Entertainment CoverageWRITING the MOVIE REVIEW

Why do we write them

1. As a service to readers

2. To call attention to things that deserve it

WHAT SHOULD BE INCLUDED?

1. Short plot summary--just enough to give readers a

sense of what the film is about.

2. Discussion of what works and what doesn’t.

A. Acting

B. Direction (the film’s look, pace, camera usage

etc)

C. Writing, Dialogue etc.

3. If relevant, comparisons or contrasts to other work of

the actor/director.

WHAT TO AVOID

1. Too Much Summary

2. Plot giveaways--if you absolutely have to--give a

warning

3. Unfair bias--don’t say a movie is crummy because its a

stupid horror movie (and you hate horror movies). Say its

crummy because its not nearly as clever or scary or funny

as the other other stupid horror movies you hated and then

show why.

ALL IN ALL, WITH A MOVIE REVIEW,

REMEMBER, YOU’RE TRYING TO

TELL YOUR AUDIENCE WHETHER OR

NOT THIS FILM IS WORTH THEIR

TEN BUCKS.

PLACES TO LOOK FOR INSPIRATION

1. rogerebert.suntimes.com (Roger Ebert is America’s most famous film

critic for good reason. Although his style isn’t always appropriate for high

school publications, he’s a good place to start reading about film.

2. www.rollingstone.com (Peter Travers)

www.rollingstone.com/movies/blogs/the-travers-take

3. Entertainment Weekly-a little more populist/less intellectual than the

first two. ET also has many shorter reviews.

4. Detroit Free Press and Detroit News--every Friday they run several

long reviews plus capsule reviews of things playing.

5. Amazon and other sites that sell films

6. www.imdb.com

7. In addition, you can always just google movie reviews.

Now it’s Movie TimeLet’s get some popcorn