L.A. Confidential (1997)

I mean, I totally agree—the issue with *La Confidential* is that it lacks that one iconic, legendary scene. That’s probably what cost it more awards, too. Personally, I think it’s a bit unfair that Kim Besinger was the only one walking away with an Oscar

It’s one of those movies you have to revisit every once in a while. I mean, it might not have those iconic, cut-out scenes that stay stuck in your head forever, but man, every time I watch it again, I'm just reminded of how great it actually is.

Thomas Hayes said:I’d definitely toss To Live and Die in L.A. onto that list too.

I couldn't agree more, honestly. 👍

Since we're already wandering through the cinematic corners of Los Angeles, I really think we should include Point Blank (1967) starring Lee Marvin...

There’s a massive amount of them out of Los Angeles. For me, The Long Goodbye is easily one of my favorites. You can't talk about this without mentioning Heat either—specifically that intense driving sequence with Pacino following De Niro on the freeway during New Dawn Fades. 🙏

Mulholland Drive and The Big Lebowski belong on that list too. 😬

Noah Roberts46 said:There’s a massive amount of them out of Los Angeles. For me, The Long Goodbye is easily one of my favorites. You can't talk about this without mentioning Heat either—specifically that intense driving sequence with Pacino following De Niro on the freeway during New Dawn Fades. 🙏

Mulholland Drive and The Big Lebowski belong on that list too. 😬

I'd go with Heat, even if it feels a bit forgettable despite having such an incredible cast.

Man, I hate to be the one to let you guys down, but I’ve gotta say it... the winner is my 🎉

Just my two cents, but she was absolutely stunning in that movie—she looked nothing short of perfect in that role 👍

That scene is pure legend...
Honestly, the entire movie feels like one massive, continuous cult scene...
It’s a rare masterpiece, truly...

To Live and Die in L.A., also...

Jason Mendoza said:Just my two cents, but she was absolutely stunning in that movie—she looked nothing short of perfect in that role 👍

She actually won an Oscar for that role

Patrick Martin said:Man, I hate to be the one to let you guys down, but I’ve gotta say it... the winner is my 🎉

I'm not arguing with you. That movie is 🙏🙏🙏

Jason Mendoza said:Just my two cents, but she was absolutely stunning in that movie—she looked nothing short of perfect in that role 👍

Kim is just pure perfection . With women looking like that, staying faithful is honestly a massive challenge... 😍

It’s honestly great to see there are still fans out there for To Live and Die in L.A.—it's such an incredibly underrated movie, isn't it?

Noah Roberts46 said:There’s a massive amount of them out of Los Angeles. For me, The Long Goodbye is easily one of my favorites. You can't talk about this without mentioning Heat either—specifically that intense driving sequence with Pacino following De Niro on the freeway during New Dawn Fades. 🙏

Mulholland Drive and The Big Lebowski belong on that list too. 😬

For me, Heat is first and foremost a visual masterpiece. You can really feel Mann's signature style throughout, but the cast is incredible, the plot holds up, and that tense soundtrack fits perfectly. It’s just a flawless movie.

Arthur Parker53 said:

Stompato was definitely a thing, and he was totally seeing Ian Turner.

Yeah, and Lanina's kid actually ended up killing him.

Anyway, I read The Quartet in order, and honestly, after finishing Big Nowhere, a bunch of the characters and setups in L.A. Confidential felt... well, kind of stale. Like leftovers. For instance, Jack Vincennes is basically just a watered-down version of Danny Upshaw from BN—that closeted deputy who is hands down my favorite Ellroy character ever. Remember what he said before heading out on that undercover op? "A blunt instrument to smash my nightmares." And that's exactly how he got taken out 😢

on point, 👍 credit to the screenwriters for pulling a genuine masterpiece out of all that chaos for the movie.

The Big Nowhere is easily the best and darkest one in the quartet. Danny Upshaw might be the most likable character in Ellroy's novels because there's no clear line between good and evil with him. Everyone is rotten, and Upshaw probably comes closest to any idea of a "good guy." I’d agree with the remark that everything following it felt like "reheated food." The main players in L.A. Confidential often remind you of those in The Big Nowhere. Edmund Exley is just a more ruthless opportunist than Bud Considine, while Jack Vincennes leans closer to Buzz Meeks. You don't see anyone like Upshaw again in the series. Actually, Ellroy likely pulled that whole vibe from William Friedkin's film Cruising.

The L.A. Confidential book goes one step further with all that depravity in and around Hollywood, ranging from hardcore porn to incest and murder. It feels like Ellroy was trying to outdo himself by showing the shocking reality behind that supposedly "respectable" 1950s facade. Even with the more complex plot, I personally think L.A. Confidential lacks the psychological depth of the previous novel.

The movie is great, but it's a drastically slimmed-down, family-friendly version of the book. Even back then, Ellroy's novels were a nightmare to adapt, let alone today with all this cancel culture hysteria. I can't imagine anyone daring to translate those dialogues filled with racist, sexist, and homophobic slurs nowadays.

Anyone who’s actually sat through this movie knows there are some killer scenes in here. The fact that they haven't quite hit mainstream pop culture status yet is just another story entirely. 😒

Lana Turner scene

The Big Nowhere

Jesse Ortiz4 said:Anyone who’s actually sat through this movie knows there are some killer scenes in here. The fact that they haven't quite hit mainstream pop culture status yet is just another story entirely. 😒

Lana Turner scene

The Big Nowhere

So, which scene would be your absolute favorite?

I love this flick, honestly. But for me, nothing beats that interrogation scene with Danny de Vita.😁

Honestly, that moment when the true villain finally steps out of the shadows? It’s absolutely legendary. I remember sitting there watching it for the first time about twenty years ago, and man, that twist just completely floored me. It was one of those "holy crap" moments you never see coming. Just that single scene alone makes the whole thing worth remembering.