Synopses & Reviews
Directors discussed include the Coen Brothers, David Lynch, Michael Mann, Christopher Nolan, Steven Soderbergh, and Quentin Tarantino A world-weary detective, a seductive femme fatale, a mysterious murderthese elements of classic film noir live again in more recent hardboiled detective films from Chinatown to Sin City. But the themes and styles of noir have also spilled over into contemporary films about gangsters, cops, and serial killers, such as Reservoir Dogs, The Departed, and Se7en. New hybrid genres have been created, including psycho-noirs such as Memento, techno-noirs such as The Matrix, and superhero noirs like The Dark Knight. Beginning by showing how neo-noirs have drawn upon contemporary social and historical events as well as the latest technological advances in filmmaking, this book then discusses the landmark neo-noirs, the cult auteur figures of neo-noir, international films, and the remakes that put a new spin on past noirs. The main credits and a plot summary are given for each moviesincluding Fargo, Get Carter, L.A. Confidential, Mulholland Drive, Oldboy, and Pulp Fictionfollowed by an in-depth analysis containing original insights into the film's meaning. Also included are fascinating facts, behind-the-scenes anecdotes, and lively quotes from the cast and crew.
Synopsis
Directorsdiscussed include the Coen Brothers, David Lynch, Michael Mann, Christopher Nolan, Steven Soderbergh, and Quentin TarantinoA world-weary detective, a seductive femme fatale, a mysterious murderthese elements of classic film noir live again in more recent hardboiled detective films from Chinatown to Sin City. But the themes and styles of noir have also spilled over into contemporary films about gangsters, cops, and serial killers, such as Reservoir Dogs, The Departed, and Se7en. New hybrid genres have been created, including psycho-noirs such as Memento, techno-noirs such as The Matrix, and superhero noirs like The Dark Knight. Beginningby showinghow neo-noirs have drawn upon contemporary social and historical events as well as the latest technological advances in filmmaking, this book thendiscusses thelandmarkneo-noirs, the cult auteur figures of neo-noir, internationalfilms, and the remakes that put a new spin on past noirs. The main credits and a plot summary are given for eachmoviesincludingFargo, Get Carter, L.A. Confidential, Mulholland Drive, Oldboy, and Pulp Fictionfollowed by an in-depth analysis containing original insights into the film'smeaning.Also included arefascinating facts, behind-the-scenes anecdotes, and lively quotes from the cast and crew."
About the Author
Douglas Keesey is a professor of film and literature at California Polytechnic State University. His other titles include Catherine Breillat, Don DeLillo, Erotic Cinema, Jack Nicholson, Peter Greenaway, and Paul Verhoeven.