Useful phrases

Providing background
As a science fiction fan, I would like to say that...
Not having read a book about loss before, I must point out that...
Being an avid reader myself, I would like to recommend reading...

What I liked
The thing I liked most was ….
I was pleasantly surprised by …..
 ….. would appeal to …..
 If you get a chance to ….
What I liked most was …..
I was specially pleased with...
The highlight of the novel for me was...
...was one of the high spots of the book.
What caught my attention in particular was...
 readable and watchable; a good read
 Absorbing; intriguing; Gripping; riveting 
Compulsive is used to describe movies and books that are so exciting, you cannot stop watching or
reading them
Engrossing: The movie was completely engrossing from start to finish.
It is hands down (easily and without any doubt) the best movie this year.
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: /ɪɡˈzɪləreɪtɪŋ/ very exciting and enjoyable. Sp. 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,vision) into the customs in Mexico.
Gripping: exciting or interesting in a way that keeps your attention. Sp. Emocionante, fascinante,
absorbente.

mesmerizing: /ˈmezməraɪzɪŋ/ having such a strong effect on you that you cannot give your attention to
anything else. E.g. Her performance was mesmerizing.
   
Impressive: making you feel admiration, because they are very large, good, skilful, etc. Sp.
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. Sp. 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.
mesmerizing: /ˈmezməraɪzɪŋ/ having such a strong effect on you that you cannot give your attention to
anything else. E.g. Her performance was mesmerizing.
Credible
Entertaining
Fast-moving
Innovative
Memorable
Unputdownable: (of a book) so exciting or interesting that you cannot stop reading it.

capture someone's imagination (or attention): fascinate someone.E.g. the project has captured the
imagination of the local public. No wonder the film has captured the imagination of audiences all over the
world.

enlightening: /ɪnˈlaɪtnɪŋ/ giving information so that you can understand something better. It was a very
enlightening movie. 

inspiring: exciting and encouraging you to do or feel something. E.g. an inspiring teacher. The book is
less than inspiring.

What I disliked
What I disliked most was …..
I was disappointed by ……
I was disappointed with …..
I was very disappointed by …..
 I was very disappointed with ….
The only drawback was...
I felt less happy about...
The plot didn't live up to expectations.
It probably won't appeal to teenagers.

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
Other expressions/Recommendations

I would (highly) recommend…

If I were you, I’d take a look at…
It is well worth the wait because…
It would be a good idea to check it out as…
The… must be included as…
It's a definite must-read.
You won't be disappointed. 
I would urge you to read it.
 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. Sp. 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.)

Reviews of books:
main character
is set in
comedy
science fiction
thriller
romance
comedy:
author
written by
chapter
factual
fiction
unbelievable
bestseller
chapter
ending

Reviews of films, tv programmes, plays:

in the nick of time: at the very last moment; just in time before something bad happens. E.g. They
escaped from the smoke-filled house just in the nick of time. An unprecedented catastrophe had been
avoided just in the nick of time.

A blockbuster /ˈblɒkbʌstə(r)/ something very successful, especially a very successful book or film/movie.

E.g. a Hollywood blockbuster.

An art film: (also art house film) is typically a serious, independent film not aimed at a mass market
audience. An art film is intended to be a serious artistic work, often experimental and not designed for
mass appeal.

art house: a movie theater that specializes in films that are artistic or experimental rather than merely
entertaining.
lead role
star role
star
star actor
star actress
starring
secondary role
He plays a …….
She plays a …….
written by ….
is set in …..
based on a true story ….
believable
true to life
not very believable
far-fetched
comedy
romance
science fiction
Reviews of hotels, restaurants, etc:
location
service
setting
attractive setting
disappointing setting
owned by
run by
head chef (restaurant)
waiters (restaurant)
staff …….
staff at reception …….(hotel
hotel facilities ….
reasonable prices …..
good value for money …..
excellent value for money …..
expensive
a bit expensive
overpriced
not worth the money
poor value for money
always fully booked
book in advance