Return of the Living Dead

Time: 1 Hour and 31 Minutes
Box Office: $4M

Film Analysis

Step 1: Pre-Viewing

1. Title of film: Return of the Living Dead 
2. Director & Producer: Dan O'Bannon
3. Release Date: January 1, 2002
4. Film Genre: Horror, Science Fiction, Comedy

Step 2: Viewing

1. Important moments: An important moment in the film is when two employees, Frank and Freddy, that work at a medical supply warehouse accidentally release a toxic gas into the air that causes the dead to rise and kill everyone for their brains in Louisville, Kentucky. At first Frank and Freddy discover the split dog that came back to life and then realize that everything else that was once dead in the warehouse reanimated. They both then discovered that the zombies don't die after you damage the brain, creating even more conflict. Frank and Freddy then call the warehouse manager who decides that they should burn the first zombie to cover up the evidence of what occurred in the warehouse. However, that only caused the toxic gas to be spread throughout the air and be evaporated in the clouds to then be rained on the cemetery. Eventually all the dead reanimate wanting to eat human brains to relieve their pain. After most of the punk teens and city people die, the manager finally decides to call the army for help. The army then sends a missile to their location which then releases the toxic even farther away from its original location. 

2. Atmosphere of the Film: The film uses high angle shots to show the setting of a certain scene. The film often uses medium shots to show when everything chaotic was occurring such as the dead retuning and attacking the living. Close ups were used to show the corpses' faces and the process of everything dead returning to life. Classical music was used during the scenes in which everything was still calm. Whenever the punk teenagers appeared on screen, loud punk rock music was played. The music when the zombies attacked was loud and intense which added to the action occurring. 
3. What is the mood or tone of the film? The mood of the film was suspenseful and humorous. 
4. Explain the look of the film: The look of the film was adventurous. 

5. Explain the use of sound/music and/or sound effects in the film: The film used more calm music towards the beginning of the film when everything was still normal. As soon as the toxic gas was released, the film's signature song started playing which included loud and suspenseful characteristics. Punk rock music was used when the teenagers were present on the screen. 

6. Physical qualities presented in the film: The physical qualities presented in the film were dramatizations, music, color, special effects, and color. 

Step 3: Post-Viewing

1. What is the central message of this motion picture? The central message could have been to not make the same mistakes that have been done in the past, that way history doesn't have to repeat itself. 

2. Consider the effectiveness of this film communicating its message. As a tool of communication, what are its strengths and weaknesses? The film did an amazing job sending this message because earlier in the beginning of the film Frank explained to Freddy the incident that happened within the Medical Supply Warehouse in 1969 and how the army tried to cover it up and move on. However, due to Frank's stupidity, the same tragic thing occurred when he accidentally released the toxic gas into the warehouse.

3. How do you think the filmmakers wanted the audience to respond? The filmmakers may have wanted the audience to feel ashamed of what both Frank and Freddy did. They also wanted the audience to laugh and be frightened by the zombies. 

4. Does this film appeal more to the viewer’s emotion? How does it make you feel? The film made me laugh and feel frustrated with all the chaos the pair of worker's caused. 

5. Write a question to the filmmaker that is left unanswered by the motion picture:  What is the toxic gas? 

6. Would you recommend this movie to your friends? (Y/N)? Yes, I would because I think they'd like it just as much as I did since it's actually a pretty funny movie. 

7. How would you grade this movie? (E-NC) I would give this film an AE because it was incredibly entertaining and creative for an old film. 

Planet Terror

Time: 1 Hour and 45 Minutes
Box Office: $25M

Film Analysis

Step 1: Pre-Viewing

1. Title of film: Planet Terror
2. Director & Producer: Quentin Tarantino, Robert Rodriguez
3. Release Date: June 21, 2007
4. Film Genre: Action, Horror, Science Fiction

Step 2: Viewing

1. Important moments: An important moment in the film is when Cherry quits her job for the last time. There is a dispute between two men at the military base which leads to one of the men shooting at the other but accidentally missing, causing a toxic gas to be released. When Joe is inspected at the doctor's office, the infection and its symptoms are shown. Cherry gets her leg eaten by zombies and uses a stick as a leg in order to walk around during the chaotic times. The group ends up being held hostage by the military. Cherry is then given a gun as a prosthetic by Ray which allows them to kill those holding them hostage and being able to escape. Ray gets shot, and the helicopter picks them up to take them somewhere safer. 

