Official Film Noir on Blu-ray Thread

[drb124]

Originally Posted by tallguy58

Just picked this up today. Chock a block with great essays and tons of pics.


Attachment 164501

This is one that I do not have. I see it is by Silver and Ursini, so I need to pick it up.

Originally Posted by MassiveMovieBuff

For anyone who has seen Cold in July would you say it's worth a blind buy for repeat viewings? I've heard it's great from reliable resources and this site gave it an excellent review but I just wanted to make sure it's golden for repeat viewings.

I would be another vote for yes. One of my favorite movies to come out in the last few years. Michael C Hall finally gets a role outside of the first 4 or 5 seasons of Dexter worthy of his talents. Sam Shepard is great and Don Johnson is Don Johnson, though he puts forth about as much effort as I have seen from him. (I like Don Johnson, but he is not an actor who really disappears into his roles.) As far as the blu-ray goes, the US has a lower bitrate than the UK, though not low enough to cause any real issue other than some brief low light noise. But the UK drops the commentaries that are on the US disc. I have the US disc and ended up picking up the UK steelbook for cheap during one of Zavvi's sales. Not sure if you are region free, but I though that I would mention it. That is a long way to say, it is a very strong film which would hold up to repeat viewings in my opinion.



I finally got around to watching Hidden Fear. Not the best noir out there, but I like John Payne well enough for these types of no nonsense roles, and there is a decent conspiracy that he stumbles into. It also has Anne Neyland in what I assume is her first credited appearance of her short career. She is from my home state of Mississippi, which is a rarity, though she did have some not so nice things to say about Elvis, so that may make it a wash. Regardless, all of the leads acquitted themselves well enough to make an entertaining, if not top notch, noir.

[hagios]

I just ordered this tonight!

Cold In July 2014 Exclusive Limited Edition Steelbook Blu-ray Ultra Limited Print Run

[rocknblues81]

Originally Posted by drb124

This is one that I do not have. I see it is by Silver and Ursini, so I need to pick it up.



I would be another vote for yes. One of my favorite movies to come out in the last few years. Michael C Hall finally gets a role outside of the first 4 or 5 seasons of Dexter worthy of his talents. Sam Shepard is great and Don Johnson is Don Johnson, though he puts forth about as much effort as I have seen from him. (I like Don Johnson, but he is not an actor who really disappears into his roles.) As far as the blu-ray goes, the US has a lower bitrate than the UK, though not low enough to cause any real issue other than some brief low light noise. But the UK drops the commentaries that are on the US disc. I have the US disc and ended up picking up the UK steelbook for cheap during one of Zavvi's sales. Not sure if you are region free, but I though that I would mention it. That is a long way to say, it is a very strong film which would hold up to repeat viewings in my opinion.



I finally got around to watching Hidden Fear. Not the best noir out there, but I like John Payne well enough for these types of no nonsense roles, and there is a decent conspiracy that he stumbles into. It also has Anne Neyland in what I assume is her first credited appearance of her short career. She is from my home state of Mississippi, which is a rarity, though she did have some not so nice things to say about Elvis, so that may make it a wash. Regardless, all of the leads acquitted themselves well enough to make an entertaining, if not top notch, noir.

You might be right about Don Johnson not disappearing into roles as he was always closer to a movie star than a great actor, but he still has more charisma at his old age than does any of today's actors. It's just that the same thing happened to him that happened to guys like Pacino and Sly... Ego's and big roles in the 1980's (Scarface, Rambo and Miami Vice) sort of decided what they were going to be for the rest of their careers.

If you see Don in an early movie like Return to Macon County it just seems like a different guy. Not a great performance or anything, but its interesting to see these guys before they became egomaniacs.

As for the film, its hard for me to say. I bought it cheap and watched it once. I loved the start of the film... The first half hour was great, but the movie took some twists and turns (big shift in tone) that I didn't love. The movie has a great 80's inspired soundtrack and some John Carpenter influence, but I just wish that I liked the 2nd half of the movie more. I need to give it another chance.

