What movies have you seen that were so good you couldn't believe that they were so unknown? They don't have to be Oscar worthy, just enjoyable and well made. Please no cheese that was so bad it was good, I am looking for quality relatively unknown films.

I'll start with The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada. Although this was released in theaters I never heard of it until I (fortunately) rented it. Great story, great acting, completely unconventional.

I've mentioned this before, the 2004 Japanese movie 'Be With You' (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0442268/) (Ima, ai ni yukimasu). Check it out before the American remake destroys it. Also 'Il Mar' (Siworae (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0282599/) ) which Hollywood remade into 'The Lake House'.

I adored Yi Yi. (2000)

I think Criterion just released a redone version. (Or is it still coming?)

EDIT:

Yup, it's out.


http://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/read.php?ID=22650

Bellman and True (1987) is one of the best bank heist movies I've seen.
A Pure Formality (1994) is one of the best crime thrillers I've seen.

the lathe of heaven

original version.

Every time I see a thread like this one I am always compelled to mention William Peter Blatty's brilliant The Ninth Configuration (1980)

"In order for life to have appeared spontaneously on Earth, there first had to be hundreds of millions of protein molecules of the Ninth Configuration. But, given the size of the planet Earth, do you know how long it would take for just one of these protein molecules to appear by chance? Roughly 10 to the 243rd power, billions of years; and I find that far, far more fantastic than simply believing in a god."

This is probably more known than movies mentioned above but everyone I ever ask hasn't seen it so I'll mention it.

True Romance

This is probably more known than movies mentioned above but everyone I ever ask hasn't seen it so I'll mention it.

True Romance

Live fast, die young and leave a good looking corpse.

This thread has been done before but I'll add to it.

Once Were Warriors.

This thread has been done before but I'll add to it.

Once Were Warriors.Yes, and not all that long ago. :rolleyes:

Revolver (2005, guy richie)
So far its only in region 2

Alien 3000-Best worst movie ever made.I laughed so much during this mess that I guess I cant help but recommend this as a good time at the film makers expense.

I really liked 'Frequency' With Dennis Quaid......Great movie that no one went to see.

I know it is somewhat known in these forums, but very few have seen or heard of Memento and it got very little play if any at the theaters. A very unique movie with a great performance by Guy Pearce. Definitely one to watch twice.

I know it is somewhat known in these forums, but very few have seen or heard of Memento and it got very little play if any at the theaters.

:confused:

Memento wasn't a $100 million blockbuster, but it made $25 mil domestically (based on a $5 mil budget) and played in theaters from March to November of 2001. It was also nominated for 2 Oscars and a Golden Globe, and has been extremely popular on DVD (released in 2 different editions).

Memento is a very famous movie.

My pick is Happy Accidents (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0208196). Excellent movie.

:confused:

Memento wasn't a $100 million blockbuster, but it made $25 mil domestically (based on a $5 mil budget) and played in theaters from March to November of 2001. It was also nominated for 2 Oscars and a Golden Globe, and has been extremely popular on DVD (released in 2 different editions).

Memento is a very famous movie.

Very famous?? Not too sure about that. Not that I'm arguing with anything you said here, it's just that I am pretty good at keeping up with movies and I stumbled across this one on IMDB looking for ideas of what to rent and had to call 3 BB's to find one that carried it. Than when I liked it and told all my friends about it they had never heard of it either. So for the the average movie renter, it's relatively unknown, but maybe it has grown in popularity since I saw it 3 years ago.

Oh wow, Josh..thank you. I'm ashamed to admit I'd never heard of this film. Ashamed because after Session 9 I resolved to see every film Brad Anderson makes. A "sci-fi comedy, huh? Now I have to find it..
Session 9 would be a pick from me. One of the creepiest, perfectly constructed horror/suspense films I've ever seen. Another-Clay Pigeons-totally changed how I viewed Vince Vaughn as an actor. Fraility would be another. Not perfect, but thought provoking in its portrayal of good and evil. Devil in a Blue Dress and One False Move-Carl Franklin is a whale of a B movie director who shoulda been doing film noir in the 40's but was born too late.

Living in Oblivion-- Steve Buschemi as an independant filmmaker trying to make his magnum opus. It gives a very real, funny picture of what it's like to make an independant film, and has a hilarious send up of Brad Pitt.

No matter how many times these posts appear, I always enjoy them. Here is my list. In fact some of them may have come from similar posts like this from the past

New York Doll
In the Bedroom
Gram Parsons: Fallen Angel
2 Days in the Valley
Dear Frankie
Downfall

Every time I see a thread like this one I am always compelled to mention William Peter Blatty's brilliant The Ninth Configuration (1980)

"In order for life to have appeared spontaneously on Earth, there first had to be hundreds of millions of protein molecules of the Ninth Configuration. But, given the size of the planet Earth, do you know how long it would take for just one of these protein molecules to appear by chance? Roughly 10 to the 243rd power, billions of years; and I find that far, far more fantastic than simply believing in a god."

I second this, I LOVE this movie.

In July -- great German road trip/romantic comedy movie.

I really liked 'Frequency' With Dennis Quaid......Great movie that no one went to see.

I really did as well. One of the few movies where I actually got 'the chills' during a couple of scenes...

htomei

Hundreds of them, but I'll never remember them all. From my own collection:

1. The Anniversary Party
2. Gattaca
3. The Vertical Ray of the Sun
4. Before Sunrise and Before Sunset (see them back to back)
5. Eulogy
6. Foxfire
7. Chungking Express
8. Mystery Men
9. Living in Oblivion
10. At Close Range
11. Thirty Two Short Films about Glenn Gould
12. Ulee's Gold
13. Floundering
14. Grace of my Heart (wonderful film)
15. She's the One
16. The Spanish Prisoner
17. Permanent Midnight
18. Dazed and Confused
19. Mystery Train
20. Hurlyburly
21. The Apostle
22. Shopgirl

Obviously someone has heard of these, me at least, but they are all movies that are not well known, and very under-appreciated in my opinion.

I always liked "My Boyfriend's Back" - - your basic zombie puppy love story.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0107626/

Probably closer to a guilty pleasure than a "best movie"

Oh wow, Josh..thank you. I'm ashamed to admit I'd never heard of this film. Ashamed because after Session 9 I resolved to see every film Brad Anderson makes. A "sci-fi comedy, huh? Now I have to find it..
Session 9 would be a pick from me. One of the creepiest, perfectly constructed horror/suspense films I've ever seen.

They're very different movies. The thing that's so great about Happy Accidents is that it plays perfectly to both men and women. It's got the sci-fi time travel and mental illness parts for the guys, and the Marissa Tomei romantic comedy for the girls, and it never insults either audience. Everyone I've ever recommended the movie to has liked it, and yet no one at all went to see it when it came out in theaters.

"Chasing Amy". Perhaps the wittiest dialogue ever put to film. Certainly Ben Afflek's finest work!!! Perhaps not a completely obscure movie, but none of my friends have ever heard it.... :)

Secretary-- a light romantic comedy about bondage and domination-- and one of my wife's favorite films.

I like an english film called 'Last Orders' A simple but realistic look at freindship.

Cheers
Ray

I had never heard of this movie "Falling Down" with Michael Douglas. I thought it was great. He played the character very well.

Session 9 would be a pick from me. One of the creepiest, perfectly constructed horror/suspense films I've ever seen. Another-Clay Pigeons-totally changed how I viewed Vince Vaughn as an actor. Fraility would be another. Not perfect, but thought provoking in its portrayal of good and evil.

Both extremely good movies!

I'd add Fallen with Denzel Washington and Identity with John Cusack & Ray Liotta to that list as well.


Boondock Saints perhaps, but it probably falls more into the guilty pleasures category. ;)

"Saint Ralph" has it all. A funny and touching story. http://us.imdb.com/title/tt0384488/

How about Dear Wendy (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0342272/) and Dandelion (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0338133/) .

Umm.. both of those start with a 'D', guess that makes this a 'Double D' post. :)
BTW, there is a character in 'Dear Wendy' named Dick Dandelion who has nothing to do with the movie 'Dandelion'...just some useless trivia.

It was never released in the US in the theaters but has enjoyed some success on DVD. Equilibrium. One of the best sci-fi movies ever made in my book. The gun battles make the Matrix look like child's play. Christian Bale improves everything he's ever been in, as far as I'm concerned.

It was never released in the US in the theaters but has enjoyed some success on DVD. Equilibrium. One of the best sci-fi movies ever made in my book. The gun battles make the Matrix look like child's play. Christian Bale improves everything he's ever been in, as far as I'm concerned.


I don't know about where you reside but here in the San Francisco Bay Area it played in a lot of theaters. I saw it twice.