2. Atmosphere of the Film: The camera angles that were repetitively used in the film were extreme close ups to show the hideous symptoms of the infection, and establishing shots to show how mysterious the setting is. The lighting was very low key which made every scene appear to be in a really dark location. The music used was loud, suspenseful, and unexpectedly played at a random times to give the film an eerie feel. The editing makes the film appear grainy and a bit like a montage. 
3. What is the mood or tone of the film? The mood of the film is suspenseful. 
4. Explain the look of the film: The look of the film is gory and disgusting. 

5. Explain the use of sound/music and/or sound effects in the film: The music used is very loud and rapid making the scenes more intense. 

6. Physical qualities presented in the film: The qualities presented are music, dramatizations, special effects, and color. 

Step 3: Post-Viewing

1. What is the central message of this motion picture? The central message is to keep going and never give up.  Just "reach up" when you fall. 

2. Consider the effectiveness of this film communicating its message. As a tool of communication, what are its strengths and weaknesses? The film does a good job in communicating its message. The strengths were the pep talks between the characters that inspired the other to keep going. 

3. How do you think the filmmakers wanted the audience to respond? The filmmakers wanted the audience to cringe and laugh. 

4. Does this film appeal more to the viewer’s emotion? How does it make you feel? The film made me laugh and feel really disturbed with all the gory scenes. 

5. Write a question to the filmmaker that is left unanswered by the motion picture: What happened to the brother that was told the secret recipe?

6. Would you recommend this movie to your friends? (Y/N)? Yes, I would recommend it to my friends because I found it pretty amusing and funny to watch.

7. How would you grade this movie? (E-NC) I would give this movie and AP because it wasn't that bad of a movie but it also wasn't that excellent. 

28 Weeks Later

Time: 1 Hour and 40 Minutes
Box Office: $28.6M

Film Analysis

Step 1: Pre-Viewing

1. Title of film: 28 Weeks Later
2. Director & Producer: Juan Carlos Fresnadillo
3. Release Date: May 11, 2010
4. Film Genre: Horror, Science Fiction, Thriller

Step 2: Viewing

1. Important moments: An important moment in the film is when the family lets the little boy inside their home because that was when all of the infected began to attack. Another important moment is when Don's kids cross the river when they weren't supposed to. Don visits his wife when he pursues his kids but is bitten and kills her for having done that. The siblings get separated adding more conflict to the film. Doyle, the man who helps the children was burned alive after he helps their group escape from the military. Lastly, the kids fall down the escalator in which causes the children to fall to the floor with the most zombies. Andy is bitten but doesn't turn and Scarlet shoots her father in defense from the attack.

2. Atmosphere of the Film: The film used birds-eye-view to show how small District 1 was compared to the rest of the post-apocalyptic world, extreme close-ups to show the spreading of the infection and the fear within a victim's eyes. The lighting is low key to make it seem more scary and mysterious as to what will pop out next since the dead are always lurking in the shadows. I've noticed that the film uses one song over and over again during the parts when things go chaotic and for when the characters are in trouble.  
3. What is the mood or tone of the film? The mood of the film is depressing. 
4. Explain the look of the film: The look of the film is post-apocalyptic and adventurous.

5. Explain the use of sound/music and/or sound effects in the film: The music used (the signature song) gets loud intense whenever there is a zombie attack. 

6. Physical qualities presented in the film: The film uses dramatizations, music, special effects, background noise, and color. 

Step 3: Post-Viewing

1. What is the central message of this motion picture? The central message is to be cautious in who you trust, even family members.

2. Consider the effectiveness of this film communicating its message. As a tool of communication, what are its strengths and weaknesses? The film shows strength in communicating this message because of what Don did to his wife - he just abandoned her when the infected attacked. Another example would be when the men in the military began killing everyone- infected or not. 

3. How do you think the filmmakers wanted the audience to respond? The filmmakers probably wanted the audience to feel anxious and hopeless for the main characters. They also probably wanted the audience to be angry at Don and the military for what they had done. 

4. Does this film appeal more to the viewer’s emotion? How does it make you feel? The film does appeal to the viewer's emotion. It made me feel sorry for the children for what had happened to their mother. It also made me angry for when the father and military betrayed them.

