how to write a movie review c1

Cambridge C1 Advanced (CAE): How to Write a Review

Introduction

A review may be about a book, magazine, film, play or concert; it may also be about a product or a service. A review in the C1 Advanced Writing paper does not merely ask for a general description of the thing reviewed, but requires an evaluation of its suitability for a particular purpose or audience. The target reader is specified in the task, and candidates should be encouraged to use this information when choosing appropriate ideas and language to include in their response.from: Cambridge English First Handbook for Teachers

Get Your Free C1 Advanced Writing Cheat Sheet Now!

Reviews are fun.

Reviews are fun because reading reviews is fun. Who doesn’t enjoy a few opinions from other people before making the decision on which restaurant to go to, which film to watch or which book to buy? Also, in our day and age, we are constantly looking at social proof for a wide range of topics so reviews are much more natural to us than they were only a few years ago when the internet wasn’t everywhere so you might even have written about a few of your own experiences online.

What a typical review task looks like

Speaking from my experience as a teacher and preparing numerous students for the exam, I can say that most review tasks look pretty much the same. The structure is very very similar and once you know what to look for, you can use it to your advantage by saving a lot of time and going into the test ready and calm.

You might ask yourself why it is so important to know who you are writing for, but this tells you exactly if you should use formal, neutral or informal language. Imagine you had to write to your boss or the director of your school. You would choose a more formal style than if you were writing to your friends. In our example, we should choose something that is more of a neutral style. After all, we don’t the people on the website, but we want to keep it light and as interesting as possible.

How to organise your review

Now that we know what the task’s topic is, what exactly we need to include and the tone we should write in, it is time to look at the structure of a review. Luckily, this can be repeated from review to review and you simply have to change the content depending on the topic and main points.

Always plan your review

I say this in every article I write here on teacherphill.com and I’m going to say it again in this post because it is such an important piece of advice. Unfortunately, many candidates simply ignore or forget about it and find themselves in the official C1 Advanced exam nervous and unprepared so I want you to include this in your practice.

The different parts of a review

Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom – a review Have you ever been so passionate about something that you would sacrifice your very best years for it? Would you even put it ahead of your family and friends? In the film Mandela: Lond Walk to Freedom we get not only a glimpse of Nelson Mandela’s life, but rather dive deep into who he was and how he changed a whole country.

While the whole film captivated me throughout, there was one aspect that truly stood out to me. Nelson Mandela and his second wife Winnie had a one-of-a-kind relationship driving each other to continue and grow the anti-apartheid movement in South Africa even after Mr Mandela was captured and imprisoned . It is a testament to their dedication and partnership and something that a lot of us can learn from. Despite having a strong and driven partner in his wife, I still used to be astonished by the fact that someone would simply sacrifice themselves and give up a big part of their life to help others, but this biopic made me reconsider. Witnessing a segregated society and all the racial abuse the black community had to endure during apartheid, there was no other option for Nelson Mandela than to stand up and fight for equality .

I’ve highlighted some of the more important language features for you. At the beginning of each paragraph, I play with contrasting statements (while, despite) as this keeps the reader guessing. I also tried to use some vocabulary that is specific to Mandela’s life (anti-apartheid movement, sacrifice themselves, segregated society, racial abuse…had to endure, stand up and fight for equality) and some words and expressions to make the review more interesting for the reader (one-of-a-kind, captured and imprisoned, it is a testament to…, astonished).

Conclusion/Recommendation

All in all, Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom gives some incredible insight into the life of one of the world’s most famous and influential personalities of the 20th century. It would be a shame not to watch it so I highly recommend that you check your favourite streaming service or buy the film as soon as you can and I promise you won’t regret it.

How your review is marked

Now it is up to you, similar posts, cambridge c1 advanced (cae): reading and use of english part 5, cambridge c1 advanced (cae): reading and use of english part 6, cambridge c1 advanced (cae): how to write an essay, reading skills – 7 great tips to improve, cambridge c1 advanced (cae): how to write a report, cambridge c1 advanced (cae) – speaking.

• How to Write a Review for Cambridge C1 Advanced

• Posted on 28/09/2022
• Categories: Blog
• Tags: C1 Advanced , CAE , Cambridge Exams , Writing

Are you planning to take the Cambridge C1 Advanced (CAE) exam?

If so, you will need to complete two pieces of writing during the Writing paper. Part 1 is always an essay , while part 2 gives you two different questions and you must choose only one of them to complete. One of these may be a review.

As writing the perfect review for part 2 can be quite tricky, we have created this handy guide with everything you need to know to impress your examiner and get top marks in your exam.

Let’s get started!

Before you Begin

Imagine this! It’s exam day, you turn the page and see this question:

Question taken from Cambridge English Language Assessment website . (September 2022)

What is the first thing you need to do after reading your question? Well, you need to consider the following things:

• Who is our reader? This helps you know what style to write in.
• What is the topic? What are you writing a review for?
• What do you need to include? Which questions do you need to address?

We recommend you read the question carefully and underline the key information.

Now that you understand the question, it’s time to plan your review.

Three Steps to Writing the Perfect C1 Advanced Review

Step 1: plan it.

Planning your review is one of the most important steps so you don’t waste time correcting any big mistakes later!

Think of a book or film which focuses on somebody who has made an important contribution to society. When you have one in mind, you can start thinking of the structure of your review. Take a look at the example structure here:

1. An interesting title

2. An introduction

3. A summary of the plot

4. What did I learn about the person’s life from the book/film?

5. How did the book/film help me understand why this person made their important contribution?

At this stage, it is important to also think about the vocabulary you want to use. Remember to use advanced C1 vocabulary in your review (try to avoid ‘very’ and ‘really’).

Here is some advanced vocabulary that you can use to describe films and books:

Step 2: Write it

Now that you have your plan, it’s time to start writing!

Firstly, think of a title. You can keep it simple if you cannot think of anything too creative. For example, it could just be the name of the book or film that you’re reviewing.

Next is the introduction. A nice feature to use here is a rhetorical question . This is a question you ask your audience to grab their attention, for example:

Have you ever watched a film that has had a long-lasting impression on you?

Or you could include a general statement about the book or film:

The film Super Size Me received glowing reviews from critics. Spurlock’s story is eye-opening and gives the viewers some food for thought .

You could also give some background information about the film or book:

The plot of the film Super Size Me centres around Morgan Spurlock, a director who conducts a social experiment to highlight the effects of consuming McDonald’s fast food for an entire month.

Now you need to move onto the main paragraph. Here you should summarise the plot of the film or book. For example:

At the beginning of the film, Spurlock undergoes a medical examination to ensure he doesn’t cause long-lasting irreversible damage to his health. Throughout the month, he only consumes McDonald’s meals…

After briefly describing the plot (remember, no spoilers!), you can address the two questions.

For the conclusion, you need to sum up your thoughts on the book/film. You can do this by using some of the phrases below:

– Taking everything into consideration,…

– All things considered,…

Step 3: Check it

Checking your writing is probably the most important step. You don’t want to avoid losing out on points over tiny mistakes, right?

Here are some points to think about while checking your review:

• Have I answered all the questions?
• Have I stayed within the word limit?
• Have I used the appropriate writing style?
• Is my spelling correct?
• Have I used punctuation correctly?
• Have I used advanced vocabulary and a good range of grammar?
• Is everything connected and coherent ?

Useful Grammar

Make sure you are using a range of grammatical structures in your exam. Your grammatical accuracy as well as your grammatical range are both taken into consideration by the examiner.

Take a look at some of these grammar points that you will most likely come across in the C1 Advanced exam:

Conditionals

Cleft sentences

Modal verbs

Remember that you will also need to know these for the reading and use of English section of the exam, so it’s a good idea to brush up on your grammar!

Top CAE Writing Part 2 Exam Tips

Here are some important exam tips to help you feel more prepared when writing your review:

• You have 90 minutes in total for the whole exam
• Divide your time equally between part 1 and part 2 of the writing exam
• For part 2, use 10 minutes to plan , 25 minutes to write , and 10 minutes to check
• You have a word count of 220 and 260
• The review could be for a film , book , hotel , magazine , restaurant or a product

Remember to get plenty of sleep before your exam so you feel well rested for the big day. Good luck!  

