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Among film geeks sometimes there is a competition to find the most amazingly good, bad or underrated films to show your unsuspecting friends. On this list you’ll find a little something in each category. Though no list can guarantee a 100% surprise factor, I’ve worked to whittle this list down to only the best choices (based on a variety of moods/tastes) for your next “Hey I know a film we can watch” moment. Some will elicit laughter and approval, others will elicit groans of existential despair and suicides. So choose carefully.
1. Riki-Oh: The Story of Ricky (Lik Wong)
A hyper violent, bloody, meat-grinder of a bad kung fu movie. It has scenes that have launched a thousand animated gifs – heads exploding, stomachs punched into, fountains of blood – all ridiculously done and cheap. To top it all off, that’s not even the worst part. The worst part is the script and story. If Mystery Science Theater had ever tried to tackle this, I’m sure everyone on the show would have ended up on the floor, vomiting profusely. This is perfect for that jaded pack of friends with sick senses of humor who love nothing better than to roast a bad movie. You might actually want to charge people to see this one.
A Martin Scorsese film about an autograph-hound and major geek who lives at home with his mother and stalks a famous talk-show host. The Johnny Carson style talk show host is played perfectly by Jerry Lewis. And who plays the geek? Robert De Niro. In one of the strangest parts he’s ever played De Niro moves through the script with a combination of nervousness and overanxious, outgoing energy that builds in every scene of uncomfortable social maladjustment. And the script keeps the action moving. From the opening sequence where a full-on stalker (another amazing performance by Sandra Bernhardt) jumps into Jerry Lewis’ limo, to the next sequence where De Niro’s sleazy blue suit wearing “Rupert Pupkin” saves Lewis only to jump in the limousine himself and tries to turn his good dead into a chance to do his comedy act on the show. De Niero’s Pupkin lives in a fantasy world that plays out as his attempts to get on the show and get closer to Jerry spiral further and further out of control and go beyond stalking. Despite all this, the film manages to remain hilariously strange and funny. Believe it or not, this may have been Scorses’ most upbeat film.
3. Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead
Gary Oldman (Leon, Batman Begins) and Tim Roth (Reservoir Dogs, Pulp Fiction) star in perhaps the strangest play adaptation ever – based on perhaps the strangest stage play ever. Take two minor characters out of Hamlet, show what they do between their scenes with the main character and suggest a bizarre, out of sync universe full of strange word games, twists and turns on the classic story. This one is more for the art crowd, but if you know the original Shakespeare play, you might find this one to your liking. Perfect for anyone who knows the original and wants to see something new and strange injected into the proceedings. You’ll never see Hamlet the same way again.
This is the movie you put in when all others have failed; for when the gang has seen it all, or think they have. A surrealist musical fantasy about a woman who falls into the sixth dimension where Hervé Villechaize is king, Danny Elfman is the devil and everything is designed to freak you out or make you laugh – or both. Not a good movie if you’ve been “indulging”. Better to see this one with a clear head and a clear notion that you will be entering a cinematic twighlight zone.
This deeply underrated Antonio Banderas flick might be director John Mcteirnin’s finest movie since the original Die Hard. Set in the 10th century, its the story of an Arab emmisary to foriegn lands who ends up fighting a terrible horde beside powerful Norsemen. From the original book by Michael Critchton, this one has it all – culture clashes, skirmishes and battle sequences, a mystery to solve, and brilliantly drawn characters who argue, misunderstand, fascinate and ultimately respect one another as the action and emotional stakes build scene by scene. Yes, Antonio is Spanish not Arabic, but who cares. The who thing has strong themes of finding common ground beneath deeply different cultures, but you’ll hardly notice as you are engrossed in the characters from scene one and pulled into another world. By the end, you’ll feel as though you’ve gone on a journey yourself.
If you know a crowd that loves a shot of strong dialog, liberally mixed with powerful characters, a lot of cursing and macho bravado (not to mention great performances), then they’ll love this story of desperate land salesmen trying to keep their jobs. What? Salesmen? Are you kidding me? Try these salesmen: Al Pacino, Jack Lemmon, Alan Arkin, Ed Harris, and Kevin Spacey. The David Mammet play takes the idea of “real working men” and pushes it, and the language, to the breaking point. On-set the actors supposedly referred to it as “Death of a fuckin’ salesmen”, and the scene with Alec Baldwin detailing a sales contest where third prize is “you’re fired” early on is a classic. Take six of the best actors there are and add arguably the best performances of their careers and some of the strongest dialog and character-driven story ever put to paper…. well, once you’ve see it, you’ll be talking this one up to your friends as well.
An epic for the “classic yarn” crowd. Based on Rudyard Kipling’s story of the same name, The Man Who Would Be King is about two British soldiers in India who set out for the uncharted wilds at a time when maps were still being drawn. Michael Caine and Sean Connery give Oscar worthy performances as two men hungering for fame, fortune and adventure who discover that finding everything you’ve ever wanted in life is only half the story.
