Tag Archives: noir

Amazing crime films from around the world

Posted on February 11, 2026 by I.M. Baytor

I may not need to tell you that eminently quotable gangster flicks like The Godfather and Pulp Fiction are rightly acclaimed as peaks in crime cinema (hell, peaks in film history), as are Goodfellas and, in fact, most Scorsese pictures … Continue reading →

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More global film noirs

Posted on August 28, 2025 by I.M. Baytor

Once again, I’m complementing the latest lists of film noir gems with a handful of foreign-language recommendations that are just as good as – or, in some cases, much better than – their counterparts from the USA and the UK. … Continue reading →

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More cool film noir thrillers – part 2

Posted on July 16, 2025 by I.M. Baytor

If you thought things got dark in part 1, you haven’t seen anything yet… Jinx This week, I’m spotlighting 10 noirs that probably aren’t on anyone’s list of favorites, but which nevertheless kick ass. If anything, I reckon the fact … Continue reading →

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More cool film noir thrillers – part 1

Posted on June 27, 2025 by I.M. Baytor

The times are dark, so I suppose it makes sense to go back to my favorite type of cinema: film noir. Cinema Purgatorio #18 Aesthetically and ideologically, those stark, moody postwar thrillers about chain-smoking anti-heroes, doomed lovers, dirty cops, femmes … Continue reading →

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A handful of offbeat thrillers

Posted on January 30, 2025 by I.M. Baytor

I haven’t written about films in 2025, although I’m putting together a couple of ambitious lists that should come out later in the year… In the meantime, if, like me, you feel the current offer of crime movies, no matter … Continue reading →

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On Harvey Bullock – part 1

Posted on December 19, 2024 by I.M. Baytor

Harvey Bullock is one of the most beloved supporting characters in Batman’s cast, probably because he is such a fun counterpoint to the Caped Crusader: a cigar-chomping, donut-munchin’, overweight, unkempt police detective with a penchant for flashy ties and massive … Continue reading →

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No-frills crime films

Posted on November 21, 2024 by I.M. Baytor

At the risk of making Gotham Calling look like a Letterboxd account, this week I’m turning back to movies, spotlighting half-a-dozen stripped down crime thrillers that, in the grand tradition of classics like The French Connection, make the most out … Continue reading →

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Even more Batman movies without Batman – cult movies edition

Posted on October 24, 2024 by I.M. Baytor

I get a huge kick exploring various connections within pop culture, including the thematic and stylistic links between Batman comics and cinema. To be fair, many of the comics are quite open about their influences, to the point that one … Continue reading →

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COMICS CAN BE AWESOME (26 August 2024)

Posted on August 26, 2024 by I.M. Baytor

Today’s reminder that comic book covers can be awesome pays tribute to badass detectives:

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Spotlight on Slam Bradley

Posted on January 25, 2024 by I.M. Baytor

The Dark Knight isn’t the only detective in Batman comics. In fact, having finally read last year’s six-part mini-series Gotham City: Year One, my mind has been on the astounding significance gained by one of the oldest detectives around: Slam … Continue reading →

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