Noir

If you’ve read my profile you know that I enjoy film noir. There’s just something about the haze, grittiness and mystery of the film. These are some of the elements of film noir:

urban setting

Crime (usually murder)

mystery

light/ dark contrasts

shadows

femme fatale

moral issues

twisting plot

They’re usually venetian blind shadows, wet alleys and brick walls too. The earlier movies were usually in black & white. Many of the movies of the ‘50’s that would qualify as noir were in color.

***

On one of my visits to the library I came across this DVD, The Ultimate Film Noir
A five disc set of film noir. Each disc has 2 movies on it. I had my own private film noir film festival. And though the movies aren’t in color, I always enjoy the beautiful clothes the women wear. I sometimes look for the designer Edith Head in the credits.

***

Some of these movies I’d seen before but a few were new to me such as: Whistle Stop, He Walked By Night, Trapped and Quicksand. I think my favorite was Quicksand with Mickey Rooney because I’d never seen him in a role as a bad guy. But I’ve got to say, he pulled it off.

***

Here’s one definition I found of film noir.
"shadowy, pessimistic movie: a cinematic genre popular in the 1930's,1940s and 1950s, often filmed in urban settings with extensive use of shadows, cynical in outlook, and featuring antiheroes. French, "black film""

***

I searched YouTube and found a few modern film noir done by film students. Here's the link to one of those. And this one which is a little humorous.

***

Here's the link to a film noir quiz . My score was 8 out of 10. How well can you do.

Pssst ?You'll be surprised at what the venetian blinds symbolize.

***

Just to add to the subject here are some pics I took of downtown Birmingham at night. If only I could remember what they are. ?????

Taken from the windshield of my car

THAT'S IT***

Pay at the Pump

Pay at the pump should mean just that. I have vowed to stop patronizing gas stations that use this bait and switch tactic.

Picture this. It’s raining and I need gas. I pull into the “cheap” gas station to fill my tank. I decide to use my credit card to avoid going inside to pay. Following the directions on the pump I slide in my card, remove it. It then asks for my zipcode, then my address, next my city. I want gas not a penpal. Meanwhile the blowing rain continues. Exasperated, I go inside to pay.

I ask to use the restroom. I am told by the attendant that someone took the key and didn’t return it. So, my question is, where does he go when nature calls? In a fruit jar under the counter? This is called bad customer service. I guess this is what you get when you go cheap. You get what you pay for.

If I can't pay at the pump remove the credit card reader.

Woodlawn United Methodist Church

I’ve always admired the architecture and beauty of Woodlawn United Methodist Church. It was built in 1912 and was on it’s way to becoming a century old. Unfortunately, the church met its end on May 31st. A fire broke out around 1:45 pm during a worship service and the church immediately became engulfed in flames. This church is along the thoroughfare I use to get from one side of town to the other. I remember heading down First Avenue on that very day and having to detour because the street had been blocked off. The detour was a good distance from the church so I had no idea what was going on.

I was stunned to learn that fire had consumed this historic edifice. None of the worshippers were injured but one firefighter received non life threatening injuries when debris fell on his shoulder.
Additional pictures and video of the fire can be found here. Also, here.

Antiques enthusiasts and E-Bay merchants would probably enjoy sifting through the ruins for any memorabilia from the old church. I suppose that’s what prompted this sign.
The pastor of the church , Larry Horne vows that they will not be leaving the area. He stated , "we will be here.” I suppose this positive attitude is what motivated this sign.

Each time I pass the church now, I shake my head in disbelief at the loss of such a beautiful structure.
This is a picture of the church in the 1920’s
THAT'S IT ***