Underrated Films

Abones · #1 09-08-2007, 06:50 PM

I was thinking recently about underrated movies. I think this will make a good topic of discussion and maybe raise some awareness.

One of my favorite underrated movies of all time is Straight Time starring Dustin Hoffman. Its based on a true story of an ex-con theif. Dustin Hoffmans performance in my opinion is one of his best. He does an incredible job of just being Max Dembo the criminal. I found myself not liking this guy because of what he does but at the same time hoping he makes it. Some of the characters are unbelievable like the girl Dembo meets that continues to support him for no apparent reason. I find it even more unbelievable that this movie is so obscure, at least in the public eye.

What are some of your favorite underrated movies?

bronx bomber · #2 09-08-2007, 07:26 PM

Galaxy Quest- Hands down, best movie ever.

Mr_Moore · #3 09-08-2007, 07:28 PM

cocktail

midnightpulp · #4 09-08-2007, 07:48 PM

Good call.

Straight Time is a hard-boiled, yet tragic crime film.

Kimbell175113 · #5 09-08-2007, 09:06 PM

(Wow, three good answers already.)

Ginger Snaps - horror movies in general don't get respect (maybe deservedly), and neither do movies set in high school. But this just happens to be a really sly, well-written and -acted story with a weird sense of humor. Very solid, imo (though there are moments of cheese where the low budget shines through).

wdcbooks · #6 09-08-2007, 10:42 PM

My favorite of these is the wonderful Citizen X. It was a made for HBO movie about a hunt for a serial killer which I would place just slightly above Silence of the Lambs in its genre. Stephen Rea may be the most consistently compelling actor that doesn't get a ton of work.

I also liked Ginger Snaps quite a bit, along those same lines "May" was also a lot of fun.

Peter666 · #7 09-08-2007, 11:05 PM

"Heaven's Gate" was famously panned by critics and audiences in 1980, and you would think that it was a horrible movie. Actually, the cinematography is astounding and there are some very memorable scenes. Unfortunately the sound is terrible and you can't really follow the story because of it, so it will never be a great film; but it could have been and does not deserve the terrible reputation it has.

Peter666 · #8 09-08-2007, 11:18 PM

Citizen X won a Golden Globe and got considerable coverage considering that it was a made for TV movie. It has an eerie Russian atmosphere, but was ruined in the end for me when Chikatilo was executed with a Glock instead of a Makarov.

R*R · #9 09-08-2007, 11:30 PM

I don't think this film could be called underrated any longer but when it first came out it was a definite sleeper with only one copy in most video stores. One of my all time faves so had to get it in somehow. [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img] The Usual Suspects. Oh, btw Rounders is on the History channel tonight at 9:00 pst.

benfranklin · #10 09-09-2007, 12:38 AM

One of my favorite movies that few people have heard of is "Hard Eight". The trailer for it is on You Tube here. The trailer is super hype and is worthless in conveying what the movie is about, but is a quick view of who is in it. The movie is all about characters and dialogue, and is terrific. Philip Baker Hall could read the phone book with authority, and this is probably one of Paltrow's best roles, playing a not too bright cocktail waitress and part time hooker. Reilly is great as a likable chump who just can't handle life. Samuel L. Jackson is pure scum here. Love them all.