Compose reviews on two feature films: American Beauty and Stepmom.
1. As part of the out-of-class assignment, view the films and immediately note down your reactions, comments, anything essential for either comprehension or contents interpretation. Optionally, prior to watching the films and writing the papers, you can consult available filmography materials.
2. Study the following guidelines of writing a film critique regarding its arrangement and contents. Note down a draft structure of your paper.
Writing Guidelines
a. The standard film review/critique/evaluation is between 500 and 750 words long, or between 2 and 3 ½ pages long. A solid film review is not just a summary of a movie, but a critical analysis and assessment that examines in detail why and how a particular film works and whether the movie succeeds in its presentation. There are a number of different approaches to writing a review: 1) a plot-driven review; 2) a thematic or idea-driven review, or 3) a director- or actor-driven review. An evaluation can contain elements of all the three approaches.
b. Focus your review around a larger message, Make sure that you have a central thesis and a set of supporting topical arguments (subtopics) pertaining to the relevant ideas covered in the Units, as well as the key vocabulary needed for a thematic analysis of the movie.
c. Structure Focus: Include an introductory paragraph in which the name of the producer or director, names of major actors are furnished. The questions below are meant to stimulate thought about a film and to provide areas of concern one may wish to address in the critique. There is no need to recount everything; pick out the elements that provoke a critical awareness and are relevant to the topical interpretation of the movie.
1. Is the film adapted from fiction or drama, or is it based on an original idea and screenplay? If it is an adaptation, does it follow the original and neglect the cinematic opportunities of the story? Or does it sacrifice the original work for unnecessary cinematic devices? If the story is original, how innovative is it?
2. Are the characters believable? Are the actors appropriately cast?
3. What is the theme of the film? Do the plot, acting, and other elements in the film successfully impart the theme to the viewer?
4. Is the setting/locale appropriate and effective?
5. Is the cinematography effective? Does the film make certain use of color, texture, lighting, etc. to enhance the theme, mood, setting?
6. Is the soundtrack effective? Is the music appropriate and functional, or is it obtrusive?
7. Are camera angles used effectively? Are they ever used for a particular effect?
8. Are there special effects (and/or special effects makeup) in the film? If so, are they essential to the plot? Are they handled skillfully? Do they serve the function, or does the film sacrifice the plot or characterization for the effects themselves?
9. Does the film make use of symbols or symbolism? What purpose do the symbols serve? Are they used effectively? How does the symbolism in the film contribute to or enhance the film’s overall theme?
10. Define the message of the film. Comment on the title of the film. How does it relate to its message? How can it be interpreted?
d. Critical Perspective: Proceed to a complex analysis of the film. In compliance with the guidelines focus on the development and interpretation of the topical ideas. Discuss in this regard how a movie works psychologically, emotionally, intellectually and spiritually. Include your personal reactions and critical comments.
e. Close up your paper with an objective conclusion, related to the problems raised in the films.
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