For the “I love old movies” set, His Girl Friday is a doozie. Cary Grant and Rosalind Russell in one of the wittiest and most rapid-fire dialog laden films ever made. A comedy about an ex-newspaper reporter and ex-wife coming back to write for her ex-husband and ex-editor one final time. She’s about to marry another man, but the scheming newspaper editor knows his sarcastic ex all too well and finds the story of the century to draw her in and try to draw her away from her dreams of living in a house with a nice picket fence. He’s a crooked newspaper man who’ll say and do anything, and she’s on to him. Or is she? It’s a love story, a wacky comedy, and a comment on society all in one. As an added bonus it’s in the public domain which means you can legally download it here if you want to check out a piece, or better yet, the entire thing.
9. Snatch
Create a cast of British crooks, each eccentric enough for their own movie, add some gypsies who seem to be speaking a language all their own, a diamond big enough to kill for and shove them all together into mass collision that any other director than Guy Ritchie might have screwed up… and that’s Snatch. It fits into that “must be seen to be believed” category, and even after you’ve seen it you might not believe it. Stuffed with hilarious action, brilliant comic characters and a plot that will have you doubled over laughing and saying “No, they didn’t!” more times than you can shake a stick at. But “Yes, they did.” and by the end, you won’t be able to imagine it any other way.
I saved one of the oddest for last. Take two men, Wallace Shawn and Andre Gregory, talking at dinner… and that’s it… except that these are two fascinating men, and that it’s based on the actor’s real life conversations. Detailing the conversation would ruin some of the fun, but they both come at life with a particular philosophy and set of experiences. The stories they tell and the disagreements they have pull you in, and make you want to grab a chair and quietly listen in on these two men’s dinner conversation. The film’s Wikipedia page has spoilers and more details for the screamish, and it is an aquired taste. But for those who like the flavor it’s a surprising and enjoyable movie that will stay with you for quite a while.
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seen most of those and wasn’t impressed with 13th warrior. also dinner with andre put me to sleep. the dialog wasn’t interesting enough to make me want to watch two guys talking for a couple of hours. you ever go to a job interview and your potential supervisor gets informal with you and relates some kind of anecdote about his/her life to relieve the tension of the interview? you sit there politely and listen to this story that you don’t really care about and it’s ok, because you have a goal to achieve: get the job. with dinner with andre, there’s no “after-goal.” the goal is to listen to their conversation. it just wasn’t compelling enough for me. if you like, that’s cool. i won’t knock that. and it definitely belongs on this list since i’m sure most people don’t know what the hell it is. unless they’ve seen “waiting for guffman.” and if you haven’t, definitely check it out.
you should also check out “way of the gun.”
René
http://www.workingauthor.com
MY FRIEND KNEW SOME OF THESE YOU SON OF A BITCH!
This S.O.B. would like to thank everyone for their feedback. There is nothing like getting a strong gut-reaction from your audience, even if they disagree with you.
Snatch is a fantastic film =]
And I’ve seen Rock n Rolla, it’s brilliant.
It’s alot more like Lock Stock than Snatch though
xx
Below, let me say it now, is my urging blog entry to you all that you check out
The Best Summer Movie You Haven’t Seen
The fact that took three years to get to the screen and that when it did, it was panned by critics makes you realize why George Bush got reelected in 2004. People don’t just get the leaders they deserve, they get the art they deserve, as well.
is a story within a story. Set in Southern California during the 20s, two strangers find each other in a hospital while they are both convalescing from injuries. Their relationship begins with Roy (Lee Pace) telling a fantastic epic tale to Alexandria (Catinca Untaru), a little girl who, like Roy, is recovering from more than just a physical injury. It seems at first that Roy is just passing the time, but the story he is telling his friend, for all its imaginative power, points to the realities and problems in his own life. The split structure between reality and imagination allows the movie to be an adventure, but one with a real emotional payoff. Half the movie is set in far off lands, and half of it, is about a man trying to grow up. The thing that separates this movie from a lot of other “man-boy” movies that seem so popular nowadays is that his teacher isn’t another person, it’s his epic fairy tale that heals the real wounds he’s struggling with.
It’s a clever structure that really shows the power of storytelling. But powerful storytelling, alas, doesn’t sell. was barely able to get distribution because no one was sure what to call it. Is it a kid’s movie? Is it a fantasy? One of the stars is a child, but the violence in the film negates any possibility of this being suitable for children. And the main story about a man learning to deal with heartbreak and rejection probably wouldn’t sell with the comics crowd. So, the critics called it a failed movie, never stopping to think that maybe Tarsem Singh (the director and writer) was not out to make a kid’s tale at all, or a fantasy, for that matter. Instead, he’s created a story that if we paid attention to, would instruct us as to why we’re willing to spend two hours and twelve bucks every time we go to the movies.
