The B and W

[MissHuff]

I don't know if there is already an existing thread but a quick skim tells me no. I can't sleep although I am completely exhausted so I thought I would come hang out in the lounge and compile a list of sites I need to check out and movies that I need to see. After reviewing the movie list I noticed that the movies on the top of my list weren't necessarily in color. (The Good German, Letters from Iwo Jima, Flags of Our Fathers). I love watching black and white films. I believe that it helps add a little more drama to everything.

I was curious to see what are other people's thoughts on modern movies that are made in black and white or desaturated (if that's the right word?). I remember watching "Good Night and Good Luck" for the first time and when my fiance commented on the black and white afterward I almost completely forgot it was in black and white. I guess that's one too many Golden Era movie marathons for me.

[Spitfire]

You should see "The man who wasn't there" if you like the B&W.

[happyfilmluvguy]

Schindler's List was in Black and White, and it definitelty set the tone for the entire film, with the exception of a little red. While I think all movies cannot be in black and white (example: Singin' in the rain or another movie that feeds on color entirely), I think there are plenty of movies that cannot look any better if they were in color. Road To Perdition wouldn't have looked as neat had it been in black and white and neither would Shawshank Redemption. Movies from the golden era were in black and white because color hadn't been put to good use. Technicolor had been around long before. But a film like Gone With The Wind and The Wizard Of Oz releasing, some films just cannot be in black and white. Sometimes color can also get in the way. If you want dramatic, mysterious, cruel and sinister, dark colors or black and white is the best.

Good Night and Good Luck's cinematography is great!
How about a nice Lynch film, Eraserhead?
The Man Who Wasn't There wouldn't have looked as nice had it been in color.

[Feraud]

Then there is Memento that used b&w film for the flashback sequences and color in the present.
The best of both worlds.

[CharlieH.]

The best modern black and white film I've ever seen has to be Woody Allen's Zelig. A mockumentary about a man from the late 20's that could chaneg his appearance.
More than simple black and white, this is a whole "neo vintage" film made using vintage cameras, lights, lenses, sound recording gear etc. And this is also important to the story, as there are some VERY realistic scenes of a highly neurotic Woody rubbing elbows with Lou Gehrig, Herbert Hoover, Pope Pius XI and even Adolph Hitler!

[J. M. Stovall]

How about Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid, I can't help but like that movie.

[MrBern]

I remember watching "Good Night and Good Luck" for the first time and when my fiance commented on the black and white afterward I almost completely forgot it was in black and white. I guess that's one too many Golden Era movie marathons for me.

Actually, I had the reverse experience w/ CAPOTE. I really enjoyed the way it was shot, but afterwards we were trying to recall if it was in color or B&W.

Oh, heres a B&W classic from the `60s, Night of the LivingDead.
http://imdb.com/title/tt0063350/

[MissHuff]

Schindler's List was in Black and White, and it definitelty set the tone for the entire film, with the exception of a little red.

Schindler's List was in Black and White?

Actually, I had the reverse experience w/ CAPOTE. I really enjoyed the way it was shot, but afterwards we were trying to recall if it was in color or B&W.

Oh, heres a B&W classic from the `60s, Night of the LivingDead.
http://imdb.com/title/tt0063350/

I think the reason that I was a little afraid of this movie when I was younger was the fact that it was in B&W. I love watching it now and laughing.

[happyfilmluvguy]

The best modern black and white film I've ever seen has to be Woody Allen's Zelig. A mockumentary about a man from the late 20's that could chaneg his appearance.
More than simple black and white, this is a whole "neo vintage" film made using vintage cameras, lights, lenses, sound recording gear etc. And this is also important to the story, as there are some VERY realistic scenes of a highly neurotic Woody rubbing elbows with Lou Gehrig, Herbert Hoover, Pope Pius XI and even Adolph Hitler!

Zelig is great! The world of Woody Allen's Love it or Hate it!

Zelig is a really good mockumentary if anyone gets the chance to see it.

Schindler's List was in Black and White?

Yes, Schindler's List was in Black and White. What version did you see?

Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid is another good film and such a clever one at that.

Has anyone seen The Last Picture Show?

[Doh!]

The Last Picture Show is a good one.

A fellow Lounge member and I were talking about how gorgeous Young Frankenstein was this very evening!