Writing - REVIEW

Write a review about a film, play, concert, TV programme, restaurant, hotel, museum, exhibition etc.

As usual, resort to the 4/5-paragraph plan:

        

·       Introduction – title, author, occasion, venue

·       Body (2/3 paragraphs) – main characteristics, characters, setting, details

·       Conclusion – rating (your opinion) and recommendations

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Here’s some useful language

Positive adjectives

• (good) value for money
• action-packed
• amusing/ funny
• attractive
• award winning
• brilliant/ wonderful/ fantastic/ fabulous/ excellent/ terrific/ splendid
• cosmopolitan
• delightful
• distinctive/ unique
• dramatic
• entertaining/ fun exciting
• flawless/ impeccable
• haunting
• interesting/ fascinating
• intriguing
• lovely
• memorable
• moving
• original
• realistic
• satisfying
• sophisticated
• spectacular
• thought-provoking
• underrated
• unforgettable
• unmatched
• unpredictable
• uplifting
• well-acted
• well-directed

Negative adjectives

• amateurish
• annoying/ irritating awful/ dreadful/ terrible bland
• boring/ tedious
• chaotic
• cheesy
• childish
• clichéd
• commercial
• confusing
• dated
• depressing
• disappointing
• dull
• expensive/ overpriced/ bad value for money
• gloomy
• melodramatic
• monotonous
• notorious
• odd/ strange/ weird
• over the top
• overpriced
• overrated
• pointless
• predictable
• pretentious
• random
• repetitive
• sentimental
• unintentionally funny

Expressions for talking about positive things

• A (unique) selling point...
• A strong point/ strength...
• Don’t miss.../ You shouldn’t miss.../ You mustn’t miss...
• I (highly/ thoroughly) recommend this... for...
• I can’t/ couldn’t get enough of it.
• If you like..., you’ll love...
• It will make you feel...
• It would suit...
• It’s (really/ well) worth...
• It’s suitable for...
• My favourite...
• You won’t regret...
• one in a million
• ... stands out (from the crowd)...
• Expressions for talking about negative things
• Don’t bother...
• I wasn’t keen on...
• I would only recommend... I wouldn’t recommend...
• I wouldn’t rush out and... It wouldn’t suit...
• It’s not (really) suitable for... It’s not (really) worth...
• I’d avoid...
• I’d be in no hurry to...
• My (main) criticism is...
• My least favourite...
• One of the (main) weaknesses...

Types of music

• classic rock
• classical
• dance/ techno/ house disco
• easy listening
• folk
• funk
• girl band/ boy band
• hip-hop/ rap
• indie/ alternative
• world music

Types of movies

• (spaghetti) western action movie/ thriller
• cartoon/ animation
• crime/ cop movie
• horror
• musical
• prequel/ sequel
• remake
• rom com
• sci-fi

Types of TV programme

• adaptation
• cop series
• costume drama
• current affairs
• miniseries
• murder mystery/ whodunit
• news broadcast
• quiz show
• reality show
• sit-com
• soap opera
• stand-up comedy
• talk show
• travel programme
• weather forecast
• wildlife documentary

People connected to movies

• (lead/ supporting) actor
• (main) character
• bad guy/ antihero
• cameraman
• cast
• director
• extra
• hero/ heroine
• producer
• screenwriter
• star

Other nouns related to movies

• (car) chase
• (happy/ surprise) ending
• (wide) screen
• ads
• CGI/ special effects
• dialogue/ lines
• plot
• script
• setting
• shoot out
• soundtrack
• stunt
• trailer
• twist(s and turns) (in the plot)

Verbs related to movies

• (re)watch
• direct/ is directed by features
• is set in
• perform
• release
• stars

Nouns to describe plays and theatres

• (first/ second) act
• (foot)lights/ lighting
• audience
• balcony
• costume
• curtain
• interval
• performance(s)
• scenery
• script
• stage
• stalls

Nouns to describe aspects of a restaurant or meal

• (waiting) staff
• atmosphere
• décor
• dessert
• main course
• menu/ drinks menu
• reservation
• service
• set menu
• starter