Back To Basics. (How To Write A Good Movie Review)

Member Name: boredindunoon

Product:	How To Write A Good Movie Review
Date:	15/01/09 (148 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: A Few Tips From Me.

Disadvantages: Not Everybody Will Find Me Helpful.

So you want to know how to write a good movie review?

Well the first problem is how do you know what makes a review good?

Surely every single person has their own personal preference when it comes to both writing their own and reading other people's reviews. Different people look for different things, but I'm sure that there's a few things, we could all follow to enhance the Dooyoo experience.

I enjoy both writing and reading movies reviews on Dooyoo. I now come here to find out about a film, where as in the past I would have went to Amazon or IMDB.

I'm by no means and expert on reviewing anything, but I have a few points that maybe useful.


1: Make sure you have all of your facts about the film right before you publish it. I've came across reviews with little mistakes, such as the wrong release year, or wrong director (that's forgivable). But I've even came across bigger less forgivable mistakes, for example I came across a review a few weeks back saying how great Wesley Snipes was in The Shawshank Redemption. If in doubt look it up or don't include it.

2: Your review should include information about the plot of the film, what it entails, it's development, it's realism, and so forth. Try not to reveal too much about any twists or surprises. Feel free to say that there are some good twists in the film but don't say what they are, as it would spoil it. Spoilers are a real no, no. How would you like to have known the ending to The Sixth Sense before watching it.

3: If there is something you like, or something you don't like about a film (say the characters, or story, or whatever). Say what it was, don't just say you didn't like the film, give some explanation, was it unrealistic, was it boring, was the acting pants. Again if you did like a certain element say why - was it really funny, could you relate to it, did it have great special effects.

4: It's sometimes a good idea to include some background information to either the film, director, or cast. If it's interesting and or relevant then great. But don't get carried away. If I'm reading a review about a film, then I want to know about the film. I don't want to have to sieve through a thousand words about the director, his life and his previous films.

5: Don't write to try and get a crown. You could spend hours on a review, making it perfect and not get one. I came across one review recently that was absolutely brilliant (one of the best I've ever read on Dooyoo). Around half a dozen people left comments saying so, and saying that they nominated it, but has never been awarded a crown. Spend as much time writing the review as you want, and put in as much effort, but don't be disappointed if you don't get a crown.

6: One of the great things about DVD's are the special features included. If there are some great special features say so, and if there are none, do you think there should have been.

7: Keep your review structured. Make sure that the reader knows what film you are reviewing, what it's about, and what you thought about it.

8: Something I usually forget to mention myself is the music to the movie. The soundtrack can really enhance or ruin a film (Marie Antoinette anybody - modern music in an 18th century period drama). Say if you feel the music was suited, did it increase your viewing pleasure.

9: Finish with a summary, a bottom line that says what you thought about the movie. Did you enjoy it overall, would you recommend it to others, is there another film that's similar but better.


So, hopefully that's of some use to somebody. As I said, I'm no expert on reviewing movies, but I still like to think that my reviews are useful.

Summary: Thanks For Reading.