[CBHampson]

I watched Woman in the Window this morning and am curious about others opinions on this one. I remember it topped one recent list of best noirs (Paste magazine maybe?) and have frequently seen it on other lists.

I thought the film was quite excellent, particularly after Duryea appears. Until the end. The ending feels so beneath a director of Lang's quality. Like something an amateur screenwriter would add to a first draft. I still can't believe that was the end, lol.

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by CBHampson

I watched Woman in the Window this morning and am curious about others opinions on this one. I remember it topped one recent list of best noirs (Paste magazine maybe?) and have frequently seen it on other lists.

I thought the film was quite excellent, particularly after Duryea appears. Until the end. The ending feels so beneath a director of Lang's quality. Like something an amateur screenwriter would add to a first draft. I still can't believe that was the end, lol.

I think that The Woman in the Window is a wonderful film noir, and, in many ways, it's even better than Fritz Lang's Scarlet Street. I was also underwhelmed by the ending, though.

Dan Duryea was such an amazing actor, and he excelled at playing characters who are complete tools. I listened to a commentary once that discussed how Duryea was an awesome person in real life and how Duryea and his family were extremely active in local charities, at the PTA of his childrens' schools, and such, because he always felt as though he had to overcompensate with kindness in the real world because of the vileness of his screen roles.

[Juels Winnfield]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

I think that The Woman in the Window is a wonderful film noir, and, in many ways, it's even better than Fritz Lang's Scarlet Street. I was also underwhelmed by the ending, though.

Dan Duryea was such an amazing actor, and he excelled at playing characters who are complete tools. I listened to a commentary once that discussed how Duryea was an awesome person in real life and how Duryea and his family were extremely active in local charities, at the PTA of his childrens' schools, and such, because he always felt as though he had to overcompensate with kindness in the real world because of the vileness of his screen roles.

I agree, The Woman in the Window is a great film noir. Even though, I am a fan of Scarlet Street as well, The Woman in the Window is the better noir despite the disappointing ending. It needs a Blu-ray release... then I will purchase both.

[Bogey]

A couple newbie questions when anyone here has a chance:
1. Your favorite transfer of Detour to date on dvd?
2. Your "go to" book on the genre that has been dog-eared to death?

Thanks!

[Cranston37]

Originally Posted by Bogey

A couple newbie questions when anyone here has a chance:
1. Your favorite transfer of Detour to date on dvd?
2. Your "go to" book on the genre that has been dog-eared to death?

Thanks!

1. Don't know but none are great
2. "Film Noir Reader" by Alain Silver and James Ursini

[Edward J Grug III]

Originally Posted by Bogey

A couple newbie questions when anyone here has a chance:
1. Your favorite transfer of Detour to date on dvd?
2. Your "go to" book on the genre that has been dog-eared to death?

Thanks!

1 - It's in the public domain, and the DVDs aren't too impressive, so just watch it on Youtube.

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by Bogey

A couple newbie questions when anyone here has a chance:
1. Your favorite transfer of Detour to date on dvd?
2. Your "go to" book on the genre that has been dog-eared to death?

The Image Entertainment DVD of Detour is the way to go. Not perfect by any stretch of the imagination, but watchable.

I like Eddie Muller's Dark City: The Lost World of Film Noir. It's got a lot of tabloid-centric stuff about the background of the actors, but Muller's writing voice makes all of that quite fun. More importantly, it's a fun guide for what constitutes a true film noir, as opposed to black-and-white films that are almost-but-not-quite noir.

[nitin]

If you are region free, IMHO the German DVD is the best transfer on DVD of Detour.

[Bogey]

Thanks folks! I went ahead and got the Image Entertainment copy and will look over the books. I've rented and streamed this three times now and still want to see it again sooner than later, but wanted a copy for the shelf. I'm hoping down the road that some pristine copy of the film will be found in Vienna and KINO, UCLA, or Criterion get rights to produce it. However, at some level, at least for me, there is charm in having what we have and it being the best there is with this film. Like the wear and tear on the available prints is part of the story itself.

[SeanJoyce]

Originally Posted by hagios

I just ordered this tonight!

