We have been looking at writing about television programmes. Often there are movies broadcast on TV. But the place they appear first is the cinema.
People often like to read other people's views about a movie before they decide to spend money to see it themselves. The reviews that appear in newspapers or magazines are often written by professional critics.
As well as reading film reviews, people like to ask their friends and relatives what they thought about a movie if they saw it first.
You can write your own movie reviews and share them with anyone who is interested. Perhaps they might even get published in a newspaper or a magazine. Read the fictional review below and write a similar piece.
Movie Review
Dragon Danger
Movies made in Hong Kong are becoming more popular. There was a time when the local movie industry was only expected to produce kung fu epics or adventure stories. Thank goodness those days have gone. Movie-goers throughout the world are beginning to realise there is a wealth of talent in the territory and their high expectations are being met. In his latest feature called Dragon Danger, veteran director Ming Xi Fan has produced a heart-warming tale of love, excitement and intrigue. Set in Guangzhou, Beijing and the New Territories, the plot follows its hero, May Wan, as she travels in search of her lost father.
Along the way, she encounters drug dealers, corrupt officials and abandoned children left to die by heartless parents. While searching desperately for her father, May falls in love. When she accidentally bumps into Cedric Chan, she is shocked by his unusual appearance. He has very long hair. When she realises he has information that will help her, they begin to work together. Their relationship develops slowly until eventually they fall in love. Their love will have tragic consequences that only become clear at the end of the movie.
The photography is superb. Shots of the Great Wall in Beijing and of the walled villages in the New Territories are beautiful and the best I have seen. The music, written by Patrick Wong, is dramatic and brings the pictures to life. All the actors are superb. The only one who was less than impressive was the boy who played the beggar. His voice was too quiet.
Some of the plot is difficult to follow. But if you concentrate hard, you will enjoy this fantastic movie. It lasts just over two hours but it does not seem that long. This movie will make you think. It will make you laugh and cry. Go and see it and tell your friends. You will not regret it.
Glossary
epic (n) - blockbuster
veteran (adj) - experienced
heart-warming (adj) - emotional; touching
intrigue (n) - conspiracy; trickery
to encounter (v) - to meet (someone)
consequence (n) - result
beggar (n) - tramp; homeless person
Questions
1. Who directed Dragon Danger?
2. Who is May Chan searching for?
3. What is unusual about Cedric Chan?
4. What is 'superb'?
5. How long does the movie last for?
Writing style
The reviewer often links thoughts, ideas and opinions using the word 'and'. Read the sentences below and match the correct phrases.
they need lots of food, the sound systems are very loud, sometimes need protection
6. Film crews often get hungry and ...
7. Actors have lots of fans and ...
8. Cinemas have large screens and ...
Crossword
Cinemas can be exciting places to visit. Read the clues below and fill the boxes in the crossword.
Screen, projector, usher, ticket, queue, exit
1. You need one of these to get in
2. You go through this door when you leave
3. This piece of equipment shows the film
4. If lots of people need to get in, they need to form one of these
5. This person shows you to your seat
6. The white space the pictures appear on
Answers: 1. Ming Xi Fan; 2. her father; 3. he has very long hair; 4. the photography; 5. just over two hours; 6. they need lots of food; 7. sometimes need protection; 8. the sound systems are very loud
Crossword: 1. ticket; 2, exit; 3. projector; 4. queue; 5. usher; 6. screen