Perfect! I had never seen The Ninth Configuration, actually I never heard of it till this thread. That is exactly what I was trying to discover, can't wait to see it!

Here are a couple more:

Something The Lord Made. This one knocked my socks off, it packs an emotional whallop. While I expected Alan Rickman to be incredible, What I didn't expect is for Mos Def to be just as good (maybe better?)!

Kinsey: Never though this would be as good as it was.

Keep them coming!

My favorite movie no one's ever heard of:

"May"

Kinsey: Never though this would be as good as it was.


Kinsey was widely discussed when it came out, so I'm not sure it would be fit this thread's requirements of being unknown or not well known. It was very good though.

If series count I would have to say "Evangelion" (Best Anime Ever). The last chapter is a movie anyway so i guess it counts.

Maybe a guilty pleasure... Maybe I'm sick... LOL

Anyway
I have to add "Lost and Delirious" because of my experience when I watched it for the first time.
I was flipping channels throughout the night wanting to catch some hot action on Cinemax when I stumbled upon some lesbian action (woo hoo!). Then I got very into the movie. I was so into the story that I felt so freaking sad and so mad for the characters.

Ok. Here I go. I can say it... ...I cried. Dammit, I cried!

P.S. Don't tell anyone I said that.

According to the rules, you get a pass if there was hot lesbian action involved.

Happy Accidents – Vincent D’Onofrio and Marisa Tomei.

Time traveler (is he or isn’t he?) D’Onofio, travels back in time from the year 2470 to avoid prosecution for his sister's death, and to find Ruby (Tomei) in this romantic chick flick that has a few twists and turns along the way. I like pretty much anything D’Onofrio does, and Marisa is excellent and as cute as can be. I was completely unaware of this movie and recorded it off of one of the movie channels about a month ago. The Tomatometer gave it a 70, and other reviewers give it really high marks as well. Even though it is a chick flick, I think many people will like it because of the quirky characters and the time traveler aspect that has you wondering, is he or isn’t he?

Walt Disney's "Endurance."

Bellman and True (1987) is one of the best bank heist movies I've seen.

I agree it was a great movie, but one I expect never to see again.

On a different note, I would offer Enchanted April which is an absolutely beautiful movie with a great cast. I would love to see a good transfer on DVD. It was on Laser, but unfortunately in P&S, and my laser player no longer works.

SMK

A couple of my all time favorites, which I haven't seen listed yet, are Cypher (Company man) (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0284978/), an action, mystery, sci-fi thriller which is visually stunning in places with some nice clever twists and Bad Boy Bubby (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0106341/), very unnerving at times (especially the first 30 min., which may be too much for some), charming at others. Both are must sees for those tired of the same old Hollywood tripe!

FYI - Plot Keywords for Bad Boy Bubby (1993)
Disturbing
Animal Abuse
Character Name In Title
Female Nudity
Dead Cat
Mentally Handicapped
Gas Mask
Surreal
Male Frontal Nudity
Rock Band
Vulgarity
Incest
Independent Film
Black Comedy
Matricide
Sex
Rock n Roll
Pizza
Cult
Crime
Controversial
Art House

WOW! I really like this thread, you can find many unknown gems out there.

Map of the human heart

http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/19930514/REVIEWS/305140303/1023

A midnight clear

http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/19920501/REVIEWS/205010305/1023

both melancholy ww2 era films but the drama is character based.

Map of the human heart

http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/19930514/REVIEWS/305140303/1023

A midnight clear

http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/19920501/REVIEWS/205010305/1023

both melancholy ww2 era films but the drama is character based.


I liked Map of the Human Heart. Have you seen Picture Bride? It has Jason Scott Lee in an uncredited cameo. It's a really good movie that not too many people have seen or heard of.


http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/19950519/REVIEWS/505190305/1023


http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0114129/

Night Moves

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0073453/

Haven't heard of picture bride. thanks!

Not as unknown as some of the others listed here, but I really enjoyed "Millions".

Hmmmmm. I guess if it's movies that nobody has heard of, I'd have to recommend:


Or this one:


Or even:


Maybe this:


I can't remember if I liked these or not, though. ;)

Secretary-- a light romantic comedy about bondage and domination-- and one of my wife's favorite films.

My opinion of _Secretary_ was that it was too kinky for people who aren't into that and not kinky enough for people who are. I guess I misjudged its appeal.

OTOH _Lies_, which is a Korean film with similar subject matter doesn't straddle the fence. And _Tokyo Decadance_ is a somewhat similar film, if you're into this type of thing.

AFA other obscure films are concerned, I'm a bit of a Peter Greenaway fan so

_The Cook, the Thief, His Wife and Her Lover_ and

_A Zed and Two Naughts_ are personal favorites of mine.

Bom yeoreum gaeul gyeoul geurigo bom (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0374546/) (Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter... and Spring ) an amazingly beautiful film which takes place on an isolated lake, where an old monk lives on a small floating temple. The wise master has a young boy with him that he teaches to become a monk. Years later the boy, now a young man, experiences his sexual awakening with a girl who has come to the temple to be healed by the master. The youth runs away to the outside world but his lust turns his life into hell, so he returns to the lake temple to find spiritual enlightenment.

Bis ans Ende der Welt (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0101458/) (Until the End of the World), . . the ultimate road movie

It's 1999. The government will kill for his invention. One woman will do anything for his love. Together they share an adventure that circles the globe - And invades the mind.

Preferablly see the 280 min. Director's Cut.

It took 14 years and $23 million for Wim Wenders to bring his vision to the screen, shooting in 15 different cities in seven different countries on four different continents.

Wenders' original cut for the film came in at eight hours long. His original rough cut for this film was twenty hours long.

A couple of good comedies that hardly anyone saw:

Clock Watchers. Similar to Office Space but a lot darker.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0118866/

Waiting. Most here have seen this but if you haven't it's worth watching if you ever worked in a restaurant.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0348333/

My opinion of _Secretary_ was that it was too kinky for people who aren't into that and not kinky enough for people who are. I guess I misjudged its appeal.

OTOH _Lies_, which is a Korean film with similar subject matter doesn't straddle the fence. And _Tokyo Decadance_ is a somewhat similar film, if you're into this type of thing.

AFA other obscure films are concerned, I'm a bit of a Peter Greenaway fan so

_The Cook, the Thief, His Wife and Her Lover_ and

_A Zed and Two Naughts_ are personal favorites of mine.

Greenaway's Belly of an Architecht and The Draughtsman's Contract are two of my favorites.

I really liked Fist of the North Star (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0113074/) . It is a live action version of the Manga and Anime series. I thought it was very stylistic. I saw it on Cinemax (I think) back around 95-96 and never saw it again. To me it looekd like one that would come up every so often, but it has not.

Chris Penn played a baddy in it.

ILS/Them - 2006 French movie that's a cross between a Shalyman film and Blair Witch. It's playing in French theatre's now and screened at Cannes this year, but the R3 Korean disc is already out. This will be remade, or it will come out in another year or two dubbed and cut in American Theatres. Based on true events. Much, much better than the poor "Haute Tension" that came out a few years back. Maybe the best French horror since Calvaliere

Tzameti / 13 - Another French film that I'm sure will make it's mark on the West before it's all said and done. Rumour has it Bradd Pitt is putting in a pretty high bid for the remake rights. One critic said this would be the next fight club, and I can kind of see it. A little too harsh for North America, but the concept overall is fantastic. The R2 DVD is out, and it's a must own. The kind of film Korea was making in 2003.

Saint Matryes Des Damnes - The best Canadian film in 2005, even more so than CRAZY. If you like David Lynch films, this is right up your alley. Unfortunatly I made a pretty high bid to buy the rights to this and lost, only for the people putting it out to do nothing positive with it. Great movie, nobody will ever know about. I had to special order my DVD and I live in Canada.

MONDAY (Sabu) - Whenever I see this, I can just imagine Tarantino either ripping this off, or throwing his name on the box to get credit for nothing. If you've seen Survive Style 5+ (maybe one of the most modern/interesting comedy/action films in years featuring Vinnie Jones. Imagine a Japanese Snatch) and liked it, you'll love this. It kind of gave me the same feel of a Pulp Fiction. Not sure how easy it will be to find this DVD.

How about Dear Wendy (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0342272/) and Dandelion (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0338133/) .

Umm.. both of those start with a 'D', guess that makes this a 'Double D' post. :)
BTW, there is a character in 'Dear Wendy' named Dick Dandelion who has nothing to do with the movie 'Dandelion'...just some useless trivia.

I saw Dear Wendy at the TIFF last year. Didn't really do much for me. Saw that and Little Athens the same day, so maybe Little Athens was part of the problem also.

I didn't see anyone else mention it, and it's extremely difficult to find. I would add The Molly Maguires, a 60's film with Sean Connery about "terroristic" irish coal miners fighting the inequities of the late 1800's. Great cinematography.

