Katie Brown

Katie Brown

I am a graduate of St. Mary's College of Maryland. I have a B.A. in English and a Masters in Teaching. I love reading, writing, and all things Joss Whedon.

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    Latest Articles

    Literature
    41

    Harry Potter and the Journey of Identity Formation

    This article is based on the books, not the films. It is estimated that “120 million people have read at least...

    Katie Brown

    Film
    30

    Thelma and Louise: The Language of Patriarchy

    Warning: This post contains spoilers about the film Thelma and Louise. Read at your own risk. The film Thelma and Louise...

    Katie Brown

    TV
    48

    Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Charmed: The Re-Feminization of Female “Superheroes”

    The television shows, Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Charmed, are often touted as examples of “post-feminist” shows, which feature female leads...

    Katie Brown

    Latest Topics

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    literature
    Write this topic

    Fairytale Adaptations in the Classroom

    Reasons to use Fairytale Adaptations in the Classroom:

    1. promote character development
    2. predictable plot structure makes for an excellent model when teaching literary analysis
    3. they are fun
    4. can be used to teach kids to challenge ideologies that the original texts perpetuate
    5. gives background for allusions found in higher literature
    6. has multicultural and universal themes

      Add Note
      2
      literature
      Write this topic

      Top Ten Fictional Locations You Wish You Could Visit

      List and discuss 10 fictional locations from literature that readers could conceivably want to visit.

      Examples:
      1. Narnia (Chronicles of Narnia)
      2. Westeros (Game of Thrones)
      3. Hogwarts (Harry Potter)
      4. Camelot (King Arthur legends)
      5. Panem (Hunger Games)
      6. Middle Earth (Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit)

      • A list like this would need some fuel and fire behind it. Why would these places be beneficial to visit? It would need something to set it apart from what Buzzfeed usually does and dive deeper. – Jemarc Axinto 10 years ago
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      • Maybe instead of discussing places that readers would want to visit, this article could also discuss the importance/relevance of these places or why the magical/fantasy or dystopian aspects of these locations appeal to readers. – S.A. Takacs 10 years ago
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      • To add to the previous note, it is important to think about how these fantasy worlds feed into our most basic primal instincts, and how such worlds remind us of times when we were a bit more chaotic, yet also had in those days more adventure and discovery, and fantasy takes us to lands we've never dreamed of, because we are trapped in a world of our own making where we sit in an office cubicle all day and never explore. This would be a fun article to read. – Travis Kane 10 years ago
        1
      • It could be worth looking at indivdual cities and and doing it as a travel guide? It can then also be linked to real-world cities that compare. For example, Edoras in Middle Earth would be on my wish list, you could talk about the trips to the glittering caves and horse-riding being tourist atractions! and it can be compared to the Largs Viking Festival in Scotland because you can then talk about how the designers took influence from Norse culture. – Francesca Turauskis 10 years ago
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      • I have just realised I focused on film, but it could as easily be done for literature - for example Tolkein took influence from Old English for the name structure in Edoras (Eowyn means 'Horse Love' for instance) so it could be compared to an English town like Exeter, which has been occupied since Anglo Saxon times and has the caverns underneath it that compare to the Glittering Caves. – Francesca Turauskis 10 years ago
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      • interesting in terms of tourism studies (one of my interests) and people who travel to the real filming location even when for a fictional place - there is still such a draw! – kaptain 10 years ago
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      3
      film
      Write this topic

      Lack of Original Scripts in Hollywood

      Analysis and study of the lack of original scripts for big Hollywood movies. A majority of the recent films from Hollywood have been remakes or adaptations (whether from TV, Anime, or books). I think it would be interesting to look into why Hollywood seems to be shunning original films (or why they seem to only come from indie production companies). What does this say about Hollywood's creativity? What does this say about the consumer?

