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DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR USE WITH

Select the questions that will work best with your students and promote your educational goals.

Table of Contents

Simulating Student Interest Focusing on Empathic Reactions Characterization

Plot Themes, Messages & Ideas Other Literary Elements

Theatrical Devices and Effects Cinematic Devices and Effects Foreign Films

Questions to Stimulate Student Interest -- Get them Talking and Thinking

• Did you learn anything from this movie? If you did, what was it?
• What is the message of this movie? Do you agree or disagree with it?
• Was there something you didn’t understand about the film? What was that?
• What did you like best about the movie? Why?
• What did you like least about the film? Why?
• Who was your favorite character in the movie? Why?
• Who was your least favorite character in the film? Why?
• Did anything that happened in this movie remind you of something that has occurred in your own life or that you have seen occur to others?
• What were you thinking as you finished watching the film?
• Would you recommend this movie to a friend? Explain your reasons.
• What part of the story told by the movie was the most powerful? Why?
• If you had a chance to ask a character in this movie a question, what would it be?
• If you had a chance to ask the screenwriter a question, what would it be?
• If you were writing the screenplay for this movie, would you have changed the ending? Explain your answer.
• What feelings did you share with any of the characters in the movie?
• Did any of the characters in this movie make you angry? Tell us why.
• Did you come to respect any of the characters in this movie? Who was it and why did you come to respect that character?
• If a psychologist were to look at the actions of [select a character] what do you think the psychologist would say about that character? Describe specific statements or actions that you think the psychologist would be interested in and the conclusions that you think the psychologist would draw from those statements or actions.
• If a priest, minister, or rabbi were to look at the actions of [select a character] what do you think the priest, minister, or rabbi would say about them? Describe specific statements or actions that you think the priest, minister or rabbi would be interested in and the conclusions that you think he or she would draw from those statements or actions.
• What comment is the author trying to make about the culture of the characters in this story?

Empathetic Reaction Discussion Questions:

1. In what ways are the characteristics of the protagonist like your own or those of someone you know?

2. In what ways are the characteristics of the antagonist like your own or those of someone you know?

3. Is the problem to be solved in the film that can be seen in the struggle of the protagonist against the antagonist familiar to you in any way? If so, describe the similarities and differences.

4. What details in the setting of the film are similar to the setting in which you live or in various places you have been? What are those similarities and what are the differences?

5. The problems faced by the protagonist sometimes stray from the central conflict in the film. Describe these problems and show how they are familiar to the problems you or someone you know must face.

6. The personal qualities that help the protagonist solve his or her problem are often a part of the lesson to be learned in the film. What are these qualities and where have you seen them in your own experience, either in your own behavior or in behavior of someone you know?

7. Complications come along and make problem solving more difficult. What complications does the film’s protagonist face that are similar to those you may have faced in your various struggles? What are they, and what are their similarities and differences?

8. Depth of feeling is what makes a film worth watching. Of the many feelings expressed in the film, with which are you most familiar?

9. The resolution to the problem in the film can be satisfying or disheartening. Think about how some of your own problems have been resolved; write about a time when the solution was satisfying and write about a time when the solution was disheartening.

10. The resolution of the film teaches a lesson. How can you apply the lesson in the film to your own life?

11. What was the strongest emotion that you felt when watching the film?

12. Which character did you [admire, hate, love, pity] the most? What was it about that character that caused you to have that reaction?

Questions Concerning Characterization

Note: In some of the questions we have used the term “major characters.” Before asking the questions, have the class identify the major characters. In addition, these questions can also be limited to one or more characters.

Characterization is delineated through (1) the character’s thoughts, words, speech patterns, and actions; (2) the narrator’s description; and (3) the thoughts, words, and actions of other characters. When students analyze character, they should be reminded to have these three sources in mind. Adapted from California English-Language Arts Content Standards – Grade 7, Reading 3.3

1. How are the major characters introduced? What does this tell us about what will happen in the story?

2. [Select an action performed by one of the characters. Then ask.] Explain why [name of character] took [describe the action] . What motivated him or her? [You can then ask:] What did this motivation have to do with the theme of the film?

3. The characters must be credible; how they act and what they say must make sense. What aspects of the personalities of the major characters in this story affect their credibility?

4. Is there consistency in the characters throughout the story? Do their actions follow their natures and ring true?

5. What motivates the major characters? Are their motivations or wants explained outright or revealed over time?

6. Subconscious motives are often the most powerful causes of human behavior. Are there any major characters who act on motives of which they are not aware? Describe any unconscious motives of the major characters and explain how these motives affect the actions of those characters.

7. Are there any relationships between various characters, be they friends, lovers, co-workers, or family members, that are important to the story? If so, describe the relationships that you believe contribute to the story and how those relationships advance the action of the story.

8. What motivates the protagonist in his or her struggle against the antagonist?

9. How does the protagonist work against the antagonist? Recount one specific episode in this struggle.

10. What motivates the antagonist to resist or struggle against the protagonist?

11. How does the antagonist resist or struggle against the protagonist? Recount one specific episode in this struggle.

12. In what ways are the characters’ actions driven by the values endorsed or criticized in the story or by ideas presented by the story?

13. What role does the back-story play in explaining the actions of the major characters? Explain your reasoning.

14. Is there any information known to the audience that is being held back from any of the characters? If there is a hesitation in revealing information to characters, describe it and explain how things change once this information becomes known to those characters.

15. Are there any transformations or changes that occur over the course of the story in any of the major characters? For each transformation or change, describe how it comes about and how it relates to the story’s themes or ideas.

16. When you compare and contrast the protagonist and the antagonist, do you find any similarities between them? Describe these similarities and how they relate to the plot and to the values and ideas presented in the story.

17. When you compare and contrast the protagonist and the antagonist, do you find any important differences between them? Describe these differences and how they relate to the plot and to the values and ideas presented in the story.

18. Are there any reversals of roles played by characters or sudden important changes of circumstances through the course of the story? If there are, how do these reversals illuminate character or lead to changes in character?

19. Which aspects of the protagonist’s personality lead to the resolution of the conflict in the story? Describe them and their effect on the resolution.

20. As the story progresses toward a conclusion, internal as well as external conflicts suffered by the major characters are resolved. Select one of the major characters and describe his or her internal and external conflicts. In addition, tell us how the character’s choices lead to a resolution of these conflicts.

This question can be modified by naming the character which is the subject of the question.

21. Some of the names used in this story tell us something about the characters. What do they tell us?

Questions Focusing on Plot

1. The middle of the story presents ascending difficulties, referred to as complications, which increase the tension and the need for a resolution. Describe one of the story’s complications and show how it serves to push the characters toward more intense action.

2. One way to examine plot is to determine what type of conflict it entails. The classic divisions are: (1) person vs. person; (2) person vs. society, (3) person vs. nature, and (4) person vs. self. Often, more than one of these types of conflict occurs in a story. Using this analysis, briefly describe the conflicts in this story and classify it according to the categories set out above.

3. In terms of rising action, climax, and falling action, describe the structure of the plot, stating when the action stops rising and reaches a climax and begins to fall.

4. Often the central problem in a story transcends the characters; these persons are simply the tools used to resolve the problem. In this story, is there a problem that transcends character and how is it manifested?

5. What instability is there early in the story that is resolved and becomes stable by the end?

6. The action in the story must be believable. Detail a particular event or action that causes another event or has an important effect on a character or a relationship between characters. Describe how this event or action moves the story forward.

7. Is there a back-story, and if there is, how does it advance the main plot?

8. What is the key moment in the story, the scene which brings illumination or an “ah-ha” moment?

9. Although incidents in the story usually return to the main conflict, they often reveal a pattern related to the ideas in the story. This pattern causes the viewers to focus sharply on the story itself. What pattern can be seen in the story?

10. How does the progress of the pattern identified in the story reveal change or growth in the characters?

11. What is the moment of climax, the moment of highest tension, when the solution to the problem is now in sight?

12. The film’s denouement establishes a sense of stability. What happens in this section of the story?

Questions About Themes, Messages, and Ideas

1. The significance of the story is determined by the power of its comment on the human condition. What comment is being made in this movie about what it is to be human?

2. The theme of a story is the general idea or insight about life expressed by the author. Theme is a universal and meaningful concept that emerges from the characters’ actions and from the outcomes of conflicts described in the story. Theme is often thought of as the lesson that the author is trying to teach the reader or audience. More than one theme can be included in a work of fiction; however, there is usually one primary theme that ties together all of the elements of a story. Usually, a theme can be expressed in one sentence. What is the primary or central theme of this story? Use one sentence to describe it.

3. Describe any other themes that you see in this story.

[This question is designed to be asked after question #2.]

4. What themes emerge from the back-story and how do they relate to the theme of the main story?

5. Many stories explore important social or political issues. Describe any specific social or political issues that affect the story. How do these issues impact characters and influence theme?

