I admit I feel odd trying to quantify what noir is - I know the feel when I see it-but some films have noir elements or are sold to the public as noir - I will post reviews for movies that fit in that category
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Virginia
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Re: Not Quite Noir
Wed, February 28, 2007 - 9:59 PMNaked Kiss - imperfect but riveting 1964 film that follows the path of a prostitute who wants to change jobs.Played by Constance Towers( a local says she would "make a bulldog break his chain").We follow her turn from violent hooker to saintly nurse for the handicapped.We watch her help her co-workers and eventually fall in love with the richest man in town.Twists,turns and some vivid capitvating scenes occupy the screen in this odd movie that mixes traditional storytelling devices with topics that were still on the edges of the production code(child molestation and prostitution).Fuller is the master of making more with less and this low budget movie invades the cranium in a way that most big budget CGI action flicks never could. B -
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Re: Not Quite Noir
Wed, February 28, 2007 - 10:00 PMWithout Honor - 1949 melodrama about a cheating housefrau who is being set up by her jealous brother in law.The movie starts off horribly-Laraine Day is a mix of bland and hysterical at the same time.Things start to pick up when the brother in law shows up and starts his relentless patter.Agnes Moorehead does a good job as a put upon wife.At times the Max Stiener score is overwhelming- but seems to be a perfect backdrop for the final scene- if anyone can get thru the first 30 minutes of soap opera lite in this low budget 67 minute movie.. D+
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Re: Not Quite Noir
Wed, March 7, 2007 - 7:30 AMactually, Naked Kiss, typifies the noir requirements quite nicely. give it another viewing... -
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Re: Not Quite Noir
Wed, March 7, 2007 - 3:40 PMThe Big Sleep: Noir flavor, but with a happy ending! The femme fatale is nice and the lovers end up together.
On the other hand, by those criteria Gilda would count as not quite noir too. -
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Re: Not Quite Noir
Mon, April 30, 2007 - 1:33 PMI often question the "rule" about noir films and 'happy endings'. I think of most Bogart films as having somewhat happy endings (yes, he doesn't get the girl in The Maltese Falcon, but he succeeds in doing what he originally intended to do: he found the person responsible for his partner's death). I find that it can be difficult to really define the "noir" appellation; I compromise by splitting it into "noir as a visual motif" (i.e. the use of light and shadow in cinematography, the style of edits used in the film, etc.) and noir as a narrative style (somewhat harder to nail down).
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Re: Not Quite Noir
Wed, March 7, 2007 - 4:49 PMI really liked Naked Kiss - it is a keeper- and it has several noirish elements to it- several- but it has elements of other stuff in it-like I said in the header- this is just my feeling on these movies-
it is a weird odd movie - with some really stagey scenes- but something I would suggest to anyone looking for an interesting film -
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Re: Not Quite Noir
Tue, March 13, 2007 - 12:03 AMthis one is one the border- no pun intended- lit like a noir- with elements of noir all thru the plot and part of the latest Warner Brothers noir package- either way I really liked this flick
Border Incident-Superb 1949 crime procedural directed by Anthony Mann.Starring Ricardo Montalban as a Mexican immigration official that poses as an illegal immigrant to try and stop the smuggling of human beings.This is the third movie I have seen dealing with this topic - and the best depiction.Mann's cinematographer John Alton does an excellent job filming this shadow world- using extreme closeups,light and shadow and sound design to craft a tense thriller on the fringes of America.Worth seeking out - great performances by the bad guys-Howard Silva as the overconfident boss and Charles McGraw as the annoyed second in charge.Sure it has some dated references and stereotypes-but it is still a relevant and engrossing movie.The DVD has commentary by Dana Polan. A- -
