French Film Noir

Book Description

From the seething internal aftermath of the German Occupation to the stylish radicalism of the New Wave and the slick post-modern fantasies of today, French directors such as Melville, Becker, Godard, Truffaut, and Chabrol have adapted American crime movie conventions to create their own cinema of good and evil. Fully illustrated with stills from a wide selection of movies, French Film Noir also contains a complete filmography listing over 100 films.

Robin Buss writes for several newspapers and magazines. He has translated Jean Cocteau's The Art of Cinema for Marion Boyars. He lives in the UK.

Customer Reviews:

Re-fights very old film wars........2001-06-14

How did a type of film - the gangster film/film noir - so rooted in an American social, historical and cultural context (e.g. Prohibition, the Depression, McCarthy) become so popular and influential with French audiences and directors, to the extent where, in the 1960s and 70s, it was by far the leading genre in the country? Why, when directors as iconoclastic as Godard wanted to challenge ocnventional narrative cinema, did they use film noir as a vehicle? These are the questions Robin Buss, the author of 'The French Through Their Films', sets out to answer in this book, the first of its kind in English.

Buss's method is to devote a chapter to each theme loosely centred around a key film or figure (usually a director, surprising in a mainstream genre dependent on big stars). 'In Black and White' traces the transposition of conventional thriller and mystery stories to a French context, through the career of Clouzot, whose socially precise and cynical films (e.g. 'Le Corbeau', 'The Wages of Fear') caused critical outrage, accused of immorality and misanthropy.

'La Route de Villennes' uses Becker's 'Touchez Pas Au Grisbi' to show how film noir became a vehicle for allegorising national crises such as the Nazi Occupation and the de-colonialisation process. 'Jazz', centring on Godard, highlights the increasing 'amorality' and formalism of a genre originally dedicated to the problems of law and criminality, while 'Criminal Types' uses Chabrol to explore the inadequacy of the genre's simplistic moral certainties. 'Police', and Costa-Gavras, charts the genre's move into the political thriller.

The heart of the book lies in the closing two chapters: 'Serie Noire' defines the post-modern thriller, its 'inventive' form (Corneau) and its descent into vacuous glossiness (Beineix, Carax, Besson); 'Back to Base' centres on the moral backlash against this trend, finding inspiration in Bresson's 'L'Argent', with its rigorous analysis of evil. The book concludes with a filmography of 101 key French films noirs.

There are a number of unsatisfactory aspects to this study. It has no clear thesis - at various, unconnected points it can be about the reaction to French noir of the British press (who cares? The audiences in this country for such films was always small. More interesting would have been a detailed look at domestic opinion), the development of cinema technology, or the notion of banal evil after World War Two. Film students are likely to find the book lacks intellectual rigour, while general film fans must wade through discussions of many films unavailable outside France. There is no account of the developments in the genre by directors from an immigrant background, and if you're looking for feminist critique of a man-heavy genre, forget it.

It is understandable that Buss would want to limit his focus to 1942 onwards, the period in which American noir truly begins, but this excludes the importance of pre-1942 literature (e.g. the books of Leblanc, Leroux, Allain et Souvestre) and cinema (e.g. Feuillade), which had as much influence on French noir as the American form, and a knowledge of which is indispensable to understanding what the French do to the foreign genre.

The marginalising of the genre's most important figure, Jean-Pierre Melville, the man who did more than any to shift its terms, and to enlarge and enrich it, is baffling. Actually, it's not: Buss is a British critic, and, like many of the old-style British critics he quotes, he believes film should be a medium for tackling moral questions, hence the sniffy dismissal of Godard, and those directors concerned with deconstructing the language of the genre. It is the old Sight and Sound/Cahiers du Cinema argument about content and form again, and it is as outdated as most of the ideas in this book.

Average customer rating:
French film noir (Monograph / W.E.A. Film Study Group)
Tom Politis
Manufacturer: W.E.A. Film Study Group
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Performing Arts | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books | Dance | General | Reference | Theater
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ASIN: 0908007019

Book Description

Recorded history is a finely-woven magic fabric of intricate lies about events predating the sixteenth century. There is not a single piece of evidence that can be reliably and independently traced back earlier than the eleventh century. This book details events that are substantiated by hard facts and logic, and validated by new astronomical research and statistical analysis of ancient sources.

