We had a great cult/underground/underrated film thread on the old board, and because I can't dig that up, and because I always need some good rental options next time I hit up Blockbuster, I figured I'd start a new one.
I don't want to tell anyone what to suggest, but I'm hoping for some less obvious recommendations; hopefully some that even somebody who watches a lot of movies (me) may not have seen. Of course many of us will have seen the movies posted, including mine below, but let's try to steer clear of, say, Snatch, or Pulp Fiction, because if you haven't seen those, this thread might not be the best place for you to get movie recommendations in the first place. :P And you don't necessarily have to suggest your favorite underrated movies; the ones below aren't mine. Just pick a couple that the majority of the CPuck faithful probably haven't seen.
Here's a few of my picks:
25th Hour
I just watched it tonight, so you might call it the inspiration for this thread. Just an outstanding movie in every aspect. Touches on friendship, failure, redemption, trust, New York City, and saying goodbye. Ed Norton and Philip Seymour Hoffman are great, as usual, but Brian Cox and Barry Pepper are brilliant also. And I think this is Spike Lee's best film- one tremendously powerful scene after another. Great score and beautiful to look at also. Just very well done, and very few people I know have seen it for some reason.
The Shape Of Things
Based on a popular play, Neil LaBute directed. So you know it's gotta be about something to do with the destructive, sadistic side of relationships. Lots of great dialogue, and Rachel Weisz is terrific. The ending hit me like a mack truck.
Y Tu Mama Tambien
Bold, sexy, coming of age type picture by Mexican director Alfonso Cuaron, about two young guys who take a road trip with a thirtysomething woman and learn lessons about life, love, friendship, etc, etc. I liked this one a lot, one of my favorite foreign flicks ever.
Repulsion
Another foreign gem, from Roman Polanski. I've never actually been able to track this one down in a video store- I watched it in the OUC library in Kelowna while I was going to school there, on a recommendation by my film studies prof. Probably the most effectively disturbing film I've ever seen. Not graphically violent, but just psychologically chilling and harrowing, with a claustrophobic feeling to it. If you can find it, and enjoyed "Pi" or "Psycho" or "Rosemary's Baby," rent it. You won't forget it.
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