Writing a film review

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• havo
• Leerjaar 4,5

Writing a review

Review

A review gives an opinion about anything from a restaurant 

to a concert.

The most common types of review are film and book reviews, but people also review music, television programmes, theatre performances and computer games.

Review

Critics often write reviews for a living. They are knowledgeable on certain topics, eg films or music. We trust their judgement and may decide to read a book or watch a film because they persuade us to do so.

All reviews share a number of different purposes. 

A film review needs to:

• to inform - the review needs to tell people who is in the film, who it is by and where or when readers can see it.

A film review needs to:

• to inform - the review needs to tell people who is in the film, who it is by and where or when readers can see it.
• to describe - the review should describe the story, characters and some of the action - without spoiling the plot or giving too much away

A film review needs to:

• to inform - the review needs to tell people who is in the film, who it is by and where or when readers can see it.
• to describe - the review should describe the story, characters and some of the action - without spoiling the plot or giving too much away
  
• to entertain - to provide the reader with their opinion in a way that readers will enjoy, eg with a lively or witty tone

A film review needs to:

• to inform - the review needs to tell people who is in the film, who it is by and where or when readers can see it.
• to describe - the review should describe the story, characters and some of the action - without spoiling the plot or giving too much away
  
• to entertain - to provide the reader with their opinion in a way that readers will enjoy, eg with a lively or witty tone
  
• to analyse - a good review weighs up whether the film is good or not, giving opinions backed up with reasons and evidence

A film review needs to:

• to inform - the review needs to tell people who is in the film, who it is by and where or when readers can see it.
• to describe - the review should describe the story, characters and some of the action - without spoiling the plot or giving too much away
  
• to entertain - to provide the reader with their opinion in a way that readers will enjoy, eg with a lively or witty tone
  
• to analyse - a good review weighs up whether the film is good or not, giving opinions backed up with reasons and evidence
  
• to advise - the review should recommend to the reader whether or not they should go to see the film

Review

In short:

A review is a journalistic form, which combines objective information with subjective opinion. The element of opinion should involve analysis and evaluation, the journalistic form means it should be informative and entertaining.  

Review

Format

• Headline/title
• Sub-headline, summarising
  
• Byline: author, date, location
  
• Paragraphs
  
• Sub-headings (possibly) 

    Approach:

- ‘address’ – lively, direct communication that will interest the audience. So it will most likely be semi-formal register, explaining things clearly and concisely, with some informality to convey personal tone & vivid comment/rhetoric.

    Approach:

- ‘angle’: the script has a clear overall point of view/attitude. Use adjectives to express your opinion.

    Approach:

- possible ideas to address: - good aspects/ bad aspects/ good and bad aspects, performance (of actors, for example)/ plot/ effects of….(seeing film, reading book).

    Approach:

- start your review with something that grabs the audience’s attention.

    Approach:

- your review should have an argument: every good review focuses on why the reader should or not see the film or read the book. It also states what the review is going to be about.

    Approach:

- Use the present tense when writing a review. Eg. Bond appears softer….

    Approach:

- a review has a limited summary. The audience wants to know more about the plot and characters, but make sure you avoid ‘spoilers’.

    Approach:

- credits: always mention the name of the author, director or artist.  

Structure

I.    Introduction

•    Begin with a very short summary of the story and your opinion of its strengths

II.    The story

•    Give a brief summary of the story 

•    Highlight the strengths of the story, or how it engages the audience

III.    The acting

•    Focus on a scene or episode and highlight the acting in it, mentioning 2-3 actors and why they were impressive, or not.

IV.    The direction

•    Discuss another scene or episode, but focus on the camera work, setting or music.  Discuss how these aspects enhance the story.

V.    Conclusion

•    What were the film/series’ strengths?

•    What could have been improved?

•    Who would you recommend see this?

   Assignment

Write a review about 'the BlackKklansman' of 450-600 words.

Upload the review in Teams