Texts from the English literary canon are often seen as 'pure' literature, as opposed to media texts which are a (necessarily, or potentially) bad influence against which students should be defended.
Minority Report is the third feature film which takes its inspiration from a Philip K. Dick science fiction story. Its blend of genres, narrative impulses and representational issues makes it a useful text for Higher and Advanced Higher Media Studies.
Whale Rider is set in a small New Zealand coastal village inhabited by Maoris who claim descent from Paikea, the Whale Rider. For 1,000 years a male heir of the Chief has become leader of the tribe.
Donnie Darko (USA, 2001) is an excellent film to use in the classroom. Not many students are likely to be familiar with it; the film offers a demanding narrative in an engaging way; it sweetens the ‘pill’ of science fiction (SF) with the teen pic; it will give students experience of independent cinema.