Bom yeoreum gaeul gyeoul geurigo bom (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0374546/) (Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter... and Spring ) an amazingly beautiful film which takes place on an isolated lake, where an old monk lives on a small floating temple. The wise master has a young boy with him that he teaches to become a monk. Years later the boy, now a young man, experiences his sexual awakening with a girl who has come to the temple to be healed by the master. The youth runs away to the outside world but his lust turns his life into hell, so he returns to the lake temple to find spiritual enlightenment.


I agree with this one. Anything KiDuk's put out deserves to be seen. The Isle, Bad Guy, Samaria, The Bow...the list goes on and on. My copy of "TIME" is in the mail right now. I can't wait to see it. I'm surprised the DVD came before all the festivals finished. The only KiDuk film I don't own currently with English is Crocodile. If anyone has it, I'll pay $100 for a English friendly copy, even VHS boot.

Tzameti / 13 - Another French film that I'm sure will make it's mark on the West before it's all said and done. Rumour has it Bradd Pitt is putting in a pretty high bid for the remake rights. One critic said this would be the next fight club, and I can kind of see it. A little too harsh for North America, but the concept overall is fantastic. The R2 DVD is out, and it's a must own. The kind of film Korea was making in 2003.

Saint Matryes Des Damnes - The best Canadian film in 2005, even more so than CRAZY. If you like David Lynch films, this is right up your alley. Unfortunatly I made a pretty high bid to buy the rights to this and lost, only for the people putting it out to do nothing positive with it. Great movie, nobody will ever know about. I had to special order my DVD and I live in Canada.

MONDAY (Sabu) - Whenever I see this, I can just imagine Tarantino either ripping this off, or throwing his name on the box to get credit for nothing. If you've seen Survive Style 5+ (maybe one of the most modern/interesting comedy/action films in years featuring Vinnie Jones. Imagine a Japanese Snatch) and liked it, you'll love this. It kind of gave me the same feel of a Pulp Fiction. Not sure how easy it will be to find this DVD.

Haneke, agree with you on Tzameti/13 - a must own. Just ordered Survive Style 5+ from Nicheflix, I've been trying to check it out for awhile but it's always been out of stock.

Were did you special order Saint Matryes Des Dammes, I'd like to see it? Also, any leads on a source for Monday?

I really liked Fist of the North Star (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0113074/) . It is a live action version of the Manga and Anime series. I thought it was very stylistic. I saw it on Cinemax (I think) back around 95-96 and never saw it again. To me it looekd like one that would come up every so often, but it has not.

Chris Penn played a baddy in it.


Have you seen "Crying Freeman"? It was supposed to be released in the States but never was. I'm sure you know it was a manga and anime, also.

I agree with this one. Anything KiDuk's put out deserves to be seen. The Isle, Bad Guy, Samaria, The Bow...the list goes on and on. My copy of "TIME" is in the mail right now. I can't wait to see it. I'm surprised the DVD came before all the festivals finished. The only KiDuk film I don't own currently with English is Crocodile. If anyone has it, I'll pay $100 for a English friendly copy, even VHS boot.

Haneke, looks like our taste in movies is similar. I agree on Ki-Duk, I have the following: Real Fiction , Bad Guy, The Bow, 3-Iron, Samaritan Girl, The Isle, Address Unkown and The Coast Guard. I must ask, where can I order a copy of Time?

Randy

There are just so many great movies which don't receive the hype that H-wood puts out on most of their lame a** movies so you never hear about them, that's what makes a thread like this great. Well, here are a few more must sees;

Ruang rak noi nid mahasan (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0345549/) (Last Life in the Universe).

Appartement, L' (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0115561/) (The Apartment)

Banlieue 13 (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0414852/) (District 13)

Dalkomhan insaeng (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0456912/) (A Bittersweet Life)

Lucía y el sexo (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0254455/) (Sex and Lucia)

In My Father's Den (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0385017/)

Of the major american films in the last decade, the one I have seen over and over and enjoy it every time is THE EDGE, (1997) with Anthony Hopkins and Alec Guiness

A compelling storyline, excellent cinematography and acting

However apparently many tagged it a bear film - and didn't see it

Oh, a couple I missed before...

- A Family Thing. Robert Duval and James Earl Jones in a great story about racism and understanding.

- A Soldier's Story. Another story about racism it just so happens. It's an excellent story that will completely suck you in. It includes a number of young (at the time) actors that are now extremely well known but at the time were pretty much nobodies.

Gotta pimp one of the best Australian movies around:

Malcolm (1986) (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0091464/)

Very funny, very original, and some of the coolest 'gadgets' ever.
It won 8 AFI (Australian Film Industry) awards, so it's not unknown here... just the rest of the world.

Purgatory, a western/horror/fantasy from 1999. Imdb says it's from tv, but I came across a dvd of the movie and was very impressed.

Three Burials of Melquiadas Estrada

I don't know how known or unknown this one is... "American Movie"

Apartment)

Banlieue 13 (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0414852/) (District 13)

[/URL]

Saw this in the theatres, bought the R2 PAL DVD and I read the R1 DVD is getting a Sept 5th release. If you liked Ong Bak this is very similar.

Happy Accidents – Vincent D’Onofrio and Marisa Tomei.

Time traveler (is he or isn’t he?) D’Onofio, travels back in time from the year 2470 to avoid prosecution for his sister's death, and to find Ruby (Tomei) in this romantic chick flick that has a few twists and turns along the way. I like pretty much anything D’Onofrio does, and Marisa is excellent and as cute as can be. I was completely unaware of this movie and recorded it off of one of the movie channels about a month ago. The Tomatometer gave it a 70, and other reviewers give it really high marks as well. Even though it is a chick flick, I think many people will like it because of the quirky characters and the time traveler aspect that has you wondering, is he or isn’t he?

Excellent film. I watch it every time it's on IFC, which isn't too often.

I would add The Big Kahuna - Great dialog by amazing actors. Amazed me how such a dialog heavy film, could so easily keep my attention and want to see it again.

just a couple quick ones before I go to work:

Save The Green Planet- bizarre horror sci-fi from Korea
Tampopo- comedy-noodle-western from Japan
The Bird People In China- incredible drama/comedy from Takashi Miike with no horror whatsoever
Shower- great drama from China
Comrades-Almost A Love Story- another amazing romantic drama from Hong Kong

All are available in R1 release AFAIK, except possibly Comrades.

two movies in particular I really enjoyed:

'Spring Forward' with Ned Beaty and Liev Schreiber

a New Zealand surreal comedy called 'The Price of Milk'

I really like Dark City, and it seemed most people never heard of it publicly.

How about Star Wars? Or the Matrix?

(I am making fun of some people in this thread.)

I do love Wasabi though (by the same guy that did B13, Fifth Element, Leon, Transporter, etc.)

Secretary-- a light romantic comedy about bondage and domination-- and one of my wife's favorite films.

LOL! A "light romantic comedy"!?!?

:D

LOL! A "light romantic comedy"!?!?

:D
I thought so. :D

I really like Dark City, and it seemed most people never heard of it publicly.

Great movie!

City of Lost Children isn't overly well known either.

Great movie!

City of Lost Children isn't overly well known either.

True. And Delicatessen even less so. It's out in R1 now. Both are great.

I do love Wasabi though (by the same guy that did B13, Fifth Element, Leon, Transporter, etc.)


That would be Luc Besson.

And that is a perfect lead to my nomination for this thread:

The Big Blue

Lots of great movies listed, my NetFlick queue has grown some as well as my DVD shopping list.

Here are a few more I've enjoyed (some are known here on AVS but have not been mentioned yet).

Lagaan: Once Upon a Time in India (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0169102/) Great Bollywood Drama/Musical

Ken Park (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0209077/) (Currently banned for screening in Australia as of June 2003)

Killing Zoe (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0110265/) (From the creators of Reservoir Dogs and Pulp Fiction)

Koroshiya 1 (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0296042/) (Ichi the Killer) 'Love Really Hurts'

Gongdong gyeongbi guyeok JSA (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0260991/) (Joint Security Area) another great Chan-wook Park film

Mou gaan dou (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0338564/) (Infernal Affairs)

Fa yeung nin wa (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0118694/) (In the Mood for Love) A must see.

Irréversible (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0290673/) Time destroys everything

Koroshiya 1 (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0296042/) (Ichi the Killer) 'Love Really Hurts'

Have you seen the prequel "1 Ichi"? It's basically his origin as a killer. Same actor plays Ichi. Pretty good for a low budget production; just as violent and bloody as Ichi the Killer. BTW, Koroshiya 1 translates to Number 1 Killer.

Hundreds of them, but I'll never remember them all. From my own collection:

.....
18. Dazed and Confused
.....

