11/27

Today we continued to discuss how to properly write a movie review. We looked over a few movie reviews from credible authors, actual reviewers who do it for a living. We talked about how removing fluff and filler makes the review better, and that being short is not a problem as long as you're concise and straight to the point. We talked about A. O. Scott’s review of Get Out, and how he was able to expertly convey his opinion and an objective review, all while using all the points of good writing for reviews, and did it all within three sentences. We then went along and picked our own movie review to analyze, and were assigned a project that is currently on classroom. We have until Thursday to complete the two part assignment. The assignment is to choose a movie, and find a credible printed review of it. Mr. Rivers recommended the New York Times and/or other credible news sources. After we read and analyze the review with the different types of journalistic review writing that we previously learned in class, we are to write an analysis on the review. According to the provided sheet, we are supposed to use the takeaway to "Reflect on how these reviews are a progression from the MP1 Be Reel Blogs. Identify and explain one key difference and one key similarity between your MP1 and MP2 Be Reel Blogs". Using this we are supposed to learn how to improve our Be Reel Blogs in marking period two by using the aforementioned journalistic writing styles. We began working on the project either by ourselves or with one partner, but groups of 3 or more were not allowed. Since today was mostly working on the document, we only have tomorrow to work on it in class as well, but the due date is November 29, which is this Thursday.
This analysis and application of journalistic writing styles used in the film reviews can be used not only to further our Be Reel Blogs and movie reviews, but in our general writing by being able to properly summarize, cite, and analyze different texts outside of film. By being able to properly write reviews, we can convey thoughts that would be hard to express objectively to an audience that either recognizes some of the topic, or introduce a new topic or idea to new audiences who are not familiar with the subject or topic which is being discussed in the analysis or review. This allows you to connect to new audiences that can be interested in your topic of discussion, and possibly interest them in reading, watching, or listening to the subject of your review. Connecting with new audiences can cause a wider base of understanding and knowledge about a certain topic, which can in turn be reviewed and understood in the future. The ability to convey opinion in a clear, concise, and objective manner can extend as well to argumentative writing, making an argument more sound.