Film Reviews - Magazine Format

Film reviews critique releases and features suggesting an opinion in which may sway a reader or audience member to believe the review of the film with certain expectations. Famous magazines especially for movie reviews such as Empire Magazine for film features such as breaking film news and releases and reviews for films or DVD releases. This type of film criticism evaluates a film either individually or collectively, formerly known as "Film Criticism", it is mostly seen in Magazines or newspapers. Journalistic criticism is defined through the evaluation of newly released films by film critics working for large broadcast media. Film reviews will suggest the overall plot and if done so negatively, a financial loss can be caused for a film. It has come however to many people's attention whether box office reviews actually do have an impact on the reception or DVD sales of a film.

Film reviews can also be found on websites on the internet such as Rotten Tomatoes, which make reviews and ratings more convenient by compiling them together to create an overall score for a film.  Many websites, simply such as the IMDB allow users to submit comments and reviews to allow a broad consensus review, and allow the spread of a films word.  Independent films for example have a higher opportunity to be recognized that way, therefore relying on social spread.

EMPIRE MAGAZINE

British Film magazine is the biggest selling in Britain and is also published in America, Australia, Turkey, Russia and Portugal, reviewing both mainstream art house features with a more populist approach.  Well known reviews include Jurassic Park, Jaws and many other so called masterpieces.  After a poll of 10k readers; Steven Spielberg was awarded the honor of being Greatest director.


SIGHT AND SOUND

Published by the British Film Institute, Sight and Sound focuses on art house, limited releases and can often be accused of snobbery in it's approaches.  Famous reviews include Roshomon and the God Father.

TOTAL FILM 

A monthly magazine posting 13 times a year, Total Film is UK based and offers cinema, DVD and Blu-ray news, reviews and features. Total Film is available both in print and interactive iPad editions.  Each issue always includes the Total Film Interview, which is a six-page in-depth chat with an actor or director, along with a critique of their body of work.

ZOO

A film review from zoo however would differ using large screenshots of photos with less review writing found on the website; the layout is also in paragraphs aside to collumns.

CONVENTIONS OF FILM REVIEWS

HEADLINE: Gives the reader the insight into the film's title and a suggestion as to what it us about; a first impression and introduction to the feature.  A release date certification may also be found as these are crucial information for a viewer as they may wish to view the film.

REVIEW:  A film review can range from a sentence to a two page essay; this is all depends on the type of magazine and film being reviewed; genre and type included.

SCREENSHOTS:  Screenshots of film footage will be a main feature of a magazine review to suggest the film and it's content, allowing the reader to enter further the world of the film and what it is about.

My Surrealist feature is an independent, art house feature which will need to be reviewed in depth in styles of  magazine's such as the Sight and Sound magazine; it is not a large, Hollywood Blockbuster requiring too much large promotion.  Therefore the review must be honest and capture the short film in it's best light, simple in it's style and font use, colours etc.