film noir Archives - Cinema Sentries

They Drive by Night Blu-ray Review: They Live by Day

By Mat Brewster | April 6, 2024 |

A fascinating snapshot of three actors in transitional periods of their careers.

Film Noir: The Dark Side of Cinema XVI Blu-ray Review: A Worthy Entry to the Series

By Greg Hammond | March 29, 2024 |

Film Noir: The Dark Side of Cinema XVI contains Edgar Allen Poe’s The Mystery of Marie Roget, Chicago Deadline, and Iron Man.

Film Noir: The Dark Side of Cinema XVIII Blu-ray Review: One Out of Three Ain’t Bad

By Mat Brewster | March 24, 2024 |

There is something about these old low-budget noirs that make me keep coming back to them.

Film Noir: The Dark Side of Cinema XVII Blu-ray Review: The B-Sides of Edward G. Robinson

By Mat Brewster | March 17, 2024 |

These three movies fall within a dark period in Robinson’s career.

He Walked by Night Blu-ray Review: You’ll Watch by Daylight

By Mat Brewster | February 3, 2024 |

With a run time of 79 minutes, it all feels like a really long (and rather good) episode of Dragnet.

Film Noir: The Dark Side of Cinema XVI Blu-ray Review: I’m Thrilled They Keep Releasing Them

By Mat Brewster | January 27, 2024 |

A fantastic resource for discovering relatively obscure film noirs.

The Lady from Shanghai Blu-ray Review: Forget It, Michael. It’s Chinatown

By Gordon S. Miller | November 28, 2023 |

Orson Welles’ The Lady from Shanghai is an engaging film noir reminiscent of Howard Hawks’ The Big Sleep.

Le Combat Dans L’ile Blu-ray Review: An Overlooked Surprise by an Underrated Filmmaker

By Davy | November 27, 2023 |

A stylish gem of the French New Wave.

Film Noir: The Dark Side of Cinema XV Blu-ray Review: Three Late ’50s B-Noirs Still Make for Good Viewing

By Mat Brewster | November 13, 2023 |

They are all clearly B-Pictures, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t worth your time.

Force of Evil Blu-ray Review: An Art-House Genre Film

By Mat Brewster | November 5, 2023 |

Like the story of Cain and Abel, Force of Evil is a tale about brothers.

After Dark, My Sweet Blu-ray Review: A Strong Film Noir from Director James Foley

By Greg Hammond | September 26, 2023 |

A blu - ray cover for after dark my sweet.

James Foley’s After Dark, My Sweet is a near-perfect film noir that does a great job of capturing the subject matter of the must-read novel of the same name by Jim Thompson.

Film Noir: The Dark Side of Cinema XIII Blu-ray Review: A Triple Feature from the ’50s

By Mat Brewster | June 4, 2023 |

A spy thriller, a surprisingly sensitive take on mental illness, and a remake of a Hitchcock classic

Film Noir: The Dark Side of Cinema XIV Blu-ray Review: Moral Teachings Get in the Way

By Mat Brewster | May 30, 2023 |

If you are a fan of film noir and are looking to go beyond the classics, this is the place you should go.

Film Noir: The Dark Side of Cinema XII Blu-ray Review: I’m Still Watching and Loving It

By Mat Brewster | May 28, 2023 |

Their plots are all pretty standard noir stuff, but they get the job done.

Book Review: Eddie Muller’s Noir Bar: Cocktails Inspired by the World of Film Noir

By Davy | May 3, 2023 |

A charming book for both film noir enthusiasts and drink connoisseurs.

Book Review: Dark City: The Lost World of Film Noir (Revised and Expanded Edition) by Eddie Muller

By Gordon S. Miller | March 20, 2023 |

The book is chock full of film images and movie posters that Dark City makes as good a coffee-table photo book as it does a film reference book.

Film Noir: The Dark Side of Cinema X Blu-ray Review: In This Corner…Tony Curtis

By Mat Brewster | October 18, 2022 |

Yet another set that is well worth adding to your collection.

Film Noir: The Dark Side of Cinema IX Blu-ray Review: A Trio of Amateur Sleuths

By Mat Brewster | October 11, 2022 |

Kino Lorber has once again delivered some underappreciated film noirs for your collection.

Film Noir: The Dark Side of Cinema VIII Blu-ray Review

By Mat Brewster | July 16, 2022 |

About as good as one expects from Volume VIII in any series.

