how to make movie review website

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How to Make a Movie Review Website

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“Follow the plan outlined here and you can create your own website from scratch without writing any code for less than $300.”

Are your opinions different?

Is everyone missing out on the best films?

If you’ve got something unique to offer as a movie reviewer, there’s still plenty of space online for your voice.

You’ve probably posted reviews on IMDb and other sites, but building your own website will allow you to turn your reviews into a business.

With your own website, you can publish and share your reviews, and earn from advertising on your site.

The best part is that making a website is pretty easy these days. Here’s how to get started.

Get a domain

Get your site online, get to know your new website, transform your site for movie reviews, start publishing your reviews, how to create a movie review site.

Before we get into the design or anything like that, there’s one step you have to complete first.

I’m sure you’re familiar with domain names, but just to make sure we’re on the same page, a domain name is the address of a website. For example, google.com and imdb.com are both domain names.

If this is a side project and you don’t have a lot of funding then you’ll likely want to get a domain for as cheap as possible. Unregistered .com domains only cost about $10/year, but any domains for sale by flippers will cost thousands of dollars (then $10/year to keep).

The problem is that finding an unregistered domain is really tough. That’s why I put together a guide on finding available domains .

If you’re having any trouble finding a good domain name, try the techniques listed in that article and I’m sure it will help.

Once you have your domain name picked out, you’re ready to get a basic site online.

The next thing you need is hosting.

What is hosting?

When someone visits your domain, you need a server to deliver your website’s content to the visitor’s browser so the site loads.

This doesn’t mean you need to purchase a server rack and put it in your house. Only the world’s largest companies (like Google and Amazon) maintain their own servers. Everyone else rents space on a server from a hosting company. Renting the use of a server is called hosting .

How to get hosting

Signing up for hosting is just as easy as making any other online purchase.

There are thousands of hosts to choose from, but for a new WordPress user, I recommend Nexcess .

Nexcess has a great mix of affordability and reliability. If you go any cheaper with hosting, you tend to have lots of issues.

They also have services bundled with the hosting, such as automated daily backups.

Once you signup, they’ll auto-create a brand new WP website for you, so you’ll be ready to get started with the WP dashboard right away.

Your website will use the latest default theme, so initially, it will look something like this:

If you want to get familiar with WordPress and how it works, this video will give you a walkthrough of the whole dashboard.

You won’t be a master of WordPress just yet, but after watching that dashboard tour, you’ll be familiar with the interface itself.

With a live WordPress site and a basic understanding of how it works, you’re ready to turn your boring site into a gorgeous movie review website.

WordPress websites change their design primarily by using themes , and they add new functionality by adding plugins .

Depending on your site vision and goals, there are two different paths you can take. I’ll outline both and make some product recommendations.

Make a simple movie review blog

The first approach is to make a simple movie review website where your personal brand and perspective will be the focal point of the site.

To do this, I would recommend picking a free blog theme. We have 19 free themes all made for content creators.

Adding one of these themes will give your site a clean look and a design that adapts well to mobile devices. Once you’ve switched your theme, you can follow this basic customization guide to set things up the way you want.

Now your website isn’t just a blog, it’s a movie review website which means you need a way to add star ratings to your posts. For that, I recommend the Schema Pro plugin.

This plugin will add schema data to your site that lets your ratings show up on Google, which can greatly help with the search traffic your site receives.

For many people, that’s all they’ll need, but if you have something more ambitious in mind, try this next approach.

Build a movie review database

If you want to build a database and potentially have multiple reviewers on your site, the Moview theme is an incredible tool.

This theme comes with a review system and also an IMDb importer. You can import movies and celebrities from IMDb with this automated system and display their info automatically on your site.

Using these tools, you can quickly build a large website and have thousands of movies to write reviews for.

Moview is also extremely customizable. It includes a page builder plugin called Visual Composer which lets you create entirely custom page designs. It’s more work, but you get total control over layouts this way.

If you want additional alternatives to choose from, you can check out this collection of movie themes .

While not specific to movies, we also have a collection of product review themes with more excellent templates.

By following the steps above, you’ll get a WordPress website online in record time.

Regardless of the content and design, you’ll need to get a domain and hosting, and Nexcess is an excellent host to get started with.

Signup with Nexcess

If your goal is to create a simple review website where you’re the only author, that can be done entirely with free themes and plugins.

Check out our free blog themes

Creating a large movie database website is possible, too, using the Moview theme. It’s an interesting option to explore if you hadn’t even considered it.

See the Moview theme

I hope this tutorial has helped give you a clear understanding of how to create your movie review website.

If this guide helped you out, make sure to share it with someone else before you go!

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Browse our collection of free WordPress themes

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How To Create a Movie Review Site

19 Minutes, 26 Seconds to Read

When was the last time you saw a movie and instantly desired to share your opinion of it? If you know the difference between a smash cut and a jump cut, and you can spot the difference between a wide angle lens in The Shining and telephoto lens in The Graduate , then you’re a film critic and you need a website to start posting your articles on the web. If you work hard at it, pretty soon you may find yourself contributing to the Rotten Tomatoes score. Read on to find out how to create your site, get your writing published, and work your way toward becoming a bonafide tomato-throwing film critic.

“Audiences don’t know somebody sits down and writes a picture.  They think the actors make it up as they go along.”  – Joe Gillis (William Holden), Sunset Boulevard (1950) Click To Tweet

• How do you start a movie review site?
• Is creating a movie review site expensive?
• Why use WordPress?
• Changing the look of your site
• How to measure site success
• Put your site in maintenance mode
• How to create custom post types
• Do you need a privacy policy for your page?
• How to create a masthead for your site
• How to get into a review aggregator (like Rotten Tomatoes)

Following along in this article, you will get practical information as well as some theoretical marketing tips. If you’re passionate about movies and eager to share your knowledge with Internet readers, you will want to bookmark this page and refer back as needed.

How To Start a Movie Review Site

There are a few important stages. (Don’t worry, we’ll cover every stage in detail.) Here are the basics:

• Getting a hosting package, where you will store your website and publish content live to the web
• Installing WordPress (a system that will organize all of your written content in one place)
• Promoting your site with digital marketing strategies

Once you’ve completed these steps you will have your own brand and a hub for all of your content. Let’s be clear though: this isn’t easy, but it’s not too difficult either . The whole process will involve a commitment on your part. But if you follow each step carefully, and are prepared to work, you won’t be disappointed.

Creating Your Movie Review Site

In order to setup a review site, you don’t need to make a large initial investment. Hosting is fairly inexpensive these days. For a few bucks a month, you can have a live site available to the world.

What Is Hosting?

When you’re ready to launch a website, you’re going to have to figure out hosting. Hosting basically involves a computer called a “server” where your website lives. You may be wondering, Can’t I host my own website on my own computer? Yes, you can, but unless you keep your computer running all day long there will be times of day when people won’t be able to reach your site. That’s why hosting your website with a hosting company is the best option.

Types of Hosting Accounts

WordPress Hosting comes in a few varieties based on how much traffic your site is getting. This makes it easy to figure out when it’s time to upgrade. As your site earns more readers you can simply upgrade your hosting to accommodate your increases in traffic.

Why Use WordPress?

In the old days of the web, amateurs had to build pages by hand and upload them to a server. This becomes difficult to manage as a website grows larger and more complex. Coders started building more elaborate systems that could generate pages dynamically. Thus, content management systems were born.

Now anyone, regardless of coding experience, can benefit from this technology. After you’ve reviewed 25 to 50 movies, you’ll have at least 25 to 50 pages of content. Imagine what happens when you get to 100 or more.

WordPress lets you easily manage hundreds of pages from a single user-friendly interface. You can categorize and tag pieces of content to help keep them organized. The level of organization requires depends on your preferences, it’s totally customizable. WordPress is easy to use and it’s free, so it’s a safe bet to use it for your site.

Getting WordPress Installed

WordPress is basically an application written in the PHP programming language. When you install WordPress you are installing its source code files. You’ll also need a database where the program will store your content for retrieval.

There are two ways to install WordPress:

• Manual “5-minute” install
• Auto install with script installer

Both of these procedures are covered in our full guide on how to install WordPress .

The Basics of WordPress

You’re a WordPress user now. In order to make things easier later, take note that all of the content you add to WordPress are known as “posts.” This will make it easier for you when we create custom post types later in this tutorial series.

By default, WordPress comes with these generic post types:

These are posts that are programmed to display differently when used on your site. Don’t worry too much about it now. Just remember that everything is a post.

In order to familiarize yourself with using WordPress, you are best advised to read from the WordPress Education channel .

Below, you will be learning about creating a maintenance page, so you can work on your site without launching it to the public.

It’s Time To Design Your Site

Since you are building a movie review site, you will probably want to pick a theme (design template) that favors easily readable text.

This means an attractive font, good spacing between paragraphs and letters, and probably some white space around the text. You’ll also want to see how the theme displays media. Are you able to add big, luxurious images? What about embedding video? You have a movie review site here, so media is important.

No need to settle for a free theme that everybody else is using. Use promo code IMH2020 to get a great deal from the Elegant Marketplace .

Try to avoid themes that clutter up the layout with too many sidebars and widgets. It’s your call, but try to remember that you want the look of your site to encourage your readers to keep reading. The more time people spend on your site the better.

Tip: before you even start to sample themes, take a moment to stop and think. Make a list of websites you like and observe their content layout.

• What styles do you like?
• What do you dislike?
• How does it feel to use the site?

This sort of research will help tremendously when it comes time to pick your own theme.

How to Install a WordPress Theme

Themes are available for free (and some premium) on the WordPress theme marketplace. All you need to do is install a theme on your website and preview it or activate it. You can install and try out as many themes as you want. But you can only activate one at a time. For example, you can’t have multiple themes installed and use a different theme for each page.

Page Builder Plugins

You’ll notice as you sift through free themes that they share a lot of common features. Likewise, thousands of people will be using the same theme. This can give your WordPress site a generic quality and make it harder for you to distinguish yourself.

This is why there exists a large market for premium themes and theme builder plugins like these:

• Beaver Builder

And there are many more. These plugins come with either free and paid versions or exclusively paid features. So you will need to carefully consider your budget and options.

If you decide to use a stock theme, don’t feel as though you’re stuck. There are many highly successful blogs out there that use free WordPress themes. What distinguishes your site is the content —not the look. So you can stand out whether you choose free or paid themes. It all comes down to the quality of your content.

Custom Themes

Remember, you also have the option of building a theme yourself. There are plenty of books on the subject that will walk you through the process step by step, or you could start with online resources like the WordPress theme developer handbook .

In order to build a theme you must be familiar with these programming languages:

A solid working knowledge of those languages will help you in the building process. Remember you also have support out there. Almost every major city has a WordPress meetup where you can get advice from other users, both professionals and hobbyists.

You could also hire a developer to build a theme to your exact specifications. This is a more expensive option because you are paying someone else for their labor. But it may save you some time.

Measuring Success

Key Performance Indicators (or, KPIs) give you the insights you need with regard to how your site is performing. Are you hitting your goals? Are you getting everything you’d hoped you’d get out of your site? Having KPIs—selected properly—will tell you if you’re on track and where you need to course-correct.

Stats in Jetpack Plugin

Jetpack is a plugin that connects your self-hosted WordPress site with WordPress.com resources. This gives you all kinds of neat features such as enhanced security, faster image service, and various analytics. Want to know how many people are visiting your site every day? Jetpack gives you that information. What can you do with that information? Find out which of your pages are most popular so you can replicate that success with new content.

• Pay attention to models
• What is repeatable?
• What is measurably better?

Jetpack is the easiest tool to set up and get going, which is why it’s featured first. For many sites, this is the only tool that’s needed. But as you get more advanced in your webmaster skills, you will need more advanced tools. Read on.

Google Analytics and Search Console

These are more advanced tools, but they’re free (you only need a Google account) and give you a whole suite of data you can use to make critical decisions.

By measuring and analyzing this data, you will get a clear picture of how people are using your site. This data will help you develop your site as you strive to create valuable user experiences.

Some of these data may vary in relevance depending on your site. For example, some sites convert quickly, so time on page is not as important. Take your site into consideration when deciding which metrics are best for you to track.

All Kinds of Tools

There are all kinds of similar tools available for webmasters. Often, the incoming data will conflict. This is because different tools measure your data in different ways. You may discover that the tools described above give you enough information to make critical decisions for your site and meet your KPIs. That’s great. You should only use a minimal set of tools to match your goals. You could spend thousands of dollars on various tools and get lost in the weeds. Stick with the most important data and keep going.

Maintenance Mode (Building Your Site)

It’s time to put your site into “maintenance mode,” so you can work on it privately. If anyone visits your page in the meantime, they’ll see a nice page advising them that the site is under construction and they must come back later.

This not only lets you work at your own pace, but it also creates some natural anticipation for the launch of your site.

WordPress Maintenance Page Plugins

The easiest way to add a maintenance page to your site involves using a WordPress plugin .

Timing is everything in this early stage. It’s best to install your maintenance plugin and activate it before DNS fully propagates . This may mean using a hosts file to start working on your site right away.

Alternatives To Plugins

You are not required to use a plugin, but that is definitely the easiest way. Here are some alternatives you could explore:

• Maintenance redirect with .htaccess
• TEMP URL development

These are more advanced options, but with help from our support team, you could consider them for your project.

Why Use a Maintenance Page?

Your site is new. This means you haven’t built up significant traffic yet. You can use this easy time to your advantage. Build your site in the background before launching it to the public.

Also, while your maintenance page is up, your site is not being crawled by search engines. This means your site is invisible until you’re ready to launch it. If search engines start crawling your site before it’s complete, they will be saving a poor, underdeveloped version of your site. This is not good for your future rankings. You want to only release your site when you think the world is ready for it.

Custom Post Types

Earlier in this article, you read about posts, pages, and post types. This can be confusing for WordPress beginners. But basically, custom post types are a unique type of content you create and add to WordPress. This means you can generate custom page elements according to this new type of content. Read on to find out how.

How Custom Post Types Work

You may have already noticed that WordPress gives you three different places to drop new content. You have posts, pages, and media. It may surprise you to learn that, behind the scenes, WordPress considered each of these as a type of post . The difference between them depends on how they’re used. (Please see the guides linked to from this article for more information.) Basically, custom post types let you create your own unique forms of content that you can separate from others.

What Post Types Should You Use?

Since you are creating a movie review site, you need at least one custom post type: movie reviews. You are best advised to create a separate post type for movie reviews instead of using posts. This is because you may want to reserve posts for information like news or updates.

• Posts (default): news, updates, background information
• Pages (default): contact, about pages, and privacy policy/terms of service
• Media (default): images, audio, and/or video
• Movie reviews (default): used exclusively for movie review content

With a custom post type for reviews, you have successfully divided your content into discrete areas. This will help you keep your site’s admin area organized. And more, imagine you want to write different kinds of reviews down the road. You can easily create a new post type and keep everything discreetly organized.

How To Create Custom Post Types

It’s time to create your custom post type. You can easily create custom post types with plugins or with code added to your theme or to a custom plugin. Both procedures are described in the guides below:

• Create a custom post type with a plugin
• Create a custom post type without a plugin

Term, Details, and Policies

In 2018, data privacy regulations kicked into high gear with GDPR in the European Union. Similar regulations are being considered in the US and elsewhere. Basically, you should take no chances when it comes to the collection of user information.

You may be wondering, what kind of data am I collecting? WordPress stores a minimal amount of user data in order to provide some convenience features. Browser cookies store information that allow your users a quick login for your site or pre-filled comment form data. This is convenient for your users, because it speeds up their use of site without requiring them to log in each time.

In addition to helping you create a privacy policy page, WordPress also has tools that let you send a user all the data you have on them and, if requested, delete it—in order to help you comply with GDPR standards. Even if you are not intending to reach users in the EU, it’s considered a best practice to create a privacy policy.

How To Set Up Your WordPress Privacy Policy Page

In order to add your privacy policy page, just follow the steps in this complete guide:

• How to add a privacy policy in WordPress

The short answer is yes, you need to have a privacy policy page set up and ready to go. Even if no one ever reads it, it will save you trouble in the long run to go ahead and have your page ready. Think of it as an insurance policy.

The Masthead

Now it’s time to create the masthead for your site. The masthead, in your case, will be a single page that provides critical business information about your site. It’s like the official documentation about your enterprise. Read on to find out what you should print on this important page.

Creating a masthead is an important step that many bloggers and webmasters ignore. It’s a significant statement about what your site is, who you are, and what you do.

Consider Your Options

Before publishing your masthead page, take a moment to brainstorm and jot down all the information you will be sharing.

Who is the editor?

Who is the editor of your site? Who are the main contributors? Even if all of the above are just you, go ahead and put that information here. State your name and title:

Joe Example – Editor-in-chief

Will you accept submissions?

At some point, you may get requests from other bloggers or webmasters about opening content-related exchanges. Or, you might find that there are too many movies out there for you to see and you would be open to accepting submissions from others. If you are open to these kinds of deals, the masthead is a perfect place to provide specific details about how others can engage with you.

