Magazine Cover analysis

Mad Max

 

This magazine cover is from the major film magazine company Empire. The main image on the cover is Tom Hardy’s character in his film Mad Max: Fury Road. It is a medium shot of the character. We see him in a leather biker style jacket. On the left of his jacket appears to be gun magazines. This suggests that the film is an action and adventure genre. It also suggests that there is shooting in this film. It could also tell the reader that he has an enemy which is trying to kill him and so he must protect himself. It also appears that he is wearing a rucksack. This suggests that maybe he is on the run or being chased. On his forehead appears to be blood or a bruise. This suggests that he has been fighting someone. This supports the idea of this film being an action. In the background appears to be a group of cars and trucks. This gives the effect that they are chasing him through what also looks to be a desert. The sky is a dark grey colour which suggests that maybe there is a storm coming in the film. The name of the film also is an intertextual reference and is also part of a franchise. The original mad max series was released in 1979. Fans of the original series will be attracted to watch the latest and modern take on the original films.

Running across the middle of the cover is a red banner. Red connotes blood and danger which could suggest he is in danger in the film. In the red banner is a list of films coming out in 2015. These include Spectre, Jurassic World and the Avengers. These are all blockbuster titles made by conglomerate production companies. These are also films in big franchises. This will attract fans of these films to buy and read this magazine. At the very bottom of the magazine is another strap line speaking about the new star wars film. This is arguably one of the most anticipated film of the year and carries a massive fan base. Therefore, these fans will want to buy this magazine as it gives details on the film.

As well as this on the right side of the cover it states ‘an exclusive to make you feel good.’ The fact that it is an exclusive suggests that they won’t find this information anywhere else. Also if it makes you feel good then you would want to read to in order to satisfy your needs. The price of the magazine is roughly £3.00. This is quite an expensive magazine which suggests that only film lovers will buy this magazine. Therefore the information will be more advanced as it is more expensive and made for film lovers.


Shutter Island Magazine cover analysis

The Total Film, from October 2009 advertises the Leonardo DiCaprio’s new film Shutter Island. The colours on the poster are mainly red, white and dark colours. The only bright colour on the poster front cover is red. This connotes blood and danger. This gives the reader a hint as to what the story might be about. Blood could suggest a murder that DiCaprio has to solve. The red parts of the poster seem to be in a blood splatter style. This supports the idea of a murder in the storyline. It also gives the idea of the film being a horror. This will attract fans of the horror genre. In the background of the poster is a lighthouse with a yellow light. This suggests that it is searching for something. This could give the idea that DiCaprio is trying to find something. Most of the cover is a dark grey colour. This connotes mystery and the fear of the unknown. Behind DiCaprio is grey mist which connotes mystery and the fear of unknown as anything could be hiding in the mist. The masthead of the poster is in a bold white colour. This makes it stand out in front of the dark grey backdrop.

The props used in this poster also gives hints as to what the film storyline is about. DiCaprio is holding a gun in his hand. This suggests that this film is about a murder. It also suggests that there will be some action in the film. As well as this on his waist is a police badge. This suggests that he is a detective. This supports the previous idea of the film being about a murder mystery. Leo’s costume is an overcoat and trousers. His costume looks a bit old fashioned and could suggest the film is filmed in the past maybe the 80’s.

The text on this poster is a mixture of sans serif and serif font. The main parts of the poster like the masthead and the main cover line are in bold sans serif font. This makes it stand out more and makes it look sharper. However there are parts of the poster which are in serif font.