Research Into Similar Media Texts - Film Review Pages

Taken From Empire Magazine


First of all it would appear that this review page is not wholly dissimilar from the previous two I've already looked at. However, at a closer look, there are subtle or not so subtle differences. For example, whereas the previous examples opted for images that showed a still from the actual film, for this review of I Am Legend, Empire Magazine has opted to go for images that showcase the making of the film featuring camera and other media equipment and crewmembers in the shot. In similarity with the other example by Empire Magazine, there are no explicit borders around the images and they appear to just bleed into the white of the main page or into the edges. It would therefore appear that a code and convention that Empire Magazine follows is not to have bold borders highlighting images in their reviews unlike Unlimited Magazine that did opt for the black border. Once again, the title of the film is made bold and eye-catching to the reader as a way of drawing people in to the review more than a bland old Times New Roman title would. Another way in which they've tried to make the review eye-catching is by starting each new section with a selection of writing in the same font and colour as the main title so that like the title is designed to do, the openings of paragraphs draw the reader in and make them want to keep reading on as they will find that the article has been nicely made and presented to them and not just haphazardly shoved together at the eleventh hour. Briefly going back to the images, there is also a bubble of information written over the main image which would most likely contain details or special facts about the film or about the making of the film in question and can provide the reader with a fascinating insight, and as such is designed so that anyone reading it becomes intrigued and therefore continues to read and/or purchase the magazine. The review also features quotes from those involved in the film's production, which more often then not are a staple form of film magazine reviews and are most likely again designed as a way of ensnaring the reader with a snappy or interesting anecdote, sometimes full of humour such as an actor or director laughing about when a certain scene was filmed or simply exclusive information about the film, or a mild "spoiler."