Obviously someone has heard of these, me at least, but they are all movies that are not well known, and very under-appreciated in my opinion.

Dazed and Confused? Everyone I know has seen this one 10 times or more. Add to the fact that TBS/TNT shows it once a month.

I second Three Burials of Melquiadas Estrada. Good 1st movie by TLJ.

Hundreds of them, but I'll never remember them all. From my own collection:
...

19. Mystery Train

...



Good call.

I would probably nominate most of the movies directed by Jim Jarmusch, including Down by Law and Dead Man (with Johnny Depp).

And Night On Earth. Yeah, Jarmusch is geat.

And Night On Earth. Yeah, Jarmusch is geat.

Jarmusch's Ghost Dog is pretty good; especially if you've read "The Book of Five Rings" which is the Samurai way he was trying to live.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0165798/

Jarmusch's Ghost Dog is pretty good; especially if you've read "The Book of Five Rings" which is the Samurai way he was trying to live.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0165798/

I have Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai on D-Theater tape! :)

The Last Bullet - one on one sniper action in WW II
Run Away Train - escape convicts get on the wrong train in Alaska

BTW, Koroshiya 1 translates to Number 1 Killer.

Very true but, for whatever reason, the international English title is 'Ichi the Killer'.

Yes, I have seen the prequel, enjoyed it also.

How about "Searching for Bobby Fischer"? Very sweet and atmospheric.

Amazing Grace & Chuck - A little league pitcher & an NBA star take a stand against the Cold War. :D

How about "Searching for Bobby Fischer"? Very sweet and atmospheric.


It's a quite well known movie but I agree it's great.

Amazing Grace & Chuck - A little league pitcher & an NBA star take a stand against the Cold War. :D

A great, great, film, you're right. What happens on the pitcher's mound at the end might be my favorite moment in any film ever. Chokes me up everytime, even though I know whats coming.

Night On Earth is amazing. I have the R2 version as it STILL hasn't been released in R1...!!!

Paperhouse, a quiet little horror movie about a little girl who may (or may not) be able to draw pictures that come true in real life. Regrettably still not on DVD in this country.

Salton Sea
The Beast (war movie)

A great, great, film, you're right. What happens on the pitcher's mound at the end might be my favorite moment in any film ever. Chokes me up everytime, even though I know whats coming.

I'm definitely bummed that it hasn't made it's way to DVD yet.


The Beast (war movie)

Good call!

Wages of Fear -
either version (Roy Scheider one or the Yves Montand one)

Wages of Fear -
either version (Roy Scheider one or the Yves Montand one)

Agree both great movies. I like the 1977 Roy Scheider one (Sorcerer) (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0076740/) the best, great soundtrack by Tangerine Dream.

The Challenge. A Yakuza film w/ fight choreography by Steven Segal before he became an actor and written by John Sayles. I wish it was available on DVD. With Frankenheimer gone I hope it eventually will.


http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0083726/

I am gonna add Millers Crossing great ganster flick

Salton Sea


That's a great one. Millers Crosing, being a Coen Bros film, is pretty well known, but also very good.

So many good movies listed here, True Romance, Waiting, Happy Accidents, May was ok Boondock Saints ( excellent I think) and many more. It is funny, most of my friends have never heard of most of the movies I watch the most and they think that it is odd that somebody that has a 110" screen and projector and 7.1 sound system would watch movies that don't have great pictures and lackluster audio but damnit, I like them the most.

One of of my recent favorites is Winter Passing and I have watched Running Scared a lot as well. I know the latter was not "unknown" but it was not a big hit either. I really like Layer Cake, Ronin, Amelie, Bottlerocket, Rushmore and many others

Oh, forgot to mention, I picked up Grilled the other day and just started it. I doubt I will finish tonight but its really good, Ray ROmano and Kevin james as door to door salesmen... Speaking of door to door salesmen, I think the movie was called Door to Door with Bill Macey, good stuff!

Ah, Night on Earth. The movie where Roberto Bernini talks about having sex with a sheep.

Ah, Night on Earth. The movie where Roberto Bernini talks about having sex with a sheep.
... and a pumpkin.

the latest movie i watched was called brick. very very good directing and whoever wrote it must have been on speed or something as fast paced as it is. also would like to recommend green street hooligans. very good guy movie. violence, beer drinking, sports, the works!

I've got Green Street Hooligans out on Netflix right now. Waiting for my friend to come over and watch it.

you probaly all heard of this one so sorry if its well known Das Boot

"Cold Comfort Farm" . Great cast, very low key, charming comedy that got good reviews but went nowhere in dollar terms.

Speaking of door to door salesmen, I think the movie was called Door to Door with Bill Macey, good stuff!

We watched this last week and I thought it was excellent. Here is Bill Porter (http://www.watkinsonline.com/),still hard at work.
Macy did a great job, as did Kathy Baker, Helen Mirren, and Kira Sedgwick.

I don't know if you can find it on DVD or not.

I don't think it is, but there was a movie from the late 80's called
"Night of the Comet".

It was re-run over, and over, and over, and over, ad nauseum on HBO during the late 80's and early 90's, but has since disappeared from existence anywhere. I haven't seen it in at least 16 years.

Not an academy award winner by any stretch, but still really enjoyable. Pure 80's. A fun distraction.

Another recommendation would be "Indian Summer". Occasionally shows up on TV, but still should rent. Really good cast, with a good story. Again, no award winner, but a good rainy day type of movie you end up enjoying.

I don't know if you can find it on DVD or not.

I don't think it is, but there was a movie from the late 80's called
"Night of the Comet".



"Night of the Comet", I love that movie, would watch it every time it showed up on cable. Here's a good link with info on "Night of the Comet". (www.fast-rewind.com/nightcomet.htm)

I've got Green Street Hooligans out on Netflix right now. Waiting for my friend to come over and watch it.


It's actually quite good, even for someone like me who is a complete non-sports person.

I also should have thrown in one that I don't have in my collection now but I love it and it's not widely known, and that's "Your Friends and Neighbors". I mention it every time in the hopes that more folks will check it out. It's a pretty incredible dark comedy about couples and relationships (from the folks who did In the Company of Men.) I should get this one for my collection.

Secondhand Lions with Robert Duvall and Michael Caine.

House of Sand and Fog with Jennifer Connelly and Ben Kingsley.

Another good Ben Kingsley movie is "Death and the Maiden"

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0109579/


Similar to Green Street Hooligans is the Football Factory. It's just as good as GSH.

http://www.netflix.com/MovieDisplay?movieid=70043018&trkid=189530&strkid=170592811_0_0

The Firm w/ Gary Oldman is another movie similar to GSH and FF. Worth checking out

http://www.netflix.com/MovieDisplay?movieid=70021387&trkid=147042

Oh, and how about "The Limey"? An excellent and little known flick. It was discussed here a good bit back when it hit DVD, and everyone seemed to like it, but otherwise not a very well known flick.

And I'll throw in "Ellie Parker" which I have a recent review thread on here in this section. Very interesting little independent film. http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=710075

Oh, and how about "The Limey"? An excellent and little known flick. It was discussed here a good bit back when it hit DVD, and everyone seemed to like it, but otherwise not a very well known flick.



Yeah, that's a good one.

That makes me wonder if _Snatch_ and _Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels_ qualify as obscure...

And how about _Romper Stomper_? How many people have heard of it?

Yeah, that's a good one.

That makes me wonder if _Snatch_ and _Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels_ qualify as obscure...

And how about _Romper Stomper_? How many people have heard of it?

Among most folks they're probably relatively obscure...but movie nuts should be aware of 'em. :D (To be fair Snatch might be better known because of Brad Pitt).

I loves me some Brit crime caper films!

How about some love for Layer Cake?

(Never seen Romper Stomper, not a huge Crowe fan)

Snatch is great, and it's probably not much known outside of this crowd.

Another good Ben Kingsley movie is "Death and the Maiden"

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0109579/

More Ben Kingsley Sexy Beast (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0203119/) .

I'll second Sexy Beast, and was going to post it before but couldn't remember the name and was too lazy to go look it up.

The Emperor's New Clothes (http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/emperors_new_clothes/) (period comedy starring Ian Holm)

Gilda (http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/gilda/) (Rita Hayworth classic described as "Casablanca on steroids" - film buffs know Gilda, but no one else)

Impromptu (http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/impromptu/) (period comedy starring Hugh Grant, Judy Davis, Emma Thompson)

Oh, and Judy Davis reminds me of one that I should have nominated, which is "The New Age". I think it's a great dark comedy about yuppie lifestyle in the 80s, with a very interesting vibe and story with Peter Weller and Judy Davis and a number of others, including this really hot babe with spider web tatoos whose name I don't know. It's been a whlie since I've seen it, but at the time I enjoyed it so much that I watched it two nights in a row. Another one I should add to my collection, but I'm not even sure if it's made it to DVD yet.

