The world of the Noir is a wide and wonderful place. There are films, books and writing not only within the Noir genre, but also about it. This page points you in the direction of just a few of those Fantastically Noiry Things.
There's a whole world of Noirish goodness out there in the land of the interweb that isn't related to the Buffy'verse.
- The Audience Magazine has a nice introduction to what makes a Film Noir.
- High Heels On Wet Pavement looks at the Femme Fatale in Film Noir, including a few detailed examples (One of which is the highly underrated Jane Greer, who should have been cast in many more films).
- John Blaser has an even more in depth look at the concept of the Femme Fatale, and how she's portrayed throughout the genre.
- The Film Site also has a nicely detailed look at Film Noir. Don't miss the Next button at the bottom of the page for even more Noiry goodness!
One of the very first Film Noir's that I watched was The Big Sleep (1946) starring Humphry Bogart and Lauren Bacall. To this day the fast moving plot, the Whedonesque snappy dialogue, and the undeniable chemistry of Bogart and Bacall make it one of my favourite films in the genre. In fact, one of my favourite films of all time. Witness this exchange between Vivian (Bacall) and Marlowe (Bogart):
Vivian: And I don't like your manners.
Marlowe: And I'm not crazy about yours. I didn't ask to see you. I don't mind if you don't like my manners. I don't like 'em myself. They're pretty bad. I grieve over them on long winter evenings. I don't mind you ritzing me or drinking your lunch out of a bottle. But don't waste your time trying to cross-examine me.
I highly, highly recommend that you get a copy from your local video store. If they don't have it (although if they don't, you should consider changing your video store. It's obviously substandard), they can usually order it for you.
Screen hurting your eyes? Want something to read on the move? The books below are just a few Noirish Reads that you'll find in the wide and wonderful world of the published book.
- Raymond Chandler originally wrote the novel that later became the movie, The Big Sleep. It may be slightly easier to follow the plot in the novel, but all of the Noir stylings are thankfully still present. See it on Amazon, where it's ridiculously cheap.
- Looking for some Noir Analysis? The Dark Side of the Screen: Film Noir looks at noir themes, visual motifs, character types, actors, and directors.
- Looking for some lighter reading? Something for the coffee table? It's A Bitter Little World is a quote collection book, featuring the smartest, nastiest, toughest lines from Film Noir. Great as a gift!
- Allan Guthrie's Noir Originals Zine takes a (kind of) monthly look at original Noir works of fiction from the writers of today, as well as articles and interviews.
Fascinated by the genre? I don't blame you. If you're desperate to talk to others about what you know, or what you don't know, about the world of Noir, you might be interested in the places below.
- The Blackboard is a Film Noir posting forum. If you need to know a specific detail about a film you've seen, or are trying to track something down, this is the place to go.
- Shades Of Noir is the best of the Yahoo Groups that come under the Film Noir category. With over a hundred members and monthly films to watch and discuss, there's always something to talk about. You could also browse the Yahoo Groups Noir directory if you feel the need.
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Welcome to The Noir Zone of Season2Ep14.net - This zone exists mainly because I happen to think that the Film Noir genre of the 1930-50's, as well as the slew of more modern films with Noir elements, happens to be the best thing ever. And as one of the best things ever, I'd like to see more of it in your Buffy'verse fic.
One of the very first Film Noir's that I watched was The Big Sleep (1946) starring Humphry Bogart and Lauren Bacall. To this day the fast moving plot, the Whedonesque snappy dialogue, and the undeniable chemistry of Bogart and Bacall (who married in real life soon after filming) make it one of my favourite films in the genre. Infact, one of my favourite films of all time.
It just goes to show that you don't need special effects, or even colour to make a riveting film. More contemporary films like Dick Tracy (1990), which manages to survive having Madonna cast as the femme fatale, L.A. Confidential(1997) and Sin City(2005) also rock my suitably noirish socks.
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