Looking for Help with your CAE Exam Preparation?

If you’re looking for guidance and feedback to help you pass your Cambridge C1 Advanced exam with confidence, then take a look at our exam preparation courses . Classes are dynamic and practical and our friendly professional teachers will help you get the score you need.

Glossary for Language Learners

Find the following words in the article and then write down any new ones you didn’t know.

Gripping (adj): something that holds your interest (usually a story).

Cliffhanger (n): a story which is exciting and suspenseful because you don’t know what will happen next.

Fast-paced (adj): lots of exciting action happening quickly.

Letdown (n): a disappointment.

Second-rate (adj): not impressive, mediocre.

Eye-opening (adj): some information that is new and surprising.

Food for thought (exp): something worth seriously thinking about.

Undergo (v): to experience something, usually something unpleasant or a change.

Irreversible (adj): cannot be reversed.

Coherent (adj): a piece of text that is clear and is connected well.

Brush up on (pv): to improve your knowledge of something that you may have forgotten a little.

adj = adjective

exp = expression

pv = phrasal verb

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• By: oxfordadmin
• Posted on 14/09/2022

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Breakout English

How to write a film review

Writing a review is an option in many different English language exams, and films are such an obvious choice for reviews, so knowing how to write a film review is pretty important. It’s a great topic for the classroom too. Everyone watches films and there is a lot of opportunity to teach vocabulary, either film-related vocabulary or film review adjectives. I like to start off a class about films with some chat, or my personal favourite, the Movie Music Quiz , which also now has an excellent Movie Picture Quiz version too.

The structure of a film review

Like any writing task, it’s essential to know the structure of a film review before you start writing. A basic film review template shows you how to write a film review using a simple structure. Film reviews for First (FCE) and Advanced (CAE) Cambridge exams, as well as Trinity ISE exams, should all use a 4 paragraph structure. Another thing to remember is that your review should always have a title, and that title should include the name of the film.

• Introduction – Essential details and mini-summary
• Summary – A description of the film and some important details
• Analysis – An evaluation of different elements
• Conclusion – Your opinion and a recommendation

Introduction

In the introduction of a film review, it is crucial to mention the film title and the names of the director and the main actors. A brief summary of the film’s plot and background information can also be included, but it should not give away too much detail. The introduction should engage the reader and entice them to continue reading the review. Additionally, it is important to mention the genre and target audience of the film, which will give the reader an idea of what to expect.

In the summary section, the film review should give a comprehensive but concise description of the film, focusing on the plot, characters, and any significant events. The summary should be written in a way that does not give away the ending or spoil the film for the reader. It is important to maintain objectivity and not include personal opinions in this section. This section should provide enough detail for the reader to have a clear understanding of the film without giving too much away.

The analysis section is where the reviewer can showcase their critical skills and provide an in-depth evaluation of the film. The review should examine various elements of the film such as the script, direction, cinematography, acting, and special effects. You could also make a comparison to similar films in the same genre. The analysis should be written in an objective style with the opinion only showing through the language used.

In the conclusion, the reviewer should give their personal opinion of the film, summarising their thoughts on its strengths and weaknesses. They should also consider the target audience and whether they believe the film will appeal to them. Finally, the reviewer should provide a clear recommendation. The conclusion should be concise, leaving the reader with a clear understanding of the reviewer’s overall opinion of the film.

Using adjectives in reviews

Reviews are a great way to show off your language with impressive adjectives. If you read a film review in a newspaper or magazine, you’ll notice that the reviewer rarely, if ever, gives an explicit direct opinion. However, their opinion of the film is always crystal clear. This is through the use of adjectives.

Many adjectives have a clear connotation. They are either perceived as positive or negative. Compare these two examples. Which one is a positive description and which is negative?

• It’s a first-rate experience with an imaginative plot and a star-studded cast.
• The second-rate writing combined with weak performances is typical of this director’s work.

When using adjectives in a film review, it is important to choose words that accurately convey the reviewer’s opinion. Adjectives with strong connotations, either positive or negative, can be very effective in expressing the reviewer’s thoughts about the film. However, it is also important to use a variety of adjectives to avoid repetition and keep the review interesting. The use of adjectives can also help to paint a picture of the film, allowing the reader to get a sense of its atmosphere and tone.

The materials

Many exams, such as the Cambridge First (FCE) and Advanced (CAE) exams, as well as Trinity ISE exams, require students to write a film review as part of their writing task. These materials will provide students with a solid understanding of the structure of a film review and help them to develop their writing skills. This will give them the confidence they need to write a review that meets the requirements of the exam and impresses the examiner.

The materials will help you learn how to write an introduction, summary, analysis, and conclusion of a film review. You will also see a range of useful adjectives that you can use to express your opinions in their reviews. Finally, you will get an opportunity to practise writing film reviews, which will help you to develop your skills. Then you can check your answers with the samples provided in the answer key. Whether you’re preparing for an exam or just looking to improve your writing skills, these materials will provide you with everything you need to write a great film review.

1 thought on “How to write a film review”

Interesting and useful material to be used in class. thanks!

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• B1 Preliminary (PET)
• B2 First (FCE)
• C1 Advanced (CAE)
• C2 Proficient (CPE)

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Writing - Part 2 - C1 Advanced (CAE) - Practice, Write & Improve

Exam question:, type: review.

Write your review .

Student's Answer:

“I recently decide to go with my wife to the cinema to see the last episode of \”Mission Impossible\”. I have never missed an episode of this classic film-series and i have always seen new episode at the cinema basically because i think that action-films has to be seen at the big screen. I really liked the plot of the movie but the first two things that impressed me mostly was the special effects on some scenes and the fact that the main character \”Ethan Hunt\” interpreted by Tom Cruise, personally play all the risky scenes without any stuntman and that’s crazy considering what happened.

Talking about special effects i love scenes with explosion, helicopter sound and the 3D effect you hear with cinema’s speakers you won’t probably hear at home unless you have a really good home-theatre: it seems you are completely immersed in the scene.

Regarding Tom Cruise i think he is amazing and a really brave actor like no other: he is famous not to use stunt-man for his risky scenes but honestly in this movie he \”crossed the line\”. In one scene he rode a motocross bike and with full throttle he tried to jump from the top of the bank of a canyon to the other one with over 150mt of empty space under him; completely crazy. I saw on Youtube the backstage and the video \”how Tom Cruise recorded Jump from the bike\” and i still don’t believe what he did.

I really love Mission Impossible series and i will never miss the next episode for sure.”

Mission: Impossible Dead Reckoning: another unforgettable adventure   - a review written for a magazine must have a title.

Is there a movie that evokes strong emotions in you, either positive or negative? (engage the reader/add rhetorical questions)   I r ecently decided to go with my wife to the cinema to see I do, and one of them is definitely the last episode of  "Mission Impossible". (relevant details) I have never missed an episode of this classic film series (topic-relevant vocabulary) [,] and I have always seen the new episode   (don't repeat) every single one at the cinema basically because I think that action films has have to be seen at on the big screen. (topical vocabulary)

I f your review is written for a magazine, it means it will be read by  the magazine’s readers ;   direct more attention to them and try to engage and interest the recipients - writing excessively about yourself is inappropriate

I really liked (avoid writing excessively about yourself) Something you might really like is (address your readers)   the plot of the movie [,] but the first two things that impressed me mostly was were the most impressive were the special effects on some scenes [.] and Not to mention the fact that the main character (topical vocabulary) "Ethan Hunt" interpreted by Tom Cruise, (relevant details) personally play all the risky scenes without any stuntman [,] and that's crazy considering what happened. (descriptions and impressions)

• pay more attention to punctuation (especially commas between independent clauses) - Everything You Need to Know About Punctuation in English ; it's good that you try to build complex sentences but make sure they are legible.