What’s your address and contact information?

What kind of contact information do you want to share? Many bloggers choose to give a P.O. box number instead of their actual home address. You may wonder why you need to give an address at all. Isn’t everything digital these days? This depends on your goals. There are still legitimate business reasons for having a physical address. For example, if your site expands and you want to create a corporation, you will need a physical address.

Who’s your host?

The masthead is a great place to let your readers know who hosts your site. Why is this relevant? If you plan on getting a lot of traffic to your site, you can consider becoming an affiliate for your host. This means if someone clicks on the link from your site to your host, and they buy hosting, you get some money. For many bloggers this can be a lucrative deal. Consider your options; this one might pay off for you.

Create The Masthead Page

This is the easy part. Now that you’ve made a big list of all the things you want to include in your masthead, it’s time to create the page and transfer all of the information.

• How to create a page in WordPress (you may already know how to do this)

Be sure to publish your masthead page before launching your site.

Getting Into a Review Aggregator (Like Rotten Tomatoes)

Getting into a review aggregator can be a long, difficult process. For movie reviews, Rotten Tomatoes is certainly the most popular, so they are a good example of the process.

Review aggregators basically “scrape” reviews from select critics and return an average score to help their users see if a movie has been favorably reviewed by most critics or universally panned. One day, if you work hard, your review may play a factor in that score. Your opinion will help influence moviegoers.

Typically, the review aggregator will have guidelines for considering new applicants . These guidelines should give you a clear idea of what kind of criteria your website must meet.

But there’s a lot of work you can do in the meantime before submitting your site for consideration.

Start Building a Community

Your community exists inside and outside of your website. Your first indicator of community may be pageviews, comments on your reviews, or followers on social media. These are decent indicators that a community is forming around your writing.

Next, you should try to extend your circle. Get involved in local events and networking groups. You could even host screenings at your local “arthouse” cinemas. Take your voice to the people and provide opportunities for engagement. The people will find you.

Consider Joining a Film Critics Group or Association

Rotten Tomatoes provides a list of film critic groups and associations . You may want to consider joining one of these groups. Please note, it’s unknown whether or not Rotten Tomatoes factors your membership in one of these groups into your overall assessment. It’s up to you if you want to make this effort.

Pump the Output

Keep publishing. Always be publishing. Try to review every movie that comes out. Eventually, you will have hundreds of articles and perhaps thousands of subscribers. Stay the course, submit your site for consideration, and it’s only a matter of time before you’ll be flinging those rotten tomatoes.

3 thoughts on “ How To Create a Movie Review Site ”

Sir from where can I get images of movie to post on my website

You can often access press kits for a movie online. If not, consider emailing the producers or the studio press department.

• Pingback: How To Create a Movie Review Site | WP FeedBack

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How to Start a Movie Review Blog (2023): The 7 Essential Steps

Are you a movie enthusiast looking to share your thoughts with like-minded individuals? Starting a movie review blog might be the perfect outlet for you!

With this step-by-step guide, we'll show you how to turn your passion for film into an engaging online platform.

From choosing your niche to promoting and monetizing your blog, we've got you covered every step of the way.

Get ready to embark on an exciting journey where you can connect with fellow movie lovers and establish your unique voice in cinema critique.

Let's get started!

Key Takeaways

• A movie blog allows individuals to share their opinions and reviews about movies.
• Starting a movie review blog can have several benefits such as expressing your passion for movies , sharing your knowledge and insights, and connecting with like-minded individuals.
• Creating a movie blog allows you to have a platform to share your thoughts and opinions about movies , connect with a community of movie enthusiasts, and potentially monetize your blog.
• Setting up a film review blog involves choosing a niche, purchasing a domain name, selecting a blogging platform, creating branding elements, and setting up the layout and structure of your blog.

Table of Contents (click to expand)

What exactly is a movie review blog, should you start blogging about movies, step 1. choose your movie review blog niche, step 2. buy a domain name and brand your movie blog, step 3. select your blogging platform, step 4. create your brand pages, colors, and logo, step 5. create your movie review writing plan, step 6. promoting your movie review blog, step 7. monetizing your movies blog, types of filmmaking blogs and movie blog niches, examples of movie review blogs, faqs on how to start a blog about movies.

If you're wondering what a movie review blog is, it's essentially a platform where you can share your thoughts and opinions about different films.

It's like having your own little corner of the internet where you can express your love for movies and connect with others who share the same passion.

Becoming a movie critic allows you to become part of a community that appreciates cinema in all its forms.

A movie blog is more than just writing about movies; it's about creating an engaging space where readers can come to find recommendations, discuss their favorite films, and explore new genres.

By starting your own movie review site , you have the opportunity to contribute to this vibrant community and make your voice heard.

When you make a movie review blog, not only do you get to write about films that excite and inspire you, but you also get to connect with fellow film enthusiasts from around the world.

You'll be able to engage in conversations, exchange recommendations, and learn from other perspectives. It's an incredible feeling of belonging knowing that there are people out there who value your opinion on movies.

So should you start blogging about movies? Absolutely! Starting a blog about movies opens up a world of possibilities for connecting with like-minded individuals while sharing your love for cinema. It's an exciting journey that allows you to explore the vast landscape of film and create meaningful connections along the way.

Considering your passion for film and the potential audience you could reach, blogging about movies might be a worthwhile endeavor.

If you have a deep love for cinema and a desire to share your thoughts with like-minded individuals, starting a film blog could be the perfect outlet for you.

Writing movie reviews allows you to express your opinions, analyze different aspects of films, and contribute to the vibrant community of movie enthusiasts online.

To write a movie review, all you need is an opinion and the ability to articulate it effectively.

Starting a movie blog is relatively easy, especially with various platforms that make creating and customizing your website simple.

By sharing your reviews on your blog, you can attract fellow cinephiles who are eager to read insightful critiques of their favorite films.

Also, there are numerous benefits to being part of the movie review community. Not only do you get the chance to engage in lively discussions with others who share your passion for film, but many websites also offer opportunities for collaboration and even potential partnerships or sponsorships.

So why wait? Take the plunge into the world of movie blogging today!

To kick off your movie review blog, the first step is selecting a specific niche within the film industry.

Starting a blog can be an exciting and fulfilling journey, especially if you have a passion for movies and love sharing your thoughts about them with others.

Choosing a movie review blog niche creates a sense of belonging within the vast world of film enthusiasts.

When it comes to selecting your movie review blog niche, there are endless possibilities.

You could focus on reviewing classic films from different eras, dive into the world of foreign cinema, explore specific genres like horror or comedy, or even concentrate on analyzing the latest blockbusters.

The key is to choose something that truly resonates with you and allows you to showcase your unique perspective.

By narrowing down your focus to a particular niche, you become an authority in that area and attract readers who share your interests.

This sense of community fosters engagement and encourages meaningful discussions about movies. It also helps differentiate your movie review blog from others out there, making it more memorable for potential readers.

Now that you've chosen your movie review blog niche, let's move on to the next step: buying a domain name and branding your movie blog seamlessly into its online presence.

Now that you've chosen your niche, it's time to purchase a domain name and establish your movie blog's brand.

The first step to starting your movie review blog is to buy a domain name.

This is the address where people will find your blog on the internet. It's important to choose a domain name that reflects the theme of your blog and is easy for readers to remember.

Consider including keywords related to movies or reviews in your domain name to attract the right audience.

Once you've bought your domain name, it's time to brand your movie blog.

Branding is all about creating a unique identity for your blog and making it stand out from others in the same niche.

Choose a visually appealing logo and color scheme representing your movie reviews' essence.

Consistency is key when branding, so make sure to use these elements across all aspects of your blog, including social media profiles.

Branding helps you create a recognizable image and builds trust with your audience. It shows them that you are serious about what you do and that they can rely on you for valuable insights into movies.

As you move forward with step 3 - selecting your blogging platform -remember that having a strong brand will make this process even more seamless.

After purchasing your domain name and establishing your brand, it's time to select a blogging platform for your movie review site. This step is crucial as it will determine the look and functionality of your blog.

Here are some platforms to consider:

Ghost : This is a simpler version of WordPress that prides itself on enhanced security and minimalistic design. Ghost has been my top choice for a few years.

WordPress : This popular platform offers countless themes and plugins, making it perfect for beginners who want a customizable website without any coding knowledge.

Blogger : Owned by Google, Blogger is user-friendly and easy to set up. It's a great option if you prefer simplicity and don't need advanced features.

Squarespace : Known for its sleek templates and professional designs, Squarespace is ideal for bloggers who prioritize aesthetics and want a visually stunning website.

Wix : With its drag-and-drop interface, it allows you to customize your blog layout easily. It also offers features like e-commerce integration, which can be useful if you monetize your blog.

When choosing a platform, consider factors such as design options, ease of use, customization capabilities, and any special features you may require for writing movie reviews or managing your blog effectively.

Now that you've selected the perfect blogging platform for your movie review site, let's move on to step 4 - creating your brand pages, colors, and logo - to give your blog that unique touch that will make it stand out from the crowd.

Once you've chosen the perfect blogging platform, it's time to create your brand pages, select colors, and design a logo that truly represents your unique style. This is where you can let your creativity shine and make your movie review blog stand out from the rest.

Start by writing about a movie that captures your passion for films and showcases your expertise in the industry. Whether you're a fan of classic cinema or obsessed with the latest blockbusters, make sure to incorporate your love for movies into every aspect of your brand.

When it comes to selecting colors for your blog, think about what emotions you want to evoke in your readers. Warm tones like reds and oranges can create excitement and energy, while cool blues and greens can promote calmness and relaxation.

Choose colors that align with the tone of your movie reviews and reflect the overall atmosphere you want to create.

Designing a logo is another important step in creating a cohesive brand identity. It should be visually appealing, memorable, and instantly recognizable, representing your movie review blog.

Consider incorporating elements like film reels, popcorn, or ticket stubs into your logo design to further emphasize its connection to the world of movies.

Now that you have established a strong brand presence with captivating brand pages, eye-catching colors, and an impressive logo; it's time to move on to step 5: creating your blog publishing plan.

This will ensure that you consistently produce high-quality content that keeps readers coming back for more.

When it comes to how to write a movie blog, there are several key points you need to consider.

First, you should focus on creating evergreen blog posts that provide timeless value to your readers.

Additionally, incorporating movie news articles will keep your audience informed and engaged with the latest updates in the film industry.

To add variety and cater to different preferences, consider including video movie reviews, podcast movie reviews , and image-related movie content to appeal to a wider range of viewers.

Evergreen Blog Posts

To create a successful movie review blog, you should regularly publish evergreen posts that provide timeless content and keep your readers engaged.

Evergreen blog posts are those that remain relevant and valuable over time, regardless of when they were published. These types of posts help establish your expertise in the field of movie reviews and keep readers coming back for more.

Here is an example of how you can structure your evergreen blog post plan:

Movie News Articles

Now that you have established your evergreen blog posts let's dive into another essential aspect of running a successful movie blog: creating compelling movie news articles.

Your audience craves the latest updates and insights on the film industry, and by providing them with well-written and engaging movie news articles, you will solidify your position as a trusted source.

When writing movie news articles, staying up-to-date with the latest happenings in the industry is crucial.

Keep an eye on press releases, casting announcements, and trailers to bring fresh content to your readers. Make sure to add your unique perspective or analysis to make your articles stand out.

Incorporating relevant keywords like 'movie blog', 'movie news', and 'movie reviews' in your headlines and throughout the article will increase visibility among search engines and attract more readers.

As you gain momentum with your movie blog through captivating movie news articles, it's time to take it a step further by exploring video movie reviews...

Video Movie Reviews

As you're gaining momentum with your movie blog, it's time to delve into video reviews for films.

Video reviews offer a dynamic and engaging way to share your thoughts on movies with your audience. Here are three reasons why you should consider adding video reviews to your repertoire as a movie blogger:

• Visual Impact: With video reviews, you can use visuals, clips, and editing techniques to enhance your storytelling and make your review more immersive.
• Personal Connection: Seeing the reviewer's face and hearing their voice creates a stronger connection between the audience and the movie blogger, fostering a sense of belonging within the community.
• Expanded Reach: Video content has become increasingly popular among online audiences, so by including video reviews on your blog, you can attract new viewers who prefer consuming content in this format.

Now that you've mastered writing movie reviews and explored video reviews, let's move on to another exciting aspect of film critique - podcast movie reviews.

Podcast Movie Reviews

Podcast movie reviews offer a fresh and immersive way for film enthusiasts like you to share your thoughts and engage with an audience. If you've always wanted to start a movie blog, consider exploring the world of podcasting as a unique avenue.

With podcast movie reviews, you can create audio content that allows listeners to hear your passion and excitement firsthand.

By sharing your opinions, insights, and recommendations in a conversational format, you can establish a sense of belonging within the community of film lovers who appreciate this form of entertainment.

But what if you also want to incorporate image-related movie content into your blog?

Don't worry. There are ways to seamlessly integrate visuals into your podcast episodes without missing out on this important aspect of film analysis.

Image Related Movie Content

If you're looking to include visuals in your podcast episodes, there are creative ways to seamlessly incorporate image-related movie content into your audio.

Adding images can enhance the listening experience and make your movie reviews more engaging for your audience.

One effective method is to create a companion movie blog where you can share screenshots or posters of the films you discuss.

This allows your listeners to visualize what you're talking about and adds an interactive element to your review writing. By including visuals on your movie blog, you provide a comprehensive experience for movie enthusiasts who visit your site.

Now that you have an idea of how to incorporate images into your podcast, let's move on to step 6: promoting your movie review blog without writing 'step'.

You'll need to utilize social media platforms and engage with potential readers to drive traffic to your blog. Here are some strategies to draw readers to your movie blog and make them feel like they belong:

Create engaging content: Write insightful and captivating reviews that leave readers wanting more. Share interesting facts about the movies or behind-the-scenes stories to keep them engaged.

Interact with your audience: Respond to comments on your blog posts and social media platforms. Ask questions and encourage discussion among your followers. This will make them feel valued and part of a community.

Collaborate with other bloggers or influencers: Partnering with others in the industry can help expand your reach. Guest posting on popular blogs or collaborating on social media campaigns can expose your blog to new audiences.

By implementing these strategies, you'll attract more readers and create a sense of belonging within your movie review community.

Now let's move on to monetizing your movie blog by exploring different revenue streams.

Now that your movie review blog is up and running, it's time to start thinking about how you can monetize it.

There are several key points to consider when it comes to making money from your blog.

First, you can earn revenue through display advertising by placing ads on your site.

Second, affiliate marketing allows you to promote products or services related to movies and earn a commission for every sale made through your referral.

Display Advertising Revenue

You can boost your movie review blog's revenue by incorporating display advertising. Display advertising revenue is a great way to make money from your movie blog and increase your income.

By partnering with advertising networks or platforms, you can display ads on your website that are relevant to your audience and earn money whenever someone clicks on or views those ads. This provides a source of income and enhances the overall user experience on your blog.

Display advertising allows you to monetize your passion for movies while providing valuable content to your readers.

However, display advertising is just one monetization method for movie blogs; another effective strategy is affiliate marketing, which we will explore in the next section.

Affiliate Marketing

Affiliate marketing is a great way to generate additional income for your website by partnering with brands and earning a commission on sales made through your referral links.

As the owner of a movie blog, you have the opportunity to monetize your passion for films and make money from your movie reviews.

By joining affiliate programs related to movies, you can recommend products such as DVDs, streaming services, or even merchandise to your readers.

You earn a commission when they make a purchase using your unique referral link.

Take a look at this table showcasing potential affiliate partnerships for your profitable movie blog:

Sell Courses and Digital Products

To maximize your revenue potential, consider creating and selling online courses or digital products that cater to the interests of your movie-loving audience.

By offering valuable content that teaches aspiring writers how to write movie reviews or create engaging video essays, you can establish yourself as an authority in the industry.

Create comprehensive courses that cover topics such as analyzing film techniques, crafting compelling narratives, and understanding different genres.

Additionally, you can develop downloadable resources like e-books or templates to aid your audience in their writing journey.

These courses and digital products can be promoted on your blog site alongside your movie reviews, ensuring a seamless user experience for your readers.

With this approach, you generate income and provide value by helping others pursue their passion for movies.

In addition to selling courses and digital products, another way to monetize your blog is by selling swag and physical products related to movies.

Sell Swag and Physical Products

When it comes to selling swag and physical products, think about incorporating merchandise like t-shirts, posters, and collectibles that showcase your love for movies.

This will help you connect with your audience on a deeper level and give them a sense of belonging to a community of movie enthusiasts.

To sell swag and physical products on your movie blog, consider the following:

• T-shirts featuring iconic movie quotes or characters
• Posters of classic films or upcoming releases
• Collectible items like action figures or prop replicas

By offering these unique items, you can create an immersive experience for your readers and fans. As they proudly wear your t-shirts or display the posters in their homes, they become ambassadors for your brand.