Cold In July 2014 Exclusive Limited Edition Steelbook Blu-ray Ultra Limited Print Run

I had already had the US release but bought this anyways and just transferred the discs (it's been available for years btw so I'm not sure how "limited" it is.)

Cold in July is an interesting movie. The story goes in all sorts of unexpected directions and while some may applaud that as original, I think it becomes rather aimless.

Still, as a stylistic exercise...with its noirish cinematography and Carpenter-esque synth music, it's terrific. The 3 central performances are all fantastic and complement the story really well.

That Zavvi steelbook you linked to is just super-cool. Not only does its video store, VHS-design correlate perfectly to the time period it's set in (early 80s), but it ties in neatly to one of the story's main plot points.

[javy]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

I think that The Woman in the Window is a wonderful film noir, and, in many ways, it's even better than Fritz Lang's Scarlet Street. I was also underwhelmed by the ending, though.

I haven't seen Woman In The Window yet but I absolutely love Scarlet Street. Joan Bennett would drive me mad as well And Edward G Robinson, fughetaboutit

[noirjunkie]

Originally Posted by javy

I haven't seen Woman In The Window yet but I absolutely love Scarlet Street. Joan Bennett would drive me mad as well And Edward G Robinson, fughetaboutit

Woman in the Window is one of my favorite rule-breaking noirs. To say any more would spoil the fun, but suffice it to say, if you haven't seen it yet, you should definitely check it out. The MGM DVD has been out of print for a long time and goes for quite a bit (Amazon link), but the transfer is great and is the only quality release, so if you can plunk down the money or find it in your local library, go for it.

[javy]

Originally Posted by noirjunkie

Woman in the Window is one of my favorite rule-breaking noirs. To say any more would spoil the fun, but suffice it to say, if you haven't seen it yet, you should definitely check it out. The MGM DVD has been out of print for a long time and goes for quite a bit (Amazon link), but the transfer is great and is the only quality release, so if you can plunk down the money or find it in your local library, go for it.

Thanks for that info. I seen a colorized version dvd about a week ago and I don't think so. I'll look for that mgm. Maybe then they'll release it on blu

[CBHampson]

Originally Posted by noirjunkie

Woman in the Window is one of my favorite rule-breaking noirs. To say any more would spoil the fun, but suffice it to say, if you haven't seen it yet, you should definitely check it out. The MGM DVD has been out of print for a long time and goes for quite a bit (Amazon link), but the transfer is great and is the only quality release, so if you can plunk down the money or find it in your local library, go for it.

It's a buck to rent on Amazon, too. Assuming it's not the MGM transfer, because it was pretty weak. But it's $1.

[MassiveMovieBuff]

Just ordered the US release for Cold in July for $8.00 on amazon brand new. That steelbook looks pretty damn cool though. Can't wait to watch it.

Edit: Has this gone OOP? I just noticed that now its strictly available through third party sellers only when it was sold by amazon for $14.99 when I ordered it yesterday.

[tallguy58]

Originally Posted by noirjunkie

Woman in the Window is one of my favorite rule-breaking noirs. To say any more would spoil the fun, but suffice it to say, if you haven't seen it yet, you should definitely check it out. The MGM DVD has been out of print for a long time and goes for quite a bit (Amazon link), but the transfer is great and is the only quality release, so if you can plunk down the money or find it in your local library, go for it.

The chair scene near the end was done in 1 continuous take. Hard to believe, but check it out. Amazing how they did it.

[lemonski]

Originally Posted by Gerby

Yes...just yesterday i realized i forgot about Andrew L Stone's Highway 301 & The Steel Trap. These should be in my top 50 list but i can't be bothered to change it now.

I just watched The Steel Trap, very enjoyable! It veers towards a Hitchcock thriller with a touch of Double Indemnity rather than hard-boiled noir, but I'd highly recommend it to anyone here. If you can buy into the basic mechanics of the film (plot detail),

[Show spoiler]that the tension is all derived from Joseph Cotten's really really badly organised plan,

you'll be in for an armchair-gripping 84 minutes of suspense.

Top 50 material for sure.