The Stranger (1946) - 3/5

This movie is riding the coattails of the more famous members of its cast, namely Orson Welles and Edward G Robinson. While it’s always fun to see the sleuth try to corner his elusive prey, everyone is turning in fine but uninspired performances. It’s a good addition for the watchlist of anyone who enjoys a good noir, and you’ll have a good, if relatively unmemorable, time.

Closest comparison: It’s like Night of the Hunter by way of The Man Who Knew Too Much.

Setting: Drama
Plot: Thriller
Tone: Thriller

The Lady from Shanghai - 2/5

This film is largely a pretentious attempt at depth without providing any substance. It’s beautifully shot, but never amounts to more than tawdry trappings on a sordid story. It’s a convoluted plot for something as simple as adultery, and what’s more it has the audacity to be boring despite itself. It gets interesting toward the end, but by that time the audience’s investment in the characters has waned and their plight falls on deaf ears. And frankly the acting is poor.

Closest comparison: It’s like The Maltese Falcon by way of The Third Man.

Setting: Adventure
Plot: Drama
Tone: Pulp Noir

The Third Man - 3/5

This1949 black and white classic is all about the cinematography. The acting is fine and the dialogue is quite good in that golden age of cinema kind of way. But all in all I don't see the appeal beyond film snob mineutia, though if you're into films it's one you probably should see for reference if nothing else. Better alternatives are Casablanca, To Have and Have Not, or The Maltese Falcon.