Official Film Noir on Blu-ray Thread

[Dick Laurent 97]

I'd love to see a Lost Highway NA Blu-Ray release, hopefully by Criterion. I've never seen a film that understood noir and revolutionized neo-noir in such a way before.

[noirjunkie]

Originally Posted by GoldMotel

Also found some neo-noirs that are on blu, but not in the US.

Hotel Noir (2012) [only on blu in Australia and Germany]

I can't believe I forgot to mention this one, as the genre is right there in the title.

[djvaso]

The Big Clock will be released in Germany in April in a boxset along with The Dark Mirror and Ministry of Fear.

[GoldMotel]

Originally Posted by noirjunkie

I can't believe I forgot to mention this one, as the genre is right there in the title.

So bummed it's not available on blu in the US. It didn't even come to a theater near me when it was released in limited.

I've been living off clips on youtube until I can import.

[kaseaver]

I recently started watching Melville film noirs. Just watched Le Deuxieme Souffle today, and I must say it's outstanding. I've seen most of Melville's noirs except Le Samourai, waiting for a Criterion upgrade. I see the Region B version of Le Samourai is on the list. I'd like to nominate Le Cercle Rouge and Army of Shadows if the consensus on the latter is that it's really film noir.

I was under the impression that a Criterion upgrade of Le Samourai was imminent. What seems to be the holdup on such a popular title? Criterion lost the rights to Le Cercle Rouge and Army of Shadows, but still has rights to Le Deuxieme Souffle. What is the chance of an upgrade for this?

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by kaseaver

I recently started watching Melville film noirs. Just watched Le Deuxieme Souffle today, and I must say it's outstanding. I've seen most of Melville's noirs except Le Samourai, waiting for a Criterion upgrade. I see the Region B version of Le Samourai is on the list. I'd like to nominate Le Cercle Rouge and Army of Shadows if the consensus on the latter is that it's really film noir.

I was under the impression that a Criterion upgrade of Le Samourai was imminent. What seems to be the holdup on such a popular title? Criterion lost the rights to Le Cercle Rouge and Army of Shadows, but still has rights to Le Deuxieme Souffle. What is the chance of an upgrade for this?

Le Samourai and Le Cercle Rouge are my favorite neo-noir films. Army of Shadows also incorporates some fantastic noir elements, although I consider it to be more of an outright war movie.

I have the French Pathe Blu-ray of Le Samourai, and the picture quality is awful, because the film has been scrubbed of detail with digital noise reduction to the point that it's almost like watching a watercolor painting in motion.

The word around the campfire is that the master of Le Samourai that was sent to Criterion was not up to specs (perhaps the same transfer used for the French Pathe Blu-ray, but I don't know), and that they would like a better quality version before upgrading to Blu-ray.

For now, the Criterion DVD of Le Samourai is superb, and well worth owning.

[chidecki]

Originally Posted by Blu-Velvet

Regarding THE SPIRIT, it's a film I found terribly disappointing after having seen the somewhat intriguing trailer, but felt was still slightly above-average overall, and certainly was consciously attempting to be a neo-noir film (rather than simply falling into the category).

Words can't describe how utterly disappointed I was with The Spirit. It was so over-the-top corny with some terrible acting, (sorry Mr Jackson). If it wasn't for the nice cinematography and some neat scenes of Eva Mendes as Sand Saref it would have been a total disaster. Ugh, just thinking about all the players involved makes me shake my head thinking about how it was all wasted on this turkey.

[LegacyCosts]

So many films I am still checking out due to this thread and this forum. Breaking Bad is my favorite neo-noir but I don't think you're including shows.

[GoldMotel]

Just a little heads up MifuneFan, on the home page the thumbnail for the Spirit incorrectly links to The Lookout blu-ray listing.

[MifuneFan]

Originally Posted by GoldMotel

Just a little heads up MifuneFan, on the home page the thumbnail for the Spirit incorrectly links to The Lookout blu-ray listing.

Thanks! I've noticed that happen from time to time when I add and rearrange the titles.

[oildude]

I just finished watching Tequila Sunrise. This is the first time I have seen it since its release in the theater in 1988.

It is definitely a neo-noir. It has a film noir style, and a convoluted plot of twists, turns, and betrayals among a batch of morally compromised or conflicted characters, even an unwitting femme fatale caught up in the webs of deceit. No surprise considering its pedigree - it was written and directed by Robert Towne, who won the Oscar for his script of Chinatown.

[GoldMotel]

If we are including international noir/neo-noirs, I stumbled upon a few that could be classified as neo-noirs.

In the Shadow [2012] (Czech Republic) - only on blu in Czech Republic
Flame and Citron [2008] (Denmark) - available on blu in the UK

[Blu-Velvet]

Just watched TRANS-EUROP-EXPRESS (1966), and it might possibly be considered a neo-noir or a late noir, although it's really more of a French New Wave satiric homage to formula genre crime films, comic book plots, and the filmmaking process itself, with just a touch of sado-masochistic bondage fetish fantasy thrown in here and there.

In any case, it's a lot of fun overall, and Kino-Redemption's HD transfer looks great.

[Cholkavich]

Love this thread! I was watching Raw Deal the other night, I really enjoyed it. Found the female narration interesting.

[theprestige85]

Originally Posted by oildude

I just finished watching Tequila Sunrise. This is the first time I have seen it since its release in the theater in 1988.

It is definitely a neo-noir. It has a film noir style, and a convoluted plot of twists, turns, and betrayals among a batch of morally compromised or conflicted characters, even an unwitting femme fatale caught up in the webs of deceit. No surprise considering its pedigree - it was written and directed by Robert Towne, who won the Oscar for his script of Chinatown.

Haven't seen Tequila Sunrise since it came on telly years ago. I'll have to check it out again.

[theprestige85]

Originally Posted by Midnight Rambler

I sure wish Gaslight (1944) was available on Blu-ray, it would probably fit this category ?

I believe that's the one film everyone recommended to me on the BFI thread in the UK forums. It IS available on blu ray in the UK.

I'm not sure if it's region free, but a lot of BFI blu rays happen to be region free friendly.

BFI are a terrific distributor so this probably comes with a wealth of special features and booklet.

https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Gasli.../#RegionCoding

[theprestige85]

What's the best version of Lost Highway to get? The French or German release??

[GoldMotel]

Originally Posted by Blu-Velvet

Just watched TRANS-EUROP-EXPRESS (1966), and it might possibly be considered a neo-noir or a late noir, although it's really more of a French New Wave satiric homage to formula genre crime films, comic book plots, and the filmmaking process itself, with just a touch of sado-masochistic bondage fetish fantasy thrown in here and there.

In any case, it's a lot of fun overall, and Kino-Redemption's HD transfer looks great.

Jean-Luc Godard's "Breathless" is kinda the same. I've seen it be included on a few neo-noir lists (even criterion lists it under both neo-noir and french new wave), but many consider it more of an homage to noir and crime dramas and not necessarily one.

[noirjunkie]

Originally Posted by theprestige85

I believe that's the one film everyone recommended to me on the BFI thread in the UK forums. It IS available on blu ray in the UK.

I'm not sure if it's region free, but a lot of BFI blu rays happen to be region free friendly.

BFI are a terrific distributor so this probably comes with a wealth of special features and booklet.

https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Gasli.../#RegionCoding

That's the original. He's talking about the American remake.

[GoldMotel]

I know it's not a film, but for anyone who kinda likes trashy television, my sister informed me that the ABC Family show "Pretty Little Liars" had just aired a black-and-white classic noir themed episode today.

I'm not a fan of the show, but my love of noir may convince me to watch just that episode.