The bright lights of Los Angeles serve only to make its corners darker, and there’s where the corruption lurks. James Ellroy, following the lead of Raymond Chandler, slums through that world with his novels. Curtis Hanson takes Ellroy’s novel “L.A. Confidential” and, with the help of Russell Crowe, Guy Pearce, Kevin Spacey et al, uncovers everything. The result is a powerful work of art. Seldom has a study of sleaze said more about what makes us all tick. , DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Photo