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The Four Functions of Film Reviewing
The material for this section
was derived from the wonderful book Making Meaning by David Bordwell
and was supplemented by Debbie Twyman
Film reviews of this type present the reader with
the latest news and information about the most recent film releases. These reviews
tend to focus on the most significant aspects of a specific film. In other words,
these reviews tend to note such "important" information as the stars
of the film, the cost of the production (just ask Director
James Cameron about that one!), and interesting aspects about the production
itself (cool special effects, new techniques, a cast of thousands, etc.). Generally
speaking, film reviews of this type tend to fall into two categories -- journalism
of opinion (which presents a carefully thought out position on a film backed
up with background information and examples) and journalism of taste (a simple
evaluation of the film). In depth reviews of films tend to combine these two
types of journalism. Students in Film Appreciation should strive to construct
in depth reviews.
The primary purpose of these film reviews is to
publicize a film and to convince readers to go watch it. Reviewers who engage
in this type of reviewing regard themselves as providing a service - certainly
to the studio - and to the reader by functioning as a guide to what is currently
available at their local multiplex. Warning. Did you ever wonder about those
up close and personal interviews with stars about their latest projects - the
really glowing warm fuzzy kind that air on your local television station? These
are frequently arranged for by the movie studio that is promoting the film in
question. They fly the critic out for an all expense paid interview with the
star in the hopes that it will garner the movie some positive press for their
film. This is the same way that they get those great quotes that they put on
advertisements for the film. You know, the ones by critics that you have never
heard of. As in all things, let the buyer beware.
Reviews of this kind generally provide a brief description
of the film while focusing on the analysis and evaluation of the film's artistic
merits. Film Appreciation students who really want to get an A from Ms. Twyman
and who want to run with the Big Dogs try to write reviews of this caliber.
Rhetoric (Writing)
Ph.D. candidates and folks who are seriously interested
in film often write reviews that border on essays and that are judged as much
on their literary merit as on their cinematic content. These sorts of essays
are often grouped together and published by academic press or a small independent
publishing company. They are not for the faint of heart. Frankly, unless they
are written or edited by Pauline
Kael or Roger Ebert they should
probably only be read by a serious film student. Translated, your classmates
won't enjoy these and virtually no one visiting our Web Site is on a quest for
writing of this depth, so wait till you get your MFA in Film Studies to forge
into this territory. But what the heck, if you feel like attempting this Twyman
will be impressed and if you bribe her with enough chocolate she can probably
be convinced not to read your essay/review out loud to the class.