How to Write a Movie Review

I've always wanted to try out on writing reviews -- whether it be for a restaurant, book, place or movie, but never really done it due to lack of experience and knowledge. I'd say knowledge in writing an effective one. A review where I express and share my opinion but at the same time help the reader decide on it (say for a movie whether they want to watch, rent or buy the movie). To be able to give out enough details without giving away the essential parts of it.

And I realized that if I really want to be able to write reviews, I better start learning how to do it. So I have made my research and these are the things I have learned through several how-to sites:

1. Choose your movie and be familiar with it - Even before watching the movie, try to know a little about it - the actors, director. See what their past works are. Are they Oscar winners? What they're known for - their styles, etc. Is the movie based on a book or a real life story? A sequel? Knowing the following information will help you understand more about the movie. You'll be able to pick up easily on the details, hints, trademarks of the director or its actors and have more insights of important story elements. You'll be able to impart to your readers if it has lived up to the original, or the book. Important things that helps a movie critic write a solid movie review. 
2. Watch your movie - You'll never be able to give your 100% opinion on a movie you didn't even see. Watch a movie in a place you're comfortable watching so you can focus your attention to it, you wouldn't want to be distracted, would you? Watching the movie the second time also helps you absorb a lot more detail about the movie. Most movie reviewers take down notes as they watch movie review. 
3. Give your opinion - But before doing that, take time to soak in the film. Think about it for a few hours before you start writing. Let all the excitement, appreciation or distaste wear off a bit so you don't write too emotionally. Formulate a specific opinion in one sentence. Your main job as a movie reviewer is to give an opinion of the movie. This may anywhere be between a "Thumbs Up" or a "3 Out of 5 Stars". But give out a specific thesis to drive your critique. For example, "I didn't like this comedy" becomes "The story had it's funny moments but it went on too long." "This horror movie is good" becomes "This horror movie works because it builds suspense right up until the end." Always aim for that specific opinion that will be the foundation of your film review. Just remember that in all journalism, the reviewer should also give impartial details, and allow their readers to make their own mind over an issue the reader would like or dislike. Opinions should be explained give readers the chance to determine whether they would agree with your opinions.
4. Create a good lead - There are general writing tips that apply to most forms of writing. One of those tips is to grab your readers immediately. Of course you'll want your readers to be interested in what you have to say. Grab him in that initial paragraph in several ways: Start with a great quote from the movie, and explain how it reflects the movie; refer to the reputation of the actor/actress and compare it to how s/he did in this movie; compare this movie to another well-known film in a few sentences or two; explain what your expectation was, and if it was fulfilled or not. Then end that first paragraph by writing your opinion statement. 
5. Give an outline of the movie or recap briefly - If you've read professional movie reviews you'll notice that they either give an outline of the movie or recap of it. Give it but never give out essential details such as the end or any surprises. You can tell the people the basic premise of the movie. In fact, you should write about the basic premise, and tell them where the story builds, but don't give away the 'moments', especially not the ending! Keep the movie synopsis brief then get to reviewing.  
6. Support your main opinion with specifics - Now you can talk about why you think the movie took so long. It's time for you to prove it! You can also write about the: actors, on how well you think they acted; structure, if the movie followed a regular predictable storyline or did it get you thinking til the very end?; cinematography and lighting, give details on how the movie was shot and directed. Was the lighting good in the crabby scenes?; music, did it have its own soundtrack or it featured songs from famous artists?
7. Be honest in your appraisal - Even if you hate the actress or love the actor, when writing a movie review remember not to hold back on your true opinion of the film. Set a standard in mind: a comedy should be funny, a horror movie should be scary, etc.; Use those standards to judge the movie and not against any pre-existing opinions you may have. This will make the review more valuable to your readers. 
8. Read. Read. Read - Let your review sit for a few hours and read it back with fresh eyes then edit it. Make sure to read and check your review thoroughly as it can be embarrassing to find errors in your review after it has been published. 

So that's basically all there is to writing an effective book review... Easy, eh? I hope you learn as much as I did.

Good luck in your movie review critic career and don't forget to enjoy the show! ☺

Dolly Project: 1st Attempt

I recently met a friend who asked me if I can make her student miniatures in elementary and high school uniforms of Miriam College as well as prototypes for the Marian Auditorium and Rock Garden of their school, all made of clay for their September 2011 bazaar.

I didn't commit to it but I told her I'll see what I can do. I can make samples for her and send it to her by Dec 7, 2010 so she can show it to her colleagues. I didn't commit because I know that I haven't really tried making clay dolly projects... top that produce lady-like miniatures in uniform. 

So last night I grabbed my stash clays and attempted to make one - without a sample, without a book, without anything to guide me but some blurry photo of a student I got from Google-ing.

front-back-side views

Realizations:

• Stash clays will never give justice to the project, no matter how beautiful it is (but I am not saying this is beautiful because I know it isn't, haha!).


• It's always better to scribble first especially when you don't know how to go about the project.


• Try to set a goal on the size of the project... else you end up with a huge charm for a cellphone trinket.


• And last but not the least, to never press on the project too much!

