LA Confidential

Stars: Kevin Spacey, Russell Crowe, Guy Pearce, James Cromwell, Kim Basinger
Plot: In the early 1950s, three very different LA policemen investigate a series of murders.

Pros: Acting, Script, Set Design, Production values, David Strathairn
Cons: Not a chick movie, Silly ending
Best Line: "Go back to Jersey, sonny. This is the City of the Angels, and you haven't got any wings. "

Although often described as a throwback to earlier detective movies, LA Confidential is very modern (and unrealistic) 1990s take on the LA PD of the 1950s. LA Confidential has some great acting, and its the ability of Pearce, Crowe, and Spacey to create vivid well-rounded characters that makes it a great movie. Weirdly the only Oscar win was by Basinger. The movie looks fabulous, and moves at a fast pace. Sadly, its let down by a dumb shoot-out ending that makes no sense whats so ever, besides being completely unrealistic. Further, women may be disappointed since Basinger - playing a prostitute - is the only significant female character.

Summary: Ranked 75 on IMDB best movies of all time, LA Confidential is a winner but that's off the record, on the QT, and very hush, hush. Rating ****