Brick

Ok so I had a difficult time finding a neo noir/ film noir movie. I went on Netflix and type in neo noir then film noir movies in the search bar. I list of movies came out but none of the one Mr. Toth assign. :/

So I watched a few on the list: 

“The Square” which was lame. 

“The Naked City” which was good but it wasn’t neo noir! 

“Cement” which I couldn’t find any reviews!

A classmate took me that “Brick” was on there so I watch it. Good thing I did because I found neo noir and film noir elements in the film and I also found reviews on it as well. The film's narrative centers on a hardboiled detective story that takes place in a Californian suburbia. Most of the main characters are high school students. The film draws heavily in plot, characterization, and dialogue from hardboiled classics, especially from Dashiell Hammett. The title refers to a block of heroin, compressed roughly to the size and shape of a brick. There is a femme fatale, male protagonist- the anti-hero, detective, crime, murder and sex and drugs. It told in a flashback and has a large number of violent. Brendan the anti-hero has an ex-girlfriend Emily, who reaches out to him unexpectedly and then vanishes. Ends up finding her dead. Brendan enlists the aid of his only true peer, The Brain, while keeping the assistant vice principal only occasionally informed of what quickly becomes a dangerous investigation.

Works Cited

"'Brick'-a Teen Film Noir." Rolling Stone 997 (2006): 75. Academic Search Premier. EBSCO. Web. 7 May 2011.

James, Christopher. "Dark sarcasm in the classroom." Times, The (United Kingdom) n.d.: Newspaper Source. EBSCO. Web. 7 May 2011.

Rainer, Peter. "OLD NOIR FOR A NEW GENERATION." Christian Science Monitor 98.92 (2006): 14.Newspaper Source. EBSCO.          Web. 7 May 2011.

Sarah, Nicholson. "dvd reviews." Courier Mail, The (Brisbane) (n.d.): Newspaper Source. EBSCO. Web. 7 May 2011.

Villarreal, Phil. "Here's looking at you, kid (and your film)." Arizona Daily Star (Tucson, AZ) (2006):Newspaper Source. EBSCO. Web. 7 May 2011

The Kidnapper Bell and the City of Commerce.

[[LATE BLOG #9]]

“The Kidnapper Bell” and “City of Commerce” both have a great description of places. “The Kidnapper Bell” environment is located in Los Angeles River. This place is well distinguishes it from other places. Even through there are graffiti is anywhere in Los Angeles, this story talks about the six cats on the covers on the walls. This story create a distinct sense of place because of the six cats and what are under that one cat, the tunnel to the room where the sister is kidnap. I really do think that “The Kidnapper Bell” story give a good description what one would experience in the locations. The LA River.

The story it self was weird but interesting. Didn’t really understand the ending but that is Noir for you. Noir always has weird twisting ending. Some I do understand and others I do. In the “City of Commerce” the ending wasn’t too bad. I got it. In the “The Kidnapper Bell” the guy Jim was suppose to be the good guy. He was trying to help out the girl to find her sister. The weird part to me was when he wanted to go back and he does to change his clothes. Which I understand why. The part I don’t understand is why goes change into the kidnappers clothes. And why sleep with them on?? Weird! Another thing, Jim had a wife??? What? So why was he trying to get laid by the other girl he help out? And why did the author made him seem so good in the beginning than twisted things up at the end withal these question I was soo confuse at he end of this story. Haa but I like it :D The “City of Commerce” is different because the ending is more understanding. But is similar to “The Kidnapper Bell” because of the detail in the story.

The “City of Commerce” has a great description of places as well. Its located in Los Angeles, Commerce, where is known for its casino.  It really doesn’t distinguish it from other places with casino but it dose to Los Angeles area. Its nice and a lot of light. In this story the main character gives a good description what one would experience in the location. He talks about the pokers tables the carpets and the colors of the walls which is like the reader an be there as they read the story.