6. What life lessons can be learned from the choices made by the characters in this story?

[This question can be limited to one particular character.]

7. The conclusion of the story suggests a solution to the conflict that can be applied to the human condition in general. What values or principles that inform the actions of the characters can help people resolve their own life’s conflicts?

8. How does the changing consciousness, the developing awareness of the major characters, affect the story and help the audience discover theme? Explain these shifts in thinking.

[Try modifying the question by naming the character or a group of characters.]

9. Although often considered an artistic flaw, a story can be didactic in that it teaches the viewers how to achieve an end presented as worthy. Explain the use of didacticism in this story and evaluate its success in illuminating an important idea.

10. What are the most dramatic issues relevant to our time that have been presented in this story? Describe the presentation of one such issue and show how it relates to the times in which we now live.

11. Stories can be persuasive. Show how the movie attempts to persuade viewers to accept the particular values or principles that the writers intended to promote.

Questions About Other Literary Elements

1. What is the tone or mood of the story?

2. How does the tone help guide the viewers into an empathic reaction to the story? Explain and give examples of both the tone and the empathy felt by the audience.

3. Evaluate the pacing in the story and how it affects other elements of the story such as theme.

4. What elements of irony exist in the story? How do they serve to move the story forward and how do they assist in illuminating the story’s theme?

5. Stories can be told from the following points of view: first person, third person objective, third person limited, and third person omniscient. From whose point of view is the story told? Explain how the chosen point of view affects the way the story is told.

6. Is the point of view from which the story is told the best choice that the storyteller could have made? Argue your point.

7. A symbol in a story is an object, an animal, a person, an action, or an event that stands not only for itself, but also for something else. Symbols are of two types. Conventional symbols have a widely accepted meaning outside of the story. Examples are a nation’s flag, a crucifix, a Star of David, or a nation’s flag. Other conventional symbols reinforce meaning by reference to a culturally shared conception of the object, animal, action, or event. For example, rain is often a symbol of life or fertility. The fact that a story is set in the spring can serve as a symbol for renewed life or purpose. Other symbols have meaning only within the story. These are called contextual symbols. They usually have no special meaning except within the context of the story. Symbols keep their meaning as an object, animal, person or event, but within the story, they also suggest something else. Describe the symbols used in this story, both those that have meaning outside of the story and those which have meaning only within the story. What does each stand for?

[This question can be modified by naming one or several symbols as the subject for analysis.]

8. Evaluate the story’s use of coincidence, if any. Was the audience prepared for the coincidence or was it off the wall and therefore considered a flaw in the story?

9. The conflict in this film is resolved when one of the characters unexpectedly gets very lucky. Did this sudden event ring true or did it make the story seem less credible?

10. The conflict in this film is resolved when one of the characters unexpectedly suffers some very bad luck. Did this sudden event ring true or did it make the story seem less credible?

11. Explain how the use of flashback in the story provides significant information and served to move the action forward.

12. Find examples of both foreshadowing and echoing in the story and indicate how the use of these devices lead to increased coherence.

13. Does the story include elements of allegory? Explain why you think it is an allegory.

14. Is this story a parable? If so, explain why you think it is a parable.

15. The setting of a story includes the time at which the action of the story occurs and the physical location or locations where it occurs. Settings must be recognizable and have a relationship to the meaning of the story. What is the setting of this story and what are the ways in which the setting contributes to the story being told? Could this story be told in any other time or place?

16. When does the expository phase in this story end? By the end of the expository phase, what have we learned about the characters and the conflict?

17. An allusion is a reference to something outside of the story about which the audience will be familiar. Stories often include allusions to historical, scientific or cultural points of interest. Describe an allusion that you noticed in the story and explain its relationship to the story as a whole.

If the story is rich in allusions, increase the number of allusions that the student must discuss. An alternative question would be to briefly describe an allusion from the story and ask students to explain its meaning and relationship to the story as a whole.

18. Did the film resort to the use of gratuitous violence, explicit portrayals of sexual encounters, or excessive profanity? If it did, how did these scenes affect the story told by the movie?

19. Did the film strain to achieve an emotional pitch? Did it exhibit sentimentality for which there was little or no justification? Which scenes? How could this flaw have been remedied?

20. The action in some movies disturbs the unity of the story or confuses the viewers as to the intentions of the filmmakers. Very often these scenes are left on the cutting room floor but sometimes they remain in the film. Have you noticed such a scene in this movie? Is so, describe the scene and explain why you think it disturbs the unity of the story or confuses the viewers.

21. What does the title of the film refer to and how does it relate to the [insert the name of any literary element] of the film?

Questions Concerning Theatrical Devices and Effects

See Introducing Theatrical and Cinematic Technique . Questions 1, 3 and 4 can be asked with respect to an entire movie or limited to an appropriate scene. Question 2 can be asked of a specific character or a specific costume.

1. How do the sets contribute to the mood the filmmakers are trying to establish?

2. How do the costumes contribute to the image the filmmakers are trying to convey?

3. How does acting choice contribute to the story the filmmakers are trying to tell?

4. How do the props contribute to the image the filmmakers are trying to convey?

Questions on Cinematic Devices and Effects

See Introducing Theatrical and Cinematic Technique . Questions 1 – 3 can be asked with respect to an entire movie or an appropriate scene in a movie.

1. Identify one example of each of the following shots and describe how the shot affected the presentation of the story told by the film: close-up, medium shot, and long shot.

2. Identify one instance of each of the following types of shot angles that were used in this film and, for each, describe how the angle affected the presentation of the shot in which it occurs: low-angle, high-angle, eye-level.

3. Identify one instance of each of the following types of transitions from one shot to another that were used by the editors of this film and, for each, describe how the transition affected the presentation of the film: cut, fade, dissolve.

4. What is parallel editing, also called crosscutting, and what is it used for?

5. How did the editing of the film advance the story that the filmmakers were trying to tell? Explain how the editors achieved this effect.

6. What is point of view editing?

7. Describe the difference between long takes and short takes.

[Another way to ask this question is to show the class a short scene and ask the students to identify the short and long takes and discuss their use in the film.]

8. Analyze the use of music in the movie. Did it enhance the story that the filmmakers were trying to tell? How would you have used music in this movie?

9. Analyze the use of sound other than music in the movie. Did it enhance the story that the filmmakers were trying to tell? What sounds, other than music, would you have used to tell the story told by this movie?

10. Give examples from movies you have recently seen of diegetic sound, non-diegetic sound and internal diegetic sound. For each, describe why the scene qualifies as the particular type of movie sound.

11. What is the difference between “low-key lighting” and “high-key lighting” and what are their different uses in film?

12. What is the difference between “side lighting” and “front lighting” and what are their different uses in film?

13. Film is a composition of pictures rather than words, as one would find in a novel. Which specifically framed shots reveal something important to the story line? Describe the shot and explain its contribution to the story.

14. Describe the use of color in the film. Did it advance the emotions the filmmakers were trying to evoke? How would you have used color in the movie?

Additional Questions for Foreign Movies

Questions 1 – 3 may be expanded to more than one thing or aspect depending upon the film and the abilities of the class.

1. Describe one thing that was universal that you learned from the film.

2. Describe one thing that you learned about the culture of the country in which the film was set.

3. Describe one aspect of the artistry of the film.

4. How might a director from [name the country in which the class is held or a country that the class has studied] have approached the subject of the film?

5. How might a director from [name the country in which the class is held or a country that the class has studied] have approached [name one or more aspects of the film] differently? — In the alternatve: How would this story have been told from the point of view of another culture?

6. Is the story of this film unique to [name the culture of the story shown in the film], or could the story of this film have taken place in another country or setting?

Click here for Assignments, Projects, and Activities

Written by Mary RedClay and James Frieden .

9 Thought-Provoking Discussion Questions To Spark Meaningful Conversations About Movies In English

by EFL Listening Teacher | understand English movies | 5 comments

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“So, did you like the movie?”

“Yes”

“So, shall we go get a drink or something…?”

Have you ever had a conversation like that one after coming out of the cinema?

Movies immerse you into the authentic language and culture of English-speaking countries. But, to get the most from watching films, and to connect in English with others, you need to talk about what you watch.

If you want to have deep discussions, you’ll need some thought-provoking discussion questions, like the ones you’ll discover in this post. No more asking yes-no questions and then running out of things to say.

You can use these questions by yourself. For example, you can write about them in your journal . Or you could record yourself answering them in the dictation app on your smartphone.

Otherwise, you could chat with a teacher or classmate about them to practise your English conversation skills.

You’ll find questions to make you think as well as questions to help you develop your English. So let’s get into it so you can start having meaningful discussions in English about the films you’re watching.

#1 How would you describe the main character and/or your favourite character(s)? And how does this compare with others people’s descriptions?

This is a great question to help you practice using the language of descriptions. But I encourage you to go a lot deeper that a physical description of the character.

