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