The Film Noir Bible: When White People Had the Blues
by Wampa 12
Category: Performing Arts

"The Film Noir Bible is really an encyclopedia. Designed so you easily get into it. Yet, it also has depth. This truly massive book is crammed to the gills with extraordinary movies, endless characters, inspired quotes, and incendiary analysis. In one book, an entire era of films will come alive. I've tracked down all the highlights (like some rare, wild, nearly extinct beast, film noir has fi-nally been captured). If it's exciting, it's here. Nothing lame, nothing sloppy, nothing weak. It must be noted that some 50 years after the fact, film noir still remains shrouded in mystery. On the simplest level, many important films are unaccounted for (not to mention, numerous obscurities). In line with this, theories accounting for the phenomenon have been most unsatisfactory (thus some have dismissed the idea altogether). Yet, this hasn't stopped film noir from being acclaimed as the one true American 'art film' genre and as 'one of the most important cultural developments of the twentieth century'. However, noir hasn't been well-served in recent years by either the movies made in its name or the critical commentary on the subject. Now, The Film Noir Bible comes along to answer the question of whether film noir was a truly significant artistic movement or merely a bunch of mildly amusing relics which people still get a kick out of. The Film Noir Bible isn't about theory. It's about movies (I name names). I'll tell you what films are good, bad, underrated (I didn't watch all these films not to have an opinion on them). Have the movies dated? Are they flawed but interesting? All here. Plus, the book overflows with detailed descriptions of the many characters who people film noir. You won't see this in other books. Tons of unique quotes as well. All in all, it's a no-nonsense guide to the 200 or so most significant film noirs of all time (and more). When I'm thru with these sonuvabitches, you'll know them better than your next-door neighbor (in fact, you won't even need to watch the film to get a great feel for it)."--Amazon website.