A movie is a series of moving pictures used to tell a story, usually at a theater or on TV. It’s also a term that describes content longer than 10 minutes, as opposed to video which is typically a short clip or file you might find on the web.
While some movies are based on true events, most feature an original plot. A good movie must capture a viewer’s attention from the opening credits, and continue to hold it until the end. The best films make the audience think, laugh, and feel. Some films rely on a strong narrative to engage the audience, while others are emotionally powerful or make you question your beliefs.
The art of cinema is a highly-specialized field that has produced many masterworks. While the definition of a “great” movie may vary from person to person, there are some elements that all great movies must contain:
1. Great movies tell a compelling story that is gripping and unforgettable.
Whether the story is based on a real-life event or conjured up from the depths of the filmmaker’s imagination, a good movie will capture the audience’s attention from the opening credits and remain with them long after the film’s ending. A strong plot can be achieved through a combination of factors: suspense, action, romance, or a compelling character.
2. Great movies have a sense of time and place.
The way a film is set, the era it was made in, or the tone and feeling that it gives off can make a big difference to the overall experience of watching the movie. For example, classic Hollywood movies from the 1950s often displayed a more idealistic and romanticised optimism that was reflective of the optimistic economic conditions at the time. In contrast, films from New Hollywood from the 1970s tended to have a more uneasy and disillusioned feel that was reflected in the political climate at the time of production.
3. Great movies have a sense of style that never dates.
The look and feel of a film can give it an added level of charm and appeal that transcends the narrative itself. The use of lighting, the way characters are framed, the camera work, and other aesthetic elements can add to the overall impact of the movie. The way in which the director combines all these elements together can create a distinctive visual style that never seems outdated or out of date.
4. Great movies have a sense of meaning.
There are a few ways in which a movie can convey its meaning to the audience: explicit, implicit, or symbolic. Explicit meaning is meaning that is presented overtly in the film through dialogue or other direct references. This can include allusions to particular items of knowledge outside the film, or it can be a commentary on current social issues. Implicit meaning is significance that the film leaves unstated but that the viewer is expected to recognise through their analysis or reflection. Finally, symbolic meaning is the most subtle type of meaningful filmic symbolism and can be achieved through imagery, music, or other subtle techniques.