My top entry was of course Roman Polanski's masterpiece neo-noir, Chinatown.
I also agree that this is pretty much a perfect film, and the darkest of the dark in the entirely of the neo-noir catalog. Not a shred of hope remains by the time you reach the end of the film, where you find out that it's just best to forget it Jake, it's Chinatown. As I compiled my ballot, there was never a question in my mind what my top two entries were going to be, and I had settled on putting this film first from pretty much minute one.
Like Blade Runner, this is a film that I wasn't totally over the moon for after the first viewing. I recall being surprised by the revelations of the third act, and thinking it was a little bit too much of a slow burn for my taste - it seemed a bit event light. I think ti was a good year or two before I tried watching it again, but by that time, I had read a couple of books on film noir that my father had gifted to me, and I had started really paying more attention to the craftsmanship in films. So, on my second, or maybe even third viewing, I remember pausing the film about the time we are in Jake's office when the fake Evelyn makes her visit, and just marveling at the mise en scene. Then I binge watched the film a few times and from then on, I was hooked.
One scene I have watched many, many times, is the conversation between Noah Cross and Jake Gittes. Huston looms in this scene, while Nicholson's usually commanding presence shrinks as each second ticks by. Not sure the character of Jake Gittes realizes he is in too deep during this scene, but we as the viewers certainly do.
Faye Dunaway is stellar here, and this is my favorite role of hers. Watching her transform from what seems like a cold, calculating figure in act one to the shattered, shrinking violet in act 3, into someone that has absolutely no control over her trajectory, is heartbreaking. Gittes, who thinks he is ahead in the game right up until she reveals her dark secrets, is just as stunned as we are, realizing how badly he has read his hand, figuring out he is dead money at the table and that they have both lost the game long ago. From that second onward, it's just a dark spiral of misery and death.
That about does it for another wonderful MoFo countdown. Thanks to everyone involved, especially Thief, and of course Yoda for the under-the-hood stuff. Another shout out to Holden Pike for all the excellent tidbits of info, videos, and other various sundry contributions. Lots of great input from many MoFos, really!
One of my favorite countdowns ever on the site, as neo noir contains many of my favorite films of all time.
I also agree that this is pretty much a perfect film, and the darkest of the dark in the entirely of the neo-noir catalog. Not a shred of hope remains by the time you reach the end of the film, where you find out that it's just best to forget it Jake, it's Chinatown. As I compiled my ballot, there was never a question in my mind what my top two entries were going to be, and I had settled on putting this film first from pretty much minute one.
Like Blade Runner, this is a film that I wasn't totally over the moon for after the first viewing. I recall being surprised by the revelations of the third act, and thinking it was a little bit too much of a slow burn for my taste - it seemed a bit event light. I think ti was a good year or two before I tried watching it again, but by that time, I had read a couple of books on film noir that my father had gifted to me, and I had started really paying more attention to the craftsmanship in films. So, on my second, or maybe even third viewing, I remember pausing the film about the time we are in Jake's office when the fake Evelyn makes her visit, and just marveling at the mise en scene. Then I binge watched the film a few times and from then on, I was hooked.
One scene I have watched many, many times, is the conversation between Noah Cross and Jake Gittes. Huston looms in this scene, while Nicholson's usually commanding presence shrinks as each second ticks by. Not sure the character of Jake Gittes realizes he is in too deep during this scene, but we as the viewers certainly do.
Faye Dunaway is stellar here, and this is my favorite role of hers. Watching her transform from what seems like a cold, calculating figure in act one to the shattered, shrinking violet in act 3, into someone that has absolutely no control over her trajectory, is heartbreaking. Gittes, who thinks he is ahead in the game right up until she reveals her dark secrets, is just as stunned as we are, realizing how badly he has read his hand, figuring out he is dead money at the table and that they have both lost the game long ago. From that second onward, it's just a dark spiral of misery and death.
That about does it for another wonderful MoFo countdown. Thanks to everyone involved, especially Thief, and of course Yoda for the under-the-hood stuff. Another shout out to Holden Pike for all the excellent tidbits of info, videos, and other various sundry contributions. Lots of great input from many MoFos, really!
One of my favorite countdowns ever on the site, as neo noir contains many of my favorite films of all time.
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“It takes considerable knowledge just to realize the extent of your own ignorance.” ― Thomas Sowell