I think the project would have looked better if only her shirt was a little whiter and cleaner... and a little smaller. Also, I think I could've made it smaller if I didn't used up too many clays, all I have to do is to play around with it using my tools. 

Looking at it now, I think I am ready to make something better. ☺ Something that will surely be pretty and not some "student halloween girl" like how my brother called it. He must've been referring to the eyes... Ooohh the eyes. I need to do something about those huge dark eyes! haha!

I am so sorry Marians... I promise to make something better! ☺<

Perfectly Imperfect

From something like this:

a vacant lot

full of grass and some trees

To this:

front view

side view

sided-front view

It's been almost 7 months since the construction started and I was surprised to see how much of it has been done since our last visit to check the site. It's way way up North but I am excited to move to the new office! Oh no the warehouse is not mine... but to the loving company I work for ☺ New Year, New Office!!!

But just the same, on a daily basis, these are the things we have to deal with on our way home...

Bumper to bumper traffic, people wandering-walking-crossing everywhere and undisciplined pedicabs and kuligligs! *sigh

E. Gilbert's: Eat. Pray. Love & Committed Books

This is a pre-owned book that I bought online. I paid for it last Monday and has been waiting for it since then. I almost got impatient waiting for it and called up the seller yesterday to check if she was able to ship it as promised since it's not yet here... Finally I got the book today on my way out to work!

This book has been made a motion picture and the movie rights for the memoir were purchased by Columbia Pictures which stars Julia Roberts. Here's the trailer of the movie:

In as much as I love to watch the film - - never was a time that I passed on any Julia Roberts' films too, I opted not to, at least until I am able to read the book. Frankly speaking I am torn between whether I should watch the movie first then read later or read first then watch later. But as my book lover friend Celina said, I better read the book first, I decided to wait until I am done with the book. ☺

Last Sunday I also got the chance to drop by A Different Kind of Bookstore and found the book written by the same author after she wrote Eat, Pray, Love when we went to Serendra for BJ's reunion dinner. I think since my husband knew just how much I love reading books and saw me holding on to this, he immediately got the book for me. ♥

Committed is the fifth book that Elizabeth Gilbert wrote after Eat, Pray, Love. A Skeptic Makes Peace with Marriage as the book says. I am glad I was able to have a copy of this book as early as now. 

I can't wait to read both books and watch the film. I'll try to write a review on the books and of the movie as soon as I am done. ☺

Made with Love

Originally posted: 04th November 2010

She's my little smarty princess...

Look just how fast she has grown...

And she is about to turn one SOON! 

*sigh, how time flies...

We're actually celebrating her birthday a little earlier than her actual birth date because we're holding the celebration on her Chinese birth date. 

And because of this, I am in so much rush!

Why? 

Because even if my initial plan of making her party souvenirs myself didn't pushed through, due to my carpal tunnel syndrome, I still decided to make something handmade for her birthday...

And this is our "thank you" gift for her soon-to-be godparents. Here, let me show it to you...

still undefinable... a work in progress...

still a work in progress.. but almost there...

done with the main character

I just need to think of a way to make this more usable to her god-parents

Ta-da! Now done... A pen holder!

I almost can't believe that I was the one who made it... A lot of people really liked it. And I really hope the godparents would love it too... Now I just need to make 12 more of it and find a good gift box to put it into. ♥

My Clay Investments

Originally posted: 04th November 2010

I am, again, so much grateful for being able to purchase several tools that I can use for claying.

clay tools & materials

3pcs Wilton flower cutters

3pcs Wilton oval cutters

Wilton alphabet cutters

The materials on the first photo were purchased online. I got the 7pcs Kemper Circle Cutter Set, Kato Polyclay, E6000 adhesive, Pearlex and The Beadlady Sparklers. I've decided to get some mica powders from both Pearlex and The Beadlady Sparklers so I can see the difference between the two. Hopefully, I will also be able to blog about it too. The Wilton cutters on the other hand were purchased from the mall. 

I also got some pre-loved, but only used once, 21g Pearlex Brilliant Gold color, Sculpey Antiquing - - I have the warm white now I have the chocolate brown too plus a pair of Oval and Circle Kemper-like cutters. I just wasn't able to take pictures of them =( Nevertheless, I sure am glad I bought them! Cheap good finds are really hard to find, you know? ☺

I am still waiting for the 3 Cameo molds I got online for only P100+ each plus 2 more great craft books! Lucky lucky lucky me for finding really affordable stuff!

Oh and please don't get me wrong, the previous weeks were not spent on spending spree alone... If you only knew, I try as much as I can to hold myself up from spending. But since I turned a year older and I know that nothing else could make me more happier than crafting essentials, I decided to give in. ♥

The crafting tools were actually used the moment I got them. For the past weeks, I have been too busy putting into practice everything I have learned from my first ever workshop with Rocky.

My little corner in the room

using the clay from our factory, NENDO.

If you look at the clay closely you will notice just how fine it is even with just several rolls from the pasta machine! I love using this clay because it is very easy to knead plus it is super flexible after baking! With this clay, I am sure that my clay creations will last longer! More of NENDO creations here.

doing the photo transfer technique

And now let's take a look at what I did the past weeks...