Talking about special effects, (introductory phrases) I love the moments you might love the most, as I did, (address your readers) are the scenes with explosions , helicopter sound and the 3D effect you hear with cinema's speakers, which you won't probably hear experience (don't repeat)   at home unless (negative conditional) you have (reader engagement) a really good home-theatre: it seems you are completely immersed in the scene. (appeals to senses)

Regarding Tom Cruise [,] I think he is amazing and a really brave actor like no other . As you all know, (address your readers)   he is famous for not to use using a  stunt-man for his risky scenes [,] but honestly in this movie he "crossed the line". In one scene  (narrative writing) he rode a motocross bike and with full throttle he tried to jump from the top of the bank of a canyon to the other one with an over 150mt abyss underneath of empty space under him ; completely crazy. I saw on Youtube the backstage and the video " H ow Tom Cruise recorded a j ump from the bike ? " and I still don't believe what he did.

I really love the Mission Impossible series [,] and I will never miss the next episode for sure. It is a must to visit the cinema! (address your readers)

Recommended materials:

How to write a CAE review? (video) How to write a CAE review? (article)

Content: 5/5 have you answered the question?

All content is relevant to the task. Target reader is informed.

• Have you seen a film recently that you loved or hated?- commented
• Your opinions - commented
• Specific elements of the film which caught your attention- commented

Communicative Achievement: 3-4/5 have you completed the task in the right sort of language?

Elements of descriptive, evaluative and narrative language appear correctly in the review ; Narrative, descriptive & evaluative

• address the readers consistently - ask rhetorical questions, interact with the reader 

Stylistic errors and linguistic deficiencies appear (incorrect word use/word missing or awkward use of some expressions)

The organisation: 4/5 have you structured your writing properly?

A review written for a magazine must have a title.

The review begins with a correct introduction, description of the item being reviewed, there are paragraphs in which the topic is  developed and an appropriate ending with recommendations

Language: 3/5 have you used a good range of grammar and vocabulary?

Vocabulary There is a wide range of vocabulary, including less common lexis.

Grammar There is wide range of simple and more complex grammatical forms which are used with control and flexibility.

Slightly repetitive vocabulary. You sometimes repeat the same information, like the one about the stuntmen.

Errors, are noticeable and impede communication.

There are a few long sentences with a not entirely correct structure.

• pay more attention to punctuation (especially commas between independent clauses) - Everything You Need to Know About Punctuation in English ;

  Score: 15/20 Grade: C1 

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• How to write a film review for your C1 ...

How to write a film review for your C1 exam

Here is a review I have written on the film The Fundamentals of Caring:

The Fundamentals of Caring

The Fundamentals of Caring is a comedy-drama film starring Paul Rudd as Ben; Craig Roberts as Trevor and Selena Gomez as Dot. The film premiered on January 29, 2016, and was subsequently released on Netflix.

Aprende inglés

Ben, an unemployed middle-aged man lands a job as Trevor's caregiver, a teenage boy with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy who spends most of his time stuck indoors fantasising about places he'd like to see in the USA, including the world’s deepest pit. Ben convinces Trevor to go on a road trip with him, where they come across Dot, a young hitchhiker.

Their various trials and tribulations give Trevor lots of new life experiences and Ben also faces some of his demons along the way. Their friendships are convincing and they come up against various challenges together, which are truly moving at times.

Perhaps the plot is slightly too sentimental but the dry wit of the characters and the bonds they form are credible enough to make this film a bit of a tear-jerker . The standout performance is by Gomez, whose empathy towards Trevor is evident from the outset . The scenery of the various states they pass through is breath-taking and this is one of the strengths of the film.

Even if you are not keen on this genre, I'd recommend giving this film a go. Despite some strained moments, it is overall a very heart-warming film with a powerful message of the importance of friendship.

My top tips for review language:

• Phrasal verbs e.g. come across
• adjectives e.g sentimental
• film-related vocabulary e.g. starring
• collocations/phrases e.g. give....a go

So give review writing a go! Include all the language I've mentioned above and you'll be well on your way!

• ¿Cómo mejorar mi nivel de inglés sin desfallecer en el proceso?
• Commonly mispronounced english words by foreigners and some native speakers

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Cambridge C1 Advanced (CAE) Writing: How to Write the Review

• April 19, 2024
• Cambridge C1 Writing

What you will find in this guide:

Writing a C1 level review is a critical skill for anyone preparing for the Cambridge C1 Advanced (CAE) exam. The C1 review isn’t just a review; it’s a tool for the examiners to see how proficient you are in writing, and for you to express your personal opinion about something you’ve experienced, be it a film, a holiday, a product, or a website. 

But first, let’s review some key info about writing a review for Cambridge C1 Advanced (CAE):

Sure, here’s some information about the task of writing a review in the Cambridge C1 Advanced (CAE) exam:

• The main purpose is to describe and express a personal opinion about something that you have experienced (e.g., a film, a holiday, a product, a website, etc.) and to give the reader a clear impression of what the item discussed is like.
• The structure of a review typically includes a title, an introduction, main content, and a recommendation 1 .
• You need to consider who is the target reader is.

Sample C1 Review

A travel website has asked you to write a review of a holiday resort you have been to, explaining what kinds of people the resort is likely to appeal to, and which aspects of the resort you would most recommend to other visitors. You should also suggest at least one way in which you feel the resort could be improved.

Write your review.

Potential Challenges of Writing a C1 Review

Here are some potentially challenging factors:

1. Understanding the Task

According to the C1 Advanced (CAE) rubric, task achievement is very important to get a C1 level score 1 . And fulfilling what the task wants you to do is impossible without knowing what the task requires you to do. Sometimes, candidates do not read the task carefully and write about a similar topic without realizing that they are doing the wrong task!

2. Time Management

Though other exams (TOEFL, IELTS, PTE, iTEP) provide significantly less time to do the writing task, Cambridge C1 Advanced gives you enough time to write your review. However, some still find the allocated time insufficient. If you think the time is not enough for you, you need to work on your time management skills. 

3. Language Proficiency

The C1 Advanced exam tests high-level English proficiency including accuracy in language use and the use of a range of simple and complex grammar and vocabulary 2 . Though most candidates possess good knowledge of grammar and vocabulary, maintaining accuracy and relevance at the time you are writing your review may be challenging.

How to Write a Review for the C1 Advanced (CAE) Exam: A Step-by-Step Guide

Let’s break it down into simple, easy-to-follow steps.

Step 1: Analyze Your Task

In this step, you need to carefully examine the instructions or requirements of the task you’ve been given. Look for two main components: a description part where you have to describe something like a film or book, and a discussion part where you need to give an opinion and/or make a recommendation. Additionally, identify the target reader, which could be a general audience, a specific demographic, or someone with particular interests.

Step 2: Decide What You Want to Write About After understanding your task, you need to decide on the subject of your review. It could be a book, a movie, a trip, or any other experience that fits the task requirements. Think about the main features of the subject—what stands out about it? This could include plot points, character development, cinematography, writing style, destination highlights, etc.

Step 3: Write an Outline to Organize Your Thoughts Creating an outline helps you organize your ideas and ensures a logical flow in your writing. Start with an introduction to set the stage for your review. Then, include a summary of the material you’re reviewing, your critique where you analyze its strengths and weaknesses, and finally, a conclusion that sums up your thoughts and potentially offers a recommendation.

Step 4: Decide About the Vocabulary and Grammar to Use in Each Paragraph This step involves carefully selecting the vocabulary and grammatical structures for each paragraph. Aim for a balance between complexity and clarity. While it’s essential to demonstrate your proficiency in language, avoid using overly complex language that could make your writing seem artificial or difficult to understand. Tailor your language choices to the target reader identified in step 1.

Step 5: Start Writing With your outline and language decisions in mind, start writing your review. Follow the structure outlined in your outline, and remember to incorporate your chosen vocabulary and grammar appropriately. Be descriptive yet concise in your descriptions and critical yet constructive in your analysis.

Step 6: Revise, Edit, and Proofread Once you’ve completed your review, take the time to review it for any errors or areas where you can improve clarity. Check for spelling, grammar, and punctuation mistakes. Ensure that your review is easy to read and understand for your target audience. Proofread your work thoroughly before finalizing it.

Let’s Answer the Sample C1 Review Question

Sample outline.

