The Coen brother’s films frequently share film noir’s basic philosophical assumptions: power corrupts all, evil is pervasive, and fate cannot be controlled or avoided. Their films illustrate this philosophy through stories of simple people with complex problems. These characters are tempted by greed and corruption and ultimately begin a downward spiral that can only result […]
Touch Of Noir: The Noir Loser Loses His Mind In ‘Barton Fink’
The films of the Coen brothers present strangely familiar yet bizarre and inexplicable characters. Just as their films subvert conventions, their protagonists are average people driven to extremes, and frequently exaggerated and surreal extremes. Although the Coens’ films typically defy genre, this characterization is clearly influenced by the classic noir loser – an ordinary man […]
Progress And Nostalgia Clash in ‘From Up On Poppy Hill’
Synopsis: Umi (voiced by Sarah Bolger) lives with her grandmother and sisters in a boarding house overlooking the harbor. Her mother is studying in America; her father died in the Korean War. Still, very morning she hoists naval flags, so that her father might see them and return home. At heart, she still has the innocence […]
Touch Of Noir: ‘Detour’ On Poverty Row
Movie budgets of the 1940s pale in comparison to those of today. It’s the question of maybe a few million versus an average $40 million, but just as independent films are produced today, there were independent films with minuscule budgets released in the ‘40s. Most of these low budget films were genre B movies produced […]
Touch Of Noir: Examining The Unpunished Femme Fatale Of Christopher Nolan’s ‘Memento’
The most interesting aspect of Nolan’s screenplay is its portrayal of the femme fatale, Natalie (Carrie-Anne Moss). Arguably the most complex character in Memento.