Movie Talk: Your Guide
Have you just seen a new movie, and you want to describe it to your English-speaking friends (or maybe your English teacher)? Here is your guide to talking about films!
Film or Movie?
"Movie" is a more common word in the US, and in the UK many people say "film". If you are in the UK, you can say either. Film is also a verb (we filmed most of the movie in Spain).
What Type of Movie?
Which genre of movie did you watch? There's comedy, action, drama and horror, but also suspense, detective, rom-com, romance, adventure, war, children's, thriller and others.
Here's some reviews of different movies - useful vocabulary and key phrases are in bold:
Describing a War Movie
I saw the war movie 1917, which is about two British soldiers in France during the First World War. I thought it was a very powerful film. It was suspenseful, because they are in constant danger and the story unfolds in real time. It felt incredibly tense. It is powerful because it portrays a terrible, life-and-death situation, and the camera does not shy away from disturbing images. 1917 is beautifully shot and it stays with you after you see it. I would definitely recommend it.
Describing a Biopic
Rocketman is a biopic (/ˈbʌɪəʊpɪk/ or 'buy-oh-pick'), a dramatisation of the life of pop singer Elton John. This is a feel-good musical with amazing costumes which mirrors Elton's energy as a performer. It is also heartfelt and moving because it deals with his difficult relationships with friends, family and lovers. Ultimately it is fast-paced and funny and it will put you in a good mood.
Describing a Horror Movie
IT: Part 2 is a horror movie based on the book of the same name by Stephen King, about a terrifying clown. As a fan of the story it was cool seeing these characters brought to life, and many of the roles were well-cast: the actor playing Ritchie was perfect for the role. I like horror movies and I'm not easily scared by them. Some scenes were incredibly creepy, but other scenes were silly or just gross. Really the movie was just too long, they could have cut some of it.
The Challenge
- Can you guess that the new vocabulary means from context?
- Can you write a short movie review of your own? Post it below!
February 5, 2020
