film review suggestions and guides

Quite a few students this semester have decided that they would like to write film reviews for their final project. Here are the instructions:

1. Choose a film:
• Choose at least 3 films; you may want to visit the GC Immigration Working Group's pages on immigration-related movies to find a film.
• Make sure that your peers are NOT writing reviews on the same movies. 
2. Watch the film:
• Try to watch the film at least twice. It might seem like a boring and unnecessary requirement, but this rule has been proven by many. It is practically impossible to write a solid film review having watched the film only once.
• As you watch the film the second time, make notes of critical scenes that seem to be particularly relevant to our class-- how the film you've chosen relates to the main themes in this class such as why people move, their reception, assimilation experiences, etc.
3. Prepare and write the review:
• Read about the story behind the film (whether it is based on real-life events, on a well-known novel, or on the personal experience of the director, etc.). Include any interesting and peculiar facts about the production process, the basis for the story, the cast and the crew, the budget and the shooting location.
• Introduction: Write an introduction where you include all the basic information so that the film can be easily identified and there is no confusion. Note the name, the director, main cast and the characters in the story, along with the year (and possibly date) of the premiere.
• Body: Write the main body. Analyze the story on the whole. In a standard film review, this section is where you would normally analyze the performance of the actors or the vision of the director, etc. Since this is an assignment for a sociology class, I would like you to discuss how the film is related to the themes of this class and why it's a good film to watch for an immigration class.
• Conclusion: Make a conclusion. State what the general perception of the film was by the audience and the critics. Then express your personal opinion and either recommend the film (in this case, specify what audience will most likely enjoy it) or not recommend it. Include the rationale for your opinion. 
• Much of these recommendations came from this page and you may wish to visit this page for a more detailed suggestions for writing a film review.
4. Submit your review:
• You will submit your review in two places: 
1. as a Google Doc shared with me and 
2. to GC Immigration Working Group's  Immigration Film Database