Do you have a favourite movie?
There are some movies that are timeless* classics. Movies that resonate* with us, that strike a chord within our hearts and keep us wanting more.
We all like different kinds of movies, from romance to horror and thriller to drama. However, if there’s one thing we all have in common, it is that we all have a favourite movie.
Sometimes though, we all face problems when trying to accurately convey exactly what we’re trying to say.
Read on to learn exactly what to say, to make your conversational partner understand what it is that makes the movie you love, so interesting. Happy learning!
So, let’s start by taking a basic situation that all of us can relate to, and work from there.
You’ve just seen the latest blockbuster* movie at the theatre, and can’t wait to tell your mom about it.
Read on to find the overall flow, specific vocabulary, phrases, and expressions that can be used for an effective and fluent conversation on this topic. Right below is your guide to having an engaging conversation!
A conversation has specific phases that it goes through. Here is a quick look at what we are guarantee you a smooth conversation.
Content : What is it that you are going to talk about?
Use the ‘wh’ questions along with the keywords to help you put together the content.
- Where did you watch the movie? – I bought the DVD, I saw it at the theatre etc.
- How did you come across the movie? – A friend told me about it, I saw a billboard ad for it, I saw a youtube video about it etc.
- What was your favourite part of the movie? – Climax, Denouement*, Plot twist etc.
- Who is your favourite character from the movie? – Protagonist, Antagonist, Supporting character, Comedic relief sidekick etc.
- What do you like about the character? – Bravery, Benevolence*, Cleverness, Skill etc.
Choosing Contextual Vocabulary
Choosing contextual vocabulary to suit the scenario you’re talking about can be very important when it comes to giving depth and clarity to what you’re trying to say, as well as piquing* your partner’s attention. In this case, you’re talking about a movie you like.
Listed below are a few words and phrases that could come in handy while elaborating on the movie. Additionally, the meanings of a few starred (*) words are given at the end of this article that you could also use!
- Plot
- Protagonist/Antagonist*
- Cast
- Acting skill
- Climax
- Denouement
- Director, Producer etc.
- Plot Twist
- Soundtrack
- Movie Reviews on websites, by critics etc.
- Movie length
- Similar movies
- Dialogue
- Screenplay/Direction*
- Cinematography*
Similarly. given below are a few descriptive words and phrases that you could use to make your conversation more interesting!
- Realistic acting.
- Well-written and well-executed dialogue.
- Cohesive* plotline.
- Ensemble* cast.
- Generally positive/negative reviews.
- Visually aesthetic.
- Three-dimensional characters.
- Anachronisms* and logical plot-holes.*
- Memorable soundtrack.
- Emotionally connecting scenes.
- Skilful screenplay and direction.
- Novel* use of existing cliches and tropes.
- Interesting protagonist-antagonist dynamics*
- Critically acclaimed success.
- Box office hit/Blockbuster
Organizing the Content : Putting it all together to create a comprehensive picture
Now that we know what to talk about and the words to use, let us put them in a logical order.
Initiate the conversation by talking about a new movie you discovered.
‘I went to the theatre last Sunday to see the latest MCU movie, ‘Captain Marvel’
Express your excitement over the movie – this could be why you brought the movie into the conversation.
‘It was a wonderfully fast-paced* movie with constant plot twists that kept me on edge the entire time.’
Talk about why you liked the movie – here are 5 examples of things you could say
- The movie, in terms of visuals was fantastic. The screenplay was very well-handled, I consider this the director’s magnum opus.*
- The movie featured an ensemble cast with great chemistry between them, the scenes were very emotionally connecting.
- The soundtrack was one of my favourite parts of the movie, it elevated my entire movie-watching experience to a whole other level.
- The protagonist and antagonist were twins separated at birth, it was interesting to see the dynamics that played out between them.
- The plot of the movie was cohesive and well-planned, it was fast-paced, but did not seem rushed.
Tell your conversational partner why you think they should watch the movie, for example-
- I think you should watch this movie because I know how much you love thrillers and horror films, and this is a perfect combination of the two.
- I know you don’t usually watch movie adaptations of books, but you have to check this one out, it’s better than the book!
- Your favourite actress, Emma Watson, is acting in this movie. I know how much you adore her, she plays the main character and she’s brilliant at it!
- The cinematography in this movie is exceptional! You don’t have to be a hardcore movie buff* to appreciate it.
- I heard you were looking for a good soundtrack to recreate for your school play? I suggest the soundtrack from X, you should also check the movie out while you’re at it.
A model answer would be as follows :-
I went to the theatre last Sunday to watch the latest release from the Marvel Cinematic Universe. It was enthralling! The perfect combination of action and suspense with a little bit of romance thrown into the mix. My favourite part was the climax, which involved a huge and bloody battle between the forces of good and evil. My favourite character saved the day again, I love how bravely and heroically he is written.The visuals were stunning, you’d love it. I know you’re a fantasy lover so you’d enjoy this film particularly well. Your favourite actor, Tom Hanks, stars in this film as an international super spy. You should definitely check this movie out, I’m sure you will enjoy it!
Meaning of starred (*) words
Timeless – Not affected by the passage of time.
Resonate – Evoke emotions.
Blockbuster – a movie, book or work of great commercial success.
Denouement – The final part of a play, book or film in which matters are finally resolved.
Benevolence – Kindness.
Pique – Arouse interest.
Protagonist – Main character.
Antagonist – Main character’s adversary.
Screenplay – The script of a film including acting instructions and scene directions.
Cinematography – The art of photography and camera work in filmmaking.
Cohesive – Following a proper order or sequence.
Ensemble Cast – Cast comprising of multiple principle actors with a roughly equal amount of screen time.
Anachronism – A chronological inconsistency in a movie.
Plot Hole – A general inconsistency in the narrative.
Novel – New.
Protagonist-Antagonist Dynamics – The connection between the hero and the villain.
Fast Paced – Developing quickly.
Magnum Opus – The masterpiece of a person’s career.
Movie Buff – A person who loves movies and is knowledgeable about them.
Enthralling – Capturing one’s attention.