Sorry. Here is the text with the title:
The fact that The Fall took three years to get to the screen and that when it did, it was panned by critics makes you realize why George Bush got reelected in 2004. People don’t just get the leaders they deserve, they get the art they deserve, as well.
The Fall is a story within a story. Set in Southern California during the 20s, two strangers find each other in a hospital while they are both convalescing from injuries. Their relationship begins with Roy (Lee Pace) telling a fantastic epic tale to Alexandria (Catinca Untaru), a little girl who, like Roy, is recovering from more than just a physical injury. It seems at first that Roy is just passing the time, but the story he is telling his friend, for all its imaginative power, points to the realities and problems in his own life. The split structure between reality and imagination allows the movie to be an adventure, but one with a real emotional payoff. Half the movie is set in far off lands, and half of it, is about a man trying to grow up. The thing that separates this movie from a lot of other “man-boy” movies that seem so popular nowadays is that his teacher isn’t another person, it’s his epic fairy tale that heals the real wounds he’s struggling with.
It’s a clever structure that really shows the power of storytelling. But powerful storytelling, alas, doesn’t sell. The Fall was barely able to get distribution because no one was sure what to call it. Is it a kid’s movie? Is it a fantasy? One of the stars is a child, but the violence in the film negates any possibility of this being suitable for children. And the main story about a man learning to deal with heartbreak and rejection probably wouldn’t sell with the comics crowd. So, the critics called it a failed movie, never stopping to think that maybe Tarsem Singh (the director and writer) was not out to make a kid’s tale at all, or a fantasy, for that matter. Instead, he’s created a story that if we paid attention to, would instruct us as to why we’re willing to spend two hours and twelve bucks every time we go to the movies.
nice
Snatch (IMO) was a crap film, and Glengarry was way too overrated. The others I’ll have to check out though. Thanks for the list.
everybody has heard of all these movies, especially snatch
FAIL
hmmm true everybody has heard of snatch …..but ……………..a lot of people know about this movie but its still a good one that’s not like very noticed
SHAOLIN SOCCER
and…
it was a movie in china a long time ago where two brothers separated and one joined the army and one joined the rebellion and its a pretty good kung fu movie and also a pretty nice thing to watch if your bored
there was ** i screwed that up the second paragraph is about a different movie
The Forbidden Zone is a ridiculous creation that all people should experience. Watch it as soon as you can! Netflix or Blockbuster it! Hell, barter your first-born for a copy. Ok, maybe not.
Seems like a pretty cool list; I was pretty disappointed that I hadn’t seen most of these, but I guess I have my work set out now.
I am going to have to disagree with you on 13th Warrior though. I found it cheesy and low budget with a poorly written script full of plot holes, personally.
Thank you to everyone again for the honest feedback.
I would have to say I’m a huge fan of the satire’s! I would suggest 1941, Space Balls, and Monty Python and the Holy Grail. Just some of my favorites!
Oh… vote for Les Visiteurs! Since the films so for have been blatently anglo-centric I thought I’d give this one a punt – its crap but its worth watching for Jean Reno looking (vaguly) young in it!
3 more classics…
Repo Man (1984)
Eastern Condors (1986)
The Prodigal Son (1981)
Snatch is in my top 5. Check out Walkabout.
I’ve actually seen the play Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead, but I didn’t know there’s a movie. The play actually was horrible. Maybe the movie is better?
The Thirteenth Warrior is my favourite film
Great post, I’ll have to check them out.
No offense, but this is kind of a weak list. I mean, they’re good films, and excellent viewing choices, but every film buff has seen Snach and My Dinner with Andre. Forbidden Zone is really the only obscure film here, and even that is becoming well known among indie movie geeks thanks to efforts by the old MST3K team promoting it.
What about “Dark Star” – 5 guys one of whom is almost dead in cold storage, a mad alien basketball who travel the Universe blowing up unstable planets to make the system safe for colonization. And in the mean time all going slowly mad from boredom.
I’d also recommend The Andromeda Strain and Equilibrium.
I recommend Fido, it’s the coolest zombie movie ever.
Very underrated, but the acting and originality are incredible.
I’ve seen Forbidden Zone on one of the movie channels I have, it is pretty crazy, and perverted
watched rosancrantz and guildenstern are dead in senior english.
funny as hell
loved it…
good choice, adding it to your list.
I would like to add two more movies to the list:
Tideland (2005): surreal movie; kind of a sick twisted Alice in Wonderland story;
Gummo (1997): “Prepare to visit a town you’d never want to call home.”
Great list by the way.
Thank you for all the great feedback.