This fosters a sense of belonging within the movie community you are building.

Now that you have explored selling swag and physical products let's dive into how to create services for the movie niche without missing a beat.

Create Services for the Movie Niche

If you're looking to expand your reach in the movie niche, consider offering personalized movie recommendation services.

Not only will this help you establish yourself as an expert in the field, but it will also provide a valuable service to your audience.

Imagine being able to suggest the perfect film for someone based on their preferences and mood. It's like having your own personal movie advisor!

By incorporating this service into your blog, you'll be able to connect with your readers on a deeper level and create a sense of belonging within the movie community.

So, start your movie blog today and offer personalized recommendations that will keep your audience coming back for more insider knowledge about the fascinating world of the film industry.

As you delve into the different types of filmmaking blogs and movie blog niches, you'll discover endless opportunities to showcase your passion for cinema.

From reviewing new releases to exploring classic films, this ever-evolving industry has no shortage of topics to cover.

Whether you focus on specific genres or highlight underrated independent films, each niche offers unique appeal and attracts a dedicated audience.

So get ready to dive deep into the world of movies and find your place within this vibrant community of film enthusiasts.

There's a wide range of filmmaking blogs and movie blog niches to choose from. Whether you're passionate about reviewing movies or analyzing the art of filmmaking, there's a community out there waiting for you to join.

Here are some exciting options to consider:

Movie Review Blogs : These blogs provide honest and insightful reviews of the latest films, helping readers make informed decisions about what to watch next.

Film Critic Blogs : If you deeply love cinema and enjoy analyzing every aspect of a film, starting a film critic blog is perfect for you. Dive into each movie's technical elements, storytelling techniques, and overall impact.

Genre-Specific Blogs : Love horror movies? Or maybe you're obsessed with romantic comedies? Starting a genre-specific blog allows you to connect with like-minded individuals who share your passion.

Celebrity Interviews and News Blogs : For those interested in more than just film reviews, these blogs provide exclusive interviews with actors, directors, and industry insiders. Stay updated on the latest news in the world of movies.

By choosing one of these niches or combining multiple interests together, you can create a movie blog that aligns perfectly with your passion for cinema.

Now let's explore some examples of successful movie review blogs without wasting any time!

Now that you have explored the various types of filmmaking blogs and movie blog niches, let's dive into some examples of movie review blogs to inspire you as you begin your own journey as a movie blogger.

One notable example is 'Rotten Tomatoes,' a popular movie review website where both critics and audiences can rate and review films.

Its comprehensive database and user-friendly interface have become a trusted source for movie enthusiasts seeking honest opinions.

Another noteworthy blog is 'Cinema Blend,' which offers a unique blend of news, reviews, and interviews from the world of movies.

Their in-depth analysis and engaging writing style make them a go-to platform for film lovers looking for insightful commentary.

If you prefer a more personal touch, 'Film School Rejects' might be the perfect inspiration for your blog.

They provide thoughtful reviews and personal anecdotes that give readers an intimate glimpse into their experiences with each film.

These are just a few examples of thriving movie review blogs. By studying their approaches, you can gain valuable insights on how to structure your own blog, craft engaging content, and build connections within the vibrant community of movie bloggers.

So go ahead and start your own movie review blog – there's a place for every voice in this diverse world of cinema appreciation!

How can I start a movie review blog?

To start a movie review blog, follow these 7 essential steps:

• Step 1: Choose a niche for your blog. Decide if you want to focus on a specific genre, era, or type of movie.
• Step 2: Choose a domain name for your blog. Make sure it relates to movies and is easy to remember.
• Step 3: Set up your blog using a blogging platform like WordPress.
• Step 4: Customize the design of your blog to make it visually appealing and user-friendly.
• Step 5: Start writing movie reviews. Watch a variety of movies and share your thoughts and opinions on them.
• Step 6: Promote your blog through social media, guest posting, and networking with other movie enthusiasts.
• Step 7: Monetize your blog through advertising, sponsored content, and affiliate marketing.

Why should I start a movie review blog?

Starting a movie review blog can be a fun and rewarding hobby. It allows you to share your thoughts and opinions on movies, connect with other movie lovers, and potentially earn income through your blog.

What topics can I write about on a movie review blog?

You can write about a variety of topics on a movie review blog, such as movie reviews, analysis of film techniques, interviews with filmmakers, movie news and updates, and recommendations for movie buffs.

Do I need to watch every movie before writing a review?

It's not necessary to watch every movie before writing a review, but it's important to watch the movie you are reviewing to have a firsthand experience and understanding of it. You can choose to review specific movies that interest you or currently popular movies.

How often should I post new content on my movie blog?

A: The frequency of posting new content on your movie review blog is up to you. It's recommended to have a consistent posting schedule to keep your readers engaged. You can start by posting one or two reviews per week and adjust based on your availability and the demand for content.

How can I make my movie review blog stand out?

A: To make your movie review blog stand out, focus on providing unique perspectives and insights in your reviews. Be honest and authentic in expressing your opinions, and strive to offer valuable and well-written content. Additionally, you can incorporate multimedia elements like images, videos, and graphics to enhance the visual appeal of your blog.

Should I go to film school before starting a film blog?

A: It's not necessary to go to film school before starting a movie review blog. While film school can provide a deeper understanding of the technical aspects of filmmaking, it's not a requirement for writing movie reviews. As long as you have a passion for movies and a willingness to learn and improve your writing skills, you can start a movie blog without formal education in film.

How can I attract more readers to my movie review blog?

To attract more readers to your movie review blog, consider the following strategies:

• Promote your blog through social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
• Guest post on other movie-related websites or collaborate with other bloggers in the same niche.
• Engage with your audience by responding to comments and encouraging discussions.
• Optimize your blog for search engines by using relevant keywords and optimizing your blog structure.

How can I monetize my movie review blog?

There are several ways to monetize your movie review blog, including:

• Displaying advertisements on your blog through ad networks like Google AdSense.
• Writing sponsored content or partnering with brands for product placements.
• Joining affiliate marketing programs and earning commissions for promoting products or services.

Can I start a movie blog without any prior writing experience?

You can start a movie blog without any writing experience. While having writing skills can be beneficial, the most important thing is to have a passion for movies and a willingness to learn and improve your writing as you go along.

You can develop your unique writing style and voice with practice and dedication.

Final Thoughts: Start a Movie Blog Writing Reviews

And there you have it! A comprehensive guide on creating your very own movie review blog.

From the initial decision of your movie niche to the monetizing stage, you can establish a successful blog with persistence and a great love for films.

So, if you are a feverish fan of cinema, always well-versed in movie news sites, and have opinions aplenty about each new movie or classic gems - don't start small.

Your unique voice can be the confident recommendation a confused movie-goer needs.

By putting yourself and your unique viewpoint out into the movie world through your movie review blog, you can create an engaging space for fellow film critics and enthusiasts to convene, debate, and appreciate the magic of cinema.

A movie isn't just a passive experience; it can be the spark of engaging and nuanced conversations. Your blog can be the catalyst for those exchanges.

The great thing is you don't need to write long manifestos for each movie. You can keep your tone conversational, clear, and enjoyable.

In this way, reading your blog becomes another movie-related treat, like savoring popcorn or unveiling a new movie poster. With every review for a movie, you contribute to the vibrant tapestry of online movie discourse.

So, brace yourself for an exciting journey of creativity and enthusiasm.

Start your blog , write about all the films you want to review, and allow your love for cinema to shine brightly. With time, dedication, and a little bit of movie sparkle, your new blog will allow you to connect with like-minded cinephiles and establish your unique voice in the world of movie critique.

Whether it's a blog about movies you've always wanted to discuss or a niche sector of the movie industry you're fond of, now is a great time to start.

Every blog post strengthens your connection with your audience, making your blog more appealing and impactful. Let the enjoyment of watching a movie translate into the joy of discussing them on your platform.

The movie realm is vast, with countless stories sung and unsung. Don't make the mistake of doubting whether your voice matters. Everybody's perception of a movie is unique, like the experience of the movie itself.

Do it if you feel like writing a blog about the movie you just watched! The world deserves to see another movie through your lens. Bear these points in mind, and the process of creating a movie review blog will feel less daunting and more exciting.

Just remember to keep your reviews genuine, engaging, and poignant. If you make your blog about movies that you are passionate about, you are sure to engage with an audience that appreciates and relates to your content.

Cheers to embarking on this extraordinary journey of building a movie review blog from scratch. Good luck deciding on your blog name, defining your brand, and crafting captivating content for your blog. Your blog could be the next big thing in the online film community.

Remember, every great blog starts with one person, their love for a subject, and the desire to share that love with the world. You're no different! So get started, and stay tuned for more tips and advice on the blogging world.

Happy writing and happy watching!

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How to Create a Movie Review Website With ACF & Elementor

• on WordPress Development

When building rich-content sites, a movie review site for example, many users opt to use a pre-made theme already containing the relevant layout & demo content.

The problem with such an approach is that pre-made themes restrict you to a certain limited design. Instead, we will show you how to use Elementor ‘s integration with Advanced Custom Fields to create a custom-made movie review site.

The website will feature the archive template, containing a beautiful full-width grid of movies, each with an image and title that is pulled dynamically from our custom post type content.

You will combine the  ACF  and  CPT UI  plugins to create a custom post type with relevant custom fields. This content will be displayed using Elementor’s single and archive templates.

For each movie post, you will include the movie title and trailer, followed by the plot and the IMDB rating. Below that, you will set a quote about the movie followed by the written review. Next, you will have a box with the movie image and some general information about the movie like the country, genres, and writers. On the right column, you will have a sidebar showing our latest movies.

Let’s jump into WordPress and build that.

Table of Contents

Required plugins, step 1: create the custom post type in cpt ui.

• Step 2: Set Custom Taxonomy Using CPT UI
• Step 3: Create Custom Fields Using ACF
• Step 4: Add Movie Genres Taxonomies & Movie Posts
• Step 5: Build the Movie Archive Template 
• Step 6: Build the Movie Single Template

Inside the WordPress dashboard, I already created the header and the footer. In the dashboard, Under ‘Plugins’ > ‘Installed Plugins’, we will see the required plugins for this tutorial:

• Elementor Pro
• Advanced Custom Fields
• Custom Post Type UI

Note that Elementor officially supports Advanced Custom Fields version 5 and up.

Let’s start with our custom post type. Hover over CPT UI and click on ‘add/edit Post Types’.

On this page, you need to provide some basic information about your custom post type. First off, add the post type slug, which is the internal name WordPress uses for the custom post type. The slug should not contain spaces and should be lowercased. Go ahead and name it ‘movie’.

Next, fill-in the plural and singular label. Name the fields ‘movies’ and ‘movie’. Don’t worry about the other fields below. Those are just some labels and the defaults are perfectly fine here.

Change ‘Has Archive’ from false to true, so you can build an archive for this custom post type. For the ‘Menu Icon’, paste ‘dashicons-tickets-alt’. This is the icon for the custom post type that will be displayed in the left side.

Make sure that the featured image is ticked-on, because it should provide an image for the custom post type. Click ‘add post type’. You will be able to see on the left side that the custom post type movies was added.

Step 2: Set Custom Taxonomy Using CPT UI

Create a custom taxonomy for your movies custom post type. Taxonomies are like tags or like categories, but in this instance, provide a different name – ‘movie genres’.

Hover over CPT UI and click on add/edit Taxonomies. For the taxonomy slug, write ‘movie_genres’ with an underscore and with lowercase letters. For the plural labels, use ‘movie genres’ again. For the singular label, use ‘movie genre’.

Now attach it to your movies custom post type, and click on ‘Add Taxonomy’. If you hover over Movies you can see the Movie Genres. 

Step 3: Create Custom Fields Using ACF

On the Left sidebar, hover over Custom Fields and click on ‘Field Groups’. Click on the ‘Add New’. Call your field group ‘Movie Fields’.  Click on ‘add field’. The first field is going to be the trailer link so the trailer will play on the frontend.

Label this as ‘Trailer Link’. The next slot ‘Field Name’ is automatically filled in. For the field type, change it from text to URL . The second field is going to be the plot, which is a short description of the movie. 

For the field type, select ‘Text area’, because that’s a small paragraph and it’s better than a single line. For the rows, change it to 4, so it’s a bit smaller. The next field is going to be the IMDB rating. You will later pair this field with an icon box widget (in Elementor) to have an appealing visual presentation of the field.

Name this field ‘Rating’, and change the field type to ‘Number’. Select a minimum value of zero and the maximum value of 10. Now that all your fields are in place, scroll down and set the location rules to ‘Show this field group if the post type is equal to’ > Movie.

To activate the custom field, hit publish.

Step 4: Add Movie Genres Taxonomies & Movie Posts

If you add a new movie, you will notice the fields you previously added. Go ahead and add the different genres: Action, Adventure, horror and so on.

It’s time to add a specific movie entry. Under movies, click on ‘Add New’, write the title: ‘Gravity’, and add the rest of the fields. For the movie genres, we choose Drama, Sci-fi and Thriller. Also, set featured image. Then click on publish.

Now if you visit this movie post, you will be able to see that the page was created, but does not display any custom fields. This is because by default your theme does not display custom field. Here is where Elementor and its single post template come into play, allowing us to have an easy way to display custom fields.

Go ahead create a bunch of other movies so you have what to work with.

Step 5: Build the Movie Archive Template

Hover over Elementor and click on My Templates . Click on ‘Add New’ and select ‘Archive’. The library panel opens on the relevant blocks for the archive, but you don’t want to use them. 

You need to set the preview for this archive, so click on the eyeball icon > settings. You will preview the dynamic content as your movies archive. Click ‘Apply and preview’.

It’s important to include the Archive Posts widget, which will display our list of Custom Post Types created with CPT UI and ACF. When you hit publish, you will see the display conditions screen. The condition you will use will include the movie archives.

Your archive is live! You can visit the website and see the list of movies.

Step 6: Build the Movie Single Template

If you click on one of the movies, you will see a page with the default post theme structure. You have to build our single template to display the fields correctly.

Under Elementor > My Templates, click on ‘Add New’. This time select the single template.

You will see a new input for the post types, where you can choose ‘movie’. 

The widgets that will integrate with the ACF custom fields include:

• The Post Title  widget – Set to default
• Video widget  – With the URL set to Dynamic > ACF URL Field. Under Settings, for the key, select ‘Trailer Link’
• Heading widget  – With the Title set to Dynamic > ACF Field.  Under Settings, for the key, select ‘Plot’.
• Icon box  – With the Title & Description set to Dynamic > ACF Field. Under Settings, for the key, select ‘Rating’.
• Heading widget  – With the Title set to Dynamic > ACF Field.  Under Settings, for the key, select ‘Quote’.
• Post Content widget  – Set to default
• Featured Image widget  – Set to default
• 6 Heading widgets  – Using the rest of the movies custom fields (Country, Director, Writers, Stars, Awards, and Duration).
• Heading widget  – With the Title set to Dynamic > ‘Post Terms’.  Under Settings, for the Taxonomy, select ‘Movie Genres’.
• Posts widget  – Under Query, change Source to ‘Movies’. Exclude the current post and switch on ‘Avoid Duplicates’.

The display condition screen is already set for the movies custom post type. Click on publish and your template is live. When visiting one of the movies, you can see that your template appears, just like you designed it.

As you can see, it’s easy to create a movie review website using  ACF and  Elementor Pro . If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to leave them in the comments below.

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How to Create a Movie Review Website

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Have you ever thought about creating a movie review website like RottenTomatoes or IMDB?  If you love movies, then this could be a lot of fun! It could always be a great way to make money, whether you want to do as a sidehustle or as a way to work fulltime from home and earn money.  If you accept other people’s reviews, then your website could constantly be updated without you having to put in the work all the time, so it could be a wonderful passive income, too.

And the great thing about it is you don’t even have to have experience coding or creating websites.  You can totally do this as a complete beginner.  This is made possible with Moview , a Movie Database & Review Joomla Template along with the SP Movie Database extension.  This means your website will already be customized to look and feel like a movie review website, and it will have a ton of awesome features, too:

• A rating and review system where registered users can rate and review movies
• An unlimited amount of entries, so you can include as many movies as you want!
• A detailed view for each movie with useful information
• The ability to add the trailers for each movie
• The ability to categorize movies by genres
• The ability to alphabetize your list of movies or order them in different ways
• An Actor/Director Profile option, where each actor, actress or director can have their own profile page with a description, image, birth date, filmography and social links
• The ability to add movies showtimes where you could list when movies are being shown in local cinemas

So you might be thinking, this sounds great, but can I really do it without any experience with websites?  Luckily, yes, because you can get SP Page Builder Pro.  SP Page Builder Pro is an amazing way for beginners to create their own websites with drop and drag features which means you don’t need any computer programming or coding experience whatsoever.  You can buy a personal account here and get access to the templates & extensions needed to build your own movie database and you can add on SP Page Builder Pro and you can do this for just $89.  You would also need to get a web host and a domain (here are some tips on choosing a domain ), but domains are often included in the price of hosting and you can find some really affordable hosting options here .

