Movie Review Guidelines

First-time writers: Before submitting a movie review to Flak, send your pitch to film@flakmag.com. Indicate in your pitch whether you have already seen the movie in question. For the record, "I'd like to review The Aviator" is not a pitch, and neither is, "I'd like to review The Life Aquatic and here's a link to my blog." It should go without saying that "Here's my review of Closer if you're interested" is also not a pitch.

Now allow me to blow your minds by introducting a seemingly incompatible idea: Whatever aspect of the movie you're contemplating as you walk out the screening room is what your review should be about. Forget the checklist approach to movie reviewing — as if every review of a beautifully shot movie needs to have its cinematographer name-checked if it’s not cinematography that you want to discuss with your reader. Flak wants compelling, personal (but first-person-free) reviews that stand out in a field of sameness. Remember, it's a critical piece for the popular media, not a paper for a class or academic journal.

So how can you pitch a review about a movie you haven't seen if I want the review to be about what you were thinking when you left the theater? The best answer is that if you're submitting to Flak for the first time, you should probably have seen the movie before you pitch.

The movie being reviewed has to be current — the piece should run in Flak no later than two weeks after its wide release, and that has to allow for an editing process than can be involved for first-time writers. It can be obscure, although it would be nice if it has a reasonable chance of at least going wide on the arthouse circuit. Featured films of major festivals qualify, and films without distribution will be considered from the right pitch.

Pieces with a scope broader than just a review are also encouraged.