Project: Movie Review (Extra Credit)

Project Description In this project - you get to be the reviewer! Movies have often been called a form of literature literature coupled with pictures. This project has 3 parts: You will watch a movie, you will take notes during your movie, and you will write a review of your movie. All three parts must be completed in order to earn full credit. How to write a movie review Look over the notes you made based on the handout Gathering Information for Your Film Review. I. Plan your introduction (1 paragraph) a. Use a hook (an opening paragraph that catches your readers attention). For example: Describe a scene, incident, or bit of dialogue from the film, remind your reader of this directors last movie (or other movies of the lead actors), or connect the movie to something happening in society today. Description (1 paragraph) a. This is where you summarize the plot of the movie, identify the actors, and go over the main ideas. Analysis (3-4 paragraphs) i. Literary The literary aspects pertains to the story, dialogue and characters. Was there a good story? Believable characters? Good dialogue? Did the main character change throughout the film? Did you notice a character arc? What was the main conflict and how was it resolved? Did the story interest you? Pick ONE or TWO of these aspects to analyze, and use specific examples from the movie to support your analysis. ii. Dramatic The dramatic aspects pertains to the acting, sets, locations and costumes. Were the actors good? Was the setting or location interesting? Did the actors wear costumes? Was there a famous movie star in the film? Pick ONE or TWO of these aspects to analyze, and use specific examples from the movie to support your analysis. iii. Cinematic The cinematic aspects pertain to the camera angles, composition, lighting, music and sound effects. Did you notice the cinematography? Were there interesting camera angles, or cool video and sound effects? Did the music match the film? Pick ONE or TWO of these aspects to analyze, and use specific examples from the movie to support your analysis. Evaluation (1 paragraph) a. In the conclusion, rate the film (Two thumbs up! A+ Five Stars!, etc.) and state whether or not you would recommend the film to a friend.

II. III.

IV.

While you watch: Gathering Information for your film review THE BASICS: 1. What is the title of the film? EVALUATION OF THE FILM: 1.Characterize the plot/story of the movie. Is it involving, convoluted, simplistic, realistic, unbelievable, highly unlikely, well-structured, unresolved? (Add to this list if you need to.)

2. Who are the main actors in the film? 2.How would you characterize the dialogue? Do people talk this way in real life? (Or if realism was not a goal of the movie, was the dialogue amusing, poetic, or moving?)

3. Who directed the film?

4. Who wrote the screenplay? 3.Describe the acting. Do you believe that the actors are the characters?

5. Who was responsible for photography?

6. Who produced the film?

4. Describe the sets, costumes, and make-up if these elements of the films design are significant.

7. Who wrote/played/sang the music?

DESCRIPTION/SUMMARY OF THE FILM: 1. What other movies is this movie like?

5. What did you notice about the films cinematography? Did the director employ a lot of camera movements? Close-ups? High or low angles? Distorted lenses? Special visual effects?

2. Who are the main characters?

3. What is the setting of the film?

6.What do you notice about the films editing? Are there quick cuts? Lengthy shots? Fade-in/fade-outs? Dissolves? Special optical effects like wipes, irises, and freeze frames?

4. What is the main situation or source of conflict?

7. What do you notice about the films sound effects and music? What do they add to the overall effect of the film?

5. Summarize the plot (without the ending!) in no more than five sentences.

LITERARY ANALYSIS OF THE FILM: 1. What themes do you discover in the movie?

2. Do you notice any symbols/motifs/images that recur in the movie?

Choices for Movie Review

Writing
Finding Forester The Hours Dead Poets Society Finding Neverland The Lion, The Witch, at th Wardrobe The Basketball Diaries Closer Little Women Into the Wild The Curious Case of Benjamin Button Citizen Kane Coraline My Sisters Keeper Tuck Everlasting To Kill a Mockingbird The Shawshank Redemption The Soloist All the Presidents Men Finding Neverland Howl Bright Star The Diving Bell and the Butterfly Capote Ms. Potter Before Night Falls Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas Shakespeare in Love My Left Foot Adaptation A Mighty Heart Stardust The Princess Bride

American Literature
Crash Raisin in the Sun Look Whos Coming to Dinner For Colored Girls American History X RENT The Help Runaway Jury The Shawshank Redemption Fight Club Gone with the Wind The Cider House Rules Cold Mountain Brokeback Mountain The Color Purple In Cold Blood In Her Shoes The Soloist Girl, Interrupted Dead Man Walking Roots The Virgin Suicides Beloved No Country for Old Men Charlie Wilsons War Proof Native Son Apollo 13 Good Night and Good Luck Forest Gump Mississippi Burning Philadelphia Fast Food Nation Freakanomics Food, Inc. Good Hair Milk Super Size Me

Senior English
Va, Vie, Deviens (Go, Live, Become) The English Patient The Kite Runner The Stranger The Namesake Charlie Wilsons War V for Vendetta Memoirs of a Geisha The Constant Gardener Troy Lord of the Flies Les Choristes Schindlers List Playing the Enemy: Nelson Mandela and the Game that Made a Nation Invictus Life of Pi Slumdog Millionaire Atonement Tsotsi The Hurt Locker The Mission Persepolis City of God A Separation The Bicycle Theives Amelie The Gods Must be Crazy Broken Cameras Babies Born Into Brothels Buena Vista Social Club An Inconvenient Truth Guns, Germs & Steel