How many genres? We discussed the idea of many, but does that water down our studies of genre and prove that each film is an individual entity? Frank McConell – 4 character types & 4 genres which correspond to 4 stage historical cycle of culture

King establishes the state – Epic Knight consolidates the state – Adventure Romance Pawn is trapped in the institutionalized state of laws – Melodrama Fool points out craziness of institutionalized state – Satire

a fifth stage he adds Apocalypse – breakdown into anarchy and decadence which requires establishment of new order – new cycle Thomas Schatz (Hollywood Genres) – Adopts thematic & ideological approach which gives 2 genres Genres of Order                    Genres of Integration (western, gangster, sci fi)                                             (musicals, comedies, melodramas) Hero – Individual (male dominated)                            Hero – Couple or Collective, Family (female dominated) Setting – Contested space (ideologically                     Setting – Civilized space (ideologically stable) unstable) Conflict – externalized (expressed through                 Conflict – internalized (expressed though emotion) violent actions) Resolution – elimination (death)                                 Resolution – embrace (love) Thematics – hero takes upon himself the                    Thematics – couple or family are integrated into problems, contradictions inherent in his                       wider community, personal antagonisms society & acts as redeemer                                            resolved -  macho code of behavior                                            -  maternal – familial code -  isolated self-reliance (either through his                   -  community co-operation departure or death, hero does not assimilate values / lifestyles of community he saves - maintains his individuality Could there be just one genre as Tzvetan Todorov suggests – tempted to say one genre dressed in many different types of clothes Postmodern Film 3 main characteristics as it applies to genre

bricolage – playful mixing of elements (in this case genre) nostalgia - recalling past without dwelling on it or referencing it self-referential – breaking down the fourth wall, we know we are watching a film

There are a few more characteristics we will discuss on Wednesday in reference to Hot Fuzz, which I consider postmodern. We didn’t get to talk too much about Hot Fuzz, so what did you think?  Could other films we watched be considered postmodern? Or other films you’ve watched recently?  Leave a comment (some of you picked up on the bonus point idea and are already sitting with 5 total bonus points in the grade book =).