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Four Film Genres

Going to the movies has been a popular pastime in the lives of the developed worlds general populous since 1925. Unlike todays modern popular music, movies arent the same or predominantly similar; there are multiple genres to satisfy a wide variety of interests, personalities, and subcultures. The Internet MovieDatabase (IMDb) now identifies 26 separate movie genres in North American cinema a substantial number. While there is some overlap in the themes and styles between several genres, an almost infinite number of sub-genres seem to exist to attract the curiosities, and captivate the minds of, any individual or conceivable audience. I enjoy a wide selection of movies of varying genres, periods, and star-power. While period and star power drastically influence the appearance and character of any movie, it is the genre which really decides the overarching theme of a movie. In a previous essay, I reviewed my five favourite genres: Comedy; Sci-Fi; Fantasy; Musical; and Documentary. This paper shall cover four others: Animation; Horror; Mystery; and Family. Animation refers to the practice of rolling frames in rapid succession as to create the illusion of motion. One of the earliest technological devices to accomplish this was the Zoetrope, a mechanical apparatus that consisted of a cylinder with vertical slits on the sides; its inner surface holds a sequence of pictures which, as the cylinder spins, produces the illusion of motion. Though the Zoetrope was formally released in 1834, the Chinese had created a similar device by 140CE. The idea of rapid cell motion and modern animation soon followed the advent of cinematography. Traditional hand-drawn animation (drawing pictures and moving them in rapid succession) such as Sullivan's Feline Follies was followed by cel animation (with moving cels of pictures superimposed over a background) like Bugs Bunny which reached its climax in the 1980's and 90's with shows like Hey Arnold and The Magic School Bus. Animation then transitioned to computer generated imagery (CGI). The first movie to be done entirely in CGI was Toy Story. The animation industry, today, employs CGI and encompasses a wide variety of genres animation has become more or less an umbrella term for any computer generated digital image rendered sequence, under which many varying themes may fall. Today, CGI animation can even be used to create movies that mimic 3D. In addition to vectoring and rendering, 3D can also be created using the technique of motion capture the process of recording the movement of objects or individuals and converting the motions into 3D models. An example of an animated movie that appears to be, or mimics, 3D is A Bug's Life. Horror attempts to elicit fear. Such films often feature scenes which startle the viewer, and the paranormal and supernatural are frequently tied into the plotlines. The genre has its roots in horror fiction / literature; works by Edgar Allan Poe are prime examples. Two main sub-genres of horror films exist: gore; and psychological thriller. Gore tends to show excessive violence and blood. Many gory movies, therefore, utilize CGI to trick the audience into thinking a character is murdered the directors do not want to actually kill the cast. Psychological thriller utilizes suspense. These films may employ simple special effects, though much anxiety is raised just by the shot-angles, colour of the film, or even the musical score; together, they can generate and manipulate emotions.

An example of a psychological thriller is the Blair Witch Project. An example of a gore movie is Friday the 13th, though it does contain many psychological thriller elements as well. The Mystery is rather self-explanatory; some perplexing incident occurs, and the rest of the movie involves some individual attempting to determine the events leading up to said incident and who was responsible for same. It often features a protagonist some detective, private investigator, or sleuth who uses reasoning and deductive ability to come to a conclusion. Many films are based on literature; characters such as Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Homes serve as archetypes in this genre. Suspense is an important plot element; should the crowd realize the answer to the conundrum, there would be really no reason to stay saving ensuring their accuracy. Regardless, as such, soundtracks, camera angles, shadows, and plot twists are frequently employed. The earliest mystery films were silent, with the first detective film usually said to be Sherlock Holmes Baffled. An example of a mystery movie is Mulholland Drive by David Lynch. It had many of the elements of the psychological thriller but was essentially a what happened and why mystery. Flashbacks and flashforwards were employed so the viewer could figure out the story. The Family flick, like the Animation, is not so much a genre unto itself but a concept encompassing a wide variety of themes and ideas. Such films tend to involve heartwarming comedy and a lesson applicable to all ages. Many feature a gamut of relatable characters a family such that everyone in the audience feels connected to the tale; this on-screen family and the inherent relationships between its members often plays a role in furthering the plotline. Many contemporary films under this genre are animated or employ CGI and other visual techniques. A sense of surrealism permeates the industry, especially to facilitate and occupy the attention of the viewing children. Companies such as Disney, and therefore Pixar, endorse themselves as familyfriendly; the videos produced by such multi-national conglomerates have become somewhat archetypal. These films are usually rated General or Parental Guidance and advertised as family-friendly. An example of a family flick is The Lion King. The local theatre has been an arena of entertainment for generations. It is because of the wide selection of films available that movies, as a whole, have been so successful like the people in the audiences who watch them, each genre is different from another. The selection of genres and sub-genres continues indefinitely especially when one considers the overlap between categories. Animation delights the audience through complete 3D worlds and characters unfathomable, impossible save under the guise and imagination of the careful animator; Horror incites terror and preys on primeval fears, allowing the viewer knowledge of what may exist and a satisfaction in double-checking their actions; Mystery creates a suspenseful environment leaving the audience hesitant and guessing; and Family films warm the heart and teach everyone a great lesson or at the very least keep everyone entertained. These genres amaze audiences, captivate minds, excite imaginations, and soothe souls.

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