1. WRITING
REVIEWS
MOST COMMON REVIEWS ARE
BOOKS, FILMS, THEATER, TV
SHOWS, CONCERTS, RECORDED
MUSIC, ART EXHIBITS AND RESTAURANTS

2. FOR JOURNALISTS,
REVIEWS ARE…
Informed judgments about the content and quality of
something presented to the public
As a reviewer, you have the responsibility not only to report
but also to evaluate.
Also, understand the difference between a reviewer and a
critic:
Reviews and criticism are not the same thing
Most reviews appear in mass media – print, broadcast, etc.
The reviewer should conduct basic research on the subject
BEFORE he or she begins writing about it.
If you don’t know the topic, don’t expect to be a reviewer if all
you can say is, “Loved it,” or “I hated it!”

3. CRITICS
Anyone can be a film critic to their friends and families, but
writing as a film critic for a newspaper or magazine involves
a good bit more than just saying what the plot is and what
you thought of it.
The first goal of a film critic to BE OBJECTIVE – don’t be
swayed by who is acting or who directed the film.
Ignore any rumors or discussions you may have
heard about the film.
Be prepared to compare the film to one you have
previously seen of the save genre. This shows you know
your stuff and people who have seen the earlier movies will
know what you are writing about.

4. CRITICS
The second goal is to ASSUME NOTHING.
Universal knowledge is rare about any subject and
you should never drop phrases, words or names on the
incorrect assumption that “everyone” knows what you’re
talking about.
For example, you might preface a review of “Psycho”
by saying something like … “classic horror film director
Alfred Hitchcock’s 1960 movie starring Anthony Perkins…”
- Adding words like this helps your readers to refresh
their memories and to establish new information for
newcomers to the film

5. CRITICS
Third, tell the story but not all of it
- Answer the basic question: What is the movie about?
Is it a drama, action/adventure, horror, comedy, musical?
- Provide a synopsis but do not give away surprise
endings.
You will want to identify the actors and actresses who
appear, but sometimes the story is what makes the film
famous, not the stars or the director.
Your job is to analyze their performances in relation to the story.
- Don’t fall in love with one of the actors. This will directly affect
your ability to be objective.

6. CRITICS
You must be prepared to write about directing styles and bodies
of work as well as about the films themselves. The director may
also be involved in helping write, produce or even get into the
act by appearing in their own films.
Watch:
- How the director interprets the story (close ups, slow
motion, computer-generated sequences)
- Does the director use color, black and white, both?
- Does the director make use of symbolisms, such as
having a noble character die with arms outspread like Jesus on
the cross? OR the villains wear black hats?

7. CRITICS
The screenwriter is the behind-the-camera person who have
some followings, and the critic must be aware of this.
You’ll know the film you are about to see has an important
screenwriter if his or her name appears just before the director
instead of just before the producer.
Producers get the movie made, secure the money contracts and
arrange for publicity events.
- You cannot use “I, me, my” in reviews even though a review
is considered an opinion piece.
- You still need to make sure you have justifications in your
piece to back up your pleasure or displeasure of the topic at
hand.

8. CRITICS
While you are free to express your evaluations honestly, you
also have a social responsibility to be fair and informed.
Avoid being willfully destructive. Provide insights and
evaluations, not character assassinations or cheap shots on
those who cannot reply back.
Improve your reviewing by READING REVIEWS:
Check New York Times, Washington Post, Chicago
Tribune and Atlantic Monthly magazine.
Also check local reviews in the Orlando Sentinel and other area
magazines.

9. A FEW RULES OF
REVIEWS
First, attempt to see the movie if it is previewed ahead of the
scheduled opening date or at least the day of the opening so
that it’s timely. Your job is to give the readers some clues as
to the movie’s merit BEFORE they see it.
Second, the review should be concise and to the point. Don’t
pull punches. If you feel like the movie isn’t worth the
money, tell your readers why. Let them know what’s right with
the film, also.
Third, leave out the flowery details and absolutes like “never”
and “always.” Your job is to let your readers know what they
are getting for their money.

10. THE CHECKLIST
Storyline – is it believable?
Screenplay – was the dialogue forced or was it believable?
Acting – which actors stand out and which don’t? Tell why in
either case
Special effects – are they realistic? Do they blow you away or
are they mildly effective? Or distractingly unrealistic for the
film?
Music – was it overpowering/distracting? Did it evoke
emotion?
Editing – was the movie’s pace slow? Did it seem over-
edited?

11. THE CHECKLIST
Certain basic elements should be found in any good review.
Not all may be applicable, but most should appear. They are:
Title of the Review
Name of the movie
Date the movie was reviewed
Name of reviewer and credentials, contact address (email)
Movie’s rating G, PG, R, etc., length and type of movie
Opening date, admission charge, hours the movie is shown
Principal actors/are the characters easy to understand?
Brief summary of the plot but no spoilers
Compare to other movies
Overall rating

12. THE FORMAT
1. Appraisal of the work
2. Intent of the artist
3. Synopsis of the work, performance, exhibit
4. Evidence supporting your appraisal
5. Artist’s intent accomplished or not accomplished.
Suggestions to your readers

13. REVIEWING A
RESTAURANT
Writing a review of a restaurant is somewhat different from
writing a review of a film. A restaurant review is a conducted
search of a specific restaurant location, an effort on your part
to help your readers find the perfect restaurant.
Factors to consider:
Atmosphere –
lighting, bright, shadowy, dark, uplifting, depressing?
Music – live, background, easy
listening, ethnic, distracting? Too soft or too loud? Mellow or
heavy metal? A juke box?