You can describe how they move, how they interact with others, their personality, their fears, their deepest desires. Try to describe this person and their motivations in as much detail as possible.

Getting under the character’s skin is a great way to understand them better and develop empathy for them, even if you have a hard time understanding some their behaviour.

You can also compare your description of this character with other people for an insightful discussion.

• Do they see this character in the same way? As a victim, a bully, someone misunderstood, someone complicated etc.
• Or do they have a completely different interpretation of this person?

#2 If you could speak to the screenwriter/director, what would you ask?

What questions do you have about the screenplay, the story, the characters and other choices the screenwriter and director made?

• Are there sections of the movie you would remove? Are there parts you would add?
• Did you not understand a part of the movie, like the ending?
• Are there characters you felt deserved more screen time? Or less?

Think of all the things that bothered you about the movie. And maybe some things you liked. And then decide what questions you would ask.

Even if you probably won’t be able to speak to the screenwriter or director, you could try to imagine their response.

Or, you can turn this into a listening or reading activity. You could look for interviews with the director on YouTube, on podcasts or in movie magazines or websites.

Perhaps you’ll find answers to your questions there. Perhaps journalists and movie fans have also asked similar questions. Or completely different ones. In any case, you’ll get a new perspective on the film this way.

#3 What are the themes of this movie?

So here you’re going deeper than the story of the movie. You want to dig deep into the big themes and also the sub themes of the movie. When you take a step back, ask yourself – what is this movie asking us to explore about the human condition?

As part of Movie Club , we watched the 2009 Clint Eastwood Movie “Gran Torino” . One of the big themes of this movie is racism.

But another thread running through the film is masculinity.

• What does it mean to be a man?
• Which “men” in the movie are considered not masculine enough and why?
• Who defines masculinity in this Detroit neighbourhood where demographics are changing?

It can be interesting to explore the various themes and how they interact with each other. You can also compare this movie with others that explore the same themes. How are they similar or different? What is their particular approach to the theme? Which movie deals with it better? And why?

#4 What’s the message of the movie?

Again, to answer this question, you’ll need to go deeper than summarising the story or describing the movie. What did this movie leave you with? What is the message about the human condition that it touches on?

There is no one right answer to this question and that’s what makes it excellent for sparking discussion.

Other people may have different interpretations and that’s something you can discuss. There may also be multiple messages that this movie sends and people might classify them differently too.

Once again, you can compare movies with a similar message and look at how the approach it in similar or different ways.

#5 How did this movie make you feel?

This can help with some of the other questions as we can’t always explain our analysis with reasoning or logic. Often it comes down to what this movie made us feel – moved, frustrated, humbled, scared, confused, angry, outraged, delighted, surprised and more.

• So how did you feel as you watched it?
• What about afterwards?
• Did you expect to feel a certain way? If so, did your expectations and your actual feelings match up or not?
• How do your feelings compare with those of others? Did they feel them same way? Were you surprised but how the movie made them feel?

#6 What star rating would you give this movie? What review would you write? How does this compare with other published reviews?

This is a great question to play with if you’re working on your own and practising your writing skills. You can decide on your own rating and write a short review and then check out the reviews of fans and critics on sites like IMDb or Rotten Tomatoes .

Were the reviews of the movie generally positive or negative? What about at the time compared to now? Some movies are misunderstood on their release, but then become classics in the years that follow as new audiences discover them.

Here are a couple of examples:

Blade Runner  didn’t do well on its release in 1982 and the critics disagreed about it. But in the years that followed it became a cult classic. And it’s now regarded as one of the greatest science fiction films of all time.

The Princess Bride was well-received by critics on its release, but didn’t do so well in cinemas. Again, over time, it became a cult classic.

#7 Which character did you identify with the most/the least? Why?

This is another great question to ask a group or a partner . It can be interesting to see how people’s background, culture, assumptions, preferences affect their answers.

It’s no doubt easier to identify with a character that resembles you in some way. It might be easier for you to relate to the characters if people from your background have a lot of representation on screen (white, male, young etc).

If the movie is set in a different time and place, then it might be trickier to relate to the characters when we look at them through a modern lens. But some themes, characters, experiences, transcend time and space.

#8 Has this movie aged well? Would it get made today?

We live in rapidly changing times. And our societies are going through a reckoning to do with sexism, racism, ableism, fatphobia, homophobia and transphobia.

You may have noticed that even certain recent movies and TV series are out of step with some of these rapidly changing attitudes.

We watched “Love Actually” as part of the Movie Club and we were shocked by the casual fat-shaming of one of the characters, as well as many other problems. 

The messages of certain movies may be timeless. But even so, the films may be in need of an update. We have watched some beautiful period dramas recently, but these movies are very white.

Now, you may argue that this is an issue of historical accuracy. Yet, Netflix period drama hit Bridgerton is set in the early 1800s, but in an alternate history where London is racially intergrated. That means they were able to cast black actor Regé Jean-Page to play Simon Bassett, Duke of Hastings.

#9 Did anything in this movie remind you of something that has happened in your own life or in the lives of others?

Movie are supposed to be fiction, but sometimes as we say “the truth is stranger than fiction”. Perhaps you relate well to a particular film because you’ve been through something similar in your life. In which case, did the movie do a good job of conveying that experience? Why or why not?

Sometimes though, even if we’ve never experienced the same things as the characters, a good movie draws us in. And good character develop enables us to empathise with them, and feel with them. Which is why we end up experiencing the same emotions as the characters when we watch!

Want to talk about movies and connect with film lovers from around the world?

“Movie Club” is a supportive and friendly community of movie lovers where you can learn and practice your English in a safe space. The club opens for enrolment three times a year. The next round, May to July, will open in April to new members. Find out more and join us. 

Great post Cara! Watching movies and TV shows became one of my favorite things to do during the pandemic. Your post reminded me of my conversations with my wife about the movies we watch. I always like to trigger conversations with one question:

-What would you do if you were [a character from the movie] when [A specific event of the movie] happened?

I know it’s a little lame, but I think it’s fun when you imagine yourself being the hero or the villain of the movie lol.

Besides, it’s amazing to see how a single question can trigger long conversations, we’ve even talked about deep matters after movies.

That’s such a great question Diego, I’ll have to add it to the list. Thanks! Almost all we talk about are deep subjects after watching the movie, even if the movie itself wasn’t necessarily serious. An example – fat shaming in “Love Actually”!

Yep, that’s the way to enjoy a movie, a good conversation afterward, instead of passively watching it and then forget about it.

Absolutely. I watched mamma mia 2 last night, and I felt it hit me harder than it did the first time I watched it. I think being able to discuss a movie after watching it is a good thing rather than just passively watching it.

In the movie Possession starring Sarah Gellar made 2008. Did the brothers have matching tatoos

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24 Interesting Film Discussion Questions.

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Did you like the movie?

I’m sure you’ve asked and heard this question dozens of times. At the same time, talking about the film can be even more interesting than the picture itself. But this is possible only when all participants are ready to open their minds and you have interesting questions for discussion.

Today I want to share questions – puzzles that will give you a flight of thought and turn the film chat into a captivating dialogue.

But first, I’ll tell you how I use these queries myself.

First, I love to philosophize about cinema quietly to myself. It works great when a movie is stuck in my head and I’m trying to figure out why. This quiz is always the first step to understanding my movie obsession . Movie journals are always on my work shelf. In addition, I have an excellent article about why do I feel sad when a tv show ends.

Secondly, questions help me to have fascinating conservations with friends. Now we even come up with alternative movie plots while we eat pizza. Also, this quiz can help you chat up on a date or warm up an evening with your family. Or you can host a movie night with friends and discuss the movie later; it will be a lot of fun for movie lovers! 

Thirdly, I love to talk about films with my husband. We chat about our thoughts and feelings after the film, laugh and spend extra time together. It brings us very close!

But remember, this is not an interrogation. It is not a list of questions to be asked in a strict order. These queries are just ideas that can be developed. It is essential to respect each other opinions, even if it does not strongly coincide with your own. So don’t turn the chat into a fight.

24 cool film discussion questions.

1. Is it a big film?

2. What is this film about for you?

3. What is your first thought after the credits?

4. What can you say about a particular film hero (about the main character, about the most pleasant character for you)?

5. What can you say about a particular situation in the film?

6. Which line from the movie made the biggest impression on you?

7. Have there been similar situations in your life?

8. How can this movie help you in your life?

9. What moment of the movie made the biggest impression on you? It may be connected with you or causes some associations.

10. What characters did you like, dislike or surprise? What exactly?

11. Which of the characters is like you?

12. What role would you like to play in this film? Why?

13. The actions of which heroes caused you misunderstanding, disagreement or approval? What else could a hero do? How would the film have changed if the hero had acted differently?

14. If you could ask the characters about something, what questions would you ask them?

15. What other endings could the movie have?

16. What do you think the author wanted to convey with this film? Do you see some sense of your own in this film?

17. What title would you give this film? Why?

18. Did you enjoy the music, lighting, special effects, sets, costumes, etc.?

19. Would you ever like to see this picture again?

20. What did you learn from this movie? 

21. Вid you get goosebumps? What moment?

22. What will happen to the film’s characters in 10 years, in 20 years?

23. Would you recommend this movie to your friends? Why?

24. How does the film relate to reality? 

I hope you will use these excellent film discussion questions next movie night.

Share this blog post if you enjoyed it. I would appreciate it! 

I`m in love with movies and psychology. Here I write how we can use movies for healing and self-growth. Also, be sure to check out my movie lists. You will find cool suggestions for movie night.

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16 comments

Great questions and definitely help to discuss a movie. Me and my cousin love to do this all the time.

I love going into in-depth discussions about things, especially movies! There’s no boring ‘I liked this movie because…’ stuff in here; THOSE are the group discussions I enjoy with other people. Thank you so much for sharing these!

These are wonderful questions! And such good conversation starters! My current movie of choice is Top Gun Maverick! LOL

Fun ideas for discussing films. This brings me back to one of my favorite college courses on the topic.

These are excellent questions for film discussion. I am watching The Broken Hearts Gallery while I work out, and it’s a great flick.

Interesting. These are good review questions to ask my students.

These are very interesting questions! Really allows you to digest the film’s content even better.

Thank you so much for these! I’m always at a loss when discussing movies so these are just perfection!

I love all these questions! They make having a discussion about a film so much easier! I am working with my daughter on her comprehension skills, so I will use a few of these after we watch a movie to help her think more about what she watched.

Great starter questions, I always enjoy discussing movies with my husband after we watch them.

I love these Questions and ideas. You could get to know who is the comedian and psychopath in your friends by asking them these questions. Hahaha

I really love all of these questions. My husband sometimes asked me a question about the movie or film that we watch it helps me to understand more what was the film is all about.

These are all really good questions to get a discussion going about a film(s). I am about to watch a horror with my daughter. I hope it doesn’t relate to my life lol.

These are great questions. My favorite is number 14 and 19. There are many times that we actually try to come up with our own titles for the film. Anyway, I am bookmarking this post for future reference.

Nnniiicccceeeeee….questions 25 and 26 have really caught my attention! I would ask those two, in a heartbeat!

Your questions are too good as they caught my attention. These points are worth discussing with any movie lover friend of mine.

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How to Write a Movie Review: 10 Essential Tips

As long as there have been films, there have been film critics. Starting with the early days of cinema, where reviews appeared in newspapers and magazines as brief, descriptive pieces, as filmmaking evolved as an art form, so did the role of the critic. James Agee, André Bazin, and Pauline Kael shaped the discourse around cinema, and today, famous film critics like the iconic Roger Ebert , The New York Times’s A.O. Scott , and The New York Times’s Manohla Dargis continue to leave an indelible mark on the world of cinema.

With the rise of the internet, film criticism now encompasses a wide range of voices and perspectives from around the globe. Sites like Letterboxd make it possible for anyone to write short-form reviews on film. Even stars like The Bear’s Ayo Edebiri have accounts and share opinions on the latest box-office hits.

How to Write a Movie Review

Today, contemporary YouTube and TikTok critics such as Red Letter Media , deepfocuslens , and DoMo Draper don’t just write film reviews, they shoot videos and skits. Through their creative formats, they offer refreshing and unique perspectives while building communities of diehard film and television enthusiasts. Whether you choose to write reviews for your own blog, other websites, or social media channels, by learning how to write a movie review, any aspiring filmmaker can start to watch films intentionally. 

@domodraperr Replying to @xsindeviltriggerx I’ll get right on that, Sir!🫡 #comments #movies #film #satire #fyp #mulan #disney ♬ I’ll Make a Man Out of You (feat. Black Gryph0n) – Cover – Samuel Kim

TikTok film critic “DoMo Draper” provides commentary on new and old films, often calling out racism, social injustice, misogyny, and prejudice.

While there’s no perfect approach to writing a review, there are best practices that every aspiring reviewer should consider.

Here are ten tips on writing a compelling piece.

1. Watch the film at least once.

For new reviewers, it’s impossible to capture everything after one viewing. Watching the film first, then watching to take notes, is an easy way to improve the quality of your final review. This will also make it easy to recall in-the-moment thoughts and reactions.

Take a review by Christian Blauvelt of Charlie Chaplin’s silent film The Circus , for example. Since the film does not have sound, properly critiquing the film requires close attention. Viewers have to pay attention to the various nuances in Chaplin’s performance, follow the story, and take in the cinematography. Regarding The Circus , Blauvelt writes, “The film lacks a conventional plot, but is rather a pearl necklace of strung-together episodes. ” The statement isn’t a criticism, but a keen observation likely gleaned from more than one viewing. 

So while every film reviewer has their own approach, many choose to watch a film more than once to deliver the best possible review. Image The Criterion Collection.

2. Express your opinions and support your criticism.

Professional reviewers do not shy away from sharing whether they thought a movie was good, bad, or indifferent. In a review for the film Mother!, reviewer Candice Frederick describes the film as “uncomfortable,” and “controversial,” helping viewers understand the tone of the movie. While Frederick seemed to enjoy the film, her honesty about how it would make audiences feel was vital in writing the review.

Be sure to back up these thoughts with specifics–a disappointing performance, beautiful cinematography, difficult material that leaves you thinking, and so on. Professional reviewers should express why and how they came to their criticism.

3. Consider your audience.

Are you writing for a fan site or a news outlet? Who will read your pieces, and what are their interests? Knowing who your readers are and where the review will be published can help you decide what elements of the movie to highlight. For example, take these two very different reviews for the film ‘Synecdoche, New York’.  

The first review was written by Alonso Duralde for The Today Show , and clocks in at around 500 words. The film focuses on the bullet points: characters, plot, and a concise review. The second review is over 3,000 words and published on the Critical Critics blog . This review goes into massive depth (and yes, includes spoilers) about the film, providing an incredible amount of analysis. The first review is tailored for the casual filmgoer, while the second is for cinephiles. Each review serves a different purpose.

It’s also a good idea to adjust your writing style to fit the target audience. For example, Alonso Duralde is a talented film reviewer and likely wrote the review to fit the tone of The Today Show site. Image via Director’s Library.

4. Talk about the acting.

When reviewing a film, it’s important to take space to discuss the performances. Does the film feature a seasoned actor in a new kind of role or a brilliant performance from a rising star? How was the acting? In a review by Brett Milam for the award-winning film Whiplash , he goes into rich detail about performances by both breakthrough actor Miles Teller and seasoned professional JK Simmons.

Regarding Teller, Milam writes, “This is a performance. This is art,” and about Simmons, “I found him fascinating to just look at.” Those are just small examples of the analysis he provides regarding their acting. As the film mostly focuses on the relationship between their two characters, Miles as the protagonist and JK as the antagonist, the review of the performances lends well to the plot of the film: student and teacher going head to head in an intense and determined showdown. 

Feedback about how well the actors handled the script, the dynamics in an ensemble, and so much more can help describe how the actors did in any given film.

5. Call out directors, cinematographers, and special effects.

Reviews that include highlights or missteps of directors, cinematographers, and costume designers can help provide support to your critiques. By providing specific examples of what worked, what surprised you, and what fell short of expectations, reviewers can write a well-thought-out review that goes beyond whether or not you liked it.

In a review for A Wrinkle in Time , Monique Jones artfully crafts a piece that diplomatically cites the missteps of the film. From analyzing the quality of the CGI to the camera techniques to inconsistencies in the rules of the fantasy universe, Jones fairly offers a critique that guides the filmmakers and crew on future endeavors. To write this type of review, it helps to have some knowledge of the filmmaking process so you can properly assess the screenwriting, cinematography, special effects, acting, and more. Image via Disney.

6. No spoilers!

The point of writing a movie review is to get people interested in seeing a movie. That’s why it’s absolutely best practice to not reveal spoilers in a film review. Film reviewer Robert Daniels approaches this creatively. In his review of Annihilation , he provides commentary on what would be considered spoilers. However, he places that part of the review at the bottom of the article under a bold header/image that warns the reader he’s about to spoil the film. For reviewers who want to dissect the entire film, this is a good way to both tease the film for anyone who hasn’t seen it and cater to people who want to know what the ending is.

Remember: the goal of any film review is to discuss the plot without revealing any twists or the ending of the film. 

7. Study the professionals.

As with all writing endeavors, the more you read, the better. However, with the modern landscape of film reviewing, which can go beyond writing and extend to content creation for social media platforms, there are a ton of reviewers to take notes from. First, determine what kind of reviewer you want to be, and what kind of medium you plan to deliver your reviews on. If you plan to post to Medium, for example, studying the reviewers already established on the site can be a great starting point.

