6) Which of the following words in italics would you use speaking about success / failure?

1. His latest film was panned by critics, which is strange, since all his previous works have been universally lauded.

2. His latest big-budget film bombed.

3. This young actor won the award for ‘Best up-and-coming actor’ of 2005.

4. She got a standing ovation for her portrayal of Juliet in Romeo and Juliet at Cannes.

5. The film grossed over $200 million, making her the first woman to direct a smash hit in Hollywood.

7) Think of a film that you have seen recently, and answer the questions.

1. What was the name of the film?

2. What sort of film was it?

3. Who directed it? Who starred in it?

4. What was it based on?

5. Where was it set?

6. What was it about?

7. How would you describe the film, the performance of the actors, the stunts and special effects?

8. Would you recommend it? Why?

Interview your partner about their film. Tell the class about your partner’s film.

8) Films Dictionary Quiz

1. Name three places where you see films.

2. What is the difference between a cartoon and an animated film?

3. What does captured on film mean?

4. What does filmic mean?

5. What’s a film noir?

6. If something is filmy, is it thin or thick?

7. What’s a roll of film?

8. What’s the difference between a director and a producer?

9. If something films over, what happens?

10. Complete the sentence: it’s a film about….

11. Find two meanings of film that have nothing to do with cinema and Hollywood.

9) Which of the following short review(s) would you call a ‘rave’ review?

1. Honestly it is a possible contender for worst film of the year. I cannot believe that anyone could see it without throwing up. It's apparently based on a best selling novel which I have to say I would have no intention of reading on the basis of having seen the film and it's a total stinker.

2. It is an interesting, intelligent and ambitious film that works about half the time and then stops working. In the end it's a film to be admired rather than enjoyed. I think that there are great performances in it but there are also duff performances. It's a film that has more on the surface than it actually has underneath.

3. The previous adaptations have made this story into something larger than life and not quite real, a bit of a caricature, and the director wanted to make something that is real, that’s dark, that goes back to the original novel which obviously was very dark and very scary. This film is extraordinary, the drama is thrilling, the characters are so rich, it’s so engaging, it’s so powerful, it’s a brilliant film.

4. All the events in this biopic are depicted so unimaginatively and predictably that sometimes the film becomes simply boring. A definite failure of the storytelling is not compensated by acting or cinematic elements. Performances are uneven, ranging from rather believable in some of the scenes to just a bunch of clichés in the others. The cinematography is inconsistent in style and does not really add anything to the story. The memory of this romantic comedy doesn't linger long after the curtain falls. Though a charismatic couple of actors bring depth to what is otherwise a fluffy yarn and ensure that it wins the day with plenty of soul.

5. Getting so much wrong in one movie is a remarkable achievement. Plot, script, performances, soundtrack: they're all misjudged, unbelievable, inappropriate or embarrassing. To be fair, there's one good line and the cinematography is adequate. But, whereas director has tried to make The Great American Movie, embracing love, death, family, and corporate folly, what he has actually produced is an epic of unintended hilarity.

6. It's a rigorous, taut, often beautiful film. The screenplay retains the arch tang of the books wit, and the cast is uniformly excellent.

7. What strikes most is that the film is cliché-ridden. Flashbacks don’t add much to the story. The movie really lacks a human element that would allow the viewer to identify himself with the character and develop empathy. In a situation when the characters are not properly developed, actors really have trouble delivering an inspired performance. Overall, the film is not poor but average: too ordinary, too mass-market, with little remaining in the viewers’ memory after they leave the theatre.

8. The film was shot for nothing and it shows. But don’t let that put you off. It’s a good, ultimately heartbreaking tale featuring a really believable robbery scene and a truly outstanding central performance. Seek it out, you won’t be disappointed.

9. Although the script was too clever for its own good, seeming too eager to distract the viewer, this was a watchable thriller and for the last 40 minutes I was pretty much hooked. Solid performances all round, though I can’t help feeling it wouldn’t have worked in the hands of a lesser director.

10. The director takes a stab at male-female relations with his computer-age dramedy. This London-set chamber piece explores the most intense elements of romantic partnerships – the beginnings and the breakups. Overall, the film lacks the emotional power necessary to be a great film of its ilk. Some interactions seem stagy, and the director doesn't quite convince us that any immense need or deep bond exists among the characters. But he gets plenty right. Assisted by sharp dialogue, he's made a piercing, funny and refreshingly unsentimental film about the abominable things that seemingly civil people do to feel loved and desired. The film grips you with the psychological brutality it depicts.

• In pairs, look at the words in bold in the reviews above and try to explain them.

• Act out a conversation in the situation below. Make use of the words in bold above.

You have just seen a film which you thought was great and your friend hated.

PART TWO

READING COMPREHENSION

Text 1. Film production

Film Production is a process of putting together a film prior to distribution and exhibition. A film is said to be “in production” when it is actually being filmed. Consequently, there are pre-production and post-production stages, both of which are part of the film-production process. Because of the high cost of making films, careful planning is a commanding feature of film production. There are no absolute principles and any guideline can be violated or broken, although, in general, all films, no matter how artistic, are economic entities intended for distribution and exhibition.

Predictable profit is, therefore, a consideration in the decisions as to which films get made. One with little apparent audience appeal is likely to be more difficult to finance than one that will attract large audiences. Such considerations influence the budget for a film, but are qualified by the status and track records of the stars, producers, directors, and writers involved. Inclusion of a top star may convert a non-commercial idea into a commercial proposition; similarly, the producer or director of a previously successful film may appear to have a magic touch and be allowed greater independence than usual.