Plato and Popcorn

A Philosopher's Guide to 75 Thought-Provoking Movies

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by William G. Smith

Type

Film Reviews

Subject

On Films > Film selections

Keywords

philosophy, analysis

Publishing date

2004

Publisher

McFarland & Co

Language

English

Relative size

Physical desc.

Paperback • 216 pages
6 x 9 inches (15 x 23 cm)

ISBN-10
ISBN-13

0-7864-1878-8
978-0-7864-1878-7

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Book Presentation:
Many believe there is nothing like seeing a good movie, one that is enjoyable both in itself and for the thought processes it stimulates. From The Usual Suspects and When Harry Met Sally to Gandhi and The Color Purple, this handbook functions as a guide to watching and reflecting upon 75 great films. The author, a philosophy instructor, presents a text designed to lead readers through a series of intellectual gymnastics; to help strengthen critical thinking abilities and to inspire exciting and philosophical thoughts and discussions.

“Civil Disobedience,” “Death,” “Fate and Determinism,” “War,” “Sexism and Women’s Issues,” “Gay Rights,” “The Greatest Happiness Principle,” “Anxiety and Inauthenticity” and “The Holocaust” are examples of the 18 different categories into which the films are divided. Each chapter includes the author’s introductory comments to be read prior to watching movies along with a section of “Questions to Ponder” to be considered afterward. Photographs of many movie scenes are included throughout the text.

Instructors considering this book for use in a course may request an examination copy here.

About the Author:
William G. Smith is chair of the philosophy department at Millersville University of Pennsylvania.

Press Reviews:
"thought-provoking…useful"—ARBA; "does a good job of explaining profound philosophies and their proponents"—Harrisburg Pennsylvania Patriot News; "a book that can result in many hours of enjoyment…William Smith has written an amusing, sometimes provocative, and always interesting guide to 75 films…Smith loves films and has an eye for the moral and philosophical questions that often are conveyed by the best of films…a must-read for all film mavens"—Jewish-PostOpinion.com; "always interesting…a must read"—New Jersey Jewish News; "universal appeal…opens up your eyes"—Intelligencer Journal; "digs below the visual"—FilmNewz.

See the publisher website: McFarland & Co