Establishing Criteria for Film Review and Film Analysis Dr. Ted Hovet of Western Kentucky University

Establishing Criteria for Film Review and Film Analysis

Dr. Ted Hovet of Western Kentucky University

2014 CLAS Summer Film Institute

Format: Online Discussion Forum (if possible)
Goals:

1) Establish personal criteria for favorite films

2) Gain understanding of why certain films are considered “great” (Academy Award winners; “all time” greats, etc.)

3) Treat film as serious art form that benefits from evaluation based on specific standards and values

4) Expand personal criteria to encompass more variety of films and to supply more reasons to enjoy favorite films
Assignment:

PART ONE: Create a list of at least THREE specific criteria that, for you, make a “favorite” or a “great” film.  Try to be as specific and detailed as possible.  For instance, if you think that a great film must have a strong plot, clearly explain what makes a plot “strong” and why that is important for you.  In addition, please provide an example or two of films that successfully meet each of the criteria that you establish. 

PART TWO: Read through the criteria of other people in your group. Respond to at least one other post that you think has interesting criteria and explain why it caught your attention.  You can also raise questions in your response, but of course maintain a civil tone! 
By the way....criteria is the plural of the noun criterion. Here are some further definitions:

-A standard that is used for judging something or for making a decision about something

-The ideal in terms of which something can be judged

-A basis for comparison; a reference point against which other things can be evaluated

Resources

SAMPLE LIST OF “GREAT” FILMS

http://www.bfi.org.uk/news/50-greatest-films-all-time

SAMPLE STUDENT WORK (see following pages)

SAMPLE STUDENT WORK (college freshmen) for CRITERIA EXERCISE
SAMPLE #1

1. 
   Plot. I tend to enjoy creative, suspenseful, and surprising plots. If a plot has these qualities I generally like the film quite a bit, especially since it prevents them from becoming cookie cutter films. For example, in the film Safety Not Guaranteed, the plot is unpredictable, which makes it an exceptional film. The ending takes a completely unexpected turn and makes the film interesting, unlike many other films. 
   
2. 
   Acting. If the acting in a movie is superb, it makes the movie all the better, since one isn’t distracted by awkward or bad acting. A good actor can make the most boring and terrible of movies seem watchable. For example, the film The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus is a movie with a plot line that is kind of hard to get into and follow, but the actors put on such a good performance that you still find yourself caring about the characters.
   
3. 
   Setting. The setting in a movie does not always have to be something exceptional or exquisite. It can, however, give any film a boost. It could be a visual boost, in which the setting is a beautiful forest or maybe a dark castle. It could be an emotional boost, where the setting could be a place that a character themselves love, or maybe a place that the audience could appreciate themselves. It could also be a story boost, where the setting makes the story better. For example, in The Social Network, setting the film at a college makes it more interesting since a seemingly normal college kid created a website that was worth billions of dollars and revolutionized the way a generation communicates with each other, and and very obviously surpassing those who spend half their time partying instead.
   

SAMPLE #2

Plot: An unexpected, creative unique plot is the ultimate criterion for a great film in my opinion. Most films, you can pick up what will happen before the movie is half-way over. I don't want to know what will happen next. I want to be on the edge of my seat throughout the entire movie. Not necessarily from action, but from the unknown.

Symbolism/Deeper Meaning: I want my movies to get me thinking. I want them to mean something more than just entertainment. I prefer that they try to convey something either the writer, director, or whoever finds important to their audience.

An open ending: I like it when an ending is left open to interpretation by the audience. It gets the audience talking with each other about the movie and what they think happens. It opens the plot to different theories, letting your imagination run wild.

Examples: Christopher Nolan's Inception (2010), Tony Scott's Man on Fire (2004)

SAMPLE # 3
1) Arresting Visuals

When I say arresting visuals I don’t necessarily mean good special effects, although that is nice. I am referring to great cinematography. In my opinion, cinematography plays a very essential element in the creation of a great film. Not only does cinematography help to enhance the mood, but it can also define it. Personally, I am a fan of very distinctive and balanced cinematography. For example, I love all Joe Wright films because of how distinctive, and in my opinion, beautiful his cinematography is. He has a tendency to use long, continuous shots to capture moments. For example, in Wright’s 2007 film, Atonement, there is an over 5 minute tracking shot of the French troops trapped at Dunkirk. For me, this shot was very effective because it allowed him to capture the surreal and grim environment of French troops facing, what would seem, eminent death. Because the shot was not interrupted I felt I saw everything the protagonist saw, allowing me to more fully absorb the environment. 

2) Good writing/ good story

A good story is the most basic element in the creation of a great film. In essence, a film cannot exist without a story. Once the story is there, it is the duty of the screenwriter to seamlessly connect the different elements of the story. For me, a good story is able to juggle many themes while not being too obvious about what they are. For example, Alfonso Cuaron’s 2006 film Children of Men juggles themes of loneliness, hope, and faith. While rife with despair and struggle, Children of Men is still able to portray a message of hope and faith. It does not become overcome with the sadness, but instead uses it to develop happiness. In my opinion that is the product of good writing. I also enjoy stories that are very honest with their emotion, even if that honest creates some discomfort. For example, in Wes Anderson’s 2012 film Moonrise Kingdom, he handles the topic of young love with such honesty that it is hard not to feel refreshed from it. Because the characters are so genuine there is a sense of innocence about them, which helps to make the film even more enjoyable. 

3) Good Acting

Lastly, good acting is another essential element in the creation of a great film. A movie can have beautiful cinematography and great writing, but if the acting is poor it can ruin the entire film. However, good acting only works to enhance the film. An example is Draco Malfoy (Tom Felton) in the Harry Potter movie series. During the first half of the franchise, Draco is a very flat character, filling only the role of bully. However as time progresses this changes. By Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince (Yates, 2009) Draco was faced with more grim situations and therefore played a more integral role in the story. By the end of the series I felt sympathy for Draco and was even rooting for him, thanks in large part to Tom Felton’s dynamic performance.