Most of the American films I like were made in the 40s and 50s, filmed in black and white and were noirish.  The only recent film is by Jarmusch - and it's in Black and White.  My preference is for British & Australian films combined with the International Masters.

All About Eve
Casablanca
Citizen Kane
Deser Fury
Laura
Scarlett Street
Stranger Than Paradise
The Big Sleep
The Glass Key
The Maltese Falcon