5. Write a question to the filmmaker that is left unanswered by the motion picture: Was Andy immune to the virus like his mother?

6. Would you recommend this movie to your friends? (Y/N)? Yes, I would.

7. How would you grade this movie? (E-NC) I would give this film an AE. I believe that the filmmakers did a really great job with the story and its central message. 

Shaun of the Dead

Time: 1 Hour and 37 Minutes
Box Office: $13.5M

Film Analysis

Step 1: Pre-Viewing

1. Title of film: Shaun of the Dead
2. Director & Producer: Edgar Wright
3. Release Date: September 24, 2004
4. Film Genre: Comedy, Horror

Step 2: Viewing

1. Important moments: Important moments in the film include Shaun and Liz's break up, when Shaun and Ed leave the Winchester and unknowingly encounter their first zombie by singing White Lines with it, also when they discover a "girl" in the garden. Another important moment is when Shaun goes to save Liz and his mom when it has been announced that the dead were rising, when his stepdad Phil, gets bitten and becomes infected,  and when Ed and his mother die. Towards the end Diane and David are eaten, leaving Shaun and Liz the only ones within the group that were able to survive. Shaun and Liz are saved and Shaun ends up keeping Ed as his zombie pet. 

2. Atmosphere of the Film: In the film, the camera angles used are long shot for when Shaun is walking around town, medium shots, close ups, high angle to show the amount of zombies beyond the gate, eye level for when a conversation between Shaun and Ed is held, oblique angle when the girl in the garden is pushed into the pole, pans for when Shaun is walking. The lighting used is normally high key or low key depending on the location the scene is in. For example, high key lighting is used in the scenes done outdoors to make it seem like it's an ordinary day. Low key lighting is used in the scenes taken indoors such as inside the pub to show how vulnerable Shaun and the others are in there. As for the music, it is used in the beginning to add to that "ordinary day" feel since it's upbeat. However, the music becomes faster and intense once zombies appear. The editing of the film (several uses of montage) allows the film to travel at a much quicker pace. 
3. What is the mood or tone of the film? The mood of the film is sad but humorous. 
4. Explain the look of the film: The look of the film is depressing, scary, funny, and a bit adventurous.

5. Explain the use of sound/music and/or sound effects in the film: The film includes loud and abrupt sounds for when a zombie comes in. The music is loud and fast to make the scene much more intense. Zombie groans are often used.

6. Physical qualities presented in the film: The physical qualities used are music, dramatizations, special effects, background noise, and color.

Step 3: Post-Viewing

1. What is the central message of this motion picture? The central message of this film is to never give up even when everything seems hopeless.

2. Consider the effectiveness of this film communicating its message. As a tool of communication, what are its strengths and weaknesses? The film is strong in communicating its message by showing how Shaun was persistent in getting Liz back and trying his best to keep her safe that they both actually made it out alive. 

3. How do you think the filmmakers wanted the audience to respond? The filmmakers wanted the audience to feel a variety of emotions and mostly laugh.

4. Does this film appeal more to the viewer’s emotion? How does it make you feel? Yes, it does appeal to the audience's emotion. It made me very emotional when Shaun's stepdad, mother and best friend die. It also made me laugh during all of the hysterical parts.

5. Write a question to the filmmaker that is left unanswered by the motion picture: What happened to Phil's zombie? 

6. Would you recommend this movie to your friends? (Y/N)? Yes, I would absolutely recommend this film to my friends. I loved it.

7. How would you grade this movie? (E-NC) I would give this film an AE because although it was a comedy, it still managed to take you through a variety of emotions and still be pretty scary. Not many films could do that sort of thing. 

Dawn of the Dead

Time: 1 Hour and 49 Minutes
Box Office: $58.9 M

Film Analysis

Step 1: Pre-Viewing

1. Title of film: Dawn of the Dead 
2. Director & Producer: Zack Snyder, Richard P. Rubenstein, Marc Abraham, Eric Newman
3. Release Date: March 19, 2004
4. Film Genre: Action, Horror, Science Fiction, Thriller 

Step 2: Viewing

1. Important moments: An important moment in the film is when Vivian bites her dad. Another important moment is when the group decides to go to the mall during the outbreak because they believe that there would be the safest place to be. When the group finds out that there are zombies and other survivors in the mall, they realize there isn't a safe place anywhere anymore. Another important moment in the film is when it is broadcasted that the dead are walking the earth due to everyone's sins since there is "no more room in hell". When the group finds out that when people are bitten is when they turn, is also a turning point because that's when people start going against one another and lose trust for each other. The group then adapts to their environment (the mall) and begin using the products within the stores for entertainment. When the man whose wife was pregnant becomes infected, Norma shoots her which leads him to shoot her out of anger. 

