by The Black Dahlia
Member since:
August 16, 2006

Tell Us Your All-Time Favorite Mystery or Thriller Movie and Win!

September 13, 2006 09:56 AM EDT (Updated: September 14, 2006 12:06 PM EDT)
views: 592 | rating: 7.7/10 (30 votes) | comments: 156

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On a cold January morning in 1947 police found the body of aspiring Hollywood actress Elizabeth Short. What they didn't find, though, is a killer. To this day, the murder ranks as one of the top unsolved crimes in American history. Inspired by the international bestselling book by James Ellroy, The Black Dahlia film opens this Friday (September 15th) and explores the lives Ellroy created and associated with the crime in the grand time of old Hollywood.

In conjunction with the film's release this week, Gather.com is offering you a chance to win 1 of 10 Black Dahlia gift bags courtesy of Universal Pictures. Here's how:

In a year full of movie malaise, The Black Dahlia is already being touted as one of Hollywood's best thrillers for 2006. What is your all-time favorite mystery or thriller?

Simply post your answer in the Comments section below and you will be entered in a drawing to win 1 of 10 gift bags including a Black Dahlia hat, t-shirt, and a copy of the bestselling book!
 

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Also be sure to check out The Black Dahlia movie group here on Gather.com!

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Comments: 156

Mary R Sep 13, 2006, 10:03am EDT
I wish to see that if it ever gets to a theater near me . I don't go to the movies much but that seems like an interesting one to see. They all get caught ,it's just a matter of time.
Skipster Too Sep 13, 2006, 10:09am EDT
Hands down, the original Manchurian Candidate with ol' Blue Eyes.
Patti W. Sep 13, 2006, 10:34am EDT
If I have to pick just one.....
The Silence of the Lambs
Lori Cee (Rest in Peace, Rob.) Sep 13, 2006, 10:42am EDT
alfred hitchcock was the greatest mystery director of all time! his films will always be classics. my favorite hitchcock film is REAR WINDOW but my all time favorite thriller is THE SHINING. ive seen it dozens and dozens of times and it still continues to scare the crap out of me!! hollywood doesnt usually do well when they adapt stephen king's books/stories to film but they were right on the money with THE SHINING!
Alankrita P. Sep 13, 2006, 2:00pm EDT
For me its a close run between Rear Window , Strangers on a train and The Manchurian Candidate
sheila Peela Sep 13, 2006, 2:00pm EDT
i would have to say Se7en with brad pitt, freeman, paltrow, and spacey. it was a great way to see the demise of people in accordance of the 7 deadly sins.
that movies still gives me the willies.
Johnny 5000 Sep 13, 2006, 2:07pm EDT
Er...aren't advertisements only supposed to exist in banner ads on this site, and not in "articles"?

"In a year full of movie malaise, The Black Dahlia is already being touted as one of Hollywood's best thrillers for 2006."

How objective of you, Black Dahlia.
Shellie B. Sep 13, 2006, 2:08pm EDT
I don't know if it really fits as a thriller but I love The Godfather movies. Particularly part 2. If that doesn't fit then Silence of the Lambs gets my next vote.
Jonathon D. C. Sep 13, 2006, 2:08pm EDT
Sam Raimi's adaptation of Scott Smith's book, A Simple Plan is a great movie. suspense, betrayalm and tragedy. I'm hoping that they team up again for Smith's new book, The Ruins.