Repeat Performance Blu-ray Review: A Curiosity More Than Anything

By Davy | February 17, 2022 |

Richard Basehart is the MVP of the film.

The Beast Must Die Blu-ray/DVD Review: A Somber Film Noir

By Davy | November 29, 2021 |

As I watched this film, I felt moved by it.

The Beast Must Die (1952) Blu-ray Review: Argentinian Revenge Noir

By Kent Conrad | November 11, 2021 |

A newly restored South American film noir discovery by Uruguayan-Argentinian director Romany Vinoly Barreto.

The Bitter Stems Blu-ray Review: Argentine Noir

By Steve Geise | November 11, 2021 |

Alfredo Gasper is a hard-working newspaper reporter in Argentina who has become disillusioned about the trajectory of his stalled career. When he’s drowning his sorrows at an upscale bar one night, he chats with the friendly Hungarian bartender and former journalist named Paar Liudas. Together, they cook up a get-rich-quick scheme to establish a bogus…

The Accused (1949) Blu-ray Review: Works Something Like a Film Noir in Reverse

By Mat Brewster | November 10, 2021 |

It is a terrific blend of noir, melodrama, romance, and procedural with a wonderful Loretta Young performance at its heart.

The Window (1949) Blu-ray Review: The Boy Who Cried Murder

By Kent Conrad | September 21, 2021 |

Taut noir thriller about a story-telling boy who witnesses a real murder is brisk, engaging, and beautifully shot.

I Wouldn’t Be in Your Shoes Blu-ray Review: Limp Mystery Noir

By Kent Conrad | July 20, 2021

Based on a novella by Cornell Woolrich, this film takes a thin premise and does little with it.

British Noir III DVD Review: A Nice but Slight Look into the Genre

By Mat Brewster | July 9, 2021 |

It contains five films from 1940 to 1956 which run the gamut from straight-noir to musical-comedy-noir to melodrama-noir.

Alias Nick Beal Blu-ray Review: A Faustian Noir

By Mat Brewster | July 8, 2021 |

It’s the filmmaking that really makes this film into something special.

Icy Breasts Blu-ray Review: A Cool French Noir

By Mat Brewster | July 5, 2021 |

Icy Breasts works because it isn’t overly flashy.

They Won’t Believe Me Blu-ray Review: Melodrama Noir

By Kent Conrad | May 20, 2021

There are two elements normally present in a classic film noir. One is a main character, usually male, with decent instincts but a fatal flaw that drives him to do something terrible. That terrible thing is the other element, usually a crime, that sends the unfortunate into a tailspin that, whatever his intentions, is destructive,…

Crossfire (1947) Blu-ray Review: Film Noir with a Message

By Mat Brewster | March 11, 2021

One of the first films to tackle antisemitism and helped usher in a new wave of social justice stories.

Black Test Car + The Black Report Blu-ray Review: Japanese Businessman Noir

By Kent Conrad | September 22, 2020 |

Two ’60s crime thrillers by director Yasuzo Masumura that explore the dark side of post-war industrialized Japan.

Brute Force & The Naked City Criterion Collection Blu-ray Reviews: A Jules Dassin Double Feature

By Mat Brewster | September 8, 2020 |

Two classics film noirs from Jules Dassin get the Criterion treatment.

Film Noir: The Dark Side of Cinema IV Blu-ray Review: Too Much Melodrama, Not Enough Noir

By Mat Brewster | July 10, 2020 |

These three films are decent enough dramas but lack the edge of a good film noir.

Film Noir: The Dark Side of Cinema III Blu-ray Review: Gambling, Murder, and Back Alley Adoptions

By Mat Brewster | June 13, 2020 |

Kino Lorber Studio Classics presents three more lesser-known noirs in a nice collector’s box.

Film Noir: The Dark Side of Cinema II Blu-ray Review: Three Little-known Noirs Well Worth Your Time

By Mat Brewster | May 15, 2020 |

I’m so very thrilled that sets like this continue to come out.

Five Cool Things and Fred Willard

By Mat Brewster | May 15, 2020 |

Strap yourselves in for I’ve got some cool things to show you.

Trapped (1949) Blu-ray Review: Great Restoration of a B-movie

By Kent Conrad | December 31, 2019 |

Previously only available in murky, ugly prints, pretty good crime thriller Trapped has been beautifully restored in HD.

Woman in Hiding Blu-ray Review: Worth Looking For

By Mat Brewster | November 10, 2019 |

Ida Lupino stars in this excellent melodrama with noir trappings.

