1 Reading
a Read the review and tick (✓) the questions which the review answers.
1 What kind of film is it? ✓
2 Did it win any awards?
3 Is it based on a book?
4 Where does the action happen?
5 What happens in the end?
6 Is it suitable for teenagers?
7 Have there been more recent versions of the film?
8 Does the reviewer recommend it?
If you love classic cinema, you can’t do better than the original 1933 King Kong film, one of the most famous adventure movies ever made. One of the things I love about it is that you can watch it again and again and still feel the same drama and excitement.
The story is a clever variation on the ‘beauty and the beast’ theme, with the beast being a huge ape which is captured on an exotic island and transported to America. The ‘beauty’ in the film is the woman used to trick the ape. The drama really begins when the ape escapes in America and goes to look for the woman …
What makes this a brilliant film, both now and then, is the story, – it keeps you guessing all the way through, going from the jungle to skyscrapers. The acting is also excellent and you even start feeling sorry for the ape!
King Kong is a hugely entertaining film for viewers of all ages and I highly recommend it if you want to escape for a couple of hours. It might be an old film, but it is much more powerful than the remakes and it is a real classic.
b Read the article again. Are the sentences true or false?
1 The reviewer has just been King Kong for the first time.
2 The reviewer describes an early inspiration for the film.
3 According to the review, the most exciting part of the film takes place on the exotic island.
4 The plot of the film is completely predictable.
5 According to the reviewer, the film has an emotional impact on the viewer.
6 King Kong is ideal to watch with the whole family.
Answer
a The review answers questions 4, 6, 7, 8
b True: 2, 5, 6; False: 1, 3, 4
2 Writing Skills – Organising a review
Read the sentences and decide if they are suitable for a review of a film or book. Tick (✓) the correct box.
|
|
Suitable |
Not suitable |
|
1 This is really a children’s book, but I am sure that many adults would enjoy it too. |
✓ |
|
|
2 It’s better to download the film so you can watch it in the comfort of your own home. |
|
|
|
3 The lead actor, Joshua Samson, was born in a small Australian town, but moved to Hollywood. |
|
|
|
4 There are lots of cookery programmes on TV, but this is easily the best. |
|
|
|
5 Believe it or not, the film was so frightening that I couldn’t sleep after I watched it. |
|
|
|
6 I bought this book on a fantastic holiday I had in Greece two summers ago. |
|
|
|
7 There is a lot of difficult vocabulary and this makes it hard to read. |
|
|
|
8 To find out what happens at the end, you’ll have to watch it yourself! |
|
|
Answer
Suitable: 4, 5, 8
Unsuitable: 2, 3, 6, 7
3 Writing
Write a review of a film you enjoyed (or hated). You could get information from the Internet and, even better, watch the film again in English. Use the paragraph structure and the notes to help you.
Paragraph 1: introduce the film and explain why you have chosen it.
Paragraph 2: outline the plot and introduce the main characters.
Paragraph 3: outline the key strengths of the film.
Paragraph 4: summarise the review and give your final opinion.
Answer
Suggested answer
The Godfather, directed by Francis Ford Coppola, is one of the most famous films ever made and I could watch it again and again. One of the things I love about it is the authentic 1940s/50s atmosphere of the plot and characters.
The main setting is New York, where the Corleone family are in a struggle with other Mafia families to take control of illegal businesses. The youngest son, Michael, changes from an honest citizen to the criminal head of the family after getting involved in the violence and politics of the underworld.
What makes this a brilliant film is the excellent acting by Marlon Brando and Al Pacino, and the exciting plot combined with a moving soundtrack. You would never think at the start of the film that Michael will cheat and kill his way to the top. The other thing I loved is the beautiful scenery in locations ranging from Las Vegas to Sicily.
The Godfather is an amazing film, shocking and entertaining at the same time, and I highly recommend it to anybody who loves to see real film-making with a strong plot. You will immediately want to watch Godfather II, which some critics think is even better.