Research Post 4 - Researching Examples

Welcome back, everyone! Today, I thought we would research some of the highest-grossing horror films out there, now that we've determined what Genre we want to go for! Hopefully, these films offer some sort of idea on what I should do for my film - and maybe they'll inspire you, too!

The Sixth Sense

The Sixth Sense, released in 1999 by M. Night Shyamalan, is the second-highest grossing Horror film to date, and it isn't hard to see why. The plot revolves around Malcom, a Child psychologist, who works with a boy named Cole, as he helps him with his strange condition of being able to see Ghosts. The major twist, however, comes when it's revealed that Malcom himself is a ghost - Earlier, he had been shot by a former patient, Vincent Grey, who had accused him of 'failing him,' which had in actuality caused his death. This excellent twist, once revealed, is then also evident in the cinematography as well. The movie uses the color red conservatively, only being shown when it has to do with the 'Afterlife' or 'ghosts.' Even specific choices, like what Malcom wears, hint at this twist and further the movies' story.

I Am Legend

'I Am Legend' is an interesting case from the other two movies. Set in 2012 after a post-apocalyptic event, Dr. Neville, portrayed by Will Smith, works to find a cure, alone and barricaded in his house. While the creatures hound him outside, however, his isolation is what truly gets to him. According to reviews, the Cinematography isn't anything to write home about; Additionally, the plot, while good, does have its weak points, especially in the third act, which is where most criticisms arise. The lure of 'I Am Legend' is instead found in the acting. Will Smith's performance in the movie captivates the audience, and even without any other characters for the majority of the movie, he still overcame the challenge to make Dr. Neville believable and enjoyable.

IT

IT is the highest grossing Horror movie currently. Released in 2017, IT is about a group of kids as they combat a supernatural entity they know as "Pennywise the Dancing Clown," who takes the form of their worst fears in order to scare them and then kill them. IT has been praised for it's pacing and Cinematography, both of which took considerable time and effort to produce. The movie's Cinematography focuses on character reactions, so that the audience can truly connect with them and their fear.