Then, read film reviews for some of your favorite films. Determine which style of review you like and don’t like. Question why, and use your critical eye to consider why one reviewer has a hundred thousand followers and another only has two. If you’re looking to be featured on a website or a magazine, read the publications where you’d like your writing to appear as a template for your reviews, and don’t forget to read the submission guidelines. A few examples of film review professionals include Rotten Tomatoes , Roger Ebert , and Film Comment. 

8. Reread, rewrite, and edit.

While writing film critique is based on opinion, and follows the style of the reviewer, it’s still important to edit work. Writers should check for spelling, grammar, and readability. No matter how good a writer’s opinions are, they will not be taken seriously if the director’s name isn’t spelled correctly. Tools such as Grammarly and Hemingway Editor can be great for correcting and finding areas that need improvement. 

9. Find your voice.

The best reviewers have a distinct personality that comes across in their writing. Los Angeles Times film reviewer Carlos Aguilar wrote an impassioned piece about the film Beatriz at Dinner , going into a lot of detail about his experiences working in the film industry and his Mexican heritage. By sharing anecdotes about casual racism he’s experienced and connecting it to the film’s protagonist, and what she goes through, the review feels personal and relatable.

“If at a film festival – to which I’ve gotten access to because I’m a published writer – in a progressive city like Los Angeles, I must keep my guard up when people question my right to be there, then how are the voiceless supposed to feel safe, respected, or hopeful?” Aguilar writes. 

For new reviewers, developing this type of unique voice does not happen overnight, so take every opportunity to write as an opportunity to develop your style. Image via BBC.

10. Know your taste.

As a film reviewer, it can be helpful to identify your taste in film. By knowing specific preferences, strengths, and biases, reviewers can offer nuanced critiques that resonate with audiences and provide valuable guidance on which films they might enjoy. Additionally, it helps to maintain credibility and integrity as a reviewer by ensuring that assessments are authentic and reflective of personal cinematic sensibilities.

Try to explore various genres, directors, and themes to understand what resonates emotionally, intellectually, and aesthetically. Pay attention to the types of stories that engage you, which can help define your preferences.

Learn More About Filmmaking at NYFA

Film students with writing experience actually make great reviewers, as many of them are required to study a range of topics relating to film that can include cinematography, screenwriting, producing, and much more. Ready to build even more skills in filmmaking? Request more information about New York Film Academy’s filmmaking programs and workshops today!

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How to Write a Movie Review

Last Updated: March 13, 2024 Fact Checked

wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. To create this article, 179 people, some anonymous, worked to edit and improve it over time. There are 14 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 5,594,915 times. Learn more...

Whether a movie is a rotten tomato or a brilliant work of art, if people are watching it, it's worth critiquing. A decent movie review should entertain, persuade and inform, providing an original opinion without giving away too much of the plot. A great movie review can be a work of art in its own right. Read on to learn how to analyze a movie like a professional film critic, come up with an interesting thesis, and write a review as entertaining as your source material.

Sample Movie Reviews

Writing an Intro for a Movie Review

• Comparison to Relevant Event or Movie: "Every day, our leaders, politicians, and pundits call for "revenge"– against terrorist groups, against international rivals, against other political parties. But few of them understand the cold, destructive, and ultimately hollow thrill of revenge as well as the characters of Blue Ruin. "
• Review in a nutshell: "Despite a compelling lead performance by Tom Hanks and a great soundtrack, Forrest Gump never gets out of the shadow of its weak plot and questionable premise."
• Context or Background Information: " Boyhood might be the first movie made where knowing how it was produced–slowly, over 12 years, with the same actors–is just as crucial as the movie itself."

• Using stars, a score out of 10 or 100, or the simple thumbs-up and thumbs-down is a quick way to give your thoughts. You then write about why you chose that rating.
• Great Movie: ABC is the rare movie that succeeds on almost every level, where each character, scene, costume, and joke firing on all cylinders to make a film worth repeated viewings."
• Bad Movie: "It doesn't matter how much you enjoy kung-fu and karate films: with 47 Ronin, you're better off saving your money, your popcorn, and time."
• Okay Movie: "I loved the wildly uneven Interstellar far more than I should have, but that doesn't mean it is perfect. Ultimately, the utter awe and spectacle of space swept me through the admittedly heavy-handed plotting and dialogue."

• Great: "Michael B. Jordan and Octavia Spencer's chemistry would carry Fruitvale Station even if the script wasn't as good. The mid-movie prison scene in particular, where the camera never leaves their faces, shows how much they can convey with nothing but their eyelids, the flashing tension of neck muscles, and a barely cracking voice."
• Bad: " Jurassic World's biggest flaw, a complete lack of relatable female characters, is only further underscored by a laughably unrealistic shot of our heroine running away from a dinosaur – in heels."
• Okay: "At the end of the day, Snowpiercer can't decide what kind of movie it wants to be. The attention to detail in fight scenes, where every weapon, lightbulb, and slick patch of ground is accounted for, doesn't translate to an ending that seems powerful but ultimately says little of substance."

• Does the film reflect on a current event or contemporary issue? It could be the director's way of engaging in a bigger conversation. Look for ways to relate the content of the film to the "real" world.
• Does the film seem to have a message, or does it attempt to elicit a specific response or emotion from the audience? You could discuss whether or not it achieves its own goals.
• Does the film connect with you on a personal level? You could write a review stemming from your own feelings and weave in some personal stories to make it interesting for your readers.

Composing Your Review

• When you name characters in your plot summary, list the actors' names directly afterward in parenthesis.
• Find a place to mention the director's name and the full movie title.
• If you feel you must discuss information that might "spoil" things for readers, warn them first.

• Cinematography: " Her is a world drenched in color, using bright, soft reds and oranges alongside calming whites and grays that both build, and slowly strip away, the feelings of love between the protagonists. Every frame feels like a painting worth sitting in."
• Tone: "Despite the insane loneliness and high stakes of being stuck alone on Mars, The Martian's witty script keeps humor and excitement alive in every scene. Space may be dangerous and scary, but the joy of scientific discovery is intoxicating."
• Music and Sound: " No Country For Old Men's bold decision to skip music entirely pays off in spades. The eerie silence of the desert, punctuated by the brief spells of violent, up-close-and-personal sound effects of hunter and hunted, keeps you constantly on the edge of your seat."
• Acting: "While he's fantastic whenever he's on the move, using his cool stoicism to counteract the rampaging bus, Keanu Reeves can't quite match his costar in the quiet moments of Speed, which falter under his expressionless gaze."

• Keep your writing clear and easy to understand. Don't use too much technical filmmaking jargon, and make your language crisp and accessible.
• Present both the facts and your opinion. For example, you might state something such as, "The Baroque background music was a jarring contrast to the 20th century setting." This is a lot more informative then simply saying, "The music was a strange choice for the movie."

• Great: "In the end, even the characters of Blue Ruin know how pointless their feud is. But revenge, much like every taut minute of this thriller, is far too addictive to give up until the bitter end.""
• Bad: "Much like the oft-mentioned "box of chocolates", Forest Gump has a couple of good little morsels. But most of the scenes, too sweet by half, should have been in the trash long before this movie was put out."
• Okay: "Without the novel, even revolutionary concept, Boyhood may not be a great movie. It might not even be "good.” But the power the film finds in the beauty of passing time and little, inconsequential moments – moments that could only be captured over 12 years of shooting – make Linklater's latest an essential film for anyone interested in the art of film."

Polishing Your Piece

• Ask yourself whether your review stayed true to your thesis. Did your conclusion tie back in with the initial ideas you proposed?
• Decide whether your review contains enough details about the movie. You may need to go back and add more description here and there to give readers a better sense of what the movie's about.
• Decide whether your review is interesting enough as a stand-alone piece of writing. Did you contribute something original to this discussion? What will readers gain from reading your review that they couldn't from simply watching the movie?

Studying Your Source Material

• The title of the film, and the year it came out.
• The director's name.
• The names of the lead actors.

• Make a note every time something sticks out to you, whether it's good or bad. This could be costuming, makeup, set design, music, etc. Think about how this detail relates to the rest of the movie and what it means in the context of your review.
• Take note of patterns you begin to notice as the movie unfolds.
• Use the pause button frequently so you make sure not to miss anything, and rewind as necessary.