The Tiny Creatures

Flowers, anyone?

Now on my attempt to do personalized key chains and mobile phone charms...

I really really ♥ my name!

I made this for my fave book seller/friend

for my sister-in-law

for Cabun, my daughter's fave akoh and playmate

for our secretary

Watcha customer

Watcha customer

Watcha customer

I am so happy for my purchases because I was able to make good use of them. And with the upcoming gift giving season, I am sure to be using them a lot more often!

I am getting hooked on this so much that I've actually stopped working with my hooks and yarns. But of course I won't totally be leaving crochet because it is still one of my greatest loved amongst all crafts! ♥

My 1st Ever Workshop: Rockybeads

Originally posted: 10th October 2010

I've always been wondering whether or not I should attend workshops to learn about a certain craft I'm very much interested about. But every time I ask for the workshop fee, I always find myself taken aback by just how much it would cost me. I would always end up telling myself, 'I'll learn it even without taking any workshops', after all, what are my books, e-books as well as available online tutorials for. If I had successfully learn crochet all by myself + online helpful friends, I'd learn polymer clay crafting as well as the others too. 

But one evening while browsing beads sites, I stumbled into one of the country's greatest beader turned clayist, Rocky Antonio's site Rockybeads. There I saw one-of-a-kind beaded-clay accessories. I kept looking and my eyes feasted on all her beautifully hand-crafted accessories. And because I can't stop admiring her works, I felt the need to share it with my hubby. We kept looking until we read about her 1-on-1 workshops. 

My husband immediately encouraged me to attend the workshop. Just like the rest of the other workshops I've known of, I found myself quite hesitant at first because of the fee. But my husband insisted and said that he'd pay for it. And so I agreed and immediately left a message to Rocky.

And so last Saturday, October 02, I attended my first ever workshop. Yes, my first ever workshop since I started with The Joyful Crafter. And to tell you a secret, I have been so much excited about it - since Rocky and I set the date, I have been counting days 'til the workshop. I even prepared a notebook and jot down all topics I'd love to discuss and ask Rocky about. 

Front page of my prepared notebook

What I want to learn...

Unfortunately, due to nervousness and being super excited about it I totally forgot to bring my notebook on the day of the workshop. And so we had to rush to Powerbooks, Eastwood Mall, to get me a notepad and a pen so I can write down everything Rocky will be teaching me. I can tell just by my previous casual conversations with her, even before the workshop, that I will be learning a lot of things. 

the notebook & pen I brought with me during the workshop

Before I had my workshop with Rocky, I normally would end up burning my clay projects... 

I know this was supposed to be something, I just couldn't remember 

because I can't keep myself from laughing now just by looking at this...

this is my blue alien pig

but his feet got burned too...

this was supposed to be a name tag

Or if not burned, it would be under baked like this...

What I love about Rocky is that she is a very flexible teacher. She bothered to ask me ahead of time of what I would like to learn on the workshop. That gave me the idea that Rocky is the type of teacher who plans and prepares ahead of time, making sure that her students would get as much take-away from her workshop as possible, which I think is a very good thing.

The workshop with her is not the typical type of workshop where there is a course outline that needs to be strictly followed. With Rocky, you can ask her almost anything and learn about every thing there is to know about polymer clay crafting - from conditioning to molding to decorating to baking to having one of a kind creations... She even shares the tools and materials she uses for her works and where she gets/buys them! See how generous she is?

And here are some of the photos taken during my workshop with Rocky: 

Rocky showing me how to work with the clay

looking closely while discussing

do you see the smile on my face?

I wanted to just watch Rocky but she insisted on me doing 

and she was very supportive in squeezing out the creativity in me ☺

closer

tada! I can't believe I made them...

such a cutey locket

I learned a lot during my workshop with Rocky, from molding to decorating to antiquing, to pearlex/Beadlady sparklers application to successfully baking a project. But most of all, my major take-away from the workshop is being able to fully trust myself when it comes to crafting to be able to let loose the creativity in me and come up with fabulous works.

On my way home, Rocky also gave me the following... 

lockets... because I opted not to take my break and just continue with our workshop, and...

photos so I can practice more on the photo transfer technique

Now here are my first set of works AFTER the said workshop:

no more burned projects + successful clay molding!

applying pearlex and antiquing white

I consider my workshop with Rocky a successful one because not only did I learn a LOT from it but we also gained a friend in her and in the personality of her son Liam and husband Marlon. They were so accommodating and supportive!

And as per the workshop fee? It was definitely WORTH IT! I'm glad that my husband encouraged and pushed me to take this workshop. Now I know that if she is to conduct another workshop for advance polymer clay crafting, I would surely be one of her repeat students.

I strongly recommend Rocky's workshop to anyone who aspires to learn and even develop (if they're already into polymer clay) their skills. With all the things that she has in store for you and you are to learn during the workshop, you can be assured that every penny paid is well spent.

I give this workshop a 5 out of 5 stars.

*Credits to Marlon Antonio for the workshop photos

Rocky Villegas-Antonio

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