And this would be a great thing to do just for fun, but if you want to make back that initial investment, you might be wondering: how exactly do you earn money from this?  Well, there are multiple ways you can do this:

• You could charge for memberships and then only people who pay you a monthly fee could see your reviews
• You would make affiliate relationships with specific companies with relatable products.  You could then have affiliate banners on your websites that relate to movies (such as Fandango, or websites that sell movies, like Amazon and Best Buy) and then when people click on those banners and make purchases, you would make a percentage of these sales.  We go further into detail about affiliate marketing here .
• You could run ads on your websites like Google Ads or Mediavine, and then you would make money when people click on those links.  The advantages here would be you wouldn’t have to make relationships with multiple companies and you could make money even if people don’t make purchases (but you could potentially make more through affiliate marketing if someone makes a large purchase).  We go into more detail about this here .

You could also do a combination of these money making options.  With any of these options, of course, you would need people coming to your website.   Here are some ways you can do this:

• A strong Pinterest account where you could promote your website or specific movie reviews – here are some tips on how to get started marketing on Pinterest .
• A Facebook account where you could make Facebook posts about the movie reviews – here are some tips on how to get more Facebook shares so more people could find your website.
• An Instagram account so you could get more interest and increase your brand – here are some tips on how to gain Instagram followers .
• You could start an email list and then you could send out a newsletter letting people know that there are reviews for new movies to keep people coming back to your website – you can do this with email – here are some tips on how to welcome people to your email list and keep them engaged so they will continue to be visitors to your website.

But remember, this is your website so you can run it the way you see fit!  So have fun and get started, because by using Moview with SP Page Builder Pro, you’ll be able to make an incredibly professional looking movie review website that could earn you a lot of money!

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Tell us what you’ve seen

Get your Letterboxd underway by visiting our Popular section and marking a few films you’ve seen. Click the ‘eye’ on any film poster to tell us you’ve watched it (add a ‘like’ if you liked it and/or a rating). We add all watched titles to your Films tab and then we can show you reviews containing spoilers (usually hidden) and other cool stuff. If you’re Pro we compute detailed stats based on all your watched films (see below ).

Browse your watched films

Now that you’ve added some films, you can find them in the Films tab of your profile. As you add more content, your profile starts to reflect your taste. You can also browse the films of other members, or the community , with Hide watched films activated to find more great films to watch.

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Save films to watch later

One of our most-loved features, the Watchlist , lets you keep a list of films you want to see. Start in Most Anticipated and mark a few films you want to see—use the ‘clock’ on a film or review page, or open the options menu on any poster (shown opposite). If you subsequently log or mark a film as watched, we’ll move it from your Watchlist to your Films (and add it to your Diary , if you provide a date—more on that  below ).

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Click your username (at the top of each page) for shortcuts to the main sections of your account. Your Profile , Films , Diary , Watchlist and other pages are here.

You can customize your name, location, website, bio and favorite films in Settings . We use your X / Twitter avatar if you connect your account, or a Gravatar matching the email on your profile.

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Log a film to tell us you watched it on a particular date, and to attach a review, rating and tags. We put all films you log with a date into your Diary , a great reference for when it comes time to compile your year-end list.

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The best way to find members to follow is by reading reviews of films you like, to identify the voices and opinions you dig. Our Members page lists popular accounts.

As you follow more people, we create a personalized Activity stream full of reviews and recommendations from these members (and you’re bound to find new people to follow from the Likes included here). Use the Incoming tab to see who’s interacting with you, and upgrade to Pro to personalize the types of activity you see on each device.

Make and share lists

Lists are a great way to share a collection of related films, or to rank the films of your favorite genre, star, director or franchise. It’s fun to welcome suggestions for your lists from other members.

Start a list on your Lists tab, then add films on the ‘Edit’ screen (or from the ‘more options’ menu on a poster). The first time you make a list public, it’s shared with your followers.

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Stats include overview by week/year, highest rated decades, most watched and highest rated actors and directors, progress against milestone lists, genre, language and country breakdowns, and lots more.

Here’s what you’ll find in our main sections…

If you’re signed in, you’ll see a selection of popular films, reviews and lists from Letterboxd members. As you follow more people, we personalize this page to show what’s popular in your network.

This section shows which films our members are watching and reviewing the most. It’s also your starting point for browsing the whole database, by decade/year, genre, popularity, rating, streaming service and more.

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How To Write A Movie Review Blog Post in 9 Easy Steps

How awesome would it be to make money just by sharing your thoughts and opinions on movies?

I can tell you from experience – pretty. freaking. awesome!

Although YouTube and other forms of social media have the potential to earn you big bucks, none of them are quite as stable as owning your own real estate on the internet – a blog.

So if you want to build a successful, long-lasting career out of movie reviews then there are two important skills that you need to learn – how to start a blog and how to write a movie review blog post.

In this article, I’m going to cover all that I’ve learned in my 2+ years of blogging, many failures, and a few hundred dollars of income (after a year and a half of $0 in income) on how to write a movie review blog.

Without further ado, let’s get into it.

What Is a Movie Blog?

A movie blog is an online site containing articles related to movies.

The movie blog can be more personal, containing one person’s journalistic reviews, thoughts, or insight on a movie or it can be a bigger organization that covers film topics from several different publishers.

How to Start a Movie Review Website – 4 Quick Steps

Starting a profitable movie review website is no easy feat. It takes time, patience, and consistency to make real headway. To get you started on the incredibly rewarding adventure here are 4 quick steps to help give you good footing:

• Be prepared to invest time and money if you want to build a movie blog that is profitable.
• You can focus on analyzing a specific part of popular movies
• You can approach movies from a rare pov
• You can review a specific genre of movies
• If you don’t have your niche right away don’t hesitate to get started anyways. As you become more familiar with what is and isn’t available in the movie blog world, you’ll find where your voice really shines.
• This is all part of solidifying your brand. Determine the atmosphere and the vibes of your blog site.
• Choose a Unique Blog Name , that can speak to your movie blog’s theme. You can search for available website names here .
• Choose a tagline that speaks to your movie blog’s purpose. My first tagline was “The realest movie reviews.” … yeah, I’m not proud of it. But the point is, start with something and you can refine your tagline as you learn more about where your voice fits in the movie world.
• Pick 3 or 4 main colors that look good together and that you like because you’ll be using them a lot. You want people to see those colors together and know that you’re speaking before they even read your words.
• Pick 2 or 3 fonts that look good together for your headings, subheadings, and body text.
• Canva Pro has a brand kit that makes designing with your brand colors and fonts really simple.
• Several hosting options are available to host your website, but Bluehost is the best option for first-time bloggers . They have incredibly cheap introductory prices (a year of hosting for as low as $33), quality hosting, and excellent customer service .
• I walk through exactly how to purchase your first website in the two-minute video below. Click on this link to take you to Bluehost and you can follow along with me.

The video below is filled with some really helpful tips to get you started on blogging. This exact video is what kickstarted my professional blogging journey.

If you’re a beginner blogger who wants to make money with your blog, I highly recommend By Sophia Lee’s blogging course . If you gained anything from her video above, this course will be game-changing for you.

How to Write a Movie Review Blog – 9 Steps

You’ve got your movie blog website! Yaaayy!! Now the fun begins – writing and publishing your movie reviews.

Let’s break down the writing process into steps to help you find your stride when crafting your own movie reviews.

1. Plan your Content

In order to properly plan your content, you need to first learn about SEO & Keywords.

SEO is an acronym that stands for S earch E ngine O ptimization. 

This means that you have to make sure every page and every post on your website is easily detectable and understood by big search engines like Google. 

For example, you write a movie review for the film Titanic. 

You want Google to easily be able to tell that you wrote a movie review on the film Titanic. This will get your review a better chance of being discovered by someone looking for a review of the Titanic. 

But then you get this issue – when you look up “Titanic Movie Reviews” on Google there are 11,300,000 results. Good luck getting discovered among the sea of results. 

So, to make SEO work a little better for you, try narrowing down your focus on the movie Titanic. 

Too many times, I see movie review blog posts with titles like:

“ Die Hard | Review ” or

“ Fight Club | Review 2022 ” or

“ The Godfather Movie Review ”

And honey, all I gotta say is that your stunning review is going to get drowned out by Rotten Tomatoes and Roger Ebert. Your review is not going to get discovered unless people are already specifically following your blog. Even then, it doesn’t mean they’ll read everything you post. 

So when you want to create a movie review that gets discovered, you have to focus your review on Google search terms that are being neglected or that have not been well-answered. 

This is where keywords come into play.

A keyword is a word or phrase that labels your article so that Google knows what your article is about.

So back to our Titanic example, instead of having the keyword and title of your review (since your keyword should definitely be in your title) as “Titanic Movie Review”, you might change your keyword/title to “Titanic ‘I’m Flying’ Scene Analysis.”

When you search this updated title in Google, there are results close to this answer but nothing exact. So try to really nail this review of the “I’m Flying” scene in Titanic on the head and it could end up ranking on the first search page of Google.

There are also a lot fewer search results – 1,240,000 – so less competition than simply having your keyword/title be “Titanic Movie Review”.

So the next question you may ask is, how then can I find the best keywords to maximize SEO for my movie review blog post?

Well, hang tight because I’m going to show you a few clever tricks I use when searching for a good topic to focus my movie review on.

Tips/Tricks/Tools for Keyword Research:

The Google Search Bar

• The Alphabet Method – type in the movie you’re researching for, followed by just a single letter of the alphabet, and see the top search options that pop up in the Google dropdown suggestions. Those are common search terms that people are looking for. View the gif below to see an example of the method I’m talking about. I use this for every movie I plan to review to give me ideas on what to write about.
• The Question Method – similar to the Alphabet Method, type in the movie you plan to review and then type in a question prefix word like “who, what, when, where, why, how, or ‘is the’…” before your movie to see what questions Google is getting about the movie you’d like to review. View the gif below to see an example of the method I’m talking about.

Google Ads Keyword Search Tool:

• In Google Ads and under the planning tab there is the option for “Tools and Settings.” Click on Planning and go to the Keyword Planner. The Keyword Planner will give you the opportunity to input keywords and see how often those keywords are researched in Google and how much competition those keywords have. I try to aim for keywords with at least 100-1k monthly searches and low competition.

Keywords Everywhere

• Keywords Everywhere is an extension add-on for Chrome or Firefox that gives you search volume data and trend data for any keyword you input in a search bar. Every time I look up a keyword on Google, Keywords Everywhere gives me data on how popular that keyword has been over the course of time, trending keyword options, related keywords, and more.

The Google Search Bar, Google Ads Keyword Search Tool, and Keywords Everywhere are just a few really useful free tools you can use to help you find a good keyword for your movie review.

For more knowledge on keywords, SEO, and starting a blog I definitely recommend this blogging course . I got a lot of my juicy tips above from it.

2. Watch the Movie

I know this step is often overlooked so be sure that you actually watch a movie first before the review.

And when you watch the movie, keep your main keywords in mind.

Since we’ve decided to focus on the “I’m Flying” scene in Titanic, when we watch it, we’ve got to pay extra close attention to the details of this scene so that we can write a riveting review around it later.

It pays to watch the movie within a day or two that it comes out in theatres or on a streaming platform. 

When you post a review while the topic is still hot, it gives people a greater opportunity to find your review and it also allows you to beat the competition when ranking on Google for certain keywords.

And even if the movie isn’t a hot topic right now but you still want to review it, do it. Sometimes trends come back around or the movie comes out with a second installment getting people back into doing research on the first one.

This high-value course bundle is made for bloggers who want to make money efficiently.

3. Take Notes Immediately After

When watching a movie on a streaming service like Netflix or Hulu, try to scribble notes as you watch since you can always rewind if you miss something. In theatres, it’s a bit harder because it’s dark and there’s no rewind button, so take notes immediately after you finish watching the film.

This is so that your thoughts and emotions towards the film are still fresh and easy to remember.

Either take physical paper notes, type your thoughts into a notes app on your phone, or record your voice with your thoughts right after the movie. Mental notes expire after a few hours so make your notes physical as soon as possible.

Again, be sure to focus your notes around what you found out were popular keywords for the movie and answer the questions people want answered.

This notebook is perfect for scribbling movie notes .

4. Start Drafting & Create Structure

So, you have a good idea of your keywords, you’ve watched the movie, and you have some notes on notable moments in the film. Now comes the part that can be the most daunting – drafting the movie review. 

Include the Essentials

In every movie review there are three elements that are essential to a well-rounded, thoughtful piece:

• A Conclusion
• A Final Rating

A synopsis is a non-spoiler summary of what the movie is about. This should be placed near the beginning of the review before you get into your opinions.

A conclusion summarizes your main point at the end. What is your overall thought on the movie? Someone should be able to read the last paragraph and get a gist of everything you said earlier in the review. Your conclusion is what you’re really trying to say but condensed into a few sentences.

Final important inclusion – your rating. It’s not a review without a rating. Whether you want to do your rating out of 3 points, 5 points, 10 points, or even 100, whatever scale feels right to you and makes sense to readers, go for it. 

Don’t make your scale out of 46 with 46 being the worst and 3 being the best. Make it easy to understand. Make it make sense. 

Tips/Tricks/Tools for Drafting a Movie Review

• The Freestyle Method

This may not work for everyone but sometimes just writing whatever is on top of your mind reduces the intimidation of a plain white document and gets the creative juices flowing.

To do this Freestyle method you must first start with this mindset: “Write the worst movie review known to man.”

This will help take the pressure off of yourself to write perfect, sound perfect, or to have your grammar sounding goodly.

The second mindset of freestyling is “Don’t look back.” We’re not editing anything in this stage, just getting all those overflowing thoughts on paper.

This strategy is best when you’ve finished watching a movie and are just overwhelmed with things to say.

A good example of a freestyled review is this one here . It’s a little unhinged yet finds a way to stay focused on the main point of contention with the film.

• Create a List

10 funniest moments, 3 surprising cameos, 5 most heart-breaking quotes…

If there is a pattern in the movie that can be put into a list, then go ahead and just list them out.

With each item on the list, add a few sentences to explain and justify why it’s on the list. 

It’s also good to include some images for each listed item if possible just to add some liveliness to the review.

Not only are lists an easy way to summarize and discuss main plot moments, but they are also great for SEO. Lists are very easy for people to follow and let people know exactly what to expect from spending their time on your review.

A good example of a listed review is this movie review here . This one was easy to write because this movie is brimming with hilarious moments. The review also got a lot of page views and positive reception because of the ease of reading it and relating.

• Use a Movie Review Generator

If you’re having a really hard time knowing where to start with a movie review or just feel unmotivated, I highly recommend giving a movie review generator a try.

The Movie Review Generator is a tool created for movie review inspiration and guidance. It’s an electronic template that will crank out a full review after you input a few words, phrases, or make some dropdown selections.

The Generic Movie Review Generator is a good place to start if you really don’t have a clue about what to say. It’s very Mad Libs style and within a few minutes, it’ll create a whole ~ 300-word review for you that you can customize any way you see fit. 

The Guided Movie Review Generator is the panacea to film critics’ writer’s block. It breaks down each step of the review process to make writing a review less daunting. It takes a little bit longer than the Generic Movie Review Generator since it’s more in-depth but when I tell you it cut down the time it took me to write, edit, and publish a movie review from 6 hours to 2 hours!!!! — definitely give it a try next time you’re stuck and let me know how it works for you.

This review was created with the Guided Movie Review Generator.

No lie, this is the easiest way to start off a movie review especially when you don’t have anything particularly remarkable to say about the movie. 

Some movies inspire a lot of thought and some don’t but it’s nearly impossible to create a profitable movie blog without at least semi-consistently posting content. So you gotta find a way to FIND something to say even if it doesn’t immediately come to you. 

Using a movie review generator is a great tool for some drafting inspiration.

5. Edit Your Writing

After completing your draft, no matter how rough it is, move your draft over to a brand new post page on your website for editing.

Editing within your website will allow you to utilize SEO plugins, like the Rank Math plugin, to analyze your reviews in order to make sure it’s fully optimized for easy discovery on search engines. 

So first, insert your keyword into the Rank Math focus keyword box. Given the earlier Titanic example we would put “Titanic ‘I’m Flying’ Scene Analysis” in as the focus keyword.

After you do this, Rank Math will analyze your article to see how well it adheres to the keyword you want to rank for. The goal is to get the keyword score as high as possible and into the green range.

Go through all the SEO recommendations in the Rank Math tab:

• Come up with a title that includes your keyword
• Add the keyword into your meta description
• Add the keyword in your permalink
• Find ways to naturally sneak your keyword throughout your movie review
• Add images with the keyword as your alt text
• Etc.., Etc…

After you get through the suggestions on the Rank Math tab, go through your draft again and group each paragraph under bigger themes, sections, or schools of thought if you haven’t already.

Don’t be afraid to get rid of sentences that don’t have a place within the bigger discussion.

