Describe A Movie You Watched Recently That You Felt Disappointed About: IELTS Speaking Cue Card

You should say

What was it?
When did you watch it?
Who did you watch it with?
And explain why you felt disappointed

34 unique answers with expert feedback

What do you think makes a movie engaging?

I believe an engaging movie has a strong plot, well-developed characters, and a good balance of action and emotion. It should keep the audience invested in the story and evoke feelings that resonate with them. Good pacing and unexpected twists also contribute to an engaging experience.

How important is the music in a movie for you?

Music plays a crucial role in setting the tone and enhancing the emotional impact of a movie. It can elevate scenes, create tension, or provide relief. In 'Gangowa', while the music was well done, it couldn't save the movie from its disappointing plot, highlighting how essential a good storyline is.

Have you ever watched a movie that exceeded your expectations?

Yes, I once watched 'Inception', which completely exceeded my expectations. The intricate plot, stunning visuals, and thought-provoking themes kept me engaged throughout. It was a refreshing experience that showed how a well-crafted story can captivate an audience, unlike 'Gangowa'.

Band 6-7

00:00

One movie that I really disappointed me was The Matrix Resurrection. I watched it because I was a huge fan of the original Matrix trilogy and I had a high expectation for the sequel. The trailers looked interesting and I thought it would bring back the same excitement and action as the old movies. But unfortunately, the movie was laid down, the story was confusing and the pace was slow. Many scenes felt forced and the characters didn't seem as engaging as before. I especially didn't like how the movie tried to explain everything with complex ideas. But in the end, it didn't make much sense. Also, the action scenes were not as exactly or well choreographed as I expected. Overall, I felt bored halfway through and I even thought about turning it off. It just didn't live up to the original trilogy and that made it disappointing for me. So, because of the story was confusing and the pace was slow, I disappointed from the movie. So, that's the movie.

Follow up questions

What elements do you think make a movie truly engaging?

I believe a movie becomes engaging when it has a strong storyline, well-developed characters, and a good pace. When the plot is clear and the characters are relatable or intriguing, it draws the audience in. Additionally, well-choreographed action scenes and emotional depth can enhance the overall experience.

How do you usually choose which movies to watch?

I often choose movies based on recommendations from friends or reviews online. I also look at trailers to gauge whether the movie aligns with my interests. Sometimes, I revisit classics or films from directors I admire. Genre also plays a big role; I tend to prefer sci-fi and action films.

Have you ever enjoyed a sequel more than the original movie?

Yes, there are instances where I found sequels to be better than the originals. For example, 'Mad Max: Fury Road' was a sequel that surpassed my expectations. It had stunning visuals, a gripping story, and intense action that kept me on the edge of my seat, unlike some other sequels that fell flat.

Band 6-7

00:00

Recently I saw a movie Kanguva. This movie had lot of promotions and there were lot of expectations from the general audience for this particular movie. I went the second day to theatre to watch the movie. The VFX, the sound effects and all the imaginary scenes were all well planned and was done very good. But the movie failed in the storyline. At the end of the movie we were not able to recollect what the storyline was and what the director tried to convey through the movie. The movie was about war happening in the historical event between two regional areas. But there was only men fighting in the grounds. But the movie failed to express the main plot of the story. Maybe there is a part 2 which is yet to come for the movie. I think the story may begin or there will be some past happenings that will be explained in part 2 that might be more interesting I think. I am waiting to watch the second part of the movie. I would not tell any disappointments in the VFX and the effects given for the movie. That would be a 10 on 10 for that particular movie. Overall the 3 hours were not well spent there.

Follow up questions

What elements do you think make a movie's storyline effective?

An effective storyline should have a clear plot, well-developed characters, and a coherent message. It should engage the audience emotionally and keep them invested in the characters' journeys. A good balance between action and narrative depth is also crucial.

How important are visual effects compared to the storyline in a movie?

While visual effects can enhance the viewing experience and create stunning visuals, they should complement the storyline rather than overshadow it. A strong narrative is essential for a movie to resonate with the audience, as it provides context and meaning to the visuals.

Are there any movies you think successfully balance visuals and storytelling?

Yes, movies like 'Inception' and 'The Lord of the Rings' series are great examples. They combine impressive visual effects with compelling storylines and character development, making them memorable and enjoyable for audiences. These films demonstrate that both elements can coexist harmoniously.

Practice other cue cards

Band 6-7

00:00

Recently I have watched the movie of Mohanlal, directed by Zubidraj called Andhra. And it was the same movie that I was disabled in. Yeah, I went with my friends. We went in a car, like five friends in the night. And we reached there early. We were eagerly waiting to watch the show. And it was Ramadan when it was released. So we couldn't watch in Ramadan. So we waited till Eid, so we could watch the movie. And we expected a lot by seeing the first part of the movie. And the second part of the movie is called Andhra. We went for the movie Andhra. And I expected a lot in the presence of Mohanlal. In the first part, he was killing by acting. But when it came to the second part, it was really disappointing. I feel really disappointed because I didn't like the BGM. They could have done better in the BGM sector. And the other thing is, there is no such a story behind this. It was just for the sake of the story.

