Thursday, September 27, 2012

Let's Get to Work!


Let's Get to Work!

Provided below are resources for research about action film:

Academic Sources:

This source provides many examples of action films from the birth of the genre. Not only does this source define what an action film is, he goes into detail of the best example – the James Bond series. From there the writer provides examples of “Bond knock-offs” and goes into the further development and examples of action film.

A film term illustrated glossary is important to understand for any genre, but especially in action film. Usually action film is the “test-dummy” for all and any special effects, camera angles, screenshots, etcetera, and uses most tools noted in the glossary to create the film. No research on film can be done without understanding key terms of the film industry.

Rotten Tomatoes is a web site well known for its credible reviews and news from the industry. In this section any and all reliable critique is stated in one database. Not too bad for a spoiled veggie (well, technically a fruit).

Britannica has been one of the leading encyclopedia sources over the past 300 years. The digital era of encyclopedias is eminent, and Britannica is no exception. Type in any piece of information: from movie titles, to how film is made, and to the cast and crew. Britannica will have all of the answers for your needs, and not just in movies.

Budomate is dedicated to the martial-arts-based action flicks. Their international movie database of blog posts, news, reviews, and more provide abundant information necessary for the research of this relatively large sub-genre. The most unique, however, is their “Interview” section, full of meetings with some of the best choreographers and martial artists in the industry, providing an inside look on the sub-genre.

Blog Posts

It seems this blog is of a teacher’s, providing abundant information for his/her class. Anything from definitions, examples of types of action scenes, techniques for filming and effects, and more can be researched via this blog. Ever wonder what a squib was?

The author of this blog is a freelance journalist who has built this list of reviews around his favorite genre – action. What I appreciated most about this page was his listings of what he called “B-List movies,” referring to movies that never made the box office. 90 percent of his listings are movies I personally have never heard of, though I am quite fond of the genre.

Will Dyer, the author of this slideshow, provides solid information about the history of the genre. He goes into great detail and dates the birth of the genre as early as the 1920’s. He too touches the introduction of Bond films and martial arts to the genre and its modern definition.

IGN based this “top 25” list of action movies upon their staff’s choice. After each listing, there is a short description of the movie chosen and a recommendation of the listing. You may be surprised as for the listings, but their number one choice will definitely make you say “Yippee-Ki-Yay!”

Spill uses an inconventional approach to review movies and provide information about the industry. They are one of the only sites I found that provide podcasts, let alone audio and video reviews. Their database is definitely one to look at, and quite entertaining at that.

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