| No. | Item | Definition |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | allegory | story with symbolic second meaning |
| 2. | allusion | indirect reference to something known |
| 3. | ambitious | aiming for impressive scope |
| 4. | antagonist | the force opposing the protagonist |
| 5. | antihero | a flawed central character |
| 6. | arc | a character’s emotional journey |
| 7. | assured | confident and skillful |
| 8. | auteur | director seen as chief author |
| 9. | backstory | a character’s earlier history |
| 10. | biopic | a film about a real life |
| 11. | blockbuster | a hugely popular commercial film |
| 12. | blocking | the staging of actors’ movement |
| 13. | bombastic | overblown and noisy |
| 14. | brisk | quick and energetic in pace |
| 15. | characterization | the creation of believable characters |
| 16. | cinematography | the art of camera work |
| 17. | clichéd | overused and unoriginal |
| 18. | climax | the story’s peak moment |
| 19. | close-up | a tightly framed shot |
| 20. | coherent | logically connected and clear |
| 21. | composition | the visual arrangement of elements |
| 22. | continuity | consistency across shots and scenes |
| 23. | contrived | artificially arranged or forced |
| 24. | cut | an immediate transition between shots |
| 25. | derivative | too closely imitative |
| 26. | dialogue | spoken lines between characters |
| 27. | direction | the filmmaker’s guiding vision |
| 28. | disjointed | lacking smooth connection |
| 29. | dissolve | one image blending into another |
| 30. | documentary | a nonfiction factual film |
| 31. | editing | the cutting and assembly of shots |
| 32. | elegant | graceful and refined |
| 33. | ensemble | a cast working effectively together |
| 34. | epic | grand in scale and scope |
| 35. | evocative | bringing strong images or feelings |
| 36. | exposition | background information given to viewers |
| 37. | fade | a gradual transition to or from |
| 38. | flashback | a scene set in the past |
| 39. | foreshadowing | hints of future events |
| 40. | formulaic | following a predictable pattern |
| 41. | framing | how subjects are enclosed onscreen |
| 42. | genre | a category of film style |
| 43. | homage | respectful imitation or tribute |
| 44. | immersive | deeply involving the viewer |
| 45. | intimate | closely personal and small-scale |
| 46. | irony | meaning or outcome opposite expectation |
| 47. | kinetic | full of movement and energy |
| 48. | layered | containing multiple levels of meaning |
| 49. | lead | the main performer or role |
| 50. | lighting | the use of light in scenes |
| 51. | long shot | a distant view of subjects |
| 52. | meandering | wandering without clear direction |
| 53. | mise-en-scène | everything arranged within the frame |
| 54. | montage | a sequence of condensed images |
| 55. | motif | a recurring image or idea |
| 56. | moving | emotionally affecting |
| 57. | narrative | the story structure and progression |
| 58. | nuanced | showing subtle distinctions |
| 59. | overwrought | too emotional or elaborate |
| 60. | pacing | the speed of dramatic movement |
| 61. | pan | a horizontal camera movement |
| 62. | payoff | the satisfying result of setup |
| 63. | performance | an actor’s work in a role |
| 64. | plot | the sequence of story events |
| 65. | poignant | touchingly sad or emotional |
| 66. | polished | smoothly finished and refined |
| 67. | premise | the story’s basic setup |
| 68. | raw | unpolished but powerful |
| 69. | realism | lifelike representation of people and events |
| 70. | reboot | a fresh restart of a series |
| 71. | resolution | the ending’s settling of conflict |
| 72. | restrained | controlled and not excessive |
| 73. | riveting | completely absorbing and compelling |
| 74. | score | original music written for a film |
| 75. | screenplay | the script for a film |
| 76. | set piece | a standout staged sequence |
| 77. | sluggish | moving too slowly |
| 78. | sound design | the crafted use of sound |
| 79. | soundtrack | the film’s music and sound |
| 80. | spectacle | impressive visual display |
| 81. | subtext | implied meaning beneath the surface |
| 82. | subtle | delicate and understated |
| 83. | symbolism | use of symbols for meaning |
| 84. | taut | tightly controlled and tense |
| 85. | tense | filled with suspense or strain |
| 86. | tension | strained expectation or pressure |
| 87. | theme | the central idea or message |
| 88. | tilt | a vertical camera movement |
| 89. | tone | the film’s overall emotional quality |
| 90. | tracking shot | a moving shot following action |
| 91. | twist | an unexpected story turn |
| 92. | understated | deliberately low-key |
| 93. | uneven | inconsistent in quality or tone |
| 94. | verisimilitude | the appearance of truthfulness |
| 95. | villain | the story’s main wrongdoer |
| 96. | visceral | powerfully physical or emotional |
| 97. | voice-over | narration heard over images |
| 98. | wooden | lacking natural expression |
| 99. | world-building | creation of a believable setting |
| 100. | zoom | a lens move changing magnification |