Comments on: Film Junk Poll: What is the Best Modern Black-and-White Movie?

By: horse saves

horse saves — Thu, 03 Oct 2013 14:17:00 +0000

i agree, yes!

..perfect wording for describing spielberg’s movie.

By: Wayne Regier

Wayne Regier — Tue, 01 Oct 2013 01:45:00 +0000

I agree that we should be focused on the absolute best offering of a film. But if the question of weather or not it is presented in color or black and white is so irrelevant than why have the discussion at all? Many of these were specifically chosen to be shot that way. I think it comes down to more intricate discussions on why the choice was or was not made and if so why? Also if the choice was made for them in the example of no/low budget than are we to give the credit of the aesthetic lent to the film to its makers? Do we take the credit away since it was not an option but a last resort to tell the story in a cheaper format? I just like to have these discussions. Sometimes they can be more interesting and fun than the actual movies in question. For instance I was not aware of all the different rules that you pointed out were possible. And to that point I now wonder if it is a more bold choice to go B&W in the digital era. I also forgot about memento’s scenes that were not shot in color. This stuff is fun to pick apart. I now wonder why The Spirit was not added as well .

By: Jr

Jr — Mon, 30 Sep 2013 13:13:00 +0000

That makes sense but it also creates a lot of specific rules. You just have to decide which is the best film out of this group that all happen to be b&w. I think it’s almost irrelevant that they are b&w. So, it will probably come down to Raging Bull and Schindler’s List since they are the two biggest and most well-respected “classics” on here. I’m not knocking the poll at all though, polls are cool.

By: Wayne Regier

Wayne Regier — Sun, 29 Sep 2013 22:00:00 +0000

Was there any thought considering that some of these were not SHOT in B&W, but corrected in post? It should be noted with an asterisk or removed from the list completely. As much I love Sin City as a great adaptation, or the weight of Schindler I cannot help but think these movies used B&W as a gimmick or easy way out for the narrative.
The last picture Show, Raging Bull, and Ed Wood were more of homage to that time period by using the media that was common in that era.
Jim Jarmusch’s films, Pi, Clerks, and La Haine were born out of necessity and lack of production costs since color and 35 mm were more costly.

By: kyri

kyri — Sun, 29 Sep 2013 18:35:00 +0000

Dark Days

By: Steve Kroodsma

Steve Kroodsma — Sat, 28 Sep 2013 20:33:00 +0000

Good Night and Good Luck all the way for me.

By: horse tails out of school

horse tails out of school — Sat, 28 Sep 2013 18:13:00 +0000

interesting poll, very hard to pick just one.. but it comes down to these:

The Last Picture Show
Young Frankenstein
Raging Bull
La Haine
Ed Wood

picked the comedy

By: Andrew Hunt

Andrew Hunt — Sat, 28 Sep 2013 00:16:00 +0000

I was wondering if you’d gotten Blancanieves over there yet? B&W + silent and much better than the artist.

But the poll has such a wide scope, a film really needs to be considered for a while before you could say that it is a better film than Raging Bull.

Dead Man might be the favorite of mine though.

By: Bob

Bob — Fri, 27 Sep 2013 23:19:00 +0000

I could happily see most of these win. Manhattan, Raging Bull, Clerks, Wings of Desire and Control would be my top picks though.

By: Tom Nook

Tom Nook — Fri, 27 Sep 2013 23:14:00 +0000

The White Ribbon

By: Colin

Colin — Fri, 27 Sep 2013 20:54:00 +0000

Down by Law is so good, it’s insane

By: Sean

Sean — Fri, 27 Sep 2013 20:51:00 +0000

Yeah I considered it but I figured that the majority of the movie was actually in colour. There are a few movies here with bits and pieces of colour, but most are pure B&W.