Harold & Maud
Kes
Le Ballon Rouge
Little Miss Sunshine
Jeremy
The Sleeper
..and a new one..The Boy In The Striped Pajamas
All movies that could reawaken your dead soul.
I say ‘could’.
Man, this is so unfair! The reminder of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead has me absolutely CRAVING to watch it again! And my local rental store closed 10 minutes ago!!!! NOOOOO!!!!
But seriously – thanks for the reminder of this movie… It really is brilliant. I’m going to go rent it tomorrow as soon as class ends!
the only one on this list i have seen is snatch i love that movie not mention the cast of actors is brilliant….jason statham, brad pitt, vinnie jones, benicio del torro, and many more i love this movie
Snatch has long been one of my favorite movies. Afer about 10 or 11 times I thought I had caught every joke and subtlety, until I turned on the subtitles and learned everything that was actually being said. Fantastic movie, and one of Brad Pitt’s best performances.
Great list. R&G Are Dead is one of my favorites of all time. Have to be careful who you recommend My Dinner With Andre to though. Great movie, but a lot of people will not be happy with you if they go into it unprepared.
Cheers.
Well written article.
I’m glad to see that you included the 13th Warrior. You are right on about it being highly underrated. I wasn’t sure when I started watching it if it was going to be any good because there was really no info on it.
I’m glad I turned it on and watched it. It is a great movie.
I have yet to see The Man Who Would Be King but from what I have heard it is an excellent movie.
6BwE3A Thanks for good post
Snatch is possibly my favourite film ever, I still can’t believe how many people I talk to who haven’t seen it. Fantastic choice, I’m now going to find myself a copy of 13th Warrior
Nice one Baz
Thanks, Ben. Glad to meet someone who appreciates the film as I do.
Snatch has consistently been one of my “I’m bored” movies. I will Always find something I didn’t notice, and I will turn on the english/pikey subtitles and discover somethign totally different when the DVD is on.
PLEASE don’t let this be one of those “no one has seen this” movies???
Favorite frame… Mr. Pitt horizontal to the ring floor… GOD….
here’s my list
i know some of them are cliché(like spun), but i enjoyed watching them
A Beautiful mind
A Clockwork Orange
American Beauty
American Psycho
Beerfest
Conversations with other Women
Eraserhead
Fear and Loating In Las Vegas
Frailty
Hannibal Quadrology
Inglorious Basterds
Into the Wild
No Country For Old Men
Oldboy
Paprika
Pulp Fiction
Requiem for a Dream
Seven
Snatch
Spun
The Adventures of Mark Twain
The Boondock Saints
The Machinist
Trainspotting
True Romance
Unusual Suspect
Waking Life
I don’t know if it’s the company I keep, but a few movies I love that no one I know have seen are:
Hurly Burly
Box of Moonlight
The Children of Heaven
The Color of Paradise
The Fall
State of Grace
Sid & Nancy
Ôdishon
Lawn Dogs
U-Turn
The Libertine
Illuminata
Happiness (disturbing)
Love Liza
Deadmen
After Life
The Scent of Green Papayas
My Beautiful Laundrette
Adams æbler
Night on Earth
I forgot the Russian Movie Night Watch (the book series is great, I might suggest reading the books before watching the films)
Dammit, that reminded me about the movie “Russian Ark” – It was filmed in he Hermitage, the director Sokurov creates a single 96-minute film in one continuous shot that stretches from one room to the next and covers some 300 years of Russian (aristocratic) history. Its is a beautiful movie, plus I’ve been in the Hermitage so I had a sentimental connection too. I’m done now! Sorry!
How could I have forgotten Terry Gilliam Films!
The Fisher King
The Adventures of Baron Munchausen
Fear & Loathing
Tideland
The Indian Runner (awesome)
Insomnia (and original version = Insomnie)
One Hour Photo
Death to Smoochy
The Ice Storm
The Anniversary Party
Life of a House
The Crossing Guard
At Close Range
Racing with the Moon
Eastern Promises
oh I could go on forever.
Movies that I love that my other movie loving friends think are obscure:
The Road to Wellville
Party Monster
Hudson Hawk
Quills
Noi Albinoi
Jacob’s Ladder
Gattaca
After Hours
Secretary
Kiss Kiss Bang Bang
I love pulling out The Forbidden Zone and forcing poor, unsuspecting guests to watch it. Whether they love it or hate it, it’s entertaining to see just how people will react.
I just watched Kiss Kiss Bang Bang again last night. I love that movie too. I also liked Secretary, Jacob’s Ladder, Gattaca, and Quills. Great additions to the list!
Most people have definitely seen Snatch. A good movie everyone needs to see is the Fall directed by Tarsem. That is a masterpiece beyond whats that most people have not seen. Spike Jones & David Fincher helped Tarsem to release the film without a major studio backing it.
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