Developing writing
A film review 1
Read the review and choose the best answer. The writer would recommend the film to people who like … a crime films set in outer space. b science-fiction set in space with lots of action. c beautiful photography, space travel and a deep story about a father and son.
Ad Astra came out in 2019 and was a big hit with critics. It stars Brad Pitt as the main character, as well as Donald Sutherland and Tommy Lee Jones. The director, James Gray, also wrote the screenplay with Ethan Gross. Ad Astra is set in the future, where space travel is much more advanced than it is today. The plot is gripping. An astronaut called Roy McBride (Brad Pitt) is on a mission to find his father in deep space. We flash back to 30 years before, when his father, Clifford McBride (Tommy Lee Jones), who was working on a space project to find alien life, disappeared with his ship and crew. For years, Roy McBride believed that his father was dead, but he finds out that he might be alive – and possibly behind an attack on Earth. He goes on a daring mission with his father’s old colleague (Donald Sutherland) to find him and stop a mysterious power that is threatening the universe. Brad Pitt, who gives an amazing performance, is in almost every scene. In my opinion, it is one of his best roles. I viewed it in 4K resolution and I was amazed by the stunning views of space and the atmospheric soundtrack. The cinematography and the computer-generated imagery (CGI) help us feel how enormous the universe is and how small we are. It’s a fantastic film which is ideal for people who like a space setting and a story that explores relationships. However, it is quite slow and there’s less adventure than in other space movies like Gravity or Interstellar , so if you like more action, this film may not be the one for you! AD ASTRA – AN OUTER SPACE EPIC!
Include main information about the film
Use adjectives to describe the film: amazing , stunning , atmospheric , fantastic , ideal
Give your opinion of the film and include film vocabulary: screenplay , plot , performance , roles , soundtrack , cinematography , CGI
Say if you recommend the film.
2 What tenses does the writer use to summarise the plot in paragraph 2?
Read the sentences and choose the word which has the same meaning as the word in bold. developed • fascinating • film music • location • perfect • very brave •
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3 What does the writer like most about the film?
very impressive • w as released 1 Ad Astra came out in 2019. 2 Space travel is much more advanced than it is today. 3 The plot is gripping . 4 He goes on a daring mission. 5 I was amazed by the stunning views of space and the atmospheric soundtrack . 6 It’s a fantastic film which is ideal for people who like a space setting .
4 What reasons and examples does the writer give to support his/her opinion?
5 Who wouldn’t the writer recommend the film to?
Complete the sentences with the words in the box. comedies • ending • h orror • scary • special effects • s pectacular • s tars • violent • villain 1 This science-fiction film has cinematography and . 2 You’ll be terrified by Javier Bardem, who as the of the movie. 3 I love romantic that have a happy ! 4 This film is dark and . It’s so they gave it an 18+ rating.
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Read the review again and answer the questions. 1 What key aspects of the film does the writer describe in the first paragraph?
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Unit 8
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