Investigating what my

audience liked about

other films

Georgi Honnor

The IMDB states according to their 'user rating'

that the five films listed above are the top drama

films. I will analyse at least one of these to gain

some understanding as to why. Also listed are

the 'top grossing titles'. I will also look at why

one of those films were so successful.

I will also look at why these films are disliked by

their target audience. This will make sure I do

not make the same mistakes.

The shawshank

redemptionRated: 9.3/10 by target market

The storyline: Two imprisoned men bond over a

number of years, finding solace and eventual

redemption through acts of common decency.

Why was The Shawshank Redemption so popular?

User reviews (from IMDB)"I have never seen such an amazing film since I saw The Shawshank

Redemption. Shawshank encompasses friendships, hardships, hopes,

and dreams. And what is so great about the movie is that it moves

you, it gives you hope. Even though the circumstances between the

characters and the viewers are quite different, you don't feel that far

removed from what the characters are going through. It is a simple

film, yet it has an everlasting message"

"One of the finest films made in recent years. It's a poignant story

about hope. Hope gets me. That's what makes a film like this more

than a movie. It tells a lesson about life. Those are the films people

talk about 50 or even 100 years from you. It's also a story for freedom.

Freedom from isolation, from rule, from bigotry and hate."

"One of my all time favorites. Shawshank Redemption is a very

moving story about hope and the power of friendship."

What have I learnt from the target audience's

reviews?

They like films about friendship, hope,

hardships and dreams

A simple film with an everlasting message

A film about life lessons

A film about the power of friendship

Titanic

Rated: 7.6/10 by target market

The storyline: A seventeen-year-old aristocrat,

expecting to be married to a rich claimant by

her mother, falls in love with a kind but poor

artist aboard the luxurious, ill-fated R.M.S.

Titanic.

Why was Titanic so popular?

Audience reviews (from IMDB)"James Cameron does a superb job of creating an almost "you are

there" type of atmosphere. "

"Titanic is a great movie, it delivers romance, humor, disaster, emotions

and takes you on a journey."

"James Cameron's 'Titanic' is essentially a romantic adventure with

visual grandeur and magnificence, a timeless tragic love story set

against the background of this major historical event... It's an

astonishing movie that exemplifies hope, love and humanity."

"The fact that it is based on a true story really haunts me."

"I love the music,it touches me, it adds to the terribly sad nature of the

film."

"Titanic is complete! We can find love (that's the main theme), action

(the sinking ship), a little story of friendship (Jack and his buddy),

religious moments, beautiful scenery, and many values."

What have I learnt from the target audience's

reviews?

They like feeling like they're there

They like disaster and emotions.

The film to include love and hope.

Something based on a true story, or with an

aspect of reality.

Music that matches the mood well and that

adds to the drama.

Friendship and beautiful scenery

Rated: 1.8/10 by audience

The storyline: Homicidal Sheriff Thomas

Jefferson Geronimo is tasked with escorting a

mobster to Malta; when the prisoner escapes,

Geronimo goes rogue to catch him.

Final Justice

Why was Final Justice so unplopular?

Audience reviews (from IMDB)"It's an unremarkable action film."

"The storyline is boring, bizarre and doesn't make sense".

" The film ends abruptly, there is no resolution. It's like the makers gave

up."

"This film from the first 5 minutes you know is bad. Bad as in totally

incompetent bad. They've tried to make an action movie and it's gone

terribly wrong."

"bad acting, bad film."

"It doesn't do enough to keep the audience interested."

"I guess this goes to prove that Joe Don Baker will do anything for a

buck. The concept of the film wasn't very good to start with. This movie

has so many bad things about it I don't know where to start. The acting

is horrible. The cinematography is marginal at best. The soundtrack was

pretty bad. The score is terrible. "

What have I learnt from the target audience's

reviews?

Don't try and make a film with a genre you

cannot recreate on your budget.

Don't make the storyline too simple yet not too

bizarre that it doesn't make sense. But it needs

to have some sort of beginning, middle and

end.

Bad acting can ruin a good concept.

Avoid the stereotypical storyline/shots. The

trailer wouldn't capture an audience/intrigue

them as they'd assume that it would be

predictable.