Genres.
Horror
Horror films are designed to frighten and panic you. They often end with a terrifying, shocking finale. Horror films feature in a wide range of styles, from the earliest silent Nosferatu classic, to today;s CGI monsters and deranged humans. They are often combined with science fiction when the menace or monster is related to a corruption of technology, or when Earth is threatened by aliens. The film genres fantasy and supernatural are not usually synonymous with the horror genre.
Sci-Fi
Science fiction films also known as Sci-Fi films are often visionary and imaginative, complete with heroes, aliens, distant planets etc and extraordinary monsters from space who are either created by mad scientists or by nuclear havoc. Science fiction films are sometimes an offshoot of fantasy films or they sometimes share some similarities with action/adventure films. Science fiction often expresses the potential of technology to destory humankind and easily it can overlap with horror films.
Comedy
Comedy films are designed to get laughter from the audience. Comedies are light hearted dramas, made to amuse, entertain and make the audience enjoy themselves. Comedies usually come in two formats comedian-led and situation-comedies. Comedies have now been placed into sub genres for example romantic comedy or fish-out-of-water comedy.
Action
Action films are designed to have lots of physical stunts and activity, sometimes extended chase scenes, battles, races etc. Action films and adventure films have a cross over potential as film genres, and also usually road films overlap with action films. Action films often have two dimensional 'good guy' heroes battling 'bad guys'. These are all designed for pure audience escapism.
Adventure
Adventure films are usually exciting stories, they have a exciting story line with new experiences or exotic locales. Adventure films include traditional swashbucklers, historical spectacles and serialised films. Adventure films also include searches or expeditions for lost continents, jungle and desert epics, treasure hunts or searchers for the unknown.
Crime and Gangster
Crime and Gangster films are developed around the sinister of actions of criminals, particularly bank robbers, underworld figures or ruthless individuals who operate outside of the law, stealing their way through life. Criminal and Gangster films are often categorised as film noir or detective mystery films, this is because of the similarities between these cinematic forms.
Drama
Drama films are serious, plot driven, portraying realistic characters, life situations and also stories involving intense character development and interaction. Dramatic films are the largest film genre, with many subgenres. Usually drama films dont focus on the special effects or comedy.
War
War films acknowledge the horror and heartbreak of war, letting the actual combat fighting against nations on land, sea or even in the air providing on the background for the action of the film.
War films oftern are paired with other genres, such as action, adventure, drama, romance and comedy. War films may include POW tales, stories of military operations and training.
War films oftern are paired with other genres, such as action, adventure, drama, romance and comedy. War films may include POW tales, stories of military operations and training.
Epics/Historical
Epics/Historical films include costume dramas, war films, medieval romps or historical dramas.
Epics take an historical or imagined event, mythic, legendary, or heroic figure and then add an extravagant setting and lavish costumes. Epics are often more spectacular lavish version of a biopic film.
Epics take an historical or imagined event, mythic, legendary, or heroic figure and then add an extravagant setting and lavish costumes. Epics are often more spectacular lavish version of a biopic film.
Musicals/Dance
Musical/dance films are films that are centred on combinations of music, dance, song or choreography, they are also cinematic forms that emphasise full scale song or dance routines in a certain kind of way.
Westerns
Westerns are the major defining genre of the American film industry, a eulogy to the early days of the expansive American frontier. Westerns are one of the oldest, most enduring genres with recognizable plots and characters.