Homework, January 16th, 2017

Read the review below. It is very similar to the one you read last week, but different. Once you have read it, answer the comprehension questions that follow. This is due tomorrow (Tuesday, January 17th). 

Spectre Review

What’s it about?

If you’ve ever seen a Bond movie, then you’ve basically already seen Spectre. In case you’re not sure what I mean, however, I’ll give you a quick recap: he gets his mission from M (which is, predictably, to bring down some evil organisation or other), goes to visit Q to get some snazzy gadgets, including an Aston Martin (surprise, surprise), then there are some fight scenes, some car chases, some explosions and some encounters with beautiful women.

What’s good about it?

If you are a die-hard fan of Bond films, and don’t mind seeing the same thing you’ve already seen a hundred times, then you will enjoy this. It’s well directed, the action sequences are spectacular (especially the opening scene where Bond fights a villain in a helicopter), Daniel Craig is very good as James Bond, and, overall, it keeps you watching.

What could be improved?

Personally, I was expecting something a little more original; a Bond movie that gave me everything I wanted to see in a Bond movie, but that also gave me something new. Perhaps some more information about Bond’s past, or a strong female character who doesn’t fall in love with him and tells him to leave her alone. Essentially, a Bond movie to make me think. Spectre certainly doesn’t do this, except to make me think about how much like all the other movies in the series it is, which ultimately makes it repetitive and predictable.

Overall recommendation

I think I’ve already made it clear that this is a film that will appeal to fans of James Bond who are happy to sit through what is basically just a twenty-first century version of a Bond classic, such as Goldfinger or From Russia With Love. If you want to be made to think, however, and really want to get to know the characters, my advice would be not to bother with Spectre.

1. According to the review, if you have ever seen a Bond movie, then you have basically already what?

2. Who gives Bond his mission?

3. What word is used to describe the gadgets he gets from Q?

4. Who, according to the article, will enjoy the film?

5. What word is used to describe the action sequences?

6. What was the reviewer expecting?

7. What does Spectre certainly not do?

8. What two words are used at the end of the third paragraph to describe the film?

9. Which two other Bond movies are mentioned in the final paragraph?

10. You shouldn’t bother with Spectre if you want to be made to what?

Extension questions.

11. What is the writer’s overall problem with the film?

12. Why do you think the writer includes the words ‘surprise, surprise’ after mentioning the Aston Martin?

13. What does the writer mention that tells us that he/she might think the film is sexist?

Homework, 9th January, 2017

Happy New Year!

This half term you will learn how to write film reviews. We will learn about the main features of review writing over the next few lessons, but to start you off, I would like you to read the example below and answer the comprehension questions that go with it. 

As always, this is due tomorrow (Tuesday). 

Spectre Review

What’s it about?

Daniel Craig returns as the world’s most famous spy in this action adventure which sees James Bond take on the forces of Spectre, a sinister organisation which seeks to rule the world by placing agents in high ranking government and corporate positions around the world. The action lurches from a fight in (and out) of a helicopter in the skies above Mexico City, to a car chase along the streets of Rome, to a plane crash on the side of a mountain in Switzerland, to an escape from a secret desert lair, and finally to a climactic scene at MI6 headquarters in London. This film is aimed very much at adults with a child-like sense of adventure and, obviously, will appeal to fans of previous Bond movies.

What’s good about it?

There is lots to admire in Sam Mendes’s second outing as Bond director, especially the beautiful shots of the various exotic locations. The action is also well-handled, with several edge-of-your seat moments, and the dialogue never slows the movie down. Fans of classic Bond films, such as Dr No and Goldfinger, will also appreciate the reintroduction of many of the elements that were missing from the previous Daniel Craig-era films, including Moneypenny, the Aston Martin, an exploding watch, and lots more besides.

Weaknesses

At two and a half hours, the film is a little long, with the final half an hour in particular dragging. In addition to this, if you are looking for something gritty and realistic, this is certainly not the film for you.

Worth watching?

Overall, I would say yes. It is a classic Bond film, but also stands up well next to other action films. The spectacular action sequences definitely make this one to see in the cinema, so my advice would be to catch it while you can.

 Spectre review comprehension questions

1. Who, according to the review, is returning as the world’s most famous spy?

2. What genre is the movie?

3. What negative adjective is used to describe the organisation Spectre?

4. Complete the sentence: ‘The action ___________ from a flight in (and out) of a helicopter …’

5. What word could have been used instead of it?

6. Why do you think the writer chose to use that particular word instead of an alternative?

7. Who, according to the review, will this film appeal to?

8 .Complete the sentence: ‘There is lots to __________ in Sam Mendes’s second outing as Bond director …’

9. Which of the following sentences do you think makes sense as an alternative?

a)    Sam Mendes has not done a very good job directing this film.

b)   There is lots to get angry about in Sam Mendes’s second outing as Bond director …

c)    This is Sam Mendes’s second Bond film, and it is fair to say he has done a good job as director.  

10. What word is used to describe the locations?

11. Write down the three things that are listed at the end of the second paragraph.

12. What, according to the review is wrong with the final half an hour of the film?

13. What two positive things are mentioned about the film in the second sentence of the final paragraph?

14. Why might you not want to wait for this film to come out on DVD?