The Woman in the Window (1944): Fritz Lang, Edward G. Robinson and Joan Bennett

     Directed by Fritz Lang, The Woman in the Window (1944) was one of the films that caused the genre to be labeled "Film Noir." The story concerns a psychology professor who gets mixed up with a Femme Fatale, and an escalating situation begat by murder. Fritz Lang's surprise twist ending is Classic.  Edward G. Robinson and Joan Bennett are great in the lead roles. The supporting cast is wonderful as well, including Raymond Massey and Dan Duryea.

The Woman in the Window. 1944: Joan Bennett

The Woman in the Window. 1944: Edward G. Robinson and Joan Bennett

The Woman in the Window. 1944: Edward G. Robinson and Joan Bennett

The Woman in the Window. 1944: Edward G. Robinson

The Woman in the Window. 1944: Edward G. Robinson and Joan Bennett

The Woman in the Window. 1944: Edward G. Robinson

The Woman in the Window. 1944: Joan Bennett

The Woman in the Window. 1944: Joan Bennett

The Woman in the Window. 1944: Joan Bennett

The Man Who Wasn't There (2001): Billy Bob Thornton, Scarlett Johansson and James Gandolfini

     Written, produced and directed by Joel and Ethan Coen, The Man Who Wasn't There (2001) is an edgy Neo-Noir that was heavily influenced by the works of James M. Cain. The story focuses on a barber who blackmails his wife's lover, and the resulting trouble that ensues. Roger Deakins provides wonderful black and white cinematography (which was digitally altered from color shots) and smooth period detail. The ensemble cast is great, including Billy Bob Thornton, Frances McDormand, James Gandolfini, Scarlett Johansson and Tony Shalhoub.

The Man Who Wasn't There. 2001:Billy Bob Thornton

The Man Who Wasn't There. 2001: Scarlett Johansson

The Man Who Wasn't There. 2001:Billy Bob Thornton and Frances McDormand

The Man Who Wasn't There. 2001: Scarlett Johansson

The Man Who Wasn't There. 2001: Billy Bob Thornton and James Gandolfini

The Man Who Wasn't There. 2001: Scarlett Johansson

The Man Who Wasn't There. 2001:Billy Bob Thornton

The Man Who Wasn't There. 2001: James Gandolfini

The Man Who Wasn't There. 2001: Scarlett Johansson

The Man Who Wasn't There. 2001: Scarlett Johansson and Billy Bob Thornton

The Man Who Wasn't There. 2001: Scarlett Johansson

"The Man Who Wasn't There"- movie trailer

No Country for Old Men (2007): Javier Bardem, Josh Brolin and Tommy Lee Jones

     Written and directed by Joel and Ethan Coen, based on the novel by Cormac McCarthy, No Country for Old Men (2007) is certain to become a Classic. Easily one of the best films of the past decade, the plot is solid and full of tension and thrills, and the film was highly honored at the Academy Awards. Focusing on a regular guy that stumbles upon a lot of money in the aftermath of a drug deal, and the ensuing chase by a deranged killer to retrieve the cash, the acting is fantastic all around. Javier Bardem is chilling as the psychotic killer with an air gun, Anton Chigurh. Josh Brolin, Tommy Lee Jones and Woody Harrelson are all great as well. No Country for Old Men is a "must see" modern Western-meets-Film-Noir.

No Country for Old Men. 2007: Josh Brolin

No Country for Old Men. 2007: Josh Brolin

No Country for Old Men. 2007: Javier Bardem

No Country for Old Men. 2007: Tommy Lee Jones

No Country for Old Men. 2007: Josh Brolin

No Country for Old Men. 2007: Tommy Lee Jones

No Country for Old Men. 2007: Josh Brolin

No Country for Old Men. 2007: Javier Bardem

No Country for Old Men. 2007: Javier Bardem

"No Country for Old Men"- movie trailer