Funny Games (1997)

Director - Michael Haneke

The film that put Haneke on the map. Two young men take a family hostage in their summer home. Really uncomfortable to watch despite the fact that almost none of the violence happens on screen. By far and away the best film to deal with one of Haneke’s major obsessions - the depiction of violence in films and how the audience reacts to it. Haneke doesn’t make bad films. Essential viewing.

The Offence (1972)

Director - Sidney Lumet 

Gritty British cop drama staring Sean Connery as a cop that kills a suspect during an interrogation. Not quite up there with Lumet’s greatest films (Serpico, Dog Day Afternoon, 12 Angry Men), but for a taught itchy '70s drama you could do far worse.

Profondo rosso [Deep Red] (1975)

Director - Dario Argento

Argento’s first stone-cold classic, is this tale about a jazzer (David Hemmings) who witnesses one of his neighbours being offed, and sets about trying to figure out what the heck is going on. Argento makes a huge leap forward with his cinematography with elaborate tracking shots and incredible close ups. If you’re new to the big world of Argento you could do worse than starting here. Gorgeous score by Goblin too.

The Legend of Barney Thomson (2015)

Director - Robert Carlyle 

Carlyle directs and stars in this black comedy about a Scottish hairdresser who finds himself the prime suspect in a serial killer case after accidentally killing his boss. Starts off well, but drags its feet and feels stodgy after the first fifteen minutes. On the plus side Emma Thompson and Tom Courtenay turn in superb sweary performances. File under missed opportunity. Shame.

Crossfire (1947)

Director - Edward Dmytryk

One of a group of soldiers has committed a murder, but which one of them is it? Great post WWII American noir about bigotry. In typical ‘40s style the message is heavy handed, but a couple of great acting turns from Robert’s Mitchum (laid-back to the point of almost nodding off) and Ryan (at his most horrid) make this a bit of a must see.

The Thin Blue Line (1988)

Director - Errol Morris

Morris’ breakthrough documentary about a murdered policeman and the trial that followed is chock full of OH-MY-FUCKING-GOD moments. If you like documentaries, and modern documentaries in particular then this is a must see. Essential viewing.

Naked Violence (1969)

Director - Fernando Di Leo 

Early Di Leo crime flick about a group of young offenders who rape and murder their teacher during class. It’s down to detective Duca (Pier Paolo Capponi playing much the same role here as he did in Cat o' Nine Tails), to figure out who the ringleader is. Dirty and sweaty and with a twist ending ripped straight from an Argento film. Nowhere near as over-the-top as Di Leo’s more famous crime flicks, but well worth hunting down if you like gritty Italian crime flicks.

Four Flies on Grey Velvet (1971)

Director - Dario Argento

A drummer is blackmailed when he is photographed apparently murdering someone in this Argento giallo. This marks the first time that an Argento film went all out bonkers and disregard any sort of logic story-wise. The visuals are really ramped up but the murders are not quite as elaborate as you expect from Agento. After this he’d make a string of classic horror films. If you like giallo then this is a must see. Gorgeous Morricone score too.