This document is a comprehensive guide focused on phrases and vocabulary for writing film reviews. It includes sections on various film genres, such as drama, action, and thriller, along with key phrases for discussing directors, screenplays, and character performances. The guide also covers aspects of plot structure, dialogue, music, and soundtracks, providing useful terminology for analyzing films. Additionally, it features evaluation phrases to help reviewers articulate their opinions effectively. Published by Cornelsen Verlag, this resource is ideal for students, educators, and film enthusiasts looking to enhance their film analysis skills. The structured format allows for easy navigation through different topics, making it a valuable tool for anyone interested in film critique.
©
2007 Cornelsen Verlag, Berlin. Alle Rechte vorbehalten.
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Phrases for writing a film review
Kind of film (genre)
drama
action film
thriller
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Producer
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Director
a film directed by …
to develop a story
well-directed
expertly directed.
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Screenplay/script
… from a screenplay by …
multi-layered script
screenwriter …
The script was written by …
… co-writes …
…‘s writing is astonishing/plausible/witty
tightly written
give characters the opportunity to …
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Setting/atmosphere
is set in …
The story unfolds in …
… provides the setting for …
create a certain atmosphere/mood
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Actors/characters
exceptional performance
fervently performed, well acted
… does a very good job as …
The performances in … are excellent.
… gives the part much personality
… adds a lot to the film
… is absolutely remarkable/especially memorable as …
… is very/less convincing …
The most complex/incredibly played character is that of …
newcomer
a film full of wonderful characters
appealing, fascinating, funny, stereotypical, two-dimensional,
warm-hearted
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Plot/story
amusing, boring, clichéd, confusing, entertaining, exciting,
melodramatic, thrilling, unbelievable
arouse curiosity
full of tension
build up to/reach a climax
develop a story
interlocking stories/fragmented narrative/non-linear narrative
unexpected plot twists
One of the most surprising moments in the film occurs when …
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Dialogue
melodramatic
(un)convincing
realistic
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©
2007 Cornelsen Verlag, Berlin. Alle Rechte vorbehalten.
Music/soundtrack
The music conveys a sad/happy/melancholy atmosphere
The music underlines a mood/evokes feelings/shows a character’s
emotions/connects scenes
The music and the lyrics support the plot.
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Miscellaneous
The film contains a few funny bits.
… full of humorous moments
The film gets extremely dramatic in places.
One of the most poignant scenes of the movie …
powerful scenes
final scene
The film is close to reality.
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Evaluation
a must-see/a smash hit
a box-office success/failure
an audience pleaser
well worth seeing
not to be missed
a moving production/an emotionally strong film
a truly great piece of filmmaking
a skilful piece of filmmaking
an impressive debut
a very moving portrayal
I definitely recommend this film to everybody …
The film is a worthwhile watch.
On a scale from zero to five, I give this film a five.
The film literally brought tears to my eyes.
I highly/strongly/definitely recommend the film.
If you like …, this is the film for you.
If you found films like … or … compelling then be sure to give … your full
attention.
I certainly wouldn’t recommend the film, because …
I’m afraid … is a complete waste of time and money.
It’s a film that will change the way you think about …
I was impressed by …
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Adjectives you could use
action-packed, amusing, badly acted, balanced, beautiful, (extremely)
boring, breathtaking, captivating, compelling, complex, (totally/slightly)
confusing, contrived, disappointing, enigmatic, enjoyable, entertaining,
exciting, fantastic, (totally/rather) far-fetched, (truly) fascinating, funny,
gripping, hilarious, humorous, inspiring, lousy, manipulative, masterful,
perfect, poignant, powerful, (un)realistic, ridiculous, romantic, overacted,
overrated, overwhelming, (im)perfect, predictable, provocative, silly,
stupid, surprising, super, tense, unbelievable, unoriginal, (highly)
uplifting
When writing a film review, use words and phrases from the list.
You can add expressions from film reviews you have read.
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Phrases for writing a film review
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©
2007 Cornelsen Verlag, Berlin. Alle Rechte vorbehalten.
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The film
is the dramatic/thought-provoking story of …
has a circular structure, beginning with … and ending with …
The director …
aims to achieve a certain effect by …
uses … to underline/emphasise sth.
draws the viewer‘s attention to sth.
tries to convey a certain impression
creates a mood
provides information about …
Narrative structure
non-linear/fragmented narrative
ensemble film
plot structure
The plot contains several cleverly woven together storylines.
The opening sequence
shows/presents/mirrors/reveals …
captures the atmosphere
conveys the setting
portrays the characters
Camera operations …
describe characters indirectly
show a character‘s emotions
draw attention to sth.
describe the setting
evoke a certain atmosphere
The camera
is at a great distance from …/is very close to …
shoots from a high/low angle.
pulls back
moves in/closes in on …
cranes up over …
fades in on …/fades out from …
pans from left to right
tilts up/down
zooms in on/zooms out from …
cuts from … to …
Camera distance and camera perspective
The director uses a long shot of the setting.
The … shot establishes where the action is about to take place.
The close-up is used to focus attention on …/reveals the character’s feelings/makes the situation more intimate.
… uses a lot of close-ups.
… is shown in a close-up so we can see the reaction in her face when …
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Film language – Phrases
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