Students wanting to raise their final grade by one letter grade may complete the following assignment. You will examine a favorite movie or episode of a TV show and write 1000+ words (3-5 pages) addressing the following topics/sections:
1. Introduction
○ In the opening of your review, provide some basic information about the film. You
may include the film’s name, year, director, screenwriter, and major actors.
○ Your introduction, which may be longer than one paragraph, should also begin to
evaluate the film, and it should allude to the central concept of the review.
○ A film review does not have to contain a thesis or main claim, but it should focus
on a central analysis and assessment.
2. Plot Summary
○ Remember that many readers of film reviews have not yet seen the film. While
you want to provide some plot summary, keep this brief and avoid specific details that would spoil the viewing for others.
3. Description
○ While the plot summary will give the reader a general sense of what the film is
about, also include a more detailed description of your particular cinematic experience watching the film. This may include your personal impression of what the film looks, feels, and sounds like. In other words, what stands out in your mind when you think about this particular film?
4. Analysis
○ In order to explain your impression of the film, consider how well the film utilizes
formal techniques and thematic content. How do the film’s formal techniques (such as cinematography, editing, mise-en-scène, lighting, diegetic and non-diegetic sound, genre, or narrative) affect the way the film looks, feels, and sounds to you? How does the thematic content (such as history, race, gender, sexuality, class, or the environment) affect your experience and interpretation? Also, do the formal techniques work to forward the thematic content?
5. Conclusion/Evaluation
○ The closing of your film review should remind the reader of your general thoughts
and impressions of the film. You may also implicitly or explicitly state whether or not you recommend the film. Make sure to remind the reader of why the film is or is not worth seeing.
