Category: How to

No matter how much you loved it or hated it films are real, and unlike Jesus, you can find factual information by watching them.

You’re not going to be fact checked. But there are key components to every movie that make it a film worth watching, worth recommending to others, and worth remembering.

Let’s explore key elements:

• Narrative- the script it gives viewers context and the narrative is part of the story. Ask yourself, did the actor spend the entire film telling you what they doing?
• Cinematography – engaging visuals. Don’t think of cinematography as beautiful shots – think of this as visuals that fit with the scene.
• Editing – were there continuity problems? Does the visual rhythm make sense? More than forgetting a Starbucks cup on a medieval table editing can make or break a movie.
• Production design – spaceship look like the local power station; National Trust building being overused in nearly every period piece since 1999; can you only see the monsters arm or is so dark you can hardly see anything?
• Sound – you only need to watch Ladyhawk to know that sound is important.
• Originality and Creativity – you might think how can these two things be factual, but let’s be honest with one another, you know a copy cat when you’ve seen one.

But not too personal…our opinions are important but only in moderation. There isn’t enough depth to be navel gazing all day.

Action films envelop the viewer with adrenaline and energy. Edits, stunts, timing, sound effects all help contribute to the excitement the viewer feels. Action needs to be the foundation of the film – but story, character and creativity need not be left behind.

Ask yourself some basic questions based on your opinion:

• What did I like (think of 2-4 things)?
• What didn’t I like (think of 2-4 things)?
• Was I involved in the film or was a I distracted?
• Do I think the actors did a good job?
• Was the story believable?
• An hour or more after the film what do I remember about it?