Film Review - A sample task

The students are expected to watch the films recommended and produce a film-review in the given format. The film-review format is based on university style film review writing taken from the Purdue University's writing lab, OWL. 

Instruction: Please WATCH ONE OF THE MOVIES below and write a film review based on the format given.

1.       Dead Poets Society (by Peter Weir)         

2.      Wonder (by Stephen Chbosky)

3.       Akeelah and the Bee (by Doug Atchison)

FORMAT-BASED WRITING – FILM REVIEW                                                 

Although there is not a set formula to follow when writing a film review, the genre does have certain common elements that most film reviews include.

1) Introduction

- In the opening of your review, provide some basic information about the film. You may include film’s   name, year, director, screenwriter, and major actors.

- Your introduction should also begin to evaluate the film, and it should allude to the central concept of the review. A film review does not have to contain a thesis or main claim, but it should focus on a central analysis and assessment.

2) Plot Summary and Description

- 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?

3) Analysis (can be more than one paragraph-if you choose to focus on two important themes/techniques - for example)

- 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 effects, music, genre, or narrative) affect the way the film looks, feels, and sounds to you?

-How does the thematic content (such as history, race, gender, discrimination, alienation, class, or the environment) affect your experience and interpretation? Also, do the formal techniques work to forward the thematic content?

4) Conclusion / Evaluation

- 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.