Follow up questions

What specific aspects of the movie's BGM disappointed you?

I felt the background music was not engaging and didn't match the scenes well. It lacked the emotional depth that I expected, especially since the first part had a great score. The music felt generic and didn't enhance the overall experience of the film.

How did your friends react to the movie?

My friends shared my disappointment. We all had high expectations, especially after enjoying the first part. After the movie, we discussed how we felt let down by the plot and the music. It was a bit awkward because we had hyped it up before watching.

What do you think could have improved the movie?

I believe a stronger storyline and better character development would have made a huge difference. If they had focused more on the plot and added some twists, it could have been much more engaging. Also, a better soundtrack would have elevated the overall experience.

Band 6-7

00:00

Well, that's an interesting topic to discuss about. I would like to talk about the movie called Empuran starring by one of the India's finest actor Mohanlal, directed by Prithviraj Sugumaran. The reason behind, we all waited a long time for the release of this movie. The reason behind, this is primarily because it was the sequel part of a movie called Lucifer, which was a tremendous hit during that time when it got released. So we were all hyped due to the fact that it was a sequel part of Lucifer. Even though we had that hype, when we watched that movie, I felt a bit disappointed. The reason behind it was, Lucifer was such a great movie.

Follow up questions

What specific aspects of Empuran disappointed you?

I felt that the storyline was weak compared to Lucifer. The character development was lacking, and the plot twists didn't have the same impact. Additionally, the pacing of the movie felt off, making it hard to stay engaged throughout.

How do you think Empuran compares to other sequels you've seen?

In my experience, many sequels struggle to capture the magic of the original. Empuran is no exception; it lacked the depth and excitement that made Lucifer so memorable. Other sequels I've seen, like Toy Story 2, managed to expand on the original while maintaining its charm.

What do you think makes a good sequel?

A good sequel should build on the original story while introducing new elements. It needs strong character arcs, a compelling plot, and a balance of nostalgia and innovation. Empuran missed the mark on these aspects, which contributed to my disappointment.

Show all 34 answers

Cue 1:What was it?

Begin by naming the movie and providing a brief summary of its plot.
Mention any notable actors or directors involved to give context.

Example

The movie I watched recently is called 'The Great Adventure'. It's an action-packed film about a group of friends who embark on a journey to find a hidden treasure. The film stars popular actors like Ranveer Singh and Alia Bhatt, which made me excited to watch it.

Cue 2:When did you watch it?

Specify the date or occasion when you watched the movie.
Mention if it was in a theater, at home, or during a special event.

Example

I watched it last Saturday evening at a local cinema with my friends. We had been looking forward to it for weeks, especially since it was released on a holiday weekend.

Cue 3:Who did you watch it with?

Introduce the friends or family members you watched the movie with.
Share a little about your relationship with them to add a personal touch.

Example

I went with my close friends, Priya and Amit. We often watch movies together, and we were all excited about this one because we love adventure films.

Cue 4:And explain why you felt disappointed

Clearly state the reasons for your disappointment, focusing on specific aspects of the movie.
Mention any expectations you had and how they were not met.

Example

Unfortunately, I felt disappointed because the storyline was quite predictable and lacked depth. I expected more twists and character development, but it turned out to be very clichéd. The action scenes, although well-choreographed, didn’t compensate for the weak plot.

Conclusion

Example

In conclusion, while 'The Great Adventure' had the potential to be an exciting film, it ultimately fell short of my expectations. I believe that with a stronger script, it could have been much better.

Following this structure will ensure you cover all the essential points while providing a clear and engaging response to the cue card topic.

Tips to answer this Cue Card

1: Vague Descriptions

Using vague language can make your answer unclear and unengaging. Avoid general statements that do not provide specific details about the movie or your feelings.

Tip

Include specific examples from the movie, such as scenes or characters, to illustrate your disappointment clearly.

2: Lack of Personal Connection

Failing to connect your experience with the movie can make your response less relatable. It's important to share your personal feelings and thoughts.

Tip

Explain how the movie affected you personally, and relate it to your expectations or experiences to create a stronger connection.

Ignoring the Cues

Overlooking the provided cues can lead to an incomplete answer. Make sure to address all parts of the prompt to provide a comprehensive response.

Tip

Structure your answer by clearly addressing each cue in order, ensuring you cover what the movie was, when you watched it, who you were with, and why you were disappointed.

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