In this final lesson, we’ll look at what it means to be a film critic, discuss the media-based entertainment matrix in which our modern culture has its roots (for better or worse), and think about what it means to be a film buff in the 21st century.

It should take 5 1/2 hours to complete this lesson’s material.

After successfully completing this lesson, you will be able to:

• Develop some techniques for restoring the balance between media and real life.
• Criticize the work of contemporary film critics.
• Understand some of the forces that are leading us to information overload.
• Relax after having successfully completed a fast-paced, information-rich course in "How to Read a Film"!

During this lesson, you will complete the following activities:

• At the Movies: Salt of the Earth and Koyaanisqatsi: We’ll be watching two movies this time. First up is America’s only blacklisted film, Salt of the Earth, written by Michael Wilson, produced by Paul Jarrico, and directed by Herbert Biberman (who themselves were all blacklisted in the early ‘50s). The second film, Koyaanisqatsi, is a highly unusual, abstract work by activist, filmmaker, and poet Godfrey Reggio, with a score by renowned composer Philip Glass.
• Outside the Theater: The Wrap Party!: It’s a wrap! The course is over. Please come to the wrap party!