Steps and Guidelines in Writing a Movie Review:
1. Watch the movie. The first step in writing the review is to watch the movie. Watching the
movie a second time will help you absorb a lot more detail about the movie. Most movie
reviewers take notes as they watch the movie.
2. Evaluate the movie. Most movie reviewers will give their opinion of the movie. However, as in
all good journalism, the reviewer should also give impartial details and allow the reader to make
their decision over an issue the reader liked or disliked. Opinions should be explained to allow
the reader to determine whether they would agree with your opinion.
4. Actors. Detail who is starring in the movie and how well you think they acted.
5. Structure. Did the movie follow a regular predictable story line, or did it get you thinking, like
a Predestination movie?
6. Cinematography and lighting. Give details about how well the movie was shot and directed.
Was the lighting good in the moody scenes?
Paragraph 1: You will need to include the following: name of the film, prominent stars of the film,
basic setting (time and place), and genre.
Paragraph 2: You will need to write a short plot summary for the movie. Do not reveal the
ending.
Paragraph 3: Discuss one aspect of filmmaking. You may choose from acting, direction, editing,
costume design, etc. Be sure that you are specific and cite examples from the movie.
Paragraph 4: Discuss another aspect of filmmaking different from the one you discussed in
paragraph 3.
Paragraph 5: Give your overall reaction to the film as well as your opinion on the quality of the
film. Include your recommendations for potential viewers.
Created by Austin Peay State University, 22 March 2012; revised 6 March 2015
MOVIE REVIEW: “SEVEN SUNDAYS”
(Excerpt of the film review lifted from Lionheartv.net 2017)
Star Cinema’s “Seven Sundays” revolves around the story of Bonifacio family, whose
patriarch, Manuel, (Ronaldo Valdez) is diagnosed with a terminal illness. Seeing the family he
built with his now deceased-wife, falling apart, Manuel has only one dying wish: see his four
children together again and reconnected, happy and looking for each other, like when they were
still kids. But time and distance have taken a great toll on his children’s relationships which
have been mostly strained by insecurities and pride among them.
His eldest, Allan (Aga Mulach), is a struggling father trying to make ends meet for his own
family. Bryan (Dingdong Dantes), the middle child, who in spite of being the most successful,
harbors bitterness towards Allan, whom he thinks has remained his father’s favorite. Cha
(Cristine Reyes), now a mother of three, tries to hide her malfunctioning marriage, and Dexter
(Enrique Gil), the youngest, keeps himself distant from the family he thinks abandoned him.
They are forced to reconcile under the same roof, and as they try to grant their dying
father’s wish, a recollection of their history and some assessment of where they are and have
gone as a family, are inevitably ensued.
But Dingdong Dantes has arguably emerged as the strongest performer. There is a powerful
exchange of accusations and revelation of insecurities among the siblings, where Bryan bares his bitter
struggle to prove himself and his worth in the family.
Enrique Gil’s Dexter has practically the same baggage. He struggles to connect to the members of
his family whom he feels left him when he was in need of someone to guide him through growing up. As
anticipated, every member of the family has to survive the pains of growing up, but it is growing apart that
proves to be more damaging to the Bonifacio family, and it is more evident in Dexter.
But then, all these characters radiate around Manuel, played by Ronaldo Valdez, who has
singularly maintained his dramatic genius throughout the film. His struggle as a father trying to keep the
foundations of his already rattled family makes his character accessible; hence it emerges as the most
relatable element of the film.
For what it’s worth, while “Seven Sundays” struggles to abandon the conventions of its genre, this
Cathy Garcia-Molina-helmed family drama turns out to be actually memorable. Its utter earnestness to
relate a familiar story moves the film to levels that are bracing enough to capture audience and tug at their
heartstrings. With its poignant sentiments about family, it hits right in the heart, and for that, “Seven
Sundays” is exceptional.