Brick

A very cool hybrid of gumshoe film noir and high school soap opera. Admirable in many ways. For one, the filmmakers had the conviction to stick with their gimmick from beginning to end. They play many scenes for laughs, knowing that it's a goof on noir. Despite this, the actors play it COMPLETELY straight, especially Joseph Gordon Levitt, who is great as the Phillip Marlowe/Bruce Willis "loose cannon." And, the movie looks like it was made for chump change and credit cards. Also admirable. Lengthy scenes are played in front of a boring backdrop of lockers or dumpsters. They trusted their dialogue! Thoroughly enjoyable.