Discussion Threaads and Movie Questions

English 243: THREADS AND MOVIE QUESTIONS

What is your biggest fear about computers?
What role do women play in the movies we have seen so far? Are they characters who have clear identities and useful functions in the plot, or are they appendages of the male character, i.e. would they still be in the movie if they didn't have any love scenes?
Today I want to know your feelings about the atomic/hydrogen bomb aka The Bomb. Before you took this course, what did you know about The Bomb, and what did you feel about it? Now that you've seen some of the history and the movies, what are your feelings about The Bomb? Please include plenty of specifics in your answer.
Today's thread concerns the "guilty pleasure" status of ID4. In your opinion, what are the good and bad things about ID4? What do you like most about the movie, and what makes you cringe? (For instance, some people have complained that the characters are stereotypical, and most people cheer when the White House explodes.)

What would your life be like if Colossus/Guardian controlled the planet? How would you be affected? Consider the effect on your career, family, personal life. Again, include plenty of specifics in your answer. Saying "my life would be depressing," would not be enough of an answer.
What would the effect on our military and government be if Joshua refused to launch a nuclear missile under any circumstances? How could you convince Joshua that there might be a good reason to nuke an enemy?
What is your view of the idea that a computer can exceed its programming? Use Colossus and Joshua as your examples.

Them! was made (or distributed) in 1954. Continue your discussion of women in nuke movies by discussing Dr. Pat Medford, the entomologist partnered with her father, who comes to New Mexico to investigate the murders.
The two main settings for the movie are New Mexico and California with brief scenes aboard ship, at an asylum in Texas. Discuss any number of the settings, following the topics I brought up in class: time, geography, environment, society, etc.
Discuss 50's technology and how it's used to fight the ants.
There is a military presence in this movie also. How does the military function this time? How much do you learn about the military?
There is an amount of justification for seeing this movie as a cautionary tale (a story that contains a warning). What are your expectations of a cautionary tale, and how well does Them! live up to your expectations? Begin your discussion with the warning the movie contains.