Dog Soldiers

What is the genre of Dog Soldiers?
The genre was a horror due to the blood and the gore in the film. The werewolves in the film are a typical monster in a horror film. However it is an action film as well with the guns, explosions and the soldiers.

What production context does Dog Soldiers fit into?
The production context is British. The film didn’t have a high budget and we can see this through the effects that were used. The werewolves were a guy in a suit rather than a CGI. The location set to look like the Scottish highlands and the strong Scottish accents also show that it is a British production.

Were there any stars involved in Dog Soldiers?
Yes, Liam Cunningham and Kevin Mckidd. Liam has stared in War horse, Safe house and recently is playing Davos in Game of Thrones. Kevin has stared in Grey’s Anatomy, Brave and Kingdom of Heaven. The reason for Mckidd to star in the film is because of his strong Scottish accent and his build as he looks like a soldier.  

How did the narrative, dialogue, characters and location relate to the production context?

The banter between the soldiers is very British and the language used relates to the production context. They use common British swear words such as piss. The location is the Scottish highlands; it’s very green and had a wooded area. This is commonly found in British films.

How did the technology used relate to the production context?

The film uses visual effects instead of using CGI like a Hollywood film such as Resident Evil which was produced in the same year. They had someone inside the werewolf suit. This makes the production more believable as it gives the actors something to react to. The explosions used weren’t that high tech and the cost would have only been in building a house to blow up.

1920: Evil Returns

What is the genre of 1920: Evil Returns?
The genre was mainly horror. We can see this through the darkness of the whole film. Also there was a build-up of music to create tensions ending with a sharp and loud sound affect to make the audience jump. The fact that the film plays on people being possessed is also a big give away for the horror genre. However the film also embeds romance into the genre with the main characters falling in love with each other.

What production context does 1920 fit into?
The production context is Bollywood the reason for this is the budget for the film which was 9 cores and that equates US $166,284. The acting was quite poor compared to a Hollywood or a British film. The effects that were put into the production were at a high standard but when they were used it looked over the top and tacky.

Were there any stars involved in 1920?
Yes, they had Aftab Shivdasani who has started in 45 films since 1987. He is very recognisable in Bollywood films so the reason why a he was used was so more people would want to see a film he is in.

How did the narrative, dialogue, characters and location relate to the production context?

The narrative of the love story was typical of a Bollywood film. Most of their films incorporate a love story between 2 people. The film also had them bursting into song which is what is expected from a Bollywood film. There is normally a damsel in distress which was showed in the film. The location looked very British with the big stately home and the forest nearby. British culture is slowly working its way into Bollywood productions.

How did the technology used relate to the production context?
The film used a lot of special effects especially on the eyes. They could have used coloured contact lenses which a simple yet very effective. But instead they used CGI. I feel this was over-done made it look cheap. The effects in the film were not over-used but too dramatic and over the top e.g. the slow motion effect.

Resident Evil

What is the genre of Resident Evil?
The genre is a combination of a sci-fi and horror. The reason being is the use of science labs and scientist conducting experiments. The horror side is show by the dark colours, the build of music to create tension and the zombie characters.

What production context does Resident Evil fit into?
The production context is Hollywood because of the high budget of $33,000,000. The effects used had a very high standard compared to film realised around the same time. Also the actors in the film such as Michelle Rodriguez and Eric Mabius are famous Hollywood actors.

Were there any stars involved in Resident Evil?
Yes there are stars such as Colin Salmon who was is James Bond and now currently starring in Arrow; Michelle Rodriguez who was in Fast & Furious and Avatar; and Eric Mabius who played Daniel Meade in Ugly Betty. The reason for this is that it will draw people towards the film and help promote it.

How did the narrative, dialogue, characters and location relate to the production context?
The one main give away for the production context is the American accents used. The whole narrative of a virus escaping a secret lab and turning them into zombies is very typical of a Hollywood production. The military characters and the use of the guns in the film also show the production context. The set and location looked very “high-tech” with the science labs and technology. This reflects the high budget the film had.

How did the technology used relate to the production context?
Compared to a British or Bollywood production, Hollywood is at the highest standard. They use all the latest CGI and special effects rather than using visual effects. The dogs in the film show their standard of the production. They were created by CGI and compared to the film “Dog Soldiers” – which was also realised in 2002 – Resident Evil looks ahead of its time simply by using better technology rather than using visual effects like “Dog Soldiers.”