07. The Newspaper Shot in The Black Dahlia (2006)
Ok, so
Brian De Palmas film itself is probably most notorious for being extremely convoluted and highly difficult to follow completely, but its also equally memorable for one shot that sees Bucky Bleichert (
Josh Hartnett) observe Lorna Mertz (
Jemima Rooper) over the top of a newspaper. Were used to the obligatory (and often comical) stakeout scene that sees somebody observe their target through a newspaper with eye holes, but De Palmas unique take on this tradition is a refreshingly inventive moment not only within this film, but the wider crime/film noir genre too. The framing is superb: whilst the newspaper is in the forefront of the screen and what is immediately noticeable, it also helps guide viewers to look at Mertz, whos off centre location would perhaps not be instantly observed.