Reference no: EM133414727
The third essay is a 2-3-page review of an ecologically themed documentary film of your choosing. Unlike most academic essays, film reviews are written with a broad audience in mind. They are intended to be insightful and to inform potential movie goers about what the movie is like and let them know whether or not they should take the time to watch it. The best film reviews are therefore both descriptive-highlighting features like narration, cinematography, visual design, characters, and central theme-and evaluative-letting the readers know which aspects of the film work and which don't. A good way to approach this assignment is to think about whether you would recommend the film to a friend and then consider why or why not.
While the review is your informed opinion, try to write with an authoritative tone. This means generally avoiding phrases like "I think" and "I feel," though the first person is appropriate for this kind of writing. If you write a good review, particularly of a contemporary documentary
film, you might consider submitting it to The Pathfinder-LCSC's student-run newspaper.
You might consider some of the following questions in your review:
1. Describe the narration of the film. Does the documentary have a central narrator, several narrators, or no voiceover at all (as is sometimes the case)? Does the film contain interviews?
2. Describe the visual style of the film. Does it employ nature footage, archival film and photographs, footage of interviews? What colors and images stand out?
3. Describe the setting of the film. When and where does the film take place?
4. Who are the central "characters" in the film (e.g., people interviewed, animals featured)?
5. What is the central theme of message of the film? How is this message conveyed? Does the film have a clear perspective? Do the filmmakers want to persuade the viewers of something?
6. Does the film seem evenhanded or biased toward a particular position? Explain.
7. Describe the structure of plot of the film. Does it hold your attention? Is it easy to follow?
8. What stands out most about the film?
9. What is the strongest feature of the film? What is the weakest feature?
10. Would you recommend the film to viewers? Why or why not?
11. Who is likely to enjoy the film and who is not? Who is the intended audience?