Film Genre
Take the movie that you used in last weeks blog and try to categorize it into a genre. Once you decide on a genre, briefly defend your answer.
If a genre didn't immediately flash through your head when you read that, try http://www.greencine.com/static/primers/index.jsp to help jump start your idea of what genre your movie might be. If your film does not fit into a specific genre, explain some of the conventions that it uses in pulling from multiple genres.
If a genre didn't immediately flash through your head when you read that, try http://www.greencine.com/static/primers/index.jsp to help jump start your idea of what genre your movie might be. If your film does not fit into a specific genre, explain some of the conventions that it uses in pulling from multiple genres.
posted by cmartin at 2/01/2006 12:24:00 AM
25 Comments:
I used Pulp Fiction last week and that movie isn't really that easily classifiable. While most would probably agree it falls under drama, t here are many comedic and action flick elements in it. Samuel L. Jackson's wallet line will make me laugh to no end any time I watch the movie. The movie even has romantic elements in it as it teases at a possible Travolta/Thurman fling and it also follows Bruce Willis and his flame for a bit. I personally don't think this movie fits into one specific genre. If you twisted my leg I guess I would have to say Drama though, based on the character interactions, the complexity of the relationships they all have, and just the over all context of the film.
The film that I've picked last week was the Lion King (1994). With the assistance of the "Green Cine" website, I've found that this film falls into the genre of a Disney animated musical. This film definately portrays the personalities and emotions of animated characters and their tales through its lively folk music and colorful scenes. The music is supported in this film in a way that lets us know how the characters are feeling. Also, with musicals, the characters let the audience know what they accomplish at the end of the film. With great artists, like Elton John, I pick the Lion King as one of my favorite Disney animated musical.
John G.,
I really enjoyed Moulin Rouge. I truly agree that it is a musical. But I also think it's a classic romance, in where they fall in love in a vintage city.
The movie I chose last week was American Psycho. I would say that it is a horror film coupled with psychological drama. The horror aspect comes into play with the serial killings and gore, but that’s only part of what goes on. This movie, unlike the majority of horror films (which are narrated by innocent people who are victimized by “the monster”), is narrated by the villain himself. Through his first-person accounts, the viewer is given insight into his psyche and can follow his digression into madness as the killings become more frequent and more violent. His interactions with other people (which are superficial and unfulfilling) contribute to his madness. Also, the film does make use of horror film conventions, one of them being the close tie between sex and violence.
Jonathan,
I agree with what you said about the genre Pulp Fiction falls under. It's a tough call.
The Boondock Saints is a Action/Crime/Drama film because it encorporates techniques from all three genres. This film encompasses many fight sequences, brutal murder scenes, and flashbacks. The whole basis of the movie revolves around the two main characters killing criminals and gangsters; as well as the drama and consequences of these actions. Romance is nonexistent in this film and is actually replaced by more violence.(Roko kills his so called "girlfriends" cat) There are some comedic one-liners and jokes that keep the movie a little more light-hearted. All in all, this movie kicks butt (literally).
jonathan:
i agree that pulp fiction is a drama but i also think it has some crime qualities...the massive amount of murders, use of drugs, etc.
Last week I picked Crash. This mostly fits into the independen genre because that's how it's marketed and it wasn't in wide realease. But, it is also independent because it combines a variety of genres. You have a basis of drama because it focuses mainly on human interactions and their consequences. Within this drama you also have the makings of a crime genre...because it showcases several crimes and its' aftermath. Alot of the drama revolves around the crimes committes. I think that the filmakers of Crash were trying to make a specific statement and put out a different kind of movie, so it doesn't necessarily fall into one category.
Debbie, I like Lion King alot to. Even though disney films are predictable, I like them because they have a little bit of all genres. Romance, action, and drama. I think that's why they appeal to so many people.
Sam- Boondock Saints...simply an awesome movie.
