Forget the blockbusters. Forget what the reviewers say. There are tons of movies out there that get overlooked, whether it's due to limited marketing budgets or negative reviews. However, here's a list of movies you should check out or revisit, they're worth a second look.
Big TroubleDirected By: Barry Sonnenfeld
Starring: Tim Allen, Renee Russo, Stanley Tucci, Zooey Deschanel
It didn't help that this movie came out right after September 11th and a major plot point involves smuggling a nuclear missile onto an airplane. But this movie has a great ensemble cast, quick and witty repartee, and goats that get hit by cars. It's based on the novel by Dave Barry. View the trailer here.
The FallDirected By: Tarsem
Starring: Cantica Untaru, Lee Pace
I really can't pimp this movie enough. It's an adult version of The Princess Bride, with some of the most gorgeous scenery you've ever witnessed on celluloid. And it's not just the visuals, every single person I've shown this movie to has loved it. If you happen to have a Blu-Ray player, I recommend using this flick to show it off to your SD friends. View the trailer here.
GigliDirected By: Martin Brest
Starring: Ben Affleck, Jennifer Lopez
Wait, don't leave. I took a big risk putting this one on here. This could discredit all I've said so far. But trust me on this, check this movie out. Based on the box office numbers alone, there's a good chance you haven't actually seen this movie. And there are parts of this flick that are down right awful, mostly involving contrived dialogue, but there are other elements which are fun and sentimental. This came out the same year as Madonna's Swept Away, which I fell asleep during. Gigli kept me engrossed all the way through. Keep in mind this is from Martin Brest, the same man who brought us Scent of a Woman and Beverly Hills Cop. Watch the trailer here.
Southland TalesDirected By: Richard Kelly
Starring: Dwayne Johnson, Seann William Scott, Sarah Michelle Gellar
This movie won't make sense the first time you view it. It may not even make sense the second time through it. But by the third time, you'll see the genius of Richard Kelly (Donnie Darko). The story involves alternate energy, cloning, the Earth's rotation, a movie script, and the Patriot Act. Also, Sarah Michelle Gellar plays a porn actress. Watch the trailer here.
Little ManhattanDirected By: Mark Levin
Starring: Josh Hutcherson, Charlie Ray
Yes, at its core, this movie is about two pre-adolescent children falling in love during summer in Manhattan. And it really isn't much more than a cute story. Perhaps I'm partial to it as it was literally filmed in my backyard of the Upper West Side, but the movie holds up well for adult audiences. We've all had that first crush, and the flick does a great job at encapsulating that feeling and bringing us back to that time. Watch the trailer here.
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Gigli??? Mmmmkay. I won't challenge your opinion. In fact, I may even be inclined to give it another shot. It's possible that I didn't give it a fair shake the first time around. After all, it was about halfway through the movie when I began gouging my eyeballs out with broken, stale, salty nacho chips (no weapons allowed in the theater). When I left the theater, I had this incredible urge to suck on an exhaust pipe right there in the parking lot. I may have been hormonal that day too, y'know?
I never said anything about seeing Gigli in a theater. Under cover of night, with the shades drawn, I recommend downloading Gigli from Netflix of the iTunes Store.
I wish I would have gotten that advice a few years ago.
Okay. So I'll do this a little more discreetly then. I'll have to make sure that my son isn't in the home though. I don't think I could live with myself if he ever walked in on me watching it. How would I explain what mommy was watching, and why was mommy watching it?
I'm not sure about downloading it. IP addys are traceable, and no one must ever find out. I'll probably go to the city and have a crack whore cop a DVD for me for 10 bucks. Gotta stay low key.
Well I added 3 out of 5 to my queue. Without having watched any yet, I still give you props for putting up some I've never heard of.
Gigli? I just can't.
5 Corners - Jodie Foster drama set in the Bronx in the 60's.
Happy Accidents - Marisa Tomei and Vincent D'Onofrio. A time traveling, neurotic, love story.
I recommend adding Star Wars to this list.
Gigli? WTF?
Southland Tales for sure. It's one of those movies where if you concentrate really hard, you can get it the first time. Like me. I did however go watch it again and look for other things like I always do for movies I like.
That being said, I can understand why people don't like Southland Tales. If you didn't like Donnie Darko, trust me, you won't like Southland Tales.
Southland Tales...
How were Stiffler, The Rock, AND Buffy all in the same movie and I never heard about it.
Also Check out Escanaba in da Moonlight. Jeff Daniels wrote and directed it and he's from michigan's Upper Peninsula where the movie takes place.
Excellent Movie, and Effin hilarious
I got one:
The Tall Guy.
A hilarious comedy starring Jeff Goldblum and Emma Thompson, directed by Mel Smith.
Everyone I show this movie to loves it!!!
please remove this post of "overlook movies" it was stupid!!!
Grosse Pointe Blank. Cusack is a pretty damn funny (If a bit dry) comedian.
SP---great soundtrack, too....
btw, thanks for namedropping my future husband....we'll be Mr. and Mrs. Sarcastic One....
(although I have a theory that he's either only romantic with a script, or is gay--he's in his 40s and never been married...)
"Equilibrium" - This movie had the misfortune of coming out around the same time as the first "Matrix" movie. It also was filmed for about 5% of the budget expended on that over-glorified piece of shingle. "Equilibrium" stars Christian Bale and Sean Bean. Its an action thriller set in a dystopian future. Its ultimately about what makes us human, and choosing to do the right thing, when that is the hard choice to make.
This film is ten times a better film that "the Matrix". Sure it lacks the gazillion dollar FX that "the Matrix" had, but it has a better, and much more engaging plot, and better action sequences. Two words: Gun Kata.
Rent this one - you wont be disappointed.
You're right man, your street cred just hit zero with the Gigli offering. Good call on Big Trouble, so i will check out the others, sans Gigli.
My offering you ask? Try "A love song for Bobby Long". One of my favorite Travolta movies.
Or ya might try "12 Monkeys". My favorite Terry Gillium movie.
I completely forgot about Ben Stiller's "Flirting With Disaster". Pretty good story line, and a kick ass cast. It reminded me of why I like Lily Tomlin so much.
Please put the movie "Primer" in your queue. It came out in 2004 and did less than 400K at the box office but it is a great film! It gets a 72% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
It's the story of what would happen if you were trying to build a certain kind of machinery, but accidentally built so much more.
eXistenz - Cronenberg being Cronenberg at his best.
Dark City - alternate reality mystery.
After Hours - Scorsese comedy
Also, I second The Tall Guy, the Goldblum/Thompson comedy. Good stuff.
"A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints"
Downloaded it on a whim and was pretty impressed.
I just watched Southland Tales, and I do have one question . . . .huh?
The book Big Trouble is fantastic, I laughed out loud a lot and in public places too. And the movie is good.
I also saw little Manhattan, it is very sweet.
The others.. I'll pass :D
The scene in Gigli when JLo is on the floor exercising while talking about the female anatomy is one of the hottest non-pr0n scenes I've ever seen.