Vocabulary for talking about movies
Here is some language you can use for talking about movies (also called ‘films’ in British English). Also see ‘Going to the movies‘
Talking about movies in general – positive
- The acting was amazing!
- The sets were very impressive (the ‘set’ is the background to the filming)
Talking about movies in general – negative
- a bit slow-moving (it takes a long time to get to the main part/action)
- hard to follow in parts (it’s sometimes a bit confusing)
- a bit of a let-down (quite disappointing)
- a waste of time (stupid/ridiculous/poorly-made)
Talking about action movies
Genre (type) of movie: ‘Action’ movies
Normally involves: car chases, guns, fighting.
Common examples: Die Hard, Mad Max: Fury Road
Language you can use:
- full-on (there’s a lot of action)
- a bit slow-moving (it takes a long time to get to the main part/action)
- over the top (too much to be believable – a small car accident causing a car to completely explode, for example)
Talking about romantic movies
Genre (type) of movie: ‘Romantic’ movies (also informally called ‘chick flicks’)
Normally involves: people falling in love, first dates – can also include negative events like someone dying or being really sick.
Common examples: Titanic, The Fault in our Stars
Language you can use:
- a tear-jerker (it’s sad)
- a chick flick (romantic movies are often watched by females – ‘chick’ in an informal word for females. NOTE: referring to a woman as a ‘chick’ can be considered rude)
Talking about thrillers
Genre (type) of movie: ‘Thrilers’
Normally involves: detectives, murders or intrigues, a more complicated plot than an action movie
Common examples: Se7en, Silence of the Lambs
Language you can use:
- gripping
- suspenseful
- intriguing
Talking about comedies
Genre (type) of movie: ‘Comedies’
Normally involves: misunderstandings, funny events (generally positive overall)
Common examples: Dumb and Dumber Too
Language you can use:
- hilarious (very funny)