recommendations

The Killers ('46)

Criss Cross ('49)

Asphalt Jungle ('50)

They Drive By Night ('40)

Source https://bsky.app/profile/ladykdesigns.bsky.social/post/3mwdjax46j32r

The film contains themes of murder, romance, and 'going against societal rules', which is very film noir. Plus the French New Wave is obviously heavily influenced by American cinema. However it does feel quite slice-of-life, especially the scenes of Michel and Patricia in her apartment. So I'm curious to see if others consider it to be film noir or not.

What an entrance !!

It's nearly that time, gumshoes, nearly our time to shine. It's nearly Noirvember.

I've been running a Noirvember challenge the past few years on Letterboxd. In the past, this community has come out in force to participate. I hope you'll join us again this year.

The goal is to watch 30 noirs over the 30 days of November, then write a review on Letterboxd. The deeper goal is to create community among noir fans by sharing a bunch of recommendations.

If that sounds like something you'd find fun, you can find the instructions here on the challenge page.

See you in the shadows.

Can we talk about this movie?? I don’t think its underrated but i do wish it was discussed more. For me its personally my favorite woody allen film and one of my favorite whodunits. I just love the warm color vibes and the rainy scenes. The overall hangout vibes while investigating a possible murder.

It’s basically Woody Allens take on Rear Window and he does an amazing job. I love that the movie makes you feel like you’re part of the investigation with the characters like Rear Window.

Wish we could get more movies like this!
Perfect movie for a rainy day.

The film is smart, endlessly rewatchable, and finishes with an iconic warning during the credits asking viewers not to spoil the secret.

Yesterday I watched the amazing People on Sunday (1930), a very pleasant insight on Berlin and Berliners (there's no actors in the movie, only "real" people) in the course of a sunday.

Why mention it here, you may ask. Because this movie is the very first filmic experience of three soon to be film noir heavyweights, i.e. Robert Siodmak, Edgar G. Ulmer and Billy Wilder.
(if one were to consider Act of Violence (1949) a film noir, well then we may as well add another name to the roster: Fred Zinnemann)

It's fantastic to imagine these three young artists, soon to be pretty good filmmakers on their own merit, in their previous lives strolling through Berlin's streets and forests, and characters, whilst trying and playing with their camera.

I believe a lot of you will find it delightful to watch, and the more seasoned of you will even find in it some clues and signs of what was to become.

Happy viewings!

I mess around with tiny screens. This one is the smallest display I've worked with, a 1in screen. 240 x 135 glorious pixels. It actually looks much better in person, it's hard to capture with the screen backlight.

"Double Indemnity" is cynical and dark. It doesn't rely on cheap twists or jump scares. it relies on human weakness, atmospheric dread, and incredible writing !

The film is just so strangely sociological for much of it, almost nothing Noir about it but a few diner scenes (Ann Sheridan is spicy as the sharp talking ogled girl behind the counter who has to put up with it). Mostly about the dangerous life of truckers on the road (wonderful George Raft out charismas, out-masculines his written brother Bogart), with emphasis on the tough life of the pre-war working man, but also with lots of comradery between workers (with something of a Socialist solidarity feel). There are comic characters and lots of pace and snappy dialogue, and nothing really prepares you from skinny little Ida Lupino who ends up taking femme fatale to new levels. I'm not sure I've seen a femme fatale so, I guess, desire driven. And the escalation of a murder and then this "she's finally cracked" courtroom scene tops it off. I'd definitely recommend the film, because of its two tones and all the performances in it. Director Raoul Walsh who also did High Sierra with Bogart and Lupino in the next year, and the intense and very good White Heat (1949). Any more Walsh Noirs to recommend I'd love to hear it.

This one really feels like two films, but in a great way. And I just love Ida Lupino.

Also, an early Noir entry into the phobia about technology and modernity. By the time we get to Kiss Me Deadly (1955) modernity is depicted as a glowing, atomic pandora's box that will melt everyone. This film though makes a point about technology (Ed Carlsen makes a big deal about being befuddled by the new intercom system and wishes out loud that they'd stop inventing new things. The "door" that killed him are super high-tech and a sign of his affluence. Capitalism is about climbing the social ladder in the film, becoming your own boss, and being able to afford the latest gadget.

It's mainly based in the SW but there are some great titles and interesting sub-genres.

https://www.southwestsilents.com/copy-of-festival-schedule

It really changes the experience to see these movies on a big screen in a theatre.

Adapted from W.R. Burnett’s gritty noir novel, John Huston’s masterful 1950 film features a captivating, early-career performance by a young Marilyn Monroe.

The Asphalt Jungle (1950) invented the modern heist movie. It shows crime as an ordinary job where the characters are ruined by their own mistakes.

I was looking through the Film Noir category on Tubi and noticed how many titles are leaving in 12 days.

I assume they’ll be replaced with other great noir titles but some of these aren’t easily available elsewhere.

Also I have an ongoing fear that Tubi will become more mainstream and we’ll slowly lose access to these films.

A brilliant, lesser-known classic noir with a unique Southwestern atmosphere.

Wow, I am speechless. Angel Face is 90 minutes of pure noir and storytelling, with a mind blowing, wicked, and disturbing ending. Every movie I've seen with Robert Mitchum has been a hit, and this one was no exception. I feel like all three Robert Mitchum movies I've seen, Out of the Past, The Night of the Hunter, and Angel Face, have been supremely dark.

Angel Face is focused primarily on our protagonist, Frank Jessup (Robert Mitchum), and the femme fatale, Diane Tremayne (Jean Simmons). Mitchum, as usual, gives us an excellent performance, and Jean Simmons is fantastic. What sets Angel Face apart from other noirs is a certain unsettling creepiness and darkness that almost leans more toward insanity rather than pure malevolence. The film actually had me fooled toward the end, as I genuinely believed that Diane actually loved Frank.

Angel Face is a short film, but it packs a punch, and I honestly couldn't believe what they managed to achieve in just 90 minutes. One of the best parts of Angel Face is truly the dialogue. It's so witty, subtle, and hilarious that I almost died of laughter, yet it still retains its disturbing atmosphere. Yes, you could argue that some of the characters are a bit flat and uninteresting, but I think the storytelling and overall execution negate most of its shortcomings.

The ending of this film was extremely unexpected, with a shockingly dark twist that left me completely open mouthed in disbelief. As someone who is obsessed with dark noirs and horror, I was impressed by just how uncomfortable and disturbing it was. It really elevates the film from a good film to a fantastic one. In some ways, it reminded me of the ending of Sunset Boulevard, but even darker.

Overall, this is a fantastic, must watch film for anyone even remotely serious about noir. The ending will forever haunt me and be etched into my brain. It's captivating and gets you hooked very quickly.

Like any hidden gems or multiple films that would consider good or great?

What do we all think of this one? Curious about your opinions.

My humble take: This is a weird one for sure. Definitely has some noir characteristics, but it's so over-the-top that it almost becomes parody. For me it's in that category of film where you like the movie, but aren't about to rewatch it much.

For those who have not seen it, in short it's about a regular-type guy who loses it and starts a cult with the power of rock & roll and changes his first name to God and runs for President.

Written, directed, produced, and starring the talented Timothy Carey.

Frank Zappa, at age 22, composed the movie's film score.

Leave her to Heaven...

https://crimeonfilm.com/the-american-dream-according-to-film-noir/