• Target audience = couples, families, solo travelers Serene ambiance amidst lush greenery
• Recommendations = Praise for staff hospitality Highlight of resort facilities and recreational activities
• Recommendation = for on-site restaurant Improvement
• Suggestion = Enhancing Wi-Fi connectivity across the premises

Sample Vocabulary

• Impeccable of values
• Tantalizing

Sample Answer

Review: Tranquil Haven Resort

Nestled amidst the lush greenery of the countryside, Tranquil Haven Resort is a serene retreat that offers a perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of city life. My recent stay at this idyllic resort left me rejuvenated and thoroughly impressed. Here’s why:

Tranquil Haven Resort caters to a diverse range of travelers seeking solace in nature’s embrace. It’s ideal for couples looking for a romantic getaway, families yearning for quality time together, and solo travelers seeking peace and tranquility. The resort’s serene ambiance and abundance of recreational activities make it equally appealing to both adventure enthusiasts and those simply wanting to unwind.

One of the highlights of my stay was the impeccable service provided by the staff. From the warm welcome at check-in to the attentive assistance throughout my stay, their hospitality truly enhanced my experience. Additionally, the resort’s well-maintained facilities, including the swimming pool, spa, and hiking trails, offered ample opportunities for relaxation and recreation. Moreover, the on-site restaurant served delectable dishes crafted from fresh, locally sourced ingredients, tantalizing the taste buds with every bite.

While my stay at Tranquil Haven Resort was near-perfect, I believe enhancing the Wi-Fi connectivity across the entire premises would further elevate the guest experience. While disconnecting from technology is often part of the allure of a countryside retreat, reliable internet access is essential for guests who may need to stay connected for work or communication purposes.

In conclusion, Tranquil Haven Resort exceeded my expectations in every aspect, from its serene ambiance to its exceptional service. Whether you’re seeking relaxation, adventure, or simply a break from the ordinary, this resort is sure to provide an unforgettable experience. With a few enhancements to the Wi-Fi connectivity, it would undoubtedly be a flawless haven for travelers seeking solace in nature’s embrace.

Understanding the CAE Writing Rubric

The Cambridge C1 Advanced Writing paper is scored based on four key criteria 1 :

• Content : This assesses how well you have fulfilled the task, if all the content is relevant to the task, and if the target reader is fully informed.
• Communicative Achievement : This checks if the writing is appropriate for the task, if it uses the right register and tone, and if all the points are communicated effectively.
• Organisation : This looks at the way the text is organised, if it uses the right conventions of the communicative task, and if the text is coherent and cohesive.
• Language : This assesses the range of vocabulary and grammatical structures, the level of accuracy in their use, and the appropriateness of the language to the task.

The Writing paper of the Cambridge C1 Advanced exam consists of two parts: One Essay and one task where you can choose your task from given options.

You are required to choose one type of writing in the second task. Your options are: Writing a letter, an email, a proposal, a report, and a review.

The Writing paper is assessed based on your control of a range of language, correct use of grammar structures, specificity of words or structures to express your ideas, and the effective use of functional language to persuade, agree, or compare

• Omid Kalantar

Omid Kalantar is an English Language Teaching (ELT) professor and researcher at Universidad Nacional de Educación (UNAE) in Ecuador. He has extensive experience coaching exam candidates prepare for TOEFL, IELTS, Cambridge C1 Advanced, iTEP, PTE, and Duolingo for more than a decade. He is also a former Cambridge Examiner. His expertise and research interests include various issues in applied linguistics, advanced level language proficiency, fluency, accuracy, and complexity in language production, English for Specific Purposes (ESP), materials development and curriculum design, and psycholinguistics. A complete list of his scholarly articles can be accessed on Google Scholar linked below.

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How to write a Review for the Cambridge C1 Advanced

In this CAE Exam class, we’ll discuss how to write a review for the Cambridge Advanced Exam…

So, you’re thinking of taking an Advanced exam? Welcome to this series of posts about the Cambridge C1 Advanced exam, sometimes known as the CAE exam – that is the Certificate of Advanced English. The whole exam is divided into four different ‘papers’ – Reading & Use of English, Writing, Listening, and Speaking. This page offers a guide to the second part of the Writing Exam in the Cambridge Advanced (C1) Exam in which you have to write a Review , what it tests, how to approach it and how to revise for it. Don’t be afraid, Writing part 2  – let’s go!

General Information about the Writing Exam

The Writing exam lasts for an hour and a half (90 minutes). There are two parts to the Writing exam – in Part 1 you have to write an Essay , and in Part 2 you will be given three options from four (or five, depending on how you count them!) possibilities, and you choose one of them to do. The four (or five) possibilities for Writing part 2 are an Email , a Letter (which is exactly the same as an email, really, so you may as well consider them together), a Report , a Review , or a Proposal . You have to write the same number of words for each piece of writing: 220-260 words , so you can divide the exam time equally between them – 45 minutes on Part 1, and 45 minutes on Part 2. However, time keeping is up to you – you could spend more time on one of the tasks and less on the other, but that’s not recommended.

What the test involves

As mentioned above, in Part 2 of the Writing exam you will be given three choices from four/five possibilities: an Email / Letter , a Report , a Review , or a Proposal . In this blog post we’re going to focus on how to write a Review.

In the exam you will be given a short input text which will explain the context that you need to write in, and this will also include at least two points that you must include in your writing.

45 minutes approx. (of the total 90 minutes for the exam)

What's being tested

Your ability to write a review in an engaging fashion. To be able to provide relevant details and use suitable vocabulary appropriate to the type of review you’re writing. Reviews want to be persuasive, you want the reader to want to read/watch/listen to the thing you’re reviewing.

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How to do Writing part 2 - Review

Read the task.

The first thing to do is to study the task input. You should firstly make note of what precisely you need to review. The possibilities are almost endless, but the most common topics are books, TV shows, or films/movies; but it’s also possible that you might face a review of a restaurant, hotel, language school, device/gadget, music album, live music performance etc… Frankly, anything you can think of that you may have read a review about in the past could appear in the exam. But as I mentioned earlier – the most common are Books , TV shows , or Films/movies – so definitely focus on these.

Make a plan

The plan doesn’t need to be particularly detailed – just some brief notes on what you want to include in each paragraph. You will usually need four paragraphs, but you could write three if you feel there are some ideas that can be grouped together, but four would be ideal.

You will want to begin by giving some factual details about the item you’re to review – for example: the author/writer, the main actors involved, the publication/release date etc…

Next you will want to give some brief details about the content of the item. So if you’re writing about a book you should give a short synopsis of what happens in the story (but do try to avoid Spoilers!), and you could also explain who the main characters are and what their goals or motivations are within the story.

Your third paragraph should cover the specific things the task has asked you to include, and focus on the most positive aspects of the item. (Reviews are always Positive, in all my years’ experience I don’t recall ever seeing a Negative Review in the exam).

And finally in your conclusion you’ll give your final opinion on the item and make your recommendations to the reader.

Formal or Informal English?

Reviews can be written mainly in Informal English, so contractions and phrasal verbs are perfectly fine to use – but you can throw in a sentence or two of more Formal English for emphasis. When you have a sentence using a formal grammar structure in the middle of a piece of informal writing, it really stands out and provides a strong emphasis, so this would be appropriate in a review. The most important language thing to consider in a review is topic specific vocabulary – so for example if you’re writing about a film/movie, you’ll want to include words like: actor, cast, crew, script, special effects, director, cinematography, soundtrack etc…

How to organise your time

You should spend about 45 minutes on Part 2 of the exam (and 45 minutes on Part 1). It is up to you exactly how you arrange your time, but I would suggest something like this:

5-10 minutes – Plan and think of ideas

25-30 minutes – Write

5-10 minutes – Check for spelling/grammar mistakes

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens if i don’t write enough words.

You will lose points for the Content of your essay as you obviously haven’t developed the ideas sufficiently.

What happens if I write too many words?

The examiners will find word 260, and then stop counting, so any words from the two hundred and sixty-first to the end of your essay will be ignored. This could mean that a whole section of your review (likely the conclusion) will not be considered. You’ll then lose points for the Content (no conclusion and final recommendation to the reader); and lose points for Organisation.

What if I have never read/watched/listen to an item the task asks me to write about?

Well, you do have the option to choose one of the other Writing part 2 tasks – remember you don’t have to do a review if you don’t want to. However, even having said that, you could invent something – there is no requirement for the book/movie/TV show to be a real book/movie/TV show – (but naturally it is much, much better if it is).