Sheila, yes, Se7en is awesome. One of my favorite movies of the '90s. Best movie credit sequence ever! :)
jenny j. Sep 13, 2006, 2:09pm EDT
I also have to say Silence of the lambs. To this day it still gets me jumping.
Vanessa M. Sep 13, 2006, 2:10pm EDT
That's easy-- "Silence of the Lambs" is the best ever. What's creepier than Anthony Hopkins' "Hello Clarice..." ?? But, I am so looking forward to seeing Black Dahlia--it seems like I've been waiting for this film for the past year!!! There's nothing better than a steamy noir film a la those done by Bogart when movies were movies... I'll be there opening night.
Allen B. Sep 13, 2006, 2:14pm EDT
Chinatown. The Dahlia will be a great one that I am eager to see!
Val G. Sep 13, 2006, 2:17pm EDT
There are so many choices, but I'd have to agree with the many comments here and go with movies made by the father of mystery movies, Alfred Hitchcock. It's hard to single one out, but one of my early favorites was
The 39 Steps.
Jiya S. Sep 13, 2006, 2:18pm EDT
"Silence of the Lambs" and "Psycho"
alma n. Sep 13, 2006, 2:21pm EDT
thriller or mystery so hard to pick both genres have excellent films in them. but i'm going to go with one of my all time teen favorite movie series the Scream series i love them, not only are they fun horror flicks, they have excellent suspense in them too.
Adam L. Sep 13, 2006, 2:21pm EDT
Add another vote for Silence of the Lambs.
Jennifer G. Sep 13, 2006, 2:28pm EDT
Its a toss up between The Sixth Sense and Silence of the Lambs
Just A. G. Sep 13, 2006, 2:31pm EDT
Vertigo
Holly C. Sep 13, 2006, 2:33pm EDT
My favorite mystery/thriller would have to be Se7en. It's set in modern times but has a great noir feel to it. I can't wait to see Dahlia.
Phyllis S. Sep 13, 2006, 2:34pm EDT
There are so many great thrillers and I'm inclined to agree with Sheila about Seven. But I have to say my all time favorite would have to be "Shallow Grave".
A great british import that has that touch of black humor, but is a true psychological thriller. I love Seven, but as stated by Sheila, "It gives me the willies" and I haven't been abke to watch it again since seeing it in the theaters and I have both on dvd and video!
MsPeel
Diana P. Sep 13, 2006, 2:36pm EDT
My favorites are also Hitchcock films, particularly the ones that take place in National Park sites such as North by Northwest and Saboteur.
Marlene P. Sep 13, 2006, 2:37pm EDT
How about "In Cold Blood", the original "Manchurian Candidate", and I can't leave out "Silence of the Lambs". I think my all time favorite is Manchurian Candidate.
Melissa M. Sep 13, 2006, 2:39pm EDT
Silence of the Lambs is definitely the best I've seen - though I haven't seen too many movies recently.
Renee C. Sep 13, 2006, 2:40pm EDT
If The Godfather counts as a thriller, that's my vote. Otherwise I will pick Psycho.
Selene N. Sep 13, 2006, 2:40pm EDT
There are many good ones, but my all time favorite is "Color of Night".
Charlotte Wooden Sep 13, 2006, 2:43pm EDT
I may be the only person to put this film in the thriller/mystery genre, but Bryan Singer's "The Usual Suspects" has always been one of my absolute favorites for characterization, pacing, suspense, and jaw-dropping endings.
tracy r. Sep 13, 2006, 2:44pm EDT
basic instinct
krista i. Sep 13, 2006, 2:44pm EDT
Three thrillers I love are KLUTE (Pakula, 1971), THE CONVERSATION (Coppola, 1974), & BLOW OUT (De Palma, 1981). And, I can watch THE MALTESE FALCON (Huston, 1941) over and over.
Lori (Dr Devience) Leidig Sep 13, 2006, 2:53pm EDT
Silence of the Lambs gets my vote too, along with Se7en.
30something G. Sep 13, 2006, 2:56pm EDT
I feel the one that took me completely by surprise would have to be The Sixth Sense. It completely had me until the end when it all began, as revealed, to make sense. There have been very few modern movies that have had such an ability to leave the audience in "the dark" so to speak.
Marsha B. Sep 13, 2006, 2:59pm EDT