The Man Between Blu-ray Review: Out of The Third Man’s Shadow

By Mat Brewster | November 6, 2019 |

Excellent film noir from Carol Reed might not be as good as “The Third Man,” but it isn’t too far off either.

Noir Archive Volume 1: 1944-1954 Is the Pick of the Week

By Mat Brewster | April 22, 2019 |

A full week of classic releases and a few new ones.

The Man Who Cheated Himself Blu-ray Review: You Can’t Trust Anyone

By Gordon S. Miller | September 22, 2018 |

Don’t cheat yourself, film noir fans. Pick up a copy.

A Strange Adventure (1956) Blu-ray Review: An Unremarkable Thriller

By Luigi Bastardo | July 28, 2018 |

Young Nick Adams highlights this entertainingly cheapo Republic Pictures crime flick, now available from Kino Lorber Studio Classics.

I Walk Alone (1947) Blu-ray Review: A Fine, Slow-Burning Film Noir

By Luigi Bastardo | July 27, 2018 |

Burt Lancaster and Kirk Douglas go toe-to-toe for the very first time in this classic crime drama from Kino Lorber Studio Classics.

The Woman in the Window (1944) Blu-ray Review: Early Noir is Excellent

By Mat Brewster | June 14, 2018 |

Fritz Lang’s classic noir is nearly ruined by a terrible ending, but what comes before it is quite good.

Don’t Bother to Knock (1952) Blu-ray Review: Marilyn Monoir

By Luigi Bastardo | May 4, 2018 |

Twilight Time releases the odd real-time film noir cult classic starring Richard Widmark, Marilyn Monroe, and Anne Bancroft.

While the City Sleeps / Beyond a Reasonable Doubt (1956) Blu-rays Review: Puttin’ on the Fritz

By Luigi Bastardo | April 25, 2018 |

Fritz Lang’s final two American films ‒ both starring Dana Andrews ‒ get the much-deserved Warner Archive Collection treatment.

Hell on Frisco Bay (1955) Blu-ray Review: Another Kind of San Francisco Treat

By Luigi Bastardo | March 30, 2018 |

Alan Ladd leaves his heart in San Francisco in this glorious re-discovery from the Warner Archive Collection.

He Walked by Night (1948) Blu-ray Review: The Dawn of Dragnet

By Luigi Bastardo | November 21, 2017 |

The film that helped form the world of police procedurals receives a beautiful restoration from ClassicFlix.

The Man Who Died Twice (1958) Blu-ray Review: Um, Is That a Spoiler Alert?

By Luigi Bastardo | November 14, 2017 |

Kino Lorber digs up a beautiful print of a less-than-remembered guilty pleasure B-noir from Republic Pictures.

Only Noirs and Horses: Four Flicks from the Warner Archive

By Luigi Bastardo | November 9, 2017 |

From classic psychological thrillers to obscure westerns, these WAC releases are worth betting money on.

The Big Knife (1955) Blu-ray Review: Cuts Like a Life

By Luigi Bastardo | October 24, 2017 |

Jack Palance, Ida Lupino, and a barely restrained Rod Steiger star in this dark exposé of ’50s Hollywood from Arrow Academy.

The Crimson Kimono (1959) Blu-ray Review: A Crash Course in Orientation

By Luigi Bastardo | September 18, 2017 |

Samuel Fuller’s powerful (and still topical) look at racism gets a beautiful HD release from Sony Pictures and Twilight Time.

Inferno (1953) 3D/2D Blu-ray Review: Survival of the Richest

By Luigi Bastardo | August 19, 2017 |

The line between film noir and technicolor melodrama is finely drawn in the sand, as this must-see Twilight Time offering proves.

Terror in a Texas Town (1958) Blu-ray Review: The Dark Side of the West

By Luigi Bastardo | July 25, 2017 |

Arrow Academy releases Joseph H. Lewis’ wonderful western/film noir hybrid, which features Sterling Hayden as a Swedish sailor who brings a whaling harpoon to a gunfight.

A Woman’s Face (1941) / Flamingo Road (1949) DVDs Review: The Dark Side of Joan

By Luigi Bastardo | May 23, 2017 |

Two classic features from the one and only Joan Crawford return to DVD thanks to the Warner Archive Collection.

Kiss of Death (1947) / Edge of Eternity (1959) Blu-rays Review: Homicidal Tendencies

By Luigi Bastardo | May 14, 2017 |

Twilight Time brings us two remarkable, unforgettable, trend-setting thrillers from yesteryear in two equally beautifully transfers.

