I don't want to have to come back in here and clean this topic out again. So please lets all get back on track and stay civil to one another. 

Awww, is the hate parade over? Did I miss it?

No one's going to say Big Lebowski? It's a 'modern' day Noir homage

" @Ahmad_Metallic: Yep. 
   
But to get back on topic, R* has actually started a "Rockstar Recommends" feature relating to L.A. Noire. Keep an eye out on their newswire since it says they'll be continually doing it over the next few months. They've already posted two, "Detour" and "Scarlet Street". Both are quality films.
 
 http://www.rockstargames.com/newswire/article/13201/rockstar-recommends-scarlet-street.html
 
 http://www.rockstargames.com/newswire/article/12811/rockstar-recommends-detour.html "

" @Romination:  While you're on the Coen train, you might as well check out Blood Simple and Miller's Crossing since those are both pretty good neo-noir titles. L.A. Noire probably won't draw from them, but they're too damn good for me to not take this opportunity to recommend. "

" @ryanwho said:

" So I'm completely wrong about something that's commonly argued? I feel like you're just being extra angry to fit in with the other pitchfork wielders, bro. I can't be completely wrong about something you just admitted is completely debatable. Nothing you said was incorrect, but you need to ask yourself why you have such a huge attitude with me over such a small distinction. Other people clearly don't know what they're talking about and they're just getting red in the face because that's how they handle being corrected, but you actually know some shit. You don't need to stoop to their level. "

And you handle being corrected by simply not responding? Well played. "

I don't know why but everytime I see trailers for this movie I get a huge Eastern Promises vibe. I realize they're not in the same time period but their atmosphere seems very alike.

Actually, this game, kinda like L.A. Confidential, are neo-noir, not totally noir. An example of neo-noir would also be a movie such as Chinatown.
 
I would even recommend you watch Touch of Evil, one of the best 'b-movie' noirs ever made.
 
Detour (another good b-movie), Out of the Past, Night and the City, The Maltese Falcon, and The Asphault Jungle are all top notch films.

" @ryanwho: I reacted the way I did because you're stating things as fact handed down from the right hand of god himself when they're not fact at all. Reading your responses gave me douchechills. And while it's arguable (as most things in art are, particularly genre distinctions) you have the minority viewpoint. What I was trying to get across (and admittedly didn't very well) was that you shouldn't be acting as though your viewpoint is the only one out there, when in fact the vast majority of film scholars would disagree with your grouping.  "

China Town
LA Confidential

" The Untouchables. "

New entry in the "Rockstar Recommends" series on L.A. Noire's official site:

Rockstar Recommends: “Chinatown”

Chinatown (1974; Dir. Roman Polanski)  

While it may be an obvious reference point for a modern production of a Film Noir period crime thriller, we would be remiss not to officially recognize and recommend " Chinatown" as a key film to watch for those looking to get in the spirit of things leading up to L.A. Noire's May release.

Easily the greatest Film Noir made after the genre's original heyday in the 40's & 50's, "Chinatown" spins the tale of private investigator Jake Gittes (Jack Nicholson in one of the most memorable roles of his entire stellar career) led by an enigmatic female client with a seemingly straightforward case - into twists and turns, cover-ups and conspiracies, hidden truths and abounding intrigue. Jake finds himself in for way more than ever anticipated and unwittingly embroiled in a dangerous plot.

Directed by Roman Polanski, who himself makes a great cameo appearance as a switchblade-wielding henchman - "Chinatown" is not only one of the genre's best, but is regarded by many as being among the finest films ever made.

The Third Man (an absolute must) 
Kiss Me Deadly 
G Men 
The Big Sleep 
The Killing 
Gilda (Rita Hayworth was totally a babe) 
Double Indemnity 
Sunset Boulevard

"Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid. "

" @DrBeardface said:

"Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid. "

That was what I was thinking!  "

1. Murder, My Sweet (1944) & The Long Goodbye (1973)
2. Harper (1966) & The Drowning Pool (1975)
3. The Two Jakes (1990)
4. The Grifters (1990)
5. Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988)
6. After the Thin Man (1936) & Shadow of the Thin Man (1941) ~ both take place in California
7. Dead Again (1991)
8. Murder by Death (1976)
9. Foul Play (1978)
10. Out of the Past (1947)

I have only seen two noir films THE MALTESE FALCON and DOUBLE INDEMNITY.  Those movies without a doubt hold up to a modern viewing, but as I said above your can't beat  DEAD MEN DON'T WEAR PLAID if you want to have a good time and get the feel. 
 
I just ordered a DVD set from my library: 5 Film Noir Killer Classics (D.O.A., Detour., Stanger., Scarlet Street. and Killer bait.)  I'll see if those are interesting or not.

" @MonkeyKing1969 said:

" @DrBeardface said:

"Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid. "

That was what I was thinking!  "

Awesome movie!   
 
I addition to the ones already mentioned, I'd also take a look at  

1. Murder, My Sweet (1944) & The Long Goodbye (1973)
2. Harper (1966) & The Drowning Pool (1975)
3. The Two Jakes (1990)
4. The Grifters (1990)
5. Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988)
6. After the Thin Man (1936) & Shadow of the Thin Man (1941) ~ both take place in California
7. Dead Again (1991)
8. Murder by Death (1976)
9. Foul Play (1978)
10. Out of the Past (1947)

"

 
Just watched Black Dahlia, i remember reading that the case was in LA Noire and i thought i would watch it 
  
film was terrible, i love some of De Palmas stuff, but this was atrocious, horribly miscast and over acted (eckhart was good but underused), really bad pacing issues, its like watching 3 poor movies at once and switching between them at random; there were a couple times at the start where it seemed like a number of short films shown one after another it just seemed so disjointed 
 
its decently shot if you want to warm up for LA:Noire but the film is sacrificed for this 
 
still very much looking forward to LA:Noire

i managed to find some of the movies suggested in this thread. i've seen Scarlet Street and Sunset Boulevard - really good 'vintage' movie making !

Watch some the tv show Boardwalk Empire for sure.

I had been planning to watch L.A confidential prior to L.A Noire, but I hadn't actually considered watching any other noir films to set the mood. I plan to lovefilm some of these great suggestions, but keep em comin. I hadn't considered the untouchables, but it's already one of my favourite movies, so any excuse to watch it. I agree that while it's not strictly noir, it's got the right sort of "old timey" feel that gets you pumped for the ambience of the game.

I'll definitely second Chinatown. One of the greatest Hollywood films ever made.

Noir -  crime fiction featuring hard-boiled cynical characters and bleak sleazy settings .  i just googled it!

I'm surprised no one mentioned Brick yet.

Pulp Fiction.

It has nothing to do with this thread.

Its a great film though.

bump for people to see

Looking back at some of the first few pages is pretty funny now. It's been confirmed that there's an option to play the game in black and white. And it doesn't just take away color. It applies a film noir type filter and even changes the lighting. Looks awesome.

Maltese Falcon

LA Confidential

The Usual Suspects

Big Sleep 

Black Dhalia

Maltese Falcon

P.S. If Rockstar released LA Noire for PC it would make my year. 

The Third Man (an absolute must)

@Blur_Fan said:

The Third Man (an absolute must)

Aw MAN!  I totally forgot about that movie.  It was great.  Add this to the list called MUST WATCH.

Dunno if anyone has mentioned it  but from a certain perspective "Who Framed Roger Rabbit" is a pretty good noir flick.  With cartoons and a melting Christopher Lloyd.

@ryanwho: Do you have to be an ass to everyone on this site? Christ man. Just chill out.