Another vote for " The Ninth Configuration"

Frances - The sad story of actress Frances Farmer. One of the great female acting performances of all time by Jessica Lange. Very moving film.

Here's a few


Bullet- Mickey Rourke - 2pac , good stuff not seen by many.

AtCloseRange- SeanPenn-Chris penn RIP-Christopher Walken at his best. I still dont have this on dvd :(

Beyond the Law- Charlie Sheen. Great biker movie

theWarriors- classic cult gang movie

TheColor of money/ the hustler- great pool movies

TheDeadZone- Another christopher walken classic

TrueRomance- christian slater/patricia arquette/dennis hopper/val kilmer/ christopher walken. Bad dvd quality,awesome movie.

Boiler Room

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0181984/


I think this is a well made film about the late 90's stock craze.

Here's a few



theWarriors- classic cult gang movie

TheDeadZone- Another christopher walken classic



I wouldn't say The Warriors is unknown. When it was released there was quite a few gang fights at theaters that were playing it. It made the news nationwide.

I'm also sure a lot of people know about the Dead Zone movie since the TV series is popular.

AtCloseRange- SeanPenn-Chris penn RIP-Christopher Walken at his best. I still dont have this on dvd


Definitely a good one. I think I listed this one in my initial post on this thread, but I can't remember now and am too lazy to go look. It's "The Redneck Godfather" in a way.


Boiler Room


I'll second that one also. Quite good.

Gotta agree with SNATCH, great story line. But, SEXY BEAST you gotta be kidding. It
was simply awful.

Gotta agree with SNATCH, great story line. But, SEXY BEAST you gotta be kidding. It
was simply awful.
We might not make good film viewing companions, then. I'm one of the few who hated, hated, hated Snatch (gratuitous, non-compelling, pseudo-witty bloodspurting carnage) - but loved Sexy Beast (playfully zesty, charming cruelty).

I don't know why I'm always amazed by how movie tastes differ - after all this time!

Well, I'm just a slut because I liked them both.

My favorite movie no one's ever heard of:

"May"

Anna Faris is the hottest girl ever filmed, specifically in this movie. :D

We might not make good film viewing companions, then. I'm one of the few who hated, hated, hated Snatch (gratuitous, non-compelling, pseudo-witty bloodspurting carnage) - but loved Sexy Beast (playfully zesty, charming cruelty).

I don't know why I'm always amazed by how movie tastes differ - after all this time!

Sexy Beast was a great dialog driven movie.
i love Snatch as well, great fun.

Doc Hollywood

Doc Hollywood is good, and a great perkies scene.

I don't believe anyone has mentioned this, Ônibus 174 (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0340468/) (Bus 174)

Documentary depicts what happened in Rio de Janeiro on June 12th 2000, when bus 174 was taken by an armed young man, threatening to shoot all the passengers. Transmitted live on all Brazilian TV networks, this shocking and tragic-ending (a policeman tried to shoot him, killing one of the hostages instead, a young woman) event became one of violence's most shocking portraits, and one of the scariest examples of police incompetence and abuse in recent years.

If you liked Cidade de Deus (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0317248/) (City of God), then you should see 'Bus 174'.

"Night of the Comet", I love that movie, would watch it every time it showed up on cable. Here's a good link with info on "Night of the Comet". (www.fast-rewind.com/nightcomet.htm)
Haven't seen this film, but it reminded me of Night of the Creeps. Another 80s move that has played many times before on cable movie channels.

When looking up a link for a synopsis, I came across this one http://www.badmovieplanet.com/unknownmovies/reviews/rev280.html notice the site name

I like the line "I've got good news and bad news. The good news is, your dates are here. The bad news is, there all dead" And the scene with the axe murderer who smashes his way through an elderly ladies floor. And the way the detective tell the story of said axe murderer. Always remember that scene from my childhood. Pure 80s classic horror movie IMO

Doc Hollywood is good, and a great perkies scene.

you know it, what did you think he came back for the pig :p (just kidding you)

"Night of the Comet" is one of my faves from the old, Showtime Channel days.

I've got it recorded on an old VHS tape stashed away somewhere.

It's not by any stretch a "great" film or anything (more of a "B-movie"), buts it's sort of a "guilty pleasure". That Kelli Maroney is just too darned cute! (If you like her, look for her in "Killbots" too, which is also a pretty good one.)

A couple more good B-flicks to look for from the 80's are "Bad Dreams" and, especially, "The Hidden".

Yeah the Hidden was cool. What's more interesting than an alien that loves Ferraris? :)

A real sleeper" Inside Moves" cannot even find on DVD but I have an old VHS tape my kids found years ago.

About a bunch of misfits and how they all pull together for one of theirs to succeed and how he forgets them after success. It is a lot of fun and full or meaning and lessons learned if you are into that.

Oh, and I forgot one of my standard replies for these threads, which is SubUrbia, which is a very good independent film about small town suburban life. Like another favorite of mine, HurlyBurly which I mentioned earlier, it was a play first and then done as a movie. The playwriter did the screen play, and I think it came out really well.

It has some great earlier performances by some folks who are much more well known now, like Parker Posey, Giovanni Ribisi, Nicky Katt, and Steve Zhan. I think it's still not out on DVD, right?

Rapa Nui. I've been holding on to my LD waiting for a proper R1 DVD release. I know it's available on DVD in Germany but I can't justify the price.


http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0110944/

Cube is great low budget movie

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0123755/

and one of my all thime greats!!!

Best Seller

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0092641/

Doh! I can't believe that I didn't mention Cube earlier! I even have the DVD. Cube has one of the most memorable opening shots I have seen. :eek:

It is worth watching if you have not seen it. We can talk about that movie for hours.... All the messages in such a short period of time.

It is worth watching if you have not seen it. We can talk about that movie for hours.... All the messages in such a short period of time.

You got that right. We could argue for days about what actually happened!

The Minus Man - http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0151582/

The Exterminator - http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0080707/

Right to Kill? - http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0089920/

The Stepfather - http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0094035/

Don't Be Afraid of the Dark - http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0069992/

Getting it Right - http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0097424/

Oh and Minus Man reminded of The Zero Effect, which is a great quirky independent film that I really like, with Bill Pulman as the lead character. I know that a number of other folks here really like it as well, since it tends to come up in these threads, though I don't think it's been mentioned so far in this one.

I LOVE Zero Effect, and own the DVD. Good call!

As a matter of fact, Darryl Zero himself is hanging out here somewhere... :p :D

Boiler Room

I think this is a well made film about the late 90's stock craze.
I'll second that one also. Quite good.

Once again, what about Star Wars and the Matrix? :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

Snatch is also my favorite movie, but I think it even has too much notierity for this thread.

Other movies that were well-known when they were out:
Dark City.
Doc Hollywood.
Night Of the Comet (I saw this about thirty times when I was a kid.)

I've even heard a lot about Sexy Beast.

Layer Cake is one that actually belongs on this list in America. Hopefully, that'll change after Casino Royale comes out.

What Dreams May Come (http://us.imdb.com/title/tt0120889/)

Robin Williams
Cuba Gooding Jr.
Annabella Sciorra
Max von Sydow

Strong movie about life after death,
with some of the strangest and most beautiful CGI ever made on film.


,

My 2nd favorite movie of all time, Cannery Row.

Nick Nolte, Debra Winger, M. Emmett Walsh, Frank McRae(very funny).
Well adapted from Steinbeck novel, great cinematography and very good performances. Unfortunately cannot find on DVD.

My 2nd favorite movie of all time, Cannery Row.

Nick Nolte, Debra Winger, M. Emmett Walsh, Frank McRae(very funny).
Well adapted from Steinbeck novel, great cinematography and very good performances. Unfortunately cannot find on DVD.
Hmm, that one is probably kind of obscure these days. I remember I liked it too- haven't seen it for 20 years I bet.

Series 7: The Contenders

click me (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0251031/)

Twin Falls Idaho, a quirky and well-done film about a couple of co-joined twins, befriended by a hooker with a heart of gold.

The Quiet Earth, a little-known Australian film about the last man on Earth, meeting the last woman on Earth.

Six-String Samurai, a mysterious stranger with a sword and guitar on a quest to become King of Las Vegas, following the Apocalypse.

From Beyond, a fairly straight adaptation of HP Lovecraft's story The Resonator, with Jeffrey Combs and Barbara Crampton, unfortunately on VHS only.

Lemora: A Child's Tale of the Supernatural, a lost classic, a low budget but strangely engrossing vampire film.

The Thing, the superior John Carpenter remake of the classic The Thing From Another World, was overshadowed by Spielberg's ET when released, but is a very superior film IMHO, although you need to be about 40 to be old enough to view this horror movie. It is a straight adaptation of the classic Who Goes There?, a Golden Age SF novella by John W. Campbell.

