Armored Car Robbery (US, 1950)

This is a marvellous, compelling, realistic compact little gem of a crime noir.

Billy Budd (UK, 1962)

It was during the Summer of 1997 while working in the westernmost hotel in Ireland (and, by extension, Europe) that I read Herman Melville's classic Billy Budd, Sailor.

The Man with the Golden Arm (US, 1955)

Unlikely looking star Frank Sinatra stars in one of the first ever movies to deal sensitively with the topic of drug addiction.

Frances Ha (US, 2012)

Articulates very well the confusion, delusion, aimlessness and humility of being an impoverished, lower middle-class, mid-late twentysomething out-of-towner struggling to find a place in the big city.

Only God Forgives (US/TH, 2013)

A circle of sometimes grizzly revenge slayings, not lacking in visual lavishness; difficult to know what to make of it, but in a more positive than negative way.

The Big Clock (US, 1948)

Decent enough thriller with some interesting, stylish NY interiors, and a plot that nods towards noir tendencies, but it is not a noir film in itself.

The Enforcer (1951)

Fairly solid noirish piece in which Bogey tries to nail the boss of a contract hire firm.