      • Rather than looking at lack of originality in Hollywood, how about the rise of originality in foreign films to introduce audiences to specific national cinemas – Ryan Errington 10 years ago
        1
      • To consider this would be to delve into the business aspect of film. Consider the four pillars of cinema: art, technology, business, and society. How do films reflect societal fears? What drives movies, is it business or art? Does it have to be just one? You could also consider the recession and see how that may have impacted the film industry. For instance, it is far safer to release a movie with an established fan base than to attempt to create one. – AnnieVos 10 years ago
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      • There was an article a couple of years ago outlining everything scripts need to do to be accepted. Your article could use this list to outline the overt infatuation with sequels, franchises etc. – Thomas Munday 10 years ago
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      • Selling an original screenplay is harder because nobody knows the screenwriter and therefore is a risky venture and could result in the loss of profits. Books however have proven themselves worthy if they've made a lot of money which means less risk of losing money. – Travis Kane 10 years ago
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      5
      film
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      The Rise in Popularity of Vigilante Movies

      Explore the increasing popularity of vigilante movies and what it says about our society/culture.

      Possible Movies to explore:
      – Comic books movies (such as Batman; the Punisher, Kick-Ass etc)
      – The Taken series
      – The Equalizer
      – The Brave One

      • Would be interesting to see this include an analysis of the power dynamic between the vigilante and society. To what extent is vigilantism on screen the product of the vigilante's powerlessness in society and lack of available legitimate options, and how much of our enjoyment of vigilante movies is based on our own sense of helplessness against societal infrastructures? – Monique 10 years ago
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      • Monique's points are all terrific. Another thing to support the notion that these types of films are popular box office numbers. Whoever decides to right on this would be wise to use the popular of vigilante movies in identifying the societal significance of them. – Giovanni Insignares 10 years ago
        1
      • Double-dipping here, sorry -- it might also be interesting to look at the differences between male and female vigilantes. Are men "allowed" more violence in their vigilantism? Do the different genders have different vigilante goals? Are they portrayed differently in terms of moral standing? – Monique 10 years ago
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      • Yes to the above. On screen in general might be good as well because then you could look at things like Arrow (which is immense, but also has both male and female vigilantes in and the women are more violent) – Francesca Turauskis 10 years ago
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      • I would like to see a comparison to some of the previous vigilante films that became popular in the 80s such as Death Wish. Is there something in our current culture that has brought this sub-genre back? – Liz Watkins 10 years ago
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      Latest Comments

      Katie Brown
      Feb 24, 2015
      bookworm2g9

      Great Article! It made me want to re-watch all of Joss Whedon’s shows again.

      		 Joss Whedon’s Best Heel Turns
      Katie Brown
      Feb 24, 2015
      bookworm2g9

      I love this movie. And your article, was a fantastic analysis! Great job.

      		 How Frozen's Treatment of True Love Transcends our Expectations
      Katie Brown
      Feb 24, 2015
      bookworm2g9

      Wonderful list. I haven’t seen the first two movies on the list–but I definitely want to now!

      		 Cinemas' Angels: 4 Great Movie Heroes
      Katie Brown
      Feb 24, 2015
      bookworm2g9

      Exactly! One of the great things about the series is that each book increases in reading difficulty—ideally they are meant to be read by readers roughly the same age as the main characters.

      		 Harry Potter and the Journey of Identity Formation
      Katie Brown
      Feb 21, 2015
      bookworm2g9

      I love both of these shows. The cross-over episodes between these two shows were fantastic. The Flash has more of the typical, bright, color-filled comic feel–but it has done an amazing job of showing nuance and character development. Grant Gustin is the perfect choice for Barry Allen!

      		 CW’s Superheroes: The Future of Arrow and The Flash
      Katie Brown
      Feb 21, 2015
      bookworm2g9

      I love this show! And FitzSimmons has always been my favorite part. Great job outlining how these two characters are demonstrating a “new hero.” Although, Whedon has always been a fan of nerdy, side-kicks and heroes (take Willow from Buffy, Wesley from Buffy & Angel, etc).

      		 The New Hero: Brains of S.H.I.E.L.D.
      Katie Brown
      Feb 11, 2015
      bookworm2g9

      Thanks!

      		 Thelma and Louise: The Language of Patriarchy
      Katie Brown
      Feb 11, 2015
      bookworm2g9

      Absolutely fantastic article! I love fairy tales and think that they can fulfill intellectual and psychological needs in the reader. It is fascinating to think about all the works of art (art, plays, books, tv shows, and films) that draw upon myths and fairy tales as inspiration.

      		 The Formidable Fairy Tale: A Writer's Guide
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