Chinatown

Chinatown
directed by Roman Polanski

When Roman Polanski decided to remake film noir, he didn't take the cheap way out and film it in black and white. The colors of Chinatown are saturated and gorgeous, befitting the sunny LA environs that fill the film. Jack Nicholson is at his best as the flatfoot. Based on a true story, the plot of this private eye caper is so convoluted that you might want to watch it with a pad and pencil this first time around. But there's no mistaking the theme of this true classic: power corrupts, corruption's in power and the powerless are ... powerless. It's Chinatown, Jake.

Discussion Question: When is noir not noir anymore? (Also, can you say that five times fast?)