Robert Altman, one of the best filmmakers to ever live, had an interesting idea back in the early 1970s. "What if I took an old Philip Marlowe story by Raymond Chandler, and just dropped the whole fucking thing into modern-day Los Angeles? How the hell would that play out?" Turns out it would be a shambling, satirical swipe at anything and everyone trying to share the screen with Elliott Gould, while simultaneously staying true to Chandler's story. This is probably the most playful neo-noir ever made—but it is still a noir. When Altman wants to throw a punch, that punch is getting felt. by Bobby Roberts