FILM IN AMERICAN SOCIETY- Meyers & Chappuis
Makeup for Graded Discussion
ASSIGNMENT: Writing a Movie Review
Write a film review of the film we just watched.
REQUIREMENTS:
1. Give the standard specifications for a movie somewhere appropriate in your review.
The most usual place is at or near the beginning.
2. Give commentary about good and bad points from the movie, using
at least three of the categories listed in the handout,
“WHAT TO WRITE ABOUT IN A MOVIE REVIEW,” attached to this handout.
3. Even if you think the movie is excellent, give 2 or more negative comments about it,
using reasonable and significant examples of flaws.
(Reasonable criticism: The music sometimes overpowered the scene being presented.)
(Unreasonable criticism: I hate movies with two-word titles and movies set in Utah.)
4. Conclude your review with a recommendation to see or not see the movie, with a
rationale that explains your recommendation.
5. Length: 1-2 pages maximum.
Specifications: double-spaced, keyboarded, normal margins & font, å12 point type.
A FILM REVIEW DEFINITION:
A critical movie review is a short semiformal essay (from one page to chapter-length)
involving an opinion of and some information about a movie, recent or not.
A review is not the same as a mere summary of the scenes or a re-sequenced outline of the story.
A good review should include a statement of what the filmmaker has tried to do, evaluates
how well the filmmaker succeeded (in the opinion of the reviewer), and presents appropriate evidence to support that evaluation. The reviewer should always give sufficient information
to allow the reader to form a personal opinion of the movie in question.
WHAT TO WRITE ABOUT IN A MOVIE REVIEW
1. Screenplay
Is the script believable as a story, at least according to its own terms?
Do the lines make sense in general coming from such characters?
2. Pictures / Editing
Are the scenes (the mise en scene) composed well?
Is the continuity (part of the editing) effective or is it distracting?
Is the cutting and other shot-changing effective?
3. Story
Is the story interesting? All the way through?
Is the story clichéd? Believeable? Does it command the viewer’s attention?
4. Camera work
Do the scenes look clear and appropriate?
Does the color look good and appropriate?
Does the cinematography enhance the story the director is trying to tell?
Are the camera angles and shots appropriate / effective?
5. Directing
Is the concept presented clearly and effectively?
Is the story put together in such a way that it enhances or interferes with
the acting and the script?
Is the style consistent and clear?
Is the style original? Compelling? Creative?
6. Acting
Do the actors deliver the language in a believable and appropriate way?
Are the actors’ behaviors believable and appropriate? Creative? Original?
7. Music
Does the music “drive” the story and “tell” the viewer what to think?
Does the music create an enhancing background to the pictures?
8. Other Movies & Comparisons
How does this movie compare with others of its kind?
How does this movie compare with others by the director?
How does this movie compare with others with these actors?
How does this movie compare with other forms of the story?
Is the movie accurate, if some factual basis is relevant?
Finally
Is the movie “good”?
Should a potential viewer go see it?