Movie Review, Extra Credit. 8th Grade US History
All movie reviews must be typed! Each review must be double spaced with one inch
margins. The font must be set at 12. The review must be a minimum of 1 page, no more than 2.
Your movie review must address the following for the maximum amount of extra credit points
(25). A second movie can be also completed, following the same format for another 25 points.
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You must get your movie approved by the instructor if it is not on the list below (R rated
Movies not allowed for middle school students, per county policy)
Explain why you selected the movie.
Provide a historical background of the era in which the movie is set.
Analyze the major theme of the movie pointing out the facts and/or myths portrayed.
Cite clear examples from the movie that support your statements regarding the major theme
of the movie.
Describe how the movie affected you personally.
Describe the relevance of the movie on today’s society.
Explain in detail your opinion of the movie in relation to its theme.
Once you have reviewed the list and chosen a movie you would like to watch, you MUST
get your parent’s permission to watch any movie which is rated PG-13. If there is no rating, it is
under a PG-13 movie, so parental permission is not required. If you do select a PG-13 movie,
you MUST return the permission slip with your parent’s signature acknowledging their
permission to watch the movie. If you do not have a parent’s permission to watch the movie, I
will not accept the extra credit.
Please let me know if there are any questions.
Mr. Hall
I, _____________________________ give my son/daughter permission to watch the movie
titled_________________________________. This movie is rated PG-13, and all of the movies
on this list are rated PG-13 due to some language and war-like violence. I understand that this
permission is not mandatory, and there are several movies on this list which are rated PG and
under. This is an extra credit assignment and is not required.
_____________________________________
Parent Signature
____________________________________
Parent Name
1830-1876 Civil War and Reconstruction
Gone with the Wind
Red Badge of Courage
Shenandoah
Dances With Wolves (PG-13)
Lincoln (PG-13)
Gettysburg
1871-1914 Industrial Revolution
Far and Away (PG13)
Citizen Kane (Considered one of the best movies ever made)
1914-1933 WWI / Prosperity/ Depression
Sergeant York (NR)
Spencer’s Mountain
War Horse (PG-13)
All Quiet on the Western Front
Mr. Smith Goes to Washington
All the King’s Men (PG-13)
The Grapes of Wrath
To Kill a Mockingbird.
1933-1945 New Deal / WWII
The Longest Day
Patton
Empire of the Sun
Hope and Glory (PG-13)
The Great Escape
The Hiding Place
The Diary of Anne Frank
From Here to Eternity
Bridge over the River Kwai
Downfall
Hiroshima (get used)
Sophie Scholl- The Last Days (Not Rated- in German, Subtitled. Available on Netflix as of 03/14)
Watch on the Rhine
The Boy in the Striped Pajamas
Tora! Tora! Tora!
Atomic Café (on Netflix for rent)
Truman (Netlfix for rent)
Red Tails (PG-13) (Netflix for rent)
Fat Man and Little Boy (PG-13)
Memphis Belle
Midway
The Tuskegee Airmen (PG-13)
1945-1960 Post War
The Right Stuff
The Help (PG-13)
1960-1980 Vietnam Era
Apollo 13
Thirteen Days (great movie)(PG-13)
Civil Rights Era and Movement
42 (Jackie Robinson) (PG-13)
Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner (1967 version with Spencer Tracy)
The Long Walk Home
The Secret Life of Bees (PG-13)
A Raisin in the Sun (1961 version with Sidney Poitier)
1980-2000 End of the Century
And the Band Played On
All The President’s Men
Smoke Signals (PG-13) a modern coming of age film about Native Americans