Genre Improv

sara farr · Post by **sara farr** » September 27th, 2007, 3:34 pm

As someone interested in genre storytelling, I'd like to hear from the group...

Are there films or books you love that DEFINE a genre for you? for the masses? What are they? List the genre:subgenre = title (media), please.

For Example:

Adventure: Swashbuckler = Captain Blood (film)
Adventure: Swords & Sandles = Spartacus
Fantasy: Adventure = The Hobbit (book)
Fantasy: Adventure = The Thief of Bagdad (film)
Sci-Fi: Adventure = Star Wars (film)
Sci-Fi: Tech Noir = Blade Runner (film)
Sci-Fi: Horror = Alien (film)
Sci-Fi: Thriller = Invasion of the Body Snatchers (film)
Horror: Thriller = Psycho (film)
Drama: Thriller = Sabotage (film)
Comedy: Screwball = His Girl Friday (film)

kbadr · Post by **kbadr** » September 27th, 2007, 3:43 pm

Adventure: Serial/Traditional (?) = Raiders of the Lost Ark (I don't know if the genre is right, but Raiders has got to be an ideal example of some genre)
Fictional Documentary: Spinal Tap
Spaghetti Western (the only kind worth a damn in my opinion): The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly
Rom/Zom/Com: Shaun of the Dead

Jeff · Post by **Jeff** » September 27th, 2007, 3:52 pm

kbadr wrote:Spaghetti Western (the only kind worth a damn in my opinion)

I mostly agree, but to me this opinion means that you haven't seen The Wild Bunch.

kbadr · Post by **kbadr** » September 27th, 2007, 4:07 pm

The Brigadier wrote:
kbadr wrote:Spaghetti Western (the only kind worth a damn in my opinion)
I mostly agree, but to me this opinion means that you haven't seen The Wild Bunch.

I haven't.

Spaghetti Westerns are so appealing to me because the worlds they show are most likely closer to how things were in reality. Very dirty. No clear "good guys". Everyone out for themselves. Same reason I like noir. I just like stubble, dirt, guns, and liquor.

Jeff · Post by **Jeff** » September 27th, 2007, 4:16 pm

Film Noir/ Political Thriller = The Manchurian Candidate
Film Noir/ Comedy Satire = Dr. Strangelove
Film Noir/ Gumshoe = Kiss Me Deadly
Spaghetti Western = For a Few Dollars More
Farce = Bananas
Thriller/ Mystery = The 39 Steps
Action Blockbuster = Jaws

I don't know, I just love writing about movies and talking about movies and watching movies. I don't actually often think about them in terms of genre, honestly.

kbadr · Post by **kbadr** » September 27th, 2007, 4:19 pm

The Brigadier wrote:Film Noir/ Comedy Satire = Dr. Strangelove

I'd classify Strangelove as Black Comedy, rather than Noir.

Jeff · Post by **Jeff** » September 27th, 2007, 4:19 pm

kbadr wrote:I just like stubble, dirt, guns, and liquor.

My implicit recommendation stands.

Jeff · Post by **Jeff** » September 27th, 2007, 4:28 pm

kbadr wrote:
The Brigadier wrote:Film Noir/ Comedy Satire = Dr. Strangelove
I'd classify Strangelove as Black Comedy, rather than Noir.

It uses dutch angles, has anti-heroes, it's in black and white, takes place in a dark universe, made in the 50's by a filmmaker who'd made more clear-cut noir before...
But I see what you mean. It's not about a lone man against the world, it's not about crime, it doesn't take place in the city, and it's so funny. You're right. Black Comedy.

fbillac · Post by **fbillac** » September 27th, 2007, 5:58 pm

Sci-Fi: Tech Noir = Minority Report (film)

-Dav

ratliff · Post by **ratliff** » September 27th, 2007, 6:36 pm

fbillac wrote:Sci-Fi: Tech Noir = Minority Report (film)

-Dav

I think the ending disqualifies it as noir. Also as good.

Jeff · Post by **Jeff** » September 28th, 2007, 1:25 am

ratliff wrote:
fbillac wrote:Sci-Fi: Tech Noir = Minority Report (film)

-Dav
I think the ending disqualifies it as noir. Also as good.

I couldn't agree more, Ratliff. I actually think that the first 2/3 of MR is one of my favorite sci-fi films ever made, but then the last 20 minutes is like some of my least favorite cinema ever.

slappywhite · Post by **slappywhite** » September 28th, 2007, 11:13 am

80s B Horror = Critters
80s Teensploitation = The Breakfast Club
80s Pre-Teensploitation = Goonies
B Sci-Fi Monster Horror(Insect) = Them!
B Sci-Fi Monster Horror(Mammal)= Night of the Lupus

TexasImprovMassacre · September 28th, 2007, 11:39 am

these are sub-genres

Band Documentary = Fugazi's Instrument (film)
Musical Comedy = The Blues Brothers (film)
90's Pre-Teen Exploitation = The Mighty Ducks (film) (there may be a better example here)
Collegesploitation = Animal House (film)
Flashback Coming of Age = Stand By Me (film) (may change based on generation?)
Slasher = Halloween (film)

What was Swayze's Celeb status at the time of Roadhouse's release? Was he an A lister yet?

Also, does anyone know what movie marks National Lampoon's switch to softcore?

ratliff · Post by **ratliff** » September 28th, 2007, 11:42 am

slappywhite wrote: B Sci-Fi Monster Horror(Mammal)= Night of the Lupus

Oh my god, do you mean Night of the Lepus? The one with the giant rabbits?
The dumbest premise EVER, and way before CGI, which I guess conceivably could have rendered giant rabbits menacing. As it was they just ate forests and loomed over houses and people, whiskers terrifyingly twitching.

I want to say that NotL was produced by Irwin Allen, who did The Poseidon Adventure and The Towering Inferno, but I could be wrong.

kbadr · Post by **kbadr** » September 28th, 2007, 11:42 am

TexasImprovMassacre wrote:What was Swayze's Celeb status at the time of Roadhouse's release? Was he an A lister yet?

Yet? Was he ever?
I thought I remember Roadhouse being released when Swayze was way past being popular.