Contemporary Noir
While a film noir movies lists generally include films from the 1940s and 1950s, it is also possible to find examples of new film noir movies, as well as those made in the 1970, 1980, 1990s and 2000s. French for black film, noir movies routinely feature morally ambiguous characters committing crimes with greed or lust as a motivation. Hard-boiled private eyes and treacherous dames are also staples of the genre....
The Man Who Wasn't There (2001)
7.6/10
Director: Joel Coen
Starring: Billy Bob Thornton, Frances McDormand, James Gandolfini, Michael Badalucco, Rich...
In the Coen Brothers' black and white take on film noir, Billy Bob Thornton is a quiet barber in a small California town in 1949 who sees an opportuni... Read more
Mulholland Drive (2001)
8/10
Director: David Lynch
Starring: Justin Theroux, Naomi Watts, Ann Miller, Laura Harring, Robert Forster, Dan Heda...
David Lynch pulls out all the stops, upends all expectations, and, well, goes all Lynchian in this maniacal, mind-bending mix of Hollywood satire, fil... Read more
Novocaine (2001)
5.8/10
Director: David Atkins
Starring: Steve Martin, Helena Bonham Carter, Laura Dern, Scott Caan, Elias Koteas, Kevin...
Darkly funny comedy/thriller loaded with "bite" features Steve Martin as a straight-laced dentist whose quiet life with hygenist/fiancee Laura Dern is... Read more
Memento (2000)
8.5/10
Director: Christopher Nolan
Starring: Guy Pearce, Carrie-Anne Moss, Joe Pantoliano
The toast of the 2001 Sundance Film Festival, this crafty, twisty offbeat thriller focuses on Leonard (Guy Pearce), a man struggling to put his life b... Read more
Fight Club ( Blu-ray ) (1999)
8.8/10
Director: David Fincher
Starring: Brad Pitt, Edward Norton, Helena Bonham Carter, Jared Leto, Tom Waits, Meat Loaf
Brad Pitt and Edward Norton deliver grand performances in this stunningly original, darkly comic film from the director of 'Seven'. A chance encounter... Read more
The Limey (1999)
7.1/10
Director: Steven Soderbergh
Starring: Terence Stamp, Lesley Ann Warren, Luis Guzman, Peter Fonda, Barry Newman
A riveting performance by Terence Stamp as an aging British crook newly released from prison who comes to Los Angeles looking for revenge on the recor... Read more
Fight Club (1999)
8.8/10
Director: David Fincher
Starring: Meat Loaf, Tom Waits, Jared Leto, Helena Bonham Carter, Edward Norton, Brad Pitt
Brad Pitt and Edward Norton deliver grand performances in this stunningly original, darkly comic film from the director of 'Seven'. A chance encounter... Read more
A Perfect Murder (1998)
6.5/10
Director: Andrew Davis
Starring: Michael Douglas, Gwyneth Paltrow, David Suchet, Viggo Mortensen
A psychological cat and mouse game involving a going-broke commodities trader (Michael Douglas), his rich unfaithful wife (Gwyneth Paltrow) and hippie... Read more
Out Of Sight (1998)
7/10
Director: Steven Soderbergh
Starring: George Clooney, Jennifer Lopez, Ving Rhames
Adapted from the Elmore Leonard bestseller and starring George Clooney as a convicted back robber who escapes from prison with the help of partner Vin... Read more
L.A. Confidential ( Blu-ray ) (1997)
8.3/10
Director: Curtis Hanson
Starring: Kevin Spacey, Russell Crowe, Guy Pearce, Kim Basinger, Danny DeVito, James Cromw...
Smashing translation of James Ellroy's celebrated pulp novel of life in the L.A. police department in the 1950s. Russell Crowe, Guy Pearce and Kevin S... Read more