Movie Review for The Odyssey

30 Points

Due:

Task: Type a one-twopage, double-spaced review addressing one or two items from of the movie. Set up your paper with the proper MLA heading and provide a title.

Movie Review Basics: A good film critique provides the reader with a basic idea of what the film is about and provides the writer’s critical assessment of the success/failure or effectiveness/ineffectiveness of the film. It is supported by evidence the writer gathers from the film. A review is more than a plot synopsis or the enthusiastic blurbs of publicity hype. For the writer, the critique is an opportunity to exhibit a critical awareness of the elements of the film as well as to share the delight and pleasure (or frustration and disappointment) the film offers the viewer.

If you provide only a plot summary, you are not writing a critique – you are writing what is equivalent to a book report. Once you introduce the main characters and devote a few lines to the plot, thus giving the reader a good overview, get down to convincing the reader that you have something interesting to say about the film. For example, you could discuss how the plot is trivial,how the hero is not really a hero who makes us not care about his/her success; the plot and characters are fine, but the camera work is needlessly tricky. Pick only one or two items to discuss!

Always use the present tense when writing your review and avoid words such as “great,” “excellent,” and the all-encompassing “really good.”Do not use first or second person when writing. (NO “I felt,” “you,”etc.)

The questions below are meant to stimulate thought about a film and to provide any areas of concern you may wish to address in your critique. The list is by no means exhaustive, but you do not have enough space to cover all the questions.Again, pick one or two only!!

Items to think about:

  • Since this film is adapted from mythology (epic poetry), does it follow the original and neglect the cinematic opportunities of the story? Or does it sacrifice the original work for unnecessary cinematic devices?
  • Are the characters believable?
  • Are the actors/actresses appropriately cast?
  • What is the theme of the film? Do the plot, acting, and other elements in the film successfully convey the theme to the viewer?
  • Is the setting appropriate and effective?
  • Does the film make use of symbols or symbolism? What purpose do the symbols serve? Are the used effectively? How does the symbolism in the film contribute to or enhance the film’s overall theme?
  • Is the soundtrack effective? Is the music appropriate and functional, or is it inappropriate and obtrusive?

Rubric for The Count of Monte Cristo Movie Review

Name:

5 Points / 3.5 Points / 1 Point / 0 Points
Grammar (spelling, punctuation, sentence structure)
X 1
/ 5 / 0-1 errors / 2-3 errors / 4-5 errors / 6 or more errors
Voice/Word Choice
X 1
/ 5 / 0-2 errors / 3-4 errors / 5-6 errors / 7 or more errors
Content
X 3
/ 15 / Review elements are insightful, compelling, and specific, explanations of examples are very clear and thoughtful / Review elements are meaningful and specific, explanations of examples are clear and meaningful / Review elements are weak, explanations of examples are weak and lack meaning or relevance to the overall movie / Review elements are lacking, explanations of examples are very weak or nonexistent
Flow of Information
X 1
/ 5 / Attention grabber is creative and catchy, transitional words are plentiful, organization of info is clearly evident, closing is thoughtful / Attention grabber is present, transitional words are used, organization of info is evident, closing is present / Attention grabber is weak, transitional words are rarely used, organization of info is poor, closing is weak / Attention grabber is not present, transitional words are not used, lack of organization, closing is not used or is extremely weak
Total:
- ______(MLA)
/ 30 / Comments: