Genre Defining Criteria Differentiating Criteria Subject matter Serious social topic Subject matter Romantic relationship between lovers Subject matter Gangsters in urban America Subject matter Specific military conflicts Subject matter Futuristic technologies\future worlds Subject matter Impossible worlds\fantastical characters Subject matter American west Subject matter Natural or man-made catastrophe Subject matter Criminal activities and investigation Subject matter Biblical or ancient history Formal criteria Presence of action set-pieces Formal criteria Presence of song and dance performances Blockbuster Style Spectacular events Film Noir Style Chiaroscuro lighting and dark mise-en-scene Affective response Intended to generate laughter Affective response Intended to horrify Affective response Intended to thrill