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Re: Not Quite Noir
Tue, March 20, 2007 - 1:28 AMBabyface - Notorious Barbara Stanwyck flick where she is told by the local professor type that she has power- he tries to get her to read Nietzche- she says books ain't never done her no good.Soon we find out her father is basically pimping her out to a local politico and others.Finally she has had enough and relocates to the big city.We follow her trail of men up the ladder of success in an international bank.The dialogue is quite saucey for it's time and it was one the last films to come out before the self inflicted Hollywood production code.Look for a cameo by a young John Wayne as one of Stanwyck's willing victims.Part of the Forbidden Hollywood collection - I watched the extended version- the DVD has both versions plus Red-Headed Woman and Waterloo Bridge.An interesting movie and foreshadowing for future femme fatale roles that Stanwyck would play in the era of film noir. B+ -
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Re: Not Quite Noir
Tue, March 20, 2007 - 1:36 AMRed-Headed Woman - 1930's flick following Jean Harlow as a determined and insecure homewrecker that uses her femine wiles to wow her boss and destroy his marriage.We know that Harlow is after money and power- but besides coming from the "wrong side of the tracks" we never are given the reasons why she is so driven to seduce her boss-although it is obvious she wants to dump her bootlegger boyfriend.Like a noir protaginist she is always scheming and never stops to consider the dangers she is likely to encounter if her plans fail.She really vamps it up in this melodramatic movie- a solid entertainment that succeeds due to it's tabloid instincts. B- -
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Re: Not Quite Noir
Tue, April 24, 2007 - 10:49 PMDillinger - 1945 movie about the famed depression era bank robber starring Lawrence Tierney.This B-movie has some classic moments and lines and is quick run-thru of hold-ups,stick-ups and time in stir.The DVD has a commentary track by John Millius who directed a 1973 version of the Dillinger story.The commentary track is sparse but funny with anecdotes by the screenwriter of the 45 version and Millius taking turns slagging the film for it's historical inaccuracies and pointing out the good stuff(unshown violence due to the production code).Well done 70 minute crime story-but nothing worth seeking out. B- -
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Re: Not Quite Noir
Tue, April 24, 2007 - 11:04 PMFort Apache,The Bronx - stunning look @ the Big Apple in the early 80s.Paul Newman and Ken Wahl are partners in this brutal,harsh look at the underside of a city gone to shit.We see cop-killings,lots of fighting,drug use and just pure unadultered evil.Nothing is easy in this urban landscape- Ed Asner comes into power as the new head of the precinct- he is sure that he can clean things up.Of course things never change- very pessimistic vision of the inner city.Newman excels as the veteran cop who falls in love with a nurse at the local hospital.Danny Aiello and Pam Grier are also in the cast.Excellent but depressing cop movie. A- -
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Re: Not Quite Noir
Sun, May 6, 2007 - 7:06 AMThe Roaring Twenties - James Cagney plays a down on his luck doughboy who becomes a bootlegger after an abbreviated tour as a NYC hack.Eventually he will reunite with Humphrey Bogart( a fellow solidier he met in foxhole during the war).Bogart shines in this turn as an evil bootlegger with no loyalty to anyone but himself.Cagney is his usual stellar self- mixing his physical business(the 2 for one punch out/cigar stuffing) with great reacting.Mixing faux newsreel footage with backlot scenes of speakeasies and NYC streets this Raoul Walsh flick based on a story by Mark Hellinger(famed NYC scribe and producer and narrator of the Naked City) is an excellent look at the prohibition era and the plight of the solidier returning home from the war.The DVD is an excellent package- besides the movie(with commentary and retrospective featurette) - we get vintage newsreels,shorts,trailers and a Tex Avery cartoon.Worth owning for any fans of the classic Warner Brothers gangster flicks. A -
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Re: Not Quite Noir
