Kiss Me Deadly (1955)

This Film Noir was released on the 18th of May 1955. The basic synopsis of this popular Film is - A doomed female hitchhiker pulls Mike Hammer into a deadly whirlpool of intrigue, revolving around a mysterious "great whatsit." It is full of mystery and deception, which makes this an enjoyable, typical film noir.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zzxGKBPLc44

The Maltese Falcon (1941)

This popular Film Noir was released on the 18th of October 1941. The basic synopsis of this Film is - A private detective takes on a case that involves him with three eccentric criminals, a gorgeous liar, and their quest for a priceless statuette. Some would say 'Its chilling... Its thrilling' and at the time it was the most baffling mystery story in years. Which is why this is in my top three Film noir's.

Here is the 1941 trailor for The Maltese Falcon. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XiRZw0UFi30

Double Indemnity (1944)

This is one of the most popular Film Noir's and was released on the 24th of april 1944 and was also nominated for 7 different Oscars. The basic synopsis for this film noir - An insurance rep lets himself be talked into a murder/insurance fraud scheme that arouses an insurance investigator's suspicions. Filled with mystery, and un- answered questions for the viewers, this film noir typical of its kind.

History Of Film Noir

Film Noir was first seen in the 1940's which shew darker perspectives on characters and themes of hard boiled fiction. Film Noir engage in contemporary social problems such as Fugitive Nazis and Anti-Semitism. Film Noir literally means Black Film in the French language and these type of films are more commonly themed in a negative way.
The first recognised Noir movie was 'Stranger on the Third Floor' featured what was at the time a new technique that used dark or dim lighting effects, dreary settings, filtered lights and generally dark themes and characterizations. Film Noirs are famously known for their dramatic close-ups, strange camera angles and lighting that gives characters and settings a shadowing effect. Most Film Noir's feature main characters, mainly males, who find themselves caught in hopeless situations fighting against a force that is usually their own inability to fight temptation. Film Noir's will normally feature femme fatale's, these type of characters are cruel and manipulative woman who will use the protagonist (the main male character) to help her carry out some bad deeds and the protagonist is always powerless to refuse her. The destruction of the Femme Fatale is always caused by her distrusting nature. The plot of a noir movie is circuitous and holds many surprises and unanswered questions for the viewer. Sometimes the plot is left hanging and leaving the viewers wondering but one of the great things about Film Noir is that its slow unwinding plot leads to the building of a riveting climax.

About Me, And What Im Studying!!

My name is Yasmin Ryan, and I am an A level student at Suffolk New College. Im 17 years old and studying Media, Law, Critical Thinking and Sociology. This particular blog is part of my Media coursework and at the moment we are concerntrating on Film Noir's. So far i have learnt exactly what the term Film Noir means, when it came about, how it portrays its characters and how things are represented in these films.