Travis Simpkins

Kiss of Death (1947): Richard Widmark and Victor Mature

Directed by Henry Hathaway, and written by Ben Hecht, Kiss of Death (1947) is a prime and dark example of Film Noir at it's best. The story concerns a criminal, eager to make things right for his young children, who double-crosses and rats on a very dangerous gangster. Victor Mature is good in the lead role. Richard Widmark, however, is utterly sadistic as the psychopathic killer Tommy Udo in his screen debut. The scene in which he throws a wheelchair bound old woman down the stairs to her death is chilling and unforgettable. Karl Malden co-stars.

Kiss of Death. 1947: Richard Widmark

Kiss of Death. 1947

Kiss of Death. 1947: Richard Widmark

Kiss of Death. 1947

Kiss of Death. 1947: Richard Widmark

"Kiss of Death"- movie trailer

The Black Dahlia (2006): Brian De Palma, Scarlett Johansson, Hilary Swank, Josh Hartnett

Directed by Brian De Palma, based on the novel by James Ellroy, The Black Dahlia (2006) is a fictionalized account of the real-life 1947 murder of Elizabeth Ann Short a.k.a. "The Black Dahlia". With great attention to period detail, the film nicely recreates stylish 1940's-era Hollywood in a Film Noir fashion. Mystery and plot twists abound. Scarlett Johansson is beautiful in her role. Hilary Swank is alluring. Josh Hartnett and Aaron Eckhart are tough as two Cops. The supporting cast is good as well, including Rose McGowan, Mia Kirshner and Rachel Miner.

The Black Dahlia. 2006: Scarlett Johansson and Josh Hartnett

The Black Dahlia. 2006: Mia Kirshner

The Black Dahlia. 2006: Rose McGowan

The Black Dahlia. 2006: Scarlett Johansson

The Black Dahlia. 2006: Scarlett Johansson and Josh Hartnett

The Black Dahlia. 2006: Hilary Swank

The Black Dahlia. 2006: Scarlett Johansson and Josh Hartnett

The Black Dahlia. 2006: Scarlett Johansson

"The Black Dahlia"- movie trailer

Blood Simple (1984): The Coen Brothers and Frances McDormand

Written, produced and directed by Joel and Ethan Coen, Blood Simple (1984) was the feature film debut of The Coen Brothers, actress/wife Frances McDormand and cinematographer Barry Sonnenfeld (who went on to become a successful director). A Neo-Noir film set in Texas, the story centers on a wife who is cheating on her spouse, and the web of mischance and deception that follows when her husband hires a hit man to kill her and her lover. A superb effort from beginning to end. The whole cast is great, including Frances McDormand, Dan Hedaya and M. Emmet Walsh.