Magazine Review Magazine Review AnalysisAnalysis

Purpose Purpose

The purpose of a magazine review is to The purpose of a magazine review is to inform readers of the quality of the film, inform readers of the quality of the film, from a professional film critique. from a professional film critique. Depending on the source of the review, Depending on the source of the review, this source may be targeting different this source may be targeting different audiences. If it’s a positive or negative audiences. If it’s a positive or negative review, it could bring publicity to the review, it could bring publicity to the sourcesource

Magazine ReviewMagazine Review

Types of magazine reviews that are Types of magazine reviews that are commonly found:commonly found:

Food reviewsFood reviews Film reviews Film reviews Fashion reviewsFashion reviews Product reviews Product reviews Television reviews Television reviews Music reviewMusic review

Layout Layout Film reviews all have similar layouts depending on the Film reviews all have similar layouts depending on the

source of the review. Typically I found that there is a large source of the review. Typically I found that there is a large image/film still on the right side of the page if it is a two image/film still on the right side of the page if it is a two page spread or an image at the top if its one page. And page spread or an image at the top if its one page. And usually a few smaller images from the film. In one case I usually a few smaller images from the film. In one case I found the film still covered the entire background of the found the film still covered the entire background of the page, to make it more visually attractive to readers. Which page, to make it more visually attractive to readers. Which gives the ratio of text small compared to image. gives the ratio of text small compared to image.

The film title is usually large font to attract reader to read The film title is usually large font to attract reader to read it. it.

I found they have a quote from the review in larger font, I found they have a quote from the review in larger font, this could give the reader an idea whether its positive or this could give the reader an idea whether its positive or negative negative

The font size of the review is quite smallThe font size of the review is quite small

Styles Styles Specifically looking at the review of:Specifically looking at the review of:

The Killer Inside Me (18)The Killer Inside Me (18) The writing style is complex and many language devises. Such as a The writing style is complex and many language devises. Such as a

‘shared frame of reference’ the writer writes about previous films ‘shared frame of reference’ the writer writes about previous films from the same director, this relates to the audience, and they can from the same director, this relates to the audience, and they can connect with the text/writer. connect with the text/writer.

Rhetorical questions are used to engage the readerRhetorical questions are used to engage the reader From an educated review, the target audience usually has an From an educated review, the target audience usually has an

interest in films and the cinema, and is also educated. The target interest in films and the cinema, and is also educated. The target audience is very broad, therefore can be read by teenagers to audience is very broad, therefore can be read by teenagers to pensioners. pensioners.

Depending on the source, for example ‘the times’ the review is Depending on the source, for example ‘the times’ the review is more likely to be more formal considering their target audience, more likely to be more formal considering their target audience, and a magazine like ‘very’ the review is likely to be less formal. and a magazine like ‘very’ the review is likely to be less formal. Also depending on the film if the rating is an ’18’ , the review of Also depending on the film if the rating is an ’18’ , the review of this film will be more likely to be targeted at over 18s. this film will be more likely to be targeted at over 18s.

Documentary Reviews Documentary Reviews

The reviews reviewing Documentary The reviews reviewing Documentary films are likely to be formal and films are likely to be formal and serious. As the subject of a serious. As the subject of a documentary are usually serious. For documentary are usually serious. For a more humorous documentary the a more humorous documentary the style of writing/target audience may style of writing/target audience may be different and the writer may use a be different and the writer may use a less formal way of writing. less formal way of writing.