I have to go with Primal Fear. Love the twist at the end.
Valerie S. Sep 13, 2006, 3:03pm EDT
My favorite thriller is Rope from Alfred Hitchcock.
Karuna G. Sep 13, 2006, 3:08pm EDT
One of my favorite mystery thrillers is North by Northwest. On a more contemporary bent, the Harry Potter movies have been great too. Finally, I don't know if it's considered in the Mystery/Thriller genre but The Red Violin is one of my top ten movies of all time!!
Andrea C. Sep 13, 2006, 3:08pm EDT
"M"
Diane White Sep 13, 2006, 3:11pm EDT
Nobody has mentioned "The Parallax View," a real paranoia special like "The Conversation." Also go back a bit. "The Turn of the Screw" with Deborah Kerr.
Jae O. Sep 13, 2006, 3:12pm EDT
L.A. Confidential is my favorite mystery/thriller!
Prudence C. Sep 13, 2006, 3:17pm EDT
tie between North By Northwest and Rear Window
Cassandra M. Sep 13, 2006, 3:18pm EDT
Taking Lives with Angelina Jolie. I love that movie!
karen r. Sep 13, 2006, 3:18pm EDT
Caleb Carr's THE ALIENIST, my all time favorite.
Link -. Sep 13, 2006, 3:19pm EDT
Majora's Mask was a good mystery.
BEV V. Sep 13, 2006, 3:25pm EDT
Nothing beats the classics, and my MOST favorite is Stephen King's original film with Jack Nicholson: The Shining.
Rodger K. Sep 13, 2006, 3:29pm EDT
I have many favorite mystery movies - "Casablanca," the original "Manchurian Candidate," "The Maltese Falcon," "LA Confidential," "Chinatown," "North By Northwest," "Silver Streak," "Three Days of the Condor," Witness," "Patriot Games." But my absolute favorite, on many complex levels, would have to be Dennis Potter's "The Singing Detective," hands down.
patti e. Sep 13, 2006, 3:35pm EDT
I loved Madam X with John Forsythe. Patti.
Monica Kennedy Sep 13, 2006, 3:35pm EDT
Ohh, Bev, the shining was a good one too. I was going to post for The Sixth Sense though. I agree wit hwhat 30something G. said. That movie had everyone I knew going until the reveal at the end. I also am a fan of Silence of the Lambs and Kiss the Girls. THere have been so many good ones . . . it is hard to list them all.
Dawn W. Sep 13, 2006, 3:45pm EDT
It's so hard to decide.. I think I'll have to go with Red Dragon, Silence of the Lambs was good, but the prequel blew me away.
old_man_summer s. Sep 13, 2006, 3:47pm EDT
Storyville, with James Spader. Absolutely classic, and hardly anyone saw it.
Laura S. Sep 13, 2006, 3:56pm EDT
My favorite thriller/mystery has to be "Dead Again" (1991) with Emma Thompson and Kenneth Branagh. :-)
John M. Sep 13, 2006, 4:15pm EDT
Bambi
Rebecca S. Sep 13, 2006, 4:17pm EDT
I vote for Lantana, it was an Australian movie but it has some American stars, great movie. Also Hitchcocks, Rebecca, from the Daphne Demauire novel.
Captain Ken Pothier Sep 13, 2006, 4:34pm EDT
I agree with John, at the time I the movie was seen Bambi was pretty scary. It was also part of the dissing of fathers and bumping them off in all sorts of ways. The forest fire was scary as hell to a kid.
CJ K. Sep 13, 2006, 4:42pm EDT
I think The Sixth Sense was one of those thrillers that you can never forget!
Robert B. Sep 13, 2006, 4:45pm EDT
A true classic "Murder on the Orient Express" by Agatha Christie - ranks as one of my all time favs
Robert B. Sep 13, 2006, 4:49pm EDT
An all time classic "Murder on the Orient Express" by Agatha Christie - one of my all time favs
vicki g. Sep 13, 2006, 4:52pm EDT
I still get chills thinking about the canned goods alphabetically arranged in " Sleeping with the Enemy"
carolyn koen Sep 13, 2006, 4:59pm EDT
I have to agree with Dawn, I loved Red Dragon and Silence of the Lambs.
Susan *. Sep 13, 2006, 5:00pm EDT
The original production of THE SHINING is my all time favorite...Jack Nicholson was so creepy in it and the "twins" still make me shiver when I see them in the hallway...though I've probably viewed the movie over 50 times! :-O
Kathleen G. Sep 13, 2006, 5:05pm EDT
I wish someone would make a movie of "The Secret History." I love that book. Maybe the movie wouldn't be as good.

