This 1997 movie is a masterpiece of modern film noir, and features all the necessary elements, including an intricate plot, unexpected double-crosses, charismatic but tough protagonists and antagonists, and a drop-dead-gorgeous femme fatale. Curtis Hanson directed this moody, slippery adaptation of the James Ellroy novel, and cast it with leads who would quickly become bigger stars: Russell Crowe, Kevin Spacey and Guy Pearce. And the femme? Kim Basinger, delivering a career-best performance.