I seem to watch these types of movies more than any others.
A few of my favorites
Gilda
Out of the Past
The Killing
Blood Simple and Angel Heart are two more recent ones I can think of even though
they are over 30 years old.
What are you're favorites?
Why do we like them so much?
Great thread... I need to catch up on these older, classic noir films ๐
I think the visuals and the mood and atmosphere are key... The style and form matters... The use of light and shadow, especially the deep blacks and shadows... The compositions...
When I think of noir, it think of a rain soaked or misty street at night, with a distant, harsh light in the background silhouetting a mysterious character... and something obscured in the shadows elsewhere in the frame...
I've just ordered the blu-ray of The Big Combo (1955), because it was shot by John Alton, the legendary noir cinematographer... Can't wait to see it...
I like the neo-noir that is done well... Movies like Chinatown, Heat, Blade Runner (cyberpunk as neo-noir), Raging Bull and Manhunter (1986) and such, in addition to less obvious ones like American Gigolo (1980), or Terrence Mallick's sun-drenched yet dark-themed Badlands (1973)... All movies that are dripping with mood and atmosphere... ๐
I think this is key, noir is cinematic... Always... Whether it is a small cast, small scale drama, or whether the filmmaker has decided to paint an entire world, the movie's mood stays with you long after you've left the theatre...
In terms of neo-noir's that do this, I think Roman Polanski's The Ghost Writer (2010) does it well... It's set in such a familiar setting that we see on TV every day, with a contemporary toothy and ever-smiling hollywood star protagonist, yet the film feels different... the paranoia, the eeriness and the unsettling sense that... all is not well with the world...
Well said.
I also think of the camera angles.
Maybe the camera slightly askew, shooting from a lower angle giving more of sense of power etc...
In the Killers, Kubrick shot through a fish tank.
In these movies you could get away with almost any form of camera experimentation you wanted to try and they all worked.
I checked to see if this one was listed. It wasn't, and it's a favorite of mine. I do believe that D.O.A. 1949 falls into the Film Noir category.๐
shareGreat minds!
We we're probably typing at the same time.
I also just mentioned this film.
An excellent movie.
What do you say to coming on over? I've got the beer cold and I can pop up a kettle of corn in a jiffy! I'll even fire up the DVD player. I have the disc right here.
In other words honey, I'm waiting for you!
OMGosh, MissMargo! It seems you also have been drawn into Deputy Dewey Boyโs lair! He is such a โplayerโ and has cast a spell over us, his MC floozies! The only hope we have is for Stratego to crack that whip of hers as he canโt control her. Miss Ruby Red Lips ๐ with stiletto heels ๐ while wearing a black lace corset is too much for him.๐ณ
share๐บ๐ฟ๐ฟ๐บ I'm afraid that this is all that I can offer him..... ๐ป
shareI'll be there with bells on.
If you're into bells that is.
I've got bells that jingle jangle jingle.
[deleted]
๐ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=72yefCkY5Xo ๐
shareThe feeling is mutual.
You're ringin' my bell 24/7!
The first one didn't ring very well!
shareMay I inquire as to what appendage these bells will be attached?๐
shareLOL! Good one1 I'm curious too! All I offered was movie and refreshments, but when he mentioned the bells, I figured, Why not?
shareI just canโt help it! He has cast such a spell over us! I get so flustered when he talks of these things...my imagination runs wild!
We have definitely taken this topic off the rails!
Tell me about it! I can almost feel his warm breath on my neck, speaking softly and oh so sweetly in my ear. Sigh.....
Good Lord!
I hope he's blushing and all hot all over right now! I am!!!!! LOL!
You do have to love our guy. He's such a charmer!
The ladie's man of MovieChat!
I can hear him whispering sweet nothins in my ear....โบ๏ธ๐๐
Damn! Both he and Shogun get me flustered! And darn I donโt have a basement like Stratego does. She lures them down there purring ever so sweetly...then the whip comes out! They are at her mercy. No fair! I want them at MY mercy!
If that were the case it would obviously be the liberty bell.
shareNo one has yet mentioned Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid. Noir Comedy.
shareI will add Arsenic and Old Lace.
I would consider this a Noir comedy.
Oh! R-Kane! I can't believe I forgot that one. I have it. Such a funny and wonderful movie! All of the best stars of Film Noir cleverly appearing in the best Film Noir comedy ever made!
shareLOL! For once...Iโm speechless! ๐ Calming now as tears are being wiped and I ask the following: Are you bragging...or complaining, Deputy Dewey Boy?
shareYou should know.
Iโll leave it up to you to decide.
More Devil noir:
The Ninth Gate, with Johnny Depp as a book detective searching for an occult text, and finding more than that for which he had bargained. Even contains the line, "She had an automatic in her stocking."
End Of Days, with Arnold Schwarzenegger as an alcoholic ex-cop-turned-bodyguard, searching for,,and trying to save the soul of, Christine York.
Are your ears burning...Deputy Dewey Boy? Or maybe that liberty bell is going crazy!
shareBoyz n the hood
Coming to america
Malcom X
We like them because deep inside we want to be like them.
Some good ones there.
shareA genre I always wanted to get into...but have yet to.
shareThese are are not all officialy noir but I get that noir vibe from all of these:
Le samourai (1967)
Killing them sofly (2012)
Kill me again (1989)
Breathless (1960)
Hard eight (1996)
Revenge (1990)
Rounders (1998)
Le doulos (1963)
Red rock west (1993)
The man who wasnโt there (2001)
After dark, my sweet (1990)
First snow (2006)
Secret window (2004)
The last seduction (1994)
The asphalt jungle (1950)
The big sleep (1946)
A simple plan (1998)
Angel heart (1987)
Man on fire (2004)
Factotum (2005)
Suicide kings (1997)
City of industry (1997)
The hidden room (1949)
Devil in a blue dress (1995)
The hot spot (1990)
The maltese falcon (1941)
State of grace (1990)
Inherent vice (2014)
The way of the gun (2000)
Blood simple (1984)
Body heat (1981)
A murder of crows (1998)
Kansas city confidential (1952)
Blast of silence (1961)
The long goodbye (1973)
The salton sea (2002)
He walked by night (1948)
Payback (1999)
The ice harvest (2005)
My top 10 favourite film noir:
1. Strangers on a Train (1951)
2. The Maltese Falcon (1941)
3. The Big Sleep (1946)
4. Double Indemnity (1944)
5. Laura (1944)
6. Sunset Boulevard (1950)
7. Night and the City (1950)
8. Born to Kill (1947)
9. They Live by Night (1948)
10. The Killing (1956)