If I had to choose something that was already a movie, I would say... SIXTH SENSE. That's a thriller, right?
Lynda M. Sep 13, 2006, 5:10pm EDT
"Gorky Park" in my mind is the best of a wonderful bunch. All of the threads are tied up in the end.
Travis B. Sep 13, 2006, 5:11pm EDT
8 MM

The Promise

Vertigo
John S. (arizona) Sep 13, 2006, 5:21pm EDT
Wow, I would have to go with "North by Northwest" as well. Also, I thought the Sci-Fi flick "Alien" was pretty intense the first time I saw it.
Red Swingline Sep 13, 2006, 5:29pm EDT
There is obvious overlap with Black Dahlia, but Mulholland Drive by David Lynch is my favorite mystery/thriller. Its complexity is one reason to love it; its peculiar and frightening Lynchiness is the other. Beautiful, horrifying, perplexing. I have never been as completely engrossed by a film. It is a labyrinth of mystery.
Tracey D. Sep 13, 2006, 5:45pm EDT
I always thought that Stand By Me was an interesting thriller based on childhood fears while creating connections to childhood memories.
Rita B. Sep 13, 2006, 5:51pm EDT
Manchurian Candidate.
Harrison C. Sep 13, 2006, 5:53pm EDT
Blow Out directed by Brian DePalma w/ Nancy Allen, John Lithgow and John Travolta Scarey!!!!
Melissa M. Sep 13, 2006, 6:17pm EDT
Fatal Attraction- I can't believe noone said that yet!
Magdalena Ball Sep 13, 2006, 6:18pm EDT
I don't normally like thrillers, but I loved every terrifying second of Kubrick's take on Stephen King's The Shining. The mingling of nightmarishly familiar imagery with just a hint of vaudeville worked on a level I've never seen in a thriller since.
d d. Sep 13, 2006, 6:21pm EDT
I still jump out of my skin when i see "wait until dark", the old movies relied much more on your own imagination and sensories.
Cindy A. Sep 13, 2006, 6:39pm EDT
For mysteries, I love "Silver Streak". Gene Wilder as the shy editor trying to solve the mystery on the train, save the spunky Jill Clayburgh and act funky with Richard Pryor is unforgettable!

For Thrillers, Silence of the Lambs is awful good...
Cherril C. Sep 13, 2006, 6:42pm EDT
"Portrait of Jenny" (or Jennie?) Y I believe...
An old black and white, Orson Wells perhaps!
Loved when I was a kid; can still watch especially
on a rainy night in Ga!
rebecca w. Sep 13, 2006, 6:55pm EDT
My favorite all time thriller is " Fatal Attraction". But I can't wait to see "The Black Dahlia". I have read the story. It is always interesting to see what Hollywood will do to a book or story. I have really been hau
Mark E. Sep 13, 2006, 6:56pm EDT
I remember as a young teen sneaking into the theater to see Alien back in '80, I think. Still get a little creeped out thinking about that movie.

"In space, no one can hear you scream."
Emily F. Sep 13, 2006, 7:06pm EDT
The Sixth Sense, although it's never as good after the first time, and Manchurian Candidate
K D. Sep 13, 2006, 7:08pm EDT
I'd have to vote for Silence Of The Lambs too.
Kelly M. Sep 13, 2006, 7:22pm EDT
My favorite Mystery film is "Rear Window". I saw it as a child and still love it to this day.
Tracy T. Sep 13, 2006, 7:23pm EDT
Katherine Bates in Dragonfly & Dolores Claiborne. WOW!
sylvia b. Sep 13, 2006, 7:26pm EDT
i feel this man has went threw his childhood not knowing whoo killed his mother and the treeible ordeal that he had to go threw growing up. i have this book for a lot of years and i feel that who ever killed her was a doctor or medical student that knoew alot about medcines and to do t he things that had happened to her.the son has had long struggle all these years and now to write again about his mothe the balck dahila. i have enjoyed his novels for years but whne i started to read years aago about this story i was reallyin to it.my heart went out to a little boyt hat lost his mother but also had the courace to go on and write about it as he gotten older i will go and see this movie 100% to see if there was something everyone else missed in it.like i said the person that done this was well too do doctor or student, that is my opioion on this issue mayone day the closer well come to this story and the young man well know then what really happened to his mother god bless you elroy
Kathy Waxler Sep 13, 2006, 7:36pm EDT
Soooo hard to choose just one. But I guess I'll have to go with North By Northwest.
Dee L. Sep 13, 2006, 8:30pm EDT
There are so many good ones. Can I add The Fugitive to the list?
susan s. Sep 13, 2006, 9:15pm EDT
Have to agree with one of the previous posts - The Usual Suspects - the ending caught me completely by suprise
Lea P. Sep 13, 2006, 9:28pm EDT
I love anything by John Grisham.
Laura M. Sep 13, 2006, 9:55pm EDT
Wow, I would have to go with "Laura" as well.
My two runners up would be "North By Northwest" and "Sixth Sense".
Ronin K. Sep 13, 2006, 10:03pm EDT
One of my all time favorite thrillers would be The Butterfly Effect.
michele n. Sep 13, 2006, 10:23pm EDT
My favorite is Taking Lives.
Jana N. Sep 13, 2006, 10:40pm EDT
How about "Dressed to Kill" and the "Manhunter?" They are my all time favorite thrillers.
Heidi S. Sep 13, 2006, 10:58pm EDT
Oh come on...one movie is too difficult. I'd say anything by Hitchcock is amazing. He left the thrilling to your mind instead of spelling it out for you.