Gary

A great movie that has historical references to most of the technology we take for granted is "The Dish". It is a bit hoacky but, historically sound and adds new perspective to Apollo 11.

Than when I liked it and told all my friends about it they had never heard of it either. So for the the average movie renter, it's relatively unknown, but maybe it has grown in popularity since I saw it 3 years ago.

Upgrade your friends - mine have all seen / heard of it.

A great movie that has historical references to most of the technology we take for granted is "The Dish".


Excellent little flick. I should get that one for my collection. It could probably be picked up cheap I bet, and well worth it.

What Dreams May Come (http://us.imdb.com/title/tt0120889/)

Robin Williams
Cuba Gooding Jr.
Annabella Sciorra
Max von Sydow

Strong movie about life after death,
with some of the strangest and most beautiful CGI ever made on film.


,

GOOD ONE I LIKED IT

Upgrade your friends - mine have all seen / heard of it.


why he seems like a nice guy adding to the thread, you just seem like a mouthy jerk, I did not know you and your friends are the barometer, for what would be considered a well known movie?Are your opinions so highly thought of that they are published as a definitive source as to what is mainstream or not?

A great movie that has historical references to most of the technology we take for granted is "The Dish". It is a bit hoacky but, historically sound and adds new perspective to Apollo 11.
I actually saw this one afternoon and liked it. To think if I hadn't been bored and sifting through the movie channels, I would have missed it.

Another interesting movie I happened upon just the other day was "Delivering Milo" (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0212910/). A very thoughtful and enjoyable watch. I also caught "Wide Awake" (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0120510/) - a good early film by M. Night Shyamalan that suffers from a promotions department that had no idea what the movie was about. It's potrayed as a Rosie O'Donnell flick (the cover art even pegs her as 'Hillarious"), yet she's in no more than 20 minutes of the film as a supporting acter. If you looked at the cover art, you'd think it was a comedy. In fact, it's a somewhat tender personal enlightenment story that merely has some funny scenes mixed in. It's no wonder this one is relegated to the discount bin when people feel misled by how it's promoted.

Strong movie about life after death,
with some of the strangest and most beautiful CGI ever made on film.


,

Very haunting effects.

Speaking of dreams....

Yume (Akira Kurosawa's Dreams) (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0100998/)

Serpant and the Rainbow
Evil Dead II
Army of Darkness
One False Move
Fraility
Sexy Beast
Zero Effect
Bubba Ho-Tep
Equallibrium

These are some of my favorites. Most of them cult classics, but maybe you missed one or two.....

Heres a twist.The two best worst movies ever made.You will never see acting this bad or special effects that are so awful they are hilarious.Never enjoyed two pieces of crap more.Get your hands on Alien 3000 or Cody Black.The first is a guy running around in a rubber suit so bad even the actors break up in certain scenes and of course it stars Lorenzo Lamas.what more could you ask for except the chase where the alien is on roller skates chasing a car and he falls over in the road.This was not released as a comedy.
Cody black has the worst acting on the planet.Something about a gang breaking into a housebreakers home and the script is so out of it i think they just turned on the cameras and let every one do what they wanted.Not to be missed.

Twin Falls Idaho, a quirky and well-done film about a couple of co-joined twins, befriended by a hooker with a heart of gold.

The Quiet Earth, a little-known Australian film about the last man on Earth, meeting the last woman on Earth.

Six-String Samurai, a mysterious stranger with a sword and guitar on a quest to become King of Las Vegas, following the Apocalypse.

From Beyond, a fairly straight adaptation of HP Lovecraft's story The Resonator, with Jeffrey Combs and Barbara Crampton, unfortunately on VHS only.

Lemora: A Child's Tale of the Supernatural, a lost classic, a low budget but strangely engrossing vampire film.

The Thing, the superior John Carpenter remake of the classic The Thing From Another World, was overshadowed by Spielberg's ET when released, but is a very superior film IMHO, although you need to be about 40 to be old enough to view this horror movie. It is a straight adaptation of the classic Who Goes There?, a Golden Age SF novella by John W. Campbell.

Gary

The Quiet Earth is actually a New Zealand film, but you are correct to include it on your list.

I second it.

Heres a twist.The two best worst movies ever made.You will never see acting this bad or special effects that are so awful they are hilarious.Never enjoyed two pieces of crap more.Get your hands on Alien 3000 or Cody Black.The first is a guy running around in a rubber suit so bad even the actors break up in certain scenes and of course it stars Lorenzo Lamas.what more could you ask for except the chase where the alien is on roller skates chasing a car and he falls over in the road.This was not released as a comedy.
Cody black has the worst acting on the planet.Something about a gang breaking into a housebreakers home and the script is so out of it i think they just turned on the cameras and let every one do what they wanted.Not to be missed.
OK.... If your looking for a movie so bad its good than Shark Attack 3 Megalodon. It has special effects so bad its funny and the most inappropriate line ever used in a movie.....

What I don't understand is how someone could think that "nobody has heard of" The Thing.

What I don't understand is how someone could think that "nobody has heard of" The Thing.
Or "What Dreams May Come", for that matter. I guess the topic has slid a bit into "movies a lot of people took a pass on". Since some people reading this thread may not have bothered watching those movies, it might prompt them to.

At least no one has actually suggested "The Shawshank Redemption" as a movie no one has heard of. ;)

Ok this may not classify as "Unknown"...but it is probably on the list destined to become 'unknown'. Currently in the theaters and most people I know haven't even heard of it. "A Scanner Darkly". If you get a chance...see it. When I saw it there was like 5 other people in the cine. Very good film, imo.


A few more I thought of:

Circle of Iron
Something Wicked This Way Comes

Does anyone know the title of a film which takes place (I believe) in England as sort of a dark futuristic film? Mostly little kids in it, they are always playing "kick-the-can" ( I think) and it is never sunny. May have had "sunshine" in the title (maybe not). One day the sun comes out and nobody can believe it. I seem to remember it making a big impression on me for some reason, but I only saw it that once when I was a kid and cannot remember the name. Probably released in the late 70's. (maybe hehe)

SCANNERS

Their thoughts can kill!

2 Seconds: The Pain Begins. 5 Seconds: You Can't Breathe. 10 Seconds: You Explode :eek: .

Fear and Trembling (http://us.imdb.com/title/tt0318725/) is a very interesting cross-cultural office drama/comedy based on a true story.

Did a quick scan and didn't see Soldier of Orange mentioned, a terriffic WW2 movie from '79. Amazon has some good write-ups/reviews if interested in a fuller discription.

Fear and Trembling (http://us.imdb.com/title/tt0318725/) is a very interesting cross-cultural office drama/comedy based on a true story.
Good choice. My wife and I saw "Fear and Trembling" a couple of weeks ago. We enjoyed it. A smart, rather enchanting movie.
We have a friend who is going to be working in Tokyo for a while (a year) and we sent her "Lost In Translation" and "Fear and Trembling".

BTW: Some posters here on AVS have mentioned "The Big Red One" in other postings but I thought I'd mention it here. The new version of it is really quite Epic. The sound and music have been updated and the results are excellent. Some of the best mixing I've heard.
And I'd like to mention one of my favorite movies: "Local Hero". If you haven't seen it give it a try. It is very understated and kind of magical. Slange!

Anyone mention Santa Sangre (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0098253/) ?

Quite a memorable movie!

A few more I thought of:

Circle of Iron



That piece of crap should stay unknown. It's another attempt using Carradine to cash in on Bruce Lee's idea and script "The Silent Flute".

That piece of crap should stay unknown. It's another attempt using Carradine to cash in on Bruce Lee's idea and script "The Silent Flute".

Bullsh*t Mr. Han-man! ;-)

Bullsh*t Mr. Han-man! ;-)

LOL :D

I'll just have to get Bolo to take care of you!

The Long Kiss Goodnight

Geena Davis, and Samuel L. Jackson

The movie is action packed and Sam is hillarious.

I agree, Long Kiss Goodnight is a really fun (and funny) film, I purchased it a few years back and watch it a couple times a year.

That piece of crap should stay unknown. It's another attempt using Carradine to cash in on Bruce Lee's idea and script "The Silent Flute".

I liked if for the sole reason that it recalls "The Silent Flute". I think it gives good insight to Lee's philosophical idealogy. I personally don't care for Carradine myself, which is why I never really got into 'Kung Fu". At any rate, it has been a very long time since I have seen the film but I do recall it being a good story. The acting I cannot recall that well.

O Brother Where Art Thou

One of my favorite movies, never fails to entertain me and crack me up. A real sleeper many haven't seen.