Reviews are a good piece to do because most people have had previous experience of writing reviews – you most probably will have written reviews when you were at school. But a good way to practise is to find reviews in newspapers/magazines or on the internet and to read them to see what kind of information is included and how the review is structured.

Test Yourself

Now have a go at this example task.

When you have finished you can send your review to the school in an email and we will correct it and sent it back to you! Just write Exam Guide Review C1 in the Subject line of the email.

[email protected]

Thank you for reading our post. For more information about the Cambridge C1 Advanced Exam (CAE) you can check out the official site here .

Thank you for reading our post. You’ll find more English grammar tips elsewhere on our site and if you’d like information on our English courses in Dublin , please do not hesitate to contact us.

In this CAE Exam class, we’ll look at how to write an email or letter for the writing test. So,

In this post, we look at writing an essay for the Cambridge CAE Exam. So, you’re thinking of taking an

Here we look at the second part of the Cambridge CAE Exam speaking test… So, you’re thinking of taking an

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CAE Review | C1 Advanced | 14 Key Steps To Success

Table of Contents

Almost every day students ask me "Rory, how can I answer the C1 Advanced: CAE Review question in the exam?" However, before answering this question. Let's first answer another question, "what is a CAE Review?"

A CAE Review is a writing task from part 2 of the C1 Advanced (CAE) writing exam. However, reviews do not always appear in the exam. This is because in part 2 you only write one answer from three different questions which are based on 5 different writing tasks.

What are the chances of the CAE Review appearing in the exam?

Sorry, this section is available for CAE members only. Register/upgrade here >>

Where to begin?

Often students don't know where to begin with review writing, but luckily, you found me.

This page will lay out how to prepare for and write a review to get the examiners jumping up and down with joy.

Answering this question well , might affect whether you pass or fail the C1 Advanced exam. So make sure you follow the information on this page to ensure you get the highest marks possible!

CAE Tip: Register/upgrade to 'Gold' access this tip now >>

Right, enough prittle prattle (informal way of saying 'idle talk').

Examiners’ Marking Criteria

If you understand how the examiners mark your review, you will know how to get high marks for each criterion. This is imperative if you want to pass the CAE review.

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How to pass C1 Advanced CAE Writing Part 2 Review

Write down important notes from the video below in the relevant fields of this worksheet . You should keep this worksheet open in a separate internet tab and keep adding information to it from the rest of this page.

CAE Review Video Summary and Transcript

I hope you enjoyed the video above. Some students prefer to learn by reading rather than watching videos and so I thought it would be useful to outline the most important parts of the video for you. These are the steps you should follow if you want to pass the C1 Review writing:

Before the Exam:

• Watch and understand how examiners mark the CAE writing paper ( see this video ).
• Learn and remember what the examiners want from a CAE review (see ' review advice ' below).
• Do lots of practice examples. Use sample exam papers to help with this. If you are doing a computer based exam, make sure you write your practice answers on computer. If you are doing a paper based exam, make sure you write with a pen or pencil on a sheet of paper. When you have finished your practice answer, count how many words it is. If it is within the word limit, remember how much space it has used on the page. If you do this a few times, you will know approximately how long your writing needs to be in the exam and you do not need to waste time counting how many words you've written.

During the exam:

• Spend the first 2 minutes reading the question and underlining the important information and who the target reader is (see ' review question ' below).
• Spend 5 minutes planning your answer. Think about the type of language you will use and how you will link your key ideas together (see ' CAE review plan ' below).
• Take 30-35 minutes to write your answer. While writing, think about the type of language you will use (see ' CAE review vocabulary ' below). Examiners like to see you use complex grammatical structures and vocabulary, even if they are not executed perfectly. Make sure you answer all the required parts of the question. When you make a point, try to back it up with further information and focus on how you can link your points together nicely.
• Save 3-8 minutes to read over your work at the end. Try to read your work from an outside perspective. Make sure that the points you want to make are clear and obvious. Sometimes they are obvious to the person who wrote them, but not to a person who is reading the work for the first time. Have a look at this page for some common errors which students make at C1 Advanced .

CAE Review Advice

I would advise adding the most important bits of information from this section to your worksheet here .

This is from a Handbook which Cambridge instruct teachers to use when preparing their students. You can learn this yourself and be in exactly the same place as a teacher. I truly believe that you can train yourself to pass the exam if you know the right resources to use and you can access this document here .

What this shows us is that you need to use descriptive language but you also need to tailor your writing to the target reader. Think about this when deciding what type of language to use (see 'review vocabulary' below) and whether or not your ideas are appropriate. Try to practise with review questions which target different readers. Write and Improve is a good website with a variety of questions.

This is also good advice. When you are reading different types of reviews, try to check how the language differs from one review to another depending on the target reader. Check to see if you can find any reviews written by published or well known authors. If you find any of these reviews, check whether they give recommendations and try to copy the style of these and the language they use in your own writing.

When practising before the exam, focus on the descriptive and explanatory language you use.

CAE Review Example 1

https://www.cambridgeenglish.org/images/167804-cambridge-english-advanced-handbook.pdf

These are the words I would underline from this question.

So, from the words I've underlined, see if you can answer these questions on a separate piece of paper:

• Who is the target reader?
• What are you reviewing.
• What are they key points you need to address?
• The target reader is a website.
• You are reviewing a book or film about a person who has made an important contribution to society.
• There are 2 key points you need to address: 1. Did you learn anything new about this person's life? 2. Did the book or film give you a better understanding as to why this person did what they did?

CAE Review Task - Plan

So with those points in mind, I'd like you to write down a plan for this review here .

It is really important that you do this because when you've done that, you can compare it with my review plan below.

In the exam I would recommend trying to write a review of something real as this will be a lot easier to write about.

My CAE Review Plan

Here is a plan I made for this question. Don't worry if yours is very different, this is just how I would write my plan to help me in the exam.

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C1 Advanced Review Answer

Write down the mistakes you found in the answer above on this page >>

Examiners' Assessment Scale Template

Complete the assessment scale below based on the answer above. Print it off here , or complete an online version of this assessment scale here >>

Student's Answer With My Corrections

Did you know that a simple book can change the way you perceive (remove the word ‘the’ here because you are speaking about life in general) life? No sooner had (you should write ‘had’ here because you started reading before you ‘realised’ which was in the past) I started to read 5 a.m Club than (you need to write ‘than’ here) I realized that something in my life needed/had to (I think this should also be in the past, you read in the past then you realised your life had to change) change. I would like to introduce you few line about this (you should remove the words 'few line about this' and replace it with 'to this, ') such a wonderful book and how  it  (you should repeat the subject 'it' here) increased my productivity on a daily basis (we normally say 'a daily basis' rather than 'my daily basis') .

On the one hand, I have learnt how I can manage my time practising  ( you should say 'practising' with an 's' rather than a 'c' here because we are using the verb form of 'practice' not the noun form. This is a very common mistake which students and even native English speakers make)  the morning person routine. This routine consist s of waking up at 5 am every day ('consists of' is an example of a collocation. We use lots of collocations in English. If you don't know what a collocation is, watch this old video I made. I give lots more examples of typical C1 Advanced collocations on my website) . Honestly, I (remove 'was') struggled the first time  (remove 'which') I read about that because I never thought that I would be capable of doing it (you should always say capable of + verbing) . As it is said: ‘If you want, you can’ and it’s what I did. I was able to wake up at 5am, breaking my daily routine, and setting a new habit which took me 21 days to adopt ( you could also say 'which took 21 days until I adopted it'. Make sure you know the difference between 'adopt' and 'adapt' ) .

On the other hand, I learnt that if I would like to take advantage of my time, I should follow some productivity techniques which help (be careful not to jump between present and past verb tenses) me to complete all my daily goals. (It might be worth revising 'would like to have + past participle and 'should have + past participle). Sounds easy, but it is not. I started creating a calendar where I put blocks of 1 hours during my working hours. Then, I selected blocks where my concentration was higher, and I assigned the most critical tasks to these hours . For the rest of the blocks, I assigned the remaining tasks which were less important. It is wonderful the way I can complete tasks now!