Use short paragraphs, an eye-catching title, and break up your article with images, separators, videos, lists, anything to break up the monotony of plain words.

Include transitions from paragraph to paragraph and from section to section.

Make sure everything is easily comprehensible, words are spelled correctly, and your grammar is good – become a critic of your own writing.

But at the same time – don’t lose your voice. There’s no need to be stoic, boring, or academic, just be clear, easily comprehensible, and search engine optimized.

6. Include Images

Looking at a large chunk of words can be a bit overwhelming so it’s a good idea to break up your words with some images. You don’t need to overdo it but at least 1 or 2 is nice.

Near the beginning of the article, around the synopsis, include an image of the movie. 

Now, images like movie posters can be a finicky thing because you can run into legal problems.

Images that you find online are often the intellectual property of someone else so you can’t use them without permission. Because of this, you have to find movie images that you’re legally able to use. 

To learn more about avoiding legal problems with your blog read this .

Tips/Tricks for including images in your movie blog:

Register with an EPK company

• Go to EPK.TV and under the login button, there is an option to register for an account. If they accept you, you’ll have access to tons of movie images and behind-the-scenes footage.

Create your own movie poster s

• Here’s an example of a movie poster made with Canva Pro that did particularly well at bringing people to this site from Pinterest .

• I LOVE gifs.
• Giphy is an online collection of gifs and is connected to WordPress. So if you use WordPress, you can easily insert Giphy’s gifs into your posts. With Giphy, they insert their own link and information on your page along with the gif you select which isn’t the worst but can be a bit annoying (hover over the gif above to see what I mean). And also, if anything happens to their website or the gif you used gets deleted from their site then you have an unsightly hole in your page. Besides that though, if you vibe with gifs, they’re a fun way to break up a blog post.

One last thing to keep in mind with images –

Be careful of the file weight and size of images, gifs, and videos on your blog site since if an image takes up too much space, it will slow your website down. Google doesn’t like slow websites and will likely rank you lower if it sees your website is slow. There are tons of plugins to speed up your website but none of them has worked as well as Smush and WP Rocket in my case.

7. End it right

Invite people to comment, discuss, and read more of your content before closing out the review. 

Encouraging discussion is a good way to get others more engaged in your reviews and invested in what you have to say. It’s also a good way to get feedback on your content.

Include a call to action. Sometimes it’s as simple as just asking. Ask readers to comment, like, subscribe, and share your posts.

8. Customize Settings & Post Data

Before you post, make sure you update all of your post settings. This includes selecting the categories your post falls under, uploading your featured image for the post, and inputting tags for the post. 

If you’re using Rank Math Pro be sure to customize the Movie Schema to include your editor rating for the movie along with the movie title, director, and release date so that Google is aware that you’re reviewing the stated movie.

The post settings, the categories that you place your blog in, and the featured image are important aspects of your post that will help draw readers to your movie review. So, don’t forget to update those settings before posting.

9. Final Preview & Post

Preview your final draft and give it a quick read before posting. Read it as if you’re a visitor to your site. Are you getting bored? Are you skipping certain chunks? Be mindful of it and make the necessary changes.

Double-check before posting that you’re satisfied with the permalink because redirecting links, later on, can make your website slower.

Be sure your Rank Math Score is in the green range and that your post is SEO optimized for your keyword as much as possible.

Finally, breathe in – POST YOUR REVIEW – and breathe out.

Wonderful. You did it. You wrote a ~stunning~ movie review.

Now, we let Google do its thing and get back out there to wrangle more films under our belts.

How to Make Money Writing Movie Reviews

Making money is one of the potential rewards for maintaining a movie review website. This makes your work feel truly worth it. When I got my first deposit, I was in disbelief. Like – it’s really possible to make money with a movie review blog!

Here are a few ways you can start making money through your movie review blog.

• With Google Adsense, Google will display ads on your website and you’ll get a small commission for each pageview those ads receive.
• Google AdSense is the easiest ad company to get into and it pays pennies but those pennies add up. Once you get more pageviews (about 50,000 per month), you can graduate to Ad companies that pay more like Mediavine.
• With an affiliate program, you make commissions for each person who uses your link to purchase the product you’re promoting.
• This popular course teaches you everything you need to know about how to make thousands of dollars with affiliate marketing.
• You can sell courses, digital products, or even physical products that you’ve created through your blog site with the Woo Commerce plugin.
• When you start a movie blog, you will sometimes get emails from people asking you to screen their movies . This is money saved.
• Sign-up with Gofobo for free screenings and they also pay you to take movie-related surveys. It’s completely free.
• Sponsorships are when other people or companies approach you with a proposal to use your website as a platform for their product, program, etc.
• Have your business email visible on your blog’s “ About ” page so that people can contact you for sponsorship opportunities.
• Make sure you have a written agreement of what you’re exchanging and NEVER compromise the security of your website for another person’s link. Beware of SCAMS.

In Conclusion…

Well, there it is! A rundown on how to write a movie review blog post, along with how to start a movie review blog, and how to make money from your movie review blog.

To Recap, these are the 9 Steps on How to Write a Movie Review:

• Use tools like the Google Search Bar, Google Ads Keyword Search Tool, and Keywords everywhere to find the best keyword to focus your movie review on.
• Preferably while the movie is still a hot topic
• Bring a notebook, use the notes app on your phones, do a voice recording, and make sure that your mental notes are physically recorded to avoid forgetfulness.
• Include the essential elements of a movie review (synopsis, conclusion, and rating) and then try the freestyle method, the list method, or a movie review generator to get a rough draft going.
• Move your rough draft to your site to edit it with an SEO plugin like Rank Math .
• Register for EPK.TV to get access to movie images and register for Canva to edit and customize movie images as well.
• Invite readers for discussion and encourage comments, liking, signing up for emails and sharing the post.
• Update your post information to make sure it’s well categorized and displayed on your blog.
• Preview your blog post, refine any rough edges, double-check SEO requirements and finally – post.

I’m curious, if this post encouraged you to start your own movie blog, link it below. I’m excited to see your work!

And of course, any questions, comments or concerns, drop them in the comments below!

Peace, love, and lots of popcorn,

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When I'm not over-analyzing movies, I'm eating chocolate, belting my favorite songs, and binge-watching reality dating shows. Feel free to share your opinions with me and follow me through my social links!

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12 comments.

Thanks for your contribution. I will try to do this

I hope it helps!

Hi, thank you for the valuable information. Could you please tell me where to take movie posters or celebrity images for blog? As most of these images are copyrighted.

Some movies have images available for press use on the website EPK.TV. For Disney movies, they house electronic press kits (EPK) on their own website so you can just look up the movie name with the words “EPK” and it’ll take you to the website where Disney has images and interviews and BTS footage made specifically for press and to get the word out about the movie.

You can also filter out Google search images to find pictures that are not copyrighted. You can go to the image search of Google, then go to “Tools” then “Usage Rights” and then filter your search to only include images for “Creative Commons licenses” as these should be ok to use.

When I can’t find an image through an EPK, I just use the image from IMDb . Although this is not technically the most legal way to go about obtaining images, as long as you’re not using the images on products that you’re selling, you most likely will be fine.

I also will use screenshots from movies as well in articles but I don’t put the images on products for commercial use, just for reference which hopefully falls under fair use laws .

When in doubt, I just link and credit back to the original source of the image. If there is an issue with the image, then the owner will usually just contact you to take it down. You’ll have to be more prudent with the images you use once your business becomes bigger so I’d recommend a lawyer at that point.

This is not legal advice as I’m not a lawyer at all. This is just what I do for the time being. The best bet is always to get your images directly from the studio that is creating the movie but as a small time blogger, this is not possible right away so EPK.TV, or go to the studios website as they usually have images for press use available there as well.

Hope this helps!

Hemant Kumar

After follow your steps I write 4 blog post regarding to movie release date and I’m shocked out 4 my 3 article is rank on Google first page so thank you so much for your guidance

I’m so glad it’s working for you! Happy to help 😊

Hello! This is a wonderful article, thank you! I’m in the figuring out stage for my period drama blog. 😊 Could you please share more about EPK.TV? Particularly, will it have images for movies in the 1990s (Pride & Prejudice BBC for instance) or is it just for newer films? Thanks so much! Ellie

Hi! Glad you found the article helpful 🙂 With EPK.TV, usually they only have publicity packages for newer movies and they usually expire a few months after the film comes out. When I can’t find any posters through EPK.TV I usually just search on google “[the movie/tv name] EPK” and sometimes the studio website has it or under Google images I’ll filter out the images under Usage Rights for something with a Creative Commons license. Hope that helps:) All the best with your period drama blog! 😊

Thank you so much for the kind and thorough response! You’ve given me some great ideas and I am truly grateful! I’ll try the filtered Google search! Kind regards, Ellie

Of course! Thank you for commenting 🙂

Vaibhav Gattani

Hey, this is really amazing and valuable. You have segregated the steps beautifully!

Vaibhav! Thank you very much. I try 🙂

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Get Ready to Reel in the Latest Movie Reviews!

In this article, we will discuss how to make a movie review website and how to turn it into a successful online business. We'll also explore the top online business ideas and trends you can incorporate into your website to attract more visitors and generate revenue.

Why Start a Movie Review Website?

Before we dive into creating a movie review website, let's first discuss why it's a great online business idea. Here are some reasons to consider starting a movie review website:

• Express Your Passion

When you're passionate about something, it's natural to want to share your enthusiasm with others. If you love movies and enjoy analyzing and dissecting every aspect of a film, creating a movie review website can be an excellent outlet for your passion.

By writing reviews, rating movies, and recommending films to your audience, you can connect with other movie lovers and spark meaningful discussions about the art of cinema. Moreover, sharing your knowledge and opinions can help you refine your critical thinking skills and better understand the films you love.

• Monetization Opportunities

One of the most significant advantages of starting a movie review website is the many monetization opportunities it presents. Affiliate marketing is one of the most popular ways to earn revenue through your website.

By partnering with companies that sell movie tickets, streaming services, or DVDs/Blu-rays, you can include affiliate links in your movie reviews and earn a commission on every sale made through those links.

Another way to monetize your website is through sponsored content. This involves partnering with brands or companies interested in promoting their products or services on your website. You can also earn revenue through display advertising, where you display ads on your website based on the number of clicks or impressions generated by those ads.

• Build Your Brand

Creating a movie review website can help you establish your brand and credibility as a film critic. By sharing your unique perspective and analysis of films, you can gain a following of readers who appreciate your insights and opinions.

Over time, this can lead to other opportunities, such as speaking engagements, interviews, and collaborations with other film critics or movie-related businesses. As you build your brand , you may gain recognition within the film industry and become a trusted voice in movie criticism.

This can open up new opportunities for you, such as being invited to film festivals or becoming a guest on movie-related podcasts or shows. By creating a movie review website, you can establish yourself as an authority in the world of film and build a loyal following of readers who appreciate your unique perspective.

Now that we've established the benefits of starting a movie review website, let's explore how to create one.

Steps to Create a Movie Review Website

Step 1: choose a platform.

The first step in creating a movie review website is to choose a platform. There are many website builders available that allow you to create a website without coding skills.

One of the best platforms for creating a movie review website is Strikingly. Strikingly is a user-friendly website builder that offers customizable templates, responsive designs, and various features to help you create a stunning movie review website.

Step 2: Choose a Domain Name and Web Hosting

The next step is to choose a domain name and web hosting. Your domain name should reflect the theme of your website, and it should be easy to remember and type.

Web hosting is the service that allows your website to be accessible online. Strikingly offers free domain registration and web hosting, making it an excellent choice for beginners.

Step 3: Customize Your Website

Once you've chosen your platform, domain name, and web hosting , it's time to customize your website. Strikingly offers various templates you can customize to fit your brand and style. You can add your logo, choose a color scheme, and customize your website's layout and design.

Step 4: Create Movie Reviews

The next step is creating movie reviews. You can write reviews about the latest releases, classic films, or favorites. Make sure to be honest and provide your readers with insightful critiques. Strikingly offers a blog feature that you can use to publish your movie reviews and engage with your audience.

Step 5: Promote Your Website

Promoting your website is a crucial step in the success of your movie review website. Without promoting your website, your target audience won't know that your website exists. Fortunately, several effective ways exist to promote your website and attract more visitors.

• Use Social Media

Social media is one of the most effective ways to promote your website. Social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram allow you to connect with your target audience and share your movie reviews.

By posting updates about your latest reviews, sharing behind-the-scenes content, and engaging with your followers, you can build a loyal following of movie enthusiasts who appreciate your unique perspective. Additionally, you can use social media advertising to target users interested in movies and film criticism, which can drive more traffic to your website.

• Utllize Email Marketing

Another way to promote your website is through email marketing . Email marketing lets you reach your audience directly and share your latest movie reviews. Email newsletters can highlight your most popular reviews, announce new releases, and promote upcoming movie-related events.

By building an email list of subscribers interested in your content, you can drive more traffic to your website and generate more revenue through affiliate marketing, sponsored content, or display advertising.

Finally, search engine optimization (SEO) is another essential component of promoting your website. SEO involves optimizing your website's content and structure to rank higher in search engine results pages (SERPs). By targeting relevant keywords related to your movie reviews, you can increase your website's visibility on search engines like Google and attract more organic traffic.

You can optimize your website's content by including relevant keywords in your movie reviews, optimizing your website's structure and metadata, and building high-quality backlinks from other movie-related websites.

Strikingly: The Perfect Tool for Your Movie Review Website

If you're looking to create a movie review website, Strikingly is the perfect tool to help you get started. With its user-friendly interface and customizable templates, you can easily design a professional-looking website that showcases your movie reviews.

• Strikingly Features

One of the standout features of Strikingly is its drag-and-drop editor, which allows you to add and arrange content on your site quickly. You can also choose from a range of templates specifically designed for movie review websites, giving you a head start on creating your site's aesthetic.

Another great feature is Strikingly's built-in analytics tools, allowing you to track your site's traffic and see which pages get the most views. This information can be invaluable when optimizing your site for search engines.

• Easy to Create

One of the biggest advantages of using Strikingly is how easy it is to create a movie review website with their platform. You don't need coding or design experience ; you only need an idea and content.

Once you've signed up for an account, choose a template that fits your vision and add content. You can customize everything from fonts and colors to layouts and images so your site looks exactly how you want it.

• Integrate with Social Media

In today's digital age, social media is key in promoting your website and reaching new audiences. Fortunately, Strikingly makes integrating social media into your movie review website easy.

With just a few clicks, you can add social media buttons directly linking to your Facebook, Twitter or Instagram accounts. This means visitors can easily follow or share your content with their followers, helping expand your reach even further.

• Strikingly Support

Finally, one of the best things about using Strikingly is the support you'll receive. Their team is available 24/7 to answer any questions and provides various resources to help you get the most out of your website.

From tutorials and guides to a comprehensive knowledge base , Strikingly makes it easy to learn how to create a movie review website that stands out.

Tips and Tricks for Creating SEO-Optimized Movie Reviews:

If you're looking to create a movie review website that stands out, optimizing your content for search engines is important. Here are some tips and tricks to help you do just that.

• Use Catchy Headlines

Your headlines should be attention-grabbing and give readers an idea of your review. Use keywords related to the movie you're reviewing and make it clear what your opinion is.

With Strikingly's website builder, you can easily customize your website's design and layout to ensure your headlines stand out. Choose from a variety of templates or create your unique look.

• Focus on the Content

While catchy headlines are important, the content of your reviews will keep readers coming back for more. Ensure your writing is engaging and informative, with a clear structure that guides readers through your thoughts on the movie.

Strikingly makes adding text, images, and videos to your website easy, so you can create in-depth reviews that capture each film's essence.

• Optimize for Search Engines

To get more traffic to your movie review website, optimizing for search engines like Google is important. This means using relevant keywords throughout your content, including titles, meta descriptions, and image alt tags.

With Strikingly's built-in SEO tools, you can easily optimize each page on your site for maximum visibility in search results.

• Engage Your Audience

Finally, don't forget to engage with your audience! Encourage comments and feedback on each review, respond promptly to questions or criticisms, and share updates on social media .

With Strikingly's social media integration features, you can easily connect with fans across multiple platforms and build a loyal following for your movie review website.

Top Online Business Ideas and Trends for Movie Review Websites

Now that you've learned how to create a movie review website let's explore the top online business ideas and trends that you can incorporate into your site to make it a successful online business.

• Affiliate Marketing

One of the most popular ways to monetize a movie review website is through affiliate marketing. Affiliate marketing involves promoting products or services on your website and earning a commission for every sale through your referral link. As a movie review website, you can partner with affiliate programs that sell movie tickets, streaming services, or DVDs/Blu-rays. You can include affiliate links in your movie reviews, and if your readers click on those links and make a purchase, you'll earn a commission.