Customer Reviews:

Calculations are only as good as your numbers.......2007-08-03

Yes, we can all agree that mainstream history is nearly 100% BS due to politics, economics, ego, problems with dating techniques, and various conspiracies. Agreed. But, I've been researching the distinct possibility that human history (in terms of civilizations) are much more ancient than we've been told, so coming across this book was very interesting to me. I wondered how Fomenko could be wrong (if at all) because he is very persuasive in his presentations. Then it dawned on me. If at previous times in prehistory, due to the various catastrophies that are well documented (comets, asteroids, planetary disruptions, plasma discharge, pole reversals, etc) the Earth was in a different position in relation to the sun, different tilt on its axis, different orbit, different rotation (in terms of velocity and DIRECTION), and the continents were in different positions, then would this not cause the ancients to see the sky (constellations) differently? In other words, is Fomenko making erronious assumptions about the physics of the Earth in pre-history, which then corrupt his data with regards to dating the relevant astrology? The last event to seriously disrupt our planet occured roughly 3500 years ago, according to other good researchers, so is it possible Fomenko has been confused by this? The vastly different physics of our planet in the not so distant past may explain this confusion, which is not to say the "mainstream" version of history is correct; on the contrary. I am not an expert in these fields, but wanted to see if this idea could spark discussion.

Pants on fire?.......2007-07-19

Will people ever read before spamming? Yes, Jesuits could not rewrite world history alone, they had help. Anyway, Dr Prof Acad A.Fomenko does not point to jesuits as the driving force of world wide history manipulation in published volumes 1,2,3;, actually he barely mentions the poor devils. Check it with 'Search inside' feature, please. China is rarely mentioned either, in fact, Dr Fomenko is completely eurocentric. Right, his theory contradicts all mainstream schools of history, because in their actual state they are all built on blatantly erroneus chronology. You don't need a mysterious cabal (conspiracy) to falsify history, the falsification is its modus operandi. It is inherent to history(ians) to falsify (distort) events, as it is inherent to humans to boast as it is inherent to power (authority) to legimize itself by referrring to glorious past made to its own order. Dr Prof Fomenko and team have identified scores of instances of such manipulation in Russian, European, etc.. history, and delivered valid statistical proof thereof. His own 'reconstruction' is completely another story. Forget c14 as a valid method of dating. W.Libby has initially discovered a brilliant method of INDEPENDENT dating. Too bad, c14 method has become a joke after a forced marrige with dendrochronology with consensual chronological scale inbuilt. Radiocarbon method can't stand blind tests, but is so very productive as a rubberstamp.

Accepted History & Chronology Must Be Changed. .......2007-04-09

There is no doubt that history as most know it is a sham, & institution's version of History both University & Church is fradulent & inaccurate. Everything was established with an agenda, The real "Dark Ages" are now when we have access to incredible amounts of information past authorities & more important 'common folk' didn't have but our institutions & educators are slow to evolve because of what has ignorantly & arrogantly been taught for too long. This is on many subjects not just Chronology.

For anyone to question "Why would a Mathematician have anything credible to say of History?" The answer is from Dr. Fomenko's preface in the book: "It would be worthwhile to remind the reader that in the XVI-XVII century Chronology was considered to be a subdivision of Mathematics." These volumes could possibly be some of the most important works to date & should be read by everyone with an interest in History, especially professors & educators who have a duty to the public. I have read both books & must say that 'Chronology 1' has some very eye opening & revolutionary information. Even if these volumes are part true the implications are profound & opens the doors to further investigations & questions which must be done. I speak several different lanquages & must say the logic Dr. Fomenko uses with "inflection" of words & words being read from left to right in one region & right to left in another then written backwards, the removal of vowels & get down to basics of words, or different cities & locations having the same name etc. is correct. Vowel usage has always been optional & varied, actually complicating linquistics & study. The first thing one has to understand is that words never had a fixed spelling in history like we do now, the spelling of words was mutable & regional, as well as names & titles of people were vast, varied & changed, NOTHING WAS FIXED or understood linear. Matters of Life & Death as well as financial profiteering yesterday & today were & are made with ignorant, illogical & conspiratorial views of history & reality, it's time people get closer to the Truth & society collectively grow up.

Very Interesting.......2007-03-07

It is a good proposal and I believe it will mature into something even better in the future. I think it deserves to be read.

History as Science Fiction.......2007-01-10

Anatoly Fomenko has written a very intriguing book, full of pictures, charts, and computer 'proof' of his thesis: backwards of AD900 we don't really know what happened or when. Between AD900 and AD1600 there is more certainty, but there is still a lot of fuzzy ground, and things don't get reliable until we get past the 1600's where the printing press made it very difficult for the perpetrators of this timeline manipulation to change anything that had been committed to print. The Dark Ages did not happen. Books were burned for a reason. One organization has doubled the actual length of its existence by expanding the real chronology. Read why.

I had always wondered why Christ died about AD33 and yet men waited until the 11th century to form the Knights Templar, the Cathars, etc and go after the Holy Land by force. Why the 1000 year gap? Turns out there wasn't more than a 10-12 year gap and he proves it using astronomy. This also implies that the planet is not as old as we have been told, and current Christian and other creationist scientists are already championing that idea without being aware of Fomenko's book. The two groups, creationist scientists and the Russian mathematical analysts corroborate each other. Fascinating.

