CREATING A FILM REVIEW
How do you usually decide which films or videos you want to see?
Whose opinion would you trust if they recommended a film or video? Why?
Whose opinion would you not trust at all? Why not?
What would convince you to trust the judgement of someone you didn’t know who recommended a film?
Do you ever read, listen to, or look at reviews? Are there any reviewers whose opinion you particularly trust? Which TV shows, radio stations, internet sites, newspapers or magazines have reviews that you would trust? Why?
TWO SITES THAT I LOOK AT WHEN DECIDING TO SEE A MOVIE.
WHAT IS A FILM REVIEW?
Film reviews build a clear point of view about the film. It uses appropriate language and reveals film knowledge. This helps give the reviewer credibility.
THERE IS NO ABSOLUTELY PERFECT WAY OF WRITING A FILM REVIEW. REMEMBER YOU ARE MARKED ON YOUR WRITING.
MAIN FILM GENRE
ACTIVITY
Which two great films have you watched recently and why were they so good? (Be specific for each one)
ACTIVITY
What is your favourite genre of film (romance, horror etc) and why?
ACTIVITY
Which genre does the film that you are going to watch belong to and how do you know this? (comedy, action etc)
Pick one of those films and find reviews of it online and read it.
Does your review have the following aspects?
Have some evidence from the review.
What genre it is?
Where AND when it was set?
What the director was trying to do?
A summary of the film (without spoilers)?
Does it talk about highlights?
Talks about the characters and actors?
Says what is good and not good about the film?
Has a strong point of view?
Compares it to other films that are similar?
Is it an interesting and clever review?
FILM REVIEW ANALYSIS
ROGER EBERT
GUIDELINES FOR WRITING A FILM REVIEW
It is important to review a film in relation to its genre, it’s setting and the intentions of the director.
Films grouped based on similar narratives and emotional responses.
Setting
Where and when the movie was set. (Auschwitz during WWII)
Intentions of the director
What was the director trying to do? (Themes and big ideas)
2. A film review should not ‘spoil’ the film
The purpose in writing a film review is to have an opinion which will help the audience to decide whether to see the film or not. The reader does not want the whole story. What the reader wants is a feeling for the storyline and to help them decide whether to spend their money or not.
3. Highlights using the language of film
While the plot summary will give the reader a general sense of what the film is about, also include a more detailed description of your particular cinematic experience watching the film. This may include your personal impression of what the film looks, feels, and sounds like. In other words, what stands out in your mind when you think about this particular film?
WHAT WERE THE HIGHLIGHTS FOR YOU IN THE FILM?
4. Analysis
In order to explain your impression of the film, consider how well the film utilizes formal techniques and thematic content. How do the film’s formal techniques (such as cinematography, editing, lighting, sound, genre, acting...) affect the way the film looks, feels, and sounds to you? How does the thematic content (such as history, race, gender, sexuality, class, or the environment) affect your experience and interpretation?
Vocabulary Toolbox - Don’t forget to add your own
Camera work visually stunning technically superb dull | Lighting sumptuous evocative atmospheric | Acting
wooden convincing accomplished awkward | Casting
believable wins you over stereotyped strong performance | Theme/ Message
inspiring unoriginal |
Costume
award-winning period stylish | Plot
predictable original muddled climax | Dialogue
leaden stilted realistic contrived | Pace
drawn-out bum-numbing tightly-scripted fast moving | Special Effects
over-the-top stunning budget state-of-the-art |
5. Express a clear point of view
It is important to take a stand. Whether you loved it, hated it, bored by it, you need to say it clearly. You don’t have to take an extreme position (best film ever, or worst film ever). Do an overall opinion of the film at the end. The closing of your film review should remind the reader of your general thoughts and impressions of the film. You may also implicitly or explicitly state whether or not you recommend the film. Make sure to remind the reader of why the film is or is not worth seeing.
6. Give it a rating
Don’t forget to give it stars out of 5.
The more reviews you read, the better you will get.