Page 1 of Recommend me some "film noir", if that`s the phrase!

Hey guys,

Looking to add a few new DVDs to my collection (when are we all not? ;) ) & I`m looking for something a little different to the average cinema fodder.

Some of my favourite films are slightly "arty", maybe "noir" is the word I`m looking for. I`m thinking of films like "Godfather Part II" and "The Conversation" By Francis Ford Coppola, films which I reckon are probably as noir as American cinema gets. I guess I really just want something that`s thought-provoking, intelligently written, and rich in symbolism! ;)

Any suggestions, folks?


Thanks,

EVH

Dunno about that, but what about some film orawnge? :D

This item was edited on Sunday, 18th January 2004, 00:27

The Third Man and The Maltese Falcon.

Expect the worst and you won`t be disappointed!

Quote:
Dunno about that, but what about some film orawnge?

gaffaw!...while you`re at it why not look into films that feature texting?..hehe :o :D :o

Seriously though, Film Noir means Black & White essentially, so anything that ain`t colour then. Typical classics are:

Citizen Kane
It`s a Wonderful Life
Raging Bull
King Kong (1933 original which I understand is receiving the DVD:SE treatment ready for release later this year :D )

This item was edited on Sunday, 18th January 2004, 02:55

I`ve always wondered what Film Noir meant, but I didn`t think it just meant shot in Black and White (although that was probably originally literally what it meant). There are several websites with deal with film noir.

Try http://www.filmsite.org/filmnoir.html

It`sdescription (briefly) of film noir is as follows:

"The primary moods of classic film noir are melancholy, alienation, bleakness, disillusionment, disenchantment, pessimism, ambiguity, moral corruption, evil, guilt and paranoia. Heroes (or anti-heroes), corrupt characters and villains include down-and-out, hard-boiled detectives or private eyes, cops, gangsters, government agents, crooks, war veterans, petty criminals, and murderers. These protagonists are often morally-ambiguous low lifes from the dark and gloomy underworld of violent crime and corruption. Distinctively, they are cynical, tarnished, obsessive (sexual or otherwise), brooding, menacing, sinister, sardonic, disillusioned, frightened and insecure loners (usually men), struggling to survive and ultimately losing."

So now you know!

It then goes on to list various films. Modern ones might include L.A. Confidential and the Usual Suspects, both of which are excellent, and of course the Coen brothers The Man Who Wasn`t There (which was shot in black and white).

I always think of Double Indemnity as being the typical film noir, but it could include the Third man, which is definitely worth having.

Hope that helps a little. I`d have a look at the website for starters.

I can personally recommend "Sweet Smell of Success" (1957). A film about a ruthless journalist and an unscrupulous press agent who`ll do anything to achieve success... I don`t think you`ll see a more frightening Burt Lancaster.

I second The Maltese Falcon, a top Bogart film!

Anil
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This item was edited on Sunday, 18th January 2004, 09:16

Well, Pi is certainly thought-provoking and intelligently written.

[Insert humourous quote here.]
My DVD collection.

Chinatown is a classic film noir, and I add the votes to Citizen Kane, The Maltese Falcon, The Usual Suspects...and also could Casablanca be called a film noir? If so, its SE DVD release this month is well timed for you sir! :-)

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Quote:
"The primary moods of classic film noir are melancholy, alienation, bleakness, disillusionment, disenchantment, pessimism, ambiguity, moral corruption, evil, guilt and paranoia. Heroes (or anti-heroes), corrupt characters and villains include down-and-out, hard-boiled detectives or private eyes, cops, gangsters, government agents, crooks, war veterans, petty criminals, and murderers. These protagonists are often morally-ambiguous low lifes from the dark and gloomy underworld of violent crime and corruption. Distinctively, they are cynical, tarnished, obsessive (sexual or otherwise), brooding, menacing, sinister, sardonic, disillusioned, frightened and insecure loners (usually men), struggling to survive and ultimately losing."

So now you know!

It then goes on to list various films. Modern ones might include L.A. Confidential and the Usual Suspects, both of which are excellent, and of course the Coen brothers The Man Who Wasn`t There (which was shot in black and white).

That`s basically the criteria that I had in mind, and the Usual Suspects & L.A Confidential are good examples. Keep going guys, I`ll be investing in these shortly!


EVH

`Film Noir` has got nothing to do whatsoever with whether or not is was filmed in black and white.
It`s generally an old genre therefore most just happen to be b/w.
Modern film noir is more likely to be in colour. for example Lawrence Kasdan`s
Body Heat (featuring a smouldering, sexy Kathleen Turner)