• Sponsored Content

Another way to monetize your movie review website is through sponsored content. Sponsored content involves partnering with brands or companies interested in promoting their products or services on your website. For example, a movie streaming service might pay you to write a sponsored post about their service and include a link to their website. Sponsored content can be a lucrative way to monetize your website, but ensuring that the content aligns with your audience's interests and preferences is essential.

• Display Advertising

Display advertising involves displaying ads on your website, and you earn revenue based on the number of clicks or impressions generated by those ads. As a movie review website, you can display ads related to movies, streaming services, or other entertainment products. Google AdSense is a popular display advertising platform that you can use to monetize your website.

• Subscription-Based Model

If you have a large following and offer exclusive content, you can consider a subscription-based model. With a subscription-based model, your readers pay a fee to access your premium content, such as in-depth movie reviews, interviews with filmmakers, or exclusive behind-the-scenes content. You can use platforms like Strikingly to manage your subscriptions and offer rewards to your subscribers.

• Mobile Optimization

With the rise of mobile devices, ensuring that your movie review website is mobile-friendly is essential. Your website should be responsive and adjust to different screen sizes and resolutions. Strikingly offers responsive templates that you can use to create a mobile-friendly website. Optimizing your website for mobile devices can attract more visitors and improve your website's user experience.

• Video Reviews

Video reviews are becoming increasingly popular, and you can incorporate them into your movie review website. You can create video reviews of the latest releases, movie trailers, or film festivals. Video reviews can help you engage with your audience and provide a more immersive experience. You can upload your video reviews on your website and share them on social media.

Creating a movie review website can be a rewarding online business venture. With the right platform, domain name, and web hosting, you can create a stunning website that showcases your passion for movies.

By incorporating the top online business ideas and trends, you can monetize your website and turn it into a top movie review websites. Strikingly offers all the tools and features you need to create a movie review website that stands out.

What are you waiting for? Start your movie review website today and share your love for cinema with the world!

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How to Make a Movie Review Blog to Entertain the Masses

Movie review websites are extremely popular. There are a lot of them out there, and more often than not, you probably visit some of them before you go see a movie. That being said, have you ever wanted to create your own movie review blog? Well, then you are in the right place.

Having your own movie review blog will allow you to post your own movie reviews for everyone to see. You will have the ability to format your movie critic blog in a number of different ways. You can do full write-ups, use a star system, or a 1-10 scale. Whatever you decide, having a website so that you can be a movie blogger can be exciting.

Are you not sure where to start? No problem, as I am about to show you what to do in order to easily start your own movie review blog. Follow the steps as they are laid out. Doing so will make the process as smooth as possible.

What You Need to Build a Movie Review Blog

There are several things you need to do to complete the process of building a website for movie reviews. Putting things in the right order and creating a solid process will make all the difference in the world.

The first thing you want to do is to create a website checklist. These are things you want to have ready to put on your site, or have ready to use as part of the process. If you have a list, fantastic! If not, then here are some suggestions:

Movie Review Blog Checklist

• Content (have some reviews ready to post)
• Logo / Branding
• Contact Info
• Choose a Writing Style
• Schedule (for posts)
• Rating Scale

Having these things ready to roll will make the rest of the process much easier.

Domain Name and Web Host

Once you have your checklist in place, it is time to go get a domain name and web hosting. You are going to want to find a domain name that fits you well and expresses what all you are trying to do.

Remember, there are already a lot of domain names taken, so you might not find exactly what you want at first. That being said, try playing with the words a little. If that doesn’t work, then use a different domain name extension . There are so many available now that you should be able to find what you want.

Finding a good web host is critical. You want one that gives you all the tools you need to get started.  GreenGeeks web hosting is a perfect fit for what you are trying to accomplish. Not only will they provide you with everything imaginable to make the process of building a movie review blog easy, but they will also give you a domain name.

Keeping everything housed under one roof makes the process easier as well.

Installing and Using WordPress

There are several good CMS ( content management systems ) available that you can use to build your blog to review films. That being said, I am suggesting you use WordPress for a number of reasons.

For one thing, WordPress is very user friendly and will allow you the flexibility to build and design just about any way you want. Since the project is open source , thousands of developers have contributed and made it very popular. For that reason you won’t have to look very hard to access resources and tutorials that can help you through anything WordPress related.

WordPress is also very secure. Yes, there are other things you can do to make your website even more secure , but the platform as a whole is very strong.

You can also install WordPress very easily and get it ready to go. You can use the one-click installation process provided by your web host cPanel . Or, if you prefer, you can also install it manually as well. Either way, you will be up and running and ready to build in a few clicks.

Choosing Themes and Plugins

One of the many major upsides to using WordPress is its library of themes and plugins. There are tons of themes that can take your website where you want it. The plugin repository is very impressive as well. If you want to accomplish it, there is probably a plugin for it.

That being said, you may be a little lost if this is all new to you. You want to search for themes that will give you the right tools for building a solid movie review blog. Here are a couple to look at if you are having trouble.

Moview is a state of the art movie and tv show review theme that will allow you to create a stylish and modern movie review blog. It comes packed full of content that will help get your website to the next level. Definitely worth checking out.

Sequex is another movie review based theme worth looking at. It is a very powerful theme that can turn your website into a movie-style database. It gives you the ability to add your own movie reviews, while at the same time adding a vast database that your website visitors can use.

When it comes to choosing plugins for your website, there are a couple of things to remember. For one thing, there are certain plugins every site should have to make everything run smoothly.

You also want to make sure you have a good SEO plugin running, as well as a plugin that allows you to properly optimize and compress images . There are also niche specific plugins to consider.

Here are a couple that may be of interest to you when adding some to your movie review blog.

MAS Videos is a solid plugin that allows you to create and list, movies and television shows. Build and add and make this portion of your website look like YouTube or Netflix. This is a plugin to consider if you want to spice up your movie review blog.

Rating-Widget: Star Review System

The Rating-Widget: Star Review System plugin allows you to easily add user-friendly star ratings on posts, pages, comments, WooCommerce, BuddyPress and bbPress forums. You can use them to add star ratings to certain things, or even allow your site users to click and add star ratings themselves.

Marketing Your Movie Review Blog

Now that your movie review blog is up and running you are about to have your own film critic blog. It is time to get the name of your site out there and start getting visitors.

Here is a list of ways you can market your movie review blog.

• Social Media
• Advertising
• Write Reviews for Other Websites
• Allow Guest Reviews on Your Site
• Build an Email List
• Install Google Analytics
• Go to Forums
• Post Links on your Social Media Pages

Having your own movie review blog can be fun and entertaining. Maybe you have been wanting one for a while and you were just not sure where to start. Following the steps above should allow you to get your own website for movie reviews up and online in no time at all.

Good luck to you and enjoy writing those movie reviews!

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How to Write a Movie Review: A Step-by-Step Guide with Examples

• backlinkworks
• Writing Articles & Reviews
• October 3, 2023

Introduction

Watching movies is a popular pastime for many individuals. While some enjoy being entertained by the latest releases, others find satisfaction in analyzing and critiquing films. If you fall into the latter category, then writing a movie review can be a rewarding activity. Whether you aspire to become a professional film critic or simply want to share your opinion with others, this step-by-step guide will help you craft a compelling and engaging movie review.

Step 1: Watch the Movie

Before you can write a movie review, you need to watch the film attentively. Take notes while watching, paying attention to the plot, characters, cinematography, acting, and any other elements that stand out. Understanding the movie in its entirety is crucial to providing an informed perspective in your review.

Step 2: Gather Your Thoughts

After watching the film, take some time to gather your thoughts and reflect on your overall impressions. Did you enjoy the movie? What were its strengths and weaknesses? Consider the movie’s themes, messages, and intended audience. Jot down key points to use as the foundation of your review.

Step 3: Start with a Strong Introduction

The introduction sets the tone for your movie review. Begin with a captivating hook that grabs the reader’s attention and provides a brief overview of the film. Offer some context, such as the genre or director, and any interesting background information that adds value to the review. Make sure to state your overall opinion clearly and concisely.

Step 4: Analyze the Plot and Storyline

Provide a detailed analysis of the movie’s plot and storyline. Discuss the main narrative, subplots, and any twists or surprises. Evaluate the pacing, coherence, and depth of the story. Highlight any standout moments or memorable scenes that contribute to the overall narrative experience.

Step 5: Evaluate the Acting and Characters

An important aspect of any movie review is assessing the acting performances and the development of the characters. Discuss the actors’ portrayals, their chemistry, and whether they effectively brought their characters to life. Analyze the characters’ depth, growth, and believability. Give examples to support your claims.

Step 6: Critique the Cinematography and Visuals

The cinematography and visual elements greatly impact a movie’s overall appeal. Evaluate the camera angles, lighting, set design, costumes, and any special effects used. Explain how these choices contribute to the storytelling and enhance the viewer’s experience.

Step 7: Assess the Sound and Music

The sound design and music play a vital role in creating the right atmosphere for a film. Analyze the sound effects, soundtrack, and any background music utilized. Discuss how the audio elements complemented the visuals and enhanced the emotional impact of key scenes.

Step 8: Highlight the Strengths and Weaknesses

In this section, discuss the movie’s strengths and weaknesses. Offer constructive criticism where necessary, but also acknowledge the film’s positive aspects. Be specific and provide examples to support your claims, giving readers a well-rounded perspective of the overall quality of the movie.

Step 9: Conclusion

The conclusion should summarize your main points and provide a final assessment of the film. Reiterate your overall opinion and encourage readers to watch or avoid the movie based on your review. End with a thought-provoking statement or a call-to-action to engage your audience further.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. how long should a movie review be.

A movie review can vary in length, but a typical review ranges from 500 to 1000 words. However, if you feel the need to provide a more in-depth analysis, IT can extend beyond the usual word count.

2. Should I include spoilers in my review?

IT is best to avoid spoilers, as they can ruin the viewing experience for those who haven’t seen the film. If you must discuss specific plot details, clearly indicate spoiler warnings and use HTML tags to hide text, ensuring readers have the option to read or skip the spoilers.

3. How do I maintain objectivity in my review?

While a movie review reflects your personal opinion, try to maintain objectivity by offering balanced arguments and supporting your statements with evidence from the film. Acknowledge that different viewers may have different tastes and perspectives.

4. Is IT necessary to include a rating in my review?

Including a rating is not essential, but IT can provide a quick summary of your overall opinion. You can use a numerical scale, stars, or any other rating system you find suitable. Just ensure you explain the reasoning behind your rating within the body of the review.

5. How can I make my review stand out?

To make your review stand out, write in a clear and engaging style. Incorporate your unique voice and use captivating language to draw readers in. Including relevant screenshots from the movie or embedding a trailer can also enhance the overall appeal of your review.

writing a movie review provides an opportunity to express your thoughts and opinions about a film while helping others make informed decisions about their movie choices. By following this step-by-step guide, you can craft a well-written and insightful review that captures the essence of the movie. Remember to watch the film attentively, gather your thoughts, and provide a balanced assessment of its various elements. With practice, you’ll refine your skills as a movie reviewer and contribute to the world of film criticism.

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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!

How to Write a Movie Review Online and Earn Money Doing It

Love watching movies and making recommendations? Consider writing movie reviews online and getting paid for it.

Do you love watching movies, picking them apart, and making recommendations to your friends? Then, you may have already wondered about getting paid to write movie reviews. For many people, it's a dream job, which makes it a competitive field to get started in.

But we're here to show you the ropes. We'll start by showing you how to write a decent movie review. Then we'll explain all the ways you can start writing movie reviews for money.

Learning How to Write a Movie Review Online

When it comes to writing and publishing online, movie reviews couldn't be much simpler. There's some general advice you probably want to follow, which we'll get into below. But so long as you approach each review as one friend advising another, it should come out well.

It's good to open with a brief summary of the plot, before outlining what does and doesn't work about the movie. Keep everything vague to avoid spoilers and try to build a strong argument for why that movie is or isn't worth watching

Since you're writing for the web, name-drop any major cast and crew members involved in the production to help your review appear in search results . Just be sure to insert those names and titles as organically as you can.

Tie everything up with a summary of your thoughts and a recommendation to the reader. You might say the movie is a "blast for action-lovers" or "not worth it for anyone who doesn't enjoy the genre." Anything that lets the reader know if you think it's good for them or not.

Finally, give the movie a rating based on the system your website or publisher uses. This might be stars, letters, numbers, or anything else.

Now, let's get stuck into how you become a movie reviewer online and earn some money.

1. Write Movie Reviews for Royalties

One of the easiest ways to get paid writing movie reviews online is to submit to websites that pay royalties for your content. The money you get paid depends on how many people read your review. It might come from subscription fees or ad revenue.

You might also hear these sites referred to as revenue sharing or pay-per-view sites.

There's a range of different sites to which you can submit your movie reviews and earn royalties. They seem to change all the time, but the most popular ones now include:

• Cultured Vultures

All you need to do is sign up and start publishing your reviews. HubPages even has a movie reviews category you can publish to.

We want to highlight Cultured Vultures , a website that specializes in content like movie reviews. Cultured Vultures built its site with amateur writers in mind and strives to pay as much as it can for all its content, offering around $2.50 for every 200 views during the first week of publication.

Once your review is online, other folks can read or comment on it and you should receive royalty payments for the traffic it receives. It won't be a fortune since it's difficult getting noticed on these sites, but it's better than writing for free.

What's more, revenue sharing sites are a great place to start building a portfolio of your work. This is particularly important if you want to go freelance.

2. Become a Freelance Movie Review Writer

Most people can't expect to earn a living off the revenue sharing sites above. But it is possible to build up a full-time income if you find out how to become a freelance movie reviewer online. When you've got a portfolio of high-quality reviews, all you need to do is start answering the calls for writers across the web.

Do a quick Google search for "write movie reviews for us" to turn up all the latest websites looking for a freelance movie reviewer. Of course, these results are bound to change all the time, but we found the following sites looking to hire writers:

• Taste of Cinema
• Cinema Escapist

There are plenty of other useful Google searches to try as well, for instance, "looking for movie writers" or "paid to write movie reviews." Any of these are likely to turn up different writing opportunities. You can also set up Google Alerts with these keywords.

Another approach is to visit the websites and blogs devoted to movies to see if they're hiring writers. Even if there isn't an explicit ad, it's worth your time to send an email of inquiry. Let them know you exist, then keep returning to the site to see if things change in the future.

And finally, don't neglect the plethora of job boards and project sites devoted to helping freelancers find work. We're talking about sites like Upwork and Fiverr or job boards like ProBlogger .

These sites run the entire gamut of subject matter, but there are clients out there looking to hire movie reviewers. Of course, you could always write for yourself instead.

Related: Sites Like Rotten Tomatoes to Find Average Ratings and Reviews for Anything

3. Monetize Your Own Website

There's nothing to stop you from building a new website to host your own movie reviews, then earning money from it through monetization schemes. This has proven to be an effective way for lots of people to earn a living across a range of different subjects.

Although that's not to say it's easy.

In fact, going down this route demands a lot of other skills alongside your writing ability, particularly marketing and research. It isn't always easy finding out how to make money with a movie blog.

You can build a website at little-to-no-cost with services WordPress or Squarespace . Once you get up and running, find a way to drive people to your site through ads, word of mouth, or search engine optimization.

One of the most common approaches to creating revenue from your audience is by converting visitors into sales. This is a popular approach for any kind of review because you can use an Amazon affiliate link to encourage your readers to buy the product you're writing about. All you need to do is sign up for the Amazon Affiliate Program and link your reviews to the Blu-Ray, DVD, or digital download for that movie.

Another great way to get paid for the movie reviews you write is to use Google Adsense on your website. These widgets work with Google's enormous network of advertisers to serve up the most relevant ads to your readers. You can block ads you don't like, choose where they appear, and pick the types of ads that work best with your site.

If you don't want to go down the advertising route, you could always set up a Patreon account and ask readers to support you directly. A lot of writers feel more comfortable with this form of monetization.

Consider Starting a YouTube Channel Instead

Getting paid to write movie reviews is an exciting way to make a living. But remember that written reviews only account for a small part of the market, hundreds of thousands of people watch movie reviews on YouTube instead.

Consider starting your own YouTube channel to share video movie reviews. You could do this alongside the ones you write. YouTube is a great way to build your personal brand, earn some extra money, and find a passionate audience for your work.

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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 5,588,710 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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Side Hustles

Side Hustles For All

Home Writing & Editing Gigs Get Paid to Review Movies

4 Ways to Get Paid to Review Movies (Plus Tips to Get Started)

November 11, 2023

Written by:

Jessica Norris

Jessica is a writer for SideHustles.com. Her side hustles include freelance academic writing and editing, which she's done for...

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Watching movies is a great way to unwind after a long day at work. But what if you could also make money while indulging in your film habit?

If you have strong feelings about the Ghostbusters reboot or the latest Tarantino film, your movie-related opinions could make you money. Read on to find out how to turn reviewing movies into a profitable side hustle.

