Quote: Kenneth @ August 26 2009, 9:04 AM BSTOn a whim I looked for Hard Evidence in an Australian bookstore a couple of days ago, and sure enough, there were two copies left on the shelf in the Crime section. I inquired whether the new one would be coming soon and was told "probably, check with us next month". So there.
Wow! 
Well done Kenneth.
In next week's exciting installment I go to a K-Mart and inquire whether the Doctor Who New Beginnings DVD boxset is likely to be discounted any time soon.
Quote: Marc P @ August 26 2009, 7:59 AM BSTBlade Runner is film noir, you don't need to call it sci fi noir I reckon. And the answer is no they dream of ordinary sheep.
I'd disagree. Superficially in terms of atmosphere and a protagonist out of his depth, then yes, but to me it lacks the labrynth plotting of true film noir. Things like Chinatown and The Maltese Falcon had devilishly complex plots. Bladerunner was relatively simple and straightforward.
Quote: chipolata @ August 26 2009, 10:02 AM BSTI'd disagree. Superficially in terms of atmosphere and a protagonist out of his depth, then yes, but to me it lacks the labrynth plotting of true film noir. Things like Chinatown and The Maltese Falcon had devilishly complex plots. Bladerunner was relatively simple and straightforward.
Chandler's novels had the labrynth plotting you refer to. It's not a genre requirement. And I do think Noir is a genre not a stylistic thing. Casablanca doesn't have a devilishly complicated plot for example.
Quote: Marc P @ August 26 2009, 10:05 AM BSTChandler's novels had the labrynth plotting you refer to. It's not a genre requirement. And I do think Noir is a genre not a stylistic thing. Casablanca doesn't have a devilishly complicated plot for example.
I wouldn't immediately class Casablanca as film-noir. And I'd suggest you're only doing that because it stars film noir favourite, Humphrey Bogart.
Quote: chipolata @ August 26 2009, 10:08 AM BSTI wouldn't immediately class Casablanca as film-noir. And I'd suggest you're only doing that because it stars film noir favourite, Humphrey Bogart.
That and the fact that I have a Masters degree in film theory and my dissertation was on Film Noir.
Quote: Marc P @ August 26 2009, 10:14 AM BSTThat and the fact that I have a Masters degree in film theory and my dissertation was on Film Noir.
Crikey, they really do give them out for anything! Although I'm still right about Casablanca, and I speak as a film fan, not a pseud! 
Quote: chipolata @ August 26 2009, 10:22 AM BSTCrikey, they really do give them out for anything! Although I'm still right about Casablanca, and I speak as a film fan, not a pseud!
Well I was lying anyway. I have an MA but it is in Video Production, well Directing and producing really. But I did do a PGDip before hand and had to write an essay on whether Film Noir was a Style or a Genre.
But I like to think of myself as a film fan too and you're wrong about Casablanca, it's well Noir!
You know, Marc, I have many a friend in the BCG, but somehow, just because you despise me, you are the only one I trust.
Quote: Marc P @ August 26 2009, 10:25 AM BSTWell I was lying anyway. I have an MA but it is in Video Production, well Directing and producing really. But I did do a PGDip before hand and had to write an essay on whether Film Noir was a Style or a Genre.
But I like to think of myself as a film fan too and you're wrong about Casablanca, it's well Noir!
You two could be walking into an Annie Hall pastiche:
"Well I've got Edward Dmytryk here:"
"You know nothing of my work or film noir I'm surprised you're teaching a course in anything."
Quote: youngian @ August 26 2009, 10:36 AM BSTYou two could be walking into an Annie Hall pastiche:
"Well I've got Edward Dmytryk here:"
"You know nothing of my work or film noir I'm surprised you're teaching a course in anything."
Quote: youngian @ August 26 2009, 10:36 AM BSTYou two could be walking into an Annie Hall pastiche:
"Well I've got Edward Dmytryk here:"
"You know nothing of my work or film noir I'm surprised you're teaching a course in anything."
And of course Play It Again Sam was excellent. Although based on a stage play and one of the few Allen films not directed by Allen. And not noir either.
A great bit of sci-fi noir is Dark City by Alex Proyas.
Quote: chipolata @ August 26 2009, 10:45 AM BSTA great bit of sci-fi noir is Dark City by Alex Proyas.
You might like to have a look at 'Altered Carbon'.