Official Film Noir on Blu-ray Thread

[tallguy58]

Originally Posted by Professor Echo

The Film Noir Foundation considers THIS a noir:

Hey, it's shot in black and white and is associated with Ida Lupino. What else do you need?

We really should get a more detailed description of Noir.

[MifuneFan]

Originally Posted by Professor Echo

The Film Noir Foundation considers THIS a noir:

To be fair, it's listed in a sub-section that's paying tribute to Ida Lupino, so rather than just pick the noir titles from that, they listed the whole block.

Salute to Actress/Writer/
Director/Goddess Ida Lupino

[SeanJoyce]

Where. Is. THE LETTER!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[tallrichard]

There are several films here which are a stretch for my thought of what film noir is...

Val Lewton's double feature, Never Fear, The Lone Wolf films and even Kind Lady.

I'm not sure who edits the column, but I would say several are a stretch.

My picks of the month would be Cape Fear, Key Largo, Body and Soul and Brute Force...

[Professor Echo]

Originally Posted by MifuneFan

To be fair, it's listed in a sub-section that's paying tribute to Ida Lupino, so rather than just pick the noir titles from that, they listed the whole block.

Then they need to more clearly delineate that and stop grouping films which have virtually no relation to the genre under a banner which clearly labels ALL of the titles as being NOIR. As TallRichard accurately points out, they are desperately reaching with more than a few titles on that list and they did the same thing with last month's list.

The sad fact is that the Foundation has been broadening the scope of NOIR for years now, incorporating titles which bear little to no resemblance to the expected conventions that once defined the genre. It troubles me a bit because noir isn't really like other genres where certain characteristics immediately, if superficially, represent it, say as cowboys and horses and cattle drives might readily brand a western. Noir is more thematically driven as a genre and just because a character wears a trench coat or carries a gun or there is shadowy lighting doesn't automatically qualify it as a noir. If the Foundation, which shouod know better, continues to mislead, it will reach the point where virtually anything can be considered a noir, which is another way of saying nothing is.

[evilive]

Originally Posted by lemonski

It's not really noir, but one of my favourites of his is The Amazing Mr X. Fantastic cinematography, and a very cool film. Unlikely to ever get to Blu-Ray, sadly.

I'll have to remember this one next time.

Originally Posted by tallguy58

He Walked By Night.

As a retired commercial photographer, I say that's Alton's best work.

Google image search for that film shows what I'm talking about. Heck, the stills are beautiful by themselves.

Yeah man, those sewer system scenes are fantastic!!

Its really a damn shame that they're all public domain though.

[Herandar]

It's only a matter of time until Noir just means Black & White to the general public.

[tallguy58]

Originally Posted by evilive

Its really a damn shame that they're all public domain though.

My DVD is a MGM release and looks fabulous.

Someone must hold the rights to it.

[jayembee]

Originally Posted by tallguy58

My DVD is a MGM release and looks fabulous.

Someone must hold the rights to it.

Well, in the case of Public Domain films, the rights might not be owned by anyone, but that doesn't mean that someone doesn't have the original film elements (or ones not too far removed from the original) and can therefore put out a transfer that's far superior to anyone else's.

[lemonski]

Originally Posted by jayembee

Well, in the case of Public Domain films, the rights might not be owned by anyone, but that doesn't mean that someone doesn't have the original film elements (or ones not too far removed from the original) and can therefore put out a transfer that's far superior to anyone else's.

Yep, the forthcoming release of The Chase from Kino Lorber is a good example - restored by the ULCA Film & Television Archive, it should beat the pants off the Alpha Video and other crummy releases. Really looking forward to this one.

[Coenskubrick]

Anybody else think Barton Fink deserves to be listed under neo-noir?

It involves crime and romance, is set in the 40's, psychologically complex, mysterious lighting, etc.

[NoirFan]

From our own samdvd1's interview with Signal One Entertainment (UK) head honcho James here:

I can let it slip that the cracking thrillers Kiss of Death (1947) and Eyewitness (1981) will feature among (our upcoming announcements).

[silverlakephil]

Originally Posted by NoirFan

From our own samdvd1's interview with Signal One Entertainment (UK) head honcho James here:

As I mentioned in the Signal One thread, I hope they can release Henry Hathaway's other Noir film, The Dark Corner starring a Lucille Ball, but if it's just Kiss of Death , I aint complaining! Is Eyewitness considered Neo-Noir? I vaguely remember this film.

[NoirFan]

Originally Posted by silverlakephil

Is Eyewitness considered Neo-Noir? I vaguely remember this film.

I'm not familiar with it, I just figured I'd include the whole quote.

[DistrictOfMisery]

This past weekend I attended Cinema Wasteland and was ecstatic to come across a copy of The Dark Mirror, I watched it today and really enjoyed it. Olivia de Havilland was absolutely outstanding as Terry/Ruth Collins. It was really neat to see her play both roles and I definitely believe it added to the overall theme of the film. And of course the directing by Robert Siodmak really impressed me as it always does when I watch his films. This was a very effective film noir in my opinion and also a well constructed psychological thriller, I'm very happy I finally picked this title up!

[filmmusic]

just announced from olive for June!

[MifuneFan]

Originally Posted by filmmusic

just announced from olive for June!

Pretty cool cover. Would others consider this noir? Looks to be a British crime film from what I've briefly read.

[filmmusic]

Originally Posted by MifuneFan

Would others consider this noir? Looks to be a British crime film from what I've briefly read.

well, the third man is british but it's considered a film-noir, isn't it?

here's a source that considers appointment with crime a film noir:
https://books.google.gr/books?id=ixV...20noir&f=false

and another mention here:
https://books.google.gr/books?id=QUW...20noir&f=false

[MifuneFan]

Originally Posted by filmmusic

well, the third man is british but it's considered a film-noir, isn't it?

That is open to debate, but many do consider it to be because of the style and elements found within among other reasons. Simply being a British film wouldn't qualify this as noir, but as I'm unfamiliar with the title, I'd like to get some input as to whether it fits or not.

[Gerby]

Originally Posted by MifuneFan

Pretty cool cover. Would others consider this noir? Looks to be a British crime film from what I've briefly read.

Not seen this one but there is no way I can pass up on a British crime film from this era.