• Direction: Consider the director and how he or she choose to portray/explain the events in the story. If the movie was slow, or didn't include things you thought were necessary, you can attribute this to the director. If you've seen other movies directed by the same person, compare them and determine which you like the most.
• Cinematography: What techniques were used to film the movie? What setting and background elements helped to create a certain tone?
• Writing: Evaluate the script, including dialogue and characterization. Did you feel like the plot was inventive and unpredictable or boring and weak? Did the characters' words seem credible to you?
• Editing: Was the movie choppy or did it flow smoothly from scene to scene? Did they incorporate a montage to help build the story? And was this obstructive to the narrative or did it help it? Did they use long cuts to help accentuate an actor's acting ability or many reaction shots to show a group's reaction to an event or dialogue? If visual effects were used were the plates well-chosen and were the composited effects part of a seamless experience? (Whether the effects looked realistic or not is not the jurisdiction of an editor, however, they do choose the footage to be sent off to the compositors, so this could still affect the film.)
• Costume design: Did the clothing choices fit the style of the movie? Did they contribute to the overall tone, rather than digressing from it?
• Set design: Consider how the setting of the film influenced its other elements. Did it add or subtract from the experience for you? If the movie was filmed in a real place, was this location well-chosen?
• Score or soundtrack: Did it work with the scenes? Was it over/under-used? Was it suspenseful? Amusing? Irritating? A soundtrack can make or break a movie, especially if the songs have a particular message or meaning to them.

Community Q&A

• If you don't like the movie, don't be abusive and mean. If possible, avoid watching the movies that you would surely hate. Thanks Helpful 1 Not Helpful 2
• Understand that just because the movie isn't to your taste, that doesn't mean you should give it a bad review. A good reviewer helps people find movie's they will like. Since you don't have the same taste in movies as everyone else, you need to be able to tell people if they will enjoy the movie, even if you didn't. Thanks Helpful 3 Not Helpful 0
• Structure is very important; try categorizing the different parts of the film and commenting on each of those individually. Deciding how good each thing is will help you come to a more accurate conclusion. For example, things like acting, special effects, cinematography, think about how good each of those are. Thanks Helpful 2 Not Helpful 0

You Might Also Like

• ↑ https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/subject_specific_writing/writing_in_literature/writing_about_film/terminology_and_starting_prompts.html
• ↑ https://www.spiritofbaraka.com/how-write-a-movie-review
• ↑ https://www.nyfa.edu/student-resources/9-tips-for-writing-a-film-review/
• ↑ https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/writing-help/top-tips-for-writing-a-review
• ↑ https://writingcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/summary-using-it-wisely/
• ↑ https://twp.duke.edu/sites/twp.duke.edu/files/file-attachments/film-review-1.original.pdf
• ↑ https://www.dailywritingtips.com/7-tips-for-writing-a-film-review/
• ↑ https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/subject_specific_writing/writing_in_literature/writing_about_film/film_writing_sample_analysis.html
• ↑ https://learning.hccs.edu/faculty/onnyx.bei/dual-credit/movie-review-writing-guide
• ↑ https://writingcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/conclusions/
• ↑ https://www.grammarly.com/blog/how-to-write-a-movie-review/
• ↑ https://gustavus.edu/writingcenter/handoutdocs/editing_proofreading.php
• ↑ https://writingcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/editing-and-proofreading/
• ↑ https://edusson.com/blog/how-to-write-movie-review

About This Article

To write a movie review, start with a compelling fact or opinion to hook your readers, like "Despite a great performance by Tom Hanks, Forrest Gump never overcomes its weak plot." Then, elaborate on your opinion of the movie right off the bat so readers know where you stand. Once your opinion is clear, provide examples from the movie that prove your point, like specific scenes, dialogue, songs, or camera shots. To learn how to study a film closely before you write a review, scroll down! Did this summary help you? Yes No

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Every movie in some way can act as a mirror to better understand our own self and a lens to help us better understand the culture in which we live. Here are some questions that we can ask for any movie.

Discussion Questions:

• What thoughts does this movie spur in you? What does it make you think about?
• What is your emotional response to this movie? What did this movie make you feel?
• What moments, character, or ideas resonated with you while watching this movie? What about them? Why did you connect with them?
• What themes are present in this movie?
• What is this movie saying about our world?
• Why would someone want to watch this film? 
• What is one good or winsome thing you could say about this movie to someone else?
• What does this movie have to say about the big story we are in?

Here's a link to a printable pdf for this discussion guide.

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8 New Movies Our Critics Are Talking About This Week

Whether you’re a casual moviegoer or an avid buff, our reviewers think these films are worth knowing about.

• Share full article

By The New York Times

CRITIC’S PICK

For this tennis-pro triad, it’s love, set, match.

‘Challengers’

The highly-anticipated latest from the director Luca Guadagnino (“Call Me by Your Name”) follows three tennis pros as they shift between lovers, friends and foes. It stars Zendaya, Josh O’Connor and Mike Faist.

From our review:

All three leads in “Challengers” are very appealing, and each brings emotional and psychological nuance to the story, whatever the characters’ current configuration. They’re also just fun to look at, and part of the pleasure of this movie is watching pretty people in states of undress restlessly circling one another, muscles tensed and desiring gazes ricocheting. Guadagnino knows this; he’s in his wheelhouse here, and you can feel his delight in his actors.

In theaters. Read the full review .

Critic’s Pick

A series of powerful vignettes.

‘terrestrial verses’.

Tehranians interact with various cultural officials in their everyday life — finding the right uniform for a daughter’s school ceremony, applying for a job or a drivers license, registering a son’s name — and must navigate the restraints of authoritarian bureaucracy.

Because each vignette is no more than a few minutes long and consists of Kafkaesque conversations that border on the absurd, “Terrestrial Verses” operates with a cumulative effect. It’s death by a thousand pinpricks, a succession of small indignities. Each seemingly simple task is not just saddled with procedural irritations — forms to fill out, appointments to attend, banal questions to answer — but with fear. Suppose your answer to a routine query could incriminate you or there’s no way to prove to an official that you aren’t lying. How would you live your life?

B(oredom). D(etachment). S(tagnation). M(alaise).

‘the feeling that the time for doing something has passed’.

This deadpan sex comedy directed, written by and starring Joanna Arnow in her debut feature follows a woman as she’s dominated both at work and in various B.D.S.M. relationships, none of which seem to bring her fulfillment.

Arnow films her own nude body with the kind of frankness that is called brave because she wants to be more confrontational than arousing. She’s so visible that it takes a beat to remember that someone can be physically exposed and emotionally opaque.

A tear-jerker that’s unusually understated.

‘nowhere special’.

A terminally-ill single father (James Norton) searches for the right adoptive parents to care for his son (Daniel Lamont) after he dies.

After being admonished by a snotty rich client because of slow work, John, taking the adage “you only live once” to heart, eggs the fellow’s house. It’s one of the few moments when the movie deigns to deliver a conventional satisfaction. But the mostly low-key mode of “Nowhere Special” is the right one. Norton is spectacular, but little Lamont delivers one of those uncanny performances that doesn’t seem like acting, and makes you feel for the kid almost as much as his onscreen parent does.

Another Cronenberg progeny with unsettling in her DNA.

In Caitlin Cronenberg’s feature debut, ecological collapse leads Canada to reduce its population by calling on citizens to volunteer for euthanasia. One well-off family discovers that the choice might not be so voluntary.

“Humane” is a thought experiment sprung to bloody life, a cross between the trolley problem and dystopian extinction nightmares. Set in the very near future, it tries to tackle a cascade of ethical questions. Who counts as valuable? What does it mean to be good? If humans wreck the earth, what will we do to survive? Do we even deserve it?

Perfect for arachnophobia exposure therapy.

After a venomous spider escapes from its owner’s care and begins rapidly reproducing, the residents of a low-income housing block must face off against these eight-legged menaces.

There are no fresh ideas in the French creepy-crawler “Infested,” yet this first feature from Sébastien Vanicek scurries forward with such pep and purpose that its shortcomings are easily forgivable. Add a handful of eager young actors, a sociopolitical slam and a claustrophobic location swarming with venomous spiders and you’ll be hunting for the DEET long before the credits roll.

Watch on Shudder . Read the full review .

Your standard musician biopic, but make it spiritual.

‘unsung hero’.

Based on a real family of musicians who have five Grammy Awards between them, this faith-based drama follows a tight-knit clan as they move from Australia to Nashville, and find success in recording Christian music.

Viewer beware: Between the uplift and the cringe, this movie may cause whiplash. Joel Smallbone plays his own father, David, who faces financial and reputational ruin after booking a big concert and failing to pack the house. He resettles the family in the United States, but no job materializes. His pep-talking spouse, Helen (Daisy Betts), and their beatific children pull up bootstraps and practically whistle while they work, but it’s not enough.

A boyish action flick starring a boy named Boy.

‘boy kills world’.

Blood begets more blood when a victim of an attack that left him deaf and mute seeks revenge on the perpetrators.

At least give it up for the stunt crew on “Boy Kills World,” a boneheaded action movie that gives some exceedingly fit performers — its hard-body star Bill Skarsgard very much included — a chance to flaunt their physical skills. To judge from all the grunting, the straining muscles and cascading sweat, Skarsgard, along with a few of his nimble co-stars and an army of stunt performers, puts in serious work to try to make the relentless bashing and smashing, flailing and dying look good. Too bad the filmmakers were incapable of doing the same.

