Dark sounds

My theory about "Donnie Darko" was added as a tardy contribution in the last CultureSnob.com Blogathon."Without getting bogged down in details of the synopsis, Donnie Darko simply put is: pure feat in filmaking. Never before has a film noir been able to capture and convey such raw beauty.
Never before has such a dark and grim premise been so cleverly told: through painingly-pretty blue skies, descriptive and creative random blurbs of literature, genuine and concise dialogue, and an ending that brings us back to the beginning, which we quickly learn is the beginning...of the end. One of the highlights for me was the use of music, including an awesome and refreshing alternative to the cliche' part of a movie where we meet all the characters, and a group of characters meet for the first time- exchanging dry, predictable, formal dialogue. Instead the creators chose to pan from afar, mute-out all sound, and play-from very beginning to end- the appropriately symbolic song, "Everybody wants to Rule the World."
Source: Joblo's "Movie Reviews" by Bud_Fox.

"While taking the noir detective hero to "the final stages of degradation" [...] Jeremy Butler cites Janey Place's analysis of how these roles typically are used in film noir: The women of film noir have been divided by Janey Place into two categories: the "rejuvenating redeemer" and the "deadly seductress," also known as the "spider woman." The redemptive woman, according to Place, is strongly associated with the status quo, moral values, and stable identities. Her love provides an escape route for the alienated protagonist, but he is seldom able to join her world of safety. The rejuvenating redeemer exists as more of an ideal than an attainable reality."
Source: "Women in Film Noir", E. Ann Kaplan.

"Flashback to two days prior and we see how Brendan arrived at that place. In the days that follow her death we slowly learn of how Emily arrived there. Brendan loved Emily even after she stopped loving him so when she called and asked for his help he obliged. [...] An extension of the sound is the language. The characters in Brick speak with rhythm, eloquence and a unique, but believable, slang. The dialogue is like a song without music".
Source: Fromthebalcony.com.