Noirvember 2023 - Rate the last noir you watched

This one was really uneven for me. I like Duryea and all the eye candy is doing its job very well. There are some really cool visual flourishes and the actual burglary is very good. I expected the second half to be an investigation procedural with the victim taking a large role. I am fine with the plot not doing what I expected, but where it goes was extremely unsatisfying. I think it's because the characters that become the "villains" are not very good in my opinion. The femme is just bland, but her partner is a really terribly drawn character in my opinion. His mean mugging just becomes laughable and any dread or tension is lost because of it.

Glad I watched this but not in danger of becoming a favorite.

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#JusticeForHamilton

That's interesting...I think, if we like or dislike a movie often it's due in part to what we were expecting to see or hoping to see (I know it's that way for me). In reading what you wrote, I see you were interested in a different aspect of The Burglar than I was. For me the burglary wasn't very interesting. I liked the psychological effects that came to the surface when the criminal gang were couped up together and their relationships. For me that's what I liked and so probably why I really liked the film.

So on the same 'thought of expectations' and what one wants to see versus what the film ends up about. I watched Madeline (1950) last night. Solid film, and as you said it was brilliantly directed. Especially how the off screen love/sex scenes were shown by the almost frenzied dancing and whirling on the dance floor and then later the abrupt drop of the walking stick as inhibitions were cast aside. Very effective. The casting was perfect, especially Ann Todd who captured both young innocents with a hint of coldness about her. I'd say the movie was written, acted, directed perfectly...I enjoyed it but I didn't love it like you did. The reason why is I was wanting the film to be more about the social conventions of the day and about a strong willed woman trying to find her own way in this stiffing world...and marring the man she loved despite the crushing expectations of the social class of the rich. But when the film ended with a courtroom scene that reminded me of Rashomon, it wasn't what I wanted. The court scene felt well done, no complaints other than it wasn't what I was interested in. I'd rate it a ++
The ++ being for David Lean's eye for perfection.

Good review. What do you think about it being Noir.

When the magic happens. My ballot just got a whole lot more attractive.


The film excels in it's use/display of lighting, shadows and dark alley shots. It's for this reason (just speculation on my side) I believe Lean deliberately set out to make the first 'Scottish' Film-noir. With great success in my opinion. Strong performances and engaging mystery.

It didn't feel like a noir to me.

I can definitely understand the difference of opinion on whether it's noir or not. According to wiki and the rules it is eligible though. So I added it to my Noir top 50.

Very true! It is eligible for the countdown. Thanks JC

Farewell, My Lovely (1975, Dick Richards)

Don't know if I was expecting much from this but it turned out to be a breezy 95min good time. Based on the same Raymond Chandler novel as the 1944 Murder, My Sweet, this version is supported by Mitchum's contributions to the famous gumshoe. It benefits from a 70s era update and a few different tweaks to the story, including the aging of the classic actor in the main role. Hopefully DiMaggio gets another hit today.

How many Bogarts do you still have to see Citizen?

This is my working list of those that I need to watch. I've seen most all before but wanted to watch his full filmography. Looks like I need 13 not counting his TV appearances.

1956 The Harder They Fall
1955 The Petrified Forest 'Producers Showcase TV show'
1955 The Desperate Hours
1955 The Left Hand of God
1954 The Barefoot Contessa
1954 Sabrina
1953 The Jack Benny Program (1953)
1951 Sirocco
1951 The Enforcer
1950 In a Lonely Place
1950 Chain Lightning
1949 Tokyo Joe
1946 The Big Sleep
1940 Brother Orchid
1939 Dark Victory
1931 A Holy Terror*** Can't find
1931 Body and Soul*** Can't find
1930 A Devil with Women*** Can't find

Impressive

I'm surprised you haven't seen this one yet.

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I did see In a Lonely Place, it's in my Top 10. It's just been years since I seen it and I want to recheck all of Bogart's films. I previously did this with Gloria Grahame, Susan Hayward and John Wayne. After Bogart I think I'll watch all of Gregory Peck's films.

Key Witness (1947) Watched on Youtube. An inventor of novelty items (John Beal) is falsely accused of murder and steals the identity of a dead man. This is tagged as film noir on imdb, but it clearly is not noir. It's more of a light drama with a couple mild noir elements. It is still somewhat interesting with decent performances. Not noir, but still might be worth watching.

I rewatched The Suspect last night. A movie I loved but had mostly forgotten. Laughton is just the best, and this might be my favorite performance of his. Definitely check it out if you haven’t. I know it’s not one of the higher profile Noirs.

No Sin City? No Dead Men Dont Wear Plaid?

I watched that in a HoF, I believe it was edarsenal's nom. Really solid film and yet another I want to rewatch before the countdown deadline.

The Suspect is definitely worth a watch.

It would benefit with a rewatch for me too as my memory of it isn't the best. It's one of the first black and white films I recall being a fan of though.