Last week I chose the movie Save the Last Dance. I think this movie fits into the drama/teen/romance genres. It was definitely a movie that was made for and marketed to the teenage and young adult audiences. It has several elements of drama. The main character goes through struggles with herself about what she wants to do with her life and whether or not she will go back to dancing. She also struggles with the people around her as they discriminate against her because of her race. The movie is also centered around the romance of the main character and her new boyfriend and the drama of their inter-racial relationship.
john, i agree that the songs in Moulin Rouge do a good job of exemplifying the moods and emotions of the characters and the era.
The movie I wrote about last week was Groundhog Day starring Bill Murray. This film directed by Harold Ramis would definitely fit into the comedy genre. Although there are parts of sincerity, love, and even mild suspense, the film is filled with many comedic situations. These funny moments are heightened by the repetitive nature of the movie, because the audience expects these moments to happen over and over. What is also funny is to see Phil Conners (Murray) react differently each time he faces these same awkward moments on Feb 2nd. What I find most appealing about Murray’s performance in this film, as well as others, is his dry, sarcastic persona and delivery.
jonathan, good classification of Pulp, it does have a little of everything...
The film I chose last week was Boiler Room. I would catergorize it as a crime thriller. It follows the story of white collar crime and some other illegal activities. Just like any other film, it pulls from other genres and makes it harder to categorize it. Truly good movies seem to always cross the boundaries of genres.
Sam - I agree with you about Pulp Fiction. It definitely has numerous crime elements in it that makes it a little harder to classify.
The film I choose last week was Sin City. SIn City could fit easily into two different genres, comic books and psychological action. For those who didnt know, SIn City is an adaptaion of a comic book series. But, if you didnt get that it came from a comic book, which would be hard to do, you would think of it as some type of psychological action thriller type movie. Obviously since several scenes were directed by Tarentino, the added darkness and confusion fits in with the action psychological genre. Most importantly it fits with all the comic book movies that come out.
i think sam had the same problem I did trying to figure what genre our movie fit into. Some films have so many different parts that could characterize it as several different genres.
Last week I used an example from Nightmare Before Christmas to explain form. this is movie can be categorized into various genres. the first thing that comes to mind is an animated musical. for those of you who havent seen the movie (you should be ashamed) the music is what makes the movie. its not just the soundtrack, its the actual songs that are sung by the main characters i.e. jack skellinton, sally, halloween town, oogie. this movie is a stop motion animated claymation movie, so therefore its pretty self explanatory as to why i categorized it as animated. this movie is a childrens movie, somehow i feel that some kids might freak out if they were too young, i was like 8 and i loved it. i looked up that website that gives the genres and others that describe this movie are fantasy and disney. its defintely fantastical when it comes to the setting and the characters (halloween town and christmas town).the movie also includes romantic themes but i wouldnt necessarily classify it as a romance. thats just one aspect of the movie. i can go on and on ill just stop.
ray- i would actually classify american psycho as a comedy, but thats just me. that movie makes me laugh hysterically, except for the really nasty parts (sex scenes). not so funny. but the rest of the movie, the music, christian bale's serious 80s reaganot yuppie is hysterical. comedy all the way for me. maybe dark comedy.
I choose The Sixth Sense as my film last week. This movie would be categorized in the psychological thriller genre. The element of suspense strongly contributes to the story’s plot and overall experience of the film. Throughout the entire film the audience is trying to uncover the truth about Cole’s supernatural abilities. Also, the scenes which include dead ghosts are extremely graphic and some are gruesome. This movie makes you think twice about the world around you and is unique in that it relies on imagination and psychology to scare you.
Rebecca- the nightmare before christmas was always one of my favorite animated films as a kid too. it definetly was really different from the normal disney movie.
I talked about Forrest Gump last week. While this movie has elements of comic relief (mostly through Forrest and Bubba), action (with the vietnam war), love story (with Forrest and Jenny), and historical fiction (with all the famous events in history), most of all, Forrest Gump is a drama. It definately takes genre conventions from these other forms as well, but since it uses these conventions in passing and seems to fit the description of a drama fairly well, I would identify it as such. All in all, it's a very hard to define movie with a wide array of genre stylings.
Tyler- just saw boiler room last night. great movie. i agree that most good movies cross genres.
Good job classifying your movies.
Start brainstorming about what genre you will want to do your group project about.
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