After 21 days, I realized that my daily routine had changed a lot!  (It is better to use past perfect in the last sentence because your routine changed before the realisation).  I discovered that I had (had?) more time to spend with my family plus covering all the my daily tasks successfully. Would you like to learn the daily routine of the author of this book? Do not miss the opportunity, and follow him on his social networks.

This is a good attempt at the writing task. Although you have made some language related errors, you have tried to use a good range of language which you will be rewarded for in the exam.

Examiner's Assessment Scale With My Comments

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C1 Review - Pass or Fail

Let's add up the marks:

Content: 1/5

Communicative achievement: 4/5

Organisation: 4/5

Language: 2/5

Total: 11/20

Remember there is an examiner's assessment criteria video above which you should watch if you have forgotten how examiners mark your writing.

This review is part 2 of the CAE writing paper. If we assume the student got 12/20 for part 1, the essay, then they would have got 22/40 in total.

This would mean the student would just fail this section of the exam by 2 marks. You need 24/40 to pass this exam paper. You can still pass the exam even if you fail one section as long as your average across all the exam papers is high enough. This page gives more detail on CAE exam marks .

CAE Review - Example 2

You see this announcement on a website which is particularly popular with university students and young adults. The website is called ‘Great People’:

Review Wanted

Send us a review about a person who, in your eyes, has had a great influence on the world.

How did this person influence the world? What can we learn from this person’s character?

Write your review in 220-260 words.

Before you read the sample answer below, you should open this sheet and write down any mistakes you find while reading the answer. You should also open this document and write your marks and comments for the sample review.

STEPHEN HAWKING:the life of a genius

World renowned physicist Stephen Hawking has died at the age of 76. The British scientist was famed for his work with black holes and relativity, and wrote several popular science books including A Brief History of Time. This scientist has also written several other books including：1.The Large Scale Structure Of Space-Time   2. A Brief History Of Time    3. Black Holes And Baby Universes And Other Essays   4. The Universe In A Nutshell    5. On The Shoulders Of Giants. The Great Works of Physics And Astronomy    6. God created the integers     7. George's secret key to the Universe    8. George's cosmic treasure hunt    9. George and the Big Bang    10. The Grand Design     11. My brief history. He has made many important discovers over the years, and has even been named the most influential person of the century.

Besides all of that, he was also an actor, he appeared in many movies and shows such as: Star Trek The Next Generation and The Simpsons. Sadly, no man is perfect, At the age of 22 Professor Hawking was given only a few years to live after being diagnosed with a rare form of motor neurone disease. The illness left him in a wheelchair and largely unable to speak except through a voice synthesizer.

They praised his "courage and persistence" and said his "brilliance and humour" inspired people across the world. “We will miss him forever.”

C1 Review - Mistakes & Corrections

Have a thorough read of the mistakes and corrections, followed by the examiner assessment scale below. This will help you understand how to write a C1 Advanced review.

Sorry, this section is available to 'Gold' members only. Register or upgrade to Gold membership here to access now >>

Sorry, this section is not available to you. If you want to access it now, register or upgrade your membership here >>

C1 Review Sample 2 - Final Marks

Content - 1 Communicative Achievement - 2 Organisation - 2 Language - 2

Total: 7/20

Unfortunately this writing would require the student to get 17/20 in part 1 to achieve the C1 level for the writing exam paper (24/40). This is not an easy task.

Learn more about what marks you need to pass here .

C1 Advanced Review Vocabulary

"Did you know.....?" - It's good to ask a question in the review to make the reader more interested in what you're saying.

"...I really recommend + verbing"

"I highly recommend + verbing"

"must-see" - we use this phrase when we state that somebody must watch a film or television series.

"give it a miss" - this means do not watch or read the book/film/television series.

"It will have you in hysterics" - this means when you cannot stop laughing.

"I advise you..."

"...gives a great account of..." - this means the book/film summarises or describes something very well. You can switch the word 'great' for a different adjective to give the phrase a different meaning.

"...gives a remarkable performance as..." - this is normally used to talk about good acting by a particular person.

"the plot was dull..." - this means the story line was boring.

"the acting..."

"the character..."

"one strength/weakness..."

Read another CAE Review Sample

• Read my CAE Writing Samples e-book . In the book you will find 21 sample writings that my students sent me. I marked the writings based on the examiner assessment scale and gave each writing my feedback and critique. Take a look now >>

Submit a Review

Send a CAE Review to me via my CAE Writing Assessment Service >>

I will mark it for you and give feedback 🙂

Classroom Activities

Check out this page for some online instructions and forms for you and your students to complete on computer.

If you prefer to print out worksheets for the classroom, the instructions below will be better for you:

• Complete this worksheet with the most important information from the video and advice above.
• Read this example review question then write a plan for it here . You should try to do this within 5 minutes.
• Print and read this example review answer. Write down any mistakes you find.
• Compare your mistakes with the ones I found here .
• Complete this assessment scale  for the review.
• How similar is your assessment scale to mine?

Watch the video below and complete the exercises:

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Cambridge English: Advanced

Check out students' answers to Flo-Joe's CAE Writing tasks with a teacher's feedback

• Writing Class

Writing Class: Review

Task type: review.

Question You see the following announcement in a magazine:

Write your review for the magazine readers. (220-260 words)

Makeover: Anja

Read Anja's answer to this question below. Try correcting the piece of writing yourself first: use the marking codes to think about what might be wrong (or what's good) about the piece of work. Then when you're ready, click the green buttons in the text for our feedback.

This is a very good answer Anja. You've given a summary of the person's character and the impact on him of the decision to save JFK. The review is written in an appropriate format and in an engaging style that would hold the reader's attention throughout. It's clearly organised. Starting with an introduction to the book, two main body paragraphs and a well-crafted conclusion bringing the review to a close. Good use of cohesive devices to link your ideas and sentences together. Finally, you have used language flexibly and shown your ability to describe simple and complex ideas clearly. I have made a couple of stylistic comments, which I think helps a couple of sentences flow a little better, but these are subjective rather than corrections. Well done!

Marking Code

/\ Word(s) missing

- Omit word

C Capitalization

O Organisation

P Punctuation

PE Poorly expressed

R Register/Formality

SS Sentence Structure

T Tip (Not wrong but a suggestion)

WF Wrong form

WO Word order

WT Wrong tense

WW Wrong word

CAE Info and Practice

Cae resources to buy.

• Recursos para el aprendizaje
• How to write a film review for your C1 ...

How to write a film review for your C1 exam

Here is a review I have written on the film The Fundamentals of Caring:

The Fundamentals of Caring

The Fundamentals of Caring is a comedy-drama film starring Paul Rudd as Ben; Craig Roberts as Trevor and Selena Gomez as Dot. The film premiered on January 29, 2016, and was subsequently released on Netflix.

Aprende inglés

Ben, an unemployed middle-aged man lands a job as Trevor's caregiver, a teenage boy with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy who spends most of his time stuck indoors fantasising about places he'd like to see in the USA, including the world’s deepest pit. Ben convinces Trevor to go on a road trip with him, where they come across Dot, a young hitchhiker.

Their various trials and tribulations give Trevor lots of new life experiences and Ben also faces some of his demons along the way. Their friendships are convincing and they come up against various challenges together, which are truly moving at times.

Perhaps the plot is slightly too sentimental but the dry wit of the characters and the bonds they form are credible enough to make this film a bit of a tear-jerker . The standout performance is by Gomez, whose empathy towards Trevor is evident from the outset . The scenery of the various states they pass through is breath-taking and this is one of the strengths of the film.

Even if you are not keen on this genre, I'd recommend giving this film a go. Despite some strained moments, it is overall a very heart-warming film with a powerful message of the importance of friendship.

My top tips for review language:

• Phrasal verbs e.g. come across
• adjectives e.g sentimental
• film-related vocabulary e.g. starring
• collocations/phrases e.g. give....a go

So give review writing a go! Include all the language I've mentioned above and you'll be well on your way!

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I Used to be Funny is a must-watch dramedy for Canadian film lovers

Canadian writer-director ally pankiw’s new movie restores faith in the power of indie filmmaking.

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A controversial pitch for movie lovers this weekend: Go see a small-budget Canadian indie instead of the big-budget fourth sequel of Bad Boys . Canadian filmmaker Ally Pankiw's debut feature film I Used to be Funny hits theatres this weekend. 

