A movie is any narrative form put on video. It can be a story, documentary, or even animation. It used to be defined as a fiction film over an hour long, shown in cinemas (although with the advent of TV and DVD/streaming technology this is no longer always the case). Movies can be any genre – from horror movies to biopics to comedy to romantic comedies, and all sorts of other genres you can think of. What is important for a movie to be great is its storytelling and the way it makes you feel and/or think about the subject matter. This is usually achieved through the use of cinematic devices, such as the way lighting, music, editing, and cinematography are combined to tell a story, the choice of actors, the way the plot develops, and so on.
Originally, when films were new, they were often called “moving pictures” because they were basically photographs strung together on something like a zoetrope, so that they appeared to move (hence the name). They can still be considered as art in terms of their visual style, but it is their ability to engage the audience at a deeper level that truly makes a movie great.
The best movies make us laugh, and they can also make us cry. They are able to touch our emotions and give us empathy for the characters we watch, and they are often very clever. This could be the use of a particular shot to set the tone, or the way a character is introduced, or even the clever dialogue that we remember.
A good script is essential for a movie. It will provide the blueprint that all other parts of the moviemaking process will refer to as they create the final product. Good writing will draw the audience in, keep them on the edge of their seat, and will tease them about what is coming next.
Some movies are based on true events or real people, and these can be both heart-warming and tragic. They are often uplifting because they show how good and kind we humans can be, but they can also be devastating because they highlight the darker side of human nature. These types of movies are often called dramas.