Book Review: Film Noir Light and Shadow: Shedding Light on Dark Films

By Mat Brewster | April 19, 2017 |

A wonderful resource to understanding one of cinemas greatest genres.

Bad Day at Black Rock (1955) Blu-ray Review: A Great Day for Movie Lovers

By Luigi Bastardo | April 6, 2017 |

The Warner Archive Collection brings us the groundbreaking precursor to the revenge film genre in what is easily one of the most beautiful transfers of the year.

Dark Passage / On Dangerous Ground Blu-ray Reviews: Bogie. Bacall. Lupino. Ryan. Sold.

By Luigi Bastardo | February 27, 2017 |

The Warner Archive Collection shows us its dark side with two more gems from the fabulous world of film noir.

AFI Fest 2016 Review: The Hitch-Hiker (1953)

By Gordon S. Miller | November 18, 2016 |

At 71 minutes, director Ida Lupino has crafted a lean, mean thriller.

Private Property Blu-ray Review: Sizzling Hot Forgotten Noir

By Kent Conrad | November 8, 2016 |

This lost noir is a steamy mix of sex-crime, repression, voyeurism, and all other sorts of ugly things, beautifully done.

Edge of Doom (1950) DVD Review: Can Dana Andrews Save Farley Granger’s Soul?

By Luigi Bastardo | July 11, 2016 |

Samuel Goldwyn’s one and only film noir is also the bleakest irreligious religious movies in history.

Too Late for Tears / Woman on the Run Blu-rays Review: At Long Last, Lost Noir

By Luigi Bastardo | July 9, 2016 |

Two forgotten mysteries, each with their own dark histories, get definitive makeovers in these must-have releases from Flicker Alley.

Appointment with Crime Blu-ray Review: Tell Crime You’ll Need to Reschedule

By Dusty Somers | June 28, 2016 |

A stylish opening sequence is not a harbinger of things to come.

Private Property (1960) Movie Review: Seamy and Sexy in Equal Measure

By Cinema Sentries | June 27, 2016 |

This underseen 1960s noir is a precursor to the 1990s erotic thriller.

Dead Pigeon on Beethoven Street Blu-ray Review: Sam Fuller Goes to Germany

By Dusty Somers | April 30, 2016 |

Fuller’s only feature-directing credit of the 1970s found him infiltrating the ranks of a German crime procedural.

Wild Bill Elliott Western Collection DVD Review: The End of an Era

By Luigi Bastardo | December 27, 2015 |

The last of the hard-hitting, two-fisted B movie cowboys takes his final ride off into the sunset in this eight-film set from the Warner Archive Collection.

Night and the City Criterion Collection Blu-ray Review: Jules Dassin’s Marvelous London Noir

By Gordon S. Miller | December 24, 2015 |

Add this movie to your collection by whatever means necessary.

Cry of the Hunted / Wind Across the Everglades DVDs Review: Attack of the Swamp Features

By Luigi Bastardo | December 10, 2015 |

Two entirely different ’50s bayou flicks ‒ now available on home video from the Warner Archive Collection ‒ receive a mite good scrutinizin’.

He Ran All the Way Blu-ray Review: Beautiful Cinematography Elevates Standard Noir

By Kent Conrad | August 28, 2015 |

A small thriller (John Garfield’s last film) draped in spectacular black and white imagery by cinematographer James Wong Howe.

Johnny Angel / Riff-Raff (1947) DVDs Review: Double Fistin’ RKO Film Noir

By Luigi Bastardo | August 22, 2015 |

The Warner Archive Collection unleashes several underrated film noir gems from the iconic studio.

The Velvet Touch (1948) DVD Review: Shades of Colombo in the Shadow of Birdman

By Luigi Bastardo | May 26, 2015 |

The Warner Archive Collection dusts off the charming, well-made film noir howcatchem starring Rosalind Russell and Sydney Greenstreet.

Odd Man Out Criterion Collection Blu-ray Review: Deft and Thrilling Storytelling

By Davy | April 11, 2015 |

An extremely overlooked masterpiece of personal and spiritual redemption.

A Kiss Before Dying (1956) DVD Review: Just Skip the Kiss and Kill Me Already

By Luigi Bastardo | January 26, 2015 |

A tepid, presumably rushed adaptation of the Ira Levin novel that is mostly notable for being a great gathering of future B movie and television actors.