Comic Book Style on Film February 24, 2008

Many talented film directors have approximated the comic-book style in movies, including Jean Luc Godard's 'Alphaville' (1965), Richard Lester's 'Superman II' (1980), and Warren Beatty's 'Dick Tracy' (1990). Now, digital technology has made it possible to dazzlingly replicate the frames of a comic, notably in the Frank Miller adaptations 'Sin City' (2005) and '300' (2006). Robert Horton ponders the value of this aesthetic and decides when it works . . .and when it doesn't. Audience discussion with film clips.