Films/DVD Asylum

Re: "Collateral": film noir 2004 - Not really.

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In Reply to: "Collateral": film noir 2004? posted by njjohn on December 2, 2004 at 19:06:39:

While I thought Collateral was surprisingly good, its not really film noir in the traditional sense. One of the primary ingrediants in film noir is the presenece of a woman who inevitably leads the (male) protagonist to ruin. As you mentioned Body Heat, consider the role of Kathleen Turner in that movie. She seduces William Hurt and eventually gets him to participate in her scheme to kill her rich husband. And as it the case in most film noir, the protagonist does not realize that he is being manipulated by the seductress.

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Re: "Collateral": film noir 2004 - Not really. - TA 09:28:45 12/21/04 (0)
"Film noir" covers many types of films, not just films with femme fatales. It really refers to films that started exploring darker themes, using darker visual styles, or featuring less than holy main characters. They came out at a time when films were more typically about mikey rooney and judy garland putting on a neighborhood parade.
If you like an updated film noir like Body Heat, check out The Long Goodbye by Robert Altman. A personal favorite of mine that follows film noir tradition with a wink to the audience. It's based on a Raymond Chandler book.
But to hell with labels. I enjoyed Collateral for the fine acting, and i especially liked how michael mann was able to infuse some humor into the film without undermining the tension. It really reminded me of one of his earlier films, Manhuter, which I like.

"HO, HO, HO!" - Santa Claus
Re: When I think of film noir - rico 08:51:40 12/21/04 (1)
I think of the stark high contrast black and white photography and angle shots. Not all noir is of the "Double Indemnity"/"Body Heat" type as there is even a western shot in noir style.
"Collateral" made much use of the color of the Los Angeles sky at night when the smog reflects the city's light back below, producing a unique color only to be found there.
- Sin City looks like the film noir for you - Peterloplop 14:06:04 12/21/04 (0)
  You can get a featurette/trailer thingy here (right click and save so you can watch it fullscreen).
  Its a pretty big file so dial-uppers probably shouldnt bother and it plays on newer versions of quicktime (free at apple ).

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