Ok this may not classify as "Unknown"...but it is probably on the list destined to become 'unknown'. Currently in the theaters and most people I know haven't even heard of it. "A Scanner Darkly". If you get a chance...see it. When I saw it there was like 5 other people in the cine. Very good film, imo.


A few more I thought of:

Circle of Iron
Something Wicked This Way Comes

Does anyone know the title of a film which takes place (I believe) in England as sort of a dark futuristic film? Mostly little kids in it, they are always playing "kick-the-can" ( I think) and it is never sunny. May have had "sunshine" in the title (maybe not). One day the sun comes out and nobody can believe it. I seem to remember it making a big impression on me for some reason, but I only saw it that once when I was a kid and cannot remember the name. Probably released in the late 70's. (maybe hehe)





I think you might be thinking of this, "All Summer in a Day" http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0195517/

Once were Warriors and City of God.

Cut Throat Island
The Postman
Mom & Dad Save the World
The Shadow

Stace

Cut Throat Island
The Postman
Mom & Dad Save the World
The Shadow

Stace
Honestly, I can't tell- this is sarcasm, right??

O Brother Where Art Thou

One of my favorite movies, never fails to entertain me and crack me up. A real sleeper many haven't seen.
Most of the Coen Brothers' films seem to fall outside of the mainstream, and outside of their dedicated core fans, not many people seem to remember the films. I like to think of how this movie was pitched-- "So what we want to do is a retelling of The Odyssey, only in the depression-era South-- and it's going to be a comedy-- a musical comedy with old-timey country music."

I think you might be thinking of this, "All Summer in a Day" http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0195517/

Hey yeah, I think that might be it! Thanks!

Ah Bradbury had a hand in it. Now it makes sense, the mood of the film that is.

The Martian Chronicles - I remember seeing this on network TV years ago....have not see it since.....I thought it was pretty cool mini series....

Most of the Coen Brothers' films seem to fall outside of the mainstream, and outside of their dedicated core fans, not many people seem to remember the films. I like to think of how this movie was pitched-- "So what we want to do is a retelling of The Odyssey, only in the depression-era South-- and it's going to be a comedy-- a musical comedy with old-timey country music."

Yeah, everybody I've turned on to this movie has absolutely loved it, unfortuantely it just came and went when it was released and went by virtually unnoticed. A real gem, one of my fav's.

Brain Damage
Drive

Most of the Coen Brothers' films seem to fall outside of the mainstream, and outside of their dedicated core fans, not many people seem to remember the films. I like to think of how this movie was pitched-- "So what we want to do is a retelling of The Odyssey, only in the depression-era South-- and it's going to be a comedy-- a musical comedy with old-timey country music."



A real sleeper? Huh? I don't know a single person who hasn't seen that movie. It won Oscars and it's on cable every 10 minutes.

How about

Revenge (Kevin Costner & Madeleine Stowe)
Heaven Help Us (Andrew McCarthy)
Shining Through (Michael Douglas & Melanie Griffith)
Threesome (Lara Flynn-Boyle)

A real sleeper? Huh? I don't know a single person who hasn't seen that movie. It won Oscars and it's on cable every 10 minutes.
Soundtrack won Grammys, but I don't remember it winning an Oscar.

Soundtrack won Grammys, but I don't remember it winning an Oscar.


Your right. It didn't win, but it was nominated for a couple.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0190590/awards

The Martian Chronicles - I remember seeing this on network TV years ago....have not see it since.....I thought it was pretty cool mini series....

Yeah, I've been keeping my eyes open for that as well.

Hey I've vacation in the OBX the last two years, love it!

Here are a few I liked, some of them might not qualify as obscure but rather as just not mainstream:

Shaun of the Dead - One of the best zombie movies ever made. And it's funny too.
Dead & Breakfast - gotta like Horror movies that break out into a song.
Ong Bak - Excellent martial arts film.
Haute Tension(High Tension) - Great edge of your seat thriller.
District B13 - Recent action film that rocks.

Mike

Another vote for " The Ninth Configuration"

Wow.... :eek:

I received this movie through BB and watched about an hour of it last night. Horribly boring. Not scary... To each his own but thumbs down from me.

T

I second District B13. Another one that actually belongs on this list.

I question Shaun of the Dead, but not because of it's quality. My mom saw that one without my recommendation.

Ong Bak is also fairly well-known among the college crowds. I had a hard time making through the beginning because of the picture quality, but I'll try again soon.

The Japanese flim, "After Life"

A group of recently dead people find themselves in a building where they are greated by social-worker types. They are told that they have three days to choose one memory-one moment from their life, and then they will be helped in recreating it on film. At the end of the three days, they are to watch the films, and then that memory (or rather film of the memory) is the only thing they take with them into eternity.

A gem of a movie.

A couple years ago I saw A Shot in the Face on TMN and loved it. I taped it but it later taped over by my parents with golf and haven't seen it since.

It's a movie about a guy who's lazy, and then inherits money that removes any motivation he might have been forced into having. He meets a girl, who's a bit crazy, and they spend the weekend together. Their story is my favourite part, but the insulting neighbours and the insane robber, played by Nicholas Lea of X-Files fame, are hilarious (In every scene the robber is in he threatens to shoot somebody in the face) and perfect additions .

The movie seems to only be available on VHS (yuck) by writing the production company, and it's not cheap. If you get any chance to see this movie, take it. And if you find any way to get it on DVD let me know.

Elephant Shoes - a very low budget indie about a couple that meet and have an entire relationship in one day, really clever.

Me You And Everyone Else We Know - excellent film, Baumbach dreams about making movies like this.

And because I never hear anyone ever talk about it - Outside Providence. The casting and story is terrific, and Baldwin is awesome as a "knucklehead" dad.

The Beast (war movie)



Hell yes.

I have seen this movie 1 time. It was on HBO years ago, more than a decade ago I think. I have looked for it in the TV listings off and on since then and never seen it aired again.

There is a DVD of it out but it's supposedly a very poor transfer. I sent an email to Criterion telling them to do this movie justice. :)

Hell yes.

I have seen this movie 1 time. It was on HBO years ago, more than a decade ago I think. I have looked for it in the TV listings off and on since then and never seen it aired again.

There is a DVD of it out but it's supposedly a very poor transfer. I sent an email to Criterion telling them to do this movie justice. :)
I have a copy of the Beast on DVD and you are right it is a terrible transfer. It is still worth seeing since it is a great movie.

My obscure film pick has got to be "The Kentucky Fried Movie". The Zucker brothers first film (Airplane, Naked Gun, etc) which was directed by John Landis. I can't count the number of people I have introduced to this movie. I have their gratitude :)

I will also agree with "The Thing" and "Secondhand Lions". Both are great films that few have seen.

My obscure film pick has got to be "The Kentucky Fried Movie". The Zucker brothers first film (Airplane, Naked Gun, etc) which was directed by John Landis. I can't count the number of people I have introduced to this movie. I have their gratitude :)

I will also agree with "The Thing" and "Secondhand Lions". Both are great films that few have seen.
If you mention Kentucky Fried... you must mention "The Groove Tube".... Thats where Weekend Update of SNL came from...

But

My Pick early John Sayles film...starring Joe Morton...

The Brother from Another Planet...smart movie...

I have to agree with "Brother from Another Planet" and add "Space is the Place" from Sun-Ra, a slightly odd jazz Legend.( who I met after concert in a bar in Bloomington Ind, The Bluebird :cool: )

You met Sun Ra?? In Bloomington?? That is cool!! :cool:

UHF. This move cracks me up everytime I see it.


http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0098546/

I don't know if these movies qualify, but I certainly hadn't heard of either one of them before I rented them.

1. Fallen (Denzel Washington, John Goodman, Donald Sutherland, James Gandolfini)
2. Changing Lanes (Ben Affleck and Samuel L Jackson)

With such big names I can't believe I hadn't heard of either one of them... but I hadn't. Maybe I just don't get out enough :)

Thought they were both very good, especially Fallen.

Jumping to the bottom of this thread, I don't know if what I am about to mention has been discussed or not already. I'm sure these movies have been heard of, but they're not major titles.

Run [1991] (with Patrick Dempsey)
The Rescue [1988] (with Kevin Dillon)

The Crown of Bogg [1981]
This one probably needs a bit of an explanation. This was a 30 minute special, themed for Halloween, that had puppets and real people in it. Although it looked like something that Jim Henson could have created (with Muppets) it was created by Paul Fusco who is best known for creating Alf.

Hiding Out (1987) with Jon Cryer

I really liked 'Frequency' With Dennis Quaid......Great movie that no one went to see.


thats not true.... i saw it! not a bad movie...

Hiding Out (1987) with Jon Cryer

Is that the one where he pretends to be a high school student?

Is that the one where he pretends to be a high school student?

Yep, he's hiding out from gangsters in his cousin's high school.

