss several films which you can go on to check out yourself...you'll save some $$ and learn a good amount in the process

Edit: This is one I've read....a little pricey (I would go with a used copy if you decide to get it), but a great read.
http://www.amazon.com/Introduction-F...7145451&sr=8-1

I may end up going this route. Online would simply fit my schedule very well. At work, even in a long day, I often get a lot of down time, waiting for stuff. It would be an ideal time to spend learning something new (rather than on this forum, which is one of the few sites of interest that are not blocked).

[toef]

MIT offers a bunch of online course materials for free. I think some (or most?) also tend to include video lectures.

I took a quick look through them to see if they had any film related ones, but there's not much. One that seemed like it could have potential was called "The Film Experience".

The course decription:

This course is an introduction to narrative film, emphasizing the unique properties of the movie house and the motion picture camera, the historical evolution of the film medium, and the intrinsic artistic qualities of individual films. The primary focus is on American cinema, but secondary attention is paid to works drawn from other great national traditions, such as France, Italy, and Japan. The syllabus includes such directors as Griffith, Keaton, Chaplin, Renoir, Ford, Hitchcock, Altman, De Sica, and Fellini.

It appears to include some video lectures. I don't know if it's any good, but it could be a good start.

You can always bookmark the site, and check back in the future, for any new courses (http://ocw.mit.edu).

The course I mentioned is here: http://ocw.mit.edu/OcwWeb/Literature...Home/index.htm

Edit: Looks like it only includes 4 of the lectures from the course. Oh well.

[ksargent]

My first post to this forum. I like "Becoming Film Literate" by Vincent LoBrutto. It is composed of short chapters each focusing on a classic film as an example of a type or style. The essays do not have to be read in order and all of the example films are easily obtainable - often via Netflix streaming. It's not a cheap book - $50 at Amazon - but if you have access to a university library, you will likely find it there.

Ken

[blu-bry]

As a start I would recommend reading some of Roger Ebert's excellent essays on what he considers to be the "Great Movies". They are available in book form, but also there are many more on the Suntimes website. Just look for the "Great Movies".

Ebert is a pulitzer prize winning writer, and I have learned alot about how to appreciate films from his writing.

[Idioteque...]

Well are you in college? Most colleges offer that as a course.

[McCrutchy]

I'm in NYU's Cinema Studies program (a rarity in that it is a degree-based program in film criticism and theory) and these are the books I have used so far.

Intro to Cinema Studies

Film Art (Bordwell and Thompson)--This book is easily your best bet and would prepare you for more in-depth study, if you wish to do so. Plus, Juliette Binoche is on the cover of this edition, so you can't go wrong.

Newest Edition (sans La Binoche)

Film History (Silent Film)

Film History: An Introduction (Bordwell and Thompson)--This covers the beginnings of film through today.

Newest Edition

The Silent Cinema Reader (Eds. Grieveson and Kramer)--A collection of scholarly works that focus on the creation of the medium, silent cinema, and the culture of the time period.

Film Theory

Film Theory and Criticism (Eds. Braudy and Cohen)--another collection of scholarly works on different aspects of theory and criticism.

Newest Edition

Again, it's unlikely that any of these are necessary unless you are very interested in the subject.

[Rob71]

Back during my stint(more like a blink) in college they were always having screenings of films followed by discussions and Q&A sessions. Most were open to the public and free. The vast majority were even more lively than the Avatar thread here also.