01. The 4 best strategies to make money reviewing movies

We look at four ways to get paid for publishing movie reviews across different outlets and platforms

You can get a movie-reviewing side hustle going with one of these four strategies:

1. Submit movie reviews to websites

There are a lot of sites that allow freelancers to write movie reviews for them. As with most of the other ways to make money writing , you don’t need any special qualifications to do this; you just need writing talent and something to say.

To get your start, you’ll want to have a writing portfolio. If you’ve never written professionally before, whip up a couple of sample pieces to showcase. Selling your first review may be difficult, but the more you publish, the easier it will become to get gigs as you gain recognition among editors and media outlets.

You can try pitching to any of these websites, all of which work with freelancers:

Screen Rant

What it is: Screen Rant is an entertainment website that publishes reviews of movies, TV shows, video games, and more.

How to apply: You can apply on the Screen Rant site to join their ranks of freelance writers for TV and movie features (including movie reviews).

Pay: Screen Rant doesn’t specify their rate per article, but online reports cite rates of $5–$20 .

What it is: Cineaste is a quarterly magazine that’s all about the art and politics of cinema. It publishes various types of film-related content, including movie reviews and DVD and Blu-ray reviews (both of new and vintage/classic films).

How to apply: The Cineaste website gives detailed guidelines on how to write your review, along with instructions on how to submit it .

Pay: Cineaste pays $18–$45 per piece (depending on the type of review you submit).

Cultured Vultures

What it is: Cultured Vultures is a British pop culture website. It features content about movies as well as TV, gaming, and more.

How to apply: Film reviews are among the types of content writers can submit; you can find instructions on how to submit your writing on the Cultured Vultures website.

Pay: The pay starts from a base rate of £5 (approximately $6 ) per article with bonuses for every 200 views you get.

Taste of Cinema

What it is: Taste of Cinema is a website for movie lists and reviews, with a focus on world cinema and classics.

How to apply: To indicate that you’re interested in writing for Taste of Cinema, follow the instructions on the website (which tell you who to email and what information to include in your message).

Pay: Unfortunately, Taste of Cinema doesn’t specify how much it pays. You can ask for more details about their rates when you apply.

What it is: HubPages is an online platform where you can publish articles and create your own pages on various topics—including movies.

How to apply: It’s free to sign up for HubPages. You can then earn money from ads that appear in your content.

Pay: Regarding pay, HubPages says, “ You are not likely to see significant earnings from your articles for up to two years (and that’s two years spent writing high-quality articles on HubPages). When you do begin to see regular payouts, they are likely to be in a range of $50 to $100 a month .”

What it is: Bustle is an online women’s magazine. It publishes TV and movie reviews, as well as other articles on many different topics, such as books, celebrities, music, wellness, fashion, and so on.

How to apply: The Bustle website has specific guidelines on how to write a pitch for the publication. You can send movie review pitches to [email protected] .

Pay: Bustle doesn’t specify how much it pays freelancers. Anecdotal reports cite rates of $50–$200 per article .

Animation Arena

What it is: Animation Arena is a site for people who want to work in the animation, video game, and visual effects industries. The site publishes reviews of movies, video games, comic books, and animation books.

How to apply: The Animation Arena site provides detailed instructions on how to apply , including the email you can use to send them your pitch ( [email protected] ).

Pay: The pay per review is $15 (and you can only publish up to 10 reviews per month).

Cracked.com

What it is: Cracked is a website featuring funny videos, pictures, articles, and more. They have a section on movies and TV, which includes movie reviews.

How to apply: You can send a pitch to [email protected] .

Pay: Articles pay between $100 and $250 , based on length and the number of pieces you’ve written.

What it is: Medium is an open platform where anyone can publish articles, personal essays, stories, opinions, and (of course) movie reviews.

How to apply: To write for Medium, you don’t have to apply or go through a vetting process; you can just sign up and start writing.

Pay: Medium doesn’t pay per article, but has a “partner program” that pays you according to the time people spend reading your stories. Reports suggest that on average, you’ll get paid around $5 per thousand views on your articles, but this heavily depends on how much people engage with them (if they get bored quickly and hit the back button, you won’t make much at all).

2. Write for a newspaper

Instead of writing for an online publication, you can apply to be a movie reviewer for a local or regional newspaper. To land this type of work, follow these steps:

• Research newspapers: First, look for local newspapers (ideally in your city or state) that have a regular movie review section or a dedicated arts and entertainment section.
• Read existing reviews: Study the style and format of movie reviews published in the newspapers you’re interested in writing for. Pay attention to their tone, length, and content.
• Find contact information: Get the contact information for the entertainment or arts editor of the newspapers you’re interested in. This information should be available on the paper’s website or in the print edition.
• Prepare your pitch: Write a concise and compelling pitch expressing your interest in writing movie reviews for the newspaper. Mention your relevant experience and passion for cinema.
• Submit a portfolio: If you have any previous experience writing movie reviews (or other similar work), compile your pieces into a portfolio and include it with your pitch.

In theory, you can also use this approach to apply to work for national papers (like The New York Times or the Washington Post), but you’ll have a tough road ahead of you. Major newspapers usually only hire established movie reviewers with very strong portfolios. If that’s your goal, it isn’t impossible, but you’ll probably have to spend a long time working your way up.

3. Start a movie review blog

Another way to make money from your movie reviews is to start your own blog. This will give you more creative freedom than writing for another publication.

Blogging is also a good way to build your reputation as a movie reviewer. Even if you don’t actually plan to use your blog to make money, you can bulk up your portfolio substantially.

How to set up a movie review blog

It’s possible to start a blog for free, but if you want a domain name, you’ll need to spend a bit of money to get one. Many platforms provide all-in-one services, including a hosting account and domain name registration, along with website-building tools.

• Squarespace

Once you have your blog set up, you’ll have to do the following:

• Attract readers: To make money from your blog, you’ll need an audience. You can do this by using search engine optimization (SEO), which makes it easier for people to find and visit your website, by promoting your blog on social media, and by producing high-quality content.
• Monetize your posts: There are various ways to monetize your blog , such as selling advertising space (e.g., using Google Ads or Media.net ) or asking for donations, which you can set up by using a donation button or a crowdfunding platform like Patreon .

4. Start a movie review YouTube channel

As mentioned, not all movie reviews are written down. If you have a good voice or a compelling camera presence, you can always film them instead.

For inspiration, you can look at some of the many popular YouTube channels that feature movie reviews, such as:

• Jeremy Jahns
• Chris Stuckmann
• Mr Sunday Movies
• Jack’s Movie Reviews
• kermodeandmayo

You can use a YouTube channel to make money in much the same way you’d use a blog—by featuring advertisements, using affiliate links, or seeking sponsorship. These options will allow you to generate passive income from your YouTube videos.

02. How much do movie reviewers make?

Learn how much you can make as a movie reviewer and which factors might affect your earnings

As a movie reviewer or movie critic, you won’t usually be paid an hourly wage or monthly salary. You might be paid by the word or per article, per view (if you’re working with online platforms that track viewership), or per click (if you’re using affiliate marketing).

To give you a rough idea of how much you can earn, the rates paid by the online publications we listed above range from about $5 to $200 per article . They’ll usually pay at the lower end of the scale if you have little or no experience.

If you choose to work for yourself (by starting a blog or a YouTube channel), your earnings will entirely depend on how popular your content is. In the beginning, you shouldn’t expect to make any money at all, but if your site takes off, you may eventually be able to earn thousands of dollars per month.

03. Tips to help you make money reviewing movies

Find out which skills and resources you can use to make money from your movie reviews

If you’re starting your own blog or YouTube channel, you may need to use only some of these ideas. If you want to submit your movie reviews to magazines, film websites, or other publications, all of the following tips will be helpful.

Study the film industry

An understanding of the film industry and the filmmaking process will provide context and background for your movie reviews, helping you to craft more informed and thoughtful pieces.

You can learn how to analyze and rate movies by studying the industry, how movies are made, what role filmmakers play, and other aspects of the filmmaking process.

Cultivate movie-reviewing skills

As we’ve mentioned, you would once have needed great writing skills to be good at reviewing movies. However, you can now just as easily deliver your reviews in video format.

To make videos, you’ll need good verbal communication skills (and video editing skills, unless you plan on hiring someone to help you with that).

You’ll also need other soft skills to get good at reviewing movies. For example, you’ll need attention to detail to analyze all of the different aspects of a movie critically (e.g., the plot, character development, and cinematography).

The more you practice all of these skills, the better you’ll get. As you might expect, the best way to improve is to:

• Watch different types of movies
• Discuss the movies you watch with others
• Read and watch other people’s movie reviews and critiques
• Write or record your own reviews
• Stay up to date on the latest releases and trends in the film industry

Establish an online presence

If you’re planning to share your reviews mainly through your blog or YouTube channel (or if you plan on writing for Medium, which will pay you based on the popularity of your content), your online presence will be key for your income.

You can use social media platforms to amplify your online presence, share your reviews, and engage with your audience. In addition to the main social media sites like Facebook and Instagram, you can also look for more niche sites that focus specifically on film. In particular, check out Letterboxd , which is a social media platform that bills itself as being specifically for film lovers.

Build a great portfolio

As you’ve probably gathered, your portfolio is one of the most important tools you have for showcasing your talents to potential clients and employers.

Your portfolio should include a carefully curated selection of your best movie reviews, covering a diverse range of films from various genres, eras, and styles. It should also feature:

• A personal bio
• Social media and blog links
• Contact details

As we’ve mentioned, a film review blog can be a great addition to a portfolio, even if your main ambition is to write for established publications like film websites and magazines. Naturally, if you have any published work under your belt, link to that as well.

Use job sites to look for gigs

We’ve already mentioned a few publications that you can scope out for opportunities. You can also look for gigs on freelancer sites like:

You may be able to find clients on there who are looking to start film-related publications of their own and need content from writers like you.

You can also check out regular job sites like FlexJobs , Indeed , and ZipRecruiter . Keep an eye out to see if any newspapers or magazines put out a call for film reviewers.

You can often find opportunities by networking with people in the same field. When you’re starting out as a movie reviewer, look to network with:

• Established reviewers
• Movie critics
• Editors of movie-related publications
• Other people in the film industry

You can connect with these people through social media and also by attending film festivals, screenings, film clubs, or other events.

04. Other ways to get paid to watch movies

Mystery shopper sites and movie focus groups will sometimes pay you to watch movies in the theater or at home

The following opportunities won’t pay you to produce reviews per se. However, they might pay you (or offer other incentives such as free movie tickets) to watch movies and then complete questionnaires or participate in discussions about your experience.

Mystery shopper sites

Mystery shopper sites like the ones below sometimes feature opportunities to get paid for going to the theater:

• Amusement Advantage

For this type of gig, you’ll usually have to watch the movie and then complete a questionnaire on your experience, sharing your thoughts on the comfort of the theater and the customer service provided by the staff.

Movie focus groups

A movie focus group is a group of people from the general public who watch a movie in advance of the official release and provide feedback on whether they enjoyed it. These groups are usually recruited by movie studios, streaming platforms, or market research companies.

If you join a movie focus group, you may have the chance to attend in-person screenings, but you might also have to watch movies at home (online). Each screening will usually be followed by a discussion, interview, or questionnaire.

Note that movie focus groups don’t always pay. For example, the Netflix Preview Club doesn’t offer any incentives other than the opportunity to watch new Netflix content before the general public gets to. You also can’t join this group without an invitation from Netflix (which they extend to people based on their viewing behavior and other factors).

However, paid opportunities do exist. Here are some sites that sometimes post opportunities to join movie focus groups:

• Survey Junkie
• Focus Group
• FocusGroups.org

This type of side hustle isn’t mutually exclusive with an actual reviewing gig, of course. You can always use it to make a bit of extra money and see more films while waiting for a publication to hire you as a critic (or for your movie review blog to get off the ground).

Robert Jellison

Managing Editor

Robert is a writer and editor for SideHustles.com. He has 7+ years of experience in freelance writing and previously worked as the in-house editor for Compose.ly, a platform for remote and part-time writers.

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How to Make a Movie Review

Whether you are an amateur or professional film critic, video editing skills are a must. Learn how to make a video in a few simple steps!

How to review a movie

Many people watch films and like to review them. Moreover, the more reviews the movie has, the better understanding of it can be for the average user. Each reviewer is different from others in some way, be it discussing the specifics of movies, making movie summaries for those who haven't watched it yet; explaining how and which genre features are used, or even focusing on a specific topic based on a particular scene.

Do you have something to say about films that interest you and wonder how to do a movie review? Specific details may vary between genres and depend on the style you're going for in your movie critique, but in general, the following steps can help:

• Start with a short introduction, present yourself, and name the film's title.
• Highlight the features of the movie that made it unique or piqued your interest — the reason why you are reviewing it.
• Describe the main plot without revealing too many spoilers (if necessary, during editing, include a warning and a time stamp to jump to avoid spoilers).
• Evaluate the technical aspects of the film: the acting, the directing style, and the cinematography. You can also pay attention to the score and sound effects if they are important.
• Include favorite quotes or interesting dialogue from the film — some may be useful as recurring gags if they fit your script.
• In the end, summarize your review, highlight key points, express your overall rating of the movie, and whether you would recommend it or not, depending on that.

When all the material has been filmed, there is only one thing left to do, but it may be the most important one – editing. It may seem complicated if you don't have enough experience yet, but if this is the case, our online editing tool will help you out. Working with it is pretty simple:

Open Clideo’s Online Video Editor and click "Get started", then the "+" icon to import media files from your device. You can also upload them from online cloud storage.

You can also use the built-in media libraries to look for audio, images, clips, and other elements that would fit the style of your video or help illustrate your point better.

Edit the video

In the "Canvas" tab, you can change the aspect ratio if needed — for example, 16:9 if you post the video on YouTube, and there are other options as well.

To cut out the excess footage, place the playhead on the starting point of the unwanted part, then click "Split" at the top left of the timeline and repeat at every point where it's required. Then, select them and click "Delete" to remove them.

Splitting will also help when you want to change the look of a certain part of the video, like altering colors, applying blur or transparency, etc. Such adjustments can be made by selecting a file in the timeline and applying one of the options in the tab above.

To add music or sound effects, simply place the audio file above the video fragment where it should play. Then, adjust the sound using the "Volume" slider and apply fade-in and fade-out effects in the options tab if needed.

You can also overlay an image or clip over the main video in the timeline and adjust its position in the preview window. This way, you can fit many fragments into one frame while controlling the layers on the timeline.

If you need to add captions, click + on any preset in the "Text" tab or drag it to the preview or timeline. Then, write the text and edit it according to your taste.

When done, click "Export" and choose your preferred export option.

Save the result

Watch the preview to see if everything looks good in the final video. To add changes, click "Edit", otherwise, download your movie review to your device or cloud storage.

Visit our Help Center for the most recent details about all our tools.

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• Cast & crew
• User reviews

Challengers

Tashi, a former tennis prodigy turned coach is married to a champion on a losing streak. Her strategy for her husband's redemption takes a surprising turn when he must face off against his f... Read all Tashi, a former tennis prodigy turned coach is married to a champion on a losing streak. Her strategy for her husband's redemption takes a surprising turn when he must face off against his former best friend and Tashi's former boyfriend. Tashi, a former tennis prodigy turned coach is married to a champion on a losing streak. Her strategy for her husband's redemption takes a surprising turn when he must face off against his former best friend and Tashi's former boyfriend.

• Luca Guadagnino
• Justin Kuritzkes
• Josh O'Connor
• 8 User reviews
• 55 Critic reviews
• 88 Metascore
• 1 nomination

• Tashi Donaldson

• Art Donaldson

• Patrick Zweig
• Umpire (New Rochelle Final)

• Art's Physiotherapist

• Art's Security Guard
• (as a different name)
• Tashi's Mother
• Line Judge (New Rochelle Final)
• TV Sports Commentator (Atlanta 2019)

• Leo Du Marier

• Woman With Headset (Atlanta 2019)

• Motel Front Desk Clerk
• Motel Husband

• New Rochelle Parking Lot Guard
• USTA Official …
• All cast & crew
• Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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Did you know

• Trivia To prepare for her role, Zendaya spent three months with pro tennis player-turned-coach, Brad Gilbert .
• Connections Referenced in OWV Updates: The Seventh OWV Awards - Last Update of 2022 (2022)

User reviews 8

• Apr 20, 2024
• When will Challengers be released? Powered by Alexa
• April 26, 2024 (United States)
• United States
• Những Kẻ Thách Đấu
• Boston, Massachusetts, USA
• Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)
• Pascal Pictures
• See more company credits at IMDbPro

Technical specs

• Runtime 2 hours 11 minutes
• Dolby Digital

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Critic’s Pick

‘Civil War’ Review: We Have Met the Enemy and It Is Us. Again.

In Alex Garland’s tough new movie, a group of journalists led by Kirsten Dunst, as a photographer, travels a United States at war with itself.

• Share full article

‘Civil War’ | Anatomy of a Scene

The writer and director alex garland narrates a sequence from his film..