Of course, all this flies in the face of what we have been told traditionally is the 'proper' chronology of western civilization, and most readers will experience 'cognitive dissonance' in reading this book. It means that our history going backwards from AD1600 becomes progressively more incorrect and unreliable until it cannot be trusted at all... in the space of 700-800 years.

Naturally, the curious, open-minded reader will want to know WHO did this, WHY, and did any of the events we think of as really ancient ever happen?
Dr. Fomenko is a respected scientist/mathematician at Moscow State University who has already answered these questions to the satisfaction of his initially skeptical colleagues. Most of them are now believers, a few still refuse to believe (the usual diehards), and of course the western press has ignored Fomenko's work -- for obvious reasons when you read the book. The ones who perpetrated this chronology ruse have a lot to answer for. They are still with us. That's why this book is a well-kept secret.

I gave the book a 4-star rating because I was unable to check out some of his claims; those I checked were as he said. But if even 1/3 of his claims are true, this punches a big hole in what we think is our history, the meaning of western civilization, our educational process (for repeating the ruse as gospel), and the trustworthiness of the organization that perpetrated this ruse, well-intentioned or not.

This book relates to current research into a Young Earth paradigm, to John Keel's discoveries about our planet, and Fr Malachi Martin's insights (in his now out-of-print books). We are indeed sheep who are manipulated and kept ignorant -- for a reason. While knowing what these men have to say may be the "booby prize" (as in: 'what can you do with this knowledge?'), it will provide interesting reading. Didn't someone say: "...and the Truth will set you free."?? For you to judge if this book contains the truth.

French Culture and Society: The Essentials (Essentials Series (Arnold).)

Average customer rating:

French Culture and Society: The Essentials (Essentials Series (Arnold).)
Michael Kelly
Manufacturer: A Hodder Arnold Publication
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Popular Culture | Social Sciences | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

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All Titles | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books
ASIN: 0340760249

Book Description

This is the first in a series of reference books that offer both an introduction to their subject and a road-map to further study. Designed specifically with students in mind, this book contains about 350 concise and accessible explanations of the key issues, events, and concepts in France since 1918, and around 450 brief entries on key individuals and other items.

Georges Bataille: Essential Writings (Published in association with Theory, Culture & Society)

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Georges Bataille: Essential Writings (Published in association with Theory, Culture & Society)
Michael Richardson
Manufacturer: Sage Publications Ltd
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

French | World Literature | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

General | Philosophy | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

Modern | Philosophy | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

Book Description

Georges Bataille's work is an essential reference in any discussion of modernity and postmodernity. An important influence on Foucault, Derrida and post-structuralism, Bataille is a thinker of key significance. This volume makes a selection from the entire body of his academic work, showing how his thinking on sacrifice, eroticism, taboo and transgression, and the nature of identity inform his social theory.

Bataille - Essential Writings will be the standard introductory text to this profound and difficult thinker.

Average customer rating:
French Culture and Society: The Essentials (Essentials Series (Arnold).)
Michael Kelly
Manufacturer: A Hodder Arnold Publication
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OVMQJS

Book Description

This is a completely revised and rewritten edition of the 1983 book by the same authors. Since the earlier edition the Petroff has been enriched by the introduction of many new tactical variations, often involving castling on opposite sides, which make it an ideal weapon for the counter-attacking player. All the important variations are covered in depth with many new suggestions and improvements by the two authors, but there are still many unexplored areas for those with adventurous ideas.

Customer Reviews:

hm good but not enough!.......2001-03-21

The book is pretty complete in what variations are, but it lacks complete games and explanations to understand the ideas behind the opening, plans etc.

Other thing to mention is that, its printing it's a bit hard to read, I've seen books easier to read, (not that the printing quality is bad, I mean the diagramming and the font used).

Also it lacks the variation (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Bc4) perhaps it's more of another opening, but I think it should be included, since Petroff defense players will find with this in the way.

Very Complete.......2000-08-26

I've never taken the Petroff defence seriously (1.e4 e5, 2.Nf3 Nf6). It seemed a novelty that i would encounter every blue moon. It also had a reputation as being drawish. However, my style the last few years has been to throw something at my opponent he doesn't quite fully understand and dictating how the opening proceeds. I know i didn't have a real clue as to what would happen when facing the Petroff. I also have a used copy of Winning With the Petroff by Anatoly Karpov. If Karpov has success with the Petroff and endorses it, it must be sound. You can almost be guarenteed an exciting open game while maintaining a solid position. If you're tired of the same old Ruy Lopez or Guioco Piano as Black, or prefer a more open position than what the Philidor defence offers (2.Nf3 d6) and prefer answering 1.e4 with 1...e5, then this is the book for you.

