Neo-Noir

There was a time that the label ‘noir’ could legitimately be applied only to a specific cycle of post-World War II Hollywood films. In recent years, however, there has been increasing acceptance of a much more flexible use of the term –both to draw in pre-World War II examples and, more importantly, to expand the category sufficiently to include the phenomenon of “Neo-Noir.”

This widening of the term, of course, complicates one of the questions that critics continue to debate. That is, what kind of classification is 'noir'? Is it a visual style, a tone, a genre, a generic field, a movement, a cycle, a series - or just a helpful category? Rather, it is a ‘network of ideas’ that can be borrowed from and played with. Therefore, a “Neo-Noir” is a film that harkens back to the original genre, but also re-invents itself for more modern sensibilities.

The transformations of the genre in Neo-Noir have helped to clarify some of the constant, recognizable elements of 'the noir vision', most importantly the moral ambivalence of the protagonist and his (or her) ill-fated relationship with a wider society that itself is guilty of corruption and criminality.

Check out a list of Neo-Noir titles (courtesy of Wikipedia), as well as some recent noir-related quotes from film reviews.

L.A. Confidential is the perfect neo-noir; set in the 1950s, made in the 1990s, it deftly intertwines the conventions of classic noir and modern sensibilities.

Powerpoint synopsis of the first hour of LA Confidential...

Notes on the noir elements found in both Double Indemnity and LA Confidential

Film Noir

• The term “film noir” was created by French film critics and literally means “black film.”
• World War II (1939-1945) caused Americans (and most of the world) to become more cynical and jaded.
• As a result, many Hollywood films in that time period had that similar style.
• Since France was occupied by Nazis during WWII, France was unable to see these films as they came out. As a result, they were bombarded with a backlog of films that now had a gloomy, pessimistic worldview (because of the war); much different than the glitzy, sunny films prior.

The Essential Elements of Film Noir

• Gritty, Urban Setting
• Twisted, Complicated Plot
• Morally Ambiguous Protagonists
• Low-Key Lighting, Contrasting Shadows
• Femme Fatale
• Corruption/Greed

Read a terrific article that tries to define the genre...

Watch a great montage of film noir images...

To get a sense of the classic film noir genre, we will watch Double Indemnity. There is a viewing guide that goes along with this film...

Romantic Comedy Storyboard

After our thorough analysis of the romantic comedy genre, it is time for you to create your own romantic comedy...Or at least a skeleton of one...

In pairs (or alone), create a plot line of your romantic comedy. See the example using our two films.
Choose one scene from your plot line (like the "climax" or "resolution"), and storyboard that scene. See the assignment for details...

Here is an example of a storyboard...

When Harry Met Sally

We are taking a slightly different approach to this next unit. We are specifically analyzing genre, with a pair of films (When Harry Met Sally, and later, 500 Days of Summer).

This film, considered the “blueprint” for Romantic Comedies, will serve as a basis for a discussion on the tropes and conventions of the genre.

Take notes on the film using the viewing guide.

Psycho Analysis

As we go through the viewing guide for Psycho, we will also look at excerpts from a famous interview with Hitchcock. This interview was conducted by the French filmmaker Francois Truffaut (who ushered in what is called the “French New Wave” with his first film The 400 Blows).

Short Films Continued

Let's discuss "The Great Zambini" and "Passengers" today, then watch one more film, and then our assessment for this mini-unit on short films. Choose one of the films we viewed and write an "analysis paragraph." Check out some tips on writing about film.

WELCOME!

Welcome to Film Analysis with Mr. Bujold! My hope is that you come out of this class with a deeper understanding of the film form, and the ability to look at films with a more critical eye. This blog will serve as a place for you to get handouts, find links to fun things, and get the daily agenda. Go to the "Units/Handouts" tab to download any documents I hand out in class.

Today's Agenda:

• Fill out "Get to know you" sheet
• Go over the expectations/syllabus/permission slip
• Accessing prior knowledge: What do you know about the technical aspects of film?
• Class Brainstorm
• What are the qualities of a "great" movie?
• What are some of your favorite movies?
• If there is time: "Looking at Movies" DVD-"Film Analysis" (15 minutes)

Jaws/Creating a Viewing Guide

Creating your own viewing guide: CRAFTING QUESTIONS

• After you complete your note taking, you are ready to create a viewing guide. viewing guide questions point to and ask about specific scenes, characters, camerawork, music, editing, lighting, etc. These are not plot questions! Appropriate questions to ask are questions like "why did the director make this choice?" and "what effect does this choice have on the viewer?"
• For Jaws, let's do this together.

Your Final: Choose your own film to bring in, watch it, take notes, and then create your own viewing guide. Look and study the viewing guides I have created and given you the past quarter—they are a great model.

• Use charts, fill-ins, questions, scene breakdowns, etc.
• Ask questions that guide someone to break down scenes or the film
• Ask questions that refer to why a director made a certain choice or how it affects the audience
• Address a variety of film concepts-Focus on lighting, editing, camera angles, sound, camera movement, etc. USE YOUR FILM TERMS.

Fun/other stuff concerning Jaws:

• Great analysis of Jaws from Empire Magazine
• What if Jaws was a romance?
• Jaws re-enacted by bunnies...in 30 seconds

Jaws

For this film, we will be doing things a bit differently. At this point in the quarter, you should be more acquainted with looking at a film critically, and noticing certain things that a director does to affect the viewer. The aim of a viewing guide is to force the viewer to look critically and thoughtfully at what is on the screen.

The first part of your final is to create your own viewing guide. We will watch Jaws and use that film as a model of exactly how to create your own viewing guide--

First step: TAKE NOTES
What do you take notes on? Take notes on things you notice: mise en scene (composition), music, camera movement, editing, colors used, etc. I find it best to take notes by first noting what the scene is, then what it is I notice, and then finally (after viewing the film and re-watching the scenes) why I noticed it/what I think it means (what the director’s point is).

Who Framed Roger Rabbit?

A fun take on the noir genre. What elements of noir are present?

Memento/Noir Assessment

A great example of a "neo-noir" that has all the essential elements of the genre. Confusing (to  say the least), but here is a handy timeline of the film.

Your assessment for our unit on film noir is to write two paragraphs on the noir elements in either LA Confidential or Memento, comparing either film with Double Indemnity. Look at the assignment.

Film Noir

Film Noir was born out of the post-war disillusionment of World War II, and involves hard-boiled detectives, femme fatales, and gritty, urban settings. Here are some notes.

In this unit, we will watch two films: Billy Wilder's classic Double Indemnity, and then Curtis Hanson's LA Confidential, which is a terrific example of how the genre has evolved for contemporary audiences.

We will compare the two films using this sheet. In the meantime, check out this article on defining the genre, as well as a montage of film noir images to get you into the mindset of the genre.

The Shining Essay

The Shining has provided film scholars, students, and critics with material for analysis for over 30 years. Hundreds of theories and topics have been explored, and many more will probably surface at some point…but what is the true meaning behind the film? What was Kubrick trying to achieve? No one will ever truly know (Kubrick was very secretive and tight-lipped), but that is what makes the film so great—it keeps us guessing, discussing, and analyzing.

Your assessment for the film is a five-paragraph essay that explores some aspects of the film and what they mean. What themes does Stanley Kubrick communicate with the film, and how does he communicate those messages to the viewer?

For the complete assignment click HERE.

Need to re-watch scenes? Check out "Movie Clips" YouTube channel on the Shining.