Genre Schmenre

Reading Summary:

In chapter 4 of What media classes really want to discuss, Smith dives into the idea of Genre and how it impacts the way audience members view the media with which they consume. Each Genre has a wide variety of movies that can fall within them and as Smith discusses, certain components hold more importance in some genres versus others. Generally, the genre of a movie guides the audience and gives them a vague structure with which they can expect the film to follow. Overall, Smith gives insight to the fact that movies are not bound to certain genres entirely and that a movie can have components of different genres mixed within it. Also, Smith illustrates that Genre isn’t just a part of movies as it is also a part of everyday life. For example, brands have their own signature styles and allures that can be grouped into general “genres.”

Outside Example:

21 Jump Street is a movie that serves as a blend between the comedy and action genres. The movie stars well known actors such as Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum. Hill and Tatum go undercover as high school students as part of the secret jump street unit in order to fight drug crime. 

Reading Connection:

After reading chapter 4 of What media classes really want to discuss, I immediately thought of 21 Jump Street. Most of my favorite movies are under the comedy genre, but they also have an intense storyline with lots of action. 21 Jump Street is no different as it combines both the comedy genre and the crime/action genre. I enjoy these types of movies a lot because they have a plot that keeps me on the edge of my seat while also having a lot of laughs throughout. As Smith discussed, there are movies like 21 Jump Street that can occupy many different genres. Similarly, Smith discussed how genre affects the way in which the audience approaches a film. Part of what I really like about a film like 21 Jump Street, however, is the unpredictability. It doesn’t strictly follow the flow of a typical comedy movie or the style of a typical action movie. Instead, it combines aspects of both to create a new type of film.