Wed, May 16, 2007 - 10:58 PMLittle Caesar - decent 1930 film dominated by an excellent and star-making performance by Edward G. Robinson.He chews the scenery every time he is on the screen in this 78 minute movie and it is fun.He is tired of being small time and he just keeps moving up the ladder.Another superb performance by one of my favorite actors(if you like him make sure and find Scarlett Street and The Stranger-2 other swell showings from the 40s).The DVD is chock full of goodies- a featurette look back,vintage Warner Brothers shorts and a scholarly commentary.The Warner Brothers classic DVDs are like enrolling in film history classes-which is great since I love classic Hollywood. A- -
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Re: Not Quite Noir
Sat, May 19, 2007 - 9:43 PMFury - hand grenade of a movie- this 1936 movie was German director Fritz Lang's first American movie.Spencer Tracy gives a great performance as an innocent man who gets lynched by a hysterical mob.I have never been the biggest fan of Tracy- but he simply dominates the screen in this movie-full of hatred and simmering with bad intentions.Even 70 years later- this movie is hard to watch- the mob scenes tear at your stomach and the gossip clatter never fails to enrage.The DVD has a trailer(the definition of a spoiler laden trailer) and a commentary featuring Peter Bogdonavich & interview snippets with Fritz Lang.Tons of great character actors populate this flick- Walter Brennan as the yokel deputy,Edward Ellis as the sheriff,etc.Sylvia Sidney co-stars as Tracy's bride to be.Good mix of drama and action.Worth renting for fans of classic movies. A- -
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Re: Not Quite Noir
Sat, May 19, 2007 - 9:47 PMNightingale Sang In Berkeley Square - 1979 heist flick set in the United Kingdom.It is an engaging story of Pinky Jordan as a parole who manages to scam a bank job as an electrician.Things are going well - until he gets cornered by David Niven and his mob- who want to use Pinky's access to the bank and vault to stage a robbery.The movie is hampered by a goofy and at times ridiculous score(think Benny Hill theme meets lounge disco).This Geneon DVD release has no extras and is a decent transfer.The cast also includes Gloria Grahame,Elke Sommer,Jonathan Rhys Davies and featuring Richard Jordan as Pinky Jordan.Decent on location filming and a decent script make this a decent rental for fans of caper flicks. C+ -
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Re: Not Quite Noir
Sat, May 26, 2007 - 6:13 AMLet Em' Have It- solid 1935 cops and robbers flick.We follow 3 G-men in training thru their first case.A little mix of melodrama and romance slow down the movie at times- but help to add emotion to the final third of the flick.The first case of the G-men is a kidnapping of a rich heiress-partially helped by the family driver.The G-men foil the kidnapping- but the heiress does not believe that the driver was in cahoots with the kidnappers.There is some good action mixed with some swell 30s dialogue.The DVD has no extras but is a good transfer(not great but better than public domain classics issued by small-time outfits - since this one was re-released by Sony).Bruce Cabott excels as Keefer the family driver who decides to go into robbing banks-mixing charisma with anger and smarts he gives the G-men a good adversary.Worth renting for fans of classic gangster flicks. B -
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Re: Not Quite Noir
Wed, June 13, 2007 - 11:54 AMHis Kind of Woman - although part of a Warner Brothers film noir boxset- this movie is a mix of comedy and crime thriller-it has noir elements to it- but this one is played mostly for laughs.Although Robert Mitchum and Jane Russell are billed as the stars- the movie is a great showcase of Vincent Price - who steals the picture as an adulterous hunting actor Mark Cardigan on vacation.Charles McGraw and Raymond Burr do a great as heavies in this movie.Jim Backus is also on his game as a gambler.This is a fun film with a mix of sharp dialogue and slapstick humor.It does have some decent action scenes near the end.A fun curio that mixes genres and has plenty of good actors in it- not perfect and it does have some plot-holes-worth a rental. B- -
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Re: Not Quite Noir
Mon, June 18, 2007 - 6:04 AM<i>The Chase</i>-1946 noir about a veteran who gets a job a s a driver for a Miami mobster.This had some good twists and turns- but was hindered by some wooden acting.Peter Lorre is the main henchman for the mobster. B-
