I was gonna make a goofy joke at the beginning of this review, but Phantom Lady was such a thrilling, wonderfully shot noir it made me forget whatever dumb gag I had planned. It's just damn good! It's got all the bells and whistles you'd expect; tense, atmospheric, haunting. What really got me was the cinematography: quiet dark areas hidden in corners of the city, a man standing alone in a desolate train station, a looming shadow whose owner is just out of view... This one's a must-watch.

Overall Rating: Really, really, really good

This is the first film noir I ever watched and got me hooked on the genre. From its (fittingly) dreamy orchestral score to its ever expanding murder plot, there's a lot to say abot Laura Hunt, both as the ill-fated dame and as her oh so hauntingly beautiful portrait. If you like murder plots and are looking to get into film noir, I definitely recommend watching it.

The Big Heat is one hell of a film... It's got everything, from dead wives and half-burnt faces all the way to the main protagonist going "Why I oughta...". Seeing Bannion's gradual decline from a decent father down to a revenge-seeking mess of a man is very entertaining. If you're looking for a crazier film noir, this one's bound to do ya good. No joke, I screamed, cried and laughed watching this film.

With its dark lighting, constant feeling of paranoia and a doomed finale felt from the very beginning, I Wake Up Screaming is truly the father of all noirs. Vicky's untimely demise is what launches the plot forward, yet it becomes almost like a background element as everything surrounding her murder starts to unravel in complex loops and tangled knots. This film is another good starting point for folks who are just getting into the genre.