39,327
edits
Film Noir: Difference between revisions
m
update links
m (added Category:Examples Need Sorting using HotCat) |
m (update links) |
||
Line 10:
''Noir'', in the classic and stylistic sense, is visually darker than your average gangster picture, [[Chiaroscuro|playing with light and long, deep shadows]] instead of bright, documentary-styled camera work. This visual motif is so iconic that homages and parodies are almost universally [[Deliberately Monochrome]], using a [[Fade to Gray|transition between colour and black and white]] where necessary. Scenes are often filmed on location, and night scenes are shot at night. Camera angles are often very creative and unusual, heightening the viewers sense of unease, adding to the atmosphere. The contrast between light and dark is sometimes used in the cinematography to reflect the difference between the [[Big Bad|villain]] and the protagonist(s). the combination of brooding sets with convoluted plots and you have the basis of the genre-defining works. [[Cyberpunk with a Chance of Rain|It rains every night]] in [[Film Noir]]; filmmakers admit that this is entirely because at night wet pavement [[Rule of Cool|looks cooler than dry.]] Also, the rain makes it plausible that no one else is around.
The [[Anti-Hero]] is the most common protagonist of the Noir -- a man alienated from society, suffering an existential crisis. Frequently portrayed as a disillusioned, cynical police officer or [[Private Detective|private-eye]] and played by a fast-talking actor, the [[Anti-Hero]] is no fool and doesn't suffer fools gladly. He faces morally ambiguous decisions and battles with [[Crapsack World|a world that seems like it is out to get him and/or those closest to him.]]
The setting is often [[City Noir|a large, oppressive city (filmed in dark and dusky conditions to create a moody atmosphere)]], with Mexico often playing a big role. Familiar haunts include dimly-lit bars, [[Den of Iniquity|nightclubs filled with questionable clientele]] (including, the [[Gayngster]]) whom the lead may intimidate for information, gambling dens, juke joints and the ubiquitous seedy [[Abandoned Warehouse|waterfront warehouse]]. At night in the big city, you can bet the streets are slick with rain, reflecting streetlights like a Hopper painting. [[Humans Are Bastards|Most of the characters (including the lead) are cynical, misanthropical and hopeless]] all the way through the film, and never find [[Redemption Quest|true redemption]].
Line 148:
* ''[[Ergo Proxy]]''. Especially the first few episodes.
* ''[[Ghost in the Shell (manga)|Ghost in The Shell]]''
* ''[[Noir (anime)|Noir]]''
* ''[[Darker
* ''[[Speed Grapher]]'' is set in a Tokyo which is a [[City Noir]] teaming with corruption and has its hero in [[Intrepid Reporter]] Saiga who is a good example of a [[Knight in Sour Armor]].
* ''[[Monster (manga)|Monster]]'' has some elements of this trope.
Line 158:
* ''[[Dogby Walks Alone]]'' - parodied by being placed in a [[Theme Park]] setting.
* The ''Marvel Noir'' line. Changes to Wolverine, for example, include his signature claws actually being handheld Japanese weapons. Naturally, there's a different version of Logan on the X-Men. In normal Marvel continuity, such street-level heroes as Daredevil, [[Moon Knight]] and the Punisher have all had runs or story arcs that followed many noir conventions.
* ''[[Blacksad]]'' - An anthropomorphic detective series, that follows the stories of John Blacksad.
* ''The Damned'' - A detective cursed to never die working for demonic(literally demons) gang bosses in the midst of a war with a rival organization.
* The third series of ''X-Factor'' features Jamie Madrox's attempt at a noir mutant detective agency.
Line 199:
== Live Action TV ==
* ''[[Veronica Mars]]'' somehow effectively used this style in a San Diego high school setting.
* ''[[Charmed]]'' had an episode based around a book taking them to a place with this style.
* An episode of ''[[Moonlighting]]'' did this well.
* ''[[Smallville]]'' had a Jimmy centric episode set in a noir dream sequence.
Line 230:
* [[The Shivah]], by [[Wadjet Eye Games]]
* ''Emerald City Confidential'' is described by the producer as follows: 'Harsh city streets, grey rainy skies, femmes fatales, tough guys, trenchcoats, fedoras and plot twists. It's [[Wizard of Oz|Oz]], seen through the eyes of Raymond Chandler'.
* ''Blackwell Legacy'' uses some elements of the noir (one of the protagonists is a [[Deadpan Snarker]] ghost from the 30's). People in Wadjed Eye Games must really like this genre.
* ''[[Deus Ex: Human Revolution|Deus Ex Human Revolution]]'' (2011) consists of both Film Noir and [[Cyberpunk]] (à la [[Blade Runner]]).
* [[Deus Ex]] (2000) also heavily borrows from the noir aesthetics and narrative structure. Technically, this is a noir game with government agent and conspirators replacing more common private dick and crooks.
Line 239:
== Webcomics ==
* ''Automata'', and it's sequel ''Blood and Oil''; two short stories created by the [[Penny Arcade]] duo. [http://penny-arcade.com/archive/results/search&keywords=automata/\]
* A shortlived [http://studiotriumph.com/talbot/?comic=1 webcomic] placed [[Lawrence Talbot]] into a film noir setting. [[Fridge Brilliance]], as Talbot's whole bag has always been existential angst.
* [[Living with Insanity]] did this in its [http://www.livingwithinsanity.com/index/?p=364 most recent arc.]
* [[Two Rooks]] combines crime noir with a dystopian setting.
* [http://www.sintitulocomic.com/2007/06/17/page-01/ Sin Titulo] definitely has noir undertones (and it uses color very sparingly).
| |||