PRIVATEYE

the toughest case to crack...


RANKING 'EM.

LAST FILM WATCHED

The Big Combo (1955)

This time, instead of having to go through shady sites, I had the pleasure of finding a YT channel dedicated to screening entire film noirs in the public domain without ads. The videos even have an intro, half-time break and outro from the guy running the channel dressed up like a classic private eye! The channel's called Full Moon Matinee for anyone curious. Anyway, about the film itself. The Big Combo tells a story about desperation, last ditch efforts, panic and confusion. A labyrinth with no clear exit, from Lieutenant Diamond struggling to charge Mr. Brown with any crime, to Susan Lowell finding herself trapped with no clear exit. It's about revisiting the past and its many mysteries, and it's executed really well. The great writing and beautifully noir cinematography made this a very enjoyable film to watch! Who knows what kinds of things hide in the shadows and the fog?

A screencap from The Big Combo. A man in a suit and hat, covered in shadow, walks through a foggy alley.

Overall Rating: Very positive


MY FAVORITE FILM NOIRS

LAURA (1944)

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.

A screencap from Laura, depicting the main detective sitting on an armchair, looking at Laura's portrait.


THE BIG HEAT (1953)

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.

A screencap from The Big Heat, depicting a young lady with half her face covered in bandages looking at a man standing in front of her.


I WAKE UP SCREAMING (1941)

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.

A screencap from I Wake Up Screaming, showing 2 men in fedoras in a dark-lit room. One of them is looking out the window while the other stares into space.

MORE TO COME...