Ready for CAE p 76. Reviews.

Vocabulary
Useful language for reviews
The real-life struggle (a hard fight in which people try to obtain or achieve sth,
especially sth that sb else does not want them to have. Lucha) of brilliant minds with
schizophrenia /sktsfrini/ and Alzheimer's /ltshamz/ disease may not
sound like the ingredients of an entertaining afternoon's viewing.
Russell Crowe's stunning performance as mathematical genius John Nash and Judi
Dench's moving portrayal of novelist Iris Murdoch will have you rushing out to buy
the books on which these two films are based.
It is in their thematic content that the two films resemble each other most. Both
focus on the withdrawal (the act of moving or taking sth away or back. Retirada) of
the protagonists into their own inner world and the effect this has on their longsuffering but devoted marital partners. Also common to both films is the fact that
we witness the two academics in their youth and old age. Hats off here to Crowe's
make up team- he is remarkably convincing as the sixty-six-year-old Nash receiving
his Nobel Prize.
Iris differs from A Beautiful Mind in this respect, relying instead on other actors to
play the vivacious (having a lively, attractive personality) young Iris - a very credible
Kate Winslet- and her stuttering (having difficulty speaking because he cannot stop
himself from repeating the first sound of some words several times; stammering)
companion. In addition, unlike the more linear American film, flashbacks are used to
good effect to switch (change from one thing to another) backwards and forwards
between the two contrasting stages of Murdoch's life.
The strength of Iris lies in its powerful acting and mundane (ordinary) realism, with
the novelist seen in her cluttered (full of a lot of things and untidy) Oxford house.
However, if, as I do, you favour something more visually appealing, but no less
plausible, then A Beautiful Mind is a definite must-see.
Other expressions
I would highly recommend it to anyone who is interested in the human mind.
One particular strength/ weakness of the film is
The design/production is second to none (the best).
The characterization is not its best feature.
I would strongly advise you (not) to go out and buy/see it.
Do not be put off (to make sb lose interest in or enthusiasm for sth. Desanimar)by the
title/critics/cover.
It will have you roaring with laughter (laugh very loudly).
I would definitely give it a miss (decide not to do sth.)
Positive Adjectives
Action-packed: full of exciting events and activity: e.g. an action-packed weekend.
Atmospheric: creating an exciting or emotional mood: e.g. atmospheric music
Compelling: that makes you pay attention to it because it is so interesting and exciting:
e.g. Her latest book makes compelling reading. A compelling film. She gives a
compelling/memorable performance as a village doctor.
Convincing: The acting is very convincing
Enthusiastic and vivid descriptions of the scenery
It's an excellent read. It is both entertaining and educational.
Exhilarating: /zlret/ very exciting and enjoyable. Emocionante: e.g. My first
parachute jump was an exhilarating experience.
Provides a fascinating/valuable/revealing insight into: e.g. the novel provides a
fascinating insight (understanding,visin) into the customs in Mexico.
Gripping: exciting or interesting in a way that keeps your attention. Emocionante,

fascinante, absorbente.
Impressive: making you feel admiration, because they are very large, good, skilful,
etc.Impresionante, imponente, excelente:an impressive performance. One of the most
impressive novels of recent years She was very impressive in the interview.
Moving: causing you to have deep feelings of sadness or sympathy. Conmovedor: e.g.
a deeply moving experience.
Outstanding: extremely good; excellent. E.g. Outstanding performance.
Powerful: effective. E.g. Powerful acting
Stunning: impressive: gave a stunning performance
Credible, entertaining, fast-moving, innovative, memorable.
Negative adjectives
Clichd:/klied/ used so often that it no longer has much meaning and is not
interesting: e.g. a clichd view of upper-class life.
Excruciating:/kskruiet/ extremely painful or bad.E.g. There are two versions of
this excruciating film. Excruciatingly (adv): e.g. excruciatingly boring.
Implausible: Not seeming reasonable or probable; failing to convince; not believable.
Inverosmil. E.g. A rather implausible story.
Overhyped: promoted or publicized to excess exaggerating its good qualities, in order
to get a lot of public attention for it: Promoters grossly overhyped the movie.
Sentimental: producing emotions such as pity, romantic love or sadness, which may
be too strong or not appropriate; feeling these emotions too much. Sensiblero: a
slushy, sentimental love story
Slushy: stories, films / movies or feelings that are considered to be silly and without
value because they are too emotional and romantic. Sensiblero: e.g. slushy romantic
fiction
Tedious: lasting or taking too long and not interesting. Boring. E.g. A very long and
tedious film.
Unconvincing: not seeming true or real; not making you believe that sth is true: e.g.
I find the characters in the book very unconvincing.
I found the plot rather predictable/disappointing.
Expressions to compare and contrast
Bear a close/a striking/a strong/a slight/little/no resemblance to: e.g. Her latest
novel, a tale of unrequited love, bears little resemblance to her earlier, more
philosophical work.
There is little to choose between (hardly any difference between) the two CDs in
terms of quality of production.
The plot of the novel develops along very different lines from that of the film.
There are several obvious/striking similarities between the two films.
There is a world of difference between the two records, despite their shared
flamenco influences.
What sets the film apart from others of the same genre is its ability to make us
laugh.
A considerable/huge/marked/slight difference
A close/remarkable/striking/ similarity
Be dissimilar from/to: E.g. Dissimilar from other New York films.
Be very much alike
Be unlike another film
Differ from
One thing compares (un)favourably/ well/badly with another
Develop in a different way from
Have a great deal/little/nothing in common with
Resemble each other