Crime fiction movie reviews

As you can see, all these questions are related to the papers we have already written; you may use the earlier work in the final. For example, we have all examined noir already and your previous work on it will supply the beginning of several of these papers.
In a well-organized essay of 8-12 pages (double-spaced, including a works cited page), answer ONE of the following:
1) What is hardboiled literature? What is hardboiled about Dashiell Hammett? Describe the hardboiled universe of The Maltese Falcon. The Maltese Falcon is also called the first film noir. Why? What is film noir? How does it relate to the term pulp fiction? What other Hammett novels were adapted into films? Discuss film noir in relation to the Falcon and at least TWO other noirs or neo-noirs (Pulp Fiction, Sin City, Se7en, L.A. Confidential).
2) James M. Cains novels have had an enormous impact on the development of film noir. Three of his novels became famous noirs: Double Indemnity (1944), The Postman Always Rings Twice (1946) and (1981), and Mildred Pierce (1945). What does Cains fiction supply to the world of noir? What does he write about? Why have his books been so controversial and popular? See another Cain adaptationbesides The Postmanand compare it to its source novel and the world of The Postman.
3) Quentin Tarantinos Pulp Fiction (1994) is an experimental film in terms of its break with linear narration but at the same time it is rooted in classic hardboiled characters and plots from pulp fiction and film noir. What is pulp fiction? What is film noir? What is postmodernism? Describe the film as a neo-noir and discuss its relationship to noir classics such as The Maltese Falcon. Discuss at least two other noirs or neo-noirs (Reservoir Dogs, Sin City, Se7en) as postmodern noirs.

4) Write a history of the American gangster film from Griffiths The Musketeers of Pig Alley (1912) to Brian De Palmas Scarface (1983). You must cover the big three of the early 30s (Little Caesar, The Public Enemy, and Scarface) and discuss the films in relation to real crime figures, film genre, and the Hays Code. You should consider the careers of important actors (Cagney, Robinson, Muni) and directors (Hawks, Wellman).

Last Completed Projects