Big Film Mag Debate (Empire)

Member Name: sjen5en

Product:	Empire
Date:	01/10/01 (101 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: see op

Disadvantages: see op

You've noticed tons of film magazines on the newsagents' shelves. You've noticed how they all ache for that £3 that is loitering in your pocket. You've been eyeing them up, one-by-one, flicking seductively through their pages, wondering which one to take home with you. Mmmmmm.......

1. Total Film.

Currently running for nearly 5 years (issue 58, November 01), this is the adolescent publication on the shelve. Bright and colourful, unfocused and sometimes laid out confusingly. There is a assumption that its reader would have little/no previous knowledge of film on a developed level, and thus aims to be as simple and as straightforward as possible.

The reviews are very informative (excellent predictive interest curve) and are generally trustworthy - tells you basically what you need to know: how good the film is. Broad range of reviewed material: films on release, dvds, videos to rent and buy, books, soundtracks, even some computer games.

Good sections on independent filmmakers as well as having seminar-like double-page-spreads on filmmaking techniques. However, other articles seem pointless and look just like page-fillers. Features on new films are just a load of pictures that you've already seem mixed with an interview of some random person. There is also too much emphasis on the rumours page, which makes it sound like an issue of The Sun.

Lots of freebies, like music CDs and trailers. Bless 'em though, they do try hard to sound like they know what they're talking about.

2. Empire

Currently up to issue 148 (October 01) - appeals to a more educated and mature group of followers. More minimalist in design than Total Film which gives the impression of boringness, but content is ultimately more impressive.

The reviews are generally weighted towards the context of the films, such as issues and themes that are brought up. They are trust worthy, although they gave A.I. 5/5
and will always, always give a Coen brothers film the same. (Yes they're good but O' Brother.... was not worth a 5/5!).

Impressive range of interviews and features, as well as a genius section on forthcoming films to keep you posted on the new arrivals.

3. Sight & Sound

Established way back in 1949, this, the British alternative to the French's Cahier du Cinema, is the intellectual granddaddy of them all. Although it is the same price as the others, it is deceptively thin in appearance due to the exclusion of adverts. But don't think you're getting anything less for your money.

It is aimed at the film makers, students, general buffs of this world, and anyone else who actually cares about film as an art form rather than popcorn consuming entertainment.

The reviews are in-depth and informative . They are more critiques rather than reviews in that there is no overall 'mark' at the end - possibly a put off to somebody that just wants to know at a glance on the state of a film. The magazines language also could be a turn-off - think about the difference in say, The Sun and The Times - a well-informed and sophisticated readership is assumed and is therefore complicated and intense in places.

There is less in the way of reviewed material, but they do review all new releases and they supply the full lists of actors, directors, producers, distributors etc. Also, every now and then they supply a free screenplay of a major landmark film. Class.

Not for everyone, but extremely informative and prestigious non-the-less.

CONCLUSION:

Total Film - a good starting point for young film students and the general public.

Empire - more advanced than Total Film - sophistication in bite-sized pieces.

Sound & Sound - for the serious film fanatic.

Summary: