21 Best Films Of The 21st Century By Genre

4. Noir - Sin City

The modern day film incorporates more and more noir characteristics, the rise of the grizzled hero and femme fatale character and dark foreboding aesthetics implanted in many of our favourite flicks. But for a film that incorporates so many noir characteristics purposefully and with grand style, they don't come much better than Sin City.

Featuring an ensemble cast including the likes of Bruce Willis, Jessica Alba, Mickey Rourke, Elijah Wood and the late Brittany Murphy, Sin City unleashes six different stories upon the audience, each as stylish and grotesque as the last. There are some moments that for good and for bad you won't be able to get out of your head, including Jessica Alba's pole dancing and Elijah Wood's character being devoured by hungry dogs.

The film works due to its delicious visual design, the use of black and white with selective use of colour a delight to the eye throughout. There is more at play than just the visuals though, as was displayed through the lame sequel and woeful The Spirit which copied the style without any of the soul.

Instead it is the mix of genuinely gritty storytelling with a stellar cast to bring it to life, with directors Robert Rodriguez and Frank Miller complementing each other in brilliant style.