2. Atmosphere of the Film: The film uses many close-ups, establishing shots as well as high angle shots to make the characters seem both vulnerable and powerless. The lighting used in the scenes within the mall are low key and darker than those scenes done outside of it. This helps the mall seem like an unknown place in the time of the outbreak. The outside is brighter due to the fact that they are free from being trapped within the mall with all the zombies. The music is slow paced but loud and provides an eerie feel to the most intense scenes. The editing of the film makes it seem like the outbreak and killings are happening so fast which adds to the viewer's anxiety. 
3. What is the mood or tone of the film? The mood of the film is suspenseful. 
4. Explain the look of the film: The film's look is apocalyptic and mysterious. 

5. Explain the use of sound/music and/or sound effects in the film: When a zombie appears or creeps up on a character, the music slowly grows louder and louder. When the zombies are pursuing them, the music gets extremely loud and faster. 

6. Physical qualities presented in the film: The physical qualities presented in the film are dramatic and eerie music, dramatizations to emphasize the amount of zombies there are in the main character's way, special effects, background noise, and color. 

Step 3: Post-Viewing

1. What is the central message of this motion picture? The central message of the film is that you can't really trust anyone at a time of chaos. 

2. Consider the effectiveness of this film communicating its message. As a tool of communication, what are its strengths and weaknesses?  I think the film does a great job in communicating this message but at the same time there are several other messages that interfere with the most important one. For example, the message could have been about a society driven to consumption, not being able to trust others, or that people will do anything it takes to survive.

3. How do you think the filmmakers wanted the audience to respond? The filmmakers probably wanted the audience to be on the edge of their seat and feel sympathy for the characters. 

4. Does this film appeal more to the viewer’s emotion? How does it make you feel? Yes, it does appeal to the viewer's emotion. It made me feel bad for the characters because they went through all that trouble in trying to survive only to be killed off in the end. 

5. Write a question to the filmmaker that is left unanswered by the motion picture: What caused the virus in the first place? Why didn't the helicopter stop to help them?

6. Would you recommend this movie to your friends? (Y/N)? Yes, I liked the movie and I think they would like it as well.

7. How would you grade this movie? (E-NC) I would give the film a P.

28 Days Later

Time: 1 Hour and 39 Minutes
Box Office: $44.9 M

Film Analysis

Step 1: Pre-Viewing

1. Title of film: 28 Days Later 
2. Director & Producer: Danny Boyle, Andrew MacDonald
3. Release Date: June 27, 2003
4. Film Genre: Horror, Science Fiction

Step 2: Viewing

1. Important moments: An important moment in the film is when the group of men try to steal the monkeys but as they attempt to do this, an infected monkey bites one of them. The guy that was originally bitten then bit someone else, causing the disease to spread to others. When the Jim, Hannah's father became infected and pushed his daughter away so that when he turned, he wouldn't hurt her. This left Jim and the daughter alone with another member as a group and afterwards they met the military. The men within the military, however, were not as helpful as the group had originally thought they'd be. The military men try to rape both the woman and Hannah until they all turned into zombies and the main character killed them to try to escape the premises. Unfortunately, Jim is shot but the remaining Sargent is killed by Hannah which allows them to escape from the area where all the chaos is happening. 

2. Atmosphere of the Film: There are several birds-eye-view shots used to show many zombies there are within a certain area. Another common camera angle used in the film is the close-up to show the character's expressions. There are high angle shots to show how inferior the survivors are compared to the zombies. The music used is oddly calm during the intense scenes which gives a strange feel. The music then grows louder but seems a bit more intense during the action parts. The editing also helps in making the film more suspenseful. Depressing music is also used in those times in which someone dear to the main characters die. 
3. What is the mood or tone of the film? The mood is depressing.
4. Explain the look of the film: The look of the film is apocalyptic, horrifying and gruesome. 

5. Explain the use of sound/music and/or sound effects in the film: As I've stated before, calm music is used throughout the film for the most intense parts but then it grows louder when something bad occurs. Sad music is used for when a loved one dies and becomes infected. 

