Saw The Black Dahlia today. The movie has it's moments, but I can't really recommend it. It's a bit of a disconnected mess and unlike Hollywoodland, doesn't really capture that "L.A. Noir" feel (most of the movie was shot in Bulgaria). Hartnett is weak, Johansson is barely there - but Swank and Eckhart earn their paychecks and Mia Kirshner is quite appealing as The Dahlia - seen here only in B&W "audition reels" as well as one "porno" that could only have been directed by De Palma himself. The most memorable performance in the film is delivered by Fiona Shaw as Ramona Linscott - Swank's comically insane mother. She's on screen for all of five minutes but she's really quite amazing. There are a couple of swirling-camera action sequences that are pure De Palma but which we've seen in almost every De Palma movie before - from Carrie to The Untouchables to Femme Fatale - and a bizarre scene in a lesbian bar featuring KD Lang in drag backed up by semi-nude Busby Berkely-style dancers (like I said, the movie has it's moments). If you're trying to decide between this movie and Hollywoodland - I say go for the one about Superman. But if you do choose to see The Black Dahlia, you may be surprised to find that one of the pivotal characters in this movie is ..... The Joker!

Sounds like one to wait for on cable.

If KD Laing is in drag, does that mean she's wearing men's clothes or women's clothes? :confused:

Ha, I was going to ask the same question. I assume it'd mean she's dressed like a woman.

It's a bit of a disconnected mess...

Well, that's kind of appropriate, 'cause so was the Dahlia! :freak:

Well, that's kind of appropriate, 'cause so was the Dahlia! :freak:

ZING!

That's sick, but funny!

From the mostly negative reviews I've read, the picture sounds like Brian De Palma doing bad Brian De Palma — all style and little substance.

BTW, a man in women's clothing is in drag, but a woman in men's clothing is just a woman in men's clothing — there isn't a specific word or phrase for it. Except maybe "butch."

Lang's in a man's white tux - ala' Marlene Deitrich in Morocco. It's the Busby Berkeley element that's so bizarre. Reminds me of the nightclub scene in De Palma's Scarface with the pantomime clown. A definite "What The F***!?" tableau.

You mean like this?

http://www.startrek.com/imageuploads/200306/voy-186-janeway-believing-hersel/320x240.jpg

Our dear, psychotic Captain Kate looks pretty good in a tux...

You mean like this?

http://www.startrek.com/imageuploads/200306/voy-186-janeway-believing-hersel/320x240.jpg

Yeah. Sorta' like that. What? Not enough activity on the other 6 Star Trek threads?;)

Zor - you want killer noir - you must check in with Brick (see thread)

Yeah. Sorta' like that. What? Not enough activity on the other 6 Star Trek threads?;)

LOL. I feel your pain.

LOL. I feel your pain.

And that's just on this board. I am so happy that my entire life doesn't revolve around one 40 year-old TV show.

Zor - you want killer noir - you must check in with Brick (see thread)

It's in my Netflix queue per your recommendation gruffy.

And that's just on this board. I am so happy that my entire life doesn't revolve around one 40 year-old TV show.

Hey... some of us like in this world... :tongue:

Sounds like one to wait for on cable.My advice is to wait for The Black Dahlia to come to cable TV, then don't watch it. DePalma apparently spent so much time making sure it looked like a Brian DePalma film that he forgot about trying to tell a coherent story.

And that's just on this board. I am so happy that my entire life doesn't revolve around one 40 year-old TV show.

Well, I don't like sports, so I have to waste my free time on SOMEthing!

Well, I don't like sports, so I have to waste my free time on SOMEthing!

John - as your post count indicates, you can damned well talk about a whole lot more than Star Trek!;)

Well, I don't like sports, so I have to waste my free time on SOMEthing!

Right on brother!

Well, I don't like sports, so I have to waste my free time on SOMEthing!I thought that was what women were for!

Qapla'

SSB

I thought that was what women were for!

Qapla'

SSB

Yeah but Mary gets pissed if I do that :(.

Zor - you want killer noir - you must check in with Brick (see thread)

Gruff - Brick was cool. Amazing they pulled it off. And The Pin was the kid from Witness! Shot around your neck of the woods I'm guessing?