My Rating: 3.93/4 (aka Orson Welles’ second-best and also a must see)

One line summary: A Mexican / American story of drugs, corruption, and danger.

The Deets: One of my favorite opening scenes and shots of all time, as a bomb is planted in the trunk of a car and we are off! If you know about the great Orson Welles and you’ve maybe only seen “Citizen Kane,” this comes 17 years later and you might not believe it’s the same director. Welles also stars in this one, as bumbling, corrupt, and overweight Quinlan, sharing the screen with the “Mexican” Charlton Heston and his new wife, Janet Leigh (who you might know from “Psycho”). This is the most classically crime noir movie, and it’s beautifully layered and artistically innovative (Welles was always pushing the boundaries of the screen). If you can get past the odd choice of Heston as a Mexican officer, you realize it’s to draw the distinction between the rough American and his clean-cut counterpart on the other side of the border. So much to love here, and it’s time for a rewatch very soon.

Perfect for: If you enjoy a black and white throwback once in awhile, if you love a good noir flick, and especially if you like Orson Welles on screen.

Where to watch: You can rent it on streaming via Prime and Apple TV.

Food pairing: Esquites, but best if it’s cut off the cob and served in a bowl with extra spicy mayo.