<i>The Big Bluff</i>- 1955 movie about a conman who marries an heiress who is supposed to be close to death.Some typical stuff here and not worth seeking out. C
<i>Buried Alive</i> - 1939 movie about capital punishement and a local prison.In an odd moment- the main character gives a summary of <i>Of Mice and Men</i> and then points to a fellow con who resembles Lenny named Big Billy.Sure enough things mirror elements from <i>Of Mice and Men</i> later on in the movie.This movie has some good performances and ideas. B
<i>Port of New York</i> -Solid crime procedural from 1949-featuring Yul Brynner as a charismatic and vile drug smuggler.We get the usual shots of the treasury building and then we go into the case file for a crime-typical crime movie from that time period- but well executed and worth getting to watch Brynner chew up the scenery. B+ -
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Re: Not Quite Noir
Sun, July 29, 2007 - 5:45 AMThe Wrong Man - 1956 Alfred Hitchcock film based on a true story about a family man that gets implicated as a hold-up man.Henry Fonda stars as Manny Balestrero a dedicated family man who makes his living playing stand-up bass at the Stork Club.This movie is rather depressing- Fonda is so likeable and you feel the noose tightening around his family.On limited means Balestrero and his wife struggle to build their alibi and clear their name.Many of the exteriors were shot on location in and around the Big Apple- but most of the interiors were shot on a soundstage in Hollywood.The DVD has a 20 minute making of featurette.Not the usual Hitchcock film- but engaging and well made.Worth renting. B+ -
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Re: Not Quite Noir
Sun, July 29, 2007 - 6:05 AMCause For Alarm! - 1951 suburban noir flick- Loretta Young plays a housewife who is caring for her bed-ridden hubby.Her hubby thinks his wife is having an affair and confronts his wife-telling her that he has already sent a letter to the district attourney implicating her in a plot to murder him.Most of the movie is Young's desperate attempts to retrieve the letter.One of my least favorite plat devices(although a staple of noirs) is the tendency for an innocent character to do things that make them seem more and more guilty- any person that encounters the frenetic and constantly lying Young would figure that something is afoot.Melodramatic yet engaging enough to finish- only worth a rental for those who want a suburban twist on the noir stories. C- -
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Re: Not Quite Noir
Sun, July 29, 2007 - 6:47 AMLoan Shark - 1952 George Raft vehicle about an ex-con who is recruited to break up a Loan Sharking ring in a tire factory.Solid movie following Raft's infiltration of the local mob.A good cast and crew make this typical material a solid entertainment.We see Russell Johnson(the professor on Gilligan's Island) as the tout/shill for the mob.John Hoyt(the doctor in the Star Trek pilot:The Cage) does a good job as the mob boss. Sure some of the fight scenes are clumsy and the dialogue is cliched at times,but is a decent movie with some good shots inside the tire factory and a decent storyline with a laundry/loansharking industry.Nothing outstanding- but a good escape for fans of the genre and Raft's rakish charm.The DVD has an informative commentary track Richard M. Roberts. C+ -
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Re: Not Quite Noir
Mon, July 30, 2007 - 4:31 PMi thought loan shark was the joint sequel to jaws and the godfather. -
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Re: Not Quite Noir
Wed, August 1, 2007 - 5:58 AMLonely Hearts- decent neo-noir based on a true story about a pair of killers that fleeced widows and lonely women and then started killing them.Jared Leto is running the long con -convincing women a little past their prime that he loves them and then he takes all their money-things get lethal when he hooks up with Salma Hayak who is in on the con- but gets more jealous and possesive as time goes on.Starring John Travolta and James Gandolfini as a couple of New York cops that start putting the puzzle together.The movie has a great opening sequence mixing vintage newspaper clippings with a suicide.After that the movie chugs along- it is a true story- some of it is horrific- but for fans of crime thrillers and noir- it feels all too familiar.The DVD has a making of featurette.The movie was directed and written by Todd Robinson - the grandson of Elmer Robinson the lead detective in the actual case. C- -