A Complete Defense to 1P-K4 : A Study of Petroff's Defence, Second Edition

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A Complete Defense to 1P-K4 : A Study of Petroff's Defence, Second Edition
David Hooper , and Bernard Cafferty
Manufacturer: Pergamon Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000MFRUBU

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Petroff Defense

ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000HDBCFC

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Petroff Defense Cochrane Gambit
W. John Lutes
Manufacturer: Chess Enterprises
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000MC7RXE

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Petroff Defense Cochrane Gambit
Lutes
Manufacturer: Chess Enterprises
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Puzzles & Games | Entertainment | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0945470444

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A Complete Defense to 1P-K4 : A Study of Petroff's Defence, Second Edition
Bernard ; Hooper, David Cafferty
Manufacturer: Pergamon Pr
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OGH7OC

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The Petroff Defense

Manufacturer: Collier Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000HX7GEI

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Petroff Defense
Chess Digest
Manufacturer: Chess Digest
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000RKPGFC

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Petroff Defense
Gyozo; Haag Ervin Forintos
Manufacturer: MacMillan Publishing Company.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000O8SIPW

Book Description

SAP is the world's leading provider of ERP software and services, with worldwide revenue in 2004 of $9.7 billion and a 57 percent market share among major business application providers; it is one of the world's largest software companies overall
ERP is a flexible, open technology platform that helps businesses run more efficiently (and profitably) by providing integrated management of key operations and supply chains
Written for IT professionals who find it hard to get through SAP's complex documentation, our book demonstrates how ERP can cut costs, provides a clear overview of how the ESA (enterprise service architecture) model affects ERP, and shows how to implement the new ERP in the real world
Topics covered include reducing the cost of an existing IT backbone, using the new ERP to address a company's "pain points" and challenges, and proving the value of ERP through ROI (return on investment) and TCO (total cost of ownership) studies

Customer Reviews:

muSAP ERP for Dummies.......2007-05-27

I have used and read many of the "Dummies" manuals for software and SAP is a good system to learn some extra tips and user tools from. SAP is a very in depth program that learning all the extras that this system can offer is plus for any individual. This book has many extras that were not given in the much training that it took to learn this program. SAP can be a bit overwhelming and using this tool is a very big help bringing this program into a system that it is meant to offer. Great book.

Ok for beginners.......2006-12-27

This book covers different parts of SAP in a concise manner. But it is not a technical book at all! Provides a nice overview of the history of SAP, NetWeaver, and platform components. The mySAP ERP (which I was looking forward to reading) is all in one chapter.

Not detailed at all. Good overview of many pieces of SAP. It is really for beginners/day-to-day users of ERP systems.

ERP Challenges.......2006-12-06

The challenge with any ERP book is for it to be informative without being boring; technical with out talking over the reader's heads and thorough in its breadth of ERP. Whie I am not a fan of the "Dummy" books, the first few chapters are good for those who have no idea what ERP even means.

For the die-hard ERP project manager, however, there is not much in here that you do not already know or have not experienced. Some of the advice it gives I learned on projects myself, but other pieces of insight I would not suggest. If you are doing ERP and need to create strategy and work with developers, stakeholders and architects, there are better manuals out there.

Also, I found it to be a bit light on the project management side, since I feel that HOW you execute a plan is sometimes more important than WHAT you execute. It is all about perception and the successful ERP project is as much about generating interest and excitement as it is about solving problems.

This book is really for DUMMIES.......2006-11-15

This book is basically a high-level, marketing-oriented white paper. I don't think anybody should pay for this kind of stuff. If you want to impress your colleagues with SAP's Enterprise Services Architecture (ESA), it's OK to read it. It's SAP's blueprint for the future. If you are a technical person and wants to learn something useful, this is a waste money.

Good 'Big Picture' Overview of What ERP Can Do.......2006-01-14

The concept of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) has been around a long time. With the increasing power of computers and the reluctance of people to pay the huge amounts of money demanded for their software by the big suppliers (such as SAP) smaller packages have been developed. mySAP ERP consists of software in four areas that most corporations have needs. These include: Financials, Operations, Corporate Services, and Human Capital Management.

While a basic description of mySAP ERP can be gotten off of the SAP web site, it's pretty sales oriented in nature. This book is written to give the beginning user a good introduction to what you (as a CEO or IT manager of a company) might expect to get out of an ERP package.

This book is an introduction to what an ERP package can do for you, written in the traditional 'For Dummies,' style. It's not loaded down with technical jargon, it is not a detailed instruction manual of how to use the software. It's a well written introduction that gives the big picture.

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