Explore More in TV and Movies

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Sydney Sweeney and Glen Powell speak about how “Anyone but You” beat the rom-com odds. Here are their takeaways after the film , debuting on Netflix, went from box office miss to runaway hit.

The vampire ballerina in the new movie “Abigail” has a long pop culture lineage . She and her sisters are obsessed, tormented and likely to cause harm.

In a joint interview, the actors Lily Gladstone and Riley Keough discuss “Under the Bridge,” their new true-crime series  based on a teenager’s brutal killing in British Columbia.

The movie “Civil War” has tapped into a dark set of national angst . In polls and in interviews, a segment of voters say they fear the country’s divides may lead to actual, not just rhetorical, battles.

If you are overwhelmed by the endless options, don’t despair — we put together the best offerings   on Netflix , Max , Disney+ , Amazon Prime  and Hulu  to make choosing your next binge a little easier.

Sign up for our Watching newsletter  to get recommendations on the best films and TV shows to stream and watch, delivered to your inbox.

Movie Reviews ESL Lesson

In this intermediate-level ESL lesson, you will learn grammar, vocabulary, and phrases to talk about everyday English topics: an English conversation lesson to give your opinion, agree and disagree with others about movies.

This ESL lesson also comes with a downloadable PDF you can access when you are a member of Pocket Passport. Sign up below as a student or teacher.

This ESL video lesson for daily English will help ESL students learn vocabulary, grammar, improve listening and be confident English speakers.

Practical English for everyday situations.

ESL Questions on Movies

What makes a movie “great” in your opinion?

Do you like to watch old movies? Black and white movies?

Do you watch your favorite movies more than once? How often?

Do you think a movie has to be believable to be good?

Do you pay attention to what movie critics think about movies?

How have movies changed over the years?

ESL Video on Movie Reviews

Watch the following ESL YouTube video lesson about movies.

Listening Practice Movie Reviews

Watch the YouTube video and answer the following questions about Movie Reviews.

How do reviewers like the movie by Claude De Roserio?

When did Yana see the movie?

What was Yana’s favorite part of the movie?

Does Michiko live near the theater?

What didn’t Michiko like about the movie?

Did the reporter like the movie?

Who does the reporter agree with?

Where did they ask people’s opinions?

Speaking Activity

Use the ESL illustrations to talk about the passage and movies and movie reviews.

ESL vocabulary to talk about movies

Believable | complaint | criticism | exactly opposite extremely | local(s) | opinion | opposite | point out reflect | specific | in terms of | i couldn’t agree more personally speaking | i have to side with.

Match the words on the left with the meanings on the right .

Discuss the following quotes about opinions, agreeing and disagreeing .

“Never judge someone by the opinion of others.” Unknown

“Try being informed instead of just opinionated.” Unknown

“Your opinion is not my reality.” Steve Maraboli

“There are as many opinions as there are people.” Terence

“Just because they disagree, doesn’t mean you ain’t right.” Toba Beta

“There are as many opinions as there are experts.” Franklin D. Roosevelt

“A wise man makes his own decisions, an ignorant man follows public opinion.” Unknown

Discuss the following questions about opinions, agreeing and disagreeing .

• Do you always check the comments and ratings before deciding on a movie?
• Do you always check the comments and ratings when buying something online?
• What are examples of things that it’s better to make your opinion over taking the word of others?
• Do you have the same or completely different taste for things than your friends?
• Do you leave ratings and comments for products and services?

In Your Own Words

Explain what the word or phrase in bold means and give an example. Example: She was exhausted because she worked until midnight. Meaning: very tired - I’m exhausted because I stayed up and studied all night.

I couldn’t agree with the reviews more !

Michiko’s complaint was that the characters were not believable.

The positive reviews reflect exactly how I feel.

Her opinion was the exact opposite .

I’m afraid I disagree with her opinion.

Missing Words

Watch the video again and complete the sentences.

The new movie by Claude De Roserio has received some ____________________ 1            positive reviews. We went down to the local cinema to speak to some locals to get                  their _________________ 2 on the movie. Do they agree with the recent reviews?

The first person we spoke to was Yana, who had just seen the movie. “______________________ 3 with the reviews more! It was fantastic!”. Yana went on to say that her favorite part was the ending. She said, “it was _________________ 4 but also very satisfying. The positive reviews _______________ 5 exactly how I feel.”

The next person we spoke to was less positive. Michiko had traveled a long way to watch the movie in this __________________ 6 cinema. “I’m afraid I disagree with the reviews”, she said. “In fact, I’d say the ____________________ 7 !”. Michiko’s __________________ 8 was that the characters were not believable and when our reporter pointed out the fact that other people had liked the characters, Michiko said that she disagreed.

Personally speaking, I have __________________ 9 Yana on this one. While I can understand Michiko’s criticism of the characters, I’m afraid I disagree with her opinion that they were not believable. ____________________ 10 the ending, I agree with Yana 100% – it was an incredible way to close the show!

The new movie by Claude De Roserio is out now. Let us know what you think!

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Browse Reviews

The incoherent drama Browse tries to look like a suspenseful horror movie, but there's nothing scary or thrilling about this rambling dud of a film.

Full Review | Jul 30, 2020

A great deal of the movie consists of unfinished ideas, plot points, story threads, and character arcs.

Full Review | Original Score: 2/4 | Jul 22, 2020

It's a thoughtful, curious piece of work which may not quite be successful in finding its destination but which manages to intrigue along the way.

Full Review | Original Score: 2.5/5 | Jul 21, 2020

Skip the film if you need an ending that answers the questions raised throughout. But check it out if you enjoy seeing a psychological thriller that makes you come to your own conclusions.

Full Review | Original Score: 7/10 | Jul 20, 2020

With such a tangled mess of a film it is hard to put your finger on what went wrong in the bringing it to the screen.

Full Review | Original Score: 2/5 | Jul 13, 2020

In a perfect world, this thriller, with its onslaught of stomach-churning "oh no!" moments, would've had a point, something that connected it all together (or at least a conclusion), but it doesn't.

Full Review | Original Score: 2/5 | Jul 12, 2020

An identity theft "nightmare" that fails every attempted thrill and chill. Quite possibly one of the most unimaginative and unmemorable films I've ever seen.

Full Review | Original Score: .5/5 | Jul 10, 2020

An everyman's identify theft -- or is he just a deluded creeper? -- is fitfully explored in this underwhelming psychological thriller.

Full Review | Original Score: 2/5 | Jul 7, 2020

Browse feels like glimpsing through a problematic story with little context as to why you should care let alone watch it.

Full Review | Original Score: 2/10 | Jul 7, 2020

This thriller doesn't thrill. It occasionally amuses, and it rarely makes any real sense.

Full Review | Original Score: 4 | Jul 6, 2020

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17 Movie Critic Interview Questions and Answers

Learn what skills and qualities interviewers are looking for from a movie critic, what questions you can expect, and how you should go about answering them.

Movie critics play an important role in the film industry. They help audiences decide which movies are worth watching and which ones are not. They also help filmmakers understand what works and what doesn’t work in their movies.

If you’re thinking of becoming a movie critic, you should know that the job is not as easy as it sounds. You will need to have a deep understanding of the film industry and be able to articulate your thoughts in a clear and concise manner. You will also need to be able to handle rejection, as not every movie you review will be a hit.

If you think you have what it takes to become a movie critic, the first step is to ace your interview. In this guide, we will give you some of the most common movie critic interview questions and answers to help you prepare for your interview.

Are you familiar with the different types of film criticism?

What are some of the most important skills for a movie critic to have, how do you decide which elements of a movie are most important to discuss in your review, what is your process for watching a movie and taking notes on it, provide an example of a time when you had to review a movie that you did not enjoy., if a movie’s plot was similar to one of your previous reviews, how would you address that in your new piece, what would you do if you were assigned to review a movie that you had not yet seen, how well do you know the current movie industry and its most popular actors, actresses, directors and producers, do you have any experience writing reviews for a publication’s website as well as its print edition, when writing a negative review, how do you maintain professionalism while still being honest, we want to increase our social media presence. how would you use social media to promote your movie reviews, describe your writing style and the types of reviews that you enjoy writing the most., what makes a movie worth seeing in theaters rather than waiting for its release on dvd or streaming, which movie critics do you admire and why, what do you think is the most important aspect of a movie critic’s job, how often do you see movies, there is a new movie out that you’ve never heard of before. how do you decide if it’s worth seeing.

The interviewer may ask this question to see if you have the necessary knowledge and experience to be a movie critic. You can answer this question by naming the different types of film criticism, such as journalistic, academic and popular.

Example: “There are three main types of film criticism—academic, journalistic and popular. Academic critics write for scholarly publications and journals, while journalistic critics write for newspapers or magazines. Popular critics publish their work online or in blogs. I am familiar with all these types of film criticism because I’ve been writing professionally about movies since college.”

