2. Short Film Magazine Review: ‘MAN OF STEEL’:
The main hero/ character
dominates an entire page
of the articles, highlighting
his importance within the
film. Through Mise-en-
Scene we see bright
lighting, along with the
primary colours of blue,
red and yellow that form
Superman's costume. This
again gives the viewer an
insight toward the
character and sheer power
of which the god-like hero
brings. The viewer may
also notice the intense
expression of which the
actor portrays through
both body language (stiff
stature and clenched fists)
and facial expressions
(frown), allows the
audience to be curios on
what ahs caused the Man
of Steels reactions to
become to grave.
Smoke and overturned cars connote a sense of danger, which link towards the conventions of
the film (it being a comic book action film, involving danger and destruction).
The title ‘REAL STEEL’ is a pun with
words, displayed in upper case, in
the format of what appears to be
the shiny material ‘steel’. This at
once gains the attention of the
reader, allowing them to understand
the intertextuality reference of
‘steel’, and thus are more likely to be
engaged an move on. The sub
heading involves a description of
the film, including key details about
the characters and the director-
allowing readers to become
intrigued with these details to do
with the film. The review beings in
three columns, this being simple and
easy to read for the viewer.
The actual magazine itself maintains a house style with its shades of white and black, along with its
primary colour red. This can be seen from within the top corners of the pages of the review, as well as
at the bottom of the pages, that outline the name of the magazine, as well as its website, and page
numbers (these being necessary and compulsory conventions to use on making a magazine)
3. Short Film: Magazine Review: ‘SPIDERMAN’:
A key scene from the film
takes up the entire side of a
page. This signifies to the
viewer of the characters
importance, as well as
encapsulating the many
action sequences that are
to be seen in the film
(action being a main
convention for as superhero
film). These sense of action
an adventure are seen
through the semiotics of a
speeding train along with
high buildings and
skyscrapers- all of these
things helping to establish
the film, and successfully
intrigue a large audience.
‘NEW FILMS’ outlining the
specific types of films the
reader has elected to view.;
this gives the magazine a
sense of professionalism . The
review begins with a large
thick black font, detailing the
name, as well as the
certificate of the film. This at
once educates the audience,
allowing them to feel superior
as they are ware of the
knowledge that restricts
younger audience members
form seeing their film- thus in
some cases helping them
decide on the verdict as to
weather they go and see the
film.
Statistics and the reviewers verdict upon the film can be seen together at the bottom of the page (under
where the review ends). The statistics of the film once again allow the reader to feel superior at having
understood such information. The verdict is a personalised summary of the reviewer, as well as the writers
thoughts on whether she/he enjoyed the film (and if they did, they would most likely recommend it to the
reader). Semiotics are also seen to help illustrate the verdict and the review of the film, as five red and white
stars are seen, highlighting the writers enjoyment, as well as helping to advertise the success for the film.
4. Short Film: Online Review: ‘THE BIG SHAVE’:
A screen-shot of the film,
summaries the initial
impression of the stories
narrative, of a man in the
bathroom, simply shaving.
Although the razor signifies
the detonation of the man
actually shaving, the mirror
and the mans reflection
illuminate the shorts many
layers of complexity and
subjectiveness, as it may be
interpreted that the man is
simply shaving as a means
of escape from the
pressures of society, he
feeling the need to
constantly groom and
adapt so as to be accepted
by his peers.
‘Scorsese at 70:
‘THE BIG SHAVE’’
appeals to film fans
(for they are the
audience whom are
most likely to watch
and be interested in
short films, but are
also very likely to
be aware of the
famous director of
the short ‘Martin
Scorsese’. This
name and the title
for the short, then,
at once attract the
main target
audience for shorts.
The sub-heading gives details upon the short, such as the title, its director and the year it was made (1972).
Semiotics are also seen as the reviewer has given the short film four out of five stars. This at once gives the
viewer a general outlook towards the film, engaging them to read onwards. Underneath the subheadings are a
series of buttons, so that the viewer can share this review on the internet (from Facebook to Twitter). This links
with the newer technological viewers of today, who are most likely to be interested in shorts.
