MERRY CHRISTMAS!

I wish you every happiness for the New Year.

WRITING A REVIEW OF A FILM

WRITING A REVIEW (FILM)

A) STRUCTURE

v Providing background information.
v Introducing a brief account of the plot.
v Commenting critically.
v Providing a recommendation.
v Comparing and contrasting (strengths or weaknesses).

B) USEFUL WORDS (COLLOCATIONS) AND EXPRESSIONS

Ø FILM:
.hugely entertaining / thoroughly enjoyable /
. hilarious / funny / engaging
.impressively made
. offbeat (unconventional)/ unusual / intriguing
. extremely strange
. refreshingly different
.the dreamlike quality of the _____
.sophisticated
.the _____ takes an (awful) turn
.based on the best-selling novel by (…)


Ø SCENE:
.funny
. controversy-generating
.much-vaunted (=excessively praised)
. there are at least three great ______s


Ø CLIMAX:
.beautiful
.strong
.sweet


Ø STORY:
.strained
.clever
.unbelievable


Ø CHARACTER:
.commanding
.fascinating
.non-mainstream (= unconventional)

Ø PERFORMANCE:
.exquisite
.strong
.convincing
.film-saving
.(uniformly) outstanding
.gives a (mature) ________
.a terrific central_________ from (NK)
.(Costner´s) best ever!


Ø CAST:
.star-studded
.amazing


Ø ACTOR:
.superb
.truly outstanding
.his /her easygoing star power is intact


COMMENTING CRITICALLY / PROVIDING A RECOMMENDATION

ü It could be one of the biggest movies of the year.
ü The biggest, boldest and most captivating film I can ever recall seeing.
ü It´s impossible not to like (…)
ü A must-see. / Highly recommended.
ü Has yet to be surpassed.
ü A well-crafted period piece.
ü (Practically) perfect in its execution.
ü The pace is perfect. / The film works splendidly.
ü There´s plenty to enjoy here.
ü It´s big-screen entertainment.
ü Many charming elements, but they don´t quite add up to a fulfilling whole.
ü It doesn´t add anything to the film.
ü A complete flop =failure)

WRITING A FILM REVIEW: MODEL ANSWER

Click here to read a MODEL ANSWER of a FILM REVIEW.

IMPROVE YOUR SPEAKING

This is a brilliant page that will help you a lot to improve your SPEAKING SKILLS.
(You don´t have to subscribe).

WRITING A REVIEW

Click here for GENERAL VOCABULARY (REVIEW)

WRITING EXAM, DECEMBER 07: TASK 2

REVIEW
An international magazine has asked its readers to send in a review for its regular arts section. Write a review for the magazine comparing and contrasting two books, films or music CDs. Comment on the similarities and differences, and say which of the films or CDs you would recommend and why.

Write approximately 250 words.

WRITING BANK

Click here for help on how to write a CHARACTER REFERENCE.

COLLOCATIONS

Click here for some collocations

WRITING EXAM, DECEMBER 2007: TASK 1

A colleague of yours, Alice Watson, has applied for a job in the public relations department of a large charity, Poverty Action. You have been asked to write a letter providing a character reference for her. Indicate how long and in what capacity you have worked with her, and how her personal characteristics would make her suited for the job.Here is part of the letter you received from Poverty Action:

"The job of Public Relations Co-ordinator consists mainly of supervising PR work, and entails travelling around the country and working with various people in our large organisation. The successful applicant will need good managerial skills and be committed to the philosophy of our charity".

Write your REFERENCE.(250 words)

ONLINE EXAM PRACTICE

www.examenglish.com/CAE/English_in_Use.php - 9k -

http://www.english-online.org.uk/caefolder/caehome.php?name=Practice%20for%20the%20Cambridge%20Advanced%20English

CLASSWORK Thursday 29th November

. Vocabulary, Coursebook p. 90.
. Speaking: "Healthy lifestyles", Instant Discussions<.

CLASSWORK Tuesday 27th November

. Reading, Coursebook p. 89.
. Quiz: "How healthy are you?"

MERRY XMAS TO ALL MY GIRLS!!