6. Physical qualities presented in the film: The physical qualities present in the film are music, dramatization, special effects, background noise and color.

Step 3: Post-Viewing

1. What is the central message of this motion picture? I believe that the central message of this film is to not trust anyone and never give up. Especially during a chaotic event such as a zombie apocalypse. 

2. Consider the effectiveness of this film communicating its message. As a tool of communication, what are its strengths and weaknesses? The film does a great job in communicating this message simply because they used the military to represent a strong force that you'd normally would trust in keeping you safe and sound but as the film progresses, you discover that they are the bad guys. They are even seen as the bigger monster compared to the zombies in the film.

3. How do you think the filmmakers wanted the audience to respond? I think the filmmakers wanted the audience to get frustrated with what the military was doing to Selena, Hannah and Jim. 

4. Does this film appeal more to the viewer’s emotion? How does it make you feel? The film appeals to the audience's emotions. It made me feel sad, frustrated and afraid with what was going to happen next. 

5. Write a question to the filmmaker that is left unanswered by the motion picture: Did the plane actually pick them up? Where did it take them if so? 

6. Would you recommend this movie to your friends? (Y/N)? Yes, It was well done and I really love the story behind it. 

7. How would you grade this movie? (E-NC) I would give this film an AE. It was really good and appealed to my emotions alot. 

Resident Evil

Time: 1 Hour and 40 Minutes
Box Office: $39.5 M

Film Analysis

Step 1: Pre-Viewing

1. Title of film: Resident Evil 
2. Director & Producer: Paul W.S. Anderson, Samuel Hadida
3. Release Date: March 12, 2002
4. Film Genre: Action, Horror, Science Fiction

Step 2: Viewing

1. Important moments: An important moment in the film is when the fire alarm goes off unexpectedly and The Hive locks in everyone inside. The group encounters their first "zombie"/ survivor when trapped inside. Another important part is when the main character the hologram back on even after all the harm it had caused. You then find out that Spence, one of the characters working with the protagonist is the one who began all of the trouble. Spence is eaten by the creature the hologram released and from then the creature began to evolve from eating. Eventually it pursues the group. A turning point is when Max becomes infected and begins mutating which causes both him and the main character to get quarantined in Raccoon City. When she is quarantined, the scientists who take her in try to discover what happened in The Hive and accidentally release the virus into Raccoon City.

2. Atmosphere of the Film: In the beginning of the film there is narration to explain the background of the Umbrella Corps incident. The lighting is dark at times to give a mysterious feel but the lighting also gets extremely bright when something terrible is about to happen to give an uncomfortable feeling. As for camera angles there are many close ups to show the character's fear or anger. The music is loud and intense during the action packed scenes. 
3. What is the mood or tone of the film? The mood of the film is mysterious and uncomfortable. 
4. Explain the look of the film: The film appears futuristic in a sense and at the same time mysterious. It also looks gothic in a way.

5. Explain the use of sound/music and/or sound effects in the film: The sounds used in this film are uncomfortably loud to make the scenes twice as intense and scary. 

6. Physical qualities presented in the film: Physical qualities presented in this film are loud and intense music, narration, dramatizations, special effects, background noise, black and white flashbacks, and color. 

Step 3: Post-Viewing

1. What is the central message of this motion picture? I believe that the central message of this film is to not test anything harmful and anything or anyone.

2. Consider the effectiveness of this film communicating its message. As a tool of communication, what are its strengths and weaknesses? The film did a great job in communicating its message. It is often emphasized that the Umbrella Corps tested on animals which made the message obvious. The film also did a great job in explaining itself too. At first you're confused as to what is happening but then it's explained later in the film. 

3. How do you think the filmmakers wanted the audience to respond? I think the filmmakers wanted the audience to feel fear for things like animal testing and secretive experiments. 

4. Does this film appeal more to the viewer’s emotion? How does it make you feel? The film appeals to the viewer's emotion just a bit. It made me feel sorry for the main character and also made me feel anxious and scared.

5. Write a question to the filmmaker that is left unanswered by the motion picture: What happened to Max? Did they kill him?

6. Would you recommend this movie to your friends? (Y/N)? Yes, I enjoyed the film and I think my friends would too. It was amusing to watch.

7. How would you grade this movie? (E-NC) I would give this film a P.