“My name is Alex Garland and I’m the writer director of ‘Civil War’. So this particular clip is roughly around the halfway point of the movie and it’s these four journalists and they’re trying to get, in a very circuitous route, from New York to DC, and encountering various obstacles on the way. And this is one of those obstacles. What they find themselves stuck in is a battle between two snipers. And they are close to one of the snipers and the other sniper is somewhere unseen, but presumably in a large house that sits over a field and a hill. It’s a surrealist exchange and it’s surrounded by some very surrealist imagery, which is they’re, in broad daylight in broad sunshine, there’s no indication that we’re anywhere near winter in the filming. In fact, you can kind of tell it’s summer. But they’re surrounded by Christmas decorations. And in some ways, the Christmas decorations speak of a country, which is in disrepair, however silly it sounds. If you haven’t put away your Christmas decorations, clearly something isn’t going right.” “What’s going on?” “Someone in that house, they’re stuck. We’re stuck.” “And there’s a bit of imagery. It felt like it hit the right note. But the interesting thing about that imagery was that it was not production designed. We didn’t create it. We actually literally found it. We were driving along and we saw all of these Christmas decorations, basically exactly as they are in the film. They were about 100 yards away, just piled up by the side of the road. And it turned out, it was a guy who’d put on a winter wonderland festival. People had not dug his winter wonderland festival, and he’d gone bankrupt. And he had decided just to leave everything just strewn around on a farmer’s field, who was then absolutely furious. So in a way, there’s a loose parallel, which is the same implication that exists within the film exists within real life.” “You don’t understand a word I say. Yo. What’s over there in that house?” “Someone shooting.” “It’s to do with the fact that when things get extreme, the reasons why things got extreme no longer become relevant and the knife edge of the problem is all that really remains relevant. So it doesn’t actually matter, as it were, in this context, what side they’re fighting for or what the other person’s fighting for. It’s just reduced to a survival.”

By Manohla Dargis

A blunt, gut-twisting work of speculative fiction, “Civil War” opens with the United States at war with itself — literally, not just rhetorically. In Washington, D.C., the president is holed up in the White House; in a spookily depopulated New York, desperate people wait for water rations. It’s the near-future, and rooftop snipers, suicide bombers and wild-eyed randos are in the fight while an opposition faction with a two-star flag called the Western Forces, comprising Texas and California — as I said, this is speculative fiction — is leading the charge against what remains of the federal government. If you’re feeling triggered, you aren’t alone.

It’s mourning again in America, and it’s mesmerizingly, horribly gripping. Filled with bullets, consuming fires and terrific actors like Kirsten Dunst running for cover, the movie is a what-if nightmare stoked by memories of Jan. 6. As in what if the visions of some rioters had been realized, what if the nation was again broken by Civil War, what if the democratic experiment called America had come undone? If that sounds harrowing, you’re right. It’s one thing when a movie taps into childish fears with monsters under the bed; you’re eager to see what happens because you know how it will end (until the sequel). Adult fears are another matter.

In “Civil War,” the British filmmaker Alex Garland explores the unbearable if not the unthinkable, something he likes to do. A pop cultural savant, he made a splashy zeitgeist-ready debut with his 1996 best seller “The Beach,” a novel about a paradise that proves deadly, an evergreen metaphor for life and the basis for a silly film . That things in the world are not what they seem, and are often far worse, is a theme that Garland has continued pursuing in other dark fantasies, first as a screenwriter (“ 28 Days Later ”), and then as a writer-director (“ Ex Machina ”). His résumé is populated with zombies, clones and aliens, though reliably it is his outwardly ordinary characters you need to keep a closer watch on.

By the time “Civil War” opens, the fight has been raging for an undisclosed period yet long enough to have hollowed out cities and people’s faces alike. It’s unclear as to why the war started or who fired the first shot. Garland does scatter some hints; in one ugly scene, a militia type played by a jolting, scarily effective Jesse Plemons asks captives “what kind of American” they are. Yet whatever divisions preceded the conflict are left to your imagination, at least partly because Garland assumes you’ve been paying attention to recent events. Instead, he presents an outwardly and largely post-ideological landscape in which debates over policies, politics and American exceptionalism have been rendered moot by war.

‘Civil War’ Is Designed to Disturb You

One thing that remains familiar amid these ruins is the movie’s old-fashioned faith in journalism. Dunst, who’s sensational, plays Lee, a war photographer who works for Reuters alongside her friend, a reporter, Joel (the charismatic Wagner Moura). They’re in New York when you meet them, milling through a crowd anxiously waiting for water rations next to a protected tanker. It’s a fraught scene; the restless crowd is edging into mob panic, and Lee, camera in hand, is on high alert. As Garland’s own camera and Joel skitter about, Lee carves a path through the chaos, as if she knows exactly where she needs to be — and then a bomb goes off. By the time it does, an aspiring photojournalist, Jessie (Cailee Spaeny), is also in the mix.

The streamlined, insistently intimate story takes shape once Lee, Joel, Jessie and a veteran reporter, Sammy (Stephen McKinley Henderson), pile into a van and head to Washington. Joel and Lee are hoping to interview the president (Nick Offerman), and Sammy and Jessie are riding along largely so that Garland can make the trip more interesting. Sammy serves as a stabilizing force (Henderson fills the van with humanizing warmth), while Jessie plays the eager upstart Lee takes under her resentful wing. It’s a tidily balanced sampling that the actors, with Garland’s banter and via some cozy downtime, turn into flesh-and-blood personalities, people whose vulnerability feeds the escalating tension with each mile.

As the miles and hours pass, Garland adds diversions and hurdles, including a pair of playful colleagues, Tony and Bohai (Nelson Lee and Evan Lai), and some spooky dudes guarding a gas station. Garland shrewdly exploits the tense emptiness of the land, turning strangers into potential threats and pretty country roads into ominously ambiguous byways. Smartly, he also recurrently focuses on Lee’s face, a heartbreakingly hard mask that Dunst lets slip brilliantly. As the journey continues, Garland further sketches in the bigger picture — the dollar is near-worthless, the F.B.I. is gone — but for the most part, he focuses on his travelers and the engulfing violence, the smoke and the tracer fire that they often don’t notice until they do.

Despite some much-needed lulls (for you, for the narrative rhythm), “Civil War” is unremittingly brutal or at least it feels that way. Many contemporary thrillers are far more overtly gruesome than this one, partly because violence is one way unimaginative directors can put a distinctive spin on otherwise interchangeable material: Cue the artful fountains of arterial spray. Part of what makes the carnage here feel incessant and palpably realistic is that Garland, whose visual approach is generally unfussy, doesn’t embellish the violence, turning it into an ornament of his virtuosity. Instead, the violence is direct, at times shockingly casual and unsettling, so much so that its unpleasantness almost comes as a surprise.

If the violence feels more intense than in a typical genre shoot ’em up, it’s also because, I think, with “Civil War,” Garland has made the movie that’s long been workshopped in American political discourse and in mass culture, and which entered wider circulation on Jan. 6. The raw power of Garland’s vision unquestionably owes much to the vivid scenes that beamed across the world that day when rioters, some wearing T-shirts emblazoned with “ MAGA civil war ,” swarmed the Capitol. Even so, watching this movie, I also flashed on other times in which Americans have relitigated the Civil War directly and not, on the screen and in the streets.

Movies have played a role in that relitigation for more than a century, at times grotesquely. Two of the most famous films in history — D.W. Griffith’s 1915 racist epic “The Birth of a Nation” (which became a Ku Klux Klan recruitment tool) and the romantic 1939 melodrama “Gone With the Wind” — are monuments to white supremacy and the myth of the Southern Lost Cause. Both were critical and popular hits. In the decades since, filmmakers have returned to the Civil War era to tell other stories in films like “Glory,” “Lincoln” and “Django Unchained” that in addressing the American past inevitably engage with its present.

There are no lofty or reassuring speeches in “Civil War,” and the movie doesn’t speak to the better angels of our nature the way so many films try to. Hollywood’s longstanding, deeply American imperative for happy endings maintains an iron grip on movies, even in ostensibly independent productions. There’s no such possibility for that in “Civil War.” The very premise of Garland’s movie means that — no matter what happens when or if Lee and the rest reach Washington — a happy ending is impossible, which makes this very tough going. Rarely have I seen a movie that made me so acutely uncomfortable or watched an actor’s face that, like Dunst’s, expressed a nation’s soul-sickness so vividly that it felt like an X-ray.

Civil War Rated R for war violence and mass death. Running time: 1 hour 49 minutes. In theaters.

An earlier version of this review misidentified an organization in the Civil War in the movie. It is the Western Forces, not the Western Front.

How we handle corrections

Manohla Dargis is the chief film critic for The Times. More about Manohla Dargis

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Why ‘civil war’ is making audiences so uncomfortable.

Alex Garland's latest feature is difficult to watch because it does not give people clearly defined sides to root for (or against).

By Richard Newby

Richard Newby

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[This story contains spoilers for Civil War . ]

“The footage you’re about to see may be disturbing.” That content warning, broadcast on the news too often in modern history, was stuck on a loop in the back of my mind as I watched Alex Garland ’s latest film, Civil War .

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So, it comes as no surprise then that Civil War should draw controversy, as it washes us, and its central characters, in discomfort with no warning, no invitation to look away, and with no tribe to cling to and tell us what’s right and what’s wrong. Civil War is an abrasive and uncomfortable film, not because it fully subscribes to any particular ideology, but because it doesn’t — and we hate not having clearly defined sides to root for or against or media that doesn’t perfectly align with our worldview so we can walk out of the theater confidently knowing we’re a good person.

As both writer and director, Garland has consistently offered a unique perspective on the human condition, largely devoid of binaries like good and evil that American audiences love to uphold. Garland’s characters are constantly caught between the throes of evolution or death, and sometimes both. That’s certainly the case for Civil War ’s central characters, Lee ( Kirsten Dunst ), a celebrated war photographer who has lost faith in her ability to create meaningful change; Joel ( Wagner Moura ), Lee’s colleague, who lives for the thrill of being on the front line of history; Sammy ( Stephen McKinley Henderson ) a veteran journalist who served as a mentor to Lee and Joel, and is all too aware of how little the world changes; and Jessie ( Cailee Spaney ), a novice war photographer who is thrown into a world she finds both terrifying and electric.  

Understandably, viewers have asked whether now is the right time for such a film or if Garland’s claim that it is apolitical is merely an excuse not to stand for anything. On social media, some have worried the film lends legitimacy to right-wing influencer Andy Ngo, who is credited for a few seconds of real-world footage shown in the film, and fear that Garland’s movie endorses the work of The Atlantic journalist Helen Lewis, who is thanked in the credits, and whose views have been criticized by the transgender community.

These are questions I believe the film addresses, though perhaps not in the way some people would like them to be. To paraphrase a quote from the film Lee says to Jessie, the objective of war photography is not to provide answers, but to provide an unaltered image and let the viewer ask the questions. This is what Garland does within Civil War , providing audiences the opportunity for us to ask questions based on what he’s showing us.

The demilitarized zones offering aid and food are largely run by and populated with Black and brown people. Why is that? Could it be because those are the citizens who also suffer the most as America plays political games and sends minorities off to war for the lie of better careers or more money? Have they decided to sit out a war led by white people because historically they have not seen significant change for themselves within the country their ancestors built? Or are they once again being tasked to rebuild a country, to provide and heal, because no one else will ever step up to do it, even though they never get the support of any governing party in return? The story of Civil War ’s America is being told in images that beg these questions, but what isn’t left up to question is that the film is inherently antifascist.

Combatants in fatigues and plain clothes populate both sides, and there are no distinct uniforms to tell us which side is which. Even the film’s clearest antagonist, a racist solider wearing fatigues and red sunglasses, played by Jesse Plemons, isn’t assigned a side, and it’s entirely possible he’s on no side at all, and has simply inserted himself into the conflict to kill, as his hidden pit filled with dead bodies covered in lye suggests. These scenes and supporting characters reflect so much of our modern-day political discourse, which is populated by people who come for the necks of their own allies for not entirely subscribing to the most extreme, most perfect form of their ideology.

We see these extremes every day, from the serious to the silly: conservatives who want gun control criticized by right-wing extremists who give their children guns for Christmas, liberals who reject other liberals because they weren’t as vocal about one social injustice as they were for another, and grifters who make audacious claims and promise the truth, for a monthly fee. More distressingly, we’re seeing horseshoe theory in action, with supposed liberals saying they’ll vote for Trump after being incensed by Biden’s support of Israel against Palestine, or that they won’t vote at all, as if any such choice allows them a moral high ground that absolves them of any further suffering people will endure.

While I am personally unbothered, I found it interesting that I couldn’t even talk about this movie on socials without a couple of people insinuating I, a Black writer who is vocally liberal, was supporting a film that supports neo-Nazis. Does an obligatory, and legally necessary credit of Andy Ngo, for the use of seconds of footage that shows where America’s conflict resides mean Garland supports him? Does a thank you in the credits to a controversial journalist whose right-wing writing undoubtedly informed Garland’s thinking while making Civil War suggest the film is aligned with TERFism? Or is Garland’s film merely showing us images, all the way through the credits, that force us to ask questions of whether the acknowledgment of work we don’t agree with means the entire endeavor is worthless and contains no truth that we can acknowledge?

Thus, she moves through the film like a zombie, not the only Romero-inspired element in the film, which is noteworthy given Garland’s big Hollywood break was writing 28 Days Later (2002). And in some ways, as much as Garland has evolved over the decades, Civil War goes back to that film, which saw its characters caught in a dying society, unsure of who to trust and lacking confidence that we can still make a difference.

The footage we see in Civil War may be disturbing. But the biggest question that looms over all of those images is still up in the air. Was any of it disturbing enough to prevent a real civil war in our time, or will we simply judge the artistry of the images, the craft of the photographer, while we stagger ahead, avoiding discomfort and hard questions because we only want to acknowledge works that assure us we’re on the right path, that hope springs eternal and such a thing could never happen in reality because surely we know who our allies and enemies are. And if the controversy and judgments made outside of watching Civil War prove anything, it’s that Alex Garland’s cinematic perspective on America undeniably makes him an enemy ally. Doesn’t it?

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‘Hard Miles’ Review: Matthew Modine Stars in a Scenic Cycle Through the West

The long winding road to redemption beckons four juvenile offenders and their adult minders in R.J. Daniel Hanna’s satisfying, fact-inspired drama.

By Dennis Harvey

Dennis Harvey

Film Critic

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A grueling two-pedal route to the Grand Canyon just might provide the course-correction male juvenile offenders need in “ Hard Miles .” With Matthew Modine as their teacher-coach, this fact-inspired tale covers familiar redemptive sports drama terrain. But it’s traveled with affectingly understated assurance by director R.J. Daniel Hanna (“Miss Virginia”) and a strong cast, making for a satisfying scenic ride that picked up several festival audience awards last year.

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Given scant prior training, this quarrelsome “team” is off to a rough start, encountering plenty of personality-conflict speed bumps ahead. But “Hard Miles” also conveys the exhilaration of the open road, steep physical challenges conquered, and collective bonding that results. Though we learn little about their individual histories, we can feel how these characters blossom in the rare glow of being allowed to actually achieve something themselves. This ride proves they’re not simply loser delinquents, as they’ve always been told. 

The pacing slackens somewhat around the two-thirds point, then rallies for separate climaxes sentimental (when Greg finally visits his father’s deathbed) and rousing (as the Grand Canyon is reached), both handled with moving restraint rather than heavy-handed melodrama or inspirational uplift. While there’s an occasional corny line here, Hanna and Sander wisely keep dialogue on the humorous and/or argumentative side — after all, these are figures who’ve learned the hard way not to admit emotional vulnerability.

Almost 40 years after playing another driven amateur athlete in “Vision Quest,” Modine is solid as a man who might be that same figure far down a road rougher than expected, his wide-eyed optimism now gone and his sportsmanship carrying the whiff of compulsive escape. The younger actors are very good, if perhaps a bit mature-looking to pass as teens. McWilliams and Baker provide notes of flinty good humor, as does Sean Astin as a bike repair shop owner arm-twisted into being the team’s “sponsor.”

Highlighting the smooth tech and design contributions is Mack Fisher’s widescreen cinematography, which makes the most of numerous spectacular landscape vistas — even if apparently some of them are in reality Californian, rather than from the route dramatized. 

Reviewed online, April 15, 2024. MPA rating: PG-13. Running time: 109 MIN.

• Production: A Blue Fox Entertainment release of a Pense Productions presentation in association with A Very Lucky Distributor. Producer: Christian Sander. Executive producers: Scott Sander, Larry Roth. Co-producers: Phin Palmer, Greg Bartlett.
• Crew: Director: R.J. Daniel Hanna. Screenplay: Hanna, Christian Sander. Camera: Mack Fisher. Editor: Evan Schrodek. Music: Andrew Johnson.
• With: Matthew Modine, Cynthia Kaye McWilliams, Jahking Guillory, Jackson Kelly, Zachary T. Robbins, Damien Diaz, Leslie David Baker, Sean Astin.

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