Writing About Movies

by Karen M. Gocsik, Dave Monahan, Richard Barsam

The most succinct, practical, and affordable introduction to thinking and writing about film. Writing About Movies offers students two books in a handy guide to the process of academic writing and a brief but thorough introduction to the basics of film form, film theory, and film analysis. Written by the director of the writing program at Dartmouth College and the authors of the leading introductory film-studies text, Writing About Movies is the only writing guide a student of film will need.

Genres: Film, Nonfiction, Writing, Read For School, College, Academic, School

256 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2006

Reviews

[Carina · Rating 3 out of 5]

this was helpful, especially the 'illustrated glossary of film terms' (should add that I was a German student in a British media studies program, so I needed the vocabulary help)

[Morgan McGuire · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an excellent book for expanding the average high school English student's range to film critique. It contains all of what I try to teach my students about how to critique film, and more. The writing is pleasant and clear, without inflection, pandering, or academic jargon.

A college or top-notch high school student should be able to tear through the book in about two hours--it is straightforward but verbose, and a 20 page version would have sufficed for good students.

[Alex Hope · Rating 1 out of 5]

I will start off by saying that I regret 1.5 hours of my time finishing this. Could have started on another Berdyaev’s book…
The first part of this book is horrible because it tells the basics which anybody who had ever watched a film youtuber or critic knows. You can just go on IMDb or Rotten Tomatoes and find a well-written review, which you can analyze and base your future reviews off of it. Furthermore, the first part has a lot of references to films which many do not know. I am taking an American Novel class (where this book is assigned, dont ask why) and I am sure that there are no film nerds besides me and 1 other person who would understand all of them. Anyways, the first part is the base for anyone reading a book too… look at the plot, underline, take notes etc.
The second part is a disgrace. It is the most basic principles of writing a college paper which any person with an iq above 60 knows without this book. It is what the teachers usually say during their first time in class.
The third part would have been helpful if the book did not cost almost 30$, and if it included more examples. What I witnessed in this glossary can be found on YouTube for free (browse any “film vocab” video), which completely nullifies its purpose (I would have understood if the book costed 3$).
In the end we have:
A complete waste of time pass. You will not enhance or learn how to write about movies in this book. Nevertheless, you can buy it if you consider yourself a brainless ape (or if it was assigned to you, god bless).
I will also add that when you read, it is necessary to NOT WASTE YOUR TIME ON ANYTHING THAT IS NOT HIGHLIGHTED, BECAUSE ITS JUST THE EXPLANATION OF WHAT IS HIGHLIGHTED, AS IF THE HIGHLIGHTS ARE ANNOTATIONS TO ULYSSES.
or simply never consider buying or reading this; read good critics like Anton Dolin, analyze their reviews and try to compel something of your own afterward! The scheme is simple.

[Brooke · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful and succinct book on how to write an effective academic paper. Handy for writing about movies, to be sure, but this book will be helpful to anyone wanting a breakdown on how to write a variety of college papers.

[Lucy Gould · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shoutout to this book for helping me with my film papers! The writing was a bit dense at times, making it somewhat difficult to understand. I did really appreciate the glossary of film terms at the end of the book.

[Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent companion piece to the IB Film class and Barsam and Monahan's 'Looking at Movies.' Highly recommended for students of film.

[Chloe · Rating 1 out of 5]

Read for class

[Josie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Read for class thinking it would help with my college essay writing but it was 98% things I learned in high school so. Best part was that it recommended some cool production design books though!!

[Caroline · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good read to get an in-depth look into how to analyze movies. I probably would not have read it if it wasn't a class requirement, but as far as required books go, it wasn't bad. I would probably read it again as a reference in the future if I needed to.

[Angie Andrus · Rating 3 out of 5]

First half is specific to film, the second can be found in any writing book. The glossary is the best tool given.

[Teri Temme · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great review! Good checklists.