The archetypes of noir are familiar, with the main character often being a male detective trying ... s earlier films, showing how he would become a master of the art of cinema.

Why it is one of the best film noir movies: Had Chinatown been released 30 or 40 years earlier, this clever, Oscar-winning mystery would have fit right in with other detective dramas of the time.

From 'The Big Heat' to 'The Maltese Falcon', these are the best noir movies based on IMDb ratings. Check the full list for a ...