Jim Hull's Story Fanatic

This is Story Fanatic, a collection of articles covering story structure and analysis for
creative writers. Published weekly.

5 Stars

These films transcend a perfect story structure to provide great meaning.

Review of Up In The Air Review of The Counterfeiters Review of The Lives of Others Review of Hotel Rwanda

4 Stars

These films outshine their peers when it comes to story structure. Nary a plot hole or missing throughline in sight.

Review of Jane Eyre Review of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 Review of Even the Rain Review of Black Swan Review of The King’s Speech Review of The Social Network Review of The Town Review of Zombieland Review of The Hangover Review of Star Trek Review of Ratatouille Review of South Park: Bigger, Longer, and Uncut Review of Laura Review of Amelie

3 Stars

These films do a decent job of fulfilling the needs of a well-structured story, but perhaps don't push it as far as they could.

Review of Rabbit Hole Review of Crazy, Stupid, Love Review of 50/50 Review of Moneyball Review of Win Win Review of Animal Kingdom Review of Winter’s Bone Review of Let Me In Review of Toy Story 3 Review of How to Train Your Dragon Review of 500 Days of Summer Review of New Moon Review of Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs Review of Gran Torino Review of The Hurt Locker Review of I Love You, Man Review of District 9 Review of Up Review of The Wrestler Review of 27 Dresses Review of Casino Royale Review of Training Day Review of Children of Men Review of Notting Hill Review of Tarzan

2 Stars

These films almost fit into the category of "story". Often missing complete throughlines, these films can only be classified as 'tales.'

Review of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo Review of Drive Review of Bridesmaids Review of X-Men: First Class Review of The Tree of Life Review of Thor Review of Faster Review of The Fighter Review of Megamind Review of 127 Hours Review of Easy A Review of Inception Review of Avatar Review of Coraline Review of Sunshine Cleaning Review of Adventureland Review of Watchmen Review of Inglorious Basterds Review of Let The Right One in Review of Taken Review of Moon Review of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince Review of 300 Review of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix Review of Taladega Nights

1 Star

These films have serious problems with the way they are structured. As a result, repeat viewings are not the norm.

Review of Your Highness Review of Tangled Review of Battle: Los Angeles Review of Rise of the Planet of the Apes Review of The Adjustment Bureau Review of Super 8 Review of The Housemaid Review of Kung Fu Panda 2 Review of Hanna Review of Blue Valentine Review of True Grit Review of The Kids Are All Right Review of Tron: Legacy Review of Kick Ass Review of Iron Man 2 Review of The Princess and the Frog Review of Where the Wild Things Are Review of State of Play Review of The Informant Review of Nine Review of Bruno Review of The Proposal Review of Doubt Review of I Am Legend Review of Stranger Than Fiction Review of Babel Review of Little Children Review of Meet the Robinsons Review of The Maltese Falcon Review of Pirates 2: Dead Man’s Chest Review of Superman Returns Review of Nacho Libre Review of The Break-Up Review of War of the Worlds

Disasters

Self-explanatory. Run away from these.

Review of Captain America Review of Horrible Bosses Review of Of Gods and Men Review of Get Him to the Greek Review of Date Night Review of Two Thousand Twelve Review of The Invention of Lying Review of Funny People Review of Public Enemies Review of Rambo Review of The Mist Review of The New World