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Re: Not Quite Noir
Wed, August 1, 2007 - 6:40 AMPortland Expose- solid exploitation B flick -ripped from the headlines and all.We follow a very straight arrow citizen- an owner of a tavern that goes from solid straight shooter to undercover mob tough guy- in 72 minutes we are shown this thru him doing some collections and talking tough to the mob dudes.Ed Binns is decent as the lead.Look for a young Frank Gorshin in the movie's most notorious scene where he tries to rape the underage daughter of the protaginist.What makes the DVD worth the purchase is the commentary by Lindsley Parsons,Jr.- it is a little dry- but very informative about the making of B pictures and the system they had to pump out these movies.Since the movie was exposing the teamsters- they decided to work outside the union for this picture and where actually threatened by the mobsters.The voiceover tends to muddle the picture and even provide some unintentional chuckles.Worth a rental for the commentary track. C+ -
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Re: Not Quite Noir
Thu, September 13, 2007 - 5:54 AMKiss Kiss Bang Bang-Smart, witty neo-noir from writer director Shane Black.Robert Downey,Jr. is your host for this mix of gunplay,hard-boiled humor and modern LA.His partner is Val Kilmer - a gay detective consultant for films.The one liners fly in this self-aware shot at buddy films.The plot is convoluted- but the dialogue carries the day.The DVD has a riotious commentary by the 2 stars and the writer/director.Turning the cliche detective film on it's ear Kiss Kiss Bang Bang is a must for fans of noir and hardboiled fiction. A -
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Re: Not Quite Noir
Thu, September 13, 2007 - 6:12 AMDevil in a Blue Dress- 1995 film set in 1948 Los Angeles.Denzel Washington is Easy Rawlins- an out of work veteran gets roped into a game of blackmail and murder.This flashback thriller has a good soundtrack and a solid performance by Denzel Washington.Don Cheadle steals the movie as the aggresive and gun happy pal that Easy recruits from back home to help him survive.The required twists and turns are added in for spice with some segragation thrown in for a slap in the face.The movie works well enough-but nothing I would revisit.The DVD has a dry commentary from the director and Don Cheadle's screentest. B
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Re: Not Quite Noir
Wed, November 14, 2007 - 3:43 PMthe wrong man is extremely noir. the premise of an innocent man caught up in a crime scenario which sweeps him away is textbook noir. and the unhinging of Vera Miles due to her inability to get over her husband situation. i've owned this film for nearly 5-6 years and i've studied it extensively as i'm a hardcore Hitchcock fan as well.
do you consider "I Confess" noir? i'd loved to know your opinion. -
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Re: Not Quite Noir
Wed, November 14, 2007 - 3:46 PMDid you see the film "Brick", DJ JOE? what are your thoughts on that movie? i thought it was an exciting neo-noir. -
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Re: Not Quite Noir
Thu, November 15, 2007 - 8:45 AMI liked it alot and own it-good stuff -
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Re: Not Quite Noir
Sat, December 15, 2007 - 6:16 AMNo Way Out -This 1950's message pic about racism stars sultry Linda Darnell,Richard Widmark(as a racist and cowardly heel) and Sidney Pottier in his first movie.Scripted and directed by Joseph L. Mankiewicz this movie teeters between melodramatic and realistic.Set in a typically racially divided town-Pottier is a young doctor who manages to get caught in racial typhoon when he can't save Widmark's brother.The scenes with Widmark and Darnell on screen are worth the price of admission -add in the creepy race riot and the screen debuts of Ruby Dee and Ozzie Davis and you have an interesting movie.The DVD has a fun commentary track by Eddie Muller and 2 twenty second newsreels with Darnell and Widmark.Not a perfect flick- nor all that subtle-but worth your time if you like classic movies . B-
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