Talking Films

Below is a list of the language used by my Teaching Methodology group to talk about films. This language is presented and used in conjunction with film trailer clips from Youtube.com and other websites.

Please note that none of the example sentences reflect my personal opinions. They are just examples of how the words / phrases are used.

Films

Genres

There are many different genres of films. Below is a selection of genres. Can you name a film from each genre?

Action                         Comedy               Romance             Thriller

Documentary             Western                Drama                Adventure

Indie/Arthouse           Musical                Gangster             Horror

Buddy                         Chick flick           Teen                     Family

Kids                            Fantasy                War                      Romantic comedy

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Adjectives List

The words and phrases below are used to describe films and acting.

hilarious (very, very funny)

Jim Carey's portrayal of a double-crossing, dishonest lawyer is hilarious. There are so many laugh-out-loud moments in this side-splittingly funny film about losing sight of what's important and seeing it just in the nick of time.

side-splittingly funny (extremely funny)

Listen to Audio: http://www.screencast.com/t/VmoayXp9

terrifying (very, very scary)

Stephen King's "It" has to be one of the most terrifying films ever. That scary-looking, razor-toothed clown had me checking under my bed before going to sleep for at least a month after watching the film.

action packed (lots and lots of action)

Iron Man 2 is action packed with amazing fight scenes, stunts and special effects galore. Not only is it full of on-the-edge-of-your-seat fights and chases, but it's got so many twists and turns, you never know what's coming next. Absolutely smashing!

exciting (gets your blood pumping)

Harry Potter 7 is without a doubt the most exciting film of the year. I was on the edge of my seat from beginning to end.

moving (cause your emotions to change, normally with happiness or sadness)

touching (eliciting sympathy or tenderness)

The Shawshank Redemption is a touching tale of friendship, which sees two men brought together in one of America's toughest prisons. The kindness shown by Morgan's character to Tim is extremely moving.

riveting / gripping (you cannot stop watching to see what happens next)

The Game, starring Sean Penn and Michael Douglas, is a riveting thriller that twists and turns from beginning to end. This is the most gripping film that I've watched in a very long time. Fantastic stuff!

Listen to audio: http://www.screencast.com/t/prFsjlhO

heartbreaking (extremely sad)

Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal star in Brokeback Mountain, a heartbreaking tale of repression and persecution. Set in the intolerant, macho cowboy culture in the USA, this film shows how repression, denial and fear can destroy what's most precious in life - love.

spectacular (incredible special effects, scenery, etc.)

Spaceships, aliens and spectacular special effects make Avatar the must-see blockbuster film of the year. The film is set in the future, and the action takes place on a beautiful yet deadly world inhabited by tall blue beings and a multitude of terrifying land and winged animals.

breathtaking (so amazing, it takes your breath away. "Wow!")

The scenery in Oscar-winning Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon is breathtaking. The majestic mountains, the barren desert and green valleys are like something from the perfect painting or fairytale.

Listen to audio: http://www.screencast.com/t/dWBXifkY7vT

cheesy (silly, cheap, inauthentic - comedy, acting, etc.)

Dirty Dancing may go down as one of the most entertaining dance films of all time, but it will also be remembered for having one of the cheesiest lines in cinematic history.

"Nobody puts Baby in the corner." - Jonny

slushy (very emotional, full of love and romance, makes you cry)

1990s movie Untamed Heart, starring Christian Slater and Marisa Tomei, had me crying my heart out. I know that many people don't like it because it's so slushy, but that's probably why I love it so much. Watch this cult classic, and see if you can make it to the end without at least shedding a small tear!

predictable (we know what's going to happen)

Predictable, yes. Fantastically entertaining, absolutely. Battle of Los Angeles combines a seen-it-all-before plot with two-dimensional characters, but still manages to pull it off, largely thanks to the spectacular special effects. Neither director and nor cast need bother writing Oscar acceptance speeches for this over-the-top rehash of every alien movie that has gone before it. That said, Battle of Los Angeles is likely to make a fortune at the box office.

puerile (immature, toilet humour)

Something About Mary has to contain one of the most puerile scenes ever in a film. If you haven't seen it, watch it and you'll know exactly what I'm talking about. On second thoughts, don't! Why people find it funny, I'll never know.

Listen to audio: http:http://www.screencast.com/t/GLvck4tss2Yh

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Actor/Performance

underrated (better than people say)

Jude Law is an extremely underrated character actor. He is extremely talented, but never seems to land top roles in Hollywood movies.

overrated (not as good as people say)

Penelope Cruz is really overrated. Yes, she's easy on the eye and can act, but let's be honest, she's no Meryl Streep.

wooden (without emotion, like a puppet)

Madonna's performance in Swept Away was described as wooden by film critics worldwide. Every line was delivered in a monotone voice, and her body language was so stilted, I felt uncomfortable watching her. Take my advice and give Swept Away a miss! It's a couple of hours of your life that you'll never get back.

convincing / believable (you believe the actor is the character)

Anthony Hopkins is one of most convincing / believable character actors around. His performance as Hannibal Lecter in Silence of the Lambs was chilling.

mediocre (average, poor)

Russell Crowe was outstanding in Gladiator, but his performances since have been somewhat mediocre. Don't get me wrong, they haven't been bad. It's just that he doesn't seem to have the spark that made him an overnight sensation when he burst onto the big screen in Ridley Scott's epic masterpiece.