After Pankiw directed a buzzy 2023 episode of Black Mirror starring Annie Murphy and Salma Hayek, the big question became, "What is she going to do next?"

• REVIEW Bad Boys 4 shouldn't ride — it should die
• Here & Queer Ally Pankiw has directed some of your favourite shows — now she's making a leap to the big screen

Turns out it's I Used to be Funny ,   a movie she started writing in 2013. The proudly Canadian production was shot and set in Toronto. 

The new dramedy, starring indie darling and overall fantastic actress Rachel Sennott ( Bodies Bodies Bodies, Shiva Baby ), is a triumph of a debut, despite being a tough sell on paper.

The film is about overcoming trauma, a plot that can make audiences feel like they "should" watch a film, rather than one they race to see. But thoughtful and innovative story-telling, editing and tour-de-force performances show how a film like this can be funny, smart and compelling.

I Used to Be Funny  centres on Sam, a Toronto comedian who has lost everything.

When we meet Sam, she's no longer doing standup, paying rent or leaving the house. The film jumps between a time when Sam was doing much better — when she was funny and employed, a bubbly, sharply dressed woman with clean hair — and when she isn't that interested in getting out of bed. 

At a tight hour and 45 minutes, the film moves quickly, and is buoyed by so many laughs — including some hilarious roommate scenes. 

Lines like "I feel like his hair has gotten more incel-y," and "She's not dying, she's still bullying us on Twitter" land with great effect — and the back-and-forth between Sam and her best friend Paige   (played with a casual ease by Canadian actress Sabrina Jalees) shows how much the two care for each other.  

What works well here is there aren't any grand speeches or call-to-action moments. Nor does Paige treat Sam with kid gloves. She doesn't push, but she does make jokes, and reminds Sam about what she used to love about her life.

Those interactions are punctuated by short standup scenes at Toronto's Comedy Bar, which plays itself in the film. 

Standup comedy sparkles on screen

Standup comedy has been perennially difficult for television and film to get right, and many have written about why that is.

In that regard,  I Used to be Funny is unusual — its fictional standup is genuinely funny. 

Perhaps that's because Sennott is such a strong actress and standup comic in real life, or because her sense of humour blends so effortlessly with Pankiw's. 

The director says she lifted dialogue straight from her own interactions in the 2010s, and from her family's own experiences with trauma and PTSD.

The movie gets so much right about trauma — from being too tired to dress yourself to feeling like you're failing your friends and being unsure about how to move forward. Many modern films use trauma as a character trait that presents simply as despondent or disaffected. But that's not as true to life as what Pankiw has created in this film.

I Used to be Funny feels real, as opposed to overwrought. And Pankiw is good at blending those honest and authentic-feeling interactions with a fast-paced narrative.  

Her writing is sharp, witty and decisive, harkening to the early days of Lena Dunham, who wrote young women in Girls  as they actually talked and acted in private, instead of how male writers thought they might. 

Rachel Sennott delivers a career best

The cast in this movie works well — Jason Jones (whom audiences will know from The Daily Show ) plays a pitch-perfect creep, and Caleb Hearon lands every joke and aside.

One quibble is that Olga Petsa, who plays the film's youngest character, looks a lot older than 12 years old. When she plays 14, later in the film, it makes more sense.

Sennott as Sam is an inarguable standout. She simply has it . Whether she's crumpled over a notebook trying to write jokes or telling someone to leave her alone with about the force of a small bird, her character is always compelling.

It's a career-best performance that digs deep into the world of a woman who just wants to be funny — and happy — again.

Sennott has had a string of successes with female-friendship films lately, including Bottoms (2023) and Shiva Baby (2021), both directed by another talented Canadian: Emma Seligman. 

• How director Emma Seligman found her muse and made Bottoms

What caused Sam's complete breakdown isn't made clear until later in the film, but many women watching will likely have a good guess early on. 

Pankiw uses moody blue tones and increasingly frightening snippets to foster a sinking feeling as the audience moves closer to the incident in time and space.

She said she wasn't trying to create a mystery within the movie, instead looking at the impact of trauma on women, their art and their community.

Trauma stories versus procedurals

As Pankiw has pointed out, films and TV shows about trauma often play out like a police procedural, with interrogation scenes, hospital visits and a focus on justice.

Pankiw skips that in favour of following Sam's journey to becoming a person again: eating crappy spaghetti with her roommates, declining invitations to come back to work or see friends, and scrolling social media endlessly for signs that people hate her.

And though all those scenes contain sadness, Pankiw and Sennott mine the humour in them.

It makes the movie easy to watch, almost breezy, until it arrives at its gut-wrenching and very effective conclusion. 

The women shaping Canadian cinema

It's hard to overstate the success of this low-budget, proudly Canadian, unapologetically Toronto-set movie. In addition to Toronto's Comedy Bar, the CN Tower also features prominently. 

The film could've easily been set in a nondescript U.S. city, and it would've been an easier sell to American distributors.

But like its plot, the film doesn't shy away from the riskier choice. 

In that way and many others, I Used to be Funny is a clear testament to how great Canadian indie cinema can be. 

This film, along with a few other recent successes (Sophie Dupuis's Solo , and Seligman's aforementioned Shiva Baby ), sets a high bar not only for accomplished Canadian filmmakers, but for all indies.

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I Used to Be Funny is playing in Toronto, Vancouver, Edmonton, Waterloo, Ont., and Sudbury, Ont., this week, with showings expanding to Ottawa and Kingston, Ont., next week.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Teghan Beaudette covers national entertainment for CBC News as a producer and reporter, with an expertise in the television and film industry. She's also a film critic that focuses on Canadian films or films with a Canadian connection. She's based in Toronto but has worked all over Canada with CBC News, including at CBC Arts.

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'Double iSmart' Review: Ram Pothineni-Sanjay Dutt's film is a slap to your senses

'double ismart' review: director puri jagannadh's film starring ram pothineni and sanjay dutt is an uninteresting sequel. with shallow writing, the film makes you question if a sequel was needed in the first place. .

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• Actor Ram Pothineni and filmmaker Puri Jagannadh have reunited for 'Double iSmart'
• Sanjay Dutt plays a gangster with brain tumour
• The film reeks of crass humour and weak screenplay

Release Date: 15 Aug, 2024

Actor Ram Pothineni's ‘iSmart Shankar’, which released in 2019, turned out to be a career-defining film for himself and filmmaker, Puri Jagannadh. The movie, despite being too loud and jarring, had a man who would be cancelled in today’s times. Yet, ‘iSmart Shankar’ struck gold, thanks to some inventive sci-fi angles with commercial elements. Almost five years later, Puri Jagannadh and Ram Pothineni are back with ‘Double iSmart’, a spiritual sequel to an already superhit film.

Big Bull (Sanjay Dutt) runs an international drug and weapons cartel. He arrives in India to avenge the murder of his mother, Pochamma (Jhansi). In a sudden turn of events, Bigg Bull is diagnosed with glioma (brain tumour) and wants to achieve his mission. A scientist called Thomas (Makarand Deshpande) suggests ‘memory transfer’ and finds Shankar (Ram Pothineni) suitable, as he has a USB port in his head.

Meanwhile, Shankar falls in love with Jannath (Kavya Thapar) who relocates to Hyderabad from Delhi. Shankar and Bigg Bull’s paths (and memories) cross, and the consequences form the crux of the story.

Director Puri Jagannadh is back after a massive dud, ‘Liger’, and is on a quest to redeem himself. What better option to bank on the success of his hit film and one of the most celebrated characters, ‘iSmart Shankar’? The thought process assures great prospects IF (and a big IF) the director manages to crack a good story for the sequel. Sadly, that’s not the case with ‘Double iSmart’. The film feels like a slap on your senses.

The first part establishes that there is no question of morality in the world of ‘iSmart Shankar’. Below-the-belt humour, objectification of women, and loud and jarring dialogues are plenty. With ‘Double iSmart’, it is double the test of your patience. There’s a separate comedy angle featuring Ali as ‘Boka’. It’s single-handedly the crassest, most cringe-worthy and cheap humour you have ever seen in your existence!

