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| What is your favorite film noir since 1990? |
| The Grifters |
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0% |
[ 0 ] |
| L.A. Confidential |
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18% |
[ 4 ] |
| Sin City |
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4% |
[ 1 ] |
| Brick |
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13% |
[ 3 ] |
| Kiss Kiss Bang Bang |
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9% |
[ 2 ] |
| The Usual Suspects |
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22% |
[ 5 ] |
| Memento |
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13% |
[ 3 ] |
| Lucky # Slevin |
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0% |
[ 0 ] |
| Glengarry Glen Ross |
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9% |
[ 2 ] |
| Other |
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9% |
[ 2 ] |
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| Total Votes : 22 |
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Nomadder
Joined: 16 May 2008
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 Posted: Sun Jun 01, 2008 4:29 pm Post subject: Favorite Modern Film Noir? |
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We'll say 'modern' is anything made since 1990.
If I didn't put up your favorite then my apologies. Post to let us know what it is though...
I imagine Sin City or The Usual Suspects will win.
Both are worthy contenders, but for me; it's close but I'm going to have to give my vote to Brick. It's rather jarring at first to see all the teen actors delivering such collected, savvy perfomances while nailing intelligent dialogue that often sounds lilke its right out of a hard-boild 40's detective noir, but after you settle into it... It's downright mesmerizing.
Really, I can't find one bad thing about it. Although I would understand if someone couldn't get past the casting/setting (high school).
Gyah! Too many poll options. Here's what I had to take out:
Mulholland Dr.
The Black Dahlia
The Two Jakes
Devil in a Blue dress
Basic Instinct
The Salton Sea
Millers Crossing
Bound
Edit: Dammit! I forgot to put in Seven! |
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pocketfluff
Joined: 30 May 2006
Location: Washington, DC (school) and Los Angeles, CA (home)
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| Posted: Sun Jun 01, 2008 4:48 pm Post subject: |
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I'd be very disappointed if "true neo-noir" fans would pick Sin City as their number-one noir film of late. I very much enjoyed Sin City, but having said that, I still consider LA Confidential, Memento, and Mulholland Drive (among others) as some of the best recent noir films. But having to choose one film in the bunch, I would pick Glengarry Glen Ross as THE film noir film of late ("'of late' meaning of that past 3 decades").
Not saying the rest are bad; just saying that GGGR is just THAT much better (cast, director, writer, premise, etc,) and SO underrated.
Discuss. |
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Chicoloco
Joined: 18 Oct 2006
Location: In the ring.
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| Posted: Sun Jun 01, 2008 5:00 pm Post subject: |
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BS.Dos.
Joined: 29 Mar 2007
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| Posted: Sun Jun 01, 2008 5:25 pm Post subject: |
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The above is good, but film noir? I dunno, then again I haven't watched it in a while.
Blade Runner for sure. |
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Dome Vans
Guest
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| Posted: Sun Jun 01, 2008 5:38 pm Post subject: |
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Sin City was good.
How about The Man Who Wasn't there. (The Coen Bros film one) |
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santafly
Joined: 20 Feb 2008
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| Posted: Sun Jun 01, 2008 6:37 pm Post subject: |
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Voted for Brick - one of the best American films as of late.
Where is Donny Darko? |
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Nomadder
Joined: 16 May 2008
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| Posted: Sun Jun 01, 2008 7:50 pm Post subject: |
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@pocketfluf
GGGR certainly wins out in sheer star-wattage. I don't remember the director's name but he definitely pulled out some great performances all around... Even considering the cast's considerable talents. (Lemon was amazing.)
Great, great movie, but Brick's anachronistic dialogue was outta' this world. My favorites do change occasionally, but Brick's had the top spot for a while.
As for my prediction on Sin City and The Usual suspects: I just figured that even people who don't really dig film noir might end up giving a vote to either of those.
@ BS.Dos.
Yeah Blade Runner really was a Sci-Fi film noir, but it was made back in the 80's. Heck, I couldn't even get all the big stuff in from 2 decades. Speaking of the 80's... If extended that far, you think we'd have to include The Empire Strikes Back? A case could certainly be made.
@ Dome Vans
Good call. Another Coen Bros. candidate.
