Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (2005)

Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (2005) is a criminally underrated gem that reinvents the buddy-crime comedy with razor-sharp wit. Shane Black's directorial debut pairs Robert Downey Jr. as a bumbling wannabe actor with Val Kilmer's no-nonsense detective, tossing them into a Hollywood murder mystery filled with meta-humor and snappy dialogue. The film cleverly plays with noir conventions while delivering laugh-out-loud moments and unexpected heart. Despite its poor box office showing, it's since gained cult status for its perfect balance of chaotic energy, clever storytelling, and career-best chemistry between its leads. A masterclass in stylish, self-aware filmmaking.