I also love "Silence of the Lambs," and now I am making a list of these to add to my movie rental list!
Claudia M. Sep 13, 2006, 11:29pm EDT
Just finished reading Dahlia and really liked it, even more than his LA Confidential. Hopefully, the movie of Dahlia will be as good as LA Confidential was.

Several of my favorites have already been mentioned here: the terrific Silence of the Lambs, excellent 3 Days of the Condor, great Blow Out, anything by Hitchcock, especially North by Northwest or Marnie. I'd add the original Cape Fear. When I saw that in the movies, Robert Mitchum scared the daylights out of me. I was much younger, but his performance is still a classic.
Michelle E. Sep 13, 2006, 11:50pm EDT
I remember staying up late when I was a kid to watch Rebecca and the movie never left me. If I had to choose a more recent movie, it would have to be "Sleepy Hollow". I love Tim Burton's creativity. I don't know if this qualifies as a thriller, but it's been added to my collection.
Anthony I. Sep 14, 2006, 12:56am EDT
My favorite mystery film is the Blairwitch Project with all the hysteria .....
Liz K Sep 14, 2006, 1:13am EDT
I saw LA Confidential for the first time somewhat recently. Ooooooooh the delicious moral twists of it all! Looking forward to seeing another Ellroy-inspired film.
Stefanie S. Sep 14, 2006, 1:35am EDT
This movie sounds like a really great thriller. I guess my favorite thriller scene of a movie is at the end of Carrie when the hand comes out of the soil, it makes me jump everytime.
Duse . Sep 14, 2006, 2:25am EDT
Although I love Vertigo and Rebecca in the Hitchcock oevre, my favorite mystery(s)/thriller(s) are "The Uninvited," "Don't Look Now," and "Monsieur Hire" - sorry, I can't pick just one!
Jennifer Rose M. Sep 14, 2006, 3:20am EDT
What is your all-time favorite mystery or thriller?

the only one that I can think of is "sleeping with the enemy" that was SOO good. I was like aahh when I saw the towels moved! Freaky!

mystery movie would have to be clue! sorry going old school! What the was comedy and mystery because you never knew what really happened till the last one that they did!! I LOVE that movie!
Hiryuuko D. Sep 14, 2006, 4:53am EDT
I think I will go with the movie "brick" I love the old fifty private eye movie and that new "teen" version was AMAZING!!! especially with the level of movie we get nowdays!
Melissa M. Sep 14, 2006, 8:33am EDT
How about "Sunset Boulevard"? Although not a mystery solved by detectives, the viewer is kept in the dark about the crime until the end . . .
Bruce ! Sep 14, 2006, 8:46am EDT
Wait until dark...
Bruce ! Sep 14, 2006, 8:47am EDT
Dont look now...
Bruce ! Sep 14, 2006, 8:56am EDT
The only real thriller here is wondering if Scarlett Johansson's breasts are real!
Charlie Carr Sep 14, 2006, 9:09am EDT
"House on Haunted Hill"
the original!
scared the life out of me as a kid . . .
Runners up: "Body Snatchers" also original . . .
Linda W. Sep 14, 2006, 9:23am EDT
The Silence of the Lambs was by far the scariest movie I have ever seen. It was he psychological drama that grabbed you and pulled you in for the entire film, and the ending was absolutely perfect. Anthony Hopkins was Dr. Hannibal Lector. Great, great movie as well as great book!
I am a firm believer in reading the book before seeing the movie. I read The Black Dahlia several years ago, and just reread it in preparation to see the movie. I can hardly wait. If the movie is half as good as the book, it will be a winner!!!