Listen to audio: http://www.screencast.com/t/pJS3eOHYMIWt

amazing (incredible)

Halle Berry and Benicio Del Toro smoulder in Danish director Susanne Bier's Things We Lost in the Fire. Both give amazing performances in this uplifting movie about loss and hope.

irritating (annoying)

Jack Black is regarded by many as being one of the funniest men on the big screen. I, however, find him extremely irritating. Every time he appears on the screen, I want to throw my carton of popcorn at him.

endearing (you care about them and what happens to them)

Pirates of the Caribbean's Jack Sparrow drives me crazy with his constant backstabbing and underhand antics. There is no doubt though that his cheeky charm makes him strangely endearing to audiences the world over. I hate to admit it, but I do have a bit of a soft spot for him.

cocky (overconfident, full of himself)

Tom Cruise, most famous for playing the secret agent in the Mission Impossible movies, comes across as a cool hero in Hollywood blockbusters, but I find him really cocky in interviews. I'm sure he's a nice guy, but he seems a bit full of himself sometimes.

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Useful words / phrases:

Below are some useful words and phrases for talking about films and actors. Example sentences are given too.

plot (story)

It is about a rude celebrity who is taught a lesson by her long-suffering manager. The plot is simple, yet fresh and sexy. "Star" serves as a cautionary tale to all would-be divas out there to be nice to those under them.

set (v) - when and where the story takes place

The film is set in New York in the future / 2050 / the 19th century.

direct (v)

Guy Ritchie directed the Revolver. (Active Voice)

Revolver was directed by Guy Ritchie. (Passive Voice)

star (v)

One Fine Day stars Michelle Pfeiffer and George Clooney.

Michelle Pfeiffer and George Clooney star in One Fine Day.

appear (v)

Sigourney Weaver appeared in Avatar.

film / shoot (v) a film

Godzilla was filmed / shot in Manhattan, New York.

in a studio

Some of the scenes in Pirates of the Caribbean were shot in a studio.

on location

Some of the scenes in Pirates of the Caribbean were filmed/shot on location in the Caribbean.

play (v) the part of (a character)

Jonny Depp plays the part of Captain Jack Sparrow in Pirates of the Caribbean. (Active voice)

or

The part of Jack Sparrow is played by Jonny Depp. (Passive voice)

script/story (n)

The script/story was beautifully written.

scene (n)

The scene in Titanic where Jack Dawson and Rose are clinging for dear life on to a chunk of driftwood is so moving, I cry every time I watch it.

adverb + past participle

The film was well / badly directed.
The part was badly acted.
The character was convincingly portrayed.

Idiomatic Phrases:

pan (v) - badly criticize
Film critics panned Kevin Costner's big budget film Waterworld.

rave (v) about - say wonderful things

Critics and audience alike raved about The King's Speech.

drag (v) on

The story was so slow that it felt like the film dragged on forever.

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Opinions about Films

When someone tells you about a film that they have watched or want to watch, you can say:

That sounds + adjective

Examples:

That (film) sounds boring (to me).
or
I don't like the sound of that film. It sounds boring (to me).

That film sounds fantastic.
or
I really like the sound of that film.

When you watch a film trailer on TV or at the cinema, you can say:

That (film) looks + adjective

Examples:

That (film) looks amazing (to me).
or
I like the look of that film. It looks amazing (to me).

I don't like the look of that film.
or
That film doesn't look very good (to me).

When you like a specific genre, you can say:

1. I'm really into sci-fi movies.

2. Action films are my kind of thing.

3. Comedies are right up my street. (Idiom)

4. I (really) love westerns.

When you neither like nor dislike a specific genre, you can say:

1. I can take documentaries or leave them.

2. I'm not that into horror films.

3. I'm not that fussed about indie films.

4. Musicals don't really do it for me.

When you don't like a particular genre, you can say:

1. I can't stand romance films.

2. Thrillers aren't my cup of tea. (Idiom)

3. Gangster movies don't do anything for me.

4. Teen movies aren't my thing.

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A chat about Superman - Man of Steel

Click on link to hear a chat between two people about the film.

http://youtu.be/IINF-eAfZ2Q

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Write a Film Review

Writing a film review is good fun, and it also helps to develop your descriptive/discursive writing skills.

Read the film review below. Look carefully at:

- the information given (name, cast, director, plot)

- the vocabulary used (adjectives, nouns, adverbs)

- the reviewers opinion (positive/negative)