Kim Newman recommended Seconds (1966) in Movies (curated)
Metropolis (1927)
8.2
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Movie Watch
This influential German science-fiction film presents a highly stylized futuristic city where a...
A Kill for the Poet (Chaser on the Rocks #2)
8.0
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Book
A Kill for the Poet is the sequel to the acclaimed and bestselling A Chaser on the Rocks. It can...
Oldboy (2003)
8.3
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Movie
Oh Dae-su is released after fifteen years of imprisonment in a hotel room without knowing the...
Oldeuboi Oldŭboi Vengeance Trilogy Neo-noir Cannes Nobuaki Minegishi
Darren (1599 KP) rated Manhattan Night (Manhattan Nocturne) (2016) in Movies
Nov 7, 2019
Performances – Adrien Brody does well in the leading role in the film even if he doesn’t make his character feel much different than any others from the similar genre. Yvonne Strahovski fits the seductive side to her character, though without being the strongest in the serious side of the story. Campbell Scott and Jennifer Beals just don’t get enough time to show their skills off in this film.
Story – The story here follows an investigation into an unsolved murder which brings the investigative reporter into a series of cover ups and conspiracy in true noir style. Using the noir style is clear here, the execution of the noir style doesn’t quite come off though because the siren doesn’t feel like a siren and by the end you will be left wondering just why the investigation wasn’t solved by the police in the first place, let alone why the reporter is even asked to investigate it. Nothing really comes out of solving the case which is the biggest disappointment from everything we are getting invested in.
Crime/Mystery – The crime side of this mystery does involve a murder that hasn’t been solved, it does have other crime elements involved too which just confuse the simply plot.
Settings – The film is set in New York and uses a secret house to show a place of peace in this busy city and how people can meet and connect through life.
Scene of the Movie – The truth.
That Moment That Annoyed Me – The case felt pointless to solve.
Final Thoughts – This is a noir styled crime mystery that gives us a case that almost doesn’t need to be solved in the end.
Overall: Mystery that didn’t need solving.
The Pale Criminal
Book
'For Christmas, I would like all of Philip Kerr's Berlin Noir novels.' Sam Mendes, Guardian 'Blends...
James Marsters recommended Blade Runner (1982) in Movies (curated)
Symphony Road (Shane Cleary Mystery, #2)
Book
Trouble comes in threes for Shane Cleary, a former police officer and now, a PI. Arson. A Missing...
Crime Procedural Noir Historical Fiction
Dean (6926 KP) rated Reminiscence (2021) in Movies
Sep 2, 2021 (Updated Sep 2, 2021)
A noir style film set in the near future of a world that's largely flooded, including the location of Miami. Where the rich have built huge dams to keep their area dry while the poor are in flooded areas. So people pay to relive their memories of happier times to experience again with the technology available. The owner of this technology then tries to track down a mysterious woman who has gone missing.
Huge potential which in the main part is not explored at all. Some nice Sfx in places and sets of the flooded Miami but even the setting could have been used more.
The script is basic and what starts as quite an intricate plot becomes rather simple before the ending. The cast is pretty good, although Cliff Curtis is miscast as a tough guy, villian. It's stylish in places and fans of noir, detective films will enjoy it more but others may find it very slow going especially at the start.
A missed opportunity overall, one that might be more popular once available on the small screen. Although not a film many will reminisce about.
Erika (17788 KP) rated Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018) in Movies
Dec 14, 2018
The only thing that annoyed me was that it was another Spidey origin story, and frankly, I don't know how many more Spidey origin stories I can take.
This movie is going to kill the other wide releases here in the US this weekend.