Wrestling Ernest Hemingway - 1993

Robert Duvall
Richard Harris
Shirley MacLaine

Very good.

"Matewan" and "Lonestar" by John Sayles

"Let it Ride" with Richard Dreyfuss and David Johannson.....a very very funny movie

"Payback" with Mel Gibson.......I can watch this one over and over again. Its fun to root for the bad guy.

"The Limey" with Terence Stamp

"Run Lola Run"

I'll second Something the Lord Made, after seeing that and 16 Blocks I think SOMEONE needs to find Mos Def more work the guy is really good.

Suprised no one mentioned

"Its all gone pete tong"

"human traffic"

Great british movies.

One I thought of today, which isn't a great movie, just a light and cynical look at the 80's Moneypalooza of Reganomics, is Barbarians at the Gate. It may have been a straight to video thing or made for HBO or something like that. But it's pretty funny and pokes some good fun at what was going on at the time (well, going on more so than usual anyway.) The DVD quality is retched though.

Yep, he's hiding out from gangsters in his cousin's high school.

And it was filmed in my high school! I'm in it too....

The Last Valley (1971) written, produced and directed by James Clavell starring Michael Caine in one of, if not The, best performances of his career is a compelling drama touching on many human themes set during the Thirty-years War of the middle ages. The equal of Shogun, or King Rat, another of my favorite semi-unsung greats.

I love Chasing Amy.

"Matewan" and "Lonestar" by John Sayles

"Let it Ride" with Richard Dreyfuss and David Johannson.....a very very funny movie

"Payback" with Mel Gibson.......I can watch this one over and over again. Its fun to root for the bad guy.

"The Limey" with Terence Stamp

"Run Lola Run"


What a *great* suggestion here bspears. "Matewan" was an awesome movie. I still remember the ending and it gives me chills.

T

Matewan also was based upon a true story and stared an appropriately "best actor nobody has heard of" - david strathcairn.

he is awesome in "Delores Clayborne - another under-appreciated movie.

Matewan is great, but it's worth tracking down the anamorphic Canadian dvd version; the fullscreen Artisan disc, which is what you'd typically find, is crap. Nicheflix has it:

http://rental.nicheflix.com/product_p/00766.htm

While we're on Sayles, don't forget the recent reissue of 'Brother from Another Planet' and the charming 'Secret of Roan Inish,' both have very interesting director commentary tracks.

Happiness...the most messed up movie I have ever seen. I wouldn't call it good, its more like watching a train wreck, you just can't look away.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0147612/

For good movies: Fargo, Heathers, someone pointed out both Gattaca, and Mystery Men (I adore Mystery Men, I've probably seen it 50 times, and have gotten to the point I'm not afraid to admit it anymore).

UHF. This move cracks me up everytime I see it.


http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0098546/

YES!!!!

UHF totally bombed in the theaters because it came out in the middle of the biggest blockbuster summer basically of all time, but this is a great little comedy! Michael Richards is AWESOME in this movie!

I'm surprised how few people have seen UHF.

(I adore Mystery Men, I've probably seen it 50 times, and have gotten to the point I'm not afraid to admit it anymore).

I assume that was me, but just in case it wasn't, I'll second that. It's a hilarious flick if you are in the mood for that kind of thing. And one of the best black level tests of all time.

I've read through this entire thread I was suprized I didn't see these two - not well known but IMO fantastic movies.

The Brotherhood of the wolf.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brotherhood_of_the_Wolf

Things to do in Denver when your dead.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0114660/

For good movies: Fargo, Heathers, someone pointed out both Gattaca, and Mystery Men (I adore Mystery Men, I've probably seen it 50 times, and have gotten to the point I'm not afraid to admit it anymore).

I LOVE Mystery Men, I too have seen it more times than I care to admit, but it still makes me laugh every single time! This movie is extremely high on the quoteability scale...

"Disc is not dead, Disco is life!"
"Yes Tony, that's the spirit!"

I assume that was me, but just in case it wasn't, I'll second that. It's a hilarious flick if you are in the mood for that kind of thing. And one of the best black level tests of all time.

Try The Specials. Same general idea as Mystery Men/The Tick (what if being a superhero was a common blue collar job?) but better done even though it didn't have the budget or stars. Well OK, Thomas Hayden Church and Rob Lowe are in it :D. Written by James Gunn of Slither and Tromeo And Juliet fame, it has more of a Seinfeld vibe to it and has lots of serious geek appeal. THIS is a great movie that most people have never heard of.

One of my favorite movies of all time that no one seems to know is The Tao of Steve (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0234853/) with Donal Logue (of Grounded For Life fame).

Great, great movie

I love Chasing Amy.

Great film! Everytime it gets to the climax I just want to shout at Affleck's character..."Shut up you idiot! Just shut up before it's too late!".

lol

Try The Specials. Same general idea as Mystery Men/The Tick (what if being a superhero was a common blue collar job?) but better done even though it didn't have the budget or stars. Well OK, Thomas Hayden Church and Rob Lowe are in it :D. Written by James Gunn of Slither and Tromeo And Juliet fame, it has more of a Seinfeld vibe to it and has lots of serious geek appeal. THIS is a great movie that most people have never heard of.

Woo-hoo! Finally something in the thread I havent seen yet.

Added to my Queue.

Try The Specials. Same general idea as Mystery Men/The Tick (what if being a superhero was a common blue collar job?) but better done even though it didn't have the budget or stars. Well OK, Thomas Hayden Church and Rob Lowe are in it :D. Written by James Gunn of Slither and Tromeo And Juliet fame, it has more of a Seinfeld vibe to it and has lots of serious geek appeal. THIS is a great movie that most people have never heard of.

nowhere near as good as mystery men :(

nowhere near as good as mystery men :(
Well, you're welcome to that opinion but you're wrong :D Mystery Men was a bloated FX extravaganza that had moments of wit but ultimately had little direction. Specials has no FX, no fights- it's a great dialog and character driven movie and is very funny. IMO, of course.

I'll second A Scanner Darkly

My Life's in Turnaround

Spanking the Monkey

I bought almost 10 movies from this thread so far. Happy Accidents was really good IMO.

$
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0068152/

A few more..


MyBodyguard- Classic bully high school A hole- matt Dillion- excellent movie.

Amongst-Friends- Great wannabe gangsta Brooklyn guys movie. Not many seen this.

LessThanZero- true story / well pretty close of RobertDownyJr.

NorthShore- ClassicCult surf movie BRAH

pointBreak- Another surf movie but pretty popular- it rocks

Survival Island- What a babe in this movie -well worth the watch

SecretAdmirer- funny as heck teen movie- the older actors are hillarious in this.

Pulling my favorites from this thread (although I readily admit to not seeing many & not ever having heard of some, thus the thread title I guess...)

Let It Ride -- I've spent many days at the horse race track & this captures many many things about that entire mindset, along with having several funny scenes. I'm usually not a big Richard Dreyfuss fan, but I thought he was great here.

The Quiet Earth -- Wonderful last-man-on-earth genre movie. Even if I remembered the name of the actor, I probably couldn't connect him to anything else but I thought he did a great job of pulling everyone into his world.

Heathers -- I saw this movie many times when younger & I always thought it was one of the best 'high school' movies ever. If you take away some of the extremes in the movie & change the plot line a bit, you've got "Mean Girls". (Give me Winona Ryder over Lyndsey Lohan anyday.)

This is a Coen brothers film from 1994, great visuals, quirky humor, fantastic cast (Tim Robbins, Paul Newman, Jennifer Jason Leigh); it has some plot elements similar to "The Producers" and has been reviewed as one of the Coen's lesser efforts, but it is one of my favorite films, usually watch a few times a year.

I worked for a computer games company that made tie-ins of film releases. We watched a film called Robozone to make a tie-in of it. The film was a puppet theatre film like the old Thunderbirds tv programmes. I liked the film, but it was never released. We still made the game of it anyway.

On a more musical note, a couple of obscure films that I think are worth mentioning in a thread like this are:

The Legend of 1900

and

The Red Violin

These were blind rentals a while back, and I fell in love with both films.

One I see on cable occasionally is Deep Cover with Laurance Fishburn and Jeff Goldblum. Made in 1992, it was visually ahead of its time and pretty intense.

Amongst-Friends- Great wannabe gangsta Brooklyn guys movie. Not many seen this.




I have this on laserdisc and it takes place in Long Island not Brooklyn. Do you watch "Entourage"? You can see the director's influence in the series since he worked on that, too.

Primer

Primer Movie Website (http://primermovie.com/)

Makes Momento seem like a Teletubbies episode in comparison.

It took at least 4 viewings AND careful study of the forum posts at their site AND some notes and mapping to really grasp what was happening.

Not your average movie experience - very, very complex.