Action/AdventureMe and My Movies

By Katie Hamby

The MummyThe Mummy was released in 1999. It was directed by Stephen Sommers and starred Brendan Fraser, Rachel Weis and John Hanna as the three main characters. When British librarian Evelyn Carnahan becomes

interested in starting an archaeological dig at the ancient city of Hamunaptra. With the help of Rick O’Connell, an American ex French foreign legion soldier she saved after he was sentenced to be hanged. What Evelyn, her brother Jonathan and Rick don’t know is that another group of explorers, lead by Ricks old friend Beni, are interested in the same dig. Unfortunately the group end up unleashing an ancient curse that had been laid upon the dead high priest Imhotep. Now ‘The Mummy’ is awake and preparing to take over the world & bring his dead love back to life, it’s going to take a lot more than guns to send him back where he came from.

The Mummy grossed $221,400,000 worldwide in 1999, it’s opening year.

Indiana JonesAnd the Temple of Doom

Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom was the second instalment of the Indiana Jones quadrilogy, following Raiders of the Lost Ark, it was released in 1984 and was directed by Steven Spielberg who also directed Raiders of the Lost Ark. Starring Harrison Ford as Henry ‘Indiana’ Jones jnr., Jonathan Ke Quan as Indie’s sidekick Short Round and Kate Capshaw as the talented night club singer Willie Scott.

When the heroic professor and archaeologist Indiana Jones is asked by a desperate village in India to retrieve a sacred stone that was stolen. After teaming up with the beautiful night club singer Willie Scott and twelve-year old Short Round, they discover the mysterious and terrifying Temple of Doom where it’s worshippers are trying to raise the horrendous Thuggee who plans to take over the world. Now it’s up to Indiana to defeat Thuggee, win the girl, rescue the lost children and defeat the Temple of Doom.

Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom grossed $333,107,271 world wide its opening year, closely following the success of it’s predecessor Raiders of the Lost Ark which grossed $384,140,454.

Sherlock HomesThe 2009 adaptation of the classic stories by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, it was directed by Guy Ritchie who also directed it’s sequel Game of Shadows. Starring the talented Robert Downey junior as the abrasive Sherlock Holmes, Jude Law as the stalwart Dr. John Watson and Rachel McAdams as the devilish Irene Adler.

After finally catching serial killer and occult "sorcerer" Lord Blackwood, legendary sleuth Sherlock Holmes and his assistant Dr. Watson can close yet another successful case. But when Lord Blackwood mysteriously returns from the grave and resumes his killing spree, Holmes must take up the hunt once again. While contending with his partner's new fiancée and the dim-witted head of Scotland Yard, the dauntless detective must unravel the clues that will lead him into a twisted web of murder, deceit, and black magic - and the deadly embrace of temptress Irene Adler.

Sherlock Holmes grossed $524,028,679 worldwide its opening year.

Why do I like this Genre?I like Action and Adventure films because there is more to them than just explosions and fights it’s about good beating evil and overcoming obstacles for the sake of family, friendship or love. Each of the films I have chosen prove this with the heroes fighting to protect those they care about (as well as the whole saving the world ploy) . With fantastic and incredible special effects making the audience believe that it’s real and that they are a part of it making the film exciting. There is always a mystery that needs to be solved and a journey to be made.

How do I find out about these Films?

One of the main ways I find out about films is by reading Empire magazine and going on their website to read about any film news; like what film is being rebooted, who’s starring in what and what director has signed on to the new blockbuster. I also haven a subscription to Film news channels on YouTube, ClevverMovies and VisoTrailers, that upload new film trailers and teasers from all genres.

What makes me go see a Film?

If the film has an exciting and intriguing trailer it is more likely that I will watch it, and if it has famous actors in it that I know & like. Genre is a big factor of why I watch films, even is a horror film is cast will all my favourite actors and has an amazing trailer I still wont watch it because that's a genre I really don’t like.

The Mummy Analysishttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OmP7iifqO5Y

Sherlock Holmes Analysishttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I0hXhGt5XPg

IntertextualityIntertextuality is when other texts or media productions influence a film or TV programme, whether its making references to the original or copying the idea into something new slightly changing it and making it different. An example of this being the film ‘Clueless’ which is loosely based on the Jane Austen novel Emma another example being a scene from Toy story 2 that replicates the famous scene in Star Wars when Luke finds out his father is Darth Vader.

Star Theory and Reception TheoryIn all of the films I have chosen star factor was a big influence to make me watch them. With them starring Harrison Ford, Brendan Fraser, Rachel Weis, Robert Downey Jnr and Jude Law they are a big attraction for all types of audience, and because we’ve already come to love their previous films I knew that these would be just as good. With star factor even if you aren’t a fan of a certain genre if the film stars an actor or actress you really love you’re bound to go see it just to see their character.

Reception theory is also a big factor in action/adventure films as they have to connect with the audience, make you want to have an adventure, feel like you are a part of the adventure and they make you think who is the good/bad guy ,is it as straight forward as it seems? It lets the audience make their own mind up about the film and lets them make a connection.