@ Santafly
I'd never really thought of Donnie Darko as film noir but now that you mention it, it does have some elements of the genre.
@ Chicoloco
Nice. I was hoping people would list some stuff I haven't seen before. I'll have to check that one out.
Keep 'em coming! |
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Stormy
Joined: 10 Jan 2008
Location: Here & there
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| Posted: Sun Jun 01, 2008 9:06 pm Post subject: |
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| At the risk of sounding like a hick can you define this genre? |
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Big_Bird
Joined: 31 Jan 2003
Location: Sometimes here sometimes there...
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Stormy
Joined: 10 Jan 2008
Location: Here & there
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| Posted: Sun Jun 01, 2008 9:50 pm Post subject: |
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Cheers BB.
| Quote: |
| Film noir is a cinematic term used primarily to describe stylish Hollywood crime dramas, particularly those that emphasize moral ambiguity and sexual motivation. |
How does The Empire Strikes Back fit into that genre?
What about Payback? |
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Nomadder
Joined: 16 May 2008
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| Posted: Mon Jun 02, 2008 12:16 am Post subject: |
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| Stormy wrote: |
Cheers BB.
| Quote: |
| Film noir is a cinematic term used primarily to describe stylish Hollywood crime dramas, particularly those that emphasize moral ambiguity and sexual motivation. |
How does The Empire Strikes Back fit into that genre?
What about Payback? |
From the same link as the quote above:
| Quote: |
| Film noirs embrace a variety of genres, from the gangster film to the police procedural to the so-called social problem picture, and evidence a variety of visual approaches, from meat-and-potatoes Hollywood mainstream to outr�. While many critics refer to film noir as a genre itself, others argue that it can be no such thing. Though noir is often associated with an urban setting, for example, many classic noirs take place mainly in small towns, suburbia, rural areas, or on the open road, so setting can not be its genre determinant, as with the Western. Similarly, while the private eye and the femme fatale are character types conventionally identified with noir, the majority of film noirs feature neither, so there is no character basis for genre designation as with the gangster film. |
Payback is strongly film noir and I probably should have had it up there.
The Empire Strikes Back could be considered noir as well. The oppressively dark cinematography, flawed characters, and overall cruelty of the film being the main criteria. Specifically; while the characters are certainly more honorable than what you might expect from classical noir, they show a much darker side than in Eps 4/6. Han's criminal activities coming back to haunt him, Luke's temper and impatience suggesting that he himself may fall into evil, and Lando betraying his old friend Han all represent what is, if not moral ambiguity, and least deep moral weakness. (Incidentally the writer also wrote and directed Body Heat at around the same time... Another film noir.)
All in all I would never hold Empire up as a perfect example of film noir, classical or neo, but it most certainly evidences a strong noir influence.
Most (all?) of film noir belongs to some other genre first. Noir is more about stylistic choices withing cinematography, character, dialogue etc. If it's dark (noir) that's a good indicator. (but by no means the sole qualifier)
If you're curious where film noir came from you might want to check out some of the early German Expressionist films. Nosferatu, and The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari are perfect examples. |
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Stormy
Joined: 10 Jan 2008
Location: Here & there
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| Posted: Mon Jun 02, 2008 1:20 am Post subject: |
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Excellent, I'll definitely check those movies out. I've always liked these types of movies without realizing they were classified as a particular genre. Great thread.
I voted other as I loved Payback. Memento was also gripping but I think Payback was better. |
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JustJohn
Joined: 18 Oct 2007
Location: Your computer screen
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| Posted: Mon Jun 02, 2008 1:38 am Post subject: |
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| Minority Report was on the list, so I'll say that. Lots of people seem to hate it for some reason, but I thought it was the best movie of the year plot-wise. |
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Imrahil
Joined: 04 Feb 2008
Location: On the other side of the world.
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| Posted: Mon Jun 02, 2008 4:27 am Post subject: |
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| I am not an expert on this topic, but would "Deliverance" be considered Film Noir? |
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newteacher
Joined: 31 May 2007
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| Posted: Mon Jun 02, 2008 6:31 am Post subject: |
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I don't know how so many people can mention the Coen brothers and not mention "Blood Simple".
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