If you manage to get past that, there’s Puri Jagannadh’s shallow and redundant screenplay that will hold you down. Ultimately, it boils down to Ram Pothineni who tries to salvage what’s left. Sanjay Dutt appears in yet another gangster role after ‘Leo’ and there’s nothing striking in his characterisation.

‘Double iSmart’, yet, again, makes you think if a sequel is necessary, just to capitalise on the success of the first part. 1.5 out of 5 stars for ‘Double iSmart’. Published By: Anindita Mukhopadhyay Published On: Aug 15, 2024 ALSO READ | Puri Jagannadh's 'Double iSmart' gets A-rating from censor board, check run-time

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The ‘borderlands’ movie debuts with a 0% on rotten tomatoes (update).

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Borderlands

This post was published on 8/8 and republished on 8/10.

I’m not sure I knew of anyone, Borderlands fan or not, who believed that the movie adaptation of the game was going to be good, based on everything from casting to trailers. Now as reviews come in ahead of its release tomorrow, those fears have been validated. And then some.

As I write this, the Borderlands movie has a flat 0% on Rotten Tomatoes . No positive reviews whatsoever ( Update : A single positive review has come in raising it to a 3%), and the ones that are in are not just negative, but brutal . Here’s a sampling:

• Discussing Film: “The fans deserve a lot better than whatever director Eli Roth is trying to do with Borderlands. This is the video game movie curse at its worst.”
• Men’s Journal: “If Borderlands doesn't stop studio executives from salivating at the sight of every single IP that comes across their desks, nothing will.”
• Next Best Picture : “It’s impressive how Roth can elicit the poor quality of 2000s video game adaptation energy yet somehow forget the discernable sense of fun or style that made even those terrible movies stand out.”
• IGN : “Borderlands is an abysmal waste of a beloved franchise that takes a kooky band of murderous misfits and drains the life out of their first adventure together.”

It’s true there are not many reviews in yet, and the score may tick up, but everything I’ve seen outside of some video game influencers who attended premieres (or are literally extras in the movie) has been relentlessly negative, and I would be surprised to find more than a handful of positive reviews come in when all is said and done. If any.

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A 0% on Rotten Tomatoes is of course as low as you can go. If we are looking at the worst-scored video game movies ever made, that list would now be (Updated list with the 4%):

• Alone in the Dark (2005) – 1%
• Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li (2009) – 3%
• House of the Dead (2003) – 3%
• Borderlands (2024) – 3%
• In the Name of the King (2007) – 4%
• Bloodrayne (2005) – 4%
• Mortal Kombat Annihilation- 4%
• Silent Hill Revelation (2012) – 8%
• Hitman Agent: 47 (2015) – 8%
• Postal (2007) – 9%

I put the year there so you can see that most of these ultra-terrible ones are in a decade or so when making a good video game adaptation was borderline impossible and the only people trying were directors like Uwe Boll half the time. As of late, we have seen very solid live action video game adaptations on both film (Sonic) and TV (The Last of Us, Fallout), and Borderlands seems to be a 10-15 year step backward.

I do expect it to rise above a zero percent. There are so many critics on Rotten Tomatoes of questionable quality and taste that probably someone will like it and knock it above some of these (I am one of those critics, so no judgement), but that has not happened at the time of this writing.

Who saw this coming? Everyone. Everyone did. And here we are.

Update (8/10): We have 92 reviews in now, and Borderlands has gone from 0% to 3% to now settling at around 10%. This puts it outside much higher on the “worst video game adaptations ever” list, which would now look like

• Borderlands (2024) - 10%

Of course there is absolutely no pretending a 10% is good. I do agree, however, that it does not deserve to be quite as low as that terrible decade of Uwe Boll movies and a few other very poor ones. Like no, this is definitely not on par with Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li.

I have indeed now seen the movie myself, and a 10% is something I can get behind. My own negative review is now on Rotten Tomatoes, and here’s an excerpt:

“This is neither a good Borderlands movie or nor a good movie, period. It feels like Gearbox and Eli Roth tried to split the difference here, making a mass-appeal PG-13 action film but gesturing vaguely at the games to try to get that crowd to show up too.

But the end result is throwing the Borderlands games at a wall, watching them shatter, and gluing back together a handful of mildly recognizable pieces.”

I said in the piece that the casting of Kevin Hart and Cate Blanchett are big problems, as expected. Hart mostly acts like a barely toned-down version of his usual self, and is nothing like game Roland. Blanchett is of course normally a great actress but a 30 year or so age increase from Lilith is bizarre, and also makes no sense within the confines of the film as actresses close to her age appear to remember her as a child.

This is a franchise killer. Gearbox had big plans for a Borderlands cinematic universe that is clearly going nowhere after this. And given how this went, that is fully justified.

Follow me on Twitter , YouTube , and Instagram .

Pick up my sci-fi novels the Herokiller series and The Earthborn Trilogy .

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The Australian Professor Who Turned Breaking on Its Head

Rachael Gunn, known as B-girl Raygun, displayed some … unique moves as she competed in a field with breakers half her age. The judges and the internet were underwhelmed.

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By Dodai Stewart and Talya Minsberg

Reporting from Paris

Breaking made its debut as an Olympic sport Friday, and among the competitors was Dr. Rachael Gunn, also known as B-girl Raygun, a 36-year-old professor from Sydney, Australia, who stood out in just about every way.

By day, her research interests include “dance, gender politics, and the dynamics between theoretical and practical methodologies.” But on the world’s stage in Paris, wearing green track pants and a green polo shirt instead of the street-style outfits of her much younger fellow breakers, she competed against the 21-year-old Logan Edra of the United States, known as Logistx.

During the round robin, as Raygun and Logistx faced off, Raygun laid on her side, reached for her toes, spun around, and threw in a kangaroo hop — a nod to her homeland. She performed a move that looked something like swimming and another that could best be described as duckwalking. The high-speed back and head spins that other breakers would demonstrate were mostly absent.

The crowd cheered Raygun politely. The judges weren’t as kind. All nine voted for Logistx in both rounds of the competition; Logistx won, 18-0.

Online, Raygun’s performance quickly became a sensation, not necessarily in a flattering way.

“The more I watch the videos of Raygun, the Aussie breaker, the more I get annoyed,” one viewer posted on X, formerly known as Twitter. “There’s 27.7 million Australians in the world and that’s who they send to the Olympics for this inaugural event??? C’mon now!”

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‘Snow White’ Live-Action Trailer: Rachel Zegler Faces Off Against Gal Gadot’s Evil Queen and Meets the Seven Dwarfs

Live-action remake “ Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs ” has released a trailer.

The new Snow White, Rachel Zegler and the new Evil Queen (Gal Gadot) were both on hand at D23 to address the crowd. “It’s been the honor of a lifetime,” Zegler said of taking on the princess role. “I think any young person, any little girl if you get to put on a Disney princess dress and be her for a day let alone six months… it’s just been the most amazing experience and I cant wait to share it with you all.”

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Directed by Marc Webb (“The Amazing Spider-Man”), “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” features a reimagining of the original 1937 animated film. The original is centered on young Snow White, who flees the castle after her stepmother, the Evil Queen, becomes so jealous of her beauty that she orders the Huntsman to kill her. The Huntsman fails to do so, and Snow White escapes to a cottage where she finds seven dwarves.

Discovering that Snow White is still alive, the Evil Queen visits her at the cottage and gives her a poisoned apple. Upon being poisoned, Snow White is later awoken by a prince’s true love’s kiss.

In the remake, Ansu Kabia stars as the Huntsman, and Andrew Burnap plays the new role of Jonathan. Although songs from the original movie will be featured, songwriting duo Benj Pasek and Justin Paul have also crafted new songs just for the reboot.

During the 2022 D23 Expo, Zegler and Gadot spoke to Variety on the red carpet about this adaptation’s differences.

When asked about the “modern edge” of the “Snow White” remake, Zegler and Gadot both mentioned that Zegler’s Snow White will not be saved by the prince.

“We got to work with such an amazing crew and it was just the best it could ever be,” Gadot said of the filming experience. “I feel so lucky that I got to play something that is so far from what I know and what I’m used to, and I super, super enjoyed every second of it.”

The film was originally set to release on March 22, 2024, but has since been delayed to March 21, 2025, due to the SAG-AFTRA strike.

Watch the trailer below.

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