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| Image Source: theguardian.com |
There are a lot of things that I look to when reading movie reviews online and I tend to get nitpicky about it since I write my own. However, I don't read other people's reviews so that I could belittle other critics but because I know that I can learn a lot of things from them. The following are just some of the things that I've picked up when writing and reading film reviews:
Watch the movie (preferably more than once)
To review a film without watching it is blasphemy. Watch the movie either in the cinema or in the comfort of your own home or anywhere you feel comfortable. As an added tip, I find that watching the movie once is not enough to capture its essence and I recommend watching a second (or a third) time, since it is easy to miss key elements and important details on a single viewing.
Give your honest opinion
Share what you think about the movie but avoid bias. Remember that a review is not meant to bash an actor, director, writer, or any person involved with the production. Always provide an explanation or a valid reason for your opinions even if you think it's obvious.
Know your audience
It is important to take note of who your readers are. A review on the latest action film will likely attract male readers so you should write about what you think they would want to know about the movie.
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| Image Source: wikihow.com |
Talk about the movie but avoid spoilers
It is hard to enjoy movie when you already know what will happen, no thanks to spoilers. People want to know if a movie is good or not but they don't want to know all the details. Keep in mind that there will be readers who have not seen the film you're reviewing so stick to the obligatory information (the title, director, main cast, etc.) and a simple outline of the story. Avoid writing about key plot twists and big revelations.
Write about the different aspects of the movie as well. For example, you can discuss how the actors played their parts and if they are suited for the role. Another important aspect that can be discusses is the plot. Was the story intriguing, funny, or did it bore you to sleep? Was it complicated or easy to understand? These are just some of the things you can include in your review.
Evaluate the technical elements
Cinematography, lighting, and special effects are just some of the aspects we look forward to in movies especially in fantasy or superhero films. These are some of the things that make or break a movie so it is important to include them in your review.
Aside from the abovementioned, you should also make proofreading and editing a part of your routine. It would be embarrassing to find bad grammar or misspelled key terms in your review and it may affect your reputation as well.
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| Image Source: nautical11.wordpress.com |
Hi, I'm Louis A. Habash, a film critic and movie enthusiast. Follow me on Twitter for the latest news about recent films and upcoming movies.
