Crime

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What is a Crime Film?
A crime film is essentially a film that deals with crime, and criminal justice. Generally they are focused around the actions of criminals or mafias. The types of figures we see are particularly bank robbers, underworld figures, or ruthless hoodlums who operate outside the law, stealing and murdering (filmsite). Upon research it can be noted that crime films are created from literature such as graphic novels and mystery novels rather then written directly for the screen. Crime stories are often centered on the life of a crime figure or a crime's victims. They can also highlight the rise and fall of a particular criminal, gang, bank robber, murderer or lawbreakers.
 * In the plot we see the struggles or conflict they have with the law or other figures or it could be a rival gang. In recent times we have seen real life crime or gangsters films used in motion picture. However, they do alter the plot and intensify the action to make it more suitable for blockbuster films. For privacy concerns some names and locations will be changed for confidentially reasons. || [[image:gangcollage5.jpg width="319" height="173"]] ||
 * [[image:melville_narrowweb__300x442,0.jpg width="221" height="398"]] || The setting is usually in large crowded cities, this is done to “provide a view of the secret world of the criminal: dark nightclubs or streets with lurid neon signs, fast cars, piles of cash, sleazy bars, contraband, seedy living quarters or rooming houses”(filmsite). Crime films are under the western dimension. They encompass issues of power usually set in modern society. From the media studies in Northallertoncoll state that, “Law and disorder are main themes of the crime genre and narratives can be superior to those of other film genre and more complex”(Northallertoncoll). What makes this genre exiting is that it contains suspense and hair raising action. ||

Women in Crime Films
Women in motion pictures have experienced more transition in their roles. Before women were seen as stay at home moms and depend on men to provide income. In films women were being portrayed as stereotypical roles such as being objects for men or mothers, sisters or mistresses. In the 1960’s women started being portrayed as powerful, mysterious and sexy. Now times have changed and women are seen as equals in society as well as the movie industry. In crime films, female roles have also seen a drastic change. In recent films such as Basic Instinct, Along came a spider, Natural Born Killers, and Pulp Fiction all have women who are portrayed as strong, seductive leading roles. Women can now be the leading role and do not need a man to make the movie a success.
 * [[image:bonnie-clyde.jpg]] || A good example of this is Arthur Penn’s Bonnie & Clyde. In this movie Bonnie Parker is depicted as a sensual woman who is attracted to this man (Clyde) who is a thief, she is intrigued by the danger and challenges he brings. [|Joseph Geringer] writes, “Bonnie and Clyde were meant for each other. And they clung to each other while they fought back against the elements. These elements were destitution and a government they took for its face value.” (Geringer) In this role she broke the norms of how society thinks women should behave. She is empowered and still has her sexuality that she uses to get her way. Bonnie & Clyde definitely redefined the role of women in crime films in the era. ||

Popular Crime Films

 * [|The Godfather (1972)] || [[image:godfather.jpg width="146" height="212"]] ||
 * [|The Godfather: Part II (1974)] || [[image:43-f.jpg width="150" height="202"]] ||
 * [|Pulp Fiction (1994)] || [[image:pulp-fiction.jpg]] ||
 * [|12 Angry Men (1957)] || [[image:3664.jpg width="153" height="237"]] ||
 * [|Cidade de Deus (2002)] || [[image:dvdclub_112.jpg width="155" height="240"]] ||
 * [|The Usual Suspects (1995)] || [[image:49-f.jpg width="154" height="230"]] ||
 * [|Goodfellas (1990)] || [[image:goodfellas.jpg width="156" height="231"]] ||
 * [|Memento (2000)] || [[image:memento_poster.jpg width="157" height="271"]] ||
 * [|The Silence of the Lambs (1991)] || [[image:53-f.jpg width="157" height="236"]] ||
 * [|Fight Club (1999)] || [[image:58-f.jpg width="158" height="237"]] ||
 * According to Imdb

Sub-Genre:

 * Mystery films** is a sub-genre of crime film. It comprises of a detective, private investigator and unsolved mysteries. The audience is given clues to uncover the truth. After the investigation we can find the perpetrator. Mystery films like crime are successful because of the important element of suspense that is set in the plot. We see lots of twist and makes it a surprise to watch. There are many camera tricks that can be used to create suspense.


 * Gangster Films** are focused on the power struggles within gangs rather than on the detective or police who try to stop them. The most typical movies are one’s where we see the character’s rise to power within the organization, followed by the betrayal and concluded by a murder. These types of films are not intended for young viewers. However they do not promote the idea of a gang or any related actions they do send that message that crime is dangerous