This question can help an interviewer determine if you have the skills and abilities to succeed in this role. When answering, it can be helpful to mention a few of your strongest skills that relate to movie criticism.

Example: “I think one of the most important skills for a movie critic is having a strong knowledge of film history. This allows me to make comparisons between movies and understand how they fit into the larger context of cinema. Another skill I find useful is my ability to write clearly and concisely. Writing reviews requires me to communicate my thoughts on a movie in a way that’s easy to read and understand. Finally, I believe empathy is another key skill for a movie critic. It helps me put myself in the shoes of others when writing reviews.”

This question can help the interviewer understand how you approach your work and what skills you use to complete it. Your answer should show that you have a critical eye for detail, are able to analyze information and can make decisions based on evidence.

Example: “I think about my audience when deciding which elements of a movie to discuss in my review. I know some people read reviews to learn more about the plot or characters, while others want to know if the film is worth their time and money. So, I try to include both character and plot details as well as whether the movie was entertaining and enjoyable.”

This question can help the interviewer understand how you approach your work and what methods you use to complete it. Your answer should include a step-by-step process for watching movies, taking notes on them and writing reviews.

Example: “I typically watch a movie in one sitting so I can take detailed notes as I go along. I start by reading through the synopsis of the film online or in the program guide before I see it. Then, during the movie, I write down my thoughts about the plot, characters, cinematography and other elements that are important to me when reviewing films. After the movie is over, I read through my notes and make any edits or additions.”

This question can help the interviewer understand how you handle criticism and whether you are able to separate your personal feelings from your professional opinions. Your answer should demonstrate that you can be objective in your reviews, even if you do not enjoy a movie.

Example: “I once had to review a romantic comedy that I found to be quite boring. However, I knew that many of my readers would want to know what I thought about it, so I tried to find something positive to say about the film. In my review, I focused on the actors’ performances and wrote about why I think they are talented individuals.”

This question can help the interviewer understand how you handle similar topics in your work and whether you would be able to produce unique content. Your answer should show that you are willing to take on new challenges and learn from past experiences.

Example: “If a movie’s plot was similar to one of my previous reviews, I would address it by explaining why this particular film is different than the last one. For example, if I reviewed a romantic comedy about two people who meet at a wedding and fall in love but then break up because they have trouble communicating, and another romantic comedy came out with the same premise, I would explain that while both films may have some similarities, each has its own unique elements that make them worth watching.”

This question can help the interviewer determine how you handle unexpected challenges. Your answer should show that you are willing to do your research and write a review even if you have not seen the movie yet.

Example: “If I were assigned to review a movie that I had not yet seen, I would first look at reviews from other critics who have already seen it. Then, I would read any relevant news articles about the film and watch interviews with the cast or crew members. Finally, I would wait until the movie was released in theaters so I could see it for myself.”

The interviewer may ask you a question like this to assess your knowledge of the movie industry and how it has changed over time. Your answer should show that you are up-to-date with current events in the film industry, including who is making movies and what they’re about.

Example: “I am very familiar with the current state of the film industry because I follow many entertainment news sites and blogs. In fact, I have subscribed to several newsletters from popular actors, directors and producers so I can receive updates on their latest projects. For example, I know that Jennifer Lawrence is currently filming her next movie, which is an action thriller set in space.”

This question is a great way for the interviewer to learn more about your writing style and how you adapt to different formats. If you have experience with this, share it in your answer.

Example: “I’ve written reviews for both print publications and their websites before. I find that my writing style works well for both mediums because I try to keep my articles engaging and entertaining while still providing insightful commentary on the movie. In fact, one of my favorite pieces I ever wrote was for our publication’s website where I reviewed a film that had just come out in theaters. It was fun to write a review from the perspective of someone who hadn’t seen the movie yet.”

As a movie critic, you may be asked to write both positive and negative reviews. Employers ask this question to make sure you can handle writing about movies that are not well-received by the public. In your answer, explain how you plan to maintain professionalism while still being honest in your review.

Example: “I understand that my job is to give an honest opinion of the film I’m reviewing. However, I also know that it’s important to remain professional when doing so. When writing a negative review, I try to focus on the aspects of the film that worked rather than those that didn’t. This helps me avoid making personal attacks against the actors or director. Instead, I use constructive criticism to help them improve their work.”

Social media is an important part of many industries, including movie criticism. Employers want to know that you understand how to use social media and can promote your work in a positive way. In your answer, explain what steps you would take to increase the reach of your content on social media platforms.

Example: “I have experience using all major social media platforms, so I would start by creating accounts for our publication on each platform. Then, I would create a schedule for posting my reviews to each account. For example, I might post one review per day to Twitter, two reviews per week to Facebook and one review per week to Instagram. This strategy would allow us to build up our presence on each platform while still providing quality content.”

Interviewers may ask this question to learn more about your writing style and the types of reviews you enjoy writing. They want to make sure that you will be able to write movie reviews for their publication in a way that is engaging and interesting for readers. In your answer, try to describe what makes your writing unique and how it can benefit the publication.

Example: “I have always enjoyed writing movie reviews because I love movies and film. When I watch a movie, I am constantly thinking about what I would say about it if I were reviewing it. I think my passion for film translates into my reviews, which are usually very detailed and include both positive and negative aspects of the movie. I also like to give recommendations on whether or not people should see the movie.”

This question can help an interviewer determine your opinion on the current state of movie theaters and how you might approach writing about movies in a way that encourages people to attend screenings. Your answer should show that you understand the value of going to see films in theaters, whether it’s for the experience or the social aspect.

Example: “I think there are several reasons why seeing a film in theaters is worth the price of admission. For one thing, I find that many films lose something when they’re viewed at home. The sound quality isn’t as good, the screen size isn’t as large and the overall viewing experience just isn’t the same. Another reason is that going to the theater with friends or family members can be a fun night out. Finally, I think it’s important to support the movie industry by attending screenings.”

This question can help an interviewer get a sense of your knowledge about the industry and how you view other critics. It can also show them what kind of writing style you admire, which can be helpful if they’re looking for someone with a specific tone or voice.

Example: “I really admire Roger Ebert because he was so passionate about movies and his reviews were always insightful and well-researched. He had such a unique way of expressing himself that made him stand out from other critics. I also love A.O. Scott’s work because he has such a great eye for detail and is able to find something interesting in even the most mundane films.”

This question is an opportunity to show your knowledge of the role and how you would perform it. Your answer should include a brief description of what you think is most important about movie criticism, as well as why that element is so vital.

Example: “I believe the most important aspect of being a movie critic is having a unique voice. Movie critics are often the first opinions people read when deciding whether or not they want to see a film. If I can provide my own opinion on a film, rather than just regurgitating someone else’s thoughts, then I feel like I am providing something more valuable for readers.”

This question can help an interviewer understand how much experience you have as a movie critic. They may also want to know if you are able to keep up with the latest movies and trends in the industry. Your answer should show that you enjoy going to the theater, but it is important to be honest about your frequency.

Example: “I try to see at least one movie per week. I find this helps me stay current on what’s happening in the film industry. However, sometimes my schedule doesn’t allow for me to go as often as I would like. In those cases, I make sure to read reviews from other critics so I can still form opinions on new releases.”

This question is a great way to test your critical thinking skills. It also shows the interviewer how you would approach an unfamiliar movie and whether or not it’s worth their time. Your answer should include what factors you consider when deciding if a movie is worth seeing.

Example: “I first look at the director, cast and crew. If they are reputable, I will then check out the reviews of other critics. If there are no reviews yet, I will read up on the plot and see if it looks like something that interests me. If so, I will go online and find out where I can watch it for free before making my decision.”

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The Questions On This Movie Quote Quiz Are Easy, But Reading Them Is The Hard Part

"Elementary, my dear Watson" --> "Introductory, my cherished unit of power male child"

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Take this quiz with friends in real time and compare results

There's a scene in Friends where Joey wants to sound smart, so he uses a thesaurus to write a recommendation letter for Monica and Chandler. It ends up sounding...confusing, like instead of saying "big hearts," he says "full-sized aortic pumps." Well, I tried to give the Joey thesaurus makeover to this movie quiz, and replaced words of famous movie quotes with synonyms. Can you see through my semantic antics and match the quote to its movie?

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Kinds of Kindness

A man seeks to break free from his predetermined path, a cop questions his wife's demeanor after her return from a supposed drowning and a woman's quest to locate an extraordinary individual... Read all A man seeks to break free from his predetermined path, a cop questions his wife's demeanor after her return from a supposed drowning and a woman's quest to locate an extraordinary individual prophesied to become a renowned spiritual guide. A man seeks to break free from his predetermined path, a cop questions his wife's demeanor after her return from a supposed drowning